Religion Tests -- September 30, 2010

Major story this week on news is that most Americans failed the test about basic religion. I went to w ebsite and took it -- made 93@ on it and really just chose the wrong one on the only one I missed because I knew that. It was simple but it did involve a person knowing something about Hinduism and Buddhism.

But I am sure that most Americans know very little about religion because the church is so busy trying to get young people to darken their doors that they want to be sure that they don't bore them. I don't know what is coming down the pike but it won't be like I knew it to be.

Debbie came this morning and did my hair and she was thrilled to get the dining room chairs. We loaded some of them in her car. I had promised them to Greg Lowry but he and Layne came yesterday and he said he couldn't use them but he was going to put them in a garage sale he was having today. I said no that someone else wanted them --and Debbie had already said that she was sorry that she had not spoken up before. I said Layne never apologized for her previous conduct but she probably wanted to buy something so she was determined to get some big sellers for the garage sale. It is a cinch that she was not doing it for Greg; she only does for herself at all times. She has caused me so much pain lately that I refused to be anything but surface polite and could have been talking to mere strangers. I have wasted my last bit of worry on her.

I wrote a card to Julia Warren on Mama's birthday and said that we had messed up Mama's family so badly--all of us. I don't know why I did it but I wanted her to know that I feel terrible about being a part of it on her birthday. It is a terrible tribute to her, as a Mother.

Back to the book today.

Mama's Birthday -- September 29, 2010

Mama would have been 114 today. I still miss her every day. I went out to eat with Dr. Eleanor Duff and Anna Marie Duff and Don French came up and talked. They were talking geneology. We talked about Mama's birthday.

I am going to have to go to dentist tomorrow. There is something wrong and I am tired of dealing with the pain. I can't do my work with this pain to deal with. I went out to the dentist about the same thing a few months ago and Dr. Freeze said he took care of it. He did not.

Getting into Donald Miller's book

Yes, I'm getting into it. I had to read some, doubt some, research some and now I am ready to examine some. I will share my thoughts with you. Page 69 starts my positive thinking, "If the point of life is the same as the point of a story, the point of life is character transformation."

The question I grapple with is do I feel that I need a transformation or is it too late for me at the ripe old age of 72. There are things about me that I would like to see changed or feel changed. I am not a 28 year old kid, with no family responsibilities, who is writing and making money. Does it matter to me? Does what he says help me become a better story, or human beings? He has some good reflective thoughts.

What would I like to change in my life?

a. The fact that my family is in disarray --tomorrow is Mama's birthday and I find myself pulling away from most everyone to keep from facing the storm that I would have to go through to make an attempt to put it back together. Will it happen without me? No. Will it happen with me? No, probably. Did I cause the problem? Not alone, I don't know who caused it but I live with the results. I think of Daddy's famous words, "I like my people to get along". Well, what a mess we made out of that. The one thing that we have in common is a love for Mama and Daddy. That might be enough for some families who were not so strong-willed.

b. The fact that I will not drive. I should have been made to do this somewhere along the line. The "inciting event" the author talks about. But I was not and I will not and it keeps me in a state of always needing to depend upon someone else. I need the courage to forget that I am 72 and say I need to get over this. The truth is I won't drive because I have a fear of doing things by myself even if it is as simple of a thing as going to the grocery store. I do not have the confidence in my own ability to know that I can handle anything. I am very capable when I am comfortable but I will not go out of my comfort zone and I define my own comfort zone.

c. I need to heal the problems my absence has caused there. Charlie Wiles told Joan last week that I need to let all the past go and I got defensive but I need to. She points out how wrong they were in the decisions they made; but they are not the first to make mistakes and they won't be the last. I need to write, I need to get rid of the weight, I need to find out about the pain in my head and demand that the dentist take x-rays again; I need to quit worrying about whether I will have enough money in the bank; I need to find a sense of spirituality--if not in a church, then where. The idea of going to church makes me bored--I don't like what I hear anymore there and I hate the way the service has been high-jacked by the young people who want to sing in front of people instead of listen to a boring sermon.

Yes there is much I could and should change about myself and be the better for it. Can life change us, so that we can evolve from one kind of person to another? So long as we have breath, I believe God expects us to re-examine our thoughts and our motives.

