Romancing the West
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Posted:Aug 9, 2009 8:01 am
Last Updated:Aug 27, 2009 10:01 am 3552 Views
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I just finished watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance for the umpteenth time. Paul Newman and Robert Redford!! The dialogue between the two of them is hilarious.
I love westerns. I think it's a film genre that is greatly underrated by many.
And I enjoy the history of the old west just as much as I enjoy fictional screen portrayels.
Anyone else here cry when John Wayne died in The Cowboys?
Being raised mostly in Arizona and making the trip back and forth, to and fro Texas by way of such places as Deming, Taos & Riuodoso, NM as well as Casa Grande, Tucson and Tombstone, AZ, I have enjoyed learning the legends surrounding the various inhabitats of the old west: tribes, outlaws, colorful characters - The good, the bad and the ugly.
And yes, I have seen my share, obviously, of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns.
Of course, even historical legends have been romanticized to some extent. The real life pictures I have seen of William H Bonney do not remotely resemble Emilio Estevez.
I don't think I would have liked to live during the Wild West days. My great grandmother came from back east to Sweetwater, Texas as a in a covered wagon. I would have probably died from heat stroke on the trip!
My great grandmother on my father's side was sold as an Indian slave to an Irish man who became my great grandfather. Family members even have the bill of sale which states that she was 99.99 percent Choctaw.
I'd like to think that they fell in love, had (including my grandfather) and lived happily ever after. But I really don't know if that was the case. She could have been just a slave, although the Irish didn't have a much higher social standing than that of native Americans.
While my heart wishes for the happily ever after version, my brain tells me that her capture and life as an Indian slave was anything but sunshine and lollipops.
The people in those days were built from sturdy stock in order to survive. In comparison, I am a spoiled infant with my indoor plumbing, air conditioning and ice machine in the door frig.
God has indeed blessed me despite myself!
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Sitting on my hands
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Posted:Aug 3, 2009 9:44 am
Last Updated:Sep 7, 2009 7:13 am 3424 Views
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My momma used to say that if you can't say anything nice about someone to not say anything at all...
So here I am sitting on my hands...
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I need more than a board to bridge the generation gap
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Posted:Jul 29, 2009 5:55 am
Last Updated:Sep 29, 2009 2:23 pm 3288 Views
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I asked my 18 year old the other day how he was doing and he replied that he was just so "La." No, not LA as in Los Angeles or Louisiana but La as laaaaaaaaaaa.
I'm not sure what he meant. I guess it has to do with the severity of his voice inflection. Laaaaa can be manic. Laaaa can be frantic. Laaaa can be silly, fun or it can voice frustration Laaaa can be numerous things.
I think Laaaa might be better than Grrrr but I am unsure.
Sometimes I think it was easier to communicate with him before he could talk. At least I understood the hungry cry from the change my diaper cry. Of course, the latter did have supporting evidence to go by!
At least he still talks to me even if I haven't the slightest what he is saying... Maybe I am just so Laaaaaaaaaaa!
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My Blog - Your blog - His Blog - Her Blog
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Posted:Jul 25, 2009 11:42 pm
Last Updated:Jul 29, 2009 4:32 am 3329 Views
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Has anyone noticed that the most popular name for new blogs is... (insert drum roll please).... "My Blog"?
Am I being mean to point that out? I don't mean to be...
When I started my blog eons ago, I checked out the blog page for several weeks beforehand. Here I would have my own little spot for spouting off my views of this, that and the other. I wanted a blog name that represented me.
Do people ever look at the blog page at all the new blogs entitled "My Blog" and think to themselves, "Hey, that's original. I'll call it My Blog"?
It's not a big deal... I'm just saying... LOL
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It's Aliveeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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Posted:Jul 19, 2009 3:10 pm
Last Updated:Jul 25, 2009 11:21 am 3431 Views
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I haven't been on Big Church since March. It's not that I planned not to come back. It's just I have other priorities in my life that get in the way of blogging.
