Bethlehem In Monticello

This weekend marked the busiest weekend for us in December. We have a live Nativity, commemorating the birth of Jesus. Over 60 church members participate as actors, musicians, and workers in this two night production. Margaret and I work with our friend, Lynn, in costumes. Dean works before, with many men from the church, setting up the town; he is a "wise guy" during the production, and then, he and the "crew" tear it all down on Sunday. Over a thousand people traveled through the road, along with three wise men, two camels, and Mary and Joseph,on a donkey, looking for a room in the Inn. There are carpenters, marketplace sellers, a census taker, shepherds, angels, a story teller, an innkeeper, women at the well,townspeople, a beggar and a star over the manger, where the baby sleeps.

This labor of love continues in our Family Ministry Center, where ladies of the church have spent weeks collecting cookies and then serve them with love, and hot chocolate or hot apple cider. While our visitors are eating and sharing, they are "royally" entertained by guitarists, pianists, flautists, clarinetists, violinists, and singer"ists" !

On Sunday night, we all go out to the Finlayson's house for their Christmas "Sing"! This tops off a great weekend, that prepares our hearts for the season to come.

Here are some of the things that will be in my memory from Bethlehem 2008:
1. Maddie Powell, our young friend who loves the horses, transformed from a
"cow girl" into a beautiful angel.
2. Bob Freeland, age 97, singing Ave Maria.
3. Marjorie Finlayson, the hostess with the "mostest" singing O Holy Night.
4. My friend, Sheila and I, staying in tune on our clarinet duet
5. Seeing our friends from St. Pete, Fred and Joanne and Laurie Harrison,enjoying the camels and donkeys.
6. Our friends, Ed and Sylvia Russell, who have now moved to Monticello,enjoying
their first Bethelehem.
7. Dean Jerger, my most favorite "wise guy".
8.Caroline Mueller ...she rode in her homecoming parade, as a first time contestant,and she rode on a donkey as a first time Mary...beautiful both times!
9. Sitting next to Daddy, as he sang along with " I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
10. Watching the entire Finlayson Family share their love for each other and their God, with the entire community.
11. All the children's faces, as they traveled the torchlit streets of Bethlehem.
12. The costume ladies, as they tried to fit all kinds of bodies into a variety of costumes...Margaret, kind of reminded me of wrapping Christmas presents at Russell's :)
Finally, the Cook family, our pastor Wayne (storyteller), his wife Janet(towns person), son, John(Joseph, leading the donkey) and daughter, Lindsay....what a wonderful addition to our church family...they are always there, adding hope, faith and love to every "family outing"...Thank you, Cooks!!

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Thanksgiving Day

For the third year in a row,the Monticello community enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving Day dinner....completely free of charge.Through the efforts of over 50 church and community volunteers, with Dean's leadership, the numbers grew even more. The first year, we served 100+..last year 140+...this year, over 200. All food is donated, and the diners are served in a beautiful atmosphere, on "real" plates, served by willing and grateful "servants".

This year, I was particularly moved by our children...the Powells, the Hanks, and many other of God's littlest heroes. They did not come to eat or play, but to serve their fellow men and women! From decorating the Angel tree, to setting up tables, to seating, greeting and serving..they, alongside their parents gave so much...and on Thanksgiving Day!!! I know their parents wanted to teach them something special, and they DID; they also gave all of us an insight into how much love still exists in this world.

Some of our diners rode on a van from the Senior Center..These beautiful people dress up in their finest, and even sing our blessing. Some saw our flyers and walked right from their homeless worlds to change ours. Some were grandparents, brought by loving grandchildren. Some were aging couples, who showed us the love that carries one through...through wheelchairs...walkers...and Alzheimer's. One diner was a dear friend, who with her husband, has suffered immeasurably in the health department this year. She lamented that it was the first time in forty years that she would not be cooking Thanksgiving Dinner...I told her it was my third year NOT cooking...she was going to LOVE IT!!! And she did.

I thank my dear sweet husband for not giving up on this idea...pushing all of us around him to look around and hear God's whisper to take care of His people...In doing so, we invariably take care of ourselves. My prayers go out to our friends who are suffering with a spouse they are losing to Alzheimer's...and to their loving spouses...especially to my friend, who is missing her own mother, as I am mine...

