The Old Porch Swing

So many memories of the old porch swing.

Many times I remember at the end of the day, after the chores were finished, Mother and Daddy would walk out onto the breezeway and sit down in the old porch swing. I don't remember when that porch swing was hung but it was there for as long as I could remember from the time we moved there when I was four until my mother passed away at almost 95 years of age.

Many nights after supper, I'd ride my bicycle. Most of the time, it was with some neighborhood friends but sometimes, it was alone. Our porch swing faced the side street. I was allowed to ride around the block in the evenings as long as I didn't get on the main road. So, around the block I would ride finely turning onto the side street beside our house. I can remember pedaling my bicycle beside our garage and, with anticipation, look toward the old, porch swing, where my mother and daddy would be sitting and gently swinging, back and forth.......back and forth. I would wave and they would wave back. How many times I rode around that block in the cool of the evening, I can't tell you but it was always so good to see my Mother and Daddy sitting there enjoying each other and, I liked to think, enjoying watching me come into sight. Mother would often be sitting there fanning herself with the tail of her apron while Daddy was leaned back smoking his pipe filled with Prince Albert.

I have often wondered, in the day and age we live, if we have the patience to just sit and swing back and forth in an old porch swing. Life has too many things to occupy us. There was contentment in the faces of my parents as they swung back and forth in the squeaky old swing. We didn't have much as far as material things but God provided the things we needed and we had each other.

When I think of my mother and daddy, who have gone on to their Heavenly Home, I like to think that God has provided an old swing for them on the front porch of their mansions.

" There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" John 14:2 NLT

Here In Pleasant Valley

Things have quieted down here in Pleasant Valley where we have lived for almost 30 years. Last week, the highway was as busy as a den of ants. A steady stream of motorcycles heading east and west could be heard from early morning until late at night.

Except for a few days of cyclists this time of year, our peaceful little valley couldn't be more serene no matter the season. Except for the male cicades making a shrill sound and an occasional airplane flying overhead all is quiet.

We enjoy the spring when the big trees down by the little stream leaf out and shade the gazebo John built. We like summer in the cool of the evening, listening to the night sounds and looking at the stars. We watch for the falling leaves of our maple trees and the smell of burning leaves indicating that fall is in the air. When the snow is falling in winter, we know that we can enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn, kicked back in our easy chair; a purring kitten lying in front of our fireplace.

Right now, we could use a little rain in our little valley. Too much rain means more grass for my husband to mow and more weeds to cut in our big yard.

There is just something special about our little bit of Pleasant Valley. Our place and 400 surrounding acres was home to families on the paternal side of my family all the way back to the early 1800's. My grandfather built the second house to the west of us when my daddy was small. It has been remodeled, but the big front porch is still there; the porch from which Daddy road his tricycle off into the rain barrel situated the end of the porch.

Behind the home just west of us, the building still stands that was once the Pleasant Valley church. My mother and daddy attended church there during their courting years back in the 20's. When he was in his late teens, my daddy gave his heart to the Lord while riding his horse home after attending a revival meeting there. Our daughter #2 played the piano for a revival there when she was in her teens.

A stones throw to the east of us, was the Pleasant Valley school my daddy attended as a child. My daddy passed just before we bought our home here in Pleasant Valley, but I know he would be happy that we are back in his old stompin' grounds.

I have often wondered what life was like in our area back then. I know few people had cars. They either walked or road horse back when traveling from place to place. I remember my mother talking about how they use to go to what she called play parties. The young people would get together and square dance. They had pie suppers, they played card games. Everything was homemade; the food, the music , and other things. And, a lot of their time spent together was at little country churches and schools much like the ones my parents attended close by. Although for the country folk like my family, the 1920's was a time of hardship, they found time to be together as families and they enjoyed friendships without the benefit of televisions, computers or IPhones.

C. S. Lewis once said , “Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire"

I know families back then helped each other. When you needed a house or barn built, friends came in to help. When there was tragedy in the family, friends gathered, doing what they could to ease the burden.

I know God is pleased when we come together and enjoy each other as a family or when we gather with friends.

"A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Proverbs 17:17 TLB
And, I think God smiles down on our little piece of heaven here on earth in Pleasant Valley.

57 Years............

That “double neck steel guitar playin’ guy” and I were sitting on the Berryville square on a Saturday night in his car.

“Would you reach over and flip open the glove compartment and hand me that sack that’s in there?” he asked.

Opening the compartment, I pulled out a small sack,

“This one?” I asked him.

“Yes, that one. Now open it and look inside.” He said, smiling at me.

I carefully opened the little sack and took out a little white box. I opened it and there was the most beautiful set of diamond rings I had ever seen in my life! He took one of the rings from the box and put it on my finger and, of course, I cried.

And few months later on September 28th ,1958 ,a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon, and John's parent's 24th anniversary , we repeated our vows to each other at the “big red brick church down the street from the post office” in front of our attendants, our friends and family.

