"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. "
~John Lennon


Thursday, October 31, 2013

Halloween

With love from Lola (my cat) and CiCi (the cat's human). 



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Ghosts

What do little ghosts drink?
Evaporated drink.

What do sea monsters eat for lunch?
Fish and ships.

What do witches put on their hair?
Scare spray.

What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?
Hoblin Goblin.

Can you tell I am getting ready for Halloween?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Praying

A little boy was overheard praying, "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a good time like I am."

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys."

One particular four year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets, as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

I was particularly smitten with the last prayer, for I have been working on my attitude about people who try to "put trash in my basket".  I said Try, because it is up to me what I let get under my skin and who I allow to throw trash my way.  So this is something I continually work on. Amen.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Squash and Leek Lasagna

At my age that did not "sit" right when I first read this.

Then I looked again, and said "Oh, LEEK."

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Senior Hour At The Library

We are used to hearing about Story Hour at the library for the little kidlings, but here in my town we have Senior Hour at the library once a month.

As always, there is more to the background and I want to share it with you. The Director of the library has recently retired, not as in getting older and wanting to stop working, but as in a young mother of several children and married to a farmer and is needed at home. She is awesome, as a librarian as well as a member of the community.

One day at a book sale at the library, she and I were the last ones there. Sorting leftover books and talking as we worked. She asked if many of the people at the senior center utilize the library and I said I didn't think so, and then we talked seriously for about an hour and came up with some ideas and themes that would be of interest to the the seniors. A new program was born.

She made flyers and put the news in the local paper that the library would be open for seniors only on the third Wednesday each month. We had discussed times, so it would be possible for the slower moving seniors to attend the library discussions and get to the senior center in plenty of time for lunch.

Each month we look forward to seeing what we will be doing. One time we played a Nebraska Trivia game. Of course I didn't know any of the answers. But it was fun learning about the sports teams and the different towns. This month we were handed a quiz on the origin of Halloween, which we worked on and then discussed as a group. That was fun. Then we were trouped into the computer room and each put at a computer and taught where to find medical and pharmaceutical information for seniors online. As we were heading out the door, we were each given a Halloween cupcake holder full of nuts and corn candy. What fun.

The good news is that the woman who was the director likes working with us seniors as much as we like being with her, so she volunteers her time and comes in to town for our monthly get togethers. She is prepared every time and has some little treat for us. One time she passed out coupons for free ice cream cones at the local Dairy Mart.

It is sometimes the small things in life that, when put together, are what sustains and nurtures a community. I am so blessed to be learning this first hand.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Halloween Month

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite.

What do you get when you cross Bambi with a ghost?
Bamboo.

What do you get when you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its radius?
Pumpkin pi.

What game do ghosts like to play?
Peek-a-boo.

What goes "Ha-ha-ha...THUD!"
A monster laughing his head off.

Oh yeah, gettin' in the mood for Halloween.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Hee Hee

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

Go ahead, laugh.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Fraternal Organization

It doesn't take much to join. Just a life insurance policy. I have a policy and have been attending the monthly lodge meetings this past year.

Each month we meet at the lodge.  We have the one thing in common: We each have a life insurance policy. We don't know the particulars of each policy. We don't need to know each others' business, we just know we are all the same in that one thing.

The ones who attend regularly are involved in the community. After all, that is the mission of a fraternal organization. Each month we have a project to work on together. Once a year the project is the bloodmobile but the rest of the time I work the bloodmobile is on my own because I like it.

The monthly meetings are potluck, something I have done very little of before moving here. And I am finding I like potlucks. What a smorgasbord. I have always been shy about cooking for people I don't live with, so getting past the shyness didn't take long when my food was eaten and the bowl and pans were empty. They liked it! Whew. So now I try out new recipes on the group. Of course everything I prepare is wheat and gluten free and there are two of us in the lodge who have to eat that way.  A couple women even make gluten free for the group occasionally. I have added to my list of interesting people to know and cemented my place in the community further by actively participating in the organization. For a non joiner like me to enjoy hooking up with a group is unexpected, but I am finding, rewarding.


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

It's Too Soon

Sunday was a fun day. Late morning drive to a town with a large place for a craft fair. I went with two friends and we went prepared to buy some gifts. I took my travel shopping bag my daughter gave me many years ago, it has gotten so much use but it still looks fairly new. I did find some amazing things at the craft fair as well as getting a chance to visit with the people who made everything. One lady crochets necklaces, which my friends bought several of before heading home. I bought only one necklace but I spent lots of time at a booth with greeting cards (one of my weaknesses) and I tasted some exceptional home made salsa and bought six pints of various flavors. Of course we stopped by the store for some bags of corn chips before coming home.

Another friend wanted me to join her and her husband watch the grandson play football at the high school field so I wandered down there in the afternoon. After a half hour in the bleachers I wished I had dressed warmer. And after half time snow flakes were coming down. Yikes. I did have on a heavy sweatshirt and a hat and gloves and took my travel mug of hot coffee but by the third quarter I told my friends I love their grandson but I had to get home and thaw out my frozen body. Next time I will over-dress and remove if need be, but gads, snow already? It's too soon.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens.
But they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy.
They laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take no for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a
birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes, colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run, text  or email you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love and laughter.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in women,
it is that they forget their worth.