“Give Thanks – This Week!”
This week – for us to celebrate “Thanksgiving” – reminds me that there are many ways for us to “Give Thanks” – – not only during this week – but all through the year!
In the above picture – is Alyssa Aldrich, my grand-daughter – and she is giving – the gift of “LIFE” – her precious blood! In this busy world – you would think that with all the inventions – that we have at our disposal – living would be so easy??? But – we are in such a big hurry – going nowhere – in that hurry – that we have a lot of carelessness – causing “ACCIDENTS!”
“ACCIDENTS”are bringing larger numbers of people to the emergency rooms of the hospitals – and if you ever had to be at the hospitals – when some of the ambulances are unloading a “BODY” half mangled and just full of blood – and their breathing is so faint – that you just do not believe that this person – will be able to live or die – just from what you see? Nurses and Doctors – can only hope that the Almighty Father of us all – is with their every move to give the correct healing attention – that is needed – hope that they have enough “BLOOD” and that the “BLOOD” is the right matching factor for this “LIFE!”
This is a very good time to give “Thanks” – to pass on a “GIFT” – that only you can give – a “Precious Pint of Blood” – because you will find – that you also will be receiving the exceedingly generous blessings – that only the “ALMIGHTY” can give to you – for the most precious blood – that HE gave to you!
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“and… you thought – that I forgot…”
Every “FAMILY” has their favorites at this time of the year – and – we can remember way back when… At this time of the year “FAMILIES” do a lot of traveling – “To Grandmother’s House” – how else could we all celebrate – all the best of times?
“Grand – Mothers’” have a way of making the best Turkey and the very best Pumpkin Pie – and she always has new dishes that we just don’t know – how to stop tasting a little of this and that – and before you know it – we put on at least “ten pounds” of extra goodies – and we just give in and continue with the sampling – of everything!
Well, we have to get to Grandmother’s – and it usually is a long ride – and with the little children – all you hear – every “FIVE” minutes is – “Are we there yet?” So, in our family – my husband would play the harmonica – as I would then do the driving – and we would sing – all the songs that the kids like – so that they would keep asking to sing their favorite song – and would soon have so much “FUN” – forgot the long drive???
Well, the “DRIVER” that would be me – got a “brainy idea” – to have just a little more singing excitement – all along the way! As I was driving and could see a bridge that we were going to have to cross – soon – was ready! As – the car was about a car length or two before crossing over – let out with… “Over the river to Grandmother’s house we go – the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh – through the white and drifting snow… ” And just as soon as we crossed over the bridge – I would stop singing!
The first time – everyone thought that I did not remember the rest of the words – and we all just started to laugh. So, I said, “It’s more fun to do something different as we travel and whenever we come to a “Bridge” – it is time to start our “Grandma Song” and start singing just as fast – even though we can’t even finish the word – so, we will all stop differently and it will sound silly – just for us?” Now, as we traveled – the kids were on the “LOOK OUT” for a “Bridge” and would now – start our “Grandmother’s Song” – trying to be the very first and start to laugh and giggle having more fun all the way – to “GRANDMOTHER’s House!”
There were a couple more lines that we, all – like to sing, – “Hear the bells ring, “Ting-a-ling-ding” – Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!” And cannot forget – that my “Grand-daughters” like “Rice Pudding” – so we had to include, “Hurrah for all the “FUN” – Is the “PUDDING” ready?” – “Hurrah for the “PUMPKIN PIES” – we are almost there!”
Sure hope that this reminds everyone – let’s all have “FUN” going to “GRANDMOTHER’s House” especially with the children – and maybe – someday they will also – let you know – just how much “FUN” they had traveling to and from “GRANDMOTHER’ House!”
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SMSM = So Many Songs – Memories’!
“Christmas Songs” always bring lots of “Memories” with each one you like and listen, too! Some just have more of the “Christmas Spirit” than others – and everyone has their own favorites – and then too – there are some that – you just cannot listen to again!
Just remember that – these songs are ones that I like – more so than many of your current – although – some of the “new” songs are very good – but – Christmas is really for the kids – this is when everything in this world is new – and just at the right point in time – your eyes get so big – with all the wonder of hearing about a jolly old “Santa” – and he is so good – he carries a “Bag full of Goodies” – for all of the good boys and girls!
One song – starts the “SEASON” – Thanksgiving – “The Christmas Song” with the words “Turkey and all the fixings” – so get yourself in the mood for lots to eat?