I can still feel the excitement of that day. I had worked at a dress shop in town after I graduated. I bought a white prom dress for $24.95. My Mother had a seamstress make a lace jacket to go with it. My three attendants were all named Linda and they wore pretty pink chiffon dresses. My groom and his attendants were attired in white jackets and black pants. And, my cousin, who was only fifteen at the time but had the voice of an angel, sang three songs we had chosen; "Oh Promise Me", "I Love You Truly" and "The Lord's Prayer.

Today, we celebrate our 57th wedding anniversary. He is the best husband a woman could ever want. He is the best father and grandfather there ever was. And, although he no longer has that guitar, he will always be that “double neck steel guitar playin’ guy” that I fell in love with back in the spring of 1955.

On our anniversary in 1969, I penned the following poem. It's words still ring true today.

Eleven years ago today
On such an afternoon,
I became your blushing bride,
And you, my handsome groom.

It seems but only yesterday
I floated down the aisle,
And there you stood just waiting,
With your sweet, familiar smile.

I thought that day my heart would burst
With the love it held for you.
That it must be but just a dream,
When you softly said "I do."

"I now pronounce you man and wife".
The words ring yet so clear.
A lifetime I was now to share
With the one I held most dear.

God must have surely smiled that day
When He looked down from above,
For from that day you've been my own,
To have, to hold, to love.

Jo Ann
September 28, 1969

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24 ESV

I'm in a Rut !

I'm in a rut............

Why is it that I fix the same meals all the time?

Typical conversation at our home:
...

"Honey, what would you like for supper?"

"Oh, I don't know. What do you want?"

"I don't know. We have leftover meatloaf, enough chicken salad to make a couple of sandwiches. There's a couple of pieces of chicken or I could open a can of soup and fix a couple of PBJ's."
"I don't care. Just fix whatever you want and I'll eat it."

Now, I have enough cookbooks to reach the ceiling if they were stacked. I have my mother's cookbooks; cookbooks my friends have given me as gifts; cookbooks I have bought for the last 50+ years and a drawer full of 8x10 sheets of paper with recipes I have copied from the web, plus index cards in a little tin box of my mothers, with tried and true recipes she used over the years. But, I find myself fixing the same meal week after week.

I'm in a rut...........

Oh, I go to the grocery store and come home with the same things, put them up and wonder what we are going to eat.

Do I fix the same meals because then I don't have to think about fixing something new and whether my husband is going to like it? Is it just easier to not have to use a recipe? Do I fix the same thing because I know we are going to eat it?

Or am I in a rut?

Sometimes, our spiritual lives get in a rut. Our bible reading becomes a habit; pick up the bible, flip it open, read a few verses, close the bible and head out for a busy day. Or, maybe not pick it up at all........

Church becomes a rut.........

 We get up on Sunday mornings, shower, dress and off we go with a smile on our faces. We go to the same church; park in the same place; set in the same pew; sing the same songs; greet others who have come today; put our offering in the passing plate; listen to the sermon; bow our heads for dismissal prayer; head for our vehicles and rush to the restaurant or hurry home, hoping the roast hasn't burned.

Our spiritual lives should be "rut proof". We should be so in love with our Lord that we can't wait to see what He has for us when we open His Word each day. We should be thankful that we have a church where we can hear His word preached and fellowship with fellow believers. We should welcome the chance to share our faith with those we see everyday.

"Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day." Lamentations 3:21B (TLB)

First Day of School

School has been in session now for over a month. When I see postings of the activities going on at different schools, I'm reminded of my first day of school.

There was no kindergarten so first grade awaited this six year old.. There was no "Meet the Teacher" or Open House before school started like there is today. I had no idea who my teacher would be or where my classroom was. And even though we only had half day classes because of the number of children, all I knew is my mo...ther wasn't going to be there so I was not a happy camper.

Conveniently, I think, my soft hearted daddy had to go to work early. My mother didn't drive so our neighbor , Mr. O., would be taking me. I can still see him now, pulling into our driveway while I stood hanging onto my mother's apron for dear life. After much carjoling, I was finally seated in his red pickup and off we went. I remember looking through the back glass and seeing my mother wave. That's when the tears began to flow.

Arriving at school, I refused to get out. Instead, my tears turned to bawling. Poor Mr. O. didn't want to forcibly carry me to the school, so he turned the pick up around and headed back to my house. Two trips later after hearing from my mother that staying home was not an option but a paddling was, I found myself in a classroom of kids my age, most of whom I didn't know.

After the tornado in 1942 that blew away most of the school buildings here, old CCC buildings were moved from just behind Berryville Ford and to the east of the elementary school, to a location just southwest of what is now known as the Old Rock Gym on the grounds of BHS high school. My first grade classroom was in one of those old buildings. There was an old pot bellied stove in the middle of the classroom that kept us warm during the cold winters. However, on that September day in 1946 , it would not have mattered if we had been meeting in the governor's mansion; not mattered that Mrs. Roberts was a kind teacher ; not mattered that I knew one or two of the kids, I was afraid and I wanted the security of my mother and home.

Our Lord wants us to enjoy life on the earth that He prepared for us. However, our true happiness and security is in Him. He wants us to be prepared for our Heavenly Home when our life on this earth is complete. And, just as my mother was waiting for me with open arms when I returned from school that first day, our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms so that we who are Believers can live with Him forever.