I like his thought, --p. 70 "People get stuck, thinking they are one kind of person, but they aren't". What kind of person am I? Mama was using adjectives for each of her children once and she said I was "kind". I was not thrilled at the time but I would settle for that today.

Linda Decker --Let it Go! 9-28-10

Today I picked up the Southeast Missourian and found out that Linda Decker had been named head of the Foundation at St. Francis Medical Center and it blew my mind I have always resented her --first, because she is Bill Holland's sister, and she heads the Development Office at Southeast Un. and I know that he is the reason that my contract was not renewed. He was going to get the job and we did not work well together. Second, because she was a hot shot in St. Louis at Macy's and Wayne Smith hired her as at St. Francis (Both of them were without jobs in St. Louis and both of them took the top development jobs here in Cape without having any development experience because they were friends of Wayne Smith.)

Then, I thought thru this resentment. Resentment is a negative emotion felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. Psychologist James J. Messina says that one should identify the source of resentment first and what the person did to evoke such feel such feelings. The truth is that she has done nothing to me. Her brother has but she is not responsible for what her family members do. So I am way off base. I should wish her well. She did not have a job. Why shouldn't she take a job at Cape! This is way little of me. Apparently she has plunged in and made some things happen at there or she would not have gotten the new job!.

Resent the people who have hurt you, if you wish to continue to dwell on it. Bill Holland has turned out to be exactly what I said he would and people are getting wise to him. Give him all the rope he wants--he actually sent me a handwritten note last week begging me to come to Homecoming--I know he is hurting because he isn't raising a dime. Let that be your revenge but don't hoist that resentment on someone who never hurt you in any way.

This lecture is good for me! I need to let go of it and be able to keep from knocking her when I am asked about her. I owe her that--and I owe myself that!

More on Donald Miller

The first thing I do when I got interested in an author is to look him up, check him out. I signed up for his blogs so I will see what he is doing. Remarkable story of a person and he has a plan. Affiliations are not off the wall.

I will get back to his question in a moment but want to share that I called Karen Ellis Brown for her birthday today and we talked a long time. She is troubled by some of the things that are going on down there and Rick Reed is in bad shape. Carolyn Howlett Fox fell Saturday and broke her ankle--already fighting cancer. Harriett was coming to Cape tomorrow about checking her liver. Terrible to grow old. I can't think of my life without them.

Margaret Randol Dement came over tonight and we visited. She is my neighbor but we don't see each other much. I need to see her more. I will after I have more time.Liz is working every day this week and she is pouring out the work. Jim Limbaugh emailed that he was getting his stuff in and Gene Burgess said he would give the University a big gift next year if I wouldn't make him get a photo. I sent it to the Development VP. Biggest gift he will get next year.

Now to think about Donald Miller and the two questions:

The story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it. My view on this is that the character struggles always with wants/conflicts throughout life. The character also struggles with how much is too much in wanting something --would it involve tearing up the life of another or tearing up a family, etc. It has to be balanced with a sense that everything in this life is not centered around me. That is not the mark of a self-centered character but an ego-centered character.

Characters have to face their greatest fears with courage. That may be true and it may not be true. Depend upon whether the fear is great enough to demand that it be matched with courage.

He goes on to say that the greatest fears are relational --fear of being rejected.

Once you know what it takes to live a better story, you don't have a choice. (yes, you do)

I have to read all this again. It is his writing style and I agree with his premises. But he is too pronounced in his statements. I demand more from him (even if the book was free) and I will continue to glean from him.

Donald Miller- A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

Betty Ann Warford came up on Saturday and brought me a book that Catherine had sent for both of us. Catherine had said that she had gotten one at Belmont and it was great. It was great timing because my Charter connection with television and computer were down for most of the weekend. I had never heard of the author but I proceeded. Funniest thing caught my eye. He talked about how his uncle would take him to the cemetery and they would watch a fire burn. "You could feel the heat coming off the fire fifty feet away and the flames punched so high they blew the leaves in the canopy." I love that description. It was the first thing in the book that clutched me.

I used to run to take the trash out and burn it at the back of the house. Daddy and I both loved to watch the flames catch and jerk the catch the sky. I should have been a firefighter and I identified with someone who knew the excitement of seeing the smoke rise before the flames shot out. It was heaven. I next identified with his idea about a story. I am loving to blog because it causes me to reach inside of me for the simplest of stories -- which make me and others understand who I am. I want to live until I die!

