RESPECT

What a powerful word isn't it?  What does it mean to you?  Something like "Respect is what I deserve.  Respect is what I should have."  Well, if that is what you are thinking, you are half right.  It IS what you should have, but with what cost?  Are you GIVING others respect?  Are you being courteous to others?  How are you acting when outside the home?  Rude behavior does not demand respect.  As a matter of fact, it almost requires that you NOT get respect.  Does that make sense?  It is a difficult question isn't it?  Think of it like this:  You are out and about.  Walking down the sidewalk, not necessarily paying attention to your surroundings because you are talking on your smart phone and both your hands are full with your stuff just bought at a store.  Your talking loud because you are talking over traffic noise and other pedestrians are having to dodge out of your way as your phone is cradled between your raised shoulder and your cocked head to hold it in place...and is trying to slip out.   You are not paying any attention to your surroundings.  IF you were to step back and see yourself, what would YOU think?  That is just one possibility.  There are others on how you talk to people...tone of voice, sarcastic smirk on your face, bullying attitude, inconsiderate disposition.  Would YOU respect someone with any of the above?  I should hope not, but that is because I was raised to RESPECT others, their opinions, their culture, etc.

Why is it that in today's culture right here in AMERICA, that young people seem to be not trained to respect others.  Not just peers, but older people as well.  There are so many ways that DISRESPECT is being shown in todays society.  Not ever being a gang member, ever, but I understand that a lot of what they operate on deals with respect.  That is what seems to cause a lot of intra gang disputes. Someone "disrespected" a gang member, so now we will deal with that.  So don't tell me the term "RESPECT" has no meaning.  It is just how it is applied that seems to be the problem.  How some dress is a form of disrespect, like the pants to the knees and the underwear showing thing.  That has got to be the DUMBEST dress fad of all times.  The history behind that comes from the prison community and is a sign that you are "available".  Boy, that is the LAST sign I want to be showing!

But a very disrespectful dress code is not the worst of it.  It is the attitude and speech that is the main challenges of attaining respect for each other.   I remember when I was a younger person, being guided by my parents on how to talk to people,  and how to have good manners and things like that.  I remember old movies with Jimmy Stewart in them as he was walking down a sidewalk and approached a lady, she in a dress, he in a suit and tie, with hat, would tip his hat as he he greeted her with a "Good day, Miss Amy."  She would respond something like "And to you too, Mr. Jones."  What a pleasant exchange, don't you think?  Wouldn't it be nice if we could regain our civility back?  Treat everyone with the respect and dignity that we would like for ourselves?  That would include CELL PHONE manners.  Yesterday, it didn't have to do as much with manners, but with COMMON SENSE.  A lady came out of Joann's Craft Store pushing a shopping cart (as they are know in the South . . . buggy) with a small child in the seat of the cart.  She had a phone propped on her shoulder, having a hard time controlling the cart, and finally went back into the store, gathered her bags and baby from the cart and came back out with her phone still propped on her shoulder, having a difficult time keeping it there, but didn't really care I guess.  The baby was over her hip and her lips kept talking on that precariously perched phone!  She finally made it to her car, almost dropping the packages AND the baby as she struggled to get everything put where it belonged . . . except for the PHONE!  In my humble opinion, saying to the caller, "I will call you back as soon as I get to my car." OR "I will call you back in a few minutes after I get home."  Of course that is just me, I dislike cell phones anyway.  I don't text, take pictures, or check my email on my phone.  I every once in a while TALK on my cell phone. If I want to take pictures, I will use a camera.  If I want to check my email, I will wait until I get home and check it on my computer.  When  I drive my car, I try to pay attention ALL the time I am driving.  No distractions like cell phones allowed.  When I get a phone call, I hand my phone to my wife.

It is a RESPECTFUL issue on all you do in public and at home, how you treat your surrounding people.  If you are talking on the phone in public, step aside somewhere more private.  People don't WANT to hear your conversation.  You are not that important to share your life with people just wanting to get a hamburger and fries as they stand in line with you. That is DISRESPECTFUL!  It is disrespectful to play your X-BOX game so loud that others in house cannot read, or listen to their music, etc.  Using foul language to your brothers and or sisters is DISRESPECTFUL!

What is the MOST  DISRESPECTFUL act of all is making fun of someones disability!  Every time I see a TV commercial about WOUNDED WARRIORS or some physical or mental disability challenge, I tear up and thank GOD that I am who I am, and am blessed with what I have as far as my body and brain capabilities.  There are so many with less than we have, and they deserve ULTIMATE RESPECT, not the disrespect of staring, and/or pointing and laughing, or rude comments being made.  We are all God's children and deserve respect. I have had rude comments of the machine noises I use that provide me with needed Oxygen. It is embarrassing. Pat and I have been special needs foster parents for many with challenges that make them need assistance in living a full life, that everyone deserves.  There is nothing scary, or amusing about their appearance or speech patterns.  They are people just like you and me.  I have even found that there are some kids and adults that have special talents to compensate for other challenges they are experiencing.  We had a child in our CUB SCOUT Pack years ago that had Cerebral Palsy but he had the most beautiful singing voice we have ever heard.  So a lot of times, when someone is a little short in one area of their life, they have some really great talents in other parts.