"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14: 2-3 NLT

So Much Tragedy

There is so much tragedy in our world . I think particularly about the beautiful young lady in Huntsville whose life was taken so suddenly because of a vehicle accident. I hear of other tragedies all over our nation and I'm sad.

I had just turned two when the tornado of 1942 struck and destroyed most of my hometown. Because of work, my parents and I were living in Salina, Ks. at the time so we were spared. But, my paternal family wasn’t. My grandparent’s home was destroyed; my grandfather was severely injured and my grandmother died a short time later from injuries suffered in that tragedy. My paternal family was bombarded by tragedies during the years my daddy was growing up and even after he was married. This tornado that took the life of my grandmother even before I got to know her was only one of them.

My paternal grandfather was known in the town as a good man and a very good businessman. But, there were things that he did that brought about tragedy and discourse within his family. My grandmother was a wonderful woman by all accounts; a Christian woman I’m told, who loved the Lord and her family. My grandfather, on the other hand, was raised in the home of a circuit riding preacher. His dad was gone much of the time holding revivals here and there and my grandfather resented that his dad was away so much. So, going to church was not a priority for my grandfather when he left home. I’m sure my grandmother spent much of her life praying for the salvation of my grandfather and her children. But, his salvation and that of one of his sons was not to come until after her death.

It was a small country church and my parents and I had gone to one of the services. We sat on the same pew with my grandfather, his brother and my uncle. I remember so well, even though I couldn’t have been more than five or six, when the alter call came and those three men began bawling like babies. I don’t remember much of the details other than seeing them all raise their hands; tears flowing down their cheeks and asking the Lord to come into their lives. And, I remember later going to the river where they were all baptized. I don’t know what brought about my grandfather’s salvation but I am almost positive it was the prayers of his wife, now deceased. And, perhaps, the knowledge of the tragedy that took her life, and the tragedies that took the lives of all of his children but two, over the years.

I see and read the news stories now of families torn apart by the ravishing storms that have taken place in their lives. And, yet, as I hear some of their stories, I know God has gained a victory. Their testimonies of His love and faithfulness abound even through their tears.

Isn’t it amazing how we tend to believe that everything revolves around us? That God should give us special priority because we are such good people? That He should never let tragedy or unhappiness come to us because we are His people? We never think about the fact that God uses tragedy to bring people to Him that otherwise might never know His saving grace.

Has God used a tragedy in someone else’s life to bless you? Or a tragedy in your life to bless someone else? God put us on this earth to be a shining example of Him to those around us. We are not here for our own selfish reasons.

I pray that even now as the memorial service is going on for this precious young lady in Huntsville, that , even in death, her short life will have meaning. I pray that God will use this tragedy to bring about a change for the better in the lives of those who knew her. It should be the prayer of all of us that when our time on earth is complete, the testimony of our lives can be used to bring others to Christ.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 NIV

Are You Lukewarm?

Here it is, the first full day of fall. Daytime temperatures don't reflect it yet, but soon they will.
I'm reminded of my sweet mother when a change of season comes.

After being married to the love of her life for 57 years, my mother had now been alone for 16 years. Like most women of that era, she had depended on my daddy for whatever needed to be taken care of around the home she had now lived in for sixty years. So, it was very difficult for her to have to depend on someone else even at 93.

"I really hate to bother John", my mother would say," but it's pretty cold in the house this morning."

Mother would call and in an apologetic way, ask if John could come and turn on her furnace. Of course, he would; he always did. As is typical of these early fall days, by afternoon, the heat would return and once again John would gladly make his way to Mother's home and turn on the air.

"I turned on the fan," she would say, "but it still seems awfully stuffy in here."

And, so it would go, day after day, for the next six weeks or so when finally the weather would settle down and her furnace could be turned on until spring.

I'm sure many of you, like me, go to bed at night out on top of the covers. Then, in the middle of the night, you find yourself grabbing for that blanket because you're cold. It's difficult to get just the right temperature at just the right time and make it last.

So, it is with our houses of worship. Being inspired by God, John the Apostle wrote this to the Church in Laodicea:

"I know what you have done, and that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were either cold or hot! but since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I intend to spit you out of my mouth!" Revelations 3:16 Phillips Translation

Some churches are made up of people who are either hot or cold. They are either on fire for the Lord or they are cold as a wedge. But, most believers are lukewarm and God is not pleased with a body of believers like that.

It's really easy to allow ourselves to gradually become cold. We "throw off the cover" so to speak and then, before we know what has happened, we are cold. We immerse ourselves in church attendance; diligently read our bibles daily; pray through our days and feel the closeness of God. Then, for whatever reason, we find other things to do on Sundays and we skip church. With each Sunday it becomes easier to neglect coming together with other believers in God's house. The busyness of each day occupies us so we put other things above our quite times with God in prayer and bible study. And, like the church at Laodicea, God is not pleased with us.

How is your Christian thermostat? How is your walk with the Lord? Are you one of the Laodiceans or are you in tune with what God has called you to do for Him?