As a little girl – “Up on the Housetop” – there was a chance for “Santa” to come to our house – we had a “FIRE PLACE” – and I just thought – that “SANTA” would be able to slide down and bring us something – because my brothers and I went downtown to sit on “SANTA’s” lap and tell him exactly what we wanted! The only thing that I ever asked for – was a “DOLL” – never knew that you could ask for the “world with a ring around it” – like kids do today!
Then, when – we went to the Orphanage – in the 1940’s – there was a new Christmas song – “Frosty the Snowman” and I think Gene Autry was the first to sing it – and since it was “new ” – the Nuns – for each of our classrooms had us write the words in our “notebooks” – and we would practice singing that song – that – I’ll bet we could sing all about “Frosty” in our sleep!
“Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer” was another song that we sang until everyone knew the words – while in the Orphanage – and some other songs that we would sing in Church – “Silent Night” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – and “Do You Hear What I Hear” – I like this song – guess it’s the words – I like to listen and see if I really “hear” – what I think I’m hearing?
“Must Be Santa!” – What a song – for a kid – to hear around the “HOLIDAYS” – as I remember – If you are good??? – You can ask “SANTA” – so it must – be “Santa” to receive anything at this time of year?
“Burl Ives” was a jolly looking fellow – and sang so many Christmas Songs – with so much enthusiasm – that – when he sang – “A Holly Jolly Christmas” – you were in the mood – for Christmas – his words, painted the picture – so that you could see “Christmas Time” – coming!
When , I was lucky to have received a first “Grandson, Alan” – he was the “Little Drummer Boy” – he took up “music making” – when his Dad and friends would get their band playing – Alan was so cute – he was watching and listening – and when – they took a break – little Alan went over to the “Drums” and he just had the rhythm – as if he had some training – Alan was just a “Natural Music Man” – and the little “Drummer Boy” song is him – inside and out!
“Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” comes across to me – as a very sad song at Christmas Time – especially if you have had – the loss of someone you love? But – let me be the first to – “Wish You a Merry Christmas – and a Happy New Year!???”
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Taking “SUSIE” for a walk!
Is there a better excuse than to have a “French Poodle” which just loves to go for a walk – – and on “TIME” — or would you feel kind of “weird” – to take a walk “alone” around the neighborhood – a couple of times a day and always – just like clockwork?
My neighbor, “Jackie Jannsen” is the owner of – little “Miss Susie” – and she is as cute and sweet as she can be. – She is always dressed with her sweet looking and colorful ribbons – always as clean as she can be – because “Miss Susie” is taken regularly to the “Poodle Parlor” for her special grooming!
Well, one day – when I was at work and the “UPS MAN” had a delivery for me – that had to be signed for – he took the package to Jackie’s house – that way I would receive the package and not have to go to “UPS” store – and pick it up myself. (I was glad that she agreed to do this for me!)
When Jackie saw me pull into the driveway – she must have decided to take “Miss Susie” for a walk and deliver the package – which she had accepted for me – all in an outing for “Miss Susie!” So, there Jackie and little “Miss Susie” are – standing at my door. I had invited her to come on in – but she said, “Miss Susie is ready to do her “WALK” – would you like to go with us?” “Well – of course – just let me change to my walking shoes.”
We walked down our road to Bowles – crossed over and walk down along Bowles for a couple hundred feet and turned into a new residential subdivision going in – new roads – beautiful new homes – guessing now – that those homes – started in the price range of – $265,000.00 – and you could add a lot more for all the extras???
This was a very good time for me – because in the walking of “Miss Susie” – I was first of all – getting a lot of walking – which is good outside exercise for me – and next – I was getting more time to enjoy the company of my neighbor. Since she did a lot of walking all around the area – the old and the new – she was more up to date on all the newer “happenings and changes” taking place in Fenton, Missouri – way back then!
It is amazing – as to what you can learn about – where you live – when you take the time to walk around the neighborhood – and the best part of all – is you are with good company – making a better friendship – with more and more walking trips. It just seemed to me that when I got home from work – the next best thing to do – change into the walking shoes – and – get those muscles working that were left to their own – for too long – and getting a little on the sagging side???
When the season changed – to this time of the year, “NOVEMBER” – we started taking our “WALK” later – into the evening hours. That was because – neighbors were decorating their houses – with one doing more than another – some spending and trying to outdo all the rest of the neighbors? It is “FUN” to watch all the preparation of the homes – getting ready “CHRISTMAS” – and we didn’t as yet – celebrate “Thanksgiving?”
