It looked as if all of the children in San Antonio were playing at the same place. We drove into the YMCA playing field at 11:45. A hugh line of cars was waiting to get out of the facility, so I asked how many games would be playing at the same time as the twins soccer game. No one knew, except to say that many many games go on at the same time. Now I have been to hundreds of soccer games, and often multiple fields side by side, but I have never seen anything like the YMCA playing field in San Antonio. I was stunned at the number of games being played at the same time. While the Blueberries warmed up, I walked around all the fields to see all the games in progress. And I counted. These games started at 9:00, and were being played continuously all morning. Just before noon there were ten fields of under 6year old playing 6 a side with no goalie, fourteen fields of under 8 years old playing 9 side with a goalie who rotates every quarter, six fields of under 11, again playing 9 a side and with a goalie not rotating regularly, and two fields playing regular soccer with 11 players and full size goals. Most often the teams were either boys or girls, although Suzanne said that some teams mix up the teams. Both Allison and Samantha do not like playing with the boys on the team, so they want to be on a girls team only.
I have always said that if you are feeling discouraged and out of sorts, just go to a ski hill to watch all the funny things happening. You can't help but laugh. Today at the playing field, I would say the same thing. I walked around the whole complex and watched a bit of many games, and I must say, I laughed out loud many times. One little girl kicked the ball right down the field on her side of the field. All she had to do was run after the ball and kick the ball into the goal, as no other defender was between her and the goal. But her shoe fell off when she kicked the ball, so she sat right down to put her shoe back own, and ignored the ball and the empty goal. Another girl was playing defense. The ball was kicked in her direction quite hard, so she just moved her legs apart so the ball would not hit her legs. She certainly did not want her leg hit bu the ball. Our Blueberry team played well, but the best part was they loved it. The custom here is for all the parents form a bridge directly after the game, so all the team members come through the long line of the bridge to high five their opponents. It is a very nice custom and these little girls ran through the long tunnel many times.
On the way home in the car, of course all 8 of us were at the game, I asked Allison and Samantha what they liked best about the game. They both said that the best part of the game was running through the arch of parents after the game. "It is such fun," they said,"and we do it every game, whether we win or lose". That sounds good to me, especially for a seven year old.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October 16, 2008. Harper, Texas. Belongings 2.
I think it is all genetically programmed. As we go though life, a lot of events just happened to us. Right now, a lot of things are happening to my body whether I am directing it or not, and I am suspicious the same thing happened to my Grandmother. She accumulated lots and lots of stuff in her home, only to want to get rid of it all. Ken and I were talking just the other day about what to do with all our books. I suspect that we are hard wired to gather belongings in order to provide for our Family, only to have that gene turned off in later life, so we feel inclined to get rid of all our stuff. Certainly the drive to accumulate objects seems universal. Even my parents who moved from one Salvation Army quarters to the next kept taking some treasures from one house to the next. They did not care much for worldly wealth, but they loved one Royal Doulton figurine which was always prominently displayed in the living room. But at some point, My Grandmother decided that enough is enough, and she got rid of all her belongings, and she did it cheerfully. I wonder when that gene will kick in with us?
I was thinking about how we accumulate when I looked at all the stuff being loaded on the truck. Andrew and Christina have been married for twelve years or so, and now they needed two trucks to transport all their stuff. Now I know I have helped them get their house full of objects, as we gave them gifts every year. And Christina owns her Grandmother's china and crystal. but my goodness, one large truck and one small truck to carry all their belongings to Mississippi makes you realize how affluent we all are. Also, I am beginning to try to figure out what to do with all our belongings. But I have decided that now is not the right time. I intend , during my 70's to enjoy my present life and work and visit family and friends at our properties. Then in our 80's, I will slowly and surely,give away our objects. I hope I have the same attitude as my Grandmother's when the time arrives.
