To Remember in December

The fall season and early days of winter have always been my favorite time of year.  The wind carries the sounds of change away from those hot South Texas summer days and muggy evenings into the season of laughter, merriment and sincere appreciation of the Christmas season that I will share with family and special friends.

Did you know that Christmas Day has been celebrated on December 25^th by the Western (Roman Catholic) Church since 336 A.D.? Did you know that the exchanging of gifts and decorating trees are tied to winter traditions and various celebrations and festivals dating back over 4000 years? Did you know that the 12 Days of Christmas may tie back to a 12-day festival celebrated by the Mesopotamians and that hanging of garland dates back to the Ancient Romans in their celebration each year in honor of their god Saturn?

Our Jewish friends celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa honors the heritage of African-Americans. December can be both a memorable and memory making month for all of us.

Yes, I have been reading again and am of the opinion that though our religious beliefs, values and traditions may greatly vary that at our core (our center) we are one and united in our right, our privilege, and freedom to believe differently.

During this most blessed time of year, share yourself in time or charitable gifts for the benefit of others, many of whom are unemployed for the first time.  Send some handwritten notes to those who have added value to your life now or in times past and to our soldiers. Help a local food bank. Everyday there are missed opportunities to say thank you: someone at work, someone assisted you during a shopping trek, your hair dresser, at your nail salon, your church, and the list goes on and on.  Open your eyes, minds and hearts as windows into the life of another. 

This holiday season is celebrated in so many ways that it is no wonder to me that smiles alight most faces and the spirit of giving abounds.

Best wishes to all of you this Christmas season.

My personal take on “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Tonight I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" which is a wonderful reminder of the people in our lives that make our life worth living.   The movie causes much reflection plus George Bailey is a banker as was I for so many, many years.

Life is not about what you do not have or can no longer do but about what you do with God's gifts which come in many forms, many of which you may not realize as gifts.

As I said, in the movie George Bailey is a banker which is a reminder of my banking career.  It afforded me the opportunity to work “with” people in an industry that for many years was held in high regard. These people were customers, non-customers and co-workers.  The industry may have changed over the course of my 34 years in banking but my appreciation for “people” in various stages of one’s personal or professional career has not wavered.  The gifts for me during my 34 years in banking were the people and related conversations which must number in the 1000s.

Yes, I look at my career in banking as a gift but perhaps not in the way that comes to mind. The income that grew over time afforded wonderful vacations, a great wardrobe which includes 100+ pairs of shoes (most of which I am selling or donating to the non-profit Dress For Success) and a nice home.  Yes these are secular but don’t give up on me yet.  The gift part here is that my husband and I have no debt, in part because of my day job as a banker. 

God granted me the knowledge and wherewithal to become a banker, the tenacity to stay in an industry that survived the 1980s and to reach a point that leaving the industry was the best decision for me and opened an opportunity for someone with the goals and energy of my younger self. 

My family is also a gift, some through the nature of my birth and some through choice such as my husband which resulted in my being included in his huge clan, not a loser in the bunch. 

My freedom here in the USA which includes freedom of religion is a given.  Both have received time in previous blogs AND it still holds true, hence the mention.

Getting back to the movie calls to mind the inscription made by Clarence, the lovable, capable angel in the story in the book that he had, “Tom Sawyer”, which  reads “No man is a failure if he has friends.”  I must agree and must add family to the mix. It was after all the loving wife Mary who contacted the friends that come to the “financial” rescue of her husband, George the banker.

By the way, there are a lot of bad bankers like Old Man Potter in the story which is an understatement.  Just watch the news. However, there are still come good bankers around and I will gladly make that referral.  I also gladly share what I have learned over my working career as a Business Banker.  Just give me a call, send me an email, or post your question to my Facebook page.

I will stay tuned for you…………

IN FLANDERS FIELD BY JOHN MCCRAE

A surgeon and military officer serving for Canada was so moved and haunted by his experience that he handwrote this poem on a simple notepad during a period when he was expected “to rest”. He endured and his team accomplished more than thought humanly possible.  It was through his anguish of losing a friend who was also a former student and by needs presiding over the makeshift funeral/burial that these memorable words fell from his heart, through his fingers to a piece of paper that we have this poem that has been learned/memorized by students and citizens alike.  

To think that the view of poppies growing in ditches of Europe that had experienced so much bloodshed pricked his heart is such a way.

To think that he was so affected by 17 days of service that a poem was handwritten, disregarded and discarded, collected by someone equally touched as well as persistent enough to garner  an approval for publication even after being rejected by a newspaper before finally being presented to publishing media that “did have the intelligence” to recognize the significance of these written words.

How appropriate today that my special Canadian friend Dolores Morse posted this for all to enjoy which gives me the opportunity to share “the rest of the story” with each of you.  Here is that much loved poem.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

November remembrances and sacrifices

As an American woman I value every freedom my citizenship affords me and maintain a respect for political leaders, however vehemently I may oppose the philosophy and ideas of many currently in office and most that were re-elected, much to my chagrin.  The fact that I can speak freely or put my thoughts to print is directly tied to the successes and sacrifices made by the several million who have served or are currently serving in our military.

