Make Believe.........

As soon as our daughter, Carrie, pulled the shirt (to the Peter Pan costume) down over Clark's head,  four-year-old, Clark began to grin from red feather to shiny dagger.  Carrie stated, "Well, Peter Pan, how very nice you look!"

Clark giggled and then stopped abruptly and asked, "Mommy, you know I'm Clark?"

Carrie grabbed him and hugged him and quickly, reassuring him that he really was her little Clark....and that she absolutely and positively knew who he was.....and who's he is!  He was off in a flash to Never-Never Land, swinging his dagger in every direction as if to attack Captain Hook ....as he had seen in his favorite movie several times.

I was almost thrilled that this little child was wanting to "clear the air" before things got too crazy and he might happen to loose his place at the breakfast table!  Until about 7 weeks ago, his greatest adventure away from family was to the backyard sandbox....never even been left with a baby sitter.  His mom & dad recently enrolled Clark in Pre-Kindergarten....that's when he came home with new phrases such as, "good guys & bad guys"; "my new best friend";  "let's run away from them"; etc. 

We have one grandson who, at the age of 4-years-old, was so wrapped up in Power Rangers (about 20 years ago) that he lived and breathed everything about Power Rangers.  His mommy & daddy had to stop the tv shows and games until they could bring him back to realization.....they called it "re-focus!" ....... God calls it "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

I wonder how many parents push their children into a make-believe world without even thinking about what a REAL impact they are forming.

This very brief episode caused me to think about how we, adults, get caught up in, or sucked into the MAKE BELIEVE or PRETEND world so strongly that we leave realization.  The movies and tv glamorize sports, sports figures, movie stars, and rock stars.....and even cars and clothes often grab our attention away from God and his plan. 

I admire the personalities who point to God as their CREATOR and SOURCE.....but I have a greater admiration for the parents who, above all, keep their feet on THE ROCK.

Flying MY Flag......

 I saw a clip on FaceBook this morning about a man flying his American flag.  I immediately began to twitch, blink and ask my self, "Why?"  I glanced at my calendar to see if I had missed a holiday.  Monday is Labor Day...but that's not a flag-waving day....... and today is just a Wednesday....no reason to mast a flag.   No reason to mast a flag.... No reason to mast a flag???


We have every reason to mast a flag!

Our grandson found a package of small flags and we lined the street with them.  Six small insignificant little flags on a little street in Nowhere Special, USA.   But this was a chance to talk about our flag, and the freedom to post it anytime, on our street and in our hearts.

 It's a symbol of freedom!

The stars remind me that this country was founded ......and is the foundation this country was established on.

The red stripes represent the blood shed in the past and TODAY to protect our freedom.

THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM!

When a group has strong feelings about something, they rally around the flag to bring unity in thought!

I'm glad I can mast a flag any day or any time I feel......
..........Thankful for our country,
..........Thankful for our freedom.
.......... Thankful to the families who have   given  loved ones for us.
.........  Thankful that I can mast my flag on Wednesdays!

Smart, Talent, Skill, or Luck?......

# One -- Yes, I did take this awesome photograph of the clouds. 

# Two – Yes, I took the beautiful photograph with my little cell phone.  (Our oldest grandson, Brendan, bought a new super phone and everyone passed their old electronic cell phones down the family-chain until finally I was finally forced to move into the 21-century with an I-phone …..I think its “I” for “intelligent”!:)


My mother was a outstanding artist and oil painter and art teacher.  But as far as my talent, I was always at my best when the lines are already drawn and numbered…and I could fill in the blanks.  Wanting to see the torch passed down to the next generation, Mom saw that I was trained in various areas of art: sculpting, sketching, mixing colors, shading, staging, arrangements, oil painting, and the one I probably enjoyed the most….was framing a scene. 


 I guess you could say that time was spent training me to be an artist.  But the only time my signature was attached to anything worth money was when I got a parking ticket and the city of Fort Worth was $17 dollars richer.

 I do see things with a trained eye….the same kind of "trained" as I would say, "My daughter's dog has been "trained"!  But her dog does NOT use his training!  You can buy him a cushion.  You can put the cushion in his favorite spot, right in front of the tv. ....but when you leave the room ....... Good Ol' Chance is right back up in the middle of Carrie's chair.