I was thinking about how we accumulate when I looked at all the stuff being loaded on the truck. Andrew and Christina have been married for twelve years or so, and now they needed two trucks to transport all their stuff. Now I know I have helped them get their house full of objects, as we gave them gifts every year. And Christina owns her Grandmother's china and crystal. but my goodness, one large truck and one small truck to carry all their belongings to Mississippi makes you realize how affluent we all are. Also, I am beginning to try to figure out what to do with all our belongings. But I have decided that now is not the right time. I intend , during my 70's to enjoy my present life and work and visit family and friends at our properties. Then in our 80's, I will slowly and surely,give away our objects. I hope I have the same attitude as my Grandmother's when the time arrives.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
October 15, 2008. Harper Texas. Gerry Mewhirter
I have just been told that Gerry has died. He has been a friend for a very long time, so I have very mixed emotions. On the one hand I am very grateful this last period of his life is over, as the past month has been difficult to all his loved ones, including us. On the other hand, I am very sad to miss him in my life, but of course, the Gerry I knew and loved left us a while ago, so I really am selfish to want the old Gerry, the one with energy and enthusiasm and charm, and of course, competence. Every task he took on to do, he did well, from his volunteer work to his business success. Now he is gone, but I will always be grateful to have had Gerry Mewhirter in my life.
Now there are certain facts about Gerry that were apparent. First off, he was Irish. He emigrated to Canada in the mid 50's, and moved to Toronto to work in the travel business. He maintained that Irishness his whole life through. Secondly, he came to church with a friend, Gordon Fairbanks, to the Danforth Corps of the Salvation Army, where I was a member of the Songster Brigade and where I played in the timbrel group, whose leader was Florence Martin. Now Florence was a very proper lady, and Gerry was not particularly religious, but they fell in love, and the rest of history. So the second fact of his life was his strong commitment to his belief in God and in his service to his church. The third aspect of his being was his desire to always get ahead. His success came early and late and he never rested on his laurels. And lastly, he was a good friend. He was willing to do things and try things, and he was always grateful to be in your presence.
Shortly after the surgery for removing the brain tumor, Ken and I visited them at their home north of Toronto at a country property which was named after his family place in Ireland. He was describing to us his situation, which was that the surgeons had told him he had about six months to live. He had been told that the tumour was removed, but that tentacles left behind would begin to grow. So Gerry was putting his business life in order and was getting ready do die. Ken is a Doctor, and knows that every person is different. Ken asked Gerry a very simple question, "what will happen if you do not die in six months?" There was stunned silence on the other side of the room from Gerry. Ken went on to suggest that it would probably be wise to consider life long term rather than life for six months. Now Gerry liked the concept, and for the next 15 years of his life, he spoke to many many group about that concept and because ot it was helpful to hundreds of folks. This was the essence of Gerry. He heard a good idea and then put it into action, with full steam ahead.
I will always remember fondly his enthusiasm and energy and charm, and I am grateful to have met and known my friend Gerry Mewhirter. In The Salvation Army they would say of Gerry that he has been Promoted To Glory. I think he would agree with the sentiment.
Now there are certain facts about Gerry that were apparent. First off, he was Irish. He emigrated to Canada in the mid 50's, and moved to Toronto to work in the travel business. He maintained that Irishness his whole life through. Secondly, he came to church with a friend, Gordon Fairbanks, to the Danforth Corps of the Salvation Army, where I was a member of the Songster Brigade and where I played in the timbrel group, whose leader was Florence Martin. Now Florence was a very proper lady, and Gerry was not particularly religious, but they fell in love, and the rest of history. So the second fact of his life was his strong commitment to his belief in God and in his service to his church. The third aspect of his being was his desire to always get ahead. His success came early and late and he never rested on his laurels. And lastly, he was a good friend. He was willing to do things and try things, and he was always grateful to be in your presence.
