Basically what is all narrows down to, is the fact that a 'smile' is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth. And one of the very first things I notice about a person is their mouth and their eyes. Both of these things, tell the whole story about that person, at that particular moment. Agreed? If a person has a mouth that curves down, in a permanent fixed nature, that sour expression tends to turn me off whereas a person with a smile, grinning and a twinkle to match in their eyes, opens to door to many things for a smile isn't a smile until it is aimed at someone.

It is said that happiness most often causes a smile to occur, though. Even in animals, though there are times, when smiling they will expose their teeth, which bears a close resemblance to a threat. Frankly, I am of the opinion, that a smile in most animals, especially dogs, occurs at the opposite of the face, the tail. I love to watch a dog and its' reaction to various surroundings and events. I watch my faithful companion and her reaction to people often. Many times, she will alert me to people, their personalities long before I even have a chance to know them. They say that animals have an instinct, unbeknownest to humans, about the character of a person. In other words, they can 'read' a human being. I believe this. I have seen it happen. Haven't you? But, there is nothing more pleasing to me, then to see a little ole wagging tail on a dog, regardless how loud they are barking. In a way it says, 'hey, let's be friends'. You may have to prove yourself to me, but it can happen.

Do you know that smiles have names? The 'Duchenne Smile' involves the major eye and mouth muscles and is produced in response to a genuine emotion. Think how you have reacted to a true smile from someone that started at the mouth, and most assuredly ended up at the eyes. Think again, how you reacted to a smile from someone that started at the mouth, but the eyes were glassy, glary, unemotional. My mother used to classify that as a 'smirk'. I wonder if that word is in the dictionary. But, it is an actualality. Well, when the later occurs, it is called 'the Pan American smile', appropriately named as insincere, many times used on a professional basis, sad to say.

It is no surprise then, to learn that research tells us that being happy cuts our risks of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and other illiness and can add up to 12 years to our life! Wow! Reasoning behind all this is that happy people produce less of two major health-wreckers called cortisol and a protein called interleukin-6. It is said that these troublemakers kickstart cell damaging inflammation, which speeds aging in virtually every organ of the body. Stands to reason, doesn't it? We all have to agree that pain and suffering are inevitable, but misery is OUR option. Life is what we make of it. Do we laugh every day? Surely we can always find something to laugh about. Think about a funny antidote that has happened to you.

Just this past winter, arriving to spend some time with daughter and family, I was trying to set up a new e-mail address to get mail from home. And, who do you think was doing it for me??? My youngest grandson, of course. Well, after try after try after try to access an e-mail address that was not already in use, little ole Gabe, leaning back in his chair, his big brown eyes flashing, looked up at his ole granny, said, ....in all honesty and sincerity... 'how about WRINKLES Granny?'. Now, will you be so honest as to tell me why he said that? Do I need? I literally roared.....It was great! 'Wrinkles' it was. It worked, and at no time at all, I was on-line, ready to talk to folks back home. And, to top it all off, I even earned an extra special Christmas present of some quite expensive creme, possibly as a gesture of some sort. Think? But, hey, it is things like this, that I can think about on the dreariest of days. Remember and laugh. Bear in mind, we don't always remember days, but we sure do remember moments! This moment I will always remember, and it is there to reach out to anytime I chose to remember, tucked in amongst many other special memories of other members of my family, my friends, my neighbors!

I attended a seminar one time that the leader suggested that each day, we all learn to 'count our blessings'. He went on to suggest that each day we should take note of all the good things that happen to us that day, and if possible, jot them down in a little notebook, pull them out when we feel the need. Reread the notes. Relive the memory, if just for a moment. We may surprise ourselves by being more calm, more optomistic as a result, and who knows, we could possibly sleep better and have fewer viral infections. Wow, can't beat that!

Better close, am feeling another 'memory' coming on, and don't want to bore you, but keep this little challenge in mind:

Challenge of the Week:

"Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging and it's great for the soul!"

Get that notebook out, and have a great week!.....Nadene

Well, I am currently involved in a Duplicate Bridge tournament here in our fair city, and even tho my partner and I have not been 'fairing' all that well, we have been given the opportunity to meet some very neat people for we have over fifteen tables of bridge players, from all over the state, and out of state as well, with even one gentlemen from England (I love to listen to the English dialect as it is spoken). We only play two hands per set, so that means we move from table to table. Each person, of course, is identified with a name tag displaying their names and place of residence, making it easy to strike up a warm, comfortable conversation, ease the tension of playing. As a result, we see many, many names. And interesting names.

Our lives can be changed in a matter of minutes by people who don't even know us, and that happens frequently. Does it not? But, again, possibly we shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret about someone because it could change your life forever. IF it is for the good, great, but on the other hand.....well. Maybe it is the 'Kansas' breeding, or at least I would like to place the blame on that upbringing, but I love to meet new people. I love to learn things about them, their families, their lives, or at least what they are willing to share, and if they are not willing to share things, that is their choice, and respected as such!