One Christmas I burned up some of Julia's stuff which still had presents inside of it. This did not go well with her but nothing did, at that point in time. Warren loved fire also and he did the same thing one Christmas with Julie's stuff. We had a old gas tank in our back yard where we burned. When the bottom burned out, we got another one.

His basic Premise is that a story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it. Another line is "Characters have to face their greatest fears with courage".

I will ponder each of these lines and blog them again.

Computer shut down for weekend 9-27-10

So I survived. Charter service was shut down for the weekend. For two days I was without a computer and I survived. Wouldn't have planned it that way but it kept me focused on what I could do without a computer. Liz was here today and worked and computer came back on this morning so we are set to put the hours in this week and get this to the printer. Looks good!

Started the morning off with a phone call from Dr. Loretta Prater about congrats for Zonta. If they knew how little I cared about all this, they would be disappointed but I'm not telling. i think the luncheon is Oct. 22.

The university is going wild trying to pressure me into coming for Homecoming and I am going this year. Bill Holland wrote me a personal letter and now they are trying to get the Presidents to come...poor showing of people I think. Do you think!

Eddie Fisher beats the dust. 9-24-10

Eddie Fisher died today. 82 years old. No one my age will fail to remember the scandal when he dumped Debbie Reynolds for Elizabeth Taylor. I took my movie stars seriously buying Photoplay each month and going to the McCutchen Theatre 3 times a week. Elizabeth Taylor's 3rd husband Mike Todd, was killed in a plane crash and Eddie Fisher helped the grieving widow.

Later when Jackie Kennedy was going to marry Ari Onaissis, she referred to this as saying the only person she couldn't marry was Eddie Fisher or people would turn against her. He was a slime ball but he could sing. He had something --Debbie Reynolds, Liz, and then Connie Stevens. None of them was bad to look at!

Movies are nothing to people these days but we lived thru them. I can still recite Eliz. Taylor's weddings: Nicky Hilton, Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), Sen. John Warner, Larry Fortenski--a guy she met in Rehab. Why is my mind such a sieve for these things.

Working with Liz on book today. Going to dinner with Joan tonight. Good night, Eddie Fisher, O My Papa!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Julie Sharp worked for a couple of hours today and we made progress. We also went to Target and then stopped by Taco Bell for a pick up order. She went to get the truck and loaded up the door and carried the old door off. I know her back had to be broken. We had to get lights at Target to put in my light fixture at the top of the stairs.

So good day. I can see the end of the book project; in fact, both book projects. I love the cover of the book. Mike Grace did it. I am also submitting the other book for publication. I should finish that tomorrow -- Mountains of Faith --It's a children's book. Hope that it goes with someone.

It doesn't take too much to make a good day--9-22-10

Debbie Bickings picked me up this morning to go to shop and get my hair dyed and highlighted. Then we came home and stopped for popcorn and a soda. It was good to get out to the shop so she could do my face and brows. It gives me a lift. I came back to the house ready to do some work in laundry and cleaning. I haven't gotten on the book but I need a break.

I may decide to do something else today and I may sit on my butt and do nothing but watch television re-runs. Can't find Joan so she must be in Marble Hill today.

A Mishmash of projects 9/20/10

One good thing about retirement is that one can sleep as long as one wishes to sleep. I went out to eat dinner with Joan Gohn last night and came home and watched the Closer which I love --even if it is reruns. Worked a while and then went to sleep.

I have three projects going and I like it that way because it relaxes the mind. My book on the University (editing gets tiresome but necessary--Liz will be here on Friday) then my book reviews for Thomas Nelson (blogged a children's book yesterday so I will have a few days before my next assignment gets here) and then a children's book I am writing about God's hands on earth. I am blogging that also. I have reviewed so many children's book that I know I could do one that might be more readable and important.

Hence the study of Albert Schweitzer and Nelson Mandela. They were God's hands on earth but both paid heavy prices for their rewards on earth. Nothing big comes easy! Too many people these days want everything and fast and with no suffering. It just does not happen that way for anyone I have ever known.