Don't disgard people because of how they look.  Old people have tons of life experience that others can glean and apply to their lives.  We are not ALL senile....and even if we were, we deserve RESPECT because of who we are, what we have learned, what we have experienced and simply because that is what is RIGHT.  Don't discard others because of how they look, how they walk, or talk.  Inside is a person that deserves RESPECT.  RESPECT is such an all encompassing word that takes every humanistic trait into account.  the dictionary, among other things stated, says this: due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others: respect for human rights.  Also: avoid harming or interfering with: it is incumbent upon all boaters to RESPECT the environment.

So lets all work a little harder on RESPECTING the people that surround us in our daily adventures.  Be conscious of the effect that you have on those in your travels, either to or at work, school, vacation.  Courtesy goes hand in hand with Respect.  It feels great when it happens to you.  Doing something for others is also GREAT!

Remember, keep singing, keep praying, and keep smiling

Blessings,
Gary

We  made it through another Memorial Day, thinking of all those men and women who fought for our freedom and the freedom of the folks in other countries we went to serve through the years.  It was they that gave the ultimate by giving their lives for others.  I am positive that those who choose the military are not charging forward in their career plans to be anybody's sacrificial lamb, but know that if the situation calls for action on their part that involves risk, it will be done, because that is what we military folks do.  None of us (or should I say . . . the great majority of us) have every intention of surviving to old age and retirement.  However, there may come a time that is of lesser importance.  So that is what Memorial Day is all about . . . remembering and honoring those that have been put in a position to fight and protect those that are unable.  We do that with many tears in our eyes as "Taps" is played over and over again on the television during the day. Something inside tightens up as the notes are played.  Does that happen to you too?  I don't know if it is the meds I am on or what, but it seems a lot of tearful moments went by yesterday.

I am including a boot camp picture of me today.  The "why" is that it reminds me of when I was young and full of ambition to make something of myself.  I loved the military.  Still do.  When looking at what today's soldiers are going through, I had it easy.  Sometimes I think about that.  I am sure that at the time, I didn't think it was so easy, but looking back on it, there is so much I didn't have to stress over, that the current soldier and sailor has to contend with.  My deployments while in the Navy were (for those that haven't had the chance to read my previous editions) were what we call Med Cruises and WESTPAC Cruises.  They were 6 month deployments away from our home port.  On the East Coast, my ship was the USS Shangri-la (CVA-38) was the home port was Mayport, Florida.  One the West Coast, my ship was the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and was home ported in San Diego.  When I had switched over to the Army, I volunteered for my Desert Storm deployment, and it was 6 months, but was extended an additional 2 months.  Now, it seems a year deployment is the minimum and re-deployement with little home time, is a very common situation.  There was one individual honored yesterday that was on his FIFTH deployment when his life was taken.  That is tough by anyones standards.  So when I see these commercials about the Wounded Warrior's challenges, I most times tear up and pray for their healing.  I also feel that somehow, I personally have been blessed to not have that situation at my household.  Not that I didn't have challenges when returning from Desert Storm, but not to the extent of what we are witnessing a large contingent of our military brothers and sisters are suffering in todays conflicts.  What a blessing I have been given, in the life I have led.

What can we do about it?  Listen for God's whisper...He will show you what to do.  As I am healing with my personal physical challenges, that is what I am doing.  I have the faith to understand we are living not by our timing, but by HIS timing.  I have the faith that it will be His timing and direction that will show me what to do about what he has, and will put, on my heart.  I suggest that you do the same.  We are all here on earth to do something positive and in such a way as to glorify God and all His goodness.  We are not here for our own humanistic pleasures but to help others.  To do what?  That is the mystery, and the excitement!  God will give us some guidance on that, and it will be something good.  He never gives us something that we haven't been prepared for....He sees to all the prep work...even if it is to do what you feel that He wants you to do, requires going to school for.  As the saying goes: If God brings to to it, He will see you through it!

Settle down, relax, be still.  Listen for God's whisper, like I am doing.  Then ACT upon what you hear or feel, when God has the timing HE wants in place.  It will be exciting, and will renew your spirit completely.  God has done some remarkable things in my life and I know He is not done yet.  He has given me the the opportunity to Pastor a church.  How awesome is that????  I have been truly blessed.  Now that I am healing, I am SO excited for the next whisper from God, guiding me to my next assignment.  You can be still for a while and wait and listen to what it is that He has in store for you too.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling,

Blessings,
Gary

What do people do that live in apartment buildings do about gardening?  I guess that those that live without outdoor space to plant flowers, etc. are relegated to houseplants in pots.  That is one reason we have been blessed by having a home that we can have flower gardens, green lawns, as well as hanging pots (on the front porch thanks to daughter Amy).

