Snow is pouring down today!

Great! Snow day. Another new attitude. I used to get up and wonder how I could ever get to work. Now I get up and think --Lucky me! I don't care whether others can get up my hill or not. Suits me fine. So I turned on the fireplace, made coffee and went to my HG-TV for a long while. Yesterday Liz and I went to grocery store, gassed up the car, and I went to K-mart so I would be supplied well with food. I even got salt for the driveway but since it is still pouring down, I will not open it as yet.

I have my list made of stuff to do today. Far be it from me to sit here all day and veg out. If I do, I want to feel guilty about it. I am reading other blogs today also from people.

I will do some cooking -- Tom Harte has a new feature about cooking to lose weight and I am doing that--shrimp and grits today. I have all the ingredients. I finished the book, the Shell Seekers, last night at midnight and then could not sleep. I can't believe that I thought the Hallmark adaptation was good -- it paled in comparison to the book. Learning and reading are such wonderful commodities. I used to watch Daddy put his feet (socked) on the radiator in their bedroom during winter nights and watch him read--Life of Lincoln by Carl Sandburg. What a brain he had and a heart! Lucky me to have him in my life --even for such a short time. He alone made me know that I was something special--and that is masterful for any child.

Teen Challenge pick up

Today, I called Teen Challenge and asked them if they would pick up the six chairs I used to have in my dining room. Here they came with a truck and they did it. The man in charge of them came with them and he watched carefully over them. The four guys got out of the truck and began to lift the chairs in and they took my old trash can also. I was surprised how handsome they were--they could have been students, ad salesmen, the world was out there for them. But somewhere along the way, they met a demon that overtook them and they now are trying to get away from addictions.

It is not easy. I think of Greg and Lynn and Autry and all the rest of the family who have met these demons....these are named; some are not. The demon of wanting everything you want without counting the cost has a price, if not a name. I shall pray for these young guys, if not by name, then by the choices they are facing every day. I wish them inordinate strength to deal with their demons and I hope they find something to hold on to moment by moment.

I went out to the truck and wished them the best for the day. I hope that they understood my message. They have to have God to hold on to, moment by moment. I learned that in going through my divorce--sometimes I forget that lesson when all is going okay.

Waiting to hear about the appointment?

I started off today with two early phone calls -- first Greg Brune called me to ask if I had heard anything and five seconds later, Senator Jason Crowell called and asked me the same thing. Jason wanted me to make a call --and I did --to Al Sullivan who emailed me that he would check it out with his sources.

Just waiting. They have to name someone. In my opionion, it might as well be me.

Gloria came today to work. I am trying to get rid of stuff every day. Even called Teen Challenge to see if they would come get my old dining room chairs and then I will clean garage. Layne will be here at 4:00 to help set up my office upstairs. Hope she gets here but she has to take her sister to the doctor.

I keep myself rather busy -- doing things I never thought about while I was working. That's the point of retirement.

Funeral of Martha Bray

I went to the visitation and funeral service for Martha Bray today. I stayed for both and Annie came and joined me for the service. John Bierk also came for funeral and sat with us. It was good to see Alton and the children, Ellen, Mary and Jeff. Jeff did the eulogy and it was so funny--he had just had hip surgery and he was limping but he did it well.

I was happy to see all the church people from lst Baptist and to know that they were alive. Bob Reeves told me I changed Brian's life when he worked with me. It was nice to visit with everyone. Then Annie and I went to My Daddy's Cheesecake and ate lunch. We went to Coldwater Creek and I bought each of us a new outfit. Annie needs some new clothes since she is starting a new job. Liz is coming today so I am getting stuff done.

Rain is here. Sit by the fire and read for the rest of the day.

Sunday morning and I'm not energetic

I need to do all kinds of things today but I would rather sit here and work the crossword puzzle and drink coffee. My big accomplishment yesterday was that Jordan and I fixed the kitchen sink by ourselves and did not have to call a plumber and with my bills for that sink, that is a major accomplishment. The last time the plumber was here, I made him show me why I had to spend $60 service call visit for him to work 2 minutes. It worked.