Do you know why you bear the Christian name you carry?

I learned, while still a teenager, the importance of names for my position required the necessity of being informed the correct names of a person. Any male, 18 years of age, knows that Selective Service requires your correct name, first, middle and last. No faunching at the bit. The truth, the whole truth. What fun I used to have convincing some of those young men the importance of this factor. And, that is when I learned what to name my future children, and what NOT to name them. I saw names like EX, DELOUSE, and others. These young men were not happy to have to disclose those names and I cannot say as I blamed them. Some displayed anger with the fact that they had been saddled with those names. I am sure the parents had a reason for basically assigning that name to their child, but you ask WHY?

Early in life I learned that both my first and middle names were extra special to mom as they were the names of her two best friends in high school. My only brother was named after two deceased cousins. Another sibling was named for a favorite aunt. My son was a namesake for a favored brother of his fathers. My daughter was given an added initial to my maiden name. At my granddaughters baptismal services, the 'other' grandma informed me that her given names were the names of two saints. My grandsons bear the names of biblical figures and it goes on and on. Those involved in geneology find that in olden times, frequently the male members of the family all carried the same sir name, with a different middle name. Confusing, to say the least, especially when legal matters needed addressing in the future. But, it was done. Why?

Having the occupation of being a mailman (several in fact, past and present) in the family, delightful stories have evolved about people and their names, and their families. In years past, am sure that every mailman knew the name of every person on his route, each member of the household, probably their ages, and what they were doing on a daily basis. That was the day before loads of mail were addressed as 'present occupant'. Frankly I liked the days of the past when people knew their neighbors, their neighbors names, their occupations, and maybe their ages. But, you think when my grandchildren read this they will say, 'it's that AGE thing, granny!' ??????

So, my challenge this week is going to include a quote from one of my favorites, Mark Twain and it goes something like this:

Challenge of the Week:

"The worst lonliness in the world is not to be comfortable with yourself.........so learn to like your name if you don't now".

I had never really given too much thought to this fact before as I had accepted it as just a matter of fact. I had a new member of the family to enjoy for you see, our family, at least the last three children of five, were spaced nearly ten years apart. Can you imagine the drama my parents experienced? First three children, barely three years apart, then these children were nearly raised, along came another child ..... and then another ten years, and another child. Needless to say, my mother was not a very young woman when my baby sis was born. She was on the verge of becoming a grandmother. How her thoughts must have swirled to realize this situation, but my mother was a wonderful person. She handled it well. No bells or gongs, she was sitting by the radio one evening, she and my father, listening to a program, I was sitting at the dining room table writing or coloring, and she announced, 'dad and I have something to tell you'. Out came the news. I was going to have a new brother or sister. Ah, in those days, no sonograms, you waited until the actual birth of the new baby, then the sex was determined. And, so the excitement began. Thinking back, she probably decided it was time to tell me because it was time for her to make preparations for the upcoming addition to our family.

Out came the sewing machine. No electric machine with zig zag stitching, or blind fold stitching, the old treadle machine. As I recall, ours was in a cabinet, with three drawers on each side, and a place in the middle, where mom would place a chair,so she cut put her feet on the treadle that ran the machine. In order to sew, the lid of the machine would be opened, and then 2 little side pieces of wood pulled up, then mom would reach down into the interior and pull up the machine. A big black belt was attached to the machine, running down the length of the right hand side of the machine, to the treadle and as she put on her foot on the treadle, and alternated pushing one foot and then the other, the belt would drive the mechanism of the machine. You had to start the machine by pulling the metal wheel holding the belt towards you, at the same time co-ordinating your feet on the treadle. How do I know this? Well, I made my very first dress on a machine, a treadle machine, the one I described above!

Of course, the first trip before any sewing could begin was to go to a larger city where merchantile stores handled bolts and bolts of different material for twenty cents a yard, compared to several dollars of today. Patterns for twenty-five cents, and here I have to interject that I just saw a pattern offered in the Cappers Weekly for ten dollars and ninety-five cents! Thread to match the various materials was a necessity.

I remember the material selected for the diapers.....oh yes, there was no such thing as in my days of mothering when we purchased the soft diapers, and then today where all you do is buy diapers by the dozen and throw them away when used. No, in those days, white birdseye material was selected, cut into squares, and the tinest of seams edged so as not to chafe the tender baby's skin. Mounds of diapers were sewed. Reasoning? That was the day before the automatic washer and dryers. Usually wash days were limited to one day each week, but having a baby in the house meant you had to heat the water in the double boiler, in the wash house, regardless of whether the weather was freezing or so hot it was intolerable to stay long indoors. Diapers were hung on the washline, and in the winter they froze, stiff as a board, then you brought them into the house, hung them usually over a portable small wooded clothes dryer until dry, then folded ....again folded one way if the baby was a girl, another if the baby was a boy...and stored in a small hamper, ready for use.