Pat has been wanting creeping phlox for a very long time.  Since we have just returned from a month long vacation and the planting season is still going strong, we went to Trenton's Co-op and discovered that there plants were on 1/2 price sale!  YAY!!!!  The best part was the had 32 creeping phlox plants!  We then spent the rest of the morning driving around looking for a lawn wagon that I could pull behind my riding mower if necessary.  Finally found the perfect one at Lowes in Union City.  They even loaded it in my car for me.  We hurried home and took a nap, because it was that time of the day, and old people do better when taking a quality nap in the early afternoon.  That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!  After the nap, Pat helped me slide the box out of the car and onto the driveway.  I took a shovel and loosened the grass and weed infested raised garden that the phlox were going to call home, then started what the directions of the wagon said "30 minutes to complete".  To that I say"Not in this lifetime!"  For one, even if there was a competent "putter together" person doing the job, it would be next to impossible to do it single handedly.  So after fussing with it with caveman tools like my metric adjustable wrench, Pat finally called in to Amy's house for help.  Just so happens that Amy's husband had a complete set of metric AND standard wrenches.  With their help of holding the parts in place and David using his magic socket set, we completed the task and we now have a four wheel garden wagon!  Today after church (and the all-important nap) we will finish the weed removal in the garden, we will put in 6 bags of top soil, and plant the purple creeping phlox.  I will show you the results of our project tomorrow.

All this work is something that was so much easier a while ago, but now is encumbered with extra "equipment" that has to be carried around.  However, I can be away from my O2 machine for a while, but with the exercise of shoveling, etc. I still get tired some.  But I enjoy yard work and will do what I can enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and watching and listening to the birds chirp to each other.  I am proud of our yard and how it blends in so well with the other neighbors yards and homes.  When we moved into the neighborhood some years ago, this was the rental house on the block, and as such wasn't the best kept house in the neighborhood.  Since then, Pat and I have been doing our best to upgrade our property to be a pleasing sight as you enter our cul-de-sac.

Point of this story:  Take care of what you have, the best you can.  I have seen many places that with a little tender loving care, and not so much money, could be very attractive homes.  Unfortunately not everyone has that priority.  A little effort to mow your grass, and put an occasional coat of paint on the trim, etc. makes for a nicely kept home.  I remember years ago in Minneapolis a home our Navy Reserve Unit painted for an elderly couple that just couldn't do the work themselves.  We got Valspar Paint Company to donate the paint and brushes, got some ladders and scaffolding (three story victorian home) and 30 guys from out Reserve Unit together and we scrapped and painted their house in a weekend.  The inside of the home was well taken care of, but with the heights involved outside, it was impossible for the couple to get it done by themselves and they couldn't afford a company to do it for them. So we did it and all felt like we had accomplished something good when we were finished.  Did the news media get involved? NO... it was done as a community service project to help someone who couldn't do it themselves...not for our recognition.  It "tasted" better that way.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling

Blessings this Sunday,
Gary

It's Saturday FUNNIES!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Don't forget to attend the church of your choice tomorrow.... God is waiting for ya.

Pets are something that the majority of families have . . . I think.  So we can all relate to the animal world a little better.  I have found that there is such a wide variety of pets that families have to choose from.  Just with the selection of dogs is a wide choice.  Some folks like the small, in-the-purse dogs, others like the medium size dogs like cocker spaniels, mini-schnauzers, etc. or large dogs like Great Danes, labs, etc..  Whatever people pick, there is usually a reason for choosing. What I don't understand, which is probably because I am not an outdoorsy type person, is those that pick large dogs then keep them penned up in a kennel or like I see it as it is: a cage.  They are so happy when you get to feeding them, like they are wanting your attention so bad, then when you get done pouring their food  in the trough, you walk away and ignore them until the next feeding.  I feel so sad for those animals.  Personally, I enjoy dogs we can play with in the house and in the back yard throwing a ball, and they take it and run, or drop it and come running to you!  That trick is always a day brightener!  But when the outdoor games are all over, they come in the house with you and are your constant companion.  They can make good security systems by barking when someone approaches the house, rings the doorbell, or perhaps is just walking by.  That has both advantages AND disadvantages.  Our mini schnauzer Wendy loves to bark at the slightest noise.  Most times, after much encouragement to stop barking (you know what I mean..."Wendy stop! Wendy NO!  Wendy shut up!")...stuff like that, she will cease barking and only growl a bit longer.  Sarge on the other hand mostly lets Wendy do the barking and he gets physically involved in sniffing the guest or keying on the location of Wendy's barking.  However annoying it is, it is also reassuring that not much gets close to our house without Wendy being aware of it and letting us know of her disapproval of her nap interruption!