In fact, my opinion is not so different from the women behind and in support of our founding fathers.  In the book Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts there were some memorable moments shared in the book .  In her “Toast to America and her Friends” written by Sarah Livingston Jay, wife of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States she lists 13 “toasts” and here are the ones that speak to me and their respective number from that list: “… (4) General Washington and the American Army, ... (7) The Memory of the Patriots who have fallen for their Country-May kindness be shown to their Widows and Children, …(9) Gratitude to our Friends and Moderation to our Enemies, ...(10) May all our Citizens be Soldiers, and all of our Soldiers Citizens, …(12) May our Country be always prepared for War, but disposed to Peace, and (13) Liberty and Happiness to all Mankind.”  This was written over 200-years ago but it still applies today.

Today is November 11^th Veterans Day. Never fail to acknowledge the significance of the date which honors our military veterans in this United States of America. Especially important is the fact that it celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918.

Today in 1921 was the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The bodies of three “unknown” American soldiers killed on foreign soil are buried here: one killed in France in WWI, one from WWII and one from Korea. The remains from one interred in 1984 from the Vietnam War was eventually identified and removed. With the advances in DNA, etc. it was decided by the Pentagon in 1999 there would be no new remains placed in the memorial. 

          Yes, this day calls for remembrances and of the sacrifices it took to get us here in our time and place in history.  My uncles faithfully served in WWII and Korea, my best friend was a Marine in Vietnam, many of my fellow high school classmates also served in Vietnam (one was a POW for many years), my wonderful brother Leon served 20 years in our US Army, my sister Rebecca’s husband served in our US Air Force, my sister Julia’s husband spent ten (10) years in our US Army, my ex-husband who is the father of my sons served in our US Navy and my cousin Earl served 20 years in the National Guard.  These branches of the military are proudly represented in my family. 

I am equally proud of the service by others in their commitment to our freedom and to the opportunity for the freedoms they fostered for the innocents in other countries as well. 

If you have thanked or revered a veteran today GOD BLESS YOU, more importantly GOD BLESS THE USA.

2012 Election calls for special prayer for my beloved USA

Please pray that God will send someone to witness to Obama and soften his heart to seek God in making decisions for our country, for the sanctity of life and marriage as proclaimed by God and to support Israel.  Make no mistake; God is still in charge, regardless of and in spite of who is President.  

When one truly believes it must be professed, not just possessed as a secret, and ones actions are in line accordingly and not politically motivated.

I did not support Obama in 2008 and certainly not in 2012.  I cannot support someone so against my Christian values, does not offer support to Israel “publicly” and not just during a President debate when cornered into answering, someone who does not provide for a strong military and the respective military intelligence, and someone who may not stop increasing our debt thereby making us hostage to a foreign power, repeal the socialist medicine known as “Obamacare”, immigration reform (not amnesty), AND ON AND ON.

Hopefully, he will do as he said in the acceptance speech and reach out to Romney to see how they can work together on some issues and reach across party lines in a cooperative effort.  I do not see integrity is this guy.  He may be a good father and provider for his family but has been a lousy President of the United States of America IN MY HUMBLE, CHRISTIAN, and REPUBLICAN OPINION.

May God Bless our United States of America!

Anniversary of my 1st miracle

This is a recap, expansion and paraphrase of a letter that I wrote to my son Jason Sample four years ago for his 34^th birthday.  I started Facebook this year and here my thoughts are to be shared specifically for this year.

Tomorrow October 15^th  he is 38 years old and he continues to and always makes me smile with every phone conversation or visit in his home and also the few he can arrange to come here.  Distance, work and those pesky financial obligations do tend to complicate all matters. Add that to the many friends and cousins in the area and you can get my drift about the quantity of time that can be afforded the mother.  Please do not get the idea that I begrudge him that time because I do not. Some of his friends started frequenting my home in their teens as well and the cousin time warrants no discussion.            

Now I will share the other “mothering” details which will not be repeated next year. 

            After four years of being told that I would not have children without the adoption process which we had just begun, I go in for what is now called the well woman’s exam and image my surprise to discover my pregnancy. I thought that his words of congratulations meant that the recurring bladder infections were finally ended. I was so excited that I almost forgot to get dressed before trying to leave the office to share my joy with my husband and other family members.  (Just kidding about the part of getting dressed and I remain modest still at 63 years of age.)

Case in point, the first time movement could be felt during my pregnancy was at church on Mothers Days.  Now that is a Mother’s Day “present” worthy of remembrance and a prayer of Thanksgiving at the same time. The doctor thought that I might be having twins but instead it was a beautiful 9 lb. 11 oz. blue eyed blonde haired boy who stopped crying immediately when placed in my arms shortly after birth. I believe that it was heartbeat that he quickly recognized, hence the nickname "Love Bug".  (The Gordon’s Jewelers commercial at the time used what was called a “Love Bug” which lit from person to person and I had always loved those commercials.)

Jason was a most affectionate baby and young child who loved to love and had ready hugs for our family. Those teenage years and for a period of time afterwards those hugs were stolen from me by false belief that men did not hug or express love to their parents but they are back and every one of them makes me look forward to the next one. Real men do know how to express their feelings and are not ashamed to tell their mothers “I love you.”