Blah Monday 9/20/10

Liz came this morning to work on the book and I should have been raring to go but I was in a state of mental stupor. I said to her, "We are playing hooky for a while--let's go to Target and then go get something to eat! I have not stirred out of this house for nearly three days and my mind is mush and my eyes are gone. That is what we did--we went by Bi State to mail some photographs back to people, got gas --went to Target and bought stuff I probably didn't need -- Cookie Dough Ice Cream --at atQDobe or something like that and then came home and worked on faculty pictures we needed.

I feel better. Joan and I are going to dinner tonight so I will feel even better. Had fever again yesterday for a while. Bev said when she called last night that a bunch of people had exactly the same symtoms --headache and fever. It just drags you down!

Mike Grace called and said he had the cover ready for my book. I can't wait to see it! Liz has been a godsend to me in all this. I need to stay after it and then put it to bed and take a vacation from work!

It is easy to become cynical these days! 9-19-10

It is easy to become cynical these days about everything including religious hucksters and immature friends and relatives. Every day there is news that is breaking about something that is done under the table in the name of Christ or something that is done hurtfully for no good reason.

Today, there is a story about the huckster Larry Jones and Feed the Children who has ripped off people like mad in the name of Christian concern. There is no telling how many people on pension have sent money in so that he can live in a huge house.

I have to work to remember the deeds of Mother Teresa of India who fed the hungry and not herself or her mission; who stood by the dying and did not plan to reap a financial reward. There are still good dedicated people in the world who care about individuals who are hurting.

I must make an effort to remember her every time I remember Larry Jones, Jimmy Swaggart, and all the other hustlers who are in it for themselves. Elmer Gantry does live but so does the Mother Teresa.

I'm taking a break from life today! Sept 18, 2010

I have had all I can stand today. I am going to sit here in the house, and edit materials for my book and pretend that nothing that has gone on really matters in the least. If someone calls, they will be ignored. If rumors fly, they can soar away. If this be heresy, God love it!

For whatsoever things are lovely, if there be any virtue, think on these things! Paul would not mind my plagiarizing his work if it works for me.

The Pain of Being a Grandmother 9/16/10

I have only known the joys of being a grandmother up to this point. But this week I have learned the terrible pain of the experience. On Sunday of this week, my niece, Annie, called. She had been upset, and rightly so, because she was going to have one-day surgery for gallbladder on Tuesday, she thought and she called to say that Bailey, my granddaughter, would be coming in for the week and would be staying with them the whole time to take care of her. I will say right off that I was hurt that I had not heard one word from Bailey about this but I knew what was taking place. Layne, Annie's daughter who is 16, and does her high school on line because she doesn't like the girls in school, had convinced Bailey that she should come up here for the week and wanted to be sure that I knew, from Annie, that she would not be available to see me in any way but a few crumbs here and there. I know that because I know that Layne runs her house and everyone around her and always, always gets her way about everything in the end.

My naivete. I thought, maybe, I had not heard anything because the schedule for the impending surgery had not been set. I have been working way too hard on a book with a Friday deadline so I was not feeling up to par anyway. On Tuesday morning, the day of the surgery, I got a call from Bailey while I was out doing an interview, saying she was on her way in and would go straight to the surgicenter and then give me a call.

I came home from lunch, with a splitting headache which continually got worse during the lunch to the point that I left early, and told the housekeeper that I had a throbbing headache and was going to bed for awhile. I took some aspirin, intending to go to sleep, and then I figured that the surgery would be over and some one would call. However, when I awoke, hours later, I had a noticeable fever and my head was still pounding. I listened to the calls and went back to sleep on the couch. Later that night, I woke up in a panic, with a high fever, and heard someone trying to get in the house. Since it was late to me (after 9:00 at night) I ran to the door because someone had gotten in the front door (We have had a number of neighborhood breakins and the whole community is frantic with people coming through garage doors, etc.) Finally it dawned on me that this was Bailey who had not rung the doorbell. Apparently my cleaning woman was worried about me and she called my sister about the headache.

I could hardly talk. I thought I was having a heart attack. Bailey realized that I was panicky and she apologized but said she wanted to check on me. I said I was sick and needed to go back to bed and calm down. And she left.