So enjoy the pictures of one lovely Thanksgiving Day in the little town of Monticello, Florida....

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Our Nephew's Wedding

On Saturday, the family gathered for the happy occasion of David and Dianna's wedding. David is my sister Mim's son. It was a grand occasion, and it was such fun. Enjoy the Smilebox presentation...

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Happy Birthday Grandma Frances Hall

Happy Birthday, Mama! November 20, 1919

For those of you who never met my mother....she was the strongest, most beautiful, most Christian woman I ever knew! This only child left an easy life behind to "dig in the dirt" with my Daddy, and raise three rather headstrong girls! I know that Margaret, Mim, and I inherited her strong will and determination...that attitude of believing that we could accomplish anything we put our mind to. Mama worked side by side with Daddy in the Nursery Landscape business to provide us with a wonderful home, where, though we didn't have a lot of things....we never lacked a sense of belonging and safety, accompanied by a huge dose of love. We learned early that responsibility was always before any "rights" that we earned...that nobody owed us anything...and that Mama expected us to be our best...no she demanded that. She sacrificed so much to make sure that every one of her "girls" got a higher education.. She believed that women were equal to men, but that education was a necessity to accomplishing equal footing! She was a woman who was NOT able to stay at home like the June Cleavers of her time....but we did not stay at home either. We worked at the nursery in the ways that we could, from very early ages. She believed that the nursery was a family business, and after school that is where you could find us all! Every Sunday you could find us in Sunday School and church...there was no excuse for missing worship.
Mama, we all love you and miss you every day. We thank you for all you gave up for us. Yes, we know you are laughing "up a storm" as we try to accomplish, as a "village", taking care of the man you handled all by yourself!! He IS quite a challenge, but we know you want us to do a good job..and we will!

New Car

Well, we just bought a new car...It is a Toyota Highlander. It is supposed to get really good mileage, and it has great goodies! I was a little guilty over not buying American, but if the "Big Three" don't join the rest of our country, and get some bailout money, their warranties might not be the best!!

Speaking of bailout money...I have an idea where I would like some of mine spent. Daddy still owes about $1,500 to the VA for a loan taken out in the 70's. Since he has turned 90, and brings in about 600 a month from SS, and no longer works in the nursery business....well, I just thought that the government could use some of my bailout contribution, or Margaret's or Mim's...in that original 700 billion we each contributed $450,000....I think they could just send a mere $1,500 to The VA to forgive a WWII veteran's business loan...what do you think??

Anyway..back to the new car..Friends...I DO NOT have to locate my keys in the bottom of my purse anymore. Really...I just have to have them in my purse...reach out, grab the handle and unlock and open the door...that simple..NO KEYS..then, I put my foot on the brake (I am having the hardest time remembering that step!!)...and push a button on the dash..NO KEYS... when I get to where I am going, I push the same button to turn off the car, get out, close the door, and push a button on the door, and all the doors lock...NO KEYS... Wow! I will never have to dig in my purse for my car keys again...Of course, I WILL have to remember to put my "thingie that is not a key" in any other purse that I might carry...or my pocket....Ain't Technology Grand??? Ain't...according to our third graders..that is a proper contraction for the two words "A Not"...I hope I used it properly!!

God's Smallest Heroes

Leave it to Him, right in the middle of me..me..me, He places another of His children in my heart...another one, who makes me question the world's climate of hate, when do we change, what will it take? He places another story in my life, that again makes all of my petty concerns pale in comparison.

I want to introduce you to a beautiful little girl, Jakeria. Like our new President, her mother is white and her father is black. She lives within walking distance of the school... her mother has a job at Applebee's and her dad is in the service of his country in Iraq.

I just met Jakeria last week, because she has not been in school for the past 6 weeks. She was the victim of a brick hurled in hate, by a 14 year old boy who took great exception to her heritage.... you see, racism exists, even in black communities.