Undershirts for warmth of a heavier woolen material, and long nighties were sewn of the softest of flannel material for winter, and for summer, the lightest of materials would be selected. My era, we had baby showers and received many gifts, especially for the first child, and then hand-me-downs were used for sucessive children, but we had colors in our selection. Usually pink for girls, blue for boys, and of course, a few yellows because we did not know, yet, what gender was to be expected. Now, well, you know what happens. The newest addition to the family arrives with a full wardrobe. No guessing!

Seldom were baby bottles used, except for water and later juices. And those ugly nipples. UGH! Had to be boiled, as were the bottles, for sterilization. In sis's era, they were usually one single rubber nipple which was pulled over the top of the bottle, later they progressed to the smaller version with a hard rubber lid to hold the nipple in place. Now, well throw away, of course!

Sleeping accomodations included a special white baby basket, when placed on a contraption with four wheels beneath it, became a basinett, which sis enjoyed. Her bed was a baby bed, heavy iron, with spindles about six inches apart, which of course would probably be grounds for abuse these days, but that was what was used then, on a mattress about three inches thick. My era found babys still in the basket, but the beds were of wood, with the spindles only about four inches apart so the baby could not get their head stuck. Today, they have water mattresses in the shinest of beds, with roll out drawers beneath for storage. Still have to wash the sheets daily, no change there!

But, thinking back, I have to admire, greatly, the women who had children prior to World War II. That was the era that everything seemed to change. Moms were all stay-at-home moms prior to that. At the time my mother was entering into a new era of motherhood in the early 40's, I can relate to knowing only our school teacher and the grocers daughter who helped her father at the store, clerking, as the only women who worked outside the home. Mom had running water, but only to the kitchen. We had electricity, true, but limited. Probably one outlet to each room. No indoor plumbing facilities. No automatic washers and dryers. Nothing throw-away. Everything had to be sterilized, clorox became a household word overnight. No jars of baby food. Mom made her own. No juices, again, hand squeezed. I wonder how many times in the lives of people of that era that it happened that the cost of parenting seemed staggeringly high? Then, as is now, children are emotionally exhausting, time-consuming, sometimes frustrating, and always maddeningly complex. In fact, if given even more thought, isn't their developmental years governed by "Murphy's Law"? If a peanut butter sandwich is dropped, it inevitably lands on the side with the peanut butter. When they get sick, are they content to run to the bathroom, yeh, really???? And, what child has been satisified with leaving the food which you so lovingly placed on the tray of their high chair there until they have had their fill? Interesting how many 'Murphyisms' you could add to this list, from moms era, to my day and to todays child.

Mom was no 'spring chicken', but she seldom complained. Still planted her garden, cooked all the family meals with no deep freezers, canned garden produce, meats and potatoes and other vegetables, washed clothes at least every other day, sat for hours thru colic, whooping cough, meales, chicken pox, colds and the minor sniffles, operations for tonsil removal (popular in that era), hernia surgery, for she was touched by the soul of another child. She realized the significance of those precious years and I am sure she felt that there was no task on earth quite as important or meaningful as raising and training and guiding my sis through her developmental experiences just as I did with my precious babies, and mothers of today are doing. I see this as a treasured gift from God, to be shared with our spouse, and other siblings. It is true that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. That is why we are all unique, each and everyone of us! But, I have to truly admire my mother for accomplishing what she did, at her age. Could I have done that at the age that she did, even with all the modern conveniences??????? I wonder.

So, I say, "Hats Off" to all moms! Yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Don't we love them all? They taught us, we learned, we obeyed, we are what we are today because of them!

Challenge of the Week:

'Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we have become!'

When I think of July, for some reason or another, the word FREEDOM seems to be above and foremost in my mind. Perhaps the celebrations surrounding the 4th of July is the reasoning for this statement but I feel we are a blessed nation when it comes to freedom and we should never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of we should be eternally grateful!!

The month of July carries some monumental memories of its own. For instance, the first taxes were withheld from paychecks in 1943, tho I cannot vouch for that, but I bet if my parents were here, they could. I remember the zip codes that went into affect in 1963. Wasn't that a hassle, having to look up some more numbers when you wanted to mail a letter? But, oh, Lawrence Welk, he premiered in 1955, and his memories are still evident in the reruns that occur weekly on our local TV stations. And guys, how about the bikini debut. Do you remember that year??? Ones that stand out for me was the first Band Stand show, hosted by Dick Clark in 1956. I remember that, and oh yes, I remember what the kids got for Christmas in 1960.................why it was none other then an 'Etch-a-Sketch'. Had to be, all the other kids in the neighborhood were getting one also. And, last but not least, on the trip down memory lane, was the infamous words from Neil Armstrong, in 1965, which were heard around the world, "one small step for man, one giant step for mankind".

The month of July is known as 'the Family Golf month, the Family Caregiver Month and the Family Reunion month'.

I can see all of these as appropriate for families, included with this as vacation time, time for County Fairs, family picnics, the celebration of the 4th, making plans to 'back to college' experiences, and last but least, on a personal basis, a month of family and friends birthdays!