Some folks like the short hair dogs like labs, and others.  I can't remember why we chose for our current dogs, Mini-Schnauzers, but knew right from the beginning they would require grooming.  So for the first few years we had regular trips to the groomer in downtown Henderson, NV.  Timing is very important I have found out.  Not when you get your dog into the groomer, but the timing between your moving your residence and the groomer deciding to retire from her business.  Because it was just that, that made it perfect to get some grooming lessons for our pets, and get some grooming equipment pretty darn reasonable!  I spent some quality time being trained how to groom mini-schauzers from Carol the groomer, and by the time we moved, Carol's training firmly in my mind (and in my notes) I was confident that I would not embarrass my animals with a poor haircut!  I have found that they actually like our time together, most of the time.  Sarge doesn't like taking a bath very much, but Pat insists that it is part of the deal...so he gets cleaned, WITH soap and water both.  Most times, the mud .... er... dirt is quite obviously needed to be removed as it is running down the drain of our deep sink/dog bath tub.  Today was Sarges grooming day.  After the bath, I lifted him over to the grooming table and started the blow dryer.  He gets "figity" with the dryer nozzle, but I can't cut wet hair.  This time is was doubly bad, as it has been an extended time since his last hair cut.  It was so bad, I had to shave his beard down to nothing, as there were so many matts he had gotten in it.  So he looks a little strange for now, but with time, and some combing out as it regrows, he will look like everyone is used to seeing, in a couple weeks.  Unlike his master, his beard grows faster.  After about an hour, he was dried out, combed out, brushed out, trimmed out and hugged a lot.  His paws really needed trimming between the pads and around the edges.  It is very important to do that, or they have a difficult time walking/running because of the pressure of the hair between the pads and the length covering the pads themselves.  But when I was done, and lots of hugging finished, he was lifted to the floor and his favorite treat, a vanilla wafer, was given, he bounded away to show Momma how good looking he was!

I had groomed Wendy yesterday, so she was knowing her time had passed and didn't have to put up a fuss when she saw me after Sarge came into Mom's office to show off.

The point of this story is this:  When people invest in pets, and then ignore them, it doesn't make any sense to me.  I can understand hunting dogs being kept outside in kennels, sort of, but when people go to the trouble to invest in pets of any kind like dogs, cats, tropical fish, etc. and then ignore them, what's the point of having them?  They are God's gift to us as well as the responsibility to take care of them properly.  If we can't do a simple thing like that, then, perhaps, we shouldn't be having them.  It is like that with ALL animals, small or large.  I have seen some really emaciated horses that just make my cry. On a whole, I think animals are a joy in our lives and should be taken care of and appreciated.  The love an animal shares with us is priceless....even when it is unwarranted. They love you just the same.
We have had cats, dogs, tropical fish throughout our life and have enjoyed and loved each and every one.  I highly recommend a pet or two for everyone.  They teach us so much on how to treat each other, their gift to us far outweighs the time and effort to take proper care of them.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling

Blessings,
Gary

Something special today . . . TWO trains of thoughts for the price of ONE!  (hope they don't collide!)

Among the many friends that Pat and I have been blessed with, earlier today I was focused on one of the best of the best friends in our lives...Carol and Herman Hagen.  They are indeed at the top.  But like a beach ball, there is always room for more top of the top, first of the firsts . . . well, you get the idea.  I have found that some are very competitive about being first in some things, but this couple that I was talking about earlier, is NOT one of those folks.  This couple is like all of our other good and great friends, and like us, are "Take us like we are, because that's WHO we are." kind of people.  Pat and I do not have the ability to put up a false front in our relationships to each other or to others.  There is never a competition among our friends to be "at the top".  What a blessing to be surrounded by many friends that seem to stick around in our lives, through the good times, and the difficult times.  Rosemary and Kevin Headlee are indeed in that category as well.  Looking back on our lives, it does seem that other than the occasional great neighbor like Jim and Dee Williams in North Minneapolis, those that mean so much to us have come from church relationships.  I guess that says a lot by where your interests are though.  I can imagine that  there are folks that hang around at the neighborhood drinking establishment that develop close friends, or those that hang around at the country club develop close relationships there as well.  I am NOT saying that is bad, just that it is a fact.  Personally, I like my "church friend relationships" because we are starting with the most positive end of the scale to help direct our lives for the development for and the goal of "making Disciples of Jesus Christ".  There is that common goal to start out a firmly based friendship.

Rosemary and her beautiful voice is always involved in music wherever she goes and whatever church they are attending. Her bubbly and giving personality lends itself to her developing close and lasting relationships quickly.  Kevin is more of a "stand alone and watch" personality.  That is until the "who he is watching" passes his barrier test. Looking back in our relationship, it didn't take me too long to get that test done.  We are brothers of different mothers.  We are the same coin but two different sides.  Again, you get the idea.  As Certified Lay Speakers, we developed together in our own areas, and were surprised (at lest I was) when we both started to develop our passion for preaching God's word!  Kevin was a regular on the Lay Speaker Sunday Preaching rotation.  So for Pat and I, Rosemary and Kevin also became special friends that have been with us for so many years even though distance has put a barrier of sorts up, we have still maintained a close friendship.  Our son Todd and his family have also maintained a very close relationship with Rosemary and Kevin through the years.  In our recent cross country trip, Rosemary and Kevin came in from Southern California for almost a week to visit with us and Todd's family.  What a wonderful reunion of catching up that was.