Our granddaughter, Brittany, (who lives with us) trained her three small dogs to run outside to bark.  Irwin  installed a doggie-door near the patio door.  Time was spent in training Harlie, Suzuki, and Pixel to use their doggie-door to EXIT the house to party and BARK….outside!  But there are so many times I can be deep in thought at my computer and Irwin at his carpenter bench, when a strange dog trots down the street and all three well trained dogs will run for the doggie-door at once.  However, these trained dogs will hold their barking until they get right behind my desk chair ....and then they explode with that shrill, panicky type barking....in triplicate!!!!  It frightens me so badly, its known to straighten the curls out of hair.  Then, the real excitement comes when all three dogs run right under Irwin at his workbench or electric saw, and begin to yelp feverishly.  Irwin jumps and yells and throws whatever is in his hand…..very similar to the chaos of Geronimo's sneak-attack on the U.S. Calvary.
 

Trained at something does not always mean that one is accomplished.   I’m amazed at the amount of skill in the photography that comes across my computer screen. My skill is called the law of averages…I just click at something until it is gone and I’m bound to get a good one.  For instance, the picture above of the sun rays.  We were actually traveling down the Interstate going about 65 mph.  I asked Irwin to slow down while I was rolling down my window and getting my brand new I-phone ready. (That’s another story!)  “You’re going too fast; slow down,” I kept yelling at Irwin.

Irwin yelled back, “I can’t slow down; we are traveling on the Interstate that’s posted 65 mph!  I’ve got traffic backed up all the way to the Red River.  We're going to have to keep up with the traffic or be rear-ended!” 

“Honey, you can just smile and motion for the impatient drivers to go around!  There’s 3 other lanes....... this was the exact picture I’ve been waiting for. God has created the sketching, colors mixing, shading, staging, and arrangements,…and I've got a "Smart Phone"!

Tricycles and Sport’s Cream..….

 Just recently, our number-six grandchild, Clark, has literally been obsessed with being NUMBER ONE, to the point of losing sight of the fun.  He thinks he has to win at all the video games (and most of the time he does win).  He tries to be first at buckling his seat-belt in the car.  If we are first to open the front door, he has a melt-down on the porch.  When we race the model cars down the ramp, he wants to move the tally-blocks to his stack whether he wins or not.  Then, in the checker game, he wanted me to put my spoils back until he could jump some of mine!
 In an attempt to teach Clark to be a good sport, Irwin and I try to take Clark to a park for a couple of hours, everyday.  Even the very hot and the very cold days, we go for a brief time.  He loves to make friends and is thrilled to run and play; and the whole time he is giggling and laughing with the other kids. 

 Thinking Clark would get interested in playing at home, some, Irwin bought him a beginner bicycle.  I felt he needed the eye/hand coordination along with the motor-skills of riding a tricycle, first.  He played in the driveway until I felt it was almost cruel to expect him to just continuously go in 20-foot circles.  Besides, he didn’t seem interested enough to ride but about 5 minutes a day.  (I just can’t understand why Clark didn’t prefer the slow, geriatric pace of his 70-year-old grandparents to a playground full of lively, active, energetic preschoolers.  Could it be his grandparents spent too much time breaking to rub Sports Cream on our aches and pains?)  So, I packed up the van with his “Big-Wheel” tricycle and plenty of ice-water & orange Gatorade (plus my large tube of Sports Cream) and we “started off to move the mountain!”  We stopped by the Day-Old Bread Store and purchased a large bargain bag of “bird bread” to feed the ducks (about 10 loaves for 88-cents).  By the time we got to the park, Clark had already eaten nearly half a loaf of “bird bread” and at least one small bottle of orange Gatorade…..but that’s okay, because I knew that he would run it off in no time.

 The “Big Wheel” was such a success that parents were amazed that the kids were so congenial and cooperative.  As weeks passed, the “Big Wheel Track” was getting very popular with more and more kids.  I must say that Clark was doing exceptional as an entrepreneur.  Clark ran around the track with each child just because he loves the fun and he loves to run!

We had a chance to buy another Hot Wheel to take with us to the park.  It was fun until one morning, when an older boy, about 7, came and got in the line to ride.  Clark greeted him nicely and instructed him about the rules on sharing:

·        Sit in line on the brick wall and wait your turn.

·        Ride one lap only.

·        Take a water break between laps.

·        Remember safety issues.

·        Slow down around toddlers, adults, and etc.

·        Arguments….and we put the toy in the car!

All was good until the older boy, riding one tricycle, passed Clark, riding the other tricycle.  Clark didn’t race the boy;  he didn’t even try to challenge him.   Clark slowed to a complete stop and began to wilt.  He dropped his shoulders.  His arms hung to his side as his head bowed.  His chin rested on his chest.  Then in slow motion, he tilted over to one side and slowly melted…. Ending up crumpled on the sidewalk.  I approached him; put my arms around him and asked if he was hurt.  He responded from his prone position, “I’m okay….but that big boy is winning!”

In my most understanding but firm voice,  “Your race is not over, why are you giving up?  Get back on your tricycle; put your feet on the pedals and keep moving toward the finish-line.  “Riding” your tricycle is the fun thing…. You need to keep riding to the finish line!  The “ride” is the most important!”

A week later, I was sitting in the doctor’s office when my doctor told me that my mammogram showed a malignant mass.  I felt my breathing slowed to a complete stop and I began to wilt.  My shoulders dropped.  My arms hung to my side.  My head bowed until my chin rested on my chest.  Then I felt myself want to tilt over to one side and melt… I wanted to crumple onto the floor.  I felt my God’s arms wrap around me and firmly say, “Don’t fall off your tricycle!  The race is not over, why are you giving up?  Get back on your tricycle, put your feet on the pedals, and keep moving toward the finish-line.  The “ride” is the most important thing!”

To all you Social Directors of FB .....

 

THANKS.... to all you Super Social Directors in  FaceBook Country for for all the suggestions!  You gave us some wonderful ideas of places to go with our Georgia grandsons.  We are looking forward to working on that exciting list.

It started with breakfast at our Neighborhood Cafe.

 

 

Then  while Irwin took our car to the mechanic, today.  Of all times for the car's air-conditioner to break down.  So, I took our Georgia teenage grandsons (& Clark) for ride on TRE to Dallas.

 

 

We hiked to the Kennedy Memorial in downtown Dallas.....a little warm but gave us time to get the kinks out of our legs....plus it put a few "sweat kinks"  in our hair.

    Well... some of us hiked.......

Then the next stop was across the street at the Schoolbook Depository Museum.

Mark & Thomas were really taken with the sound prerecorded tour presentation.  They followed the hour & half tour, not missing a single word,  picture, exhibit, or news cast,

                                                                               





We ended up at Aunt Carrie's office ..... and if her boss is watching this blog we had a very short & quiet visit.  (Jon, hope you are having a great vacation.)

 

What a wonderful day God game us! 

       Looking forward to an  adventure tomorrow.......

The Silent Acrobat Entertainer......

I've really missed my evening postings (relaxation reports) better known as "Fruit Salad Family"  for the last few months due to the fact that I just can't find the stop button on the roller-coaster (explanations on later post).  Anyway, been at ER once, several ex-rays, MRIs, 2 procedures, and 11 doctor-visits....intermingled with working two days at Carrie's office, and our daily trips to the parks and exciting antics with Clark.  Also, the first of our two Georgia grandsons, Thomas, has been here since the first of July. (Mark arrived earlier this evening.) 



 
All of our grandchildren have a quick sense of humor and keep us waiting for the next shoe to fall. Thomas and Braiden have been bantering back and forth generously for the past few weeks.... and Clark is pulling up a close third.  Clark keeps Irwin and I flabbergasted at his quick wit, imagination, and challenges.


We took Clark with us to Irwin's doctor's visit on Monday. Irwin was busy filling out the usual stack of paperwork while I was flipping through a magazine.  I was aware of an elderly couple sitting across the room snickering.  I glanced up and noticed them punching each other and laughing at Clark.  I leaned around Irwin and caught a view of our "perfect little angel!"  As the snickering developed into giggling and on to an audible chuckle....followed by Mr. saying, "Watch!  Watch!  There he goes again!" 

I never heard any noise from Clark so I didn't feel he was being disruptive....definitely not drawing as much attention as the cute little elderly couple across the room. 






 The nurse called Irwin's name and as he exited    Clark appointed himself supervisor of his appointment.  I diverted his direction back to his chair.











Then the lady sitting next to Clark got up and moved across the room....also, snickering.  I immediately asked apologetically, "Ma'am, was my grandson disturbing you?"


"Oh, no, no!" she replied, "I just wanted to move over here so I could watch your little fellow."











Now, I decided that I had better watch "my little fellow" a little closer.  "My little fellow" was moving in slow motion while cutting his eyes at his elderly audience.....almost flirting! 

I pulled my phone/camera out of my pocket behind the shield of my magazine and this is "My Little Fellow!"

When Irwin returned, he patted Clark on the head and said, "That's my Good Little Fellow!"

A Serious Note.....

I  AM  SO  BLESSED!  

Thanks, Dear FaceBook Friends, for covering me in prayer during my emergency episode last night immediately following a freaky backwards fall off a ladder onto our tile floor, and my head going through the wall.  Even while being strapped and taped to a board by the paramedics, our oldest daughter, Dianna, was kneeling over me praying for God to heal my body.  The rest of our children were not only in prayer but soliciting prayers from their FaceBook friends.  A great peace passed over us that we ARE children of The Creator & the Master of Healing......and HE is in charge....that HE had instructed us to pray.

I will not even pretend that my concerns about my condition were due to the severe pain in my back’ neck and head ..….but I was quickly comforted .... reminded that God is faithful.  Also, God lives richly in the hearts of our children and grandchildren (I include their mates as our children).  Then each of our children brought their cell phones, reading their endless responses from FaceBook friends offering prayers and encouragement…filling the ER with the Holy Father’s presence....and witness to doctors, nurses, and other patients.

Following four hours of test, scans & x-rays it was confirmed that God’s hand had touched me.  I was released to go home after 2:00 A.M.....and I walked out with my family. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

“… whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—“  (1 Timothy 2:1)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

“…. no one can snatch them (ME) out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

I thank each for your love, concern & prayers -- “..I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)

And to your prayers, just add that this incident was not in vain and that lives were touched and to God be the glory!

A Thousand Pictures is Worth a Giggle.....

Our precious (four-year-old grandson) Clark is NOT licking KFC’s finger-lickin’ chicken off his fingers;  and it’s NOT sugary glaze off Sunday morning’s donuts;  and he’s NOT cleaning up the last bit of cherry Lick-um-Ade off his fingers!  It’s another daily episode  of JOY in OUR RETIREMENT YEARS!

 Anytime we have Clark, I always ride in the back seat, next to Clark, while Irwin chauffeurs us about town, running our errands…and we usually end up sharing our treats….which today, was my favorite 44-oz. “gut-buster” of iced cold tea.   

I hopped out of the back seat at Home Depot to do a quick exchange of handy hardware, leaving Clark in the perfect care of his granddaddy (who happened to be in the drivers’ seat) leaving Clark playing with his games, in the back seat (in his child safety-seat). 

I was inside a little longer than the five minutes I had expected, due to eight involved excuses in the exchange line.  When I finally exited the store, I noticed a interesting cloud of white dust moving low across the parking lot, like the results of some kind of explosion.   As I approached our car, for some strange reason, I got a ravenous urge for a tall cup of my favorite Vanilla-Caramel coffee.  When I opened the back door of the car, behold “the source of the white cloud” wearing a most adorable contented smile!

  

My “gut-buster” of iced tea was overflowing with Vanilla-Caramel coffee creamer (which WILL NOT dissolve in iced tea).  Clark had obviously attempted to stir the full content of my Vanilla-Caramel coffee creamer with his finger.  And when it did not dissolve….he then tried to push the creamer powder under the liquid with his fist.  When his desire was not accomplished he pushed with both hands into the cup.  With nowhere for the powder to go but up…and up …and up….and out the windows..….thus the cloud of white dust!  The failure to dissolve was not a disappointment to Clark in the LEAST.  It stuck to his fingers, hands and melted down his arms.  Wow!  What a treat as he began to lick his fingers.  His mouth went through every imaginable variation as his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and his tongue attempted to push it's way to the outside of the powder.  His lips looked like he had kissed a snow-drift.  His eyelashes were like fairy dust on a white cupcake as he blinked as he repeated over and over, "It's good!  It's very good!"

 The old saying goes, "As the dust settled...," his very cute and very short hair became the target of several teaspoonfuls of white creamer.  (How do I know the almost  accurate  measurement ??? …..because this had been my brand NEW $4.50 container of creamer and there was at least a cup of white powder in the back seat and floor of the car…..and another cup and a half floating across the parking lot and down the interstate!)

I gently blew puffs of air across Clark's face, through my giggles.  I  grabbed my ever-present camera for historical (and hysterical) proof.  It turned into a burst of laughter as I used up  ¾ of a package of handy-wipes  cleaning up the seat as I let Clark finish up his own “clean-up”.  When I gained composure, I tapped Irwin on the shoulder and pointed toward home.  He was listening to the radio and had missed the whole episode.  After all, how much noise does Vanilla-Caramel coffee creamer make?