Think about it............

Children's Games and the Media

This morning as I listened to the news the thought came to me that this media thing is just like some of the games we played as kids.

First of all, there is the political brew-ha-ha. It's a game of Hide and Seek. Each politician tries to hide anything that will show them in a bad light and their opponents seek out everything their competition has done from childhood until now in order to discredit them. The media loves this!

Then there is the game of Anti-Over. The media ...tosses their opinion over the airwaves to see who will toss it back after adding their two cents to the story.

How about Hop-Scotch? Throw that nugget of gossip onto a square and see who can jump over it. At the end of the game, the media person who has been able to side step the nugget of truth and come up with the biggest story is the winner.

And, that game of football where the political left and the political right try to see who can get in the end zone carrying the gossip ball and scoring a big one for their party. Oh, my, the media will grab that ball and run with it !

Did you play Ring Around the Rosy as a kid? Everyone joined hands and ran around in circles until we were so dizzy we all fell down in one big heap. The media is like that........they run around spreading their take on things and leaving the listener or reader so dizzy they have no idea what the truth is.

Oh, and there is Simon Says. Remember, you must preface whatever is said by saying "Simon Says". If the media can get you to believe everything Simon says, whether he really said it or not and truth or not, they have done their job.

We played Hot Potato a lot. No one wanted to be left holding the Hot Potato , usually a ball, so they just tossed it out there and watched for someone else to catch it and toss it. It went so fast you had to be on your toes or you would be out. Media likes to play that game with politicians. If they find one they don't particularly like, they toss a "hot potato" to them, hoping to catch them off guard thus being called out.

In this day and age of radio, television, and computers, the media has a heyday! Whatever gets them the highest ratings whether it's true or not, they feel they have done their job. And, we as consumers seem to want sensationalism; we want to believe the worst of everyone and everything.

I'm so glad that in this day and time of media madness, there is still the Good News. Perhaps we should dwell on it more than the media hype that's out there.

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

About Green Grass and Temptation

Yesterday I wrote about temptation. We all are tempted; some act on those temptations and they can bring about terrible consequences for themselves and those around them.

Sin came into a perfect world because of two people not believing what God had told them and giving in to temptation. Because of that, we all have suffered.

"The woman was convinced. How lovely and fresh looking it was! And it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit and gave some to her husband, and he ate it too." Genesis 3:6-7 (TLB)

About Green Grass

They say the grass is greener
On the other side of the fence,
So for me to want to stay right here,
I’d have to be quite dense.

I’ll say “Good bye” to obligations,
Cast my commitments to the wind.
I’ll not worry about the broken hearts,
For they will surely mend.

So, I’ll burn the ships behind me,
Never mind the blazing fire.
For I’m on to greener pastures,
Greener pastures of desire.

I’ll not look back at tear stained faces,
I’ll close my ears to counsel wise,
For I only see green pastures
Under bright and sunny skies.

I’ll leave behind restraints and conflicts,
As I step down on grass so green,
And wonder why I stayed so long
With only that fence between.

As I step down upon the grass
This grass so emerald green,
A man appears from nowhere
Someone I had not seen.

“Come with me, I’ll show you pleasures,
The likes of which you’ve never seen.
Your dull life is behind you,
You’re moving on to grass that’s green”

So I followed him down this wide, wide road,
We’d stop along the way.
“You must experience all of this.
Stay as long as you want to stay.”

I experienced things I cannot explain
With this new friend by my side.
And, all the things I longed to do,
I no longer had to hide.

Suddenly the road of pleasure
Came abruptly to an end
In desperation I looked about
But , I could not find my friend!

If my friend would lead me to the fence,
To the life I’d left somewhere,
I’d just leave this road of pleasure
For the life I left back there.

And suddenly my friend appeared
And, there across his head,
Was written the world “Deception”
Not in green, but brilliant red.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but you can’t go back.”
My deceptive friend did whine,
“Remember all those many ships
You thoughtlessly burned behind?”

“By the way, my name’s DECEPTION,
And this is what I do.
I paint grass green THIS side of the fence
For gullible souls like you.”

Jo Ann 1996

But, God is faithful to carry those who are tempted; they don't have to act on those temptations. Also, God is faithful to forgive those who have given in to temptation and have wrecked havoc on their lives and the lives of others.

"My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely. He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s. John 2:1-2Living Bible (TLB)

Satan and Temptation

I read posts on Facebook about all of the problems people have; some brought on by the kind of lifestyles they have chosen and it breaks my heart.

When it comes to temptations, for some reason, they give in when they don't have to. And, too many times they don't realize the decisions they make, when faced with temptation. will be felt by others. It's like throwing the pebble in the stream. The waves flow out in all directions and the lives of others can be changed for the worse because of the decision to follow temptation.

What is so tragic about the lives of people all around us that are suffering because of strife and struggles in their lives is that they don’t realize there is an out for them. They don’t have to live in despair because God has made a way for them to gain peace in their lives through His death on the cross for the sins of the world. If you are being bombarded by the temptations of Satan, there is hope so don’t give in.