This little 8 year old hero needs our prayers, as well as the boy who threw that brick. She has forgiven him....she told me, so...so shall I. She says that God has plans for her...she had a dream, and Jesus told her so! I believe that is true...but that doesn't stop my heart from cracking in two, as I sit quietly with her, waiting for her mother to come pick her up, because the headache has become too great to bear. You see, the brick hit Jakeria in the back of her head, which required hours of brain surgery to save her little life.

I continue to pray for our littlest heroes...the smallest of God's children, as they must walk through this hate filled world..and I praise His glorious grace, as He places us in the midst of it, to bring His love to His heroes.

Lazy J Showing Her Fall Colors

Dean, Baxter and I took our afternoon walk and came upon some fall colors on the Lazy J. We picked up and ate pecans as we walked around, which is one reason Baxter loves to come along on our walks :)! This is one of my favorite times of the year up here; the weather is beautiful, the birds are beginning to migrate, the alligator(s) are beginning to "hunker down", so the otters are showing up. I just hope to have my camera with me at the right time, so I can get some pictures of these cuties!

I did get some pictures of the fall colors...and the beautiful sunsets with our friend, Salty!

Halloween

Today is Halloween, and I am blogging some old memories that make me smile. The first one is Adam at 3 years old. Yes, those are "Underoos"....though my mother was a great seamstress, I must admit to complete failure with a sewing machine! So, poor Adam had to put up with a lot of "store bought" thrown together costumes. So Batman was it that year!


The next picture was in Mrs. Savitsky's Kindergarten class at Kreative Kids. Adam and Erica were the best of buddies. As you can see from this picture, Spiderman was the "Target" special in 1981.


The third picture leads me to one of my most precious Halloween memories. This "dracula" outfit was my first attempt at make-up!! Adam was so excited as he headed off to school for his big Halloween Parade!! Didn't he look scary??? I decided at the last minute to take a half day from school, got someone to cover my class, and made it over to school for the parade.... He did not look nearly as happy as he hastily made his way across the platform...of course, he might have just been trying to look scary...ooooooohhh!!!However, when I walked back with him to Miss Graves' class, he was very sad..he said, "Mommy, my friends don't know me, and they are afraid of me!" Miss Graves let me take him into the restroom, and I washed all that scary make-up off. I am so thankful that I went to his parade!!




My next attempt at a "make-up" costume was when he and David Valenzano decided to go to middle school as monsters! This time, no one was afraid of him...However, Adam developed a case of impetigo the next day....must have been bad make-up!! All because his mother couldn't sew!!! I think he has forgiven me for that one...




The final picture that I have, is one of he and Lori in college...Lori can always bring the biggest smiles from the "boy"!! Such a "Joker" !!

I thank my "little dracula" for giving me so many happy Halloween memories...We used to decorate his bedroom with spider webs, and skeletons, and ghosts, Oh My ... and yes, Adam, you even shared your Reese's Peanut Butter cups...oooops...maybe you didn't "remember" that part :)

The World Series

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Wow...The Rays in the World Series! Would you ever have believed it Sports Fans??
Dean headed down to St. Pete to take his 88 year old mom to the World Series Game 2. Coach Ray Hughes, from Aucilla Christian Academy, who coached Bobby Thigpen in high school, and our good friend from church, went with Dean. As did a contingent of baseball fans from Monticello, including another birthday celebration for Ricky Finlayson, who celebrated his tenth at the Trop.

Ray actually caught a foul ball, and the usually reticent, shy coach from ACA, went absolutely wild!! He brought the picture to church this morning to show EVERYONE!!
Next to Dean's mom, Lori and Adam, and the long suffering fans in St. Petersburg, Ray wins the award for Rays mania!!

Dean had an absolutely wonderful time, as he checked off another bucket list item...It is the 3rd one in this year...We saw a Yankees vs. Red Sox game in Fenway Park....we went to the College World Series in Omaha, and now he actually got to the World Series....Thank You Tampa Bay Rays...... HOOOO RAYS!!!

Teachers, my friends, my heroes

As most of you know, I spent 30 years in a classroom of either 2nd graders, 3rd graders, or 4th graders. It was in those classrooms that I met my dearest friends... some were and are still teachers, some were and are parents of my students, and some were students. This continues today.... What you may not know, friends is that I have returned to the classroom...well, on a voluntary basis for three days a week.