Shortly after the surgery for removing the brain tumor, Ken and I visited them at their home north of Toronto at a country property which was named after his family place in Ireland. He was describing to us his situation, which was that the surgeons had told him he had about six months to live. He had been told that the tumour was removed, but that tentacles left behind would begin to grow. So Gerry was putting his business life in order and was getting ready do die. Ken is a Doctor, and knows that every person is different. Ken asked Gerry a very simple question, "what will happen if you do not die in six months?" There was stunned silence on the other side of the room from Gerry. Ken went on to suggest that it would probably be wise to consider life long term rather than life for six months. Now Gerry liked the concept, and for the next 15 years of his life, he spoke to many many group about that concept and because ot it was helpful to hundreds of folks. This was the essence of Gerry. He heard a good idea and then put it into action, with full steam ahead.
I will always remember fondly his enthusiasm and energy and charm, and I am grateful to have met and known my friend Gerry Mewhirter. In The Salvation Army they would say of Gerry that he has been Promoted To Glory. I think he would agree with the sentiment.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
October 14, 2008. Double D Ranch, Harper, Texas.
Our top house at the ranch is a little gem. Every time we arrive here we are surprised at it's beauty and function. Now we are here and doing all the things we like to do, but most of all, we remember our beautiful home on the hill. One of the most interesting things about this house is that very few people have ever seen it, perhaps twenty in total. So this really is a hidden gem. So far, since we arrived this morning, we have fed the cattle their treats, counted and fed the fish (eight large gold fish and four baby gold fish and at least one large perch), driven around the land on the Mule, eaten lunch, and last but not least, taken a nap. Now at 5:30 we will go over to our friends, Robbie and Joyce, for a glass of wine. Later tonight we will watch a movie at the ranch house. Robbie and Joyce have just returned from their place on the Bolivar Peninsula so we will be very interested to hear their report.
Alice Ann, who lives on the West end of Galveston Island and who works at the Medical Center in Galveston, reported to us in an e mail today that the city is in very bad condition. Almost all the large oak trees on Broadway Boulevard, the main road into the city. have been blown over and floated away. The Historic District where she owned a large Victorian home until two years ago was under 10.5 inches of water during the storm. The Hospital is still not open. My goodness what a mess. She said nothing about the clean up at her new house on the West end, but without consistent water and electricity, no one can function or do much to restore the place to normal. Jose told me about his friend who lived on the west end of the island and lived their permanently, not only had his house blown away, but his land washed out to sea, so where his house once stood is now four feet of water. He is waiting to see what the Insurance Company will do to his claim. He had a mortgage and had good insurance, but you can not replace his house on the same location. On the other hand, he has a lot of equity in that house and he is afraid the company will just want to pay off his mortgage. His parents live in Dallas, so his wife and three children are living with his parents, and he works in Houston during the week and commutes on the weekend. "It is a big pain", says he. We have been very fortunate in our life, and I am happy to keep it that way.
Alice Ann, who lives on the West end of Galveston Island and who works at the Medical Center in Galveston, reported to us in an e mail today that the city is in very bad condition. Almost all the large oak trees on Broadway Boulevard, the main road into the city. have been blown over and floated away. The Historic District where she owned a large Victorian home until two years ago was under 10.5 inches of water during the storm. The Hospital is still not open. My goodness what a mess. She said nothing about the clean up at her new house on the West end, but without consistent water and electricity, no one can function or do much to restore the place to normal. Jose told me about his friend who lived on the west end of the island and lived their permanently, not only had his house blown away, but his land washed out to sea, so where his house once stood is now four feet of water. He is waiting to see what the Insurance Company will do to his claim. He had a mortgage and had good insurance, but you can not replace his house on the same location. On the other hand, he has a lot of equity in that house and he is afraid the company will just want to pay off his mortgage. His parents live in Dallas, so his wife and three children are living with his parents, and he works in Houston during the week and commutes on the weekend. "It is a big pain", says he. We have been very fortunate in our life, and I am happy to keep it that way.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
October 12, 2008. Chevy Chase, Md. Belongings.
