We have had the most wonderful Thanksgiving this year. I cannot imagine how it could have been better.
LEAVES. Since we don’t travel anywhere for Thanksgiving I usually approach the holiday with two things on my todo list: leaves and Christmas decorations. The leaves are always contingent on the weather and the weather was perfect for working out in the yard on Wednesday and Thursday.
The boys and I met with Kenny, Andrew, and Wil on Wednesday morning to tackle the leaves on Mom’s yard. Between the six of us, my mower, Kenny’s tractor, and three leaf blowers we had the yard pretty clear within just a few hours. Kenny shoved the leaves that I didn’t chop behind the shed, and the pile, which also includes sticks, is about the size of my truck. Mom’s trees aren’t done dropping their leaves, so I’ll have to clean the yard off again, but at least they won’t be so deep.
That afternoon the boys and I took a couple of hours to chop up the leaves in our yard.
THANKSGIVING DINNER. Vicki and I had originally discussed taking a day trip and eating out for Thanksgiving, but Jenna said she wanted to help Vicki cook Thanksgiving dinner so we wound up staying home.
Our Dynamic Duo hit the kitchen Wednesday evening for some early prep and resumed their work Thursday morning. They whipped up an excellent meal. We stuck with our traditional menu: ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, squash dressing, deviled eggs, rolls, and carrot cake. Mom came over about mid afternoon and we dug in.
After dinner we talked, played games (poor Mom was clueless at Clue), and talked to the Cotter clan via FaceTime.
WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WOMAN? As I mentioned above, one of the items on our to do list for Thanksgiving is decorating for Christmas. At some point along this process Vicki, Jenna, and I were taking a break in the living room. Vicki usually puts a nativity set above the TV and then adds lighted garland around it and the mantle above the fireplace. We use an extension cord with an in-line foot switch to get power to these lights. Vicki had not connected all this and decided to assign the job to me and Jenna but she was having a hard time putting her request into words, so in typical Vicki fashion she said, “When we get up I want you to get the ‘click-click’ and hook it up so I can ‘click-click’ and it all come on.”
Now, to really get the effect here you need to make clicking sounds for “click-click” so that it sounds like you are telling your horse to “giddy-up.” And keep in mind too, that she just blurted this out with no context for us to go on. That’s what we heard which made us both look at her and wonder what in the world she was talking about.
I used to think I will run out of cute quotations to record here as the kids got older. I no longer fear for running out of material because a new source is emerging.
THE STOWAWAY. We’re up to two and a half cats here at our house (Miss Cat counts as a half cat as she only checks in weekly). Our second cat used to be one of Mom’s kittens (the black and white one) but became ours when he stowed away in the bed of my truck the other day. Jenna had spent the night with Mom Friday night and the cat came home with us Saturday morning when I brought Jenna home. We’ve named him Tagalong.
We barely noticed Tagalong when we got here. Upon his arrival he hopped out of the truck as if he owned the place and commenced exploring every corner of the yard and every building therein. It didn’t take long for he and Dusty to meet and by the end of the day they seemed to be on friendly terms.
Ben would love it if we would allow the cats inside. Alas, the rest of us are allergic so I leave the basement door cracked open so they’ll have a warm place to go. Our allergies do not stop Ben from bringing a cat in for a quick visit, and when we see this Ben is quick to say, “What cat? You don’t see a cat in my arms. There’s no cat here.”
Speaking of Tagalong, he’s the cat that was really bad about trying to get into the house when he was at Mom’s. He had spotted the stuffed lions on the living room floor through the sliding glass door and always made a beeline to rub up against his indoor cousins. The boys spent Thursday night with Mom, and Nate pulled a little trick on poor Tagalong when I picked them up Friday morning. He moved the stuffed lions right next to the sliding glass door and as we left Tagalong was on the outside rubbing the glass to get to his friends.
At any rate, Dusty has a playmate now and Mom has one less cat to trip her up when she goes outside.
Joe
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Eras at an End
I love fall mornings when Jack Frost has visited and the landscape has been painted with touches of ice. I was telling the kids about all the interesting patterns I saw on frost coated windows when I was a kid. Double-paned windows have robbed them of that experience (not that I would trade them for the old drafty ones).
MRS. KRANTZ. A few days after I wrote last I got an email telling me that Mrs. Mildred Krantz had passed away. You may recall that Vicki and I went to Mr. Krantz' funeral back in the spring. We were unable to make it to her funeral but did visit the Krantz family back on the 6th.
I know this is bittersweet for them as Mrs. Krantz was such a fine lady. Whenever I was around her she simply exuded love. Both of them did. I thinks I've said this before, but I got the opportunity to watch this in action at the 73rd Bomb Wing reunions as they would simply meet people where they were and offer their friendship. I watched them both place great value on every person they met. It was a quality and a skill that I want to capture. They leave such a strong legacy.
