75 and counting

75 it is 

Well today of all days I must admit to making it to three quarters of a century years old. Wow!

It has been a journey just like so many others have made before me.  Many did not live to see this milestone. I am thankful.

I have received over a hundred messages so far and it is just past noon, the first being a voicemail at 6:18am from my son and oldest grandson followed by the sweetest text message from my daughter in-love also at 6:18am.

My kiddos sent me a birthday package with all of my favorites plus more. I had a cup of the Chicken and Gnocchi for lunch. Yummy, yummy.   Normally we would be together but alas I am recovering from the flu and have chosen to isolate. I believe in sharing but not flu germs. Plus, COVID has struck me again for the third time. Go figure …

My broker sent me a box of fresh and still warm cookies.  I now live four hours from their office so this is a super special treat. I did not know that companies still did that and I am grateful. Before retirement I sent congratulatory gift baskets when one of my regular customers received their citizenship.  I paid for it personally, it was that important to me. I kept little gifts in my office to mail to my new customers or an achievement, too.

As a practice I choose to see something good in all situations so here it is for my flu which keeps me from my kiddos for a few more days. I have lost seven pounds in four days! Yes, I know that it is mostly fluid lost but I will enjoy the weight while I wait.  Hmmm

I dressed for the day, too. My younger sister bought me a new t-shirt commemorating my life since 1949 which I am proudly wearing with new blue jeggings. No comments from others, please.  I am retired and suits with pantyhose and heels are no longer required or expected.  I even wore new gripper socks vs standard animal print house slippers. Nothing but the best to commemorate this special day. I am smiling.

Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

I enjoyed this book and for a few reasons and thoughts. It takes place during the COVID pandemic and it surrounds or encompasses those who work or frequent(ed) a particular book store, Lost for Words. Bookstores and churches can be the heartbeat of any community so here we go with a bookstore.

Business is down, extremely down to near survival mode, which can be expected under the circumstances and period in time. The owner has a focus group of sorts and decides on a “book prescription, book pharmacy” approach to sales via letters and emails.  This business decision grew into significant sales but also in community interaction.

We learn about wonderful and interesting people in the community as well as the owner and staff and how books played a role in their respective lives plus their personal challenges. The staff is well connected to their inventory and made interesting selections based on what was shared in the letters or emails received.  Some touched my heart and I felt connected to each of the characters presented throughout the book.

A business decision made from desperation fed the bottom line but equally important enriched the community through written words.  Written words created a connection. Imagine that! 

Willie M. Buck 1939 April 12 to 2024 August 12

It is an odd feeling to realize the end of a generation. This became a reality at the passing of my last aunt on both sides of my paternal side of my family and now my Aunt Willie on the maternal side of my family. She was married to my mother’s youngest brother, Donald Buck.

Aunt Willie was much loved as evidenced by her wonderful memorial service yesterday. It spoke of her volunteer services within her church and her passion for music. She had a most beautiful soprano voice that I have appreciated and loved since the 1950s. I was mesmerized when she was the soloist in church and in the front row of our church choir. I can still hear her laugh which was full and real. I loved the way she would say “Now Donald Buck!”. She loved her children and defended them to the fullest. Her daughter was gifted with the same passion for song and has an equally beautiful voice.

Speaking of her laugh I can hear laughing with those who greeted her in heaven.  She is singing in the heavenly choir. I have the comfort of knowing that I will both see her and hear her singing again. That will be a day and just like the last song sung by everyone in attendance yesterday “l’ll Fly Away” by Albert E, Brumley in 1932.

[Verse 1]
Some glad morning when this life is o'er
I'll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Chorus]
I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away (In the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Verse 2]
When the shadows of this life have gone

I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Chorus]
I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away (In the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Verse 3]
Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

 

When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhorn, Kristina McMorris, Susan Meissner

Oh my stars, this is a great book.  I am still so attached to the characters, their respective experiences during WW2 as nurses in the Philippines, held as prisoners of war in multiple camps, their survival, and beyond the war. Additionally, they were required by our US government to sign legal agreements NOT to share their experiences in the public eye or in print. The public media was orchestrated and controlled.

These nurses, many deceased, had information that was shared 50 years after the war plus research by   these authors that allowed for a brilliantly written story to be created around these facts.  Several people in the book were used in their original context from that period of history and quotes were included in this work of fiction. The three main nurses were based on real nurses as were other characters; Army nurse, Navy nurse, and Filipina nurse.  