Even more personal, my son came home and spent a couple days with mom while his family was attending a convention out of state and it was absolutely great! We got scroungy as all get out, doing some deep cleaning in the shop and garage areas. Shed a few tears while reminiscing, along with laughter, which usually go hand and hand in all events. Regretted the fact that we could not all be together with the rest of the family as they gathered one evening, not having seen one another in nearly a year.

Then, on a final note, had to make that annual trip to the local fair to enjoy that calorie laden 'Funnel Cake'. Was lonesome, tho, this year, as it was the first year, of many, that I failed to be able to enjoy the company of either children or grandchildren to share in the special events and rides. Need not go into details about the length of time I stayed, as a result!

We need never regret anything that made us smile, and I had smiles this month. Many. I loved them. I appreciated them, and if I were to ask each and everyone of you to answer that question, I bet the answer would be the same!

Closing with this "Challenge of the Week".....

"SMILE......it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart!"

Websters Dictionary once again comes into the play of things when it explains prayers as.....'That part of a written or spoken petition which specifies the thing desired to be granted.'

Each individual has their own concept of prayer, and rightly so. The important thing is that you do pray! My parents were adamant about that part of my life. We went to Sunday School and church every Sunday. Just lived several blocks from the sanctuary so there was no problem at all arriving at our destination when so directed. It became a vital part of our lives as a family. But it did not end there. Prayers were practiced at home. To this day, I can remember the very first prayers I was taught. Can you?

Praying before meals was very simple and forthright. 'Abba Fadder inn Himmel, Amen'. Now, bear in mind, tho of a German background but the German language was spoken rarely in our home for father, coming from Russia as an immigrant at the age of 9, was very proud of his new found homeland, and we spoke the language of the homeland, English. But this prayer was probably the only one that I learned fully in the German language. Simple and to the point. We asked our Heavenly Father to be with us as we ate His fruits of the land. "Our Father in Heaven, Amen". Later, we graduated to the 'Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest' prayer, so widely used today.

Then, going to bed, the infamous "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep" became a part of our daily routine, with mom standing by our bedside as we repeated these words. Again a shortened version until later when we added to the prayer, "If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take". Traditions carry over into family style and life trends, and I continued them with my family.

But, so many times we become 'sidetracked', too busy, lifestyles interfere with these important things in life, and we fail to follow the trodden path possibly using, as an excuse, 'I did not have my Bible', or 'too many people around' or other lame excuses.

But, bless the ole computer and friends, for several years ago, opening my mail on a regular weekday morning, there appeared, from a very special friend, this article entitled, 'Five Finger Prayer'. As happens frequently, before the week was over, I had received it numerous times from various people, but each time it become more precious. I felt something was being told me, so I put it to use. Hope you can too.

There is no excuse whatsoever for not 'saying your prayers', infamous words still can be heard from my mother, because in using this prayer guideline, all you need is your hands! And what better use can they be put to!! Using either on an individual basis, or in classes, it works in this manner.

l. YOUR THUMB! Of course it is the nearest to you of any fingers on your hand, so you begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you....they are the easiest to remember. It is a wonderful pleasure to think of your children, your grandchildren, your siblings, all who are close to you each time you pray. It opens the door to many avenues of memories, of love, of sharing.
Names of our precious loved ones are engraved on our hearts and will outlast any engraved in marble.

2. POINTING FINGER! It is the next finger on your hand. Here we are given the opportuntiy to pray for those who teach and instruct or heal. Covers a wide range of people, including ministers, teachers, doctors, nurses. They need continued support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction with us possibly remembering that 'the best sermons are lived, not preached', or better yet, 'a bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song'. These people are faced wih daily trials and tribulations of many, in other words, they have a 'big lot to fill' each and every day. Remember them.

3. TALLEST FINGER. Rightly so, it reminds of us our leaders. Prayers for the president, leaders in business and industry, administrators should be directed. These people shape our nation and guide our public opinion. The need for guidance, especially now, with all the controversy about respect for our country, our way of life to which we are exposed each and every day, is at least to me, an important decision to be considered for any candidate of higher offices. Just because it is a well beaten path does not mean it is the right one remembering that people, like NAILS, lose their usefulness to others when they lose direction and begin to bend to gain what they want, personally.

4. THE FOURTH FINGER......or our ring finger. The dear friend that I lost recently, our church organist of over 60 years, first told me this........this is the weakest finger on our hand! That as one ages and flexability dimishes, is when organists/pianists are no longer able to play the larger scales, and maintaining tempo becomes more difficult. So, being that, we should be reminded to pray for those who are weak. In trouble, or in pain, they need our prayers day and night. We cannot pray TOO much for them. There is no kindness more appreciated than just being there when needed, and when we do that, what happens to us?? It makes us happier also!