There is a story in Matthew about Satan coming to Christ while He was on earth and tempting him. If Satan was bold enough to tempt Christ, he is certainly bold enough to tempt us. But, if Christ lives within us, we, too, have the strength to stand against Satan. It’s not an easy thing to do but we can do it with God’s help.

“For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.” Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.” Matthew 4:8-11 The Message

Is it worth it to give in to those temptations only to realize the tragedies that come from them?
Are you struggling today? If so, God is the answer. Your tomorrows may not be perfect but you can live without regret.

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Musical Memories

I mentioned my love of music yesterday and how it began when I was young. I still love music but much of today’s versions, I have a difficult time understanding.  I can still sing a lot of the verses from songs I learned as a child or teenager. And, I might enjoy singing some of the music today if I could understand the lyrics. Does anyone else have that problem?

I remember being in an operetta in school when I was in fourth grade. It was held in the gym and included students from a lot of different classes; some younger and a lot of them older.  I remember the number I was involved in with about a dozen other students was a routine we danced to the music  of “Alice Blue Gown”. I remember my mother making my long blue dress with a black grosgrain ribbon tie at the waist and little black grosgrain bows on the front of the bodice.  We practiced that routine and song so hard and so much I can still remember most of the steps and can certainly remember the song. I remember distinctly all of the people in the operetta gathering on the stage for a big picture. And, I remember seeing the picture in the annual when it came out. Oh, how proud I was! 

When Little John was a first grader, the students in his one room school house always had a Christmas play.  It was an exciting time for them to perform the Christmas story and sing carols. For whatever reason, the adults wanted Little John to perform a jig dance like he was known to do.  Of course, he loved performing so he obliged them and danced away to the laughing and clapping of hands. I have never figured out what a jig dance had to do with Christmas unless he was dancing around the Christmas tree but nonetheless, it was a part of the activities at his little school that stood out in his mind.  He also remembered that he had begun to suspect the story of Santa. So, when Santa appeared at his school, Little John very carefully checked Santa’s shoes and recognized them as belonging to the local store owner.  What a disappointment that was!

As I moved up into high school, there was always a talent show each year. Students were invited to perform whatever type of musical talent they had. My friend and I became very good at the art of pantomime and won first place one year for our rendition of “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window”.  And, I recall my future husband accompanying, via his double neck steel guitar, someone in one of the classes who sang. Of course, that was well before I knew he would be my husband someday.

What a great time getting together with friends and loved ones when music is involved! I believe God smiles down on His children when they are together enjoying the company of one another. And, I know He provides us with memory so we can enjoy those good times over and over.

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13 NASB

That Old Upright Piano

When Daughter # 2 was about seven years old, she began to beg for a chance to play the piano. I was the church pianist at the time at the big, red brick church down the street from the post office, and that was what she wanted to be. So, lessons began and she showed real talent.

I remember her first piano teacher saying the first time Daughter # 2 laid her hands on the keys of her piano, she knew she had what it took. Thank you, Ms. Sue, for your talent, encouragement and patience that started Daughter # 2 on the track to becoming the musician she is today.

Like Daughter # 1, Daughter # 2 loved playing the piano but practicing everyday was something else.

“If you will just continue with lessons through the summer and if you don’t like it then, when fall rolls around and school starts, you can quit,” I told her.

So, it was that she stayed with it; grumbling all the while. Finally, just before school started, something clicked……songs began to come forth from that big upright piano and she was hooked.

From then on, every time I would sit down at the piano to play, she would suddenly feel the urge to practice.

It was first recital time at the Christian Church. I made her a little blue long dress with a big white collar and she was so excited. She played………..and she played well. From then on, she was the pianist of the family. By seventh grade, she was playing for all the school activities. By ninth grade, she was giving piano lessons. The John W. Schaum piano books; red, orange, purple and brown, were the books her students used. She became our church pianist at the big red brick church down the street from the post office and eventually the pianist in other churches.

The old upright piano has been refinished to a beautiful, shiny oak. It sat in her livingroom here in town where she again gave lessons from those John W. Schaum; red, orange, purple and brown books. After her family moved a few years ago, that old piano moved with them. Once more it sets in her living room. She doesn’t give lessons now but rather teaches school. However, the piano that first sat in my living room nearly sixty-five years earlier, still sounds wonderful when she touches its keys.

Although, her daughters didn't take piano lessons on that old piano, I visualize my great-grandchildren someday playing on that old upright piano.....my piano.......from so many years ago.
I think God has a lesson here for all of us. No matter the age of the instrument or the person, both can still bring glory to the Father in their own special way as long as they are dedicated to their purpose in life.

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 ESV

Playing in the Band

“I’ll ask your dad and I think it will be okay if you want to be in band,” I told Daughter # 1.

“I really, really want to, Mom,” she said, “I hope he’ll say that it’s okay.”

So began the days of practicing, marching, band concerts, band trips, competitions, etc. for Daughter # 1. Piano had interested her in the beginning but it didn’t hold the excitement she thought band would. So, she chose the clarinet.  Bringing it home to practice that first evening was quite a treat.   She hadn’t learned to play any songs  but just being able to blow into it; place her fingers on the key holes and get some sort of pleasing sound was such a treat. Eventually, just random sounds developed into actual songs as Daughter # 1 continued to practice her chosen instrument.