I generally go from a finished book immediately to another book. I just cannot do that at this point in time.  I need to continue to process and dwell on what was written in this book. Yes, it really touched my heart and emotionally. Yes, I also cried.\ 

If you even remotely enjoy historical fiction, add this to your list or better yet move it to the top of your list and read it now.

Cooking from novels vs novel cooking

Yes, to me there is a difference.  For me there is nothing novel about cooking even cooking for one. I am also a bibliophile so when I can combine that with cooking then BONUS.

I was pondering breakfast and then early dinner followed by memories of books that fed these thoughts. I had a few small tomatoes, a partial package of spaghetti noodles, bacon that needed to be cooked, and a little minced garlic.  Hence Shakshuka for brunch and Spaghetti Carbonara for later. My meal planning for today is more than food, it is from reading.

Shakshuka came from reading “All the Flowers in Paris” by Sarah Jio.

Spaghetti Carbonara came from “Garlic and Sapphires” by Ruth Reichl.

Just like when I find unfamiliar words then search the meaning, the same holds true when a meal is mentioned but recipe not provided. Reichl included it in the book. With Jio, the recipe would not have provided added value to the story but the quick breakfast choice was important for what was going on at the moment.

Both books I would highly recommend and each could not be more different when it comes to genre.

So that being said or read, it would be interesting for me to know what other books inspired you as the reader to prepare a meal or a dish. Computer la-la land may not work best for my endeavor so I will post this to my blog then also to Facebook.

Here is to scrolling on …

Wild Prayer

Until recently I had never heard the term "wild prayer". According to the devotional by the same title here's the definition and a few comments from the writer Reenukumar which now makes perfect sense.:

"What are wild prayers? Prayers that give earthly license for heavenly interference to accomplish the unimaginable and the unprecedented. Many times, we are tempted to only take prayer requests that have a precedent in history of being answered. We ask God for the same miracle that has happened in the life of another person. But God waits to propel our situations into ground-breaking, history-making miracles if we have the faith to ask for that which is infinitely above and beyond human reach."

These words went straight to my heart. Why do so many model their prayers from what is seen or experienced by others when our needs and desires of our heart are our own? Just as no two people are the same, the same holds true for our prayer life whether it is one of need or from our own wishing list. We certainly are bold in other areas without little regard to how it hits so why are we shy when it comes to prayer?

Be outrageous! That meaning that only God can answer those things or affect change in people, situations, or circumstances that are beyond our physical reach. One cannot force change, real change, lasting change, but our God can and does regularly. He is still and always will be in the miracle making business. The only difference is you and also me.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

I appreciated this book on many levels. I easily recall this time in history since I graduated from high school in 1968 during the heat of the Vietman War. Some of my friends did not return, one was a POW for five years, and those who did return were forever changed by their experiences and especially by certain Americans and lack of support from our own government.

The women in this book were even more neglected and ignored and even disbelieved of their support in the war. They played a role and this book is well written to extoll those truths.  The characters are well developed and I still feel attached to them. The men in the story are somewhat typical of men but they were veterans which has value, to me. 

The main character is Frankie McGrath and she certainly had her share of problems on her return from the war, even from her own parents which was even harder to believe. I was surprised at her treatment but certainly recall my husband pulling my hair rollers from my head and throwing them like grenades across our bedroom. I also remember his nightmares which is exactly the same thing these nurses experienced as well but no one believed them. They were regularly ignored and even denied veterans services for their mental health care which is now commonly referred to as PTSD.

All veterans matter!

The author, Kristin Hannah, again does not disappoint her readers. She does her research and brings her characters to life.  She never ceases to amaze me at her skill to incorporate facts into her stories and this one is no exception. 

William Buster Key 1944 July 6 to 2022 May 22

It was so hard to say goodbye for the last time yesterday to one you love especially when they have always shown you love, compassion, and freely accepted you as his one of his children. I am talking about William Key, my mother’s beloved husband of 20 years before she passed on December 30, 2014. Such devotion shared between them became a legendary experience to see in our family. He was a man of faith, a God loving man, read his Bible, and shared in the discussions during our nightly Bible study time we had with my mother who was his wife. 

My Uncle Elwin Buck was instrumental in their “courtship”. He was the director of the Single Adults in our church and also William’s barber so on one of those visits he inquired about the friendly pretty auburn haired woman in his Sunday School class. He explained that Margaret was his sister and William asked for her phone number.  My uncle approved and gave him the number. As is a common phrase “The rest is history.” and what a history they began to share.

