Grandma’s Stories

Mar 25th Opportunity Knocking!

My question for today – who will step up and let the world know – that for the position – Ambassador to Ireland – here I am, ready to serve! I feel that if I remind everybody that the position is open and more and more people will be looking for someone with the “RIGHT” stuff – to stand up and declare that the Ambassador to Ireland position is being filled now, by them! We need some of that good old “SALT” – that stirs up the flavor of living the right way to come – to “Life!”

Today, too many of us Americans are just sitting back and letting the other “guy” do what we , ourselves could  do – if only  our backbone was as strong as our ancestors. Just take a few minutes and think about what you are doing right, now? What is so important that you cannot do something – just a little more worthwhile – because you know that if you don’t do the job – someone with a lesser amount of talent will take the Position – and then what we will receive will be a very sorrowful story – so much will just go down the drain!

When I was a lot younger, working full time, three children in school – and each child has activities they wanted to join. I would fill out the paper work that I would help.

Do you have any idea as to how many parents do not fill out any school informational paper work that requires their time? They feel that somebody else will take on the job of helping out the school and work with their kids – and if there are no  volunteers – then the kids will just have to wait till a later year for the same opportunity to come along, for them? Of course, you and lots of children receive nothing special – no helpers – equal nothing extra special in the “years that count” for your children! It’s that way all through life – when no volunteers stand up for a good cause!

If one of the children in our family wanted to learn something and this would require me to help in any way at all – that is exactly what I did. It was amazing how many activities we would partake in those years and how much we got done – the days were “longer” then – just more hours seem to be available – we had so much fun doing – the only thing now – as I  now think about it – we did not watch T.V. – we did something useful and were always learning.

When you want something done – ask busy people – they will find the time to fit the activity into their busy schedule!

Mar 24th Are You Qualified?

On March 17^th, 2014 – were you expecting to hear that there would be an appointment to the important post – Ambassador to Ireland? How long will it be for us, Americans of Irish decent to wait for news of a member of our ranks to be called upon to be our representative to the land of our birth?

In the current times – with all kinds of problems hitting the surface each day, always leaving some of us – thinking — there must be some kind of fall-out between America and Ireland? In a normal household – problems pop up daily! It is best if we try to take care of each day’s problems as they occur – rather than to let them accumulate over a long period of time? Having said that – what are we waiting for?

There is no perfect person on earth for any position of any kind – so let us look at the next “BEST” person! Start looking around – check out the available people in your communities – that are of Irish decent and will make for a good representative for us and let them know you will be nominating them for the post – Ambassador to Ireland!

My Grand-father, Thomas Brady – came from Ireland – and he was the best person in the whole wide world, according to my Mother – and I second her vote as to the goodness and kindness – all that he did for his “FAMILY” and “Friends” in the Saint-Louis, Missouri area!

Let me know if you have a name to nominate and whatever information you want for the world to know – and I certainly will do my part in raising the banner toward the selection of an Ambassador to Ireland to be one of America’s priorities!

We do not want to see the Ambassadorship to Ireland – just sit on a “back-burner” somewhere? Let us work together, as all of our “Ancestors” did when this “Melting-Pot” of America opened its hands to the entire world – in the beginning!

Mar 23rd Fair Feather Friends – Forever!

When you start your day – checking the “BIRD-FEEDERS” – being sure there is something in each for all the Birds – you almost have a full time job.

Just this morning, I just filled up the Bird’s feeders – go inside to put on a pot of coffee, and turn around and who do you think is sitting in the top feeder? Sitting there looking at me – grinning from ear to ear and eating just as fast as he can – a sneaky squirrel! I run to the door and as I open it – the squirrel jumped some and continues to look at me – almost saying to me – “I’m not moving unless you make me – this is the land of  ‘heaven’, which I’ve discovered!”

Nothing for me to do, but to let the squirrel know that I mean business and quickly open the door and then open the screen door and howler – “Get out of there you sneaky snake” and bang the screen door shut! Just as soon as I am half way into all  of that excitement – the squirrel has jusped up and over the porch rail – flying toward the ground as if a “Pilot on his mission” heading for his favorite hiding place in a near-by tree! This squirrel must have wings on his heels – he is running so fast – he looks like he is gliding over the lawn – with wings on his feet!