5. LASTLY, THE LITTLE FINGER...The smallest finger on our hands. This is US! You, me. Here is where we place ourselves in relation to others and God. The Bible tells us that 'the least shall be the greatest among you'. So, use that little pinkie to remind YOU to pray for YOURSELF. Nothing wrong with that, for thinking of the other four groups for which your prayers have been opened, you need to think of your own needs. Put them into proper perspective and it will be amazing how easy it will be to pray for yourself more effectively. Even though our lives may have problems that need to be solved, we should always look at it as though life in itself is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed!

I want to thank each and every precious friend who thought of me when they first received that prayer on the net. For them sending it on to others to share. It has become a part of my daily life and hope this will become a part of yours as well.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'Remember that what you believe can be seen in the way you live your life for we are all God's children and we each have a measure of love to give'.

As you may, or may not have noticed, a challenge was not forthcoming last weekend, too busy, or so was my excuse. Since my surgery, the hours of each day seem to fly by faster. Wonder why that is??!! Well, I have my own conclusions, and bet you can come up with some also.............better to laugh than to cry!!

Anyway, I was fortunate to have an experience that thought you might find enjoyable and want to share it with you.

As in all of our lives, it is changing. Changing on a daily basis and when I stop and recollect that my oldest grandchild is starting to college, I have to think........ 'WOW'........... But, yes it is happening. And, wanting to give her one more hug before she proceeded to another state to start a new way of life for several years, I headed 'down east' and spent a few days with her and her family. Enjoyable. Ate more than we should have. But hey, when will she get some of her family's beerucks and homegrown watermelon again?? When will she get some hot fresh peach cobbler made with fresh home grown peaches and topped with Maggie Moos ice cream again?? One never knows, so we made the most of the moments granted us, we enjoyed them, we had fun doing so~

But Monday seemed to top the weekend stay even though we have to admit that every day is an opportunity to do something you've never done before........and we did.....We entered 'Rock Chock" country. Heaven forbid that I have misspelled it, but you know what I mean. The home of the big red and blue bird that is a very familiar part of anyones life who has ever attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, or, for that matter, had a sibling that attended school there! Well, as you have already guessed, that is where we spent several hours on Monday.

Now, if you have ever had someone complain to you about how 'flat' Kansas plains seem to be........I have a suggestion, take them to Lawrence! All doubts will be erased from their minds after a visit to that fair city about how 'flat' Kansas is! There is an old saying that goes something like this....."Do you know how you can tell a Freshman at KU from an upper classman? Look at the muscles in the back of their legs". Of course we all know that comes from walking the campus. Those hills there are not small! Bear in mind, however, that am sure that quote was intended to differentiate the fact between flattery and a compliment and that was intended in all sincerity.

Our day started off with a delightful visit to an assisted facility occupied by a former RHS classmate for a short time, followed by lunch at Zen Zero restaurant and than the inevitable........shopping. Oh the neat shops that Massachusetts Avenue (their Main Street) offers. Obviously streamlined for the college students, there were plenty of store fronts that offered inviting goods and merchandise to everyone. Well, Granny and the cane she is still sporting for a time, managed a few of these establishments and than it was back to the van to let 'the youngun's shop till they dropped'. With a nice cool Kansas breeze coming through the open car windows, sitting on the tree lined street, I settled back, content in the fact that I had probably several hours to entertain myself. And, so I did.

Is it true that the cure for boredom is curiousity, for which there is no cure? I cannot answer that question at the moment, but I have found that, personally, when I am bored with a situation, I do have a tendancy to just sit back, and let the moment take over me for awhile. Sort of like, well, you know, watch other people and see what their responses are to the situation at hand, and so I did just that. I had a ball!

Students of art and logic learn to draw their own conclusions and what is wrong with that? Nothing, so far as I can tell. In fact I tried to focus into their lives.........not easy when I am probably more than half a century older than most of the 'passerbys'. ......... See why I said I 'had fun'.

Noting that a recent article in a local paper, giving information about nearby Fort Hays State College, which emphasized the growing number of foreign students enrolling in our higher institutions of learning, was evident there at KU as well.

Again, I focused into one thing that I thought everyone had in common..............THEIR FOOTWEAR.

Now, if 60% of our college enrollments do come from foreign countries, it is very, very possible that what I noted that day is the revolution of today's footwear. These students, as a general rule, originate from much warmer climates, usually on a year round basis. Maybe that was the reason for all the 'clippity clops' I saw and the reasoning for the melody to strike me as rather humorous as the day progressed for I never so so many varities of 'flip flops' in my life as I saw that afternoon. Oh there were a few jogging shoes, slip ons, sneakers, skimmers, Skechers, Mary Janes, athletic shoes with bungee lacing, loafers, a pair of high heels now and then, low heels, work shoes, and even a pair or two of plain ole house shoes......but as I said, 'the flip flops' had to be voted the shoe of the day! In every size, shape, color, on every size of leg and foot imaginable.

In all of this, I managed to be a fault mender rather than a fault finder because I have to admit I do not mind a flat comfortable shoe at all. I remember the first pair of flip flops I ever had. We used them for the swimming pool or to work in the garden as it was easy to wash them, as well as your feet at the same time, they were of hard plastic or a soft rubber material then. And economical to boot! Could be, and still are, purchased for pennies on the dollar!