My friend, Anita is teaching her final year of third grade, preparing for a wonderful retirement. She has had some health issues that would have forced anyone else into an early retirement, but she perseveres. Now, before my friends, who are colleagues, shake their head in wonderment....she had finally been assigned that dream class...the sweetest and smartest.....enough said!

So, Anita has graciously allowed me to share in her good fortune...I get to come in 3 days a week and just help her do whatever she needs me to do...I've been grading papers, collecting candy money and forms and getting them into the right hands, taking lunch choices and count, re -explaining directions, making lists, passing out Pizza Hut reading award certificates, re - explaining directions, helping with computers...and so on and so on...trying to do those things that would give her a chance to just TEACH! That is something that most teachers would love to have the time to do....:)

The children are awesome...God gave me the talent...But, my friends....after 8 years of retirement, a full three days a week in the classroom is TIRING! I HAVE kept my retirement promise, so far...I DON'T do Mondays and Fridays!!! I'm sure I will get used to once again getting up in the "wee" hours of the morning, travel to Thomasville (not much further than my commute to Bardmoor), spend my day with the MOST creative thinkers, drive back home, collapse on the couch....get the picture? The only scary part is that Mr. Rodemoyer, the principal, wants me to get on his substitute list, so that I will be able to sub for Anita, when she has to be out...something about continuity....

So to my friends, my heroes....you know I love you and appreciate all you do for the kids. They are lucky to have you and so am I. And to my friends who are not classroom teachers...you know I love you and your kids....you ARE teachers and parents and grandparents.... If you have a moment, and your child or grandchild is in a school with that special teacher...appreciate that teacher for all the love and work it takes to travel with your child for this year.

One More Celebration "Station"

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Dean and I added one more celebration to Rusty's birthday. We picked him up after school and traveled to Clearwater's Celebration Station. During the week, in the early afternoon, you pretty much have the place to yourself. Plenty of good visiting and playing time is available!

We had a great time riding in the race cars, playing the games, and eating pizza. Rusty beat his Grandma handily in Air Hockey, while his Grandpa and he are tied one game apiece!

In holding with tradition, Rusty won enough tickets to get his brother and sisters some great prizes (So sorry about the Play Dough for Ellie, Lori :))and for himself.He ate a ton of pizza, and we had him back home for an exciting round of homework!

Happy Birthday to you, Rusty!!!

Swim FSU

This is how they looked in college and in high school. I am talking about Dean and his swimming buddies, as they met up with each other again at the Pool Dedication for the FSU Swimming and Diving Teams. For the first time in FSU's history, the swimming and diving teams have a facility that they can call their own. They do not have to share their locker rooms with the entire student body, anymore. With the help of former swimmers and interested boosters, this facility, located near the FSU Golf Course, will become the new home of the SWIMNOLES !




Mike and Adie, and Dean I were first met by Allen Orendorff and his wife, Jane. Allen and Dean were both swimmers for Boca Ciega High School, and later teammates for FSU. They are in that color picture...can you find them? We had not seen Allen since graduating from FSU in 1971. Turns out that Allen and Jane visit his mom every Christmas...in St. Pete...needless to say, we will be touching base again this Christmas.


We then met up with two more swimmers, Chester Miltenberger and "Little Dickie Hosford". Chester was two years behind Dean and swam Breaststroke for FSU. He is now a heart surgeon, and stays in shape with Masters Swimming. Dick Hosford was a high school swimmer who was allowed to train with the FSU team. He is now the head Swim coach for Leon High( in Tallahassee), while his son, who also swam for Auburn (after Adam), is the head coach for rival Lincoln High. For those of you who did not know, Mike Price was a trainer for the swim team...and was Dean's first college roommate and "bestest" friend!! In this picture they are left to right...Dean, Chester (Chet the Jet), Dick, Allen and Mike. In the team photo from Dean's Jr. year, can you find Dean, Mike, and Chester?


