Monday, September 29, 2014

Just a Little Beat

Remember, kids, when daddy would hear a good song and he'd raise his index finger as if directing the music.  It wasn't long before he would raise his hand just a bit and you knew he was totally immersed in the beat. 


Well, last night the gentleman setting beside me at the Tommy Emmanuel concert did exactly the same thing, just like daddy did.  You could tell he was thoroughly enjoying the concert, but at the same time, with just a lifted finger and now and again his hand, you knew he was slightly embarrassed to be demonstrating his love of the music.


I don't know where all my family (not me, of course) gets their musical talent, but I suspect it was Grandpa Dawkins for he played the mandolin.  One thing I remember about Grandma was her love of music, too.  She told me she could tell if someone was enjoying the music because they would tap their feet to the beat, and if not their feet, their hands were moving. 


So last night we were all enjoying the music.  Feet were tapping, fingers were moving, hands were clapping..............all to the beat.  And with Tommy singing "I Still Can't Say Goodbye" and the man moving his finger and then his hand.....................well it brought back lots of memories............of daddy.  Just a little beat...............


Here is a rendition of the song by Chet Atkins.  You might shed a tear.


https://www.google.com/#q=chet+atkins+i+still+can't+say+goodbye






I love you.
I wrote a blog post similar to this several years ago.  I hope you can access this.
  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4357230006685238784#editor/target=post;postID=1738699947036538280;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=400;src=postname



Monday, September 15, 2014

My Little Barbed Wire Memory

Tonight are watching a documentary about Route 66 through the eyes of Billy Connolly.  Such a very interesting perspective of the old Route 66.  There are so many people around the world who would like nothing more than travel our USA Route 66. 


Anyway, tonight Billy Connolly stopped in McClain, TX, to visit the Devil's Rope Museum.  Devil's Rope as in barbed wire.  You can click on here just in case you are in McClain, TX, as we will be very, very soon on our trip out west.  Who knows we might just stop in.


Of course, you know I have a barbed wire memory, don't you?  The year was 1966, the month was May and I was just about ready to graduate.  I had on a blue and white gingham dress that my mother had made for me.  It was Senior Night and I was really excited because my parents said I could take the car to Shawnee after it was over.  So I jump out of the car and ran to the house to change my clothes before taking off.  I was to meet my cousin in just a little bit.


And here's where it all goes wrong.  I forgot that dad had put up a barbed wire fence, an electric barbed wire, one strand of wire, around the house to keep the cows from getting in the yard.  So here I go, running as fast as I can.  Got to change clothes and get back on the road.  I forgot about the wire until the very last minute, but before running into it head-long, I ducked down.  I ducked down just in time................almost.  I ducked under the wire, but barely and that barb ripped the skin on my back every 1/2 inch for 6 inches.  Not only my skin was ripped, but my brand new dress, the dress mom made for me just for Senior Night was in shreds.  By the time I got my dress off, blood was oozing from every nick.  I was in pain.  You'd think that would keep me home.  You'd be wrong.  I just cleaned myself up, added bandages and off to Sonic I went.


What a great fun memory.  I still have the tiny scars to prove this story.  And bless Mom's heart, she was able to mend that dress by cutting a piece of the fabric on the bias to cover the holes.  I remember the exuberance I felt that night.  Excited that I was going to Shawnee, excited that I was graduating, excited for all the unknown years ahead of me. 


That's it.  My Little Barbed Wire Memory


I love you.


Oh yes, I have another one involving the new car that I wrote about that somewhere in this blog.


 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

I Miss Kay–I Miss Momma

370

A couple of days ago, my niece posted on Facebook that she missed her mom.  Now her mom is alive and well and is right across town unless she is on a business trip, but she still missed her.  I miss her mom, too.  She lives right across town from me, too, but we never see each other.  Oh maybe we see each other a couple times a year if one of us makes an effort, but not like we did when mom and dad were alive.  New Years, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, Memorial Day---these were all days where all the kids and most of the grandkids would probably be together because our common bond was momma and daddy.  Our common bond is gone.  Now, we each celebrate those holidays with our own individual families--never our paths to cross on most of those holidays. 


To all my extended family, I love you for posting Facebook pictures of all the good times you are still having with your parents, but I am just a tad jealous.   Cherish those times and let your siblings know how much they mean to you.  Time goes so quickly and then that sibling bond, while not broken, is certainly stretched. 
  