Out of all of this, I had to admit that maybe I was not all that far behind todays generation after all. I admit to having a pair of the top contendors, the 'flip flops', second in line was the 'slip ons' and I admit to ownership to those also, but third in line, were the 'Berkies'..........and I love those and admit to owning more than one pair of those comfortable babes. Hey, we still have it!!!!

So high heeled shoes seemed to be at the bottom of selected shoes for the day and 'halleujah' for that. Good-by bunions, corns, ingrown toenails, callouses, we sure will not miss you!

I am certainly not too old to change, though, and I am wondering that should I be able to make a trip back to that country at Christmas time, when the weather will be in definite contrast to this rather warm August day, will my tune of that day be changed from 'Clippity Clop' to another tune......more like 'These Boots are Made for Walkin'?

So, to all the 'young-uns' who are headed off to a totally new stage in their lives in the upcoming days and weeks, we wish the best and God's speed in all your endeavors!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Be it great or small.........
Do it well, or not at all",
always remembering that you're unique, just like everyone else."

Have a good 'un. Nadene

This whole subject of 'DREAMS' came up in a phone conversation with a dear friend of mine this morning as she admitted that she dreams frequently, and recently, after dreaming of a young friend, received a phone call from her. Then, she went on to say that she had dreamed of another person last night and was wondering why she had dreamed the particular dream that she had......which is possibly a very common occurance for many of us!

The reasons for dreaming is a very intense subject, studied to some degree, but, for me, a little deeper subject then I am interested in delving into. We don't really know the function or functions of dreaming I was told when I went on the net to search some info regarding the subject. In fact, it stated that we do not even fully understand the true purpose of sleep, nor do we know much about REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep ....which is when dreaming occurs.

Dreaming is interesting. Sort of like having a little movie theatre in your head when you see films and things happening that no one else will ever see. Maybe it happens several times during a nights session, and then not for day, weeks or months thereafter.

What are dreams? Are they thoughts you did not have time to think about during the day? Is it an escape factor? Are dreams answers to questions we haven't yet figured out how to ask?

One dreamer was described as a person who goes through life having a wonderful time spending money he hasn't got!

Are dreamers afraid that their inner thoughts and emotions will be exposed? For instance, supposing you dreamed that you really cared for a particular individual, but you could never share that fact with them.....is that what dreaming is all about?

When you talk....you learn nothing. When you listen.....you learn what others know............so what happens when you dream?

I was able to glean a little information which I found interesting. For instance, 12% of people dream only in black and white while others who do dream in color actually see colors that are not found in the waking color spectrum, which shows in itself, the potential our minds have that we do not access.

This amazing fact............everyone dreams! But some people cannot recall their dreams at all. For 90% of the people, half of the dreams are forgotten within five minutes of waking.

I liked the fact that doctors say dreaming is extremely healthy and that if a dream is interrupted, or for some other reason, you are not permitted to dream, even though you had a good eight hours of sleep, you could very well experience difficulty concentrating and perhaps irritability when you awaken.

I will certainly agree that the glory of each morning is that it offers us a chance to begin anew.... 'again'......but sometimes when I do have a dream about a particular individual the night before, and I have retained that information, I have grave concerns for several times when this has happened to me, the reason was very strong to contact them. In fact, it was as though they were trying to contact me.

My mother had that instinct. Many, many times, she would dream about a family member and as a result, the early morning hours found her on the phone, or going to their homes to check on them...... To see if everything was 'OK'. Several times, her maternal instinct led the way to 'happenings' that certainly needed her presence~

I will be the first to admit, I like to dream! But I want a 'nice' dream. I do not want to be chased by a monster! I do not want to be stranded on an island all by myself! I do not want to be in a strange place and unable to find the right door to get out of these very unfamiliar surroundings!

No, I want my dreams to be happy! To be fun! I want to be dancing around the dance floor, seeing familiar faces, hearing beautiful musical instruments blending together to form harmony that is 'out of this world'....

Maybe the entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person! Maybe it is true that only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible. Maybe it is true that all of us, at some point in our lives need to take advice and receive help from other people!

But whatever the dream.........this is the best part about dreaming that I know of..........everytime that I do dream, I usually dream of myself at a prime age, and you know something, I cannot ever recall having a mirror involved in any of my dreams!!!!????

Ah, we can all have our dreams. It is OUR privilege, and isn't it great?

Challenge of the Week:

'No one is more qualified than YOU..... to live YOUR dreams!'

The Simple things in life bring the most happiness! We don't have to spend mega bucks to make memories. We don't have to have the most elaborate of all the latest gadgets to be happy.........We do not have to have designer clothes, purses and shoes to be happy........all we need is to maintain that optimistic view of the world around us and let IT bring out the sunshine of a happy today! And, all of us can be happy thinkers, and thinking I am today, back to the day the Birthday Boy was born!