And finally, Dean is standing near the diving platforms, named for his friend and teammate, Phil "Flip" Boggs. Flip was an outstanding FSU diver, who went on to win Gold in the Olympics. In their Sr. year, at NCAA's, Dean and Flip had so many points between them, that FSU actually made the leader board. Since this was an unexpected development, a sign had to be hastily "hand written", so That FSU could join the ranks of Indiana (Mark Spitz's school) and the other elite swimming schools of the time. Flip died in his late thirties from cancer. I know he was with us that day!

New Seasons

Football Season 2008 has begun. FSU is beginning a new season of football, with some new faces and some old expectations and hopes for a return to the "Glory" days. We shall see about all of that.

Anyway, Mike and Adie and Dean and I were ready to assume the position for the first game of the season against the "Daunted" Western Carolina, Catamounts. To our dismay, rain and lightning delayed the game for nearly two hours...we were troopers, and waited out the first delay, filed back in our seats, and saw the first FSU touchdown..However, on the second delay, we "wimped out"...I should say Adie and I "wimped" out...left to watch the game in a dry living room. I guess the hearty souls of 1967- 1971, who watched many a game in the rain, without those handy dandy
rain ponchos, well, let's just say we've "aged up"!












Another new season began Tuesday, with our Hands and Hearts for horses. This is the therapeutic riding classes that we volunteer for on Tuesday mornings in Thomasville. The Thomas County schools allow their special ed. classes for autistic, downs and other learning disabled kids, to attend, and Tuesday morning is the younger age group..what would be elementary education.




This year, we lost one of our favorite kids, as he aged up to Middle School. David is autistic, and really hit it off with Dean..we will miss working with him. The two oldest boys, Christian and Dante will be with us at least one more year..Christian is also autistic, and Dante..well Dante has a host of special needs..autistic + he has extreme visual problems. They have grown physically, as well as "emotionally"...plus these two ride well.

We have two new kids, Georgie and Colby, both have Downs Syndrome. I can tell already, that Dean and Colby will be another "match made in heaven". Though Downs presents a completely different set of challenges, the horseback riding still gives the kinds of movements that help them relax and open up. Unfortunately, our Colby opened up a little too much this time. Some of his new schoolmates have taught him some "potty mouth" expressions...That sweet smile reminds you that he is simply "parroting" what he has heard. His teacher, Miss Sue, will quickly get that under control...Sue is a real blessing to her kids! And her kids are true blessings to us!!

Labor Day, Birthday,Grandkids

On Labor Day weekend, Adam ,Lori, and the grandkids came up to celebrate a birthday, and the beginning of college football season. Flip also came up to receive his new set of "wheels"...Those vehicles got a ton of use this weekend. A couple of problems were noticed this time,one, Ruthie's legs are getting so long, she is rapidly outgrowing her "Princess Jeep", but she drove her sister, Ellie, around and still had fun with it. Flip's new wheels were great, but he likes to watch the wheels go round and round, rather than the path in front of him. We had one collision with Rusty's tractor, and one with a small tree....vehicle and grandchild continue to "keep on ticking".

Well, my "baby" turned 32 on September 1st..Wow, he's really OLD!!!And as my 4th graders always said, "Yes, but what are you?" OK so I am REALLY, REALLY OLD.
We celebrated with a "traditional" cookie cake, a trip to Barnaby's Pizza, horseback riding, football watching, laughing, playing and loving! Also, Dinah..Lori wanted me to take a picture of the wrapping paper. Seems, you are notorious for wrapping like this?? Makes perfect sense to me!





Great Grandpa, Sweet Willie, loved "seeing" and visiting the kiddos... Plus, he always loves to visit with his Grands...Adam and Grandpa shared and caught up with some of their favorite "stories".