The next day (Wed) I was feeling some better but called Liz, my secretary, to come in since I was too sick to work on the book but I could tell her what she could do to help us make the Friday deadline. When that was done, I told Liz that I had to go back upstairs and get in the bed again with this headache and fever. (I later found out that this "bug" was all over town.) Bailey called and Liz told her that I had gone back to bed. I had Liz tell her that I would call her back. I stayed in the bed all afternoon and night and my fever broke about 1:30 in the morning.

The next morning (Thursday) I called Bailey back and told her that my fever had broken and I felt some better. She said that she would come over after Layne got home at l:00 and she would bring me a coke. I said I knew she had to drive home and I didn't want her to get this stuff from me. She said that since my fever had broken, she would be fine. So I waited. About l:00 Layne called and said she was at my sisters and she would run by and take me to get a coke if I wanted to go before she went home. I said I didn't want to get out. I put the phone down knowing that this was Layne's way of telling me that she had plans for Bailey that afternoon and that she would not be coming to see me. And she did not nor did she call. I knew that Layne would insist on going with Bailey to the fair and that was the way it was. And it was.

Today (Friday) Bailey called and said that she would be heading back and she wanted to run by and give me a hug and bring me a coke before she left. I said that Liz was here and we were working and that she didn't need to bring me a coke because Liz brought me one when she came to work. Bailey came in and I said that I figured she had gone to the Fair since I never heard from her the previous day. Bailey looked a bit sheepish and said, "Well, yeah, we had to take Holly out there for a while". Then she paused and said "And Annie had issues --sick and all". Needless to say, she was out of here fast. Liz said she was not here a total of 2 minutes. I said she was here 3 minutes the night she scared me to death."

So for her grandmother, I got five minutes of her time, one coke, and very little concern in her stay here of 4 days. You just can't beat it! Maybe I should have been her second cousin! They seem to fare a whole lot better! I wrote this down because I can't really believe it. But it is all horribly true. I've never done anything to the child but love her!

Harriet Beecher Stowe Thursday, Sept 16'10

I am fascinated by the woman, Mrs. Stowe, who stirred up a country by writing a book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. She was a preacher's kid, an abolitionist, mother of 7 children, went to Kentucky to visit a friend on a plantation and watched a slave auction. It changed her focus on life and it wrought up a nation.

In one week the book sold 10,000 copies and taught people how wrong slavery was. President Lincoln told her that the book started the war. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to be such a force of good. I wonder how often we see things and dismiss them because we think we have no power. Do I believe she was God-inspired! In a new york minute!

Another slight--9/15/10

Lucas Presson who works at the Southeast Missourian and used to work for me in the office, went out to lunch yesterday. He was writing an article about the bust of Warren going into the Famous Missourians rotunda in Jeff City and he wanted a quote from me. What else could I say? I know nothing about it and have heard nothing about it. I recoiled and said that I had worked with the sculptor while I was down there finding pictures and all this and sending it to him.

It still hurts that I was willing to give so much of my life and no one seems to remember to even tell me about the event. Another slight! I am used to them--at least my hide is getting much tougher--people slight others and then plead ignorance about common courtesy.

I stand by my statement in the paper today: "I am pleased that the bust of Warren Hearnes will be added to the Hall of Famous Missourians. He was devoted to the state and to the people. This is a wonderful way for him to be remembered, and I am most grateful to those people who made this vision a reality." And the people who went up there today are most ungrateful to the people who helped them the most at the time of his death and for months afterward."

Asi es la vida!

Courtesies to one's mother --9-14-10

It really doesn't matter what your mother looks like or whether she lives in Appalachia or Charleston, Missouri. She is still your mother and she thinks that her children should put her first in their lives, when the waning opportunities to do so so still come to the forefront of their lives.

It all came back so hard on me on Sunday. I remembered the words of my mother and the stinging telephone call I got from her (for which she paid--a rarity but I knew that she meant business.) The truth is I never truly understood that call until last Sunday.

I had been talking to my sister, Julia, who lived in the same town as my Mother and she wanted me to come home for something that was not related to family business. I said I would come--it was something for Mr. Moss's retirement from teaching--and I told her to call Mrs. Moss and tell her I would be there. I did not think another time about it. Thought I was being very efficient and all and that I could do this and see Mama and she would be thrilled that I was in Charleston. Wrong move. Perhaps right reason, or semi-right, convenient reason. Sinfully wrong order of arrangements.