Another thing that always struck me about Mrs. Krantz (and Mr. Krantz as well) was her trust in God. It was strong, unwavering, and overflowing. You came away feeling spiritually topped off after seeing her.
A generation is now gone for the Krantz family. I understand where their daughter, Cathy, is coming from when she said to me that it feels like the end of an era. Mr. and Mrs. Krantz leave big shoes to fill. Their family has also had a couple other deaths making this year a most difficult one for them. Please keep them in your prayers.
SPEAKING OF ERAS ENDING. This item is not on the same level as the passing of Mrs. Krantz, but I do want to note it here. Mom noticed in the paper that the Nashville Sash and Door Company has closed it's doors. I am not surprised as I have missed seeing their yellow trucks making deliveries the last few years.
I mention this because Nashville Sash is one of three places where Mom worked long-term in her career. She was employed there from the late 40s through the early 60s. At that time they were located on Second Avenue in downtown Nashville where the Spaghetti Factory is currently located, and I remember visiting when I was a boy and getting to see where they made all the windows and doors. The freight elevator really sticks out in my mind because neither the shaft nor the car had solid walls so you could see all around as you traveled up and down. This ride brought home the fact that you needed to keep arms and legs inside the car when it was moving.
Mom has regaled us with many stories over the years of working there in Nashville. Her tales cover things happening in the office to quick shopping trips over her lunch hour and of course, all the good places to eat and the desserts they served.
The owners of Nashville Sash were very good to Mom. They let her have a month off back in the 50s to go to Europe to visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda when Uncle Bob was stationed on France. (This was a rarity as people just didn't get a month off for a vacation back then.) They also offered Mom her old job back at double the salary after Dad passed away. She was grateful but declined so she could stay home with me.
FITTING IN SOME ENTERTAINMENT. Last weekend Vicki and Jenna went to see Phillips, Craig, and Dean in concert. They both said it was very good. While they were there the boys and I went to see Wreck It Ralph which is a cute flick. We recommend it. Then last night Vicki and I went to see Skyfall, the latest 007 installment. Being Bond fans we enjoyed this one as well.
You want cheap entertainment? Get a laser pointer and a kitten (I'm sure a puppy would do just as well). This is better than anything on TV! Okay, I know this is nothing new, but we’ve never had a cat and a laser pointer at the same time.
Speaking of cats, Dusty does something I would never have dreamed of. He perches atop the handrail of our back steps in the mornings waiting for someone to come out and get the paper and hopefully feed him (he's never disappointed). It's a great place for a cat to sit and look for movement inside.
Joe
MRS. KRANTZ. A few days after I wrote last I got an email telling me that Mrs. Mildred Krantz had passed away. You may recall that Vicki and I went to Mr. Krantz' funeral back in the spring. We were unable to make it to her funeral but did visit the Krantz family back on the 6th.
I know this is bittersweet for them as Mrs. Krantz was such a fine lady. Whenever I was around her she simply exuded love. Both of them did. I thinks I've said this before, but I got the opportunity to watch this in action at the 73rd Bomb Wing reunions as they would simply meet people where they were and offer their friendship. I watched them both place great value on every person they met. It was a quality and a skill that I want to capture. They leave such a strong legacy.
Another thing that always struck me about Mrs. Krantz (and Mr. Krantz as well) was her trust in God. It was strong, unwavering, and overflowing. You came away feeling spiritually topped off after seeing her.
A generation is now gone for the Krantz family. I understand where their daughter, Cathy, is coming from when she said to me that it feels like the end of an era. Mr. and Mrs. Krantz leave big shoes to fill. Their family has also had a couple other deaths making this year a most difficult one for them. Please keep them in your prayers.
SPEAKING OF ERAS ENDING. This item is not on the same level as the passing of Mrs. Krantz, but I do want to note it here. Mom noticed in the paper that the Nashville Sash and Door Company has closed it's doors. I am not surprised as I have missed seeing their yellow trucks making deliveries the last few years.
I mention this because Nashville Sash is one of three places where Mom worked long-term in her career. She was employed there from the late 40s through the early 60s. At that time they were located on Second Avenue in downtown Nashville where the Spaghetti Factory is currently located, and I remember visiting when I was a boy and getting to see where they made all the windows and doors. The freight elevator really sticks out in my mind because neither the shaft nor the car had solid walls so you could see all around as you traveled up and down. This ride brought home the fact that you needed to keep arms and legs inside the car when it was moving.
Mom has regaled us with many stories over the years of working there in Nashville. Her tales cover things happening in the office to quick shopping trips over her lunch hour and of course, all the good places to eat and the desserts they served.