It was soooo much fun, watching Ellie...she loved "grooming" the horses. She especially liked combing their tails and manes. The only down part of that experience was informing her that the comb was for the horses' tails and manes, NOT her pretty blond hair!! She wanted to get on the horse( she thought)..So, we picked out a blanket and put her up on Red's back...She looked around, realized how high up she was, and quickly reached out to get down..Then, picked up trhe mane comb, gave her hair a little swipe, and back to grooming!! The others had their ride, groomed and fed the horses and the goats each morning and evening.
Grandpa's favorite activity was hide and seek with Ellie...She would go into the family room, and Dean would hide in one of two places. Ellie would call out "Gpaw, back to the family room giggling. It doesn't take long for the granddaughters to wrap their Grandpas around their precious little fingers, does it?wheah ah oooo?" Then she would find him , squeal, run quickly in place, and head












Of course, there was the pool, Houser and Salty facing off, eating pizza at Barnaby's, Baxter and Houser tolerating each other, walking, spider watching, bird watching, exploring, playing...what a great weekend. Lori and I are officially announcing that we WERE here all weekend, however, we appear in NO pictures. AND I want to thank Miss Lori again and again...she always washes sheets and towels, dishes, and makes the kids clean up their toys....I don't have nearly the clean-up when I finally get out of bed DAYS after they have left!!

Jefferson Election 2008

Ah, the unique joys of living in a small town...during an election year! First, for months..there have been signs of all sizes and shapes plastered along each roadside, extolling the virtues of each candidate. I think the road department may have removed our street sign, because it covered some of the signs!!!

Ah, the joys of having an "old southern" courthouse circle. It got a little dangerous, yesterday, voting day, as at least 8-10 sign waving people were gathered on all 4 entrances of the circle, seeking our votes. It wasn't dangerous for them...only those of us who had to wave at all our friends, shout words of encouragement, and NOT run into the car (or school bus) ahead of us, as, of course we had to make the complete circle, so we wouldn't miss anyone.

Ah, the joys of living in a mostly Democrat county, when you are a Republican. Since many of the important races have no Republican candidates, the Democrat who wins the Primary goes on to serve in that position. I didn't even get to vote for my School Superintendant or Sheriff :(

Ah, the joys of living outside the Tallahassee newspaper coverage. As I got up this morning, we heard snippets of results...but not complete...So......checked the paper.NOPE...every county in the big bend EXCEPT Jefferson! Not to despair..got on the computer google searched Jefferson County election results...they had some listings from 2004...then got on the Tallahassee newspaper website...went through all the headings clicked "more", and got terribly excited when I saw Jefferson County news! However, the article explained that at 2AM this morning, a state trooper couldn't see two completely black cows, who had escaped their pasture off US 19 S. Fortunately, the trooper escaped with minor injury, his cruiser totaled, and the two cows are now grazing in greener pastures. Sooooo, as I was driving this morning, through the circle at the courthouse, there were people with signs standing and waving??? They were the WINNERS...thanking their supporters for the victories!!! Who needs the paper OR the internet...I should have known to go to town to find out who won!!

I did not include pictures this time, because I left my brand new camera in the float boat on Lake Burton. Ah, the joys of "Senior Moments"!!

Concerts

Reading Meagen's blog about The Jonas Brothers' concert brought back some cool memories. Don't get me wrong, Dean and I were NOT big concert goers. So, when Meagen asked if we could remember our first concert, well, I can count them all on one hand!

Our first concert was at FSU, as were two of the others. They usually accompanied Homecoming activities. The Lettermen came our Sophmore year. We loved their song, "Unchained Melody" and our favorite of theirs, "Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off of You". This was such a great concert, I couldn't wait until the next one!

I was so excited to hear that Paul Anka was coming to campus. Of course, this is how I remembered Paul Anka from the 60's. A REAL heartthrob, along with Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Darin. I couldn't wait to see him in person, and hear "Puppy Love". This was a "comeback" tour for him, and I wondered what his new songs would be like, as well. Dean and I got there, all excited, and then this "OLD MAN" walked out on the stage...what happened to that gorgeous head of hair????

He did sing "Puppy Love", and his new song, "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" was a big hit!!

I couldn't really brag to my friends about his concert, because, he later came out with the all time "sexist pig" hit, "Having My Baby"!! No self respecting women's libber ever drooled over Paul Anka, again!! Besides, he had lost all that beautiful HAIR!!