  He also has a quiet accepting nature and slower measured movements that do tend to conceal strength of character and will that as his Mother I recognize and truly admire. When he is quiet, he is thinking.  When he is talking, he means every word.  He does not waste time saying what is not meant and he makes a decision when he has decided it is the right one to make. He and I do share the fault that we sometimes think things to death before making a decision. However, once we make up our mind, it is a done deal. 

            In calendar years he is considered a full grown man and his eyes are now green but for me he will always be the precious son that made my dreams of becoming a Mother a reality and I am most proud when I hear the best name or title that anyone could ever have which is ....... Mom. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

When you see someone adorned with a Purple Ribbon this month, there is real significance to which one should be aware: October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. I have family and friends who have literally been “touched” by domestic violence.

Do not be fooled into thinking that this happens primarily outside of USA. Throughout the world 55% to 95% goes unreported to any governmental agency or women’s shelter and the statistics here alone are alarming.  Those abused return to the abuser numerous times before their successful/permanent escape by choice or chance. The cycle generally continues by those young boys who witnessed their parent’s domestic violence as they become the teenage boyfriend or husband or significant other (to use the 21^st century term). I am quite attached to this subject and have been involved with various shelters for about 20 years.  I am also the current President of WOMAN, Inc. which is a non-profit that creates permanent and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. This organization is also working on a project to specifically include those exiting military service. Yes, our women in the military are also victims.

Please bear in mind these statistics that I have gathered over the years and public information available on numerous websites such as  http://domesticviolencestatistics.org *  and local women’s shelters. 

·         In the US, every nine (9) seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten

·         Around the world, at least one in three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.  Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family. *

·         Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually,*

·         Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

·         Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.*

·         Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.*

·         Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.*

There are other factors to consider. The mental and self-esteem issues follow these women into just every other aspect of their lives and any relationship:  level of child care (from lax to desperately controlling or protective), work attendance (if she is even allowed to leave the house), working outside the home opportunities, depression, suicide, etc.  Many of the abused may consider it their fault that an argument erupted tied to the newest abuse; they think that they deserve the abuse, or that it will not happen again since another lame apology is extended. Some women even think they are doing their children a favor by saying with the abuser and that cannot be further from the truth. 

I could go on and on. The movie “The Burning Bed” comes to mind. I have not seen the movie but it is based on a real case and she was desperately afraid for her life.  You may say “How bad does bad have to be before women realize that other viable options exist?” Another phrase comes to mind “one cannot see the forest for the trees”. These women really cannot see or deal with anything but the moment.  Please do not say “just leave him” since they do fear for their lives and the lives of their children. 

Listen, don’t dictate, be aware and absolutely be available with the number of a shelter when the time comes and pray that their time comes to be safely rescued.  Some of these can be rehabilitated and I am referring to both the abuser and abused but neither is a quick process and comes with a low success rate and no guarantees.

It is worth the effort.  Absolutely!!!

Be a Part of Something

To begin with October holds a date to remember that many will be able to celebrate with a holiday from their “paying” jobs (yes, I am retired).  This month as a whole reminds me that it is a group of individuals that have made a difference to this country and to our financial opportunities and accomplishments, again as a whole.

With October comes the anniversary of the discovery of our beloved America by Christopher Columbus on the morning of October 12, 1492. In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed October 12 as Columbus Day. However, the second Monday in October became the official federal holiday in 1971 after lobbying from the National Columbus Day Committee during President Nixon’s administration.  Please notice that both of the dominant political parties are represented here.

This information is known by all of you but what became abundantly clear to me while reading about the history of this holiday is that it was accomplished through a “committee” working together toward a common goal. It may have been proclaimed and then later became a federal holiday as signed by two different Presidents of the United States but it was the organized efforts of a group (committee) that birthed it into becoming a reality. 

Even when only one name is attached to the recognition each had supporters, mentors, financiers, and some time of committee or teamwork attached to their respective acknowledgements.

It was committee work that arranged for Christopher Columbus’ journey, coordinated the ships that sailed here, created our Declaration of Independence, get people elected to public office, and it is the committees working together in conjunction with any effort that is going to make it work and to make a difference personally or professionally.

Make a difference, be heard, and make your minutes matter to create value … join something!!! 

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

A lot happens in the four decades covered in 12^th century England and the fateful trip to France.  For me, the story moved well and I became emotionally charged and at the same time challenged with the ruthlessness of those within the church who did anything for personal gain and I do mean anything: betrayal, murder, bloodshed, sanctioned violence, etc.  Yes, churches are a refuge but there were also some used as a political pawn and money-maker for whoever was really in charge.  The story includes storms, famines, multiple battles in pursuit/conquest of the royal throne, considerable ambition and yes, faith.

The brutality of the times cannot be ignored (facts are facts) and I admit to avoiding those details.  While I did not have a favorite character, each was memorable and the intrigue certainly kept the story moving for me all the way to the end.  I kept thinking about how much more can this prior take, how many times will such bad things continue to happen to the good guys,  will there ever be any justice, how do the rotten people continue to be allowed to prosper and literally get away with murder/ thievery/brutality??? HOWEVER, each one comes to their end (thankfully) and the truth about the hanging that starts the book comes to light and the king is flogged (kind of).

