20 year anniversary for my book group The Early Words

Today marks the 20 year anniversary of my book group that originally started as a special interest group with BPW known officially as Northwest Houston Business and Professional Woman. 

BPW Past President Edna Thompsen had a vision to increase opportunities to get to know each other better, additional networking opportunities, and enjoy being together more than once monthly. 

There were mentoring groups, investment groups, a financial mentoring group now called Dollars and Sense, and of course our book group. 

The organization has gone through some changes but our reading group is still thriving. At that time we had so much required reading that it was quite a respite to have some leisure reading with other professional women.

Two of the original group Wendy Cole and Mari Davis plus myself as the facilitator are still here plus are retired along with fellow members Louise Burke and Judy Carlini. Others are welcome to join us since it's no longer an "official" BPW group.  Our book group is still comprised of BPW sisters; two are still active in BPW, Evangelina Vela and Denise Lewis. 

What a joy of a time we have together. We review a book each month, have a great lunch, and then do as women do we share our lives in conversation. Good time fellowship.

2020 Sept 28th National Coffee Day

 Today is National Coffee Day so here you go.

• ·         My hubby enjoys it inferno hot as do most of my McAdams family. Pre-Keurig the hubby would fill his cup from his fresh pot of coffee then it went to the microwave for one minute 45 seconds. Yes hot hot hot is the preference. 
• ·         My hubby blew up  our microwave heating his coffee. True story. The coffee got so hot that it literally exploded.
• ·         My mother and I treated ourselves with either a caramel or whipped topping in our coffee together on Saturdays during visits when my boys were younger. 
• ·         My Keurig makes hot enough coffee that the hubby doesn't need to put his cup in the microwave immediately after it’s made. He tried his usual heating method "once" and thought he had lost the feeling in his tongue permanently or that his tongue was melting away
• ·         I am no longer a coffee drinker and don't really miss it but please don't refuse or begrudge me a cuppa.

Now as my previous neighbor used to say as she was watching through the bushes "You can go now." That being said please enjoy the rest of your day. 

60th Wedding Anniversary for Ed and Gearldine Rhodes

 What can I say and yet be brief about this wonderful couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. 

I instantly wanted to get to know them better at our first meeting. Our conversation began with talking about cameras, cookbooks, and their being volunteer firemen. I have since ordered at least 10 cookbooks as gifts and one for myself in my small way of supporting their fire department. 

 From there we discussed and learned more about our larger than average sized family history.  Yes, we might be related three ways: McAdams, VanMeter, and Buck. What a joy that is!

Through them I came to know and grow the love of my family, my precious extended McAdams family. Joy!

Their love legacy lives on through each of their children, grandchildren, and even their great grandchildren. They have a service legacy as well through the multi-generational volunteer fire department. That's dedication. 

We may be cousins through marriage but they are so much more to me. She's more of a sister to me as well. I love her smile and the way she laughs and her wise counsel to me. I love the way that Ed looks at her which says that he loves her in every sideways glance that he makes. Every wife wants that same look.  

Yes I love both of them so much and count them as blessings to my life. Their love and devoted marriage example has been sprinkled onto each of us. How blessed are we to have them share their life with us and their love for us.

 Okay, enough said (for now). You two are loved and have many beloved followers. Thank you for leading by example. Happy loved filled 60th wedding anniversary to a much favored couple.

Educated by Tara Westover

For much of this book I was overwhelmed emotionally. The words endurance, dysfunctional, enabling,brain washing, and survival from one's family share my thoughts equally about this book. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a memoir and not a made for TV movie. Thankfully there were people in her life that saw her value and it allowed her to move and push hard from what was her normal. She definitely labored in many senses of that word.

The book title is perfect as the last page affords the real definition of her life. Well that might be true for many us really.

Once I started reading it I just couldn't stop reading it. I'd put it down then within minutes I just had to start reading more. Memorable is not a strong enough word to describe this book.

Special thanks to my niece Nicole Church for recommending this book to me.

Happy 71st birthday to me

 It's been so wonderful reading and hearing so many birthday greetings plus my special "singing" happy birthday voicemail message from my sweet Aunt Willie Buck. She thought that I wouldn't recognize her voice. Wrong! I called her and we had a great chat. If you never heard her voice in our church choir or at the old Oak Grove singings during Memorial Day weekend then you missed a magnificent,  strong and pure voice. Her voice may have weekend over time but it's still heartwarming to hear. Thank you dear cousin Mitzi Buck Hartfiel-Steve Hartfiel for giving your sweet mother my cell phone number.