I am going to look back.........back to the day that dear Gabriel was born. Early in the morning, I heard my garage door being raised and when I opened the back door to the garage, there stood an anxious father-to-be, holding his eldest son, then a little over three in his arms, ready to give to Granny for her care for awhile. Mom and Dad then hustled away, anxious to be on their way for they did have a little drive to get to the delivery hospital, and it was a good thing they did leave early because I was given to understand that they encountered some delay in road repairs and had an anxious moment or two. So brother and I spent the day, going our normal way, trying to be not too far away from the phone, awaiting some news from afar. Finally, about midafternoon, the phone call came...............'we have a new baby boy'........well, that opened the door for Granny and brother to head for the hospital. An exciting trip. Arriving at the hospital, we were ushered into the new 'tired' mothers room where we were able to gaze on a crib along side her bed with a small little figure, wrapped in a colorful receiving blanket. With big brother on one knee, Granny was given the new babe by the proud father to hold on the other knee..........and as I lifted the blanket away from those big brown eyes that greeted me, I heard big brother say, 'SSSSSHHHH, baby's sleeping'. Adorned in red boxer shorts and a bright red shirt, blue tennis shoes and white socks, big brother was already starting on the path that he continued from that day forth.........watching out for 'baby brother'.

The years that followed were, for me, extra special for I was a blessed Granny who was able to spend some precious time with the boys. Sharing a 'first day of school', taking their pictures when they were named 'Simpson Student of the Day', watch them perform at the Christmas programs, but not only at school, but at church as well. Enjoying the opportunity of sharing with their parents in the memories that they were being given as well. Having someone say, 'is that your grandson?' Precious, precious!

But, like life, and in all things, 'it comes to an end' and after Gabes kindergarten year, the family made the move to the 'big city', and Granny was left alone with memories. A hard time, lonesome for the knock at the door on Halloween and being surprised by a clown, or opening the door on May Day and not finding that little handmade paper basket of flowers on the handle of my door, or going to the church programs and not being able to find one of the grandsons in the performances. But, Granny being Granny, I simply counted my blessing and was grateful that I could still drive to be with them, and the best part, now they lived in the same town as my two granddaughters, and guess what.............I could enjoy not just one or two, but all four! Yep, it is true, life is, and can be, wonderful!

But in closing, I need to really share the reason for the title of this session, because it is one etched deep in the shell of my memories and is sure to bring a chuckle to you as it did for me when I heard those very words from the mouth of the 'birthday boy'.

As it happened, one evening, Mom and Dad had a movie which they wanted to see, so Granny was given the opportunity to 'baby sit', one she always delighted in working. As the evening progressed, we decided that the boys had played about all the toys they could stand and wanted to watch a Barney (a favorite) tape that Granny had made for them. So, we put the tape in the player, Older brother took one rocking chair, Granny the other, and so little Gabe crawled up into Grannys lap, a miniature Barney toy in his hand. Overcome with a little extra 'love', emotion, Granny hugged Gabe and said, 'Gabe, you are Granny's baby'........after all, he was the youngest of my grandchildren..............boy, what a reaction. (now, he was all of about 3 at the time)..............he slid down off my lap, put his two hands on his little hips, and with those big brown eyes flashing at me, said, 'Granny, youse take a good look at me................'IS'E A BIG BOY NOW!'.......Just that quick, watchdog big brother climbed down out of his chair, put his arm around the shoulder of his little brother and said, 'it's ok, Gabe, don't you know Granny just has ONE eye'!!

'Thank-You Gabe, for giving Granny some mighty precious moments to share, and yes, tweetums, I have to agree...............YOU IS A BIG BOY NOW!.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'Life is all around you..........be happy that each day that you are able to awaken to a fresh new morning.........AND ABOVE ALL.................to one and all.........GABE included...........be sure to maintain an optimistic attitude because it will make your world a better and much happier place in which to live'!

Have a good 'un..................Nadene

At Open House on Sunday, the neighbor, along with the help of her grandson, was mowing the lawn. Of course, there happened to be just ONE little dandelion, all headed out, ripe for the picking, along the side of the flower bed, so the grandson reached down, plucked it and handed it to the grandmother........you could see the mixed emotion on her face. You full well knew that her first reaction was..............'don't pick that dandelion' and before she could say more and before she could take it out of his hand.....PUFF, he blew the head of the ripe dandelion, with all its seeds, right at her..........................SO, being the loving Grandmother that she was, she accepted the gift graciously, and by this time it was just the long green stem as all the top had been strewn across the lawn by that sweet little 'puff' of the grandson.........and said, in a very mild, mannered tone of voice, 'thank you, but next time always ask Grandma before you pick any of these flowers', then she turned to me and rolled her eyes way up into the back of her head.

How many of us have had that happen??

Maybe I lack sufficient strength or something, but regardless how carefully I try to pull a dandelion out of the ground, I never seem to get the whole thing. Their roots are deep and they like to stay in the ground, probably just as a threat to me that 'hey, I am going to grow up and blossom again, trust me!'......