I have this thing called I don't listen at the time someone tells me something if I don't think it will ever be of benefit. I am trying to do better. Today I plan to read, clean some, and do as little as possible. I have no appointments and I have a book to read and review. I am also reading The Shellseekers and it is hard to put down. I watched 2 Hallmark Hall of Fame shows yesterday and I would only work during the commercials. One was with Jack Lemmon and it was good and I never did know who was in the second. Retirement is wonderful in that when you have television and books and a computer, you have information and entertainment intact.

I am an information junkie. I used to read World Books from "kiver to kiver." This is so much easier.

Meals, more meals....etc

Today I went to lunch with Dean Loretta Prater, Dean of health and human services at the University. She was down-hearted. Her son, was shot down in Chattanooga a few years ago in January and she takes January hard. She is ready to retire, tired of this place. People kept coming up to me --Doc and his son, Cliff, wanted to know about the Regent's position and then David Erlbacher.

Then I came home and John Bierk called and we went out to supper at Panera's with Bill Prost. I got a bread bowl filled with tomato soup and was it good.

I love to have meals with friends and laugh and enjoy. It keeps me going and makes me feel real.

Building a family -birthday by birthday

Last night for the second time in two weeks, we went to Pasta House for Greg Lowry's birthday. Layne had said that she and Jordan were trying to pool their money to take him out to eat. I said I would pay for it, and they could get him a present. So the 7 of us went--Greg, Jordan, Sam, Annie, Layne, Holly and me. And we began to build a family together.

Greg was 52 and in bad health. His long-time view is very clouded so we must use every minute to help him feel good about himself. Layne even made him a cake and took him to get a hair cut. He has never been much of a father to her; but she is taking care of him well.

I don't know how some kids feel empathy and others don't. But Jordan and Layne both do.

Lunch, Dinner, do nothing the rest of the day!

Went to lunch with Michelle Brune today and visited with her, then am going out to dinner with Layne for Greg's birthday so that gave me an excuse to sleep in and do nothing but watch television the rest of the day. I need to do so much but I can't find the energy on these slow, snow days. I guess that is the fun of retirement.

I love television and I love Google and I love my new I-phone. So I have plenty to wile away my time. And I will continue to do so.

Swiss steak, shades of Mama Cooper

Today, I fixed a big pot of Swiss steak and was it ever good! I chopped up potatoes and baby carrots and thickened the gravy like she used to do. I called Layne and she came over to eat and then took the rest to Greg Lowry and Annie. I also made a pan of Mexican cornbread to go with it. It was a feast!

Picture of Mark and his family sent recently.

Snow didn't amount to much and tonight Joan and I went out to Logan's for dinner. Our dinner is $10 each so that is good. Cold as kraut outside. Back to the television.

Another week -- of snow and cold!

Liz came this morning and I had very little for her to do --I am trying to keep up with stuff around the house and I feel that I am getting into the groove of things. I have always taken care of work first and then house, when and If I had time. New times, now.

Terrible shooting in Tucson. What a world we live in!

A dreary Monday with snow being forecast for the area. I am trying to get hold of Mark to find out how bad they were hit.

Weekend Wanderings

Joe Preston was there also. He was professor of history when I came here to college as a freshman and was so good also. (He is the one on the right.)

Harold Dugger was my favorite professor of history. What a remarkable person!

This has been a busy weekend. On Saturday, I cleaned closets and Greg and Jordan came to fix the faucets on the tub at the top of the stairs. I told Greg that I wanted to replace my light fixture in the hallway downstairs. He said if I would go pick it out, he would come back and put it in. Annie and I went to Lowes, then shopped and they came back and put the fixture in.

Today I went to Irene Dugger's memorial service (widow of Dr. Harold Dugger) at Westminster Presby. It was nice to see the old faculty -- George Suggs, Frank Nickell, Dolly Jewell and Charles Sharp all spoke.

Annie has a job! Yeah!

Annie, Sam (Layne's boyfriend) and Layne at birthday party this week. Went out to eat at lunch on Friday with Cindy Gannon, women's PE/asst. ath. director, and learned more about what was going on at the University. It is close to pitifully poor. Thank God for the winning football team or fund-raising for athletics would be in the pot.

The big news around here is that Annie Finnegan got the job she wanted! She was offered it yesterday and will let them know today. We went to Mexican place last night to celebrate. This will be such a relief to her --medical and dental benefits. Layne came and cleaned out my closets yesterday--she is miss organized. Straightened my jewelry which was scattered everywhere. I am on a get rid of stuff clique.