The owners of Nashville Sash were very good to Mom. They let her have a month off back in the 50s to go to Europe to visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda when Uncle Bob was stationed on France. (This was a rarity as people just didn't get a month off for a vacation back then.) They also offered Mom her old job back at double the salary after Dad passed away. She was grateful but declined so she could stay home with me.
FITTING IN SOME ENTERTAINMENT. Last weekend Vicki and Jenna went to see Phillips, Craig, and Dean in concert. They both said it was very good. While they were there the boys and I went to see Wreck It Ralph which is a cute flick. We recommend it. Then last night Vicki and I went to see Skyfall, the latest 007 installment. Being Bond fans we enjoyed this one as well.
You want cheap entertainment? Get a laser pointer and a kitten (I'm sure a puppy would do just as well). This is better than anything on TV! Okay, I know this is nothing new, but we’ve never had a cat and a laser pointer at the same time.
Speaking of cats, Dusty does something I would never have dreamed of. He perches atop the handrail of our back steps in the mornings waiting for someone to come out and get the paper and hopefully feed him (he's never disappointed). It's a great place for a cat to sit and look for movement inside.
Joe
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Falling Leaves
How did it get to be November already? Did I completely miss October? They say time flies when you're having fun. We must be having a blast.
HIGH SCHOOL AND FRIENDS. You know how it is when you run across someone you used to see on a regular basis but no longer do, you tend to catch up by asking, among other things, about their kids. The common response this year when I tell people that Jenna is a freshman is, "Oh, how is she liking high school?"
I am really pleased to say that high school seems to be a great fit for Jenna. I think there are several reasons for that. First, she's mature enough to be ready for the challenge and she is doing well. Second, Jenna is very sure of who she is and is comfortable with that so to that end I'm watching her really grow. And lastly, Jenna has some wonderful close friends.
I've mentioned one of Jenna's friends, Mackenzie, for several years now. As a matter of fact, Jenna was over at Mackenzie's house last night. (They've also been to all the home football games together.) They are truly kindred spirits. They keep each other in line, each helping the other stretch and grow while living up to high standards. I'm so glad Jenna has Mackenzie and others like her to hang out with because it is no fun doing high school alone.
Of course, the added bonus for me is that I get to work the algebra problems that hang her up. Yes, I'm weird, but that's my entertainment most evenings.
CAMPING. Ben and I have learned that we are no equipped for camping out in 40° weather. We went to the Fall Camporee last weekend and got pretty chilly the first night. Fortunately the camporee was in the immediate area. I stayed until supper the second night. After the meal was over I handed Ben my sleeping bag before leaving. When he asked what I was doing I said, "I'm wimping out. You put your sleeping bag down inside of mine and we'll both be warm tonight."
The Fall Camporee had a cool competition for all the troops in the district to compete in. Each troop was to use raw materials to construct a car. The wheels could be made of finished wood and the pivot for the steering could be made of metal, but the rest the car had to be made from wood poles that were lashed together. Once the cars were built the troops raced them (fours boys pushed each car) and also had to make pit stops at various stations that tested their skills. It made for an interesting afternoon. Vicki, Jenna, and Nate dropped by and enjoyed watching the activities.
Speaking of camping, Ben also made the previous campout which was the weekend Aunt Mar passed away. The troop went to Fort Donelson that weekend and participated in a merit badge university at Austin Peay where Ben completed all that was required for the Engineering badge.
What I thought was neat was that the following weekend Ben was channel surfing and stopped on a local PBS documentary featuring Fort Donelson and its role in the Civil War. Ben was very excited when he came to tell me about it: "Dad, they were showing Fort Donelson on TV and I was standing right there by the cannons last weekend!"
BIRTHDAY SLEEPOVER. Nate was invited to a friend's house for a birthday sleepover last weekend. What was so fun for him was that he won at bowling. He came home really excited about that.
TRUNK OR TREAT. Mt. Carmel had it's sixth annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween. It was a lot of fun, and the event is getting bigger every year. We have several of our members who simply open their trunks and pass out candy, and most of these wear a costume, but we also have several families who go all out. Kenny and his larger family were all circus characters. (Kenny dressed in drag and manned the kissing booth.) Another group got together, brought in a boat (renamed the S. S. Minnow) and dressed as the castaways of Gilligan's Island. And yet another family set up a pumpkin patch on a large flatbed trailer and dressed as Peanuts characters waiting on the Great Pumpkin.
Then there was the food. Last year we ran out. We may have run out of chili this year, but not the hot dogs.