It was infuriating reading the letter. So many questions arose in my mind, but no answers could be given. My Mother received a letter from her Mother saying that she felt so fortunate to have shed all her belongings, and she was moving east to be with dear Miriam, arriving only with some clothes. Now I do not know whether she was trying to convince herself that this was a good thing, or was so genuinely happy to have no earthly belongings to worry about. I know she was very religious, but I also know that her Family lived in a lovely home in Victoria, B.C., and before they left England their home was lovely and large. But at some point, she decided that enough was enough, and she got rid of all the belongings. I want to know how she did it? And how did she convince herself that this was a good idea? I found this letter in some of Mother's papers, and I have wondered about it ever since. I have nothing at all of my Grandmother's belongings, and now I understand why. I know that at one time she had many lovely objects, but she she got rid of everything. Now she lived to be 95, and at the time of the letter she was about 65.
Now, when we lived in Vancouver, my Grandmother lived with us every winter. At that time, she lived in Winnipeg with her elder daughter, Miriam. Winnipeg is very cold and Grandmother was thin and had arthritis, so Vancouver was easier on her system to live in Vancouver with us. Then when we moved to Toronto, she lived with us all the time. She had very few items when she moved in with us. She would bring her books and her clothes and one coat. Everything she owned could fit into a very small closet and one three drawer chest. I did not think anything about it. When you are a busy teenager in an active Salvation Army family, my grandmother with no belongings never seemed unusual. But one thing I always thought was unusual. She always used a sterling silver spoon with her cup of tea. One day I asked my Mother why Grandma always liked her special spoon. I was responsible for making and serving the tea, and sometimes I had to search out that spoon. My Mother's response was that Mother reminded herself of happy times. So evidently she shed all her belongings, except for one. Her silver tea spoon stayed with her for the rest of her life. I wish I had known all about these things while she lived with us. But I was young and busy, and she was old and a very proper Victorian lady. She certainly would have never disclosed her inner thoughts to a young person. For her, everything was just fine, and God is good, and she was very grateful with her life. But I wonder about what she really felt about, getting rid of all her beautiful objects. I will never know.
Now, when we lived in Vancouver, my Grandmother lived with us every winter. At that time, she lived in Winnipeg with her elder daughter, Miriam. Winnipeg is very cold and Grandmother was thin and had arthritis, so Vancouver was easier on her system to live in Vancouver with us. Then when we moved to Toronto, she lived with us all the time. She had very few items when she moved in with us. She would bring her books and her clothes and one coat. Everything she owned could fit into a very small closet and one three drawer chest. I did not think anything about it. When you are a busy teenager in an active Salvation Army family, my grandmother with no belongings never seemed unusual. But one thing I always thought was unusual. She always used a sterling silver spoon with her cup of tea. One day I asked my Mother why Grandma always liked her special spoon. I was responsible for making and serving the tea, and sometimes I had to search out that spoon. My Mother's response was that Mother reminded herself of happy times. So evidently she shed all her belongings, except for one. Her silver tea spoon stayed with her for the rest of her life. I wish I had known all about these things while she lived with us. But I was young and busy, and she was old and a very proper Victorian lady. She certainly would have never disclosed her inner thoughts to a young person. For her, everything was just fine, and God is good, and she was very grateful with her life. But I wonder about what she really felt about, getting rid of all her beautiful objects. I will never know.
Friday, October 10, 2008
October 10, 2008. Bethesda, Md. Moving Day.
Ken has spent two days at the home of Andrew and Christina. Yesterday the company packed up all their belongings. Ken was there to make sure that everything that was to be left was left behind and everything that was to be moved to Mississippi was put into boxes. It was a long day. He came home at 6:30, looking very weary. Of course, while he was there he cut the lawn, which he has not done for many years. But by last evening, everything had been put into boxes. Except they will not pack coins, or knives or liquids, so his trunk is full of all that stuff. Today was moving day. All the boxes and furniture are being loaded on a very large truck, to be transported to a storage facility, until such time they decide where they will be living. The plan is to rent a house in Jackson until they know that Jackson will be their permanent home. It seems like a good plan to me.