So, now the “BIRDS” are all sitting on the branches and live wires over head – everyone having picked the best seat in the great out-doors – and they begin to chirp to one another – there she blows again – “She is saving our food – just for us – not letting any strange creatures come in and take it away from us!” “Start chirping – everybody – let ‘HER’ know we love what ‘She’ is doing to save our food for the day!”

On the green Spruce trees – I can see little “RED Creatures” – member of the CARDINAL FAMILY – patiently waiting to be the first to fly back to their favorite spot at one of the feeders – to build up their strength to do what is important for them – “Look pretty and Sing” for the world to hear!

My son told me today, to put out a special feeder just for the “SQUIRREL” – how will the squirrel know what is just for him? I know he will help himself to whatever tray of food he likes?

Everybody is singing their own song – some of the birds are flying in unison and putting on a real show – just for me – to let me know- they like for me to continue to watch out for their needs!

Mar 22nd “Watch the Birds” – Take their picture!

The other day I had friends over to enjoy a meal and just catch up on old and new things going on – since each has lots of changes going on in their personal lives! We would usually go outside – since everyone loves to see the River from the Bluff and admire the “Million Dollar Scenery” – that is only available in this area – like nothing else – unless you go West!

In still standing around –  in the Family Room, near the entrance to the sliding doors to the porch – someone noticed the Cardinals and some of the other birds on the porch rails and at their feeders! And just that fast, had to say, “Have to get a picture of those birds just sitting there on your porch!” He was trying to get his cell phone focused and walking close to the door – away flew the birds!

With the weather as nice as it was, I had the doors open and those birds were comfortable eating  – but just as fast as the noise of the excitement – just on the inside of the room traveled  through the screen door – those birds decided – they were not going to be some bodies’  dinner, today!  And, so – fast the decks were clear of any birds! “Oh Heck, missed a terrific shot!” I told them to just   “wait – it won’t be too long and the “BIRDS” will be back!”

As the time was flying by – the “best of sights”  that friends like better here, than anywhere else they might go – is the “best of sights” for your eyes to see and enjoy! Just as the Sun decides to call it a ‘Day’ here – You can enjoy something so spectacular – only Almighty God can arrange it – the SUNSET – and that’s when the picture taking is most important! Every day the SUNSET is just a little different as the World turns – but each is the best you will ever see!

This truly was a Blessed Day – taking pictures of the Birds and catching the SUNSET – as a remembrance of good times with good friends!

Mar 21st Free Entertainment – For Feeding Birds!

Never in my LIFE – have I had the free time to watch the Birds and be entertained! Why do we almost let LIFE pass us bye, without having just a little more time to enjoy – that which is FREE and FUN for the eyes?

This winter, we put outside Bird-feeders and plenty of food – for all kinds of Birds!  The near-by trees have families of Cardinals and Blue Jays and some unknown birds occupy the Purple Martin house that is also in our yard. Before, like last summer – some Cardinals would come to the porch and walk along the rail and were just letting me know – we could be here often if you would feed us?

Well, the message came through – loud and clear! With the four shelves counter set-up – each shelf has a Frisbee –used as a feeder – filled with just the right mix – all birds just love!

There is one little – brownish color – so small and delicate bird that comes hoping along the floor of the porch – looking for left-over crumbs – that I have given her a special name “Scruncher!” She scoots along the floor – searching for just her size of food – and she stays out of all the birds, way! Just watching her – hop and grab some little morsel – just makes me feel good that all GODs fair-feather creatures are provided for.

Did you know the birds are polite? Several birds will decide to come to munch at the same time – some land right near to the Frisbee feeder – the others will sit on the porch rail and just wait – some will take note that no one is on a lower shelf and zero on down and just plant their self right into the Frisbee and just eat in peace and quiet – while some others wait “patiently” until their turn – to feast. And then, there must be some of the “BIRDS” from the same house-hold and they will each take a place in the Frisbee and enjoy a meal, together!

Then, there is the Cardinal Mama, which comes with her “first-time FLYERS” – teaching the new generation the “TRICKS of the TRADE” – follow MAMA and do as I do  – and you will know where it is safe to eat a free meal!

My reward: getting to watch a small sample on “Heaven on Earth” and the best of all – to be able to hear – all the Birds – Sing their very own Songs!