I received as text from my son Jason Sample at 6:32am which I didn't see until later. I am after all retired. Lol. We had a wonderful chat on his way home from work today. He's also a great father and husband that makes me burst with pride and love. 

Then a surprise that began as concern.  A black car pulled into my driveway around noon and left some grocery items on my back patio. I shouted to the hubby (yes he was in another room) that someone's groceries had been delivered to our house by mistake and how in the world we were going to get them to their rightful owner. I saw Crisco and my favorite brand of baking powder in one of the bags and felt sorry for the woman who would be missing these important items in her kitchen. Then my phone rings and it's my precious treasure of a grandson Eric and my sweet, much loved daughter in-love Shaina Sample singing Happy Birthday to me. My heart melted in that moment. 

As I started expressing my concern about the grocery bags she laughs and asks if I found them at the back door and brought them inside yet. At that point I am wondering how she knew where they had been delivered. Her great laugh reached through the phone like one of her hugs and she said that it was from them and Happy Birthday.  A surprise indeed! 

We laughed together as I quickly and happily emptied each bag. There's even a summer sausage for PawPaw. It really has all of my favorites including TEA. My kiddos know me well and each item says "I love you". How awesome is that!'

My hubby kept asking to take me to lunch and I resisted. He then suggested curbside pickup for an Italian restaurant that we have been wanting to try. I then suggested that we use the FREE Whataburger coupon for their chicken sandwich which is my favorite item on their menu. He asked where I wanted to go and I answered honestly so for me it was a win win.  He relented and we used the rootbeer for a float with Blue Bell vanilla that was in my grocery birthday bag. . 

It's been a winner 71st birthday.  I'm happy and am still full from lunch plus have half sandwich and half of the french fries for tomorrow which is an added bonus.

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

I really enjoyed this book. It shows her as an adult, her views and realities as an adult, and how naive she realized she was as a child.

It was somewhat sad for her to learn that those she thought loved her really did not. She learned that those she loved and adored were indeed flawed and had faults. However the relationship and full understanding of her uncle brought tears to my eyes as well. As an adult she must finally take on the responsibility of making decisions, her own decisions at last. 

Please do not be put off by all the varied comments and opinions about this book.  Do yourself a favor and read it for yourself and make up your own mind about what you read.  

I now feel that I have a full or at least better picture of events and definitely in the life of Scout. 

This Life I Lead by Rory Feek

I listened to this book while traveling. Learning about their life before, during, and after was quite moving but certainly not a tearjerker. If you enjoy love stories please read this book.

Their backgrounds were quite different and the open, honest sharing of Rory's early years and life before he met Joey was surprising. He is totally relatable. He shared his married life with Joey honestly. He didn't play the blame game at all during the book and each stage of his life was discussed in a manner that will bring clarity to those who have made similar choices.

Here are two good lines from the book. "Hurt people, hurt people. " "Great moments aren't great moments until they are shared."

Rory did not have it easy growing up and relationships were difficult for him.  Then came Joey…

“This Life I Lead” by Rory Feek is a love story worth reading. 

My Uncle E. W. "Ett" Buck and the Buck generation

It is such an odd feeling to live without ones father, mother, child, grandparents, etc. As they predecease us it rarely feels timely even if tied to an illness or injury.

The last of my mother’s siblings was laid to rest yesterday. It marked the last of a generation for the Buck side of my family. Three special aunts remain who were married to brothers in the family. I am comforted to know that I will see these Buck siblings again, one of whom is my mother.

The funeral service yesterday was a tribute to my last uncle, Uncle Ett, known to some as E. W. This Buck family as a whole was a generation to be remembered, loved, respected, and definitely honored. We would do well to recall their faith in God and example of their love and appreciation of family and not just as a provider of food, shelter, or education. I am content in the knowledge that each knew how loved they were beyond their children, grandchildren, etc. but by their many, many nephews and nieces, plus their personal and professional friends. I am proudly one of those nieces who loved them each so much. It is an extra blessing that I got to see and talk with the last of that generation a couple of weeks ago which is now an added memory.

Love your family and accept their love in return. Life is short enough as it is so do not waste it in the “woulda, shoulda, coulda” on either side of a conversation. I am certainly proof of the Buck and VanMeter genes which contributed to what made me ME.