Christina was intending to come up to Bethesda to oversee the packing and moving, but I volunteered us to help out. Actually, I volunteered Ken to help out, as I was at work both Thursday and Friday. This has a pattern in our lives. I agree to have the both of us to help out, but Ken is the one that ends doing the job. Years ago, Alice Anne asked me if I thought we could transport her small sailboat out to her Marina on the top of our big car, and I of course told her yes, no problem. When I told Ken what I had agreed to do, he told me all the reasons why we could not do it, except he was the one who got the job done, while I was at work. Somethings never change. So he is over at Mass. Ave. overseeing the moving. Of course, we go to the farm at noon, so my friend Suzanne is going over at noon to take over and see the moving through to the end. However, nothing is ever easy. Suzanne is leaving this evening for the Gold Team trip to the Caribbean, so we need the job done quickly. Jose will be the fall back person and will attend settlement for Andrew and Christina. So we have a host of folks here helping out, on the journey to their next home. Thank heavens for family and friends.
Christina was intending to come up to Bethesda to oversee the packing and moving, but I volunteered us to help out. Actually, I volunteered Ken to help out, as I was at work both Thursday and Friday. This has a pattern in our lives. I agree to have the both of us to help out, but Ken is the one that ends doing the job. Years ago, Alice Anne asked me if I thought we could transport her small sailboat out to her Marina on the top of our big car, and I of course told her yes, no problem. When I told Ken what I had agreed to do, he told me all the reasons why we could not do it, except he was the one who got the job done, while I was at work. Somethings never change. So he is over at Mass. Ave. overseeing the moving. Of course, we go to the farm at noon, so my friend Suzanne is going over at noon to take over and see the moving through to the end. However, nothing is ever easy. Suzanne is leaving this evening for the Gold Team trip to the Caribbean, so we need the job done quickly. Jose will be the fall back person and will attend settlement for Andrew and Christina. So we have a host of folks here helping out, on the journey to their next home. Thank heavens for family and friends.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 9,2008. Chevy Chase, Md. Observations.
When driving to work, the trees I see at this time of year are beautiful. Every year is different but beautiful. My favorite trees are the big old oak trees, where just the ends of the branches have turned orange and yellow, while the rest of the tree is green. At the farm last weekend, the whole side of the hill had tinges of yellow and orange. It is quite a wonderful sight. This weekend should be even better. For some reason, the amount of bright red colors are in short supply.
The power of suggestion is a powerful thing. The other morning, I had an early appointment, so I had no time to drink coffee at home, so I did what I have done hundreds of time, I took a cup of coffee with me in the car. Ken urged me not to take the cup of coffee with me , as the last time I had coffee in his truck I spilled coffee in his new truck. He was not pleased. I assured him that in my car, a spill or two would make no difference, so off I went, happy as a clam. Within five minuted, I spilled my coffee, not on my car, but right down the front of my blouse. I was too far from home to go home to change, so for the whole rest of the day, I had to try and cover up this big dark stain. Fortunately, I was wearing a jacket, but the jacket had no buttons, so every so often my big dark stain could be seen. Of course, I pointed out my stain to everyone, and blamed the whole thing on Ken, as he put it all into my mind. You can be sure I have not yet told Ken. But next time, I'll probably leave my coffee at home.
The power of suggestion is a powerful thing. The other morning, I had an early appointment, so I had no time to drink coffee at home, so I did what I have done hundreds of time, I took a cup of coffee with me in the car. Ken urged me not to take the cup of coffee with me , as the last time I had coffee in his truck I spilled coffee in his new truck. He was not pleased. I assured him that in my car, a spill or two would make no difference, so off I went, happy as a clam. Within five minuted, I spilled my coffee, not on my car, but right down the front of my blouse. I was too far from home to go home to change, so for the whole rest of the day, I had to try and cover up this big dark stain. Fortunately, I was wearing a jacket, but the jacket had no buttons, so every so often my big dark stain could be seen. Of course, I pointed out my stain to everyone, and blamed the whole thing on Ken, as he put it all into my mind. You can be sure I have not yet told Ken. But next time, I'll probably leave my coffee at home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)