New this year were the games. I think the only game that wasn't a hit was the miniature golf. The rest were table style activities and were enjoyed by all. Also new was the live music. Some of the guys who play in our church band have a band with friends at Cross Plains Methodist and they played during all the festivities. I heard of a few little girls who were having so much fun dancing to the music that they didn't care about trick or treating around the parking lot.
Oh, you are probably wondering how our family dressed for the event. We were Christmas elves, complete with Christmas tree by our van. Yes, two holidays early, but we were warm which was important that night.
When I first heard "elves" I told Vicki I wanted to look like Legolas from Lord of the Rings, but that didn't fly. Actually, I got so busy running errands during the event I didn't get the chance to go put my costume on until right at the end when we took family pictures. Our Halloween costumes may be our Christmas card picture this year.
Joe
HIGH SCHOOL AND FRIENDS. You know how it is when you run across someone you used to see on a regular basis but no longer do, you tend to catch up by asking, among other things, about their kids. The common response this year when I tell people that Jenna is a freshman is, "Oh, how is she liking high school?"
I am really pleased to say that high school seems to be a great fit for Jenna. I think there are several reasons for that. First, she's mature enough to be ready for the challenge and she is doing well. Second, Jenna is very sure of who she is and is comfortable with that so to that end I'm watching her really grow. And lastly, Jenna has some wonderful close friends.
I've mentioned one of Jenna's friends, Mackenzie, for several years now. As a matter of fact, Jenna was over at Mackenzie's house last night. (They've also been to all the home football games together.) They are truly kindred spirits. They keep each other in line, each helping the other stretch and grow while living up to high standards. I'm so glad Jenna has Mackenzie and others like her to hang out with because it is no fun doing high school alone.
Of course, the added bonus for me is that I get to work the algebra problems that hang her up. Yes, I'm weird, but that's my entertainment most evenings.
CAMPING. Ben and I have learned that we are no equipped for camping out in 40° weather. We went to the Fall Camporee last weekend and got pretty chilly the first night. Fortunately the camporee was in the immediate area. I stayed until supper the second night. After the meal was over I handed Ben my sleeping bag before leaving. When he asked what I was doing I said, "I'm wimping out. You put your sleeping bag down inside of mine and we'll both be warm tonight."
The Fall Camporee had a cool competition for all the troops in the district to compete in. Each troop was to use raw materials to construct a car. The wheels could be made of finished wood and the pivot for the steering could be made of metal, but the rest the car had to be made from wood poles that were lashed together. Once the cars were built the troops raced them (fours boys pushed each car) and also had to make pit stops at various stations that tested their skills. It made for an interesting afternoon. Vicki, Jenna, and Nate dropped by and enjoyed watching the activities.
Speaking of camping, Ben also made the previous campout which was the weekend Aunt Mar passed away. The troop went to Fort Donelson that weekend and participated in a merit badge university at Austin Peay where Ben completed all that was required for the Engineering badge.
What I thought was neat was that the following weekend Ben was channel surfing and stopped on a local PBS documentary featuring Fort Donelson and its role in the Civil War. Ben was very excited when he came to tell me about it: "Dad, they were showing Fort Donelson on TV and I was standing right there by the cannons last weekend!"
BIRTHDAY SLEEPOVER. Nate was invited to a friend's house for a birthday sleepover last weekend. What was so fun for him was that he won at bowling. He came home really excited about that.
TRUNK OR TREAT. Mt. Carmel had it's sixth annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween. It was a lot of fun, and the event is getting bigger every year. We have several of our members who simply open their trunks and pass out candy, and most of these wear a costume, but we also have several families who go all out. Kenny and his larger family were all circus characters. (Kenny dressed in drag and manned the kissing booth.) Another group got together, brought in a boat (renamed the S. S. Minnow) and dressed as the castaways of Gilligan's Island. And yet another family set up a pumpkin patch on a large flatbed trailer and dressed as Peanuts characters waiting on the Great Pumpkin.
Then there was the food. Last year we ran out. We may have run out of chili this year, but not the hot dogs.
New this year were the games. I think the only game that wasn't a hit was the miniature golf. The rest were table style activities and were enjoyed by all. Also new was the live music. Some of the guys who play in our church band have a band with friends at Cross Plains Methodist and they played during all the festivities. I heard of a few little girls who were having so much fun dancing to the music that they didn't care about trick or treating around the parking lot.
Oh, you are probably wondering how our family dressed for the event. We were Christmas elves, complete with Christmas tree by our van. Yes, two holidays early, but we were warm which was important that night.
When I first heard "elves" I told Vicki I wanted to look like Legolas from Lord of the Rings, but that didn't fly. Actually, I got so busy running errands during the event I didn't get the chance to go put my costume on until right at the end when we took family pictures. Our Halloween costumes may be our Christmas card picture this year.
Joe
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