Love Is Alive

 

Love is Alive by "The Judds" came on my radio this morning, as I was driving into town. It brought back some immediate memories. And I knew I wanted to share them. 

I've done some really stupid things in my life, and sometimes regret plays over and over in my head making me quite miserable. One of those memories came to me while I was listening to this Judd song; and believe me when I say, this isn't the worst of what I've done, by any means! But it is something I shouldn't have done and long regretted. 

When my niece was about 10 or 11, (I guess I don't really remember how old she was) I wanted to take her to her first concert. And the Judd's were coming to town. Now the Judd's were one of my favorite entertainers at the time; and I don't really remember if they were one of her favorites too. But she certainly knew I loved them and maybe because of that, she loved them too. 

Anyway, I was able to purchase some tickets and I wanted to make it a special event for her. The concert was in our area at what was then called the Opera House. It's just really a small venue, that hosted various events. It was going to be just us two. I wanted the one on one. So I'm sure we excitedly picked the clothes we wanted to wear and I told her we would go out to dinner first, at the Mexican restaurant right next to it. That way we could park just once and then easily walk over to the event center, after dinner. I almost remember where we sat at that Mexican restaurant, but I don't really remember what we ate. 

Of course at that time, there were no cell phones but I had snuck a camera into my purse (they didn't check purses back then either). I wanted so badly to get a picture of the Judd's for my niece. Wouldn't you know, the only camera I had, required a flash. Cameras were not allowed and certainly flash cameras were not allowed at that time. But I was not about to let that stop me.

I don't remember who warmed up for them, or if anyone did, but I know I started taking pictures once the Judd's started playing. It didn't take very long before one of the women who was monitoring the aisles and seating for the event center came over and motioned to me to get up and come to her. She was rather adamant with her hand signals. 

We were somewhere near the middle of the row, so getting up and going to her would have required going through and inconveniencing a row of people. I just shook my head no, I wasn't coming. I was just as adamant as she. She relented and let me stay and I mouthed a promise that I would be good and wouldn't shoot anymore photos. I guess I lied.

I don't remember if I tried to capture any more photos during the rest of the performance. I do remember letting my niece stand on the seat because she was too little to see over people's heads - especially if they were standing too. I let her hoop and holler and I hooped and hollered right along with her. In light of everything, I think we had a fairly overall fun concert experience. One I hoped she would remember. 

Just as they were ending their performance, when I knew it was the last song, I decided I would take one more photo. I wanted to be certain I got one that would be clear enough for my niece to enjoy. Back then, you couldn't look on your phone to see if it was a "keeper". The film had to be sent away to be developed before you would even know if you captured the image you wanted.

If I had it to do all over again, I certainly would have tried to set a better example. I was certainly not a good example for a 10-year-old, 11 year old, 12 or 13 or whatever age she might have been. I probably would have still let her hoop and holler. And I even would have let her stand on her seat; but I most certainly wouldn't have flashed a lightbulb in the eyes of the entertainers! Nor would I have blinded the people who were sitting around us. Hmmmm Maybe it was me I was concerned with when I refused to walk through them. lol

Anyway, I would not have taught her that it was ok to break the rules. And I would have demonstrated to her that we were guests and should behave accordingly. I would have preferred that I was a better example for her and taught her something worthwhile.

I did get a photo. And if I remember correctly, I put it in a frame for her to accent it for her to keep. It wasn't the best photo from that little, cheap camera, but at least it was a memory. 

But back to the present. As the tune on the radio kept playing, more memories filled my mind. I reflected on when Naomi died many decades after that performance that I had shared with my niece. I probably cried over that loss, even though they hadn't recorded anything together in a long time. They were just starting out when we saw them, and it was well past the end of their career when Naomi passed away. Broken-hearted, I called my niece, who is now in her 40s, to share with her the sad news. Naomi had passed and I still felt the connection with my niece because of that concert. I didn't even know if she still listened to them or liked them anymore. But I wanted to call her and experience that talent with her and feel that connection once again. I don't know if that was silly. Maybe. I just know even in Naomi's passing, Love is Alive and I had to let my niece know. It wasn't really about Naomi Judd or one of my favorites, "The Judd's"  It was about my niece! And a special moment in time we had shared together. Woo Hoo! Love is Alive!