Each of the two Sunday's of Worship at First Henderson UMC was a full blown reunion of sorts for me.  There were so many friends that came up to Pat and I with bubbling over love and affection for us. I wish we had the time to visit longer with each and everyone of them, but just couldn't cram anything more into our schedule.  A month away from our home we found was a maximum time stretch.  It WAS great to experience though and I will be thinking back on the few precious moments spent with each person, for years to come.  Jim Peck pops up in my mind, as I read this back before publishing.  So glad we got to visit although way too short, Jim.  The Youth of that church are soooo special. How they have grown in Christ and expanded their ministry to other youth is truly amazing!

One last "Henderson friend" I MUST mention is Sue Ulrich.   She and friend Sue Thomas developed a Clown Ministry at First Henderson UMC years ago that was awesome!  As a leader in the church, I was able to see the fantastic ministry those two had, develop!  Through the years and via FaceBook, Sue Ulrich and I keep in touch and it was HER that actively encouraged me to start a blog when I was really down and discouraged in what life was handing me.  It was Sue, that through her words of friendship, encouraged me, and gave me the strength, to start writing my stories.  We all need friends like her . . . thanks Sue!

So again, I encourage everyone to search out and develop friendships.  It takes some effort, I assure you will be worth it as it grows and envelops you with love that you perhaps have never known before.  There IS something special about close friends that is hardly describable.  You will know it when it is there.  Life without quality friends is a wasted life.  Please . . . don't waste yours, start collecting you support group...you FRIENDS.  You will be rewarded so greatly by being a friend, as well as having friends.


Remember, keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling.

Blessings,
Gary

The next best thing that is right up there with Family, is Friends.  You know . . .  those people that you have become friends with, and have similar interests, go to some of the same places, have a passion for some of the same things you do?  What makes it even better for being friends with someone, is when they are married and all four of you get to love each other as family.  That is the way it is with a couple that I mentioned yesterday.  Herman and Carol Hagen.   Herman and Pat went to the same high school together, back in the early days of education.  Carol goes to First Henderson United Methodist Church.  She likes to sing, and that is a good thing, because it would be horrible to waste a beautiful voice like hers.  Both Herman and Carol are teachers and love kids.  They have a very nice family and Pat and I have spent many afternoons celebrating one thing or another over the years. Herman is a past State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, past Post Commander of our Post 3848 in Henderson and spent time in almost every position at Post level and District level.  When Herman was Post 3848 Commander and I was his Adjutant, keeping the records and provided the Post's monthly newsletter.  At the District 6 level, as Sr. Vice Commander, I also did the newsletter along with Herman's collaborating.  It was our joint efforts that we were awarded third place by the National level of the VFW, for our October issue commemorating September 11th .  Herman and I were a good team.

At church, Carol and I were members of the Celebration Music Team that I have talked about in an earlier post. Carol was the one that turned our music pages, because of me being a guitarist/singer, it was difficult to flip music pages.  Seems a little thing, but she really came in handy.  She could also read music and kept me where I needed to be, because I can't read music.  Strange huh?  Pat and Carol loved yard sales and spent some time scouring many a yard to find the best buys!

Friends we enjoyed. We laughed together.  We played together.  We worshipped together.  When we moved to Tennessee, and came back for a visit a couple years later, it was then that they both decided to actually join the church and we were honored to stand with them that Sunday.  That's what friends do.  Friends also drop what they are doing to help each other.  For example, some years ago now, after Saturday worship, Pat and I were on our way home.  After stopping at the red light on Boulder Highway, a four lane with median, our light changed to green.  After the turn lanes turned, it was our turn to cross. As I started to cross, Pat let out a scream, I saw a blur. The next thing I am aware of is looking out the rear window of my truck.  We had been hit by a car that had run their red light, going 45 miles an hour or so, hitting my firewall of the truck, pushing us 44 feet sideways down the highway.  Pat's foot was jammed between the floorboard and the dashboard.  I had been ripped out of my seatbelt and was straddling the center counsel.  Fortunately, a police officer was sitting at the intersection and saw the whole event.  An ambulance was called and we were taken into Las Vegas to the trauma center.  Before leaving the scene, I realized my expensive guitar was in the truck.  I called Herman and Carol and asked if they could come over to the truck and pick up my guitar and hold it for me.  I told the officer at the scene that Herman was coming for my guitar and was put in the ambulance along with Pat.  We were so lucky to have that ambulance....it had those square tires that made traveling on a hard backboard so pleasant.  We met up later that evening, at the Hospital. After the hospital created a lot of trauma for Pat and myself, I was finally released and was ok.  Pat was undergoing more tests as she was pretty bruised up...actually the whole right side of her body, from her head to her feet, was one large bruise.  As I was waiting for her release, I was visiting with Herman and Carol and realized they were pretty nicely dressed, like going out on the town or something.  They then told me it was their Wedding Anniversary and were fixing to go out when they got my call.  So, they spent their anniversary sitting in a hospital with their friends so they would have a ride home at two in the morning and gave a hand to hold.  THAT is what friendship is. That is what I hope I can be when a friend needs us.  What a blessing to have friends like the Hagen's.  I hope that you may be blessed to have a friend or two that supports you in whatever you are interested in and is there to help when you need help, just as you are there for that special friend when they need you.  That is what makes this journey so special. Hope you have someone special in your life that you call friend.