13th Birthday of Holly Cooper Finnegan

Attending were Annie Finnegan, me, Holly, her friend Mattie, Layne Finnegan and

her boyfriend, Sam, Greg Lowry, Jordan Lowry. Holly got jewelry, jewelry case and a new coat. As you can see, Jordan is recovered from his hernia (he is standing next to his dad.) Layne is the blonde on the end. I am the fat one in the middle.

We had a great time at the birthday party for Holly last night at Pasta House, her choice of restaurant. Just a few pictures of the party.

Gossip, and more gossip

Gossip is good. Daddy used to say that he would enjoy gossipping if it wasn't so hurtful to someone. Morley Swingle, our prosecuting attorney, is in a world of hurt for combining a case with falling in love with the girl (age 28) plus the girl u-tubing her declaration of love for the world to see. Yikes! The people are talking like mad--on the internet and on Topix.

I must focus today because Debbie has been here to do hair, I am going to lunch with Sam Duncan at noon and then I am hosting a birthday party for Layne tonight at Pasta House. Jennie got a good report from the doctor and that is a blessing.

I am still learning my i-phone and it is an information agent. I can see me getting hooked on this one. Joan and I went out to eat last night and she said she played bridge yesterday with Terry Crowell, Jason's mother and that I was a "shoo in" to get the Regent's position and that Jason made the final decision. We will see about this. I appreciated Terry sticking up for me about being the best choice for the position.

In the meantime, I will focus on getting my list accomplished.

Crammed a lot into the day.

I think sometimes that I don't get enough done but then I sit down and think about what I have accomplished in one day. Liz came today and I had her list made out; we went to take clothes to Reruns and picked up a check, then we ran by Dollar General and picked up draino for the clogged drains, went to bank to deposit checks, picked up lunch and went to AT&T to pick up a new I phone for me. Since Liz knows all about it, she got the one like hers and spent the next few hours setting mine up with all the apps. It is great. I will have a good time using this. When we got back, she took my recycling out, fixed by I=pod for me to listen to and sent by book review blog to Thomas Nelson. That is quite a bit for a day and now I am set to go out to eat with Joan tonight.

I also talked on the phone with Michele Brune and Sam Duncan who called and we set up a time to go to eat. I am beginning to get into the swing of things. It feels good. I will love the new phone. Decided it was way past time to do this.

Working with books

Last night I started working on projects I want to complete this year. The main one is my book of history for the University. Emailed Dr. Nickell and he sent back that he was working on it and I needed to sign the contract which I will do today. He said it should be finished by Spring-summer. I am guessing summer. I want it done by Homecoming so we can have big sales.

I finished the Benson review on prayer last night and am mailing it in. This is the 13th book I have reviewed by Thomas Nelson. I'm always glad when I get it done and send it in.

This is a day that is not crammed full for me. Liz is coming to work today and I have all her list ready. Want to also review my resolutions and block them into my calendar and then start on my taxes getting them ready. And clean a closet. It is resolution time!

I'm getting better on blogging

Liz was here today and gave me some more lessons. I love for her to come. I can make out a list, choose to ride along and we can talk. She just came back from Ashley Story's wedding in Naples to Adam Gary whose father sold his computer business to Ted Turner, when he was 24 years old. Now Mr. Gary is a billionaire and the reception was out of sight. The reception cost l.4 million along with the wedding and the band was $35,000. She and her mother had a wonderful time. I saw the pictures.



We went to Macy's for makeup and underwear and an electric can opener, stopped by Schnucks for some things I had forgotten on Sunday, got a coke and came home for the blogging lesson. She is coming back tomorrow. Mental health dictates that one be curious and I certainly am.



Since Gloria could not come today to clean, Liz also ran the sweeper in my downstairs. I can hardly do that anymore. I hope that I never have to go thru a three week ordeal with my back that I did Thanksgiving. My next big project is to clean out my office upstairs. Not too lofty a goal but a goal and that is important.