Missing the Signal

I saw the sweetest little video on Facebook today. It showed a farmer in his field probably haying his crop. And it showed his little grandson running out to the tractor with his grandpa's lunch and a cool drink to quench Grandpa's thirst from the hot sun. 

It almost brought tears to my eyes (or I guess I did cry a bit) because it was so sweet. It showed the grandpa getting off the tractor, and the little grandson running to his grandpa for a big old hug. And of course the grandpa hugged him right back. 

I can't remember the caption on the post right now. But it was in regard to growing your son's up to be "country" and Jason Aldean's song "Let Your Boys Be Country" was playing in the background.

It was the most touching thing to watch because that's my lifestyle too. That's everything I believe in. But it also moved me because it brought back memories of my own grandpa. 

My little sis and I would try to help him out when we were little as he was haying his crop. When it was time for a drink of water, he would put his thumb to his lips with his little pinky extended making a flexing motion that demonstrated he was drinking. (No, not that kind of drinking! ;-)) That let us know he was ready for a drink of water. That was our cue to go in and get a cool glass of water from Grandma. We loved that! Then we would excitedly run it out to the pasture where Grandpa was working so hard...proud that we were now helping.

My youngest sister reminded me of that memory several years ago. I had forgotten all about it, but ever since she brought it to my memory, I can see Grandpa as clearly as if he was standing right in front of me right now, letting us know it was time for him to have a cool drink of water.

As I watched the video, and it caused me to think about this today, it also reminded me of another memory when Grandpa had signaled to me. He had a car that wouldn't start. Back then most of the cars were probably standard/stick shifts and much easier to self start than an automatic. But anyway, as he tied the car that wouldn't start to the pickup, he asked me to ride along with Grandma. 

I was supposed to watch him as we drove down the little hill near our house. When he signaled to me with a wave, I was supposed to let Grandma know. I can't think what that must have meant. I guess that meant he had been able to get it started, as he popped the clutch going down the small incline... She was supposed to pull over, I guess, so he could unchain. But I missed my signal and I just waved back thinking how sweet it was Grandpa was waving at me from his car. I don't know why in the world I didn't make the connection. Finally I think Grandma said something like "Isn't he waving yet?" 

And so proud that I had his attention, I replied back to Grandma,  "Oh yes, Grandpa has been waving at me!" And then I heard a sigh from Grandma and finally understood the furrowed brow and frustrated look on Grandpa's face that I could see through the car windows and I knew I had blown it. 

I guess I wasn't the smartest crayon in the box. I was shy and awkward and probably often missed the instructions because I was always thinking about how uncomfortable I was. Even as much as I loved my grandma and grandpa, I was shy and awkward with them too. I was never totally comfortable around anyone when I was little. Well, yet still. 

But anyway, those are just a few little memories from my childhood about my grandparents that the cute country video from Jason Aldean brought back to me today.I was raised country too; but I'm a girl.  And of course the song is mostly about sons. But that doesn't mean the emotions aren't every bit as strong and every bit as important. 

And the lesson in my post? Don't miss the signal when you're raised country. Ya gotta do it right! 

Enjoy this song from Jason Aldean. "Let Your Boys Be Country". 

I love this song and video...especially that Jason included his family in it. I want my boys to be country, too...'cept I don't want my boys to get too "wild with the boys". And I want them to stay away from "cold beer". ;-) 

One more thing I don't want them missing any signals, like I did! ;-)

Tired

I read today that Toby Keith posthumously broke all records for his songs...including Elvis. I am not surprised. What a talent! And we are going to miss him bigtime.  

He had a song for all of us! Patriots, moms, death, faith, love, hopes and dreams; and fun, humor...my goodness! Did he miss anything in his poetic lyrics? No. He did not. And one thing he sang about most was the working man; and our troops. Oh and hurt and pain and trials and friendship...I could go on and on and list a song for each topic.

And he did each one so beautifully. 

I thought I had heard all of Toby Keith's songs. And I do mean ALL. I found out today I was wrong. Here is one I missed.

This one is for the working man...especially the ones who are about to give up. You can see a whole of tired in each ones eyes.

Leave it to Toby to capture that...and care about it.

Man, I love that guy!