Remember, keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling.

Blessings,
Gary

A MONTH of vacation!  Whoever would have thought that we could get a whole month to do what we wanted to do?  Actually, I could never figure out what a retired person (or couple) vacation from?Most folks take a vacation from their lively-hood . . . their work.  When we are retired, our lively-hood and "work" is completed, and non-existent!

The reason I haven't been writing as regular as I was "BV", is that when a person is on vacation, they are supposed to do things they normally do not have the opportunity to do . . . right?  Although I tried a couple times to let you know that I was still around . . . sort of. (Is that a fat joke?)  At least my poor attempts at humor hasn't changed...yet.  So let me give you a few quick highlights of what Pat and I did for the last month.

Since I don't fly anywhere anymore, we drive. That takes a little longer, but I feel a lot better about not subjecting myself to the totally invasive security checks that we as American citizens have to go through just to fly commercially within our own country!  That is a whole other subject for another blog.  So we drove from our home in West Tennessee to Henderson, Nevada.  Route 40 was a nice drive that we have taken several times before and did not disappoint us with the usual amount of road repair.  Unlike the other times traveled, this time Pat wanted to drive the long and tedious "in-between large city" places.  Since those open road jaunts usually make me sleepy, that was GREAT for me.  It worked out very well, taking us two motel stops to Henderson.  We cut our time by one travel day.

While in Henderson, which is a suburb of Las Vegas, we renewed our Grandma and Grandpa status with "the kids".  Four delightful granddaughters, Hailey, Samantha, Ashley, and Julia and of course Daddy Todd and Momma Shannon.  Hailey has been taking piano lessons and the second Sunday we were at First Henderson UMC, she played a duet with her piano teacher, Miss Vickie Massey.  They both did outstanding!  The girls wanted Grandpa's help to redo their 20 gal. Aquarium in a "fantasy" motif.  So off to the store we went and picked out an appropriate background paper, some pretty purple and pink gravel along with a pink treasure chest, some nice plastic plants, a small castle, and a beautiful mermaid to set the scene.  After a day of getting the water Just Right back to the store to get the fish.  Some colored stripped Danios, a pair of Dalmation Mollies, some small cat fish to keep the place clean, and black (1) and a brown (1) Snail.  Off we went to get them back to the house and put the new residents in their watery home.  Pictures were taken, and I am waiting for them to be sent to me, so I can share with you. Perhaps later. :-)  Todd, Shannon, Darrell (Shannon's Dad), Kevin (He and wife Rosemary) came in to play with Pat and I and Todd and Shannon while we were in town, as they live in Southern California now), went to a theater and watched the first showing of Iron Man 3!  What a great movie.  What made it even better (other than it was Todd's treat) was that the theater had reclining seats, like you have in your living room only bigger ... and with a swinging tray for your snacks ... and hole for your drink! I forgot to mention it was also 3D!  Great time was had by all.  Grandma and Rosemary had the two oldest girls for an afternoon of "girl stuff", while Shannon's Mom had the two youngest girls to play with at her home.  The rest of the time with Todd and family was taken up with eating all different kinds of food, playing Mexican Train Dominoes and watching movies in his wonderful home.  We had some special time with a few of our old friends like Herman and Carol Hagen with their parents at Tony Roma's Rib place. A great time to renew and update with our best friends.  I will share a story about Carol and Herman in another post to explain "best friends" comment.

After two weeks with Todd, off we went to another three day trip to Omaha Nebraska to share Mother's Day with Mischell (David's wife), Amanda and Jessica.  David's oldest daughter Amanda was in town for the weekend as she is working on a Associates degree in a school out of town.  Jess was  graduating from High School and the ceremony was wonderful!  Very nicely done and many proud parents and grandparents were there on a beautiful day to witness the event.  We were very honored and proud that we were able to be there.  Jess had a fantastic party the following Saturday that went on to the wee hours of the morning. While there, as it seems to be tradition in the Saffell family, we ate a wide variety of scrumptious food until we all seemed ready to burst.  We were able to attend David's church which was a great experience and met many wonderful Christian friends.  Dave's Bible Study folks came over to meet with me and Pat and shared their commitment to serving God by praying over me for healing my lung challenge.  It was a very touching and spiritual time for me, to say the least.