My mother went to her church meeting and a couple of people mentioned that I was going to be there, including Julia who announced it to Mrs. Moss. When I picked up the phone that afternoon, I was spared no words from a mother who had been angered and hurt by a discussion about her child's planning that she had heard second-hand. She told me what happened and I said I was looking forward to seeing her. It did not dissuade her and it never, yet, hit me how I had screwed up. Mama said, "When you are coming to see me, I don't want to hear it from one of your sisters or have it announced in a public place and I am sitting there knowing nothing about it. You owe me the courtesy to let me know first what is going on in your life and I will do the sharing with your sisters and everyone else! I am your only mother!"

I partially understood. But I thought it was because she was somewhat housebound and liked to have some news to tell. I did not realize the trust I had misplaced or the respect that I had denied her in not allowing her to be first in my Charleston circle of trust. But, I never did this again. Not once. I called her first and allowed her to share what she wanted when she wanted with whom she wanted about HER child.

This week, a similar hurt was heaved on me when I learned, by happenstance, that my granddaughter was coming in to Cape for a week to take care of her second cousin (on my side) and would be staying there with the cousin. I felt the same way--hurt, bewildered, angry. I felt like saying to her the same thing: "You owe me the courtesy to let me know first what is going on in your life...I am the only grandmother you have in Cape Girardeau!" And whether I ever say it or not, I still feel the sting I know that my mother felt so long ago!

The Grownups/9/13/10

Went to the movie this afternoon with Joan, Julie and Jacob to see the Grown-Ups with Adam Sadler. Dumb as a stump movie but since we were the only 4 people in the movie, we laughed and laughed. Then went to Steak and Shake for dinner. Julie doesn't like this job either so she is quitting it. She will never find anything she likes. What she would like is for someone to send her a check to the house! That comes hard.

Annie is having gall bladder surgery tomorrow. I get home from movie and Jennie calls to say she will be out there all day with Annie--that should be a great time for all--and Bailey calls to say that she is driving up to take care of Annie. Deliver me from the drama of it all! Maybe Bailey will call me while she is here but if not, life goes on.

In the meantime, I will stay after my book, keep my mind on pressing forward, and stay out of the line of fire from "collateral damage". That is really what grownups do!

Joan and I were laughing at the ad on television about the mother wearing a lime green shirt that belonged to her teenage daughter and then lying about it. Joan said that where she was raised mothers were taught to tell the truth and not be portrayed as being on a teenage level. Not the case anymore.

I will watch the final episode of the season of "The Closer" and deal with all of the damage later. Or maybe not at all!

Intercessory Prayer (9-12-10)

Today is Sunday and since I am not going to church --actually I did not get up until 10:30 this morning--I am reading on intercessory prayer. What made me interested was a wonderful video I got on Facebook about two men on an island. I hope that it is saved on my site. Intercessory prayer is praying on behalf of other people. Every mother knows what it is even though the mother may not have a clue what the official name is. It's sitting around a hospital bed when your child is sick! Been there! It's being there when your child has her own baby! Been there! It's watching people die who have been part of your lives forever! Been there.

This morning, I read in the paper about the death of Bruce Nall. His wife, Suzy Jones, was in my Sunday School Class at lst Baptist when she was in college. Intercessory prayer for Suzy. It's talking on the phone about family problems and getting off the phone knowing that nothing can solve our problems but God and prayer! It's wondering if prayers still work since I have decided not to go to church anymore! All of us are called to be intercessors! We are to "Stand in the Gap" for those who are overwhelmed, too blessed, or selfish to the core.

I read today that prayer is the most potent force known to humanity. If I had the power to heal, would I not rush to use it! Am I throwing away power or does such a power exist? I wonder. I wonder. If there is a chance it works, should I not step in and use it?

Here I am with Liz trying to make some progress writing this book. Had I known what I was in for, I would not have tackled it but I am glad for my ignorance. Else, the book and the memories would be forgotten. I can't imagine having this monster ready by October 1. It grows like Topsy. If I wasnt so busy, I'd research what it means to grow like Topsy.

Going out to eat with Layne and Annie for lunch unless she is buying a car. My going out to eat is a definite second to that. When I was 16, I had never touched a car unless Jim gave me driving lessons and that was not what anyone would have wanted. Daddy never considered allowing a person to drive his car so there was no car to drive.