This book is not at all what I expected which is a good thing.  Secondly, please do not be daunted by the sheer number of pages.  There is actually more than one story, all entangled in the ultimate quest of building the largest, most unique cathedral, to do it first and best along with the many characters along the way that it took to reach that goal.  It is also a reminder that God has his own timetable when answering prayers, even for a church. 

Oddly enough, it actually took me less time to get to the end of the book than most with half the number of pages.  I normally include details about the various characters and there is many, each adding so much to the story that it would take too much space here but I encourage you to get to know them in this worthy historical novel.  

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it an “8”.  I cannot give it a higher score since my all-time favorite historical novel is still Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Polk which I continue to give a solid “10”.

Special remembrance of one so dear, my Eric

Special remembrance of one so dear marks seven years on September 16th. I want to share him with some of you.

He was about 6’3” but seemed taller since he actually stood up straight, he played as hard as he worked, which as a rough neck in the oilfield was pretty tough going if that gives you a clue. His greeting to me was “Hola muy bonita Madre mia.” He even had the greeting drawn onto a napkin which I had framed and it is still displayed in the room he used during visits. 

He had a ready laugh, rarely met a stranger and forgave easily. Yes, he made mistakes, paid for them, learned from them, repeated some of them, and did not blame others for those mistakes or make excuses for them.  He was also a flirt and interested in just about every female that had a pulse.  However, to my knowledge he only proposed to one and she is still a dear FB friend to me. He also had a quick wit and some really clear thoughts about life and living. Here are two of my favorites: 1) Secrets kill people.  They are like a cancer that eats you up from the inside. 2) People only know what they know and they make up the rest.

He enjoyed cooking for family and friends.  Whether we were together at his home or ours, he would often say: “Mom, let’s go tear up the kitchen” or “You want to go tear up the kitchen?” which meant let’s cook something to eat, try a new recipe or create something new.  I still use his breakfast casserole recipe regularly.  He won a prize for a hamburger stuffed with a thin pork chop, cheese and peppers. He was underage and entered using his brother’s name.  His brother still has and uses the barbeque utensil set. The night before the accident he called for a recipe which is/was so Eric.

His creative talents included his hair color as well: red, green, purple, yellow and blonde.  He had beautiful brown eyes but for a few years he wore green tinted contacts. He said that he was the only one in the family with brown eyes and he wanted a change.  He looked just as handsome with green eyes as with brown.

Unlike many men, he was not afraid to express his love of family to others in public.  When he would come to my office at the bank, his greeting sometimes included his picking me up to give me a big hug which of course include the same wonderful expected greeting. 

He was always so weight conscious. There were a couple of years where he called himself the “Michelin Man”.  Back in 1992 during a four month period he went from a 36x32 to 32x36 jean and for most of adult life was 34x36.  He dressed well and had a favorite striped shirt that my youngest sister and I both repaired more than once. I have special memories associated with the shirts that I kept and will eventually get around to having them remade into shirts for me. I just could not bear to have some of them worn by others.

We always had some interesting conversations and I talked with him regularly.  However, the last month of life came some that, looking back, were almost foreboding such as:

Where he wanted to be buried, how he would die(which proved correct), life insurance beneficiary and why, special phone call thanking me for everything that I had done for him, the late night “sitting on the floor” truly straight  talk about his life, life choices, reduction in future home visits and why, burying him in what he called  “court clothes”, and even a narrow slide into heaven tied to his belief that life was to be experienced at full capacity and not to waste a minute of the whatever time he might be allotted. In fact, he wanted his body to be worn out from living life.

In his 27 years 5 days with us, he chose to live life rather than exist in life. He loved his family, friends and had a sincere appreciation for all life had to offer and he truly did want to experience all of it.  He invited everyone into his life and had a difficult time saying “no”.

Life happens, Eric happened and I am the better for it. 

Anniversary of my 2nd miracle

Today marks the anniversary of a miracle granted me 34 years ago.  I became a Mother for the 2^nd time to a son weighing over 8 pounds named Eric Wade Sample. He had the most beautiful dark brown eyes such that he was forever called “Kisses” by yours truly.  Yes, it was because of the chocolate Hershey’s Kisses. For most of his life Eric’s eyes were the richest, darkest brown that one could imagine to the point that the pupils were not clearly visible.

He had a ready laugh and forgave easily. That is not to say that he did not have a temper but it was rarely displayed towards family. He was also a flirt and interested in just about every female that had a pulse.  However, to my knowledge he only proposed to one and she is still a dear FB friend to me. He also had a quick wit and some really clear thoughts about life and living. Here are two of my favorites: 1) Secrets kill people.  They are like a cancer that eats you up from the inside. 2) People only know what they know and they make up the rest.

My family plus some of my friends know that I made a career out of conceiving both of my sons and that I was also told by my doctor that I would probably not be able to have children.  Jason was born 10/15/74 (1^st miracle) and Eric 09/11/78 which proves that God is the “Great Physician” and those in the medical industry are “His” sometimes tools in the process. That is my God honored opinion.  There is power in prayer and God answered mine.

My September thoughts

My thoughts of September naturally include Labor Day on the first Monday and the September 11^th anniversary date of the coordinated terrorist suicide attacks here in America. Being pro-military I am proud to note that both the US Air Force and US Army celebrate their respective existence this month as well:  US Air Force was established as a separate military service on Sept. 18, 1947 and the creation by Congress of the US Army on Sept. 29, 1789.