“Mom, MOM! Make her quit blowing that horn in here! I can’t practice my piano and I have a lesson tomorrow,” yelled Daughter # 2. 

“YOU stay at this piano and practice and YOU go back to your room to blow that horn or take it outside!” I said, pointing at each of them as I spoke.

And, so began the many afternoons and evenings of musical conflict in our home. But what joy it was to watch Daughter # 1, donned in her brand new band uniform, marching in the local fair parade and other parades around the area.  The band had been the lucky recipient of much needed uniforms provided by a man who had grown up in this area; had gone on to open a lot of chain stores and had now given back to his community.

In a few short years, Daughter # 2 joined the ranks of the bandies.  She never gave up her piano but added an alto sax to the mix. Now both daughters were bringing home horns to show their dad and me the latest tunes they had learned to play.  And, it was the beginning of what seemed like endless nights of setting out in the cold on the hard bleachers at a football game just to hear our daughters play and watch them march. Often we found ourselves setting inside a stifling hot gym at a basketball game just to hear the band play from the bleachers. There were also those horribly cold Branson and Harrison Christmas parades to endure. And, now, Daughter # 2 had attained the rank of drum major, which meant a scantier mode of dress in the biting cold.

Both daughters survived the rigorous practices with only one of them passing out once during the summer while on a very hot practice field.

Memories of those years are precious.  It’s wonderful to be able to think back to not only the difficult times of scheduling our work activities around our girl’s band activities, but the joyful times seeing their smiling faces as they recognized us in the crowd.  Occasionally, they would sneak a small wave to us when they should have been paying attention to the band director. It’s great to pull out the photo albums and relive those times.

And, once again, as a parent of daughters who participated in musical activities and grandchildren who have followed in their footsteps, let me encourage you to make time for those activities your children love and excel in. Encourage their efforts when their horn squeaks because their finger wasn’t exactly where it should have been on their horn or when a sour note is sung or played on the piano.  This is a part of the learning process and a part of the memories they also have and can pass on to their children and grandchildren.

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11: 15 ESV

Music in our Lives

I was thinking again of my friend, Deanie, whose funeral we attended on Friday. Music was such a part of her life. She began playing the piano at age 10 and continued the rest of her life. She accompanied the man who would be my husband later, on the piano while he played his double necked steel at church, many , many times. She had a great alto voice and was choir director and lead pianist at her church right up until she was taken ill.

It reminded me of our own family and how much music has played a part in it from singing to guitar, to piano and band.......

"I’m SO excited, Mom! Can you believe that I’m playing the actual sax that you played when you were in band?”

Granddaughter # 1 was so excited to know that the band’s saxophone was the same one her mother had played years before in the same school; same band room. And, like her mother, Granddaughter # 1 was also their drum major for two years. No piano lessons for her but she was in choir ; taught herself to play piano and guitar and married a young man who plays base.

The love of music was being passed down.

Granddaughter # 2 chose to take band and played in the percussion section. As I sat in the stands and watched her walk back and forth during each song between the many instruments in the percussion section from the bells to the xylophone; the timpani and other instruments, I was amazed at the calmness and confidence she portrayed. It takes real talent to do something like that. Although Granddaughter # 2 wasn’t in choir like her two sisters, her love of music shows in that she can usually sing all the words to songs she enjoys. Not only that, but her husband is working on his masters in music and teaching at the U of A. He bought her a banjo for Christmas so we are waiting to see if she will play it like her g-granddad and g-g-granddad. Grandson # 1 was in the band in high school and Grandson # 2 is very proficient in voice and a good pianist, who even composes some of his selections.

Yes, the love of music will be passed down.

Granddaughter # 3, almost 16, is showing her musical talent through a year of percussion in band and in choir in junior high and now in high school. Plus, she is one of the leaders in the praise team at her church.

Wouldn’t life be boring without music? I can’t imagine my life or the life of our family without music. It has been said that music is a communicative activity which conveys to the listener moods, emotions, and thoughts. Music can lift one’s spirits or drag one down to the deepest depths. Music can mean one thing to one person and another thing to someone else.

I think the highest honor one can give music is to use it to glorify God. The music one hears from one of God’s smallest creations; the song bird, is truly one of the most beautiful sounds of all.

“The flowers are springing up,
the season of singing birds has come,
and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” Song of Solomon 2:12 NLT

I'll Miss You, Deanie!

"Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)

Those who were alive on 911 will be thinking about that today; the day when terrorists flew planes into four different structures killing almost 3,000 people. And, our minds should go back to that time and remember how, for just a few weeks, a lot of people turned to God for answers and turned to Him for salvation. I , too, will remember that day; remember ...the call I received asking if our television was on; turning it on and seeing the horror.