We left before sun up on Monday morning for home.  We stayed overnight in Columbia, MO and as everyone now knows, the massive Tornado ripped through the south part of Oklahoma City causing death and destruction and the death count continues to rise as of this writing.  IF that had happened on our outbound trip to Nevada, we were in that area at that time!  Things would have been very much different.  As it was, we got into our motel about 4 o'clock pm and I went to sleep right away.  We were up and moving out at 11:30 p.m. and arrived home (after several longer food stops along the way) about 8:00 a.m.  I played with the rain most of the way, as we were chasing the storm most of the way, watching the lightening dance before us, lighting up the clouds.  Did you know that there are not many people on the interstate between midnight and four a.m.?  Kansas City was a breeze to drive through.  I love to drive at night like that.  Pat likes daylight driving, of which I can sleep through.  What a team huh?

So the point of this travel log is this:  FAMILY is EVERYTHING!  Our daughter Amy who lives 10 minutes from our home, took care of our dogs and cat while we were gone, as well as taking care of the house, mail, Sarge doing what Sarge does and that is nailing his yearly baby bird from the nest the mother robin INSISTS on building in our back yard. Sarge and Wendy are so scruffy looking after a month, I need to get them groomed pretty soon.  Since I am the one that does it, I have total flexibility!  That doesn't mean today, but in a couple days, most likely. ha ha   But FAMILY is very important for everyone within.  Our three children and their families are very special.  I think most Parents and Grandparents feel the same way.  There are some though, that for some reason, don't have that feeling.  Don't know why, but they are missing out on some of God's most precious gifts.  So for you parents, let your kids know that you love them....all the time....don't wait for special occasions...it may be too late.  And it is a TWO WAY street for you kids!  Don't wait . . . tell Mom and Dad that you love them too!  My Dad was one who showed little affection, although we all knew he loved us, but it was always a hand shake, not a hug.  My last time with my Dad was when I was visiting for four days, by myself, without my family with me.  They stayed in Henderson, while I went to Minneapolis to get a "kid's picture" taken for Mom and Dad's Christmas present.  I spent four nights of what I call "fire side chat" time . . . just me and Dad. Mom was in the bedroom doing cross stitching projects, and Dad and I were in the living room with the floor lamp on, he in his recliner, I on the end of the couch, reminiscing.  Our time together was the best time of all the years we had.  When it was time for me to leave, we were standing in the hallway to the front door.  I stuck out my right hand to shake his.  He in turn went to hug me! We almost broke his wrist in the process!  It did end in a wonderful, ultra warm hug that I will NEVER forget!  THAT is my most treasured moment with my Father.  I hope you have a moment with your Father, that you cherish as well.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling

Blessings,
Gary

Today I am remembering back to "Circle Pines" days.  Circle Pines was a new suburb district North of Saint Paul, Minnesota in the 50's.  It was on what is now called Old Highway 8. Then I suppose it was NEW Highway 8, but that is just a supposition.  It was a quaint village, which had a road running along side the highway with housing on the inside of the road. from that road (Eastern..I believe), others began and ended on on it, creating a half circle style village.  We lived on the inner most road that was, surprisingly called, Inner Drive.  Our house number was 13!  Nothing bad or unusual happened, for those of you who are superstitious folks.  Our driveway was a gravel driveway that went from the street up a hill to beyond the house.  Later on, Dad build a garage but the drive remained gravel. I say this because it was my fate as the oldest son to pull the weeds during the summer months and shovel the snow during the winter months. In Minnesota with the summer heat and winter cold, there was a lot of weeds and snow, which kept me busy.  Because of my experience with gravel drives, in my later (away from home) days, I never had gravel driveways.  Look at my face book page...it has a picture of my present home.  A concrete drive that can hold two rows of three cars and NO weeds!

Dad loved wood and once we got settled, he build a basket weave redwood fence in the back yard. Once it was stained and sealed it looked beautiful.  Then Dad put down sod and the watering began. It didn't take long for the dandilions to pop up so now I got to weed the lawn as well.  As much work as it was, I enjoyed the grass, as the rest of the housing project was mostly blowing sand.  The fence kept out most of the sand and it was our little oasis.  With Dad's love of wood, he put in a knotty cedar, tongue and groove, accent wall in the living room.  It was a two bedroom home, living room, kitchen and a bathroom on the first floor.  We had a stairway to the attic at the front door (which no one used) but we never used the attic for a living space.  The basement was where Mom had her laundry room and during the watermellon season . . . watermellon pickleing area. Dad loved watermellon pickles. Dad had a modest tool area in the corner as well.  In Mom's laundry room/area was a wringer washing machine. The reason I mention that is: On FaceBook today someone posted a picture of one, asking if anyone knew what it was!  Ours was white enamel paint and worked very nicely for the time period we were in.  Sure beat taking the clothes to the lake and beating them with rocks to get them clean! 