Right before my senior year in high school, Daddy sent Jim and me over to take Ramona Bird Berthe to get her eyes examined by Leo Bruce. On the way back, some guy ran into the back of us and we went to Missouri Delta for examination. They sent me home and told me to spend the weekend sleeping on plywood with 2 sheets over it. That was fun. And then I came to Dr. Otto and he put a brace on me to wear my senior year. That was fun, too. Daddy never considered me driving again, and I did not.

Friday, September 10, 2010

This was a big day for Layne Lawrence Finnegan -- my great niece. She turned 16 today, her grandmother Jennie brought her a car, and she got her driver's license. Took her test in my car since it is smaller and she came by to show me the license. It's amazing how much she looks like Annie in this picture.

I have been running all day. Liz was here to work. I went to lunch with Dr. Charles Wiles at Dalhousie and it was good. Ann Dombrowski, the owner, came out and we visited. Then Wayne Smith came over twice from the Hospital.

It's rained all day and I can feel it in my back. So I am doing nothing tonight but blogging and sitting on a heating pad. Louis Bock came by with his stuff for the book and I am literally swamped trying to keep up with all the updates.

Terry Jones, Koran Burner, Cape Girardeau's finest

Terry Jones, Cape Girardeau Class of 1969 along with Rush Limbaugh has added a new dimension to our fame. He is going to burn the Koran, was married to woman from Marble Hill and now he has a 30 member cult. How exciting!

Thursday, September 10, 2010

This has been a hilarious day. The Terry Jones who has made national news with plans to burn the Koran is from Cape Girardeau --and he and Russ Limbaugh were in the same class in Central High School ! It has not been on national news yet but it is hot here. Two major Cape exports designed to take the news to the world. You are kidding.

Debbie Bickings knew him. He wanted to ask her for a date. We have had a lot of laughs at this idiot-- only the media would give him such power!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

I got up this morning feeling like I was riding in this scooter with the snows coming at me on all sides. So I did what I thought I would do, I put on my rigging--old clothes, no makeup and sat down at the computer and did some damage. I only got up to go to bathroom and get something to eat. But I am outrunning them tonight! My back is broken and my brain is shot! But I am in good stead.

Someone sent me a Facebook today: "Your life is only as strong as your weakest commitment!"

I have pondered that. I think the author is half right. My life is strong much of the time but falls to pieces when things get too easy for me. I am committed to my pilgrimage of life and to those I care about. I am committed to this book of history which I have undertaken. I am committed to my friends--who never fail to care about me! I am still into life for the fight of it and spend little time regretting the decisions I made along the way. I was totally committed to my parents and they knew it. That knowledge is important to me.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Back at it after a holiday and that means that Liz is here hallelujah! I always feel that we are making so much more progress when there are two of us. I can get this all done by October 1 but it will take every thing I have to get it done! I do see the end in sighT!

Jim Stacy called and he and Laurie are going on a vacation to Canada for his birthday and I'm so glad for him. He works hard! He wants to be sure I send his birthday picture out so he is sending me one.

My new dryer is in and I am thrilled. I intend to do a week's laundry tonight and watching the Mentalist.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Going to the cave with friends: Judy Brown, Joan Gohn and Pat Robert. Judy was married to Dennis Ray Brown, from Charleston, Dennis Ray was in my class. Pat was married to Bob Howard (Howard's Athletic Goods) Mr. B. I . Howard was from Charleston also. That's ironic.

Working on book today--hurting my back and I have to stop for the day. Maybe next year I will actually do something with others for Labor Day but not this year!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

I read a quote from George Will this morning on Facebook. "It is extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is." And I agree with this statement. I think of people like Mama Cooper--what an extraordinary person she was! Wonderful cook, family cementer, painter, on and on I could go. I think of her coming in from the garden with fresh corn in her apron. She had shucked it on her way into the house--she would always say if your apron touched the ground, the corn would not be nearly as good. I have watched her kill chickens in the back yard and wring their necks--I admired that talent though I never tried to learn the skill. She would say such wonderful things from her days in the hills: "The successful mother is the one who can untie the apron strings", "It's better to marry the black sheep of a good family than the white sheep of a bad", on and on.

She was not overly impressed with people. Bill Stacy told her once that he had his Ph. D. And she said that that meant -- Push, haul and dump to her--he could get back to cleaning out her basement!