Notice that I did not say step-dad since to me he was “pops” or William. Life is full of choices and with his wedding ring came four adult children that he freely chose to love just as my mother chose to love the three adult children that came with her wedding ring. We became officially seven siblings on June 25, 1994 and for me that remains the same.  He brought joy to our life with each warm, engaging smile and that special twinkle in his eye would always cause a smile from others. It felt like an invitation to share in a conversation. He had an easy laugh and could blush like no man I knew which was quite endearing.

William loved us and included us in his life and always introduced me as his daughter which felt just like a fatherly hug. His life was full of love, laughter, children, grandchildren, etc., plus shared vacations, meals shared, weddings, even baby showers, plus he and mom attended every Federation gala with me, fire department functions with Rebecca, and just about every invitation received he and mom attended together. When it came to food he loved, loved pork chops. At the top of the list with pork chops was John Wayne.  He even has a large as life poster of him in their bedroom. My mom questioned it when they married and then again when they bought their last home together. His response was always the same “Margaret, John Wayne stays.” and she always said okay. I laughed each time the subject of John Wayne arose. He received lots of John Wayne memorabilia since then and he was always thrilled. Then again William was always easy to please and he appreciated everything and everyone in his life.

Such was the man I loved and greatly respected as an active part of my life. We will visit plus share stories about him during the visitation this Friday May 27^th from 5pm to 8pm and his funeral is Saturday May 28^th’ at 10am, both at the Rosewood Funeral Home, 22271 Hwy 59 North, Porter, TX 77365. 

I have the assurance of knowing that I will see him later. Memories. 

Ruby Zane Rivers Buck 1933 August 31 to 2022 May 10

A precious jewel in our family has left this earth for her heavenly reward.  She was indeed a jewel and she was aptly named. When checking for the many definitions tied to the name Ruby here are just a few descriptive words from those definitions: most popular and very durable, most valuable, glows with intensity.  These are spot on for my beloved Aunt Ruby.

 When I was nine years old she was my Sunday School teacher.   I remember a verse that she quoted in our class one Sunday:

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doing good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

She said that laughter was like a medicine and it chased away sadness. I've recalled that for so many years and found it to be true throughout my life. I'm 72 now and easily hear her voice and see her face from that Sunday. I remember telling my mother that when Miss Rivers smiled and laughed it shown in her eyes. As a nine year old I actually said that it came out of her eyes.   She was always the same and her eyes really did smile.

 I remember when she married my Uncle Elwin Buck.  He was my everything as an uncle and mentor.  I was devastated and refused to go the wedding and cried for hours.  I understood nothing about marriage and believed that I was losing both of them in my life forever. I just could not explain my feelings of loss to my parents and they were at a loss as how to comfort me.  She was my favorite Sunday School teacher too and I honestly thought that I wouldn't be seeing them again.  I was definitely upset and hurting that night. They married on my tenth birthday in 1959.  Imagine my surprise when they showed up at our home after church a few Sunday nights later and with Shipley's doughnuts. The joy I felt at that moment was unexplainable and it was not for the doughnuts. I am still smiling at that memory.

She was a gift to all who had the pleasure to know her or even meet her. She seemed to radiate love and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone whether she knew you personally or not. I remember sharing with her my prayer for each of my sons to have a Christian wife.  She made a suggestion and I amended my prayer that day that each marries a practicing Christian woman with a servant’s heart.

 Aunt Ruby was also a prayer warrior, true woman of faith, loved her Bible and often shared its contents.  My siblings and cousins used to say and absolutely believed that she and Uncle Elwin had a direct hot line to heaven and God's ear.

 Aunt Ruby had a Godly wisdom that she freely shared for which I am so thankful. When my precious and dearly beloved Aunt Ruby passed from this life, she awoke in the arms of Christ, her risen Lord and Savior.  Her legacy lives on in each of her children and grandchildren plus her numerous nieces and nephews as well. What a blessing she was and her children were blessed to have her one last Mother’s Day.

Thankfully I have the comfort of knowing that I will see her later. Right now she is laughing and celebrating with the many who greeted her at heaven’s gate. I can see her smiling eyes. 

Memories.

60 Minutes and Andy Rooney about women over 60

I was actually watching 60 Minutes when I heard Andy Rooney share this.  It was many years ago but  this is what Andy Rooney thought about women near or over 60: Over. Thank you to my friend Lisa Starkey Tarnosky for posting this to Facebook iso that we can all enjoy it again.:

“As I grow in age, I value women near or over 60 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman near or over 60 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman near or over 60 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women near or over 60 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot or stab you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman near or over 60. She just knows!

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman near or over 60 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

- If you are a “Woman near or over 60” copy, paste, add some pictures of yourself, post/share and keep rocking the best you!

Andy Rooney