How wonderful invention is.  Look at how easy we have things now, because someone took the time and effort to improve on things already built, and even come up with fresh and never before thought of ideas to build that improve our lives.  America was the world leader in inventions for many years.  We could still be if it wasn't for all the restrictions government has put on our society.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to have less intrusiveness put on our lives to allow our creative spirit flow to improve ours and the worlds lives once again?    For instance:  I live in a small town called Rutherford.  When we moved in, I decided I needed a storage shed built.  I hired a craftsman to build it because I did not inherit Dad's talents.  I wanted it built on a concrete pad instead of pylons as was custom for sheds in my area.  Snakes and other critters live under sheds built on pylons.  We don't like being a hotel for critters and snakes.  So the concrete truck arrived on a bright sunny morning and was about half way through pouring the 12x28foot pad when my telephone rang.  On the other end was the town clerk.  She informed me that I needed a permit to pour concrete on my property. That would be fine in most instances but in Rutherford, there are no building inspectors to inspect the project!  Other that creating income for the town, there was no other reason to have a permit drawn, that I could see.  I later learned that the county tax folks used that permit to come visit my home and increase my taxes!   What a wonderful (sarcastic tone) system we have.  But being a small town, I learned that there is NOTHING to prevent everyone from knowing what you are doing. Although that is a pain sometimes, it is also a blessing.  Example:  Our first rain storm had me at our front door with a push broom fighting the water pouring into our yard and to the front door.  Found out later the house was built a foot and a half too low on the lot!  Since then I have corrected the problem with some creative culvert/catch basin/swill building to re-direct the waterflow.  But since we hadn't had a phone installed at the new house yet, my daughter called the town police chief and he came out to check on our well being.  THAT I thought was a wonderful act of kindness.  So small town living has its good points as well as a few agrivating issues to deal with.  However many we have, America is still the best place to live, as I see it.  We just need to re-adjust a few government issues and we will be fine.  May God Bless America!

Point of the story:  We all have our memories of our childhoods. Mine are wonderful...others maybe not so good.  It is what we do to overcome the bad parts, and make the best of what we were given to work with.  I have been blessed with a great Mom and Dad, Sister and Brothers.  Then there are the cousins and beyond that were an influence on my life as well.  What a blessing I know I have.  I can only pray that yours is/was as good.  God is in all our lives, all the time.  HE never goes away.  That is a reassurance that we all need, especially in the bad times.  You can depend on that information...use it.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling,

Blessings,
Gary

On my tour around the country, I was able to finally visit a friend that I had made on Facebook several years ago.  His name is Charles (Doc) Williams, a fellow seafarer.  He is a fantastic character that is who he is, and that is rare in these goofy days we live in.  Doc is also an accomplished writer and has another book getting ready to publish soon.  On our visit, we swapped sea stories for over an hour and a half and still had more to share in each of our "repositories".  He is a friend to treasure and am so glad we were able to solidify our friendship after years of FaceBook acquaintance.

We started out traveling to Henderson Nevada to visit our youngest son, Todd.  His four girls are such a hoot! All are so individualistic it is amazing.  Haley is a musician (piano) and played at church while we were there. Samantha is the caregiver, always wanting to help others, Ashley is wanting to learn to read and isn't even in school yet, and Julia has taken over Ashley's spot as the "fashion queen wanting to wear a to-to most of the time and dress up in a different outfit, every few minuets. We were able to set up a fantasy aquarium for them while I was there. That was a fun project.  Lots of Mexican Train Dominoes were played and movies were watched.  We also had two opportunities to attend our old home church, First Henderson United Methodist Church, while we were there.  On the second Sunday, I was asked by Pastor Jim, to assist in serving Holy Communion.  What an honor that was, along with Linda Larsen, who is recently a certified candidate for Local Pastor, and Ashley who is going to college now and has committed to seminary for her MDiv degree.  Our church has given birth to quite a few people for the Ministry now and they are very proud, and should be. Believe me, it is not an easy calling to fulfill.

Pat and I are now at my oldest son's (Dave) home in Bennington, Nebraska (suburb of Omaha) and are enjoying our time to the max.  We were able to share Mishcell's birthday on Saturday and attend our granddaughter Jessica's high school graduation yesterday (Sunday).  Before that, we attended church at Dave and Mischell's church, Stonebridge Christian Church.  Very nice service, very friendly folks.  A great message was preached by their Senior Pastor Mark Chitwood. 

When we leave here, we head back home to Tennessee and get back into the "normalcy" of life.  It is trips like this that are really important to keep families together even though we are spread out across the country.  We are looking forward to visits from them in the future to see our home and life that we have set up since we were one single family together.  I have been reassured that Pat and I have done a good job of raising our kids from the fruits of their families, lifestyles, church choices, and commitments to their children and vice versa.  I have been exposed to what I call "less than appropriate" family groups, in my life, and am distressed that the children are the ones that suffer the most, because of the parents poor choices of lifestyles.  However, there have been children that have overcome such adverse upbringing and have gone on to change that background with their own children, but that is a pretty rare event.  So we really need to pray hard for those children being brought up in less than desirable situations.

'til later...keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling

Blessings,
Gary