Isn't it amazing that dandelions can be attacked, never nurtured, ignored, and in spite of it all, bloom profusely. They require no special attention to put forth some of the prettiest yellow flowers you will ever see. They grow everywhere......in lawns, in fields, in the best of neighborhoods.........and the best place they like to live (this is my personal opinion) is between the cracks in the sidewalk!

Supposing, just supposing, you would try to plant them as special flowers in a special flower spot. Do you think they would stay in that confined area? Dream again! They would be sure to sneak through the boundaries that were made for them and show their bright, sunny yellow faces in the lawn. Believe you me, they would never stay put..........not a dandelion!

As the old saying goes..........
He who sows THORNS best not go barefoot.......so it goes with not controlling dandelions...........for if you fail to heed or impede their success.............they will take control.........TOTAL control. with most everyone attesting to that statement!

It seems that everything in life either comes from a lesson.........or it goes with a lesson, and dandelions are not without exception. Maybe, just maybe, we should use the dandelion as an example for our own lives. Maybe we need to get out of our 'gardens' and 'jump' across the boundaries in our lives and surprise those around us. Why not use our own sunny little yellow faces in all the spots of our lives, the lives of others, and this fast-pace world that seems to have us all a dither these days..........and use our faces in spots that just we can brighten.........and if we do, we might...... just might be surprised what we can do to make this ole world a better place in which to live! Sure seems like it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

"CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK"

By George Bernard Shaw............"The JOY in life is to be used for a purpose...and I want to be used up when I DIE!"

*Amen to that statement...

Recently word hit the community that the local hospital board had notified one of the physicians who has been a resident physician here for less then 10 years that his contract with them would terminate the end of October! The people of the community were very upset. Daily they read in the paper where nearby hospitals are encountering problems keeping their doors open, they are seeking physicians to fill vacancies..........and our board is terminating a contract of one of their own special physicians!! It was very hard for them to comprehend such an action on behalf of the hospital board!

It cannot be said that this community has no backbone for they came together in a voice to the hospital board.............asking why?? Petitions to the board asking them to reconsider their past action were in local shops, main street business places. I even saw them taped to the counter of a local coffee shop/filling station where, as you paid your bill, you were sure to see it.......in plain sight. And, as a result of these actions, thousands of signatures were added to those petitions.

It appeared the community would not be always compromising....blending in with the rest of the world in spite of the fact that occasionally we are all too busy to confront abortion, injustice, abuse and other matters of vital concerns to the valid criticisms of modern Christianity.......

It certainly is true that one of the greatest ills of American society is apathy..........How many are too busy to vote on election day? Why do the civic organizations struggle, and sometimes have to fail, for lack of volunteers? Too often people express strong opinions about needed changes, but then do little about actually trying to make those changes happen by giving only a halfhearted support of the issue.

Not so last night!! Not in our little community!!.

Newpapers advertisements by various citizens addressed the issue. A paid notice was in the local paper telling of a meeting at the hospital on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30. AND, at 6:30, the large, recently remodeled lobby of the local hospital was filled to capacity with concerned citizens. So much so, that the president of the elected hospital board (as it is a county board) announced that the meeting would be relocated to the Middle School auditorium. So, everyone hopped in their cars, and headed for that destination in spite of the warm temperatures outdoors.

Even though it was addressed as an open meeting, the announcement made just prior to the actual opening of the meeting stated that the board would give each participant a three minute time limit in which to speak, but they (the board ) would take no questions, or at least respond to any questions.

So, for an hour, citizens of the community, and county, and especially patients of the physician recounted time after time, of events within the time the physician had served this area, and his service to them. Some were in tears, some were sad, some were hurt, many wanted answers, and within each presentation, suggestion after suggestions were was offered as a possible solution to resolve the problem..........Even the physican himself took a stance to a standing ovation of all in attendance. Dramatic moments were experienced by everyone in the auditorium!

No, the community did not lack backbone in this situation. They did not look the other way. They did not lack courage to stand up and be counted. There were no spineless wonders there at the auditorium last evening!

True honor is acquired by nothing but good conduct. The participants were no carbon copies of somebody else, they gave their own interprepations of the problem as they saw it. They offered suggestions. They offered recommendations. And, as stated previously, it was amazing to hear similiar recommendations in the areas that appeared to be dictating these circumstances.

We used to have a PRIDE committee in this community. Very active committee. Very agressive and progressive committee. We received State and National awards, but I truly feel that the embodiment at that meeting last evening far surpassed any previous accomplishments in the PRIDE department heretofore! I was proud of our citizens. As proud, concerned citizens of this great nation of ours,..... this county,........ they came together. They banded together. They were not spineless! THEY HAD BACKBONE!

Only time will tell the fruits of their efforts!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Don't do as others say.....just listen to them............but always do what YOU feel is right.............and good...... for all..... and not just for a few".