Ordinary people are truly extraordinary! I think of so many people who think of themselves as being ordinary but who don't even come close --I hope that my sisters --Velna and Julia--knew how extraordinary they were/are, so was Pearl Scully, Glenda Brock, Dr. Leo Bruce, Rex Lambert, Mattie Henry, Miss Mabel Roberts who made me love history forever, Warren Moss,

Martha Ann Keener and Bob Thomason. And of course, the man who taught me to walk, Mr. Bill Chron though I pronounced it "Fun". I have been most privileged to know them all.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Today in Jennie Kate Catherine Rusher Hope Murphy Steeley Elledge Cooper's birthday. She is 79 years old. She is my sister and made up this name for herself because she wanted to be an English baroness and knew they had to have queenly names. I, unfortunately, had to memorize it as did Rose Marie and call her the entire name. (They were all members of Daddy's church in Brinkley) Jennie was named for Jennie Catherine Rusher who owned the Rusher Hotel there. All she got out of it was a yellow chest of drawers to my knowledge.

I used this picture because it reminded me how often we went to outside church services and always had our backs to the congregation.

I went to Jennie's house this morning with a gift--a framed picture of her grandchildren at the wedding of Bailey's and harvest towel. Alan is coming in for her birthday and she said that Annie was going to visit her boyfriend in Alabama. Jennie is buying Layne a car so she is going somewhere to look for it. I may go to dinner with Allen and Jennie tonight if he gets here in time.

Have to do one more book review tonight. Max Lucada. One thing about it--you can read his books in one sitting. Harder to review them and find what is really important to the reader. You almost feel that he is turning too many out to make them truly relevant to anyone except the buyer.

Friday, Sept. 3, 2010

Pictures of Mark,Tina, Andrea and Bryan Stacy. I love these pictures. Tina sent the top one today. Been a busy day --went to visitation for Sharon Sterrett. Jack and I worked together at the University. Every time I go somewhere, people flock to say hello. Then Debbie and Iwent with Kim Talley out to Cracker Barrel for brunch. I came home and Liz came to work. We made tracks today. My back is about gone. Then Joan and I went to River Campus to book signing for Jerry Ford, then out to eat at Outback. I came home exhausted. I can't hold up to do what I used to do.

Ready for a long weekend. Not much on tap to do.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

I wrote out all the blog and then lost it. Maybe it is just as well since I am tired today and don't want to work on the book. I have to but I don't want too. Tomorrow I am taking off most of the day to do things--Sharon Sterrett's funeral, Going to see Wedel Nilsen, a donor, with Dr. Hobbs, head of Nursing and then going to River Campus tomorrow night for Jerry Ford's book signing.

Jim Cooper sent me a beautiful necklace from Russia so I need to plan my wardrobe so I can wear it tomorrow night. I called him to say thanks. What a wonderful gift.

I have to think about my progress today not how far I have to go yet! Liz will be here tomorrow so that will lift my load and my spirits. If there be any thing good, think on these things!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September 1 --coming in today. That makes me think of September birthdays. I immediately think of three: Jennie Cooper on Sept 4, Jim Stacy on September 15 and Mama Cooper on Sept. 29. I have my gift ready to take to Jennie on Saturday. Not much -- a card, a framed picture of Annie and her kids at Bailey's wedding reception and a Harvest kitchen towel. She will like all three of them. We just give simple gifts.

I have spent a good part of the day changing my order for a dryer. Liz ordered a gas dryer and I want electric. That is one bad thing about ordering over the website. But it is so much better. I'm not one who looks over all the merchandise. A dryer is a dryer. And it's a whirlpool. I've never had gas appliances and I don't want to start now.

I am trying to do five typed interviews a day and I have two books to review before Sept. 10 so I need to keep my nose to the grindstone. Since my dryer won't be here until the 9th, I won't need any clean clothes that way, anyway. I called Jim Cooper last night to give him the news about Leah, Adam's wife --She has four roles in the Pittsburgh Opera Company and has been chosen to be the "protegee" for Renee Fleming when she comes in to do a Master Class. I will learn how to put web pictures on my blog and will do hers, but not until Liz helps me. I bought the book "Blogging for Dummies" but it is still too complicated for me.