The last concert at FSU was the BEST!!! It was again, Homecoming...Seminole Pow - Wow. We even invited Dean's parents to attend...The emcee was Richard Pryor, and after the litigy of "Blue", Dean's parents politely left!! They missed the concert, but that probably didn't matter to them. Out on the field came The Ike and Tina Turner Review. That was the first time I had actually seen the group, but had been listening to their tunes. Well, let me tell you, I was physically exhausted,especially after "Proud Mary". Miriam and I had a half way decent imitation of that dance!!! We were a LOT younger, so don't ask.....

Our last concert was another comeback tour. The Righteous Brothers got back together in the 70's and appeared at Busch Gardens. Though they were indeed "older", the sound was magic! I could listen to Bill Medley's mellow bass voice forever!! They had one new hit, "Rock and Roll Heaven", which I love, but , as Top Gun afficionados will agree their best..."You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" can still bring down the house!

The very last concert I attended, Dean did not even go. My friend, Adie and I took our boys to a concert in Tampa....the group? A very popular and entertaining group that sang and danced across the stage to such tunes as " Blame It On The Rain" and "I'm Gonna Miss You". I believe this is the group that influenced Adam and David to transform our living rooms into "recording studios", as they "performed" for hours at a time, when they got together...Yes, this was the group, Milli Vanilli, who were later exposed as "frauds", because they actually Lip-synched all of their songs, not just on stage, but did not even sing their songs on their first records. I DO remember that they were extremely entertaining and LOUD! I guess, when you don't have to actually sing, they can pump the volume up as loud as they want!!

So, except for one other appearance by Kenny Rogers...I guess it can count as a "concert", though it was a small venue with assigned seats, that is the extent of our concert going... "Aging Boomers" enjoy going to Broadway shows, or Vegas venues, where we are inside, cool, and NOT too far from a comfortable BATHROOM!!

New to Ranching?

As many of you know, we lease part of our land to the Tuten's. They are a ranching and farming family who have lived in Monticello for awhile, now. They raise beef cattle, and keep about 100 "Mamas" on our property. The bulls come in to do their "job", but do not "live" on the property. The Mamas have their babies in December, after about a 9 month pregnancy. This is truly an exciting time, as the babies are such fun to watch. They struggle to their feet, wobbly at first, and then playfully kick up there heels and do what all youngsters do...PLAY!!!

The Mamas are truly caring and protective of their calves. Aside from the nourishment, they protect their calves from predators. I have yet to see or hear of a calf lost to coyotes, as we experienced with the goats on our property. They appear to work as a unit in this protection, as they also share the "calf-sitting" duties. We have noticed on many occasions, one or two Mamas with many of the young ones, while the others are away grazing. Those six months are such fun to watch and observe, not only the antics of the young ones, but the "loving" nature of the Mamas.

This is the very saddest part of the year. The calves are now big enough to sell and take to market. Gary and his crew, ride their horses on the property, separate the calves and Mamas, and load the calves in a trucks to send to their next stage. I believe they take them to the midwest, where they are grain fed and grow to a " marketable" size.

Left behind, the now pregnant females, prepare to deliver their new babies in December. But, the sad part is, they loudly mourn and search for their "babies" over the next two or three days! Every time you drive near them, it is almost like they are asking you for help in locating their errant "kids". They literally bellow and "scream" for them for days...I know that steaks and hamburger are a large part of our diet...and that these cows are raised for that specific purpose...but still...the Mama in me suffers with them.

Welcome to America... Happy Birthday

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Friday, July 4th, Lori and Adam had a party with friends and family to celebrate America's and Ellie's birthday. What a wonderful day we had! The weather was perfect and the company was grand. Great Grandpa, "Sweet Willie", met Ellie for the first time. His impressions?? Remembering that he does not see too well (macular degeneration) " She certainly is a strong little girl!" He told all his prayer group in Monticello about the party, and what a great time he had. He also bragged about how well Adam and his friends took care of keeping him out of the sun!! He is so proud of Adam and Lori....he thinks they are doing everything right.

Grandpa and Grandma spent a ton of time in the water with the grands. Though prunes look a lot better than we did, we had a great time! We saw fish, found shells and sand dollars, dove, acted silly and played like kids. I heard a great saying the other day, that applies to us.... "Growing old is necessary, but growing up is optional."

It was wonderful celebrating with friends and family! A great time was had by all!!