Yes, I miss Kay.  I miss Momma.  I miss them all.  First row: Rhonda is OU shirt, Mom, Kay.  Second row:  Regina, Robert.  Top row:  Brenda – taken Christmas 2003.  That is my family!!!!!  My adored family.


I love you.

Friday, September 5, 2014

All This Makes for a Great Life

Last evening, we went back to the Boulevard Cafeteria.  I have written about this cafeteria before, but last night was so entertaining I wanted to share it again.  Every Thursday night an old guy plays the keyboard--not going to say he is the greatest pianist, but he sure knows a lot of tunes.  And he takes requests.  Anything from The Beatles to Bach and a lot of old show tunes and he is especially good with swing music.  And anyway, there is just something about live music.....


Every time we have gone, there has been a group of older seniors (Older than us, can you believe it?) and last night they were in rare form.  One gentleman was celebrating his 89th birthday, and we, of course, sang along when twenty or more of his friends sang Happy Birthday to him.  I just marvel at these older folks and despite their ails and pains, they show up happy to be there enjoying one another, hugging and kissing as they come and go throughout the evening. 


As we were enjoying watching these folks dance, recall songs, and try to remember who was in that movie with Deborah Kerr, in came a little tiny woman, all alone.  The keyboardist reached out to her holding both her hands.  It was obvious he knew her as he guided her to the others.  I leaned to the hubby and said, "I think she drove herself."  He replied, "You think so?  Nah."  "She came in alone.  Do you see anyone with her?"  Later, he said, "Look, she's holding her keys so I guess she did drive.  Hmm"  It was only a few songs later when we looked up and there she was dancing with another woman a few years younger than her.  Yes, they were dancing a polka.  Oh my, it was the most entertaining thing of the evening.  The old woman was kicking up her legs almost waist high (I kid you not--at least 10 times), then she'd wiggle down and come back up without much struggle.  All eyes were on her, getting applause in the middle of the dance for her moves.  She was loudly applauded and well deserved. 


I actually had tears in my eyes as I watched the old woman dance.  We found out she was 94 years old, but I knew she was only 20 in her mind.  She still thought of herself as the girl she had once been.  In that moment, in front of all those folks, friends--strangers, she was 20.  She still had it!   


Oh, I hope I am like these older folks when I get their age.  I would like nothing more than join a group of friends for some mediocre cafeteria food, some mediocre music, some mediocre dancing, but great time being with friends.........All this makes for a great evening........All this makes for a great life!


I love you!!!


Regarding the scarf post, I went to Versona yesterday and I actually bought a scarf.  Let me clarify that statement.  I did go to Versona and I did buy a scarf, but only so Audrey could play with it.  There are so many pretty gewgaws (my mother-in-law used that word to describe anything bright and shiny), and my Audrey was grabbing at anything within or just beyond her reach.  Hey, it was only $3.00 so why not?!?  That kept her entertained the whole time we were in the store.  So Audrey's mom gets the scarf.....she looks great in them. 


 


 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

I want a New Scarf

I want a new scarf.............despite.................


Have you ever met women who always look just like they stepped out of the band box (now that is an old saying, isn't it)?  There are several girls in my life who always looked perfect.  Perfect makeup, perfect clothes, perfect accessories, perfect I tell you! 


Accessories--a scarf is all the rage nowadays. One Tinker friend wears them a lot and they always look perfect on her.  I have seen her wearing a scarf tied expertly so with one end over one shoulder and the other end over the other and that scarf never moved, never moved I tell you!  Even huge scarves draped over one shoulder wouldn't budge a bit on her.  She is ever so stylish and had the best accessories.  Oh, but not me!


So, today when I got an email today from Versona bragging about their new fall scarf collection, I thought why not a new scarf.  I don't wear them often because  I cannot keep my hands off them....always adjusting, moving, twisting, restyling, and retying them.  There is nothing cool or stylish when a woman can't keep her hands off her scarf.  And did I mention that they look like I have a bed sheet wrapped around my neck?   I blame that look on my top-heavy-ness.  I can't quite pull off a scarf (but maybe that is ALL I can do with it).


Even after all the justification of why NOT to buy a scarf, I will try one more.  Surely, this time, it will look great on me over my white cotton shirt and blue jeans.  Nothing prettier than a white shirt, a blue scarf, and jeans.  Just lovely for fall.  Maybe this time, it will stay where I put it.  Maybe this time I won't look like I have a sheet around my neck.  I want a new scarf.


I love you for putting up with my silly little blog.


I love you.       



Autumn

Cherri

Followers

Blog Archive