Please think beyond your head knowledge that Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September celebrated mainly as a day of rest but recall pleasantly that the career opportunities that exist for each of us from which we may be resting is directly tied the 19^th amendment giving women the right to vote on August 18, 1920. 

Allow me to share from an inspirational book by Rachel Snyder titled Words of Wisdom for Women under the section for Labor there are three sentences within the passage that speak volumes to me. “Labor hard to bring forth your creations…Give birth to an idea, a vision you’ve carried for decades....Know that whatever you birth, when the labor is over, the hard work begins.”  These speak to me as a retired professional woman for what is possible in our lives that we create for ourselves each day that we continue to work hard and not give up our dreams or vision for our future as women in America.

September can also be a time to evaluate what you are resting “from” at your job or in your career. Have a passion for whatever you do at work and an undeniable appreciation of the fact that you can do it freely in a country that has such an appreciation for us as workers within the USA that we have been granted a special holiday in which to savor the moments. You may exercise that right to a career in this country better and safer than anywhere in the world. 

May you enjoy this Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 3, 2012 and reflect on September 11, 2001 with compassion for the families and friends of those who may have forever lost someone on that fateful day. Be earnest and continually pray for those who are committed to serving us in the military and on the political forefront in their respective efforts to protect us as Americans and American women.  

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Lauren Hillenbrand

Louis Zamperini tended to push limits (not in a positive way) as a young boy and the pranks of his youth could have, and by all accounts should have, gotten him arrested.  Thankfully that was not the case. It was through the love and ability of the older brother to redirect the force of energy within the younger “fleet of foot” brother in a different direction. That being track. It was a natural progression since Louis had been running anyway and just barely ahead of the law.

Being a track star brought him the recognition that he wanted and really did propel him to make different choices.  Was he still a rounder?  Yes but it did not result in jail time.  He participated in the 1936 Olympic game, did not medal but did meet Hitler personally, and could have been a legitimate contender for that next Summer Olympics. However, that chance for his second Olympics was interrupted by WWII.

The first bombardier crew with which he served is legendary but the final bombardier was not fit for service, was used for spare  parts,  but that crew was ordered to take it out on a recovery mission.  They crashed, some survived in a raft in the middle of the ocean for months, only to be “rescued” and taken to the first in a series of prison camps. 

Zamperini was a survivor many times over as a Japanese prisoner of war and in one camp appeared to be singled out for extra measure of torture. However, even in these POW camps, he was party to some interesting episodes that I would not have thought possible and resilience is an understatement given the circumstances. The daily “salute” to the emperor was my personal favorite. Dysentery created humor.

Even after the years of brutality, physical and mental torture (some to the delight of the tormentors) in the Japanese war camps, his body did not succumb to further health injustice later in life which was years after the war ended, living into his 90s. His physical strength carried him only to a point and his survival is no accident as I came to realize towards the end of the book. 

I am always drawn to historical novels, fiction and non-fiction, but this author has a writing style that draws you into the factual history of one Louis Zamperini and to those with whom he will always be connected, that shared a piece of history that we can only garner in the words wrenched from those who lived it, endured it, and survived it to live again but forever changed.

Many parts were difficult for me to read but I am relieved to say, it was well worth my temporary discomfort which pails miserably, wordlessly, to the real world discomforts shared with us in this book.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Highly recommended to learn about Ernest Hemingway's early years before anyone knew or cared of his existence. Written as a novel with some factual content.

Previous to this the only thing I recalled about his personal side was that he was a hard drinker and womanizer. He did have a different side and it was odd to learn that he really wanted to be accepted by his family and others but could not accept charity or anything that he "interpreted" as charity. His wife truly loved him and chose to take a backseat to support his career goals at the expense of her early opportunity as an accomplished artist in her own right as a pianist. There are those who be today’s standards would have considered her a doormat. 

They lived in poor conditions, with minimal amounts of money but somehow made it work on an international level. His first set of manuscripts were lost/stolen and it may have actually been a blessing in disguise since he had to recreate himself as a writer and we have all benefited from what may have been the change needed for that has created hours of reading pleasure for all of us.

He was forever tormented by his experiences during war times (WWI) and he was seriously wounded. He fell in love with a nurse but she chose to marry someone else.  All three of these events appear to be connected and coupled with the less than nurturing home environment of his youth may have contributed to his somewhat driven nature. His mother appeared overbearing and his father seemed somehow distant, in my opinion. 

Throughout the book I got the impression that Hemingway felt that he did not deserve to be loved by the way he became so verbally brutal towards the same people who had initially pushed for his success that he had initially considered friends.  He sometimes treated a kindness or generosity as charity which he vehemently resented and refused.

Depression seems to have run in his family if the number of suicides is any measure which included his father, brother, sister and even his granddaughter, the model and actress Margaux Hemingway.  With what we know about depression today and had we known it then, who can know what other great works would have been written for our enjoyment. 

Having read this book, I have a better appreciation for his literary greatness and the hard road driven to our bookshelves.

He lived life on his own terms and died the same way, both in what could be termed desperation.  