However, today my thoughts will also be on the good friend whose life will be celebrated at her service this morning. Eula Dean Williams Allen was truly one of a kind person. If she was your friend, you were fortunate. And, we were friends since 7th grade at BHS; friends for 62 years.
Deanie, as she was affectionately called by friends, always had a smile on her face. Her laugh was contagious. Little did I know that Deanie would play a part in my future.

You see, one night at a basketball game in the old gym at BHS, Deanie and I were setting three rows up in the bleachers. Behind us were couple of guys who, rather than watch the game, delighted in pestering us. One of them was Deanie's cousin. Deanie assured me he was completely harmless. I found that out for myself later as we begin to date and eventually marry three years later.

Deanie lived on a farm; I was a town gal. Going to her house was always such fun. I remember one night she had a bunking party. Several of us girls walked down the road in the dark. Suddenly, there was a very strange noise that scared me to the point I jumped straight up right into Deanie's arms!
We had home ec together and I was always envious that Deanie could sew from the beginning while I was lucky to be able to thread a needle. And, of course, she could cook because she learned from the best......her mother, Ruth. By the time I gathered the ingredients in class, it was time for the bell.

So many memories.............

Everyone that walks into our lives,
God sends there for a reason.
Some are there forever;
Some for just a season.

Oft times people tend to use us,
Yet others enhance our life.
Some bring shelter for us,
When our world is full of strife.

God sends others to enlighten;
Some are faithful friends indeed.
Some are Angels Unaware,
He sent to fill a need.

Remember everyone you meet,
Is not a coincidence,
But handpicked for the time at hand
By God's own providence.

Jo Ann
Sept 21, 2009

"Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family." Proverbs 18:24 (MSG)

WD-40 and Memories

Recently I saw a posting on Facebook listing the uses for WD-40 and it was quite a list. It reminded me of something I wrote a couple of years ago.

“This door knob definitely needs some WD-40”, I said to my husband this morning.

WD-40 fixes any kind of squeak anyone might have. As I thought about that, I began to think about the different sounds in a home; sounds that we take for granted but would be missed if they were no longer there.

The familiar squeak in the floor in the hallway at night lets me know that my husband is up checking the temperature on our furnace or air conditioner depending on the season. So, I lie awake until he crawls back into bed knowing that the comfort of our room is on the way.

I think back to the squeaking floor in the hallway of our first house. After a long day with a crying baby, I would be trying to get some much needed rest. The squeaking floor and his gentle hum and a quiet child let me know that her Daddy was walking the floor and calming her before laying her back into her crib.

I miss those times.

I remember the sounds of Daughter # 1 and # 2 opening the front door at night. This was a comforting sound because I knew they had made it home safely from a ballgame, a friend’s home or a date. Then the tiptoed walk and the squeak in the floor in the hallway to our bedroom; the quiet tapping on our door and a whispered “Mom, are you awake?” assured me that, yet again, I would gladly listen to their tales of the evening.

I miss those shared confidences.

The sounds of a vehicle pulling into a driveway on a snowy night assured me that my husband had made it back from a hunting trip or a meeting some distance way. The key in the lock let me know that our family was together again and I could rest.

The sound of thunder and the flash of lightening in the middle of the night always was concerning. Would this be the night we would make our way to the den; open the door to our cellar and take refuge until the storm passed? "I think I hear thunder so I’ll get up and see what it looks like outside,” my sleepy husband would say. Then I would hear the squeaky floor in the dining room as he made his way to look out toward the southwest. And, I knew that everything would be fine because he was looking out for us.

I take comfort in this.

The squeak of the kitchen floor in the early morning hours lets me know my husband is up for the day. And, very soon I hear the perking of the coffee pot and the opening and closing of cabinet doors. And, I lie there listening to the birds beginning to sing their morning song and my soul is blessed.
I cherish those times.....

Familiar sounds are part of a home. They are part of the memories we cherish through life.

Psalm 104:12- “The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.” NIV

Summer and Hobos

We have had such an enjoyable weekend with part of our family here in our home. John loves to tell stories of his childhood; reciting one right after the other to whomever will listen. This weekend, it was Cheryl, Clark and Joel. My growing up years weren't nearly as exciting as his. However, I was able to insert a couple of stories I remembered while growing up.

Perhaps it was the smell of mother's homemade vegetable soup that brought them. Or maybe it was the chicken she was frying up for our supper that night. I suspect after the first one came, word spread like wildfire about the sweet lady who lived in the white house with the green roof a block from the railroad depot. As soon as the whistle blew , the hobos would hop off the train trying to get away before they were caught by the conductor.

Most hobos had a way of corresponding with other hobos by developed a system of symbols, or a code. Hobos would write this code with chalk or coal to provide directions, information, and warnings to other hobos. The symbol for "nice lady lives here" was the drawing of a cat. I feel sure there was a cat drawn somewhere very close to our home.

A couple of times a week it seemed, as soon as we would hear the train whistle blow, we could expect to see at least one hobo or maybe two approach our screened in porch. Mother never seemed to be afraid of these men even though she did keep the screen door latched when my daddy wasn't around. The men would tap gently on the back screen door and mother would stick her head out the kitchen door,

"What can I help you with?" she would ask.