Even if you do not have a “DOG” that needs a “walk ” – grab your best friend or a neighbor – and get acquainted! “Walking is – “SO” good – for everyone!”
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“Today is Always – Today!”
Did you ever give a thought about – someone that would say “It’s Today?” When you hear that said – would the person saying that it is “TODAY” – could it ever be thought by anyone – that we would be alive and talking about something and it was “YESTERDAY?”
Giving some thought to it maybe – being “TOMORROW” – how would that work? It just could not be “TOMORROW” – and we were alive as we are here today – talking in the current sense of day and time – on a “TOMORROW” – the time frame – just cannot be??? We would have to be in the next “WORLD” – meaning that we have left this world – where the only “TIME” we really understand is being here “TODAY!?”
In the beginning – it is understood that it is now and “TODAY” – so here is where this thought about “TODAY” came to my mind. At night, when I begin to say my evening “PRAYERS” – I always start with: “Thank you – Almighty Yahweh – for a wonderful day, “TODAY” – Thank you for a wonderful “YESTERDAY” and for a wonderful “TOMORROW” to come! – And since it is today and yesterday is gone and done with, and tomorrow never ever gets here – because it is always today – My “TODAY” was filled with an extra amount of blessings – since you have given me so many blessings for each “DAY” – I am truly grateful for all of the extra blessings – that you decided to give to me, Amen!”
It is wonderful to know that if you take the time to give THANKS – each night you sleep so much better – and I just love being “GRATEFYL” for all that I receive – that I might just be receiving the blessings that belong to someone else – but the way it works to me is – “If you say a prayer of thanks and like I do for all the extra days’ – I just may be receiving “Blessings” that belong to someone else? But, you know that there are some “NON-BELIEVERS” who just refuse to say a little prayer of “THANKS” – so because there are those, not receiving – and I am receiving “BLESSINGS” belonging to others!
So, now that I told everybody – that I am receiving their Blessings – I may now be receiving fewer – because a lot more will begin to say more prayers and use up some of the exceeding “ABUNDANCE” of Blessings that are available to all those – who only have to ask and pray!
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“Love and Laughter”
“Do you like to LAUGH?” “When you are home with your family – do you all LAUGH together?” “When you were a little child – with or without brothers and sisters – did you hear your parents say and do funny things – so often – that you were always glad to be at home – where so “FUN” took place?
Well, that’s the way we were when we were all together! So much of the time – that we were doing something and something half-way silly would be said – something else – just as funny and half-way adding to what we would be doing or something that was said – added more laughter – and so often – as I was growing older – “I almost that the “ROOF” on the house would raise so high – up and above the room that we were in – just from all the “HOT HEAT” of Laughter!
“Did you ever find that when you were in one of these – “Hearty Laughter” sessions – that before you knew it – you were in tears – that you were just “LAUGHING” too hard!?” It takes a hack of a lot of strength – to really enjoy laughing and – so intent on hearing more silly stuff – that you almost thought that if continue – you just might fall apart? You get to feeling that you state to – stop yourself – or else you will just bust – you are now getting too weak?
Well, lots of years later – when I had children of my own – I noticed that when my father and mother would be over for a visit – here we go again! On several occasions – we all gather together between the “FAMILY ROOM” and “KITCHEN” – and something would be said and someone would pick up on what was said – and before you knew it – we were “Laughing” so hard – it was just like the good old days – of my youth!
This is where a “LIGHT BULB” turned on! I was much older and my MOM and DAD – were no “spring Chickens” either – and just all good things in “LIFE” all good things sooner or later have to come to an end – and end of all the good times – so I will “TAPE” without anyone knowing that – everything will be said in a natural and their original ordinary ways – just as always! Lucky – I was to be able to get 3 or 4 tapes
“TIME and TIDE wait for no man… and then I was LUCKY to receive grand-children – and the tape recorder was working saving their young voices and some of their first words – which to me is “PRICELESS!”
So – for one “Thanksgiving” while we were all gather together – I played some of the old tapes of My FATHER and MOTHER – and had another tape on – recording what was said – everybody just loved hearing voices of the “ANCESTORS” that they never met – but with the help of recording their voices a long time before – we had “MEMORIES” to share – and will be able to do this – for a very long time.
“LOVE and LAUGH” with your Children – today and forever!
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