On a scale from 1 to 10, from me it gets an 8.

11.22.63 by Stephen King

Please do not discount this book because of the title or the author like I initially did.  I am not a current fan of works by Stephen King and read it because it was the selection of my BPW book group.  I am so glad that I read it.

Yes, in my age group it is the date on which we all knew where we were: the day President John F Kennedy was assassinated.  This is a great read which causes one to think about more than the time travel in the book. If you could go back in time, would you? Could you live with the consequences of what resulted from that change? It was not obvious to me that any change, however minor, would result in other changes.

The lead character is a teacher who has as a student the janitor of the school where he teaches.  The writing assignment includes the story about how a family was brutally murdered by the father. More importantly, the writing brought the family members to life for the teacher in such a way that he seems to have or felt a connection (of sorts) to that family, particularly the janitor who was a young boy with real career dreams.  The teacher wondered what the janitor would have become if that night had not happened.

The teacher has a friend who owns a diner that insists on his time travel trip through a “portal”.  The friend is deathly ill and garners a promise from the teacher to stop the assassination.  Of course, the teacher has other changes that he wants to make along the way but it results in some unexpected changes within himself and to his character in the process. The changes were not what I had expected but added to the overall flow of the book. 

The twists and turns in this story held my attention and included real information about the names we came to know: Lee Harvey Oswald, his wife and family, Jack Ruby, JFK, and a host of others.   It also includes stories within the story about the obvious of him having to live a lie about who he was really; he was a great teacher who could/did make a difference in the ‘50s and ‘60s, loving someone, losing that someone, etc. 

Bottom line, changes came with consequences which were greater than I could have imagined and in my opinion, the story ended with ………………………….. NOPE, I AM NOT TELLING YOU.

Read it and share your thoughts with me.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I gave it a 10.

August is More than Heat

The first thing that comes to the mind of most Houstonians in August is the HOT, HOTTER AND HOTTEST month of the year.  I cannot really disagree. However, what comes to my mind first is back to school.  I loved being a student and loved school even more as a parent when my boys would come home sharing their “stories” of the day followed by helping them with schoolwork.   I looked forward to every second of their younger years and teenage years when I was allowed to so easily share part of their day as we talked through the homework sessions which “always” led to other discussions. 

The majority of my friends have grown children and as a result do not have the usual Back to School supplies list to fill.  Be sensitive to the needs of the many 100’s of families who could use your assistance in providing these supplies.  Please exercise your opportunity to fund some of the basic school supply needs as made available through various local charities or in your school district. 

Before my July 2012 retirement, I had completed 11 years as a volunteer Junior Achievement and every year had its rewards.  You can only imagine some of the questions asked of me by these students during these short, one hour a week, six weeks program in the elementary grades. 

Be a mentor or be a volunteer, it will add the best looking hat not only to your resume’ wardrobe, but to your life. 

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Imagine being four years old with no memory of who you are and are left standing alone on the dock where you have existed the ship that brought you to Australia from England.  You are discovered the dock foreman and are taken in by him and his wife pending finding your family.  Fast forward. You have been raised as a beloved daughter with younger sisters and at 21 years of age you learn that you are not who you think you are and the “parents” have no answers. They can offer nothing more than the little white suitcase you had at the shipping dock. You are confused and have no real sense of belonging. 

The mystery does get solved but by her granddaughter who also finds her own path in the process. 

SO FAR THIS IS MY 2ND FAVORITE READ FOR 2012

July has More than Fireworks

It is incredible to note so many dates, milestones and occurrences that have shaped us as Americans and women in the month of July.  From fireworks in celebration of our July 4^th Declaration of Independence to including such notables as the women’s rights convention in 1848, the first “physical” step on the moon in 1969 tied to the inadvertent missing “a” which literally affects the meaning of that most memorable sentence made by Astronaut Neil Armstrong on that momentous date, the inauguration of the five-digit zip code, birth date of promoter and showman P. T. Barnum who opened “The Greatest Show on Earth”, birth date of automotive pioneer Henry Ford and probably THE most notable, at times most financially uncomfortable, the creation of the income tax withholding in the US.

On a fun note, I absolutely love to go to the circus, which for Houston, TX, is usually each July. However, I have only attended twice in the last ten years or so since I would prefer not to go alone and my nieces and nephews feel that they have somewhat outgrown it since it is may considered juvenile by their peers and I have no grandchildren to parade about. Well … !!!

What is juvenile about stepping out of the many professional demands in our life for no other reason than to become one with the joy, happiness and awe of the visual for what really is for me one of “ The Greatest Shows on Earth”. What is juvenile about the demanding training schedules, strenuous exercise, skills, requisite disciplines and their driven commitment to excellence by each circus performer and acknowledging each through our attendance? What is juvenile about the skill of designing and creating the costumes that dazzle and adorn the performers, EVEN THE CLOWNS? What is juvenile about seeing on the face of a child their fascination and absorption of  the  seamless, graceful, perfectly timed performances of the acrobats, lion tamer, elephants parading, horses prancing about with their acrobatic riders, and etc. that still mesmerize me as I horde down popcorn, root beer and my “once a year” hot dog.

Yes, I have an absolute appreciation for the circus, whether in the ring or behind the scenes. Now you know that for me the month of July is complete when it includes attending a circus which in Houston, Texas, shortly follows the fireworks and the many magnificent firework displays that celebrate our independence formalized on paper in our Declaration of Independence signed and witnessed on July 4, 1776.

June noteables for women and some great reading

            This month commemorates many firsts and notables in history for women such as the first woman elected to US Congress Jeannette Rankin, first American woman in space Dr. Sally Ride a physicist and pilot, Sally Jan Pries and was ordained as the first woman rabbi in the US, pioneering feminist Susan B Anthony was arrested for voting in a presidential election (which did not become legal until August 1920), the composer of the melody “Happy Birthday to You” Mildred J. Hill was born, as was Harriett Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin,  photojournalist Margaret Burke-White who became the first accredited war correspondent in World War II and American author Pearl  Buck who wrote The Good Earth and won a Pulitzer Prize for her many books. 

            These are but a few who laid a path before us that lends toward our having a “chosen” profession that we can appreciate and grow as a result of “their” accomplishments. 

As most of you know, I have a passion for reading and am in a book group that meets monthly.  As luck would have it when we made our 2009 reading selections our June book review was I’m Proud of You by Tim Madigan which chronicles the friendship between the author and Fred Rogers.  Yes, “THE” Mr. Rogers, in the same month as Father’s Day.  Mr. Rogers was a welcome addition to our TV family time and right on cue with many of the topics that my sons and I had the need to discuss.  What could be more appropriate leisure reading this month?  I highly recommend that you create the time to read this wonderful book. 

Father's Day, Flay Day and June trivia

When thinking of the month of June, ones first thought is probably Fathers Day, which for me is equally as important as Mothers Day, followed by Flag Day (Flag Birthday).

My Dad died in July 1994 but I have some special memories that are as fresh as when they happened.  In fact, it was my dad that explained the “facts of life” to me on the night of my first date about an hour before my date began.  Whew.  Talk about mixed emotions. I could hardly wait for the date to end so that I could feel safe again AND BACK AT HOME.  It was almost a year a before I had nerve enough to try dating again and to this day I do not recall with whom I had that first date.

Be sure to thank your dad for loving you enough to make decisions that may have caused some discomfort or inconvenience, for they most certainly influenced you to become who you are today. 

Preceding Fathers Day each year is Flag Day on June 14^th. I am glad to say that in June 2000 during my vacation in Washington, D.C., I was able to actually see one of our original US flags.  Shortly afterwards, the exhibit was closed to the public in order to complete some necessary repairs.  The dimensions were so much greater than I had expected, covered the entire room and I was in absolute awe of such an incredible part of our history.  Our entire tour group was silent in honor and respect as we actually viewed such a symbol of our freedom as American citizens.  It was a most memorable experience coupled with seeing our current flag flown over the White House in the same week.

Take pride in our flag, your citizenship, and your freedom to succeed as an individual, professional or business owner which we all know can best happen here and together.

Now, here is your June trivia and memorable milestones:

In 1916, Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, our Stars and Stripes.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon signs into law a permanent U.S. Father’s Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June.

June 11, 1880 the first woman was elected to US Congress, Jeannette Rankin

June 18, 1983 Dr. Sally Ride, a 32-year-old physicist and pilot, became the first American woman in space, beginning a six-day mission aboard the space shuttle Challenger, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

June 27, 1859 American musician Mildred J. Hill (1859-1916) was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She composed the melody, Happy Birthday to You.

June 30, 1971 - The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was enacted, granting the right to vote in all federal, state and local elections to American citizens 18 years or older.

May or Can ... this month is full of both

Yes, I am talking about May as a month or permission and Can as ability.

How I love the month of May with Mothers Day, Memorial Day, and that magnificent gift of nature – flowers, flowers and more flowers. 

Please take time this month to acknowledge your mom for the life that she created, that being “you”. They mentor and coach us through childhood and a mother’s love seems to have no limits.  One year I sent a handwritten note instead of the traditional Hallmark card, telling my own mother how much she served as my mentor during my years of life and the influence she still has on the way that I regard others. She said that it was favorite. I was surpised until I recalled the many handwritten notes from each of my sons, which I still have to this day.

As professionals and business women, we may receive numerous accolades or awards for our accomplishments, but no title or professional designation sounds better to me than Mom. 

In June 2000, I spent most of an entire day at the Arlington Cemetery and was privileged to observe the changing of the guards at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates our American war dead from the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. Words are inadequate to express how I felt at that moment.  I experienced great pride to have been born here but could not stop myself from crying while watching the soldiers at that tomb. 

You may not have the opportunity to see it first hand, but you can visit our local veteran’s cemetery to witness the Memorial Day ceremony, wear one of the poppies that are frequently sold near that date, and absolutely thank the next soldier that you see in a uniform.  They deserve our honor, both past and present.

I cannot close this message without sharing some May trivia. 

• Mother's Day became a public holiday on May 9, 1914
• Memorial became a federal holiday in 1971, and is observed on the last Monday in May.
• May 15, 1940-nylon stockings went on sale for the first time in the US.

Lastly, I am absolutely convinced that flowers were created for the primary purpose of enjoyment and are to be unquestionably shared along with our memories between family and friends.   HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR FLORIST TODAY?

The Nook ……or not

I tend to read three or four books a month hence my switching to an eReader, the Nook. It makes sense to have 1000’s of choices stored in something that is not much larger than my checkbook.  My checkbook has extra “stuff” inside and may not mirror yours but the point is that it is similar in size/weight.

Yes, I have a real passion for reading except for the “body stripping, trash talking” style of writing which do not warrant my time. Sometimes I treat myself to “brain candy” which is a term learned from my friend Jennifer W.

Knowing my reading appetite borders on obsession my husband decided back in 2010 that he wanted me to have an eReader. He requested (odd for a husband) that I review the options and make my decision for this gift for him. I left my chair and moved so quickly to my computer that I feel sure that I did not even cast a shadow during the vault from my recliner. I explored the Internet and narrowed my choices down to three: Sony, Kindle and Nook. For me the obvious and best choice was and still is Nook.

It had four options that for me could not be denied and the fifth is a given: 1) can be linked to your local library for millions of other FREE reading material, 2) a FREE book offer every Friday, 3) book exchanges between fellow Nook readers also FREE, 4) there was an alternate site available from which to acquire other books (have not felt the need to try it), and 5) it supported my favorite bookstore, Barnes and Noble.

Yes, many of my friends chose the Kindle which is their right and I respect their choice. However I would have lost two whole years of FREE and additional reading pleasures.

Color can be appreciated on many levels but I did not choose the NOOK Color. My husband encouraged me to choose the more expensive model (also odd for a husband). The differences between the one that I chose and the 2010 Nook Color were not significant and not enough to change my mind or justify the increase in cost.

Kindle from Amazon may offer the same options “now” but I have not been interested enough to check. The best combination for me is Nook from Barnes & Noble. 

Don’t settle for less, I didn’t.

Encyclopedia Britannica going out of print

When I first saw the message posted on my LinkedIn this came as a shock.  Then my brain engaged to give it additional thought as my breathing returned to normal.

Like many before me, my first introduction to the Britannica was in the school library. Aside from my Bible, I thought them the most majestic, highly esteemed of all reading material “freely” available to all. My fellow “Houston Northsiders” will understand this clearly since our families would fall into the category of those who could not afford to buy/have/savor/enjoy them at home. I even remember the leather covers which I felt were as rich as the contents.

The library was my favorite summer spot and yes, it was to the Britannica’s that earned my first stop.  They opened up a whole new world for me and they fed a young girls mind and created a thirst for more that has never been quenched.

My parents were eventually able to buy us a set of Compton’s Encyclopedias which I enjoyed just as much.  I have three siblings and they got a workout until the last one graduated.

The Encyclopedia Britannica is an ICON and certainly set the standard for other reading mediums. After the shock of the article title, I realized that even the Britannica had reached a point that required 21^st century attention. Paper may become “out of vogue” but knowledge and information is power and only the venue is changing.

Besides, did you check out the cost of the last printed edition: $1,395.00? 

Message to brain: slow down my breathing AGAIN

Crazy Daisy and the Girls Scouts

Today marks the 100^th anniversary of the Girls Scouts, originally called American Girl Guides and its British equivalent, Girl Guides.  This blog is not to restate the obvious or to copy/paste what may be printed on an international level in today’s news. However, when reading the Houston Chronicle article by Maggie Galehouse a few points jumped off the page. Let’s start with the originators name: Juliette Daisy Gordon Low.

Juliette – in French it means soft haired, in Latin Down-bearded youth (still soft).  One of the pictures in the paper is of a soft featured appearance of a lady, complete with a hat. (I love hats and have close to ten of them). Looks can be deceiving when a woman is on a mission of any kind.

Daisy – English meaning Days Eye or Eye of the Day, the flower. The first picture in the article is of that first group of young ladies and judging by the shadows was near noon.  All are uniformed, saluting the day AND the next steps in their paths.

Low – her married name and a marriage which brought little comfort.  Her husband was an adulterer and her hearing was forever impaired by a grain of rice which lodged itself in her ear on her wedding day resulting in chronic ear infections.  Her husband was a pain and the wedding rice caused pain.

Juliette Daisy Gordon Low was 51 years old when she founded the first troop of “Girl Scouts of the USA” in Savannah, Georgia.  

This American pioneer southern girl did well for all of us while no longer young by the standards of that time, in a more than troubled marriage, was hearing impaired which is a disability by today’s standards, was called “Crazy Daisy” because she liked to experience fun as a youth, and the purpose behind her forming of the Girl Scouts was to empower girls from all walks of life whether “factory girls, working-class girls, wealthy girls, immigrant girls, everybody”(as quoted from Houston Chronicle 3/12/2102). 

Some of my favorite facts in the article are these:  53% of women business owners are former Girl Scouts, ten of the 17 women serving in the US Senate are Girl Scouts and 2.3 million girls in the Girls Scouts of the USA today.

Keep in mind this was a full eight years before we were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920 through the passing of the 19^th Amendment.  I would surely like to know how the experience of being the first group of Girl Scouts affected the decisions/goals set for their adult life and how they may have participated, if at all, in the women’s suffrage movement. 

I lived the life of a Girl Scout even though not one officially.  Oh well, another story for another time ….