The Best Part of Life

It’s January 1, 2024. It’s early. The Christmas tree next to my computer, will probably be glowing for the last time this holiday season. I have fed my horse and dog. I sit in the silence doing one of my favorite things – drinking coffee. It is very, very quiet this morning. The quiet. That is one of my favorite things too. The fog is fighting with the sun for domination of the sky. Should be an easy win and of course it is. But from here, it doesn’t look like that the sun is winning at all. 

I am drinking my coffee this morning in a brand new mug, that I received for Christmas. This is the first time I have used it. The people that gave it to me know me well enough to know I love birds. The cup has a beautiful little etched bird sitting on a branch...He is looking up...as he should be. It warms my heart that they considered me and the things I like. That is the spirit of giving. Oh and they must know I love coffee. I think this will be my new morning coffee mug. One must drink coffee from the right mug, right?  

That brings me to the message of this post: My Favorite Things...or to be more nuanced, Creature Comforts. Here are a few:

• Coffee is best from a heavy mug.

• Tea is best from a tea cup, or a thin, fragile mug.

• I like table manners. First the blessing. I like the table set properly fork on the left; spoon and knife the right. Food must be passed from left to right all the same direction. Seems no one does that any more. But it certainly makes for much easier distribution.

• I like fires in fireplaces on crisp fall mornings and most certainly on cold winter nights.

• I like little strings of fairy lights and burning scented candles

• A dog at my feet is nice, but Arly would rather be on his bed. Sometimes I miss Bella who was always at my feet and Bullet who was usually on my lap. Every once in a while Arly will sit on my lap.

• I love rustling Bible pages. I had never given it much thought when one day in church Matthew mentioned it. He was about 6 or 7. “Listen to the rustling pages, Mama. Isn’t that pretty.” I never forgot that. It is one of my favorite memories ever.

• I love deep study of Scripture and morning reading. But I love deep study the best.

• I like memories. At least the good ones. I try to hold onto them and chase the bad ones away with prayers. “Hold every thought captive,” becomes more clear these days.

• I like reading glasses by every place, I might read. By my chair in the living room; on the night stand by my bed; on my desk by my computer; and on my kitchen shelf, where I read a recipe or instructions. I despise looking for my glasses, so I try not to move them from there designated spot...oh and a pair in my purse of course for our restaurant visits.

• I like hand sanitizer for those restaurant visits, and I like one in each of my car doors, so it is available after pumping gas; or for my passengers needs.

• I like lotion and Kleenex and lip balm by my chair. My niece gifted me with some wonderful hand cream and lip balm this year. That warms my heart.

• I like to read in silence.

• I like to think.

• I like to study.

• I like to write.

• I like to do what God has me to do in the moment. It isn’t obvious. I just do it, when I know it.

• I don’t know my gifts. Discernment, I believe, but one must know how and when to use that. Writing, I have been told...I don’t know about that.

• I do nothing well and never have...one might call me a “[Jill] of all trades; a master of none.” But I don’t even come close to a “[Jill] of all trades.” I try. I like that.

• I like hearing from people from my past.

• I like fresh, clean sheets and lots of blankets.

• I like down pillows and only down pillows.

• I like riding my horse. Interestingly, that is secondary to taking care of her.

• I love watching her get a long drink of water.

• I love to hear the munch of hay.

• I like cleaning stalls and putting down pine shavings.

• I absolutely love seeing her covered in pine shavings in the morning, because I know she has been sleeping in the bed I try to make for her for long winter nights.                

• I love poetry. Always have. These are my favorite poems most of them from the time I was a kid.     

1. Barefoot Boy - John Greenleaf Whittier
2. Stopping by Woods - Robert Frost
3. Somebody’s Mother - Mary Dow Brine
4. The House with Nobody in It - Joyce Kilmer
5. The House by the Side of the Road - Sam Walter Foss

• I love birds and watching all of them. But I especially love Bluebirds, Meadowlarks and Northern Flickers.

• I love the smell of freshly cut hay.

• I love the smell of rain and the sound of it falling on my roof.

• I love sitting in the she-shed in my barn watching it rain while eating rhubarb pie.

• I love spending time with my kids and grand kids. But that isn’t a creature comfort. That is life and the best part of it. I guess it is a favorite thing.