See you later Buck generation - Uncle Tom Buck, Uncle Junior, Aunt Dude, Uncle Donald, Uncle Elwin, Uncle Ett (EW), Uncle Ronald Neil and my mother Margaret Key PLUS my VanMeter generation ; Uncle Eldon VanMeter, Aunt Erma, Aunt Evelyn, Aunt Esther, and my Dad Elmer Leon VanMeter, Sr.

Memories bring comfort so don’t let your memories include regret.

My Uncle Elwin Buck is the Dearest and Best

During my devotional last night came the words “apologetics and apologist”.  These words have been bantered about for the last several years and in good measure.  However this time the name Henry Elwin Buck, Sr. came immediately to my mind. I immediately looked up the definition of each word per Wikipedia and then synonyms. Sure enough and clear as day I understand why my Uncle Elwin’s name flashed into my mind.  (Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. Apologist synonyms are defender, supporter, advocate, apostle, champion, promoter, spokesman, and this is just to name a few.)

For my entire life he has been my mentor, confidant, second father figure, and “the man” for any theological discussions as well as my discussion buddy for whatever confusion or hurt was being experienced at any given time.  His deep, calm voice was soothing in itself and whatever was going on with me he would talk me through it and included scripture verses for me to use in greater detail after our call.  He never passed judgment or told me what to do but we explored options and potential consequences with the ultimate decision being mine. It is through him that I learned and came to understand the power of prayer and to do it regularly, not just when I needed Gods’ help but to also thank God regularly as well.  His wisdom was shared when sought but never pushed onto anyone. 

His devotion to his wife, children, and grandchildren were always Christ centered. That love was shared with his nieces, nephews, siblings, parents, and to whomever was fortunate to come into his presence.  What a gift he was to 100s and 100s.

He performed my marriage to my husband and others in my family.  He and his brothers made sure that there was food on the table and the mortgage was paid when my dad left for another woman. He provided wise counsel when I found myself divorced with two young sons.  He was a barber for many years and was known as Buck, partner of “Buck and Carol Barber Shop”. He was a deacon in his home church, Sunday School teacher, and choir member.

Years ago he wanted to become a full time preacher.  He may not have had a full time pulpit but he certainly pastored his large extended family, church members, and friends.  What a blessing!

I have been quite reflective, emotionally full, and to the point of spontaneous crying since Friday evening.  It is the moment when my beloved Uncle Elwin left this earth for his heavenly home.  I still cannot imagine my life without Uncle Elwin but I along with everyone who knew and loved him will learn to endure that loss.  He is whole again and walked through heaven’s gate straight and tall into the arms of Christ and eagerly greeted by his family that have gone before.  His beautiful bass voice is now part of the heavenly choir.  I will always love you and will definitely see you later

Best laid plans … sort of

The term “all dressed up and no place to go” took on real meaning for me tonight. My friend Debi Ronca is scheduled for a book signing at Champions Golf Club near where I worked before retirement.  Champions is a wonderful place and I have not been to similar functions since retiring.  I dressed in some of my favorite professional black pieces complete with pearls.  It was even a good hair day. I had on my favorite lipstick and Chanel No. 5.  I was all in.

I got to thinking about my friends that I would meet that I do not see often enough and was wondering which room would be used at the club.  I decided to check the “save the date” notice to see if I had just overlooked that information.  Put on the brakes sister!  The date is actually next month and I was so disappointed and immediately embarrassed.  I am known to have a better than average memory and in my excitement for the event I had moved it up … way up on my calendar.

Oh well.  I will at least get to watch “Father Brown” on PBS.  Hold the door! It is not on tonight.  Okay, all is well since Mountain Men is on back-to-back for two hours.  My evening is saved. Such is retirement. 

Now I am comfy cozy in my favorite fall robe, Betty Boop socks, full makeup and hair to boot, and enjoying the gentle fragrance of Chanel No. 5 as I recline. 

I choose to find positives in all situations. 

• I dropped off my package to the local UPS office so that can be marked off my to-do list. 
•  I do not need to think about what to wear on November 15^th since my outfit, jewelry, and shoes are hanging together, patiently waiting. LipSense and ShadowSense choices might change but no worries.
• I refuse to blame my faulty memory on retirement but will choose not to berate myself. After all I received a really nice compliment and an extra kiss from the hubby.  

Life is good.