"Ma'am, I'm kinda hungry and I jest was a wonderin' if you might spare a slice or two of bread."

Mother, of course, never settled for just giving them a slice or two of bread. She would pour a glass of water then dish up whatever she had available, take it to the screen door and unlatching the door, hand them a drink and whatever there was to eat, then latch the screen door again. I have watched them many times set down on our back porch steps and eat with gusto whatever she served. When they were finished, most of the time, they would tap gently on the screen door and say ,

"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate yore good cookin' " and they would trudge off.

I have wondered many times since then as I looked back on those days why my mother was always so willing to help out those dirty, smelly hobos when she received nothing in return. We were not wealthy people. There were weeks when I know mother wondered if there would be enough food for the three of us. But, my mother was a woman of faith. She read her bible and she knew what God had ask all of us to do. And, my mother did it.

" I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt.25:35-40 NIV

Change..............

Change............

In 1949, third graders, including myself, were so excited to move into a brand new, very large and beautiful school building. Since the devastating tornado in 1942, all the school buildings but one were destroyed and students had been meeting in the drafty and cold old CCC buildings. Because of the prospect of many new students, the word is that a new building could be built to house middle school students; high school students would meet in what is now ...the middle school. Then, the building that was new in 1949, would be torn down and replaced with an auditorium or an all weather sports facility by 2019. 
 

Change.........

In the early and mid 1900's, the town square was booming with activity. Stores stayed open late on Saturday evenings; the band played in the gazebo in the middle of the park; people visited with each other and small town life was wonderful. Then the Big Chain Store moved in. The town square became much quieter; the highway went through the middle of the park; people didn't sit around and visit on Saturday nights and the band was quiet..........

Change............

The old fair grounds was moved to a different location several years ago. There was no more outside grandstand where horse racing took place and the queens contest was held. People complained that the fair just wasn't the same any more.

Change............

Summer is fading with shorter days and longer nights. The leaves on our Japanese maple tree outside my kitchen window are dropping. A feeling of fall is in the air most days. Fall will be here this month ushering in football games, Thanksgiving and Fall Festivals followed by winter and it's cold, blistery winds ushering in Christmas.

Change............it happens.

It can knock us off our feet sometimes; loved ones pass away, people loose their jobs. But, some change is good; children grow up to be wonderful, productive adults, new relationships are formed, new life comes with the cry of a newborn. We wake up nearly every morning to a change somewhere. But, one thing that never changes is our Heavenly Father. The promises He has given us in His word continue just as He promised from the beginning. When we find we can't put our trust in our government or mankind, we can rest assured that we can put our trust in the One who created us and Who knows what is best of each of us.

"He has by his own action given us everything that is necessary for living the truly good life, in allowing us to know the one who has called us to him, through his own glorious goodness. It is through him that God’s greatest and most precious promises have become available to us men, making it possible for you to escape the inevitable disintegration that lust produces in the world and to share in God’s essential nature." 2 Peter 1:3-4 (J.B. PHILLIPS TRANSLATION)
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A Very Spoiled Cat

We have a very spoiled cat in our house.

She came to our door about five years ago and she stayed despite the fact we tried to find her owner. The rules for her living with us were pretty simple #1. No sleeping on our bed, #2. No scratching on the furniture, and #3. No bringing mice to our door. Those rules lasted about a week and all three had been tossed aside.

We first allowed Ms. Kitty to sleep inside one night when I heard coyotes howling in the field northeast of us. We relented telling ourselves that we didn't want her to become their meal. Since rule # 1 had already been broken, Ms. Kitty found a very comfortable place and went to sleep on the foot of our bed. That would have been fine except that, during the night, she found a more comfortable spot walking across me, then settling down to sleep as close to me as she could get and with her foot on my chin, until she fell asleep.

Banning Ms. Kitty to the next room seemed to work out fairly well. She seemed to sense when it was time for us to get up and never meowed or scratched at the door until that time. However, that seems to have changed. Ms. Kitty's time clock has been reset to an earlier hour. So, before daylight, she begins her pitiful meowing and scratching at the door until my patient husband gets up; opens the door and lets her in. Then, she proceeds to let us know it's time that everyone hits the floor running.
Now, here's the clincher.......when we are up, does she want out? Does she want to play? No, she wants one of us to sit in our usual chair in the living room so she can get on our lap and go to sleep.

Is Ms. Kitty so unlike most of us? Don't we want to know that someone cares enough about us to allow us to be comfortable in their presence? Can we relax when we know that our family is where they normally are? Do we crave the comfort of an arm about us or a hug when we're lonely and perhaps alone in the dark? Remember when you were a child how you loved to sit on your parents lap? How you wanted them to just lie there beside you at night until you fell asleep or at least sit beside you and read to you until your eyes closed and you were off in dream land.

Just as Ms. Kitty comes to us the only way she knows how by scratching on our door and meowing, when she is lonely and needing our attention, we can go to our Heavenly Father for comfort. He is never disturbed; never unavailable; always there to hold us when we need to be held, comforted and assured that someone cares.

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Father Who shows us loving-kindness and our God Who gives us comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLV)