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 |  WARNING...You Are About To Enter Into ~ MY Thoughts... |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER INTO MY THOUGHTS ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** All I really care to be in life is 'contributing'. A special THANK YOU! to all who have contributed to mine here at WDC. ![Merit Badge in Inspirational
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You have been a beacon of encouragement in a dark ocean of dispair. You really do care about others and it shows in your writing.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Inspirational-960.gif) Blessings! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** C.L. Hanna ~ Lottie  REMINDER: Everyday that you can wake up free, it's going to be a great day! Find Me Here Also:http://www.clhanna.com ~ Visit My Website http://www.en.articlesgratuits.com/login/articles.php |
| On my seventh birthday...President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember that day and all that I felt, where I was when the announcement came over the school loudspeaker, and how it almost ruined my very first "all the kids from my class" birthday party. The face of the nation was changed that day. The shock...the questions...the confusion...the numbness. Grief was displayed for weeks to come. I remember too, where I was the day the airplanes flew into the Twin Towers. I was sitting beside the hospital bed of our son who was about to undergo an appendectomy. We had been up all night in the emergency room as the tests were run. Now, we were just waiting for the O.R. to be readied and the Dr. to arrive. Our son was medicated and under the influence of pre-op sedatives. The television was on and we were watching the morning news. As the second plane hit the second tower, I cried out, "Jesus, help us!" In is medicated state, our son 'came to' ... the look on his face bespoke his confusion and fear as I tried to explain what was happening and he tried to comprehend, his mind in a fog, unable to actually be alert enough to do so. As he was wheeled off to surgery, his father and I were left to sit with others, glued to the T.V. monitors and wondering what it all meant. It was surreal and frightening and everyone felt vulnerable. The same feelings many of us had also experienced on November 22, 1963. Many questions still remain about both of those fateful days. Whenever man can't rationalize an event or situation, it often becomes a cause for finger-pointing and accusations. We all want answers, yet we aren't always satisfied with the answers we get. We all want someone else to blame. We want someone to fix it...but, we can't quite agree on the fix. What we can all do, is remember. We can all remember and in remembering, honor those who were affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. They were all innocent, except those who plotted and carried out the evil scheme. Those who were suddenly and violently snatched from us, should be remembered. Those who heroically worked to save lives and secure our country, those who did their job without regard for their own life...these we should honor and continue to show our gratitude. We must never forget! We also must remember that each time evil of this magnitude is thrust upon our nation...changes are inevitable. Changes which naturally must occur. Our nation will never again be the same. We will never be the same again. There are new ways - new attitudes - new rules. No one really expects such horrors to strike. No one (in their right mind) would invite such evil to their door. So, when something so extreme actually does happen...we react in ways which we can not really plan. After some time passes, we may be able to look back and more rationally address the situation, but at the moment it takes place...we are merely vulnerable and stunned. We have had five years, since 911, to think about what really happened to us. Hopefully, we have had five years to decide that remembering and honoring the lives of the victims and heroes is both a necessary and worthwhile exercise. Realizing that our freedoms are at risk should be enough to spur us all to want to fight against those who continue to threaten our nation. Let's not lose sight of the fact that past civilizations have been most thoroughly destroyed from within. If we fight each other, among ourselves, we will bring this nation down more speedily and with more serious consequences than the outsiders we call terrorists. On this, the fifth anniversary of a devastating experience we all shared, may we begin to share in the goal of the common good of this country, supporting and encouraging one another to bind together in a common effort to help keep this nation, this government, this home-land, strong and invincible - one nation under God. |
| For over a year, now...I have been having some voice issues. I am a singer, but through a series of 'life-events' (sounds more interesting when put that way) I had not been able to sing for over a year. It's just too long and drawn out a story to tell here, but I learned that your song can be 'stolen' - not the song you've written on paper - but, the song that lives in your heart. What and Who you are...your joy and your passion, it can be nearly killed off by emotionally traumatic circumstances. At least that is how it happened to me. When I was attempting to share my deep wound, shortly after it had occurred, with someone I respected, they shocked me even more by saying, "Oh...I thought that you were going to tell me someone died! It's not a death..." and their spouse, whom I also respected, told me at a later date..."I know what has happened to you - so, GET OVER IT!" Needless to say, it did not help me to hear from either of these people. What they were too short-sighted to see, was that it had been a death...the death of a dream. That dream had been killed by one I had thought a friend. It affected me in a way I'd never expected, so to me it was much like an unexpected death by way of a murder. And along with it, something inside me was almost killed off, as in my weakness from the shock - I seemed to be participating in my own spiritual suicide. But, what has helped me over this past year, has been the 'permission' (I guess you could call it) that I gave myself to just change a few habits, be reflective and willing to try to learn from all that I was going through. I allowed myself to question some things which I had been taking for granted. I allowed myself to consider the "WHYs?" about a few things - and ponder the relevance and weigh the effort and consider the importance of other things ... as well as the relationships I had. Who we surround ourselves with is just as important as What we surround ourselves with. Maybe even more so. I have friends who question everything I do or think - and I have friends who understand me a little better. I have family members who don't seem to know the meaning of encouragement...but, I know others who are very quick to encourage and even to assist in an effort. I am given love by some people even when I am undeserving of their love. So...this past year I have been more selective about with whom I share my time and feelings - and I have allowed myself to steer clear of those who make me feel insecure and incapable. It has been a slow road back. But, I gave myself permission to take my time. As a result...in the past few weeks...I seem to have begun to find 'my song', again. My singing voice issues are dissipating and I am beginning to have some confidence restored in that area. Two nights ago, I sang at an outdoor venue and it went well. Tonight, I am singing at an area coffee-house...and I think it should go well, also. Little by little the 'house is being rebuilt'. You see, in many ways the big bad wolf had come in and blown my little house down. But, because the enemy of my soul is nothing but a bag of hot air; a sack of noisy wind...and because the Lover of my soul held me in the palm of His hands and whispered His love and encouragement into my heart's ears...I have been able to find the strength to conquer and rebuild. Tonight, I sing. With every song...there comes more strength and more confidence - more resolve that the song will not be so easily stolen from my heart and lips, next time the enemy comes looking for a fight. * The following is an excerpt from a song I wrote a few years back... Take this city, Take this hill, If you don't do it...someone else will, His name is satan and he's lookin' for a fight... So, let's take it to him with the sword of Truth and Light! |
| Ah, Money. The root of all evil is the love of it...yet, to not respect it's power is very dangerous, as well. Without money, you have problems and if you have money...you still have problems. It has never been the cure for what ails humans...but, it sure can make you feel better to have a little in your back pocket. I don't know why it is so necessary, after all we are told that our paper money is worthless. Yeah, right! Tell that to the people you owe it to. You work hard to get the stuff, and then it just passes through your fingers like water. You try to save it and something unexpected sneaks up on you and demands the little bit you have managed to put aside. You never seem to have enough - yet, no matter how much you do have...there are some things it will never buy. Those who don't have it are often less miserable than those who do. It's always odd to me, how those who do have money will often look as though they don't. Maybe they don't want to be noticed when they dress in sweatsuits or T-shirts and ripped jeans. Maybe they think that they are blending in. I spend time trying to find something in my drawers or closet that isn't faded and torn - and they are spending big bucks to acquire a wardrobe of such items. Hmmmm.  I don't know...money seems to be more fun when you are giving it away. When it is being demanded of you - it's a pain. Hey...that's sort of like love, isn't it? When you give love freely to another it's more fun than when someone is demanding that you show them love. Hmmmm. Maybe that's how love and money are tied together. The money, is in and of itself pleasant enough, until you begin to love it - because when you love it you want it more, you become a little more possessive about it...so, when it ends up leaving you for the hands of another, you feel the kind of misery experienced when being cheated on. If, on the other hand, you remain platonic about money - maybe it will actually be more apt to stick around and 'flirt' a little. Maybe, just maybe, it won't be so quick to leave if it doesn't feel you are 'squeezing' it so tightly. You know...set it free and if it is yours it will return to you...if it does not then it was never really yours in the first place. (Or whatever that sappy saying is.) Naaaah...let's just face it. Money is what it is. It's an ungrateful lover. You can do everything you know to try and get it - but, it is nothing but a tease. It's never faithful. It will repeatedly leave you for someone (or something) else. It will keep you hoping and wishing for more - just to leave you empty-handed. You will always want it - but it will NEVER return the feeling. It will just keep tempting you, keep playing with your emotions, all the while remaining just out of reach. Money, money, money. What is one to do. If you haven't go the money, Has the money got you? If you don't have a dime, I suppose it's true, That nothing else much matters, time The rent is coming due. When you can't buy the food, 'cause you lack the wealth, You do not feel so wise and good - You worry 'bout your health. For when you're very rich, You don't stop to think, How you will scratch each little itch, Or what you'll eat and drink. It's when your health is gone, That you realize, Your pocketbook can never spawn, Enough to hold that prize. Money, money, money. It's fleeting at best, And can never accompany, One to their final rest. |
| You know...I just never KNEW how many different forms of poetry there are and how many definitions of poetry terms. Here, all along, I just thought you put words together and created a rhyme - or at the very least a flow which created imagery for the reader. Even a song seemed to me to be a poem put to music. I really didn't know that there were specifics to writing poetry. Now, don't laugh your guts out, but I thought that poems just kind of happened. I thought that I knew how to write a poem. I have written poetry since I was just a wee-little thing - way back in history - when I was in grade school. I guess the many forms and definitions of poetry are something I was never taught in any of my English classes. Why is that? Why would we NOT be taught about these things? Is poetry really such a 'lost art' - is it really so 'unpopular' in the age in which we live? Many years ago, complete novels were written in prose or poetic form. I own one of these books which is inscribed, "Anna M. McCray - From your sister Clara - Xmas 1896". The title of the book is LUCILE and it was written by Owen Meredith and published by Henry Altemus of Philadelphia ... though I can not find a publication date on any page. I have treasured this little green book for over 30 years. It is an entire story written in poetry. It makes perfect sense when reading it and it never varies from the ABAB style (I think this is correct, but not sure) - in other words, the first line rhymes with the second line. I was surprised to find so much information on poetry writing in an article by Vivian  ...which then led to some other articles which were also full of information on this subject, and which I am still in the process of reading and digesting.As complex as the art of poetry writing can be, you would think that this writing form would be of more interest and would be considered more important than it seems to be. I don't know, maybe I am not well enough informed on this subject, but it does seem that poetry is not easy to sell to publishers due to the lack of interest in the market. It seems that people would rather read science fiction or fantasy these days. But...I am then left to wonder...could these types of stories not be written in poem form? Would it discourage a reader from reading a story about beings from other 'worlds' if it were written in rhyme or other poetic form? I know a couple of people who actually enjoy reading poetry. But, for the most part, people seem to steer clear of it. Yet...most all people of all ages enjoy music. In my way of thinking - as a song-writer and singer - what would the world be without songs? Songs tell stories, evoke emotions and stimulate our thoughts...and they REMAIN with us (spinning 'round and 'round in our heads) because they are poetry. If you want to learn anything...or teach something...put it in the form of a 'diddy' - a little song - a poem which rhymes...and it will be more easily retained. Poems, therefore, in my humble opinion, are important. Poetry is something which should be used more often...or at least taught more comprehensively...because of it's benefits. It can be relaxing to read and write. It can also paint very vivid imagery through a remarkably sparing use of words. I am going to try my hand at various forms of this art called poetry. I do not care for all of the forms...and I would still rather just feel as though a poem 'happens' than to plan it out in a certain way which may not seem as natural. Still, there are new things to learn and appreciate about the many different styles of poetry (apparently already known to some others  ) and I would like to try them out and see where they may lead me.To write a poem is not that easy, And some may be left feeling quite queasy, Either by attempts to up and write one, Or reading poetic 'slip of the tongue'. |
| I have been learning all kinds of things about those with whom I share the joy of blogging here on WDC - thanks to a little 'form' which has been floating around Blogville. It's interesting enough, but I don't know that it helps me really know anyone any better than the personal writings / blogging entries of these Dear Ones. I hope that you will all forgive me, but I am just not eager to participate. I am not criticizing the form or anything... I am kinda embarrassed to admit that I'm afraid of not being able to do it correctly, actually. I was surprised (and somewhat amused) to listen to my little sister relating all of my 'accomplishments' to her friend last week. As she listed all of the things I have done or do...I thought that she must be talking about someone else! It didn't sound like me. I consider myself, getting older...over-weight...uninteresting and even boring. I think of myself as, lacking knowledge...having a poor memory...and no personal style. I see myself as, small-town...socially handicapped...having my creativity stifled much of the time. In short - I have issues!!!  It was interesting to hear her perspective. My sister sees me as: knowledgeable in interior decorating - a capable landscaper - a professional singer - a creative person - trained and certified in a number of "things" - a thinker and (apparently) someone in whom she can confide and receive advice from. She even thinks that I am RIGHT sometimes! GO FIGURE!*My real name is C.L. Hanna - there is just a little more to the C and the L.  *I am not a big popcorn eater - but when I do eat a couple of handfuls...I like it lightly salted and buttery. *I like vanilla ice-cream. (Told you I am boring.) *I like Spring and Fall the best. *I am almost 50 - in November - and can NOT believe that's true! I am told that I look younger...I know that most of the time I feel a LOT younger. I think of myself as closer to 40. *I have several nick-names: Lottie...Marla...Love...Sis...Char...Skeets *I like Cherry-Coke and Spring Water and REALLY good coffee. *I like almost all colors - but my least favorites are the shade of orange which I call rust and avocado green. *I love the ocean...I love the mountains...I love very green grass...I love flowers...I love traveling and seeing 'new' sights. I love houses and I love architecture. *I get bored very easily. I don't enjoy lengthy conversations - but, I love to talk about goals and dreams and experiences. I hate to talk on the telephone. *I have little patience with liars or those who exaggerate beyond the truth. If you don't mean what you say then say what you mean. *I love a good laugh. I am quick witted and can be sharp tongued, but only in fun. *I have NO TOLERANCE for purposefully hurting others - but I especially feel disdain toward those who cause a child pain and suffering or hurt feelings. In my view, hurting children in ANY way, is criminal. I believe in discipline...for the sake of the child - not for the sake of an adult's ego. *I like many different foods...and it shows. *I am uncomfortable in crowds and have a few very close friends - yet, I have spent the better part of my life in front of people. *I am skeptical. *I have taken more training, testing and received more certifications in more areas than I can even remember! It's ridiculous what I have learned and earned - but have no degree to show for it. My sister reminded me that I have an FCC license - I'd forgotten!Well...that's quite enough about ME - I really don't like talking about ME - so, now I will have to worry about what you will THINK OF ME...now that I have exposed a little more of ME than I am comfortable doing. I hope you will forgive me for this blog entry which has been all about ME. Sheesh!  |
| While we were away, Mother Nature did play. Before we returned, Dry land for all concerned. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** This is NOT a creek - it is normally a dry walking path, the remains of an old railroad track which is southwest behind our home. Some suffered more as a result of this flash flooding than others...we were grateful that we escaped with no damage to our home - even the fish in our flooded pond remained safe and did not escape into the yard! |
| It's Labor Day. If you aren't supposed to work on this day...then, why do we call it LABOR day? Labor means work or job or effort...so, I guess it sounds like either a good day to give birth or work - but it's supposed to be the day we don't work and celebrate the fact that we have jobs or at least the right to work. I think. Hubby worked today, he could make holiday pay and after being off on vacation...he thought it would be a good thing to do. He phoned early this morning to let me know that Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, zoo curator and conservationist from Australia, had died. It was very sad to hear. I felt for his family - they seemed close and supportive the times I had viewed them on T.V. Steve Irwin was working when he died. He was filming for a documentary and a children's program. He was doing the job he seemed to love most - working with animals in their natural habitats. Those who love their jobs have an edge. It's easier to do something almost every day of your life for 30 or more years, if you have a genuine affection toward it. My husband loves what he does. He says that the people are sometimes annoying or difficult, but the job is great! He feels that he couldn't ask for a better job. I guess I have never felt that way about any of my jobs. I have liked a few more than others - but, I have never been so attached to my work that I wanted to do a particular thing for the rest of my life. To die doing what I love...would not be the phrase associated with any job I have had. Earning an income is necessary - but loving what you do to earn that income, I guess, is what makes the case for celebrating Labor Day. |
| I went away to a place called Montana, I was only gone for about ten days. Seems there may have been a thief in bandanna, Who came and tried to take Blogville away. He must have sneaked in on a night I was out, To rob the friends I'd left of all their joy. I read that there were some harsh things said about, some of the Dear Ones who are less than coy. I can not pretend to know what did go on, But, it is really quite disconcerting. I never saw it coming when I left town, No premonition someone was hurting. There isn't any perfect world you can find, Except for Heaven - and some don't believe. Blogville is close - at least in my simple mind, 'Cause you can choose to come or choose to leave. One is free to read...write...give an opinion, Tell all, or keep things hidden from the rest. No one here controls - has complete dominion, No one to say which is the worst or best. Sure, there are those who may prefer each other, But, it's more about personalities. We consider one a sister or brother, Isn't that the way in most families? I went away on a little vacation, When I returned things didn't look the same. Something happened in Writing Dot Com nation, And it seems a real, dirty little shame. Now that I'm back - I'm hoping all is well here, 'Cause this is such a favorite place of mine. And since my rent is paid in full for a year, I plan to stay and write my daily line. |
| Well...we began the day yesterday with the finishing touches on our packing for the trip home, then we were off to downtown Missoula for a few last minute purchases of some items for our family back home in Western PA. After that, we did a tour of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation...then to the airport to check in and grab a bite of lunch (since they do NOT feed you anything on those planes anymore! Sheesh!). We were too long at the restaurant and almost missed our flight! Yikes! Good-byes should NOT be called GOOD! For crying-out-loud...they are one of the most difficult things to do and they hurt like heck! I know it is much more 'poetic' or 'nice-sounding' to say good-bye instead of horrible-bye...but the latter would be more accurate, in my opinion.  I probably quit shedding tears somewhere over The Great Lakes region. We were able to grab another quick bite in Minneapolis - and it's a good thing that we did, because when we finally arrived at our destination...we were informed by the long-term parking attendants (who had tried to ready our vehicle for our arrival) that our car had a dead battery.  They jumped it for us...and we were able to drive to the nearest gas station - as we needed gas - but, it stalled out there and that was it. There was no reviving the old girl - so we put in a call to our son-in-law who kindly made the hour and a half drive to get us. Again, we hooked up the jumper cables and Hubby drove our car, followed by son-in-law with me in his car (Hubby thought it would be more safe) and we drove the hour and a half home. We should have been home around half past midnight...but, instead it was 3A.M. So, Dear Ones, I am back and looking forward to catching up with all of you. It's good to 'get away' every now and again...it gives me a better perspective on 'things'. I appreciate some things about my life that only a couple of weeks ago I was complaining about. Life is not normal...not really...but then, what is normal? I miss my sister, but her life is what it is and my life is what it is. There are aspects of her life which don't appeal to me and visa-versa. I like certain things which she doesn't and she tolerates things which I could not tolerate. We have each adapted to what makes up our individual life-styles. If I could, I would live near her...and I believe that she shares that feeling...but, we need our individual space, as well. I just don't need quite so much space between us. |
| Today began with Paul's Pancakes...Great Breakfast! Eggs, Corned-Beef Hash, Pancakes...YUM! We met up with my uncle and cousin for that meal...then, my sister and I visited some properties for sale in Missoula and nearby vicinities with a Realtor...next came left-overs from The Good Food Store (wish I had one of THOSE in my neck of the woods!) and the last meal of the day was OUTSTANDING Louisiana Style Ribs at Famous Dave's Restaurant. I have NEVER had ribs that good! At Famous Dave's we managed a get-together with Hubby's cousin and her family from Frenchtown. There is no better way to catch up on family 'stuff' than over a good meal. There is so much still to do here...and so little time left in which to do it. Tomorrow morning...we are going fishing. The plans have been known to change from moment to moment...but for now anyway it's fishing first thing tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that! Hope all of you are doing well as this summer quickly (and all too soon) comes to an end. |
| Okay...technically we have actually been here 6 days if you count the day we landed here in Missoula (Thurs.). It has gone by quite fast, of course. Today was another beauty! I awoke about 7:15AM and began the landscaping about 7:30. Hubby was able to help a little more today than yesterday, as he was not feeling well most of the day yesterday...so, it was finished right about noon or maybe half past noon. I sent my sister to take her boys to shop for the needed school supplies since the first day is tomorrow. They are not thrilled that they must return to school already, but the new backpacks, shoes, and other school list goodies seemed to put them in better spirits. It should have - the T.V. room floor looked like Christmas as they were opening the packages and loading up the bookbags. We were able to go to the river about 2PM this afternoon. It was wonderful! The water was cold in one section where it was being fed by a mountain stream...but otherwise the water temperature was so refreshing and the water so clear that it was definitely a welcomed respite from the heat of the day. We took my sisters' two chocolate labs with us and they wore themselves out 'fetching' sticks and chasing each other. As the dogs approached a certain pool of water where there was obviously a beaver dam - we began to see several heads surface and tails began to smack the water's surface. We watched the beavers (or maybe I should say they watched us and the dogs) for about 45 minutes. One beaver swam within about 15 feet of me as I patiently waited to see just how close he would come. Every once in a while a fish would jump. It was a lazy afternoon at the river - with no one but us enjoying it, until about 4PM. For supper, my sister had made a stew and served it in bread bowls. Delicious! Tomorrow...we have set our sites on dismanteling a deck - well, about 14 boards of the deck which need to be replaced. We'll see how that goes. The deck needs to be stained and the boards have to be replaced first. Yeah...I love my sister! I'm still deciding about bears ... If you get what I mean...A SIDE NOTE: Upon calling our daughter back home we learned that our little town was hit hard with rains and that the street we live on had three feet of water flowing like a river down it. Basements flooded...our pond flooded...it sounds as if they should have headed for the mountains as we have done. LOL! |
| Yep...another bear siting today...only it was NOT of the animal kingdom but of the human-being irritable type. Apparently, over 12 hours in the vehicle and all day on the road as the driver, left one person in a less than agreeable mood when they began the day, today. Now, I can't say which person had the grumpy personality - but, it was not Hubby or I or my sister.... I don't really know what exactly happened, I only know that it made for a rather rough start to what was supposed to be a productive day of landscaping...so, it put us a bit behind schedule. By the afternoon, things were better, though still a little tense on my end...I just have a hard time letting it go when there is a disagreeable situation. I am not satisfied until it is resolved, and there is 'closure'. I really don't like to see people's feelings hurt undeservingly, either. So...it made for a very tense few hours - and I have decided to blame it on the long day spent driving. Oh...and it may have been that I found TWO GREEN TIC TACs up in Glacier Park - and would NOT share! Who knows.The landscaping should be finished tomorrow...we lugged and hauled some pretty hefty rocks - bought many plants - pulled existing shrubbery out by attaching a strap to a Jimmy - ammended some soil and planted a couple of the plants, before we 'plumb gave out'! AND IT WAS A HOT DAY (LOL!) So after a refreshing shower it was off to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. Tomorrow, after the landscaping is finished - we may just hit the river. It looked very inviting today, but we just couldn't squeeze it in. Shucks! Again...I apologize to all of you for not being able to reply to your comments...guess it has to do with filters installed for the young ones in the home - and I don't want to bother anyone for a passcode, etc. Till tomorrow... |
| Today, it was up to Glacier National Park...and the whole way around it, I might add...for a trip which began at 7:45AM on the road...in the van...until just a few minutes ago - ending about 11:00PM. I'm exhausted! We had a beautiful drive - beautiful vistas to behold - and lots of laughs. Oh, yeah, and a few tears as my brother-in-law scared my sister into sobs by driving very closely to the edge of the mountain road which has no guard rails or barriers between vehicle and a potential plummet of thousands of feet. Both my sister and I have a very low tolerance of heights...my legs and feet literally turn tingly and I get dizzy - she is even worse! To be in a vehicle for about 12 hours - minus the various pit stops, potty breaks, picnic by the river and a late meal at Applebees...is a very L...O...N...G day for everyone involved. But, though there were a couple of moments of slight discontent, the fact is that it went very smoothly and well - considering there were two young boys under the age of 12 aboard. My oldest nephew and I were ahead of the others on a trail to view MacDonald Falls. As we neared the water (the rest of our party had remained up on a ridge above to determine whether we had missed the trail which branched off to the falls) my nephew called out, "Look, a bear!" As I turned my attention to him - he was pointing at the bear which was about 25 feet away facing him. The bear looked at me and we made eye contact for a moment as I called to my grinning nephew to "Come!" The black bear, a young one of about 350 to 400 lbs.( I would guesstimate) decided that he would flee from us and dove into the crystal clear water - swimming to the opposite shore and after a few minutes, up over the bank into a piece of woods which led toward the main road. I did not have a camera...but I did have my binoculars so that I could watch him closely as he galloped away. He was beautiful. It was a wonderful Montana moment shared by by my nephew and me. Everyone else missed it. No one owns that bear...but he was mine to enjoy for that moment...and it made my day! ************************************************************************************************************** I am not able to reply to emails for the time being...but I want you all to know that I appreciate your well-wishes for this vacation time and for all of your comments.  Until tomorrow... |
| It was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Missoula...and in LoLo...and Florence...and Stevensville...and Hamilton... You won't believe this...but, this morning we again went into SportsMan's Warehouse and right around the fishing tackle section...there was this old woman with droopy knees, apparently oblivious to everyone around her as she looked at the various selection of fly fishing supplies. Now, there is no reason to mention this old woman with droopy knees - except to tell you that she was wearing a T-shirt (which in my mind was just a bit tooooo tight) which read: Party Of Five! I told you that you wouldn't believe it. Now...later in the day, one of the billboards heading south out of Missoula sported this slogan: WANTED - Party Of Five - Dead or Alive! That was interesting...but what topped it all was when Hubby and I took my brother-in-law and two nephews to Fuddruckers for hamburgers this evening - and there on the menu - big as the Montana sky - was: Fuddruckers world famous hamburger - big enough to feed a PARTY OF FIVE! Can you believe THAT? We ended the day with a trip up the 'hill' to view the city lights at night. It is one of the lovliest sights to me...one I had not witnessed for three years...one I could not wait to see again. I was not disappointed. The sunset was just in it's final stages, lending it's soft red glow to the mountains as we talked of how we were sure that we could take a dose of this every evening. Tomorrow....is another day....meet me here! |
| Do you remember that song..."Meet Me In Montana"? A very pretty love song duet by Marie Osmond and Dan Seals. Well, I'm inviting you to meet me, here in Montana, as I attempt to let you in on how the days of my vacation are going along. We made it here on Thursday, August 24th, in one piece - though quite a bumpy ride for some time over the friendly skies of Idaho or the Dakotas. We were so glad to get here, but very disappointed that our luggage had not accompanied us. Some how it forgot to change planes when we did - or something like that. It was delivered to our door this morning...but it was damaged. Now, we must make a baggage claim...instead of taking a nap this afternoon.  The mountains are something I never tire of looking at. Even on a rainy, dreary day - as it has been so far - they are lovely to behold through the low-lying cloud cover. We went to SportsMan's Warehouse and got some fishing 'tools'. Unfortunately, my sister has to work ALL day today - and again, tomorrow...but, I think we will find some things to do, in the meantime. |
| I haven't gone yet...so here is my thought for today: The 'dumbing down of America' that we were hearing so much about ten years ago, has apparently been successful, if measured in any way by our entertainment choices. When it comes to movies, the choices most often presented us are sex...more sex...perversion...moronic speeches and actions posed as comedic - with vocabulary skills limited to f***...- blood and gut gore and, oh yeah, even more sex. When it comes to music, the choices are sex...more sex...more of f*** and other words which make no sense or may as well be a foreign language because they are so hard to understand. Melodies are mostly very similar...and the skill level is comprised of being capable of operating a computer instead of actually playing an instrument, in many cases. Television offers sex...more sex...characters which act like they couldn't pass third grade or use words that have more than four letters and who are often most talented at being disrespectful, irresponsible, unreliable, unfaithful or all of the above. Commercials are usually more interesting. News programs are usually too sensational. Editing and manipulation of audios and images leaves one to wonder about validity and truth. As I look around and listen, I am concerned. I hear, "What's that supposed to mean?" from people who really don't know the meaning of a word. I hear the F-word used as a noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, conjunction, preposition...and everything in between. It's as though it and all of the other slang terms for bodily functions, as well as cursing, have replaced all other descriptive terms in the English language. When in doubt - swear or cuss! Nothing is sacred. God is no longer the name of the deity we worship...it's the beginning of every sentence; treated much like any other ordinary interjection. People's conduct is often reflective of their environment and their values. The values, in those forms of entertainment which so great a portion of the population daily feed upon, have increasingly diminished. The intellectual levels have decreased to childish levels. The morals are missing. Is it any wonder that so many are depressed, confused or angry? Is it really such a mystery as to why communication with one another is so difficult? Is there any doubt that instead of advancing, our society has been declining in social graces, communication skills and the Arts? We are not divided by race - we are all members of ONE race...the Human Race. We are not divided by politics - there are no party-lines when it comes to compassion, honesty and integrity. We are not divided by religion - everyone believes in God. ( If you doubt that, I refer you again to the fact that God begins - ends - or shows up somewhere in most sentences.) We are not divided by social status - some of the most wealthy people possess less class than their pets...and many of those who are perceived to have nothing, spend much of their time sharing it with others...very classy, indeed. More often than not, we are divided because that is what the media tells us we should be. And without thinking it through...we just believe the fodder they throw at us. Why do we pay to let them treat us like dummies - feeding us 'junk' when we could be enjoying a smörgåsbord of entertainment fare. There's a new call being heard across the land - we would do well to heed the warning cry: "The Red-Necks are coming! The Red-Necks are coming!" (check your local listings) |
| I will be busy these next couple of days. Hubby and I are off to Montana on Thursday. We are excited - and a bit nervous - since we are going by air travel. We are going to visit with my younger (MUCH younger) sister...who is having remodeling and decorating dilemmas - with which she has begged me to help her. I am thrilled to do so...especially since she has offered to pay in the form of the airfare. You can't beat that! I get to see her and help her and have fun in Montana - for next to nothing! It was her birthday on the 20th....but, we will celebrate it after we get there....ironically, we get there on our late father's birthday. Our father was less than a month into his 49th year, when he died suddenly of a heart attack after a game of softball. My sister had just turned 9 - she witnessed his final breath and ran to summon her neighbors to call an ambulance, saying, "My daddy's having a heart-attack!" then ran down the road to where my mother was helping with a church dinner to tell her, "I think Daddy is having convulsions" (probably trying to soften the news to my mother). Today, my sister is a Registered Nurse. She accomplished this, while raising two young sons and a husband. She has more energy than a race-horse, most of the time...she exercises, eats well, and looks GREAT - but, then so did I at her age! I threatened that I wouldn't come...because she just lost a bunch of weight and is looking all cute (according to her). OH GOODIE! I get the pleasure of being mistaken for her mother while I am with her! How fun is that! I won't be around much for the next couple of weeks. Try to go on without me. |
| I am up very early this morning. At 6:30AM, I was wide awake and unable to remain in bed. Hubby prepared for work and I went out into the back yard. I fed the pond fish...listened to the bird's 'wake-up' songs...and then I heard a different song. Somewhere nearby, I could hear a very young voice singing..."Maaa...ma. Maaa...ma." It was two notes. It began on the higher note and dropped a step on the second syllable. "Maaa...ma. Maaa...ma." It was the sweet, morning song of the little neighbor boy whose bedroom window was open. "Maaa...ma. Maaa...ma." I know the little neighbor boy. He is a sweet-heart. I also know his Mama. She is a petite, young woman...who is pregnant with twins. I was thinking that as sweet as that little one's song was...his mama was probably not ready to wake-up at 6:45AM. In her condition, I'm sure she is craving sleep. It was probably not 'music to her ears' to hear his little voice calling to her at that hour. The next thing to happen was so Disney-like - I just couldn't believe it. In a nearby tree, a bird began to mimic the little boys song. The same two notes ... without the word Mama, of course ... but the same notes. It only lasted for a few moments...but it spoke deeply to me. The call to a new day. The call to awake from slumber and come alive to this new day which has been given. Here is wishing you all a GREAT day! |
| Funny thing, life. Painful thing, life. Unexpected thing, life. Challenging, sometimes confusing, often fragile thing, life. I was supposed to be a stage and film star. I was supposed to be a famous recording artist. I was supposed to be an award winning author. I was supposed to be ... but something happened during the journey. A little thing called "Life". What I did become was an occasional local theater player. A locally known singer with a couple of 'fair' CDs to my credit. A Writing.Com blogger, who had a poem published in a Methodist periodical, Accent On Youth, at the age of 14. A wife of one, mother of two (actually three counting the unborn child I miscarried}, grandmother of one (so far - I thought Grandmothers were supposed to be MUCH older ), an aunt to many, great-aunt to about 10 (and counting).I don't know how to explain it but, all of these years I think I have somehow still been waiting to BECOME. Suddenly, the reality that the time is probably too short for BECOMING - has hit me right between the eyes! Traveling and singing in Brazil, Sweden and Norway - as well as many of the 50 United States - was exciting and wonderful...but, it has come to what appears to be a halt. No one is calling for us to play and sing, as they once had. The local theater does the same shows year after year...nothing really interesting - been there and done that. Parts for those over 40 are few. I don't really care for the whole 'backstage' scene, never have. I know this sounds really, really, BIG-MINDED - but, I actually feel that I was created for something MORE than what I have accomplished. Those who know me, know that I am not full of myself...I have become even less so, the older I get. I am NOT saying that being a wife and mother are not extremely important vocations - I take my roles as such very seriously...and I have poured myself into my family and my home. I know that I was created to be the wife and mother to the man and children God has given me...and I treasure these gifts above all others which I may possess. I am simply saying, that the feeling of unaccomplishment still resides within me, which causes me from time to time to at least wonder if I missed something. Was there a moment or a decision or an attitude which changed my direction or turned the tide? Did I run from something - when I should have run toward it? Did I refuse to listen or refuse to speak up when it could have made a difference? Why is it that I believed so strongly that there was an above average life I would one day aspire to - and yet, I find myself in the very average, day to day existence in which most find themselves...and in which most are content. Perhaps, there is much more to come...perhaps. But, this could also be IT. There could be no bigger story than the one I currently have to tell. If I were to list all of my accomplishments to date - the list would be bigger than some, similar in size and quantity to most, and smaller than many others. The truth is I am ordinary. Maybe there is a reason to wrestle with being ordinary. Maybe not. Maybe the aspirations to be more than ordinary are a good thing. Maybe to be extraordinary brings more interest to life. Maybe it only succeeds in causing unnecessary frustration. I believe that everyone - EVERY one - has purpose. I want to fulfill mine. In doing so, I hope to help others find and fulfill theirs. Until my last breath has been taken...there is always the dream of doing MORE. It's what gets me out of bed each morning - and wears me out enough that I am able to sleep each night. It keeps me writing, drawing, reading, thinking, listening, reaching and trying. It can't be all bad, now can it? |
| Daily inspiration, Is not too hard to find, It can be the smallest thing, Illuminates the mind. It's easy if you look, To find a word or deed, That helps you see the light, Allows faith to succeed. There may be a moment, A duly spoken word, The written word you read, The still small voice you heard. But, when it does occur, Please, make the most of it. It won't be only you, To reap the benefit. For all our lives do touch, And affect each other. So,when you are inspired, Share it with your brother. Share it with your sister. Share it with everyone. Giving inspiration, Is really so much fun! Goodnight, Dear Ones... Lottie |
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