Apologies come easily to those who don't feel any hurt1

Last night I got an email of apology from Lisa Warren. She said she didn't dream that I would be upset or that anyone else would be. Not true, I thought immediately --not only did she dream that I might be upset but she told my best friend that she wasn't going to tell me for that reason. So exactly why did she put it on FB! I have no idea. It doesn't matter why. It does matter that she did it for any reason.

I have not acknowledged the apology. You should get some points for any apology but those words or so easy to say. It was no hurt to her--Bill Stacy did not tear up a lifetime of her work, and effort. She never went without enough food so that he could have everything he wanted--golf membership when he was in grad school. She is not the one who has put up with 20 years of people coming up to tell me that they had run into him....knowing that I have been thru a living hell. He never aimed any lies at her or tried to ruin her in any way. She did not bear and rear his children. It is so easy to forgive and forget if you really don't have anything to forgive and if his only crimes have been against another person in your family. My mother sure never forgave him until the day of her death. She did hope that she never ran into him or that he never would darken her door...because she would not receive him, and she told me that on a number of occasions. I don't know what to say to her after her easy apology because she does't seem to realize what pain she caused. I wish the pain were as easy as her apology.

So I press on as I have for 20 years picking up the shattered pieces of my life. God always provides for me. Greg Brune, my friend of many years, called me before all of this happened yesterday afternoon, and he said he'd pick me up for the Coaches luncheon. I went out and visited with pals who would not dare to mention the name of Bill Stacy if he were standing in their midst and felt the safety of the situation. I enjoyed the visit, threw back my head and laughed, met the new basketball coach and took part in the radio show. The only thing that was on their mind was politics, the possibility of my being appointed to the Regent's position, divorces--Brad Bedell, Morley Swingle, what gossip. Margaret Ford and Jerry came in--she has cancer of the bladder and will have an operation in January. So, I put all the Lisa business on hold --and go on with what is good in my life.

Living with good news and bad news and coping with both.

I used to love to recite "If" by Rudyard Kipling. I had a framed copy in my childhood bedroom and I memorized everything. But one line, kept me interested, "If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat these two imposters just the same." These words have proved to be so true in my life. As I have been thinking about resolutions for the new year, and what I needed to do, I have had a surge of good and bad news. I am coping with both.

On Friday I went out to lunch with Debbie Bickings and Bev Hickam and we ate and then went to Bev's to exchange presents. I could not help but say a prayer of thanks for these two who have been at my side for so many years --good times and bad times.

Then last night I talked to Harriett Goodin Small for an hour and we talked about so much bad news--Rosalie is so sick; so is Margie Jones and Carolyn Howlett--people who have been in my lives so long. Harriett told me that Lisa Warren had come to the store and told her about Lisa, Jamee and Joker running into Bill Stacy in Cape on Wednesday and Lisa told Harriett that she wasn't going to tell me because she thought I would be bothered by it. I laughed, without laughing, and told Harriett that Lisa had smeared the whole incident on FB (which she knew I was on). This is hard to believe that anyone would do this for any reason except to hurt me--even Mark Stacy says there is no other reason.



Things like this get you when they come from one's kinsmen. In spite of all the worry and suffering one has in this life, there are many things that should not have to be suffered. Sometimes they cause the biggest emotional problems in one's suffering! Why would one member of a family deliberately cause inner turmoil for another? Turn the other cheek, the Scripture says, but how does a person learn to do this without being wounded! I think often that churches and families are known for feeling that it is their duty to shoot their wounded!

The Works of Annie Dillard

I like her works. Just came to know about her but did find out she won the Pulitzer in 1975 and she wrote well--well, most of the time. I like her quote and used it in FB "There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by!" This speaks volumes to me. I read her quotes on the web. Provocative. Robert Benson adds another quote which put me on to her in the first place: "How we spend our days is how we spend our lives. What we are doing with this hour and with that one is what we are doing."

We need people who inspire us in our lives. If I had to make a list of the top 5 people who have inspired me, it would be simple --First and second would be Daddy and Mama Cooper, 3rd would be Warren Hearnes; fourth would be Dr. Mark Scully and fifth would be a tie between forty other people. I have been lucky to have such people in my life.

Two people, in different settings, told me this week that I had been a major role in their lives and thanked me for it: Joan Gohn and Debbie Bickings. That was a wonderful Christmas present to get --the most wonderful.

It will inspire me to search for the good life.