It's the normal things like work, the punkenstein, health, sleep, laundry and house cleaning.
And from the posts I have read today, well, some of them remind me of that claymation show that used to be on MTv... Celebrity Death Match. I should have brought my hip waders with me.
A lot has happened since March. My company has laid off a bunch of people and forced retirement on many more. Those who are left are doing the jobs of those who have left as well as their own. And then there is the matter of everyone having to take a two week unpaid furlough.
I decided to turn my furlough into a roadtrip to California and back as part of my 's 18th birthday present.
It was much like the opening line to "A Tale of Two Cities."
"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."
I think I just tried to cram way too much into the two weeks: too much sun, too many miles, too many costs, too much of certain family members that we saw along the way.
The good parts included eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at rest stops along the way with my ; playing cards with family in Tucson; spotting two whales, three dolphins and a sea lion in the ocean; eating really thin large flour tortillas smothered in butter from my favorite childhood restaurant in the town I was born in; going to church with my twin aunts who are just five years older than I; seeing training exercises as we drove by Camp Pendelton; picking up my stereo from storage in Tombstone; and walking back through my front door to that feeling of finally being home again!
The bad parts...well let's consentrate on the positive.
The trip took place during the first two weeks in June and it was just last week that I found the woodgrain of my desk at work and caught up on everything that happened while I was gone.
Like everyone else, I am coping with life as it comes at me. I am thankful that I do have knees I can still get on and pray to my Heavenly Father!
I can't promise I can respond to anyone who leaves a message because as much as I try, I can't be online like I used to... I have just too much on my plate right now and none of it is dinner...
Dinner, hmmm, that's a noble idea that I better get working on.
I think of y'all often and so many of you remain in my prayers.
God bless y'all!
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I don't have a gun but I can throw a rock
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Posted:Mar 15, 2009 12:04 pm
Last Updated:Jul 19, 2009 7:35 am 4571 Views
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Earlier today, Dennis posted a very interesting question on whether it is too late for America. I sure hope not. I'm too tired to fling up my arms in despair. Plus there is a part of me deep inside that adores a good fight when it comes to my Lord, my way of life, my home, my beliefs, my family & friends.
Dennis brought up a great analogy asking why we are taking a knife to a gunfight. Like so many others, I can't afford a gun but I am reminded that David only had a slingshot and a handful of rocks. Nothing is impossible with God on our sides.
So now what can we do about this big ole mess we are all in here in the US? What practical steps are there for us to take back our country and preserve our way of life in these troubled times?
Are the events fortold in Revelations already upon us? Should just sit back and let God handle it all since we know in the end He wins!
Dennis spoke quite a bit about the media in his post. He suggested a national newspaper for those who believe as most of us do where capitalism flourishes over socialism and communism while specific rights to its citizens remain intact fully as provided for in our constitution.
Unfortunately, the start up of a national newspaper is not feasible in these economic times to even the most well off right now. Hearst is cutting back. Two newspaper towns are becoming one newspaper towns. Daily newspapers are cutting back on print days and relying more on internet publication.
Clear Channel Communications is ridding itself of high priced radio talent in favor of cheaper automated syndication.
Conde Nast is closing the doors on several of its magazine publications. Even Reader's Digest is having some trouble within some of their divisions.
And I think I get about 10-15 free magazine subscriptions each month. They include TV Guide, Women's Day, Elle, Working Mothers, & Moter Trend, to name a few. I was able to get the free deals online because subscriptions are so low right now that in order for the publication to keep their advertisers which are based on subscriptions, these companies are having to give their product away for free to keep the numbers up!
I do wish I could explain the success of USA Today! That McNews with it's nifty pie charts is an anamoly at best. It has never been taken seriously by anyone I know as a news source.
Does anyone actually buy a subscription or is it all newstands at the airport and Denny's?
Of course then again, there is an overwhelming majority of people who also get their news from Jay Leno's monologue each weekday night.
I don't know of any single solutions to the problems facing America but I do believe we need to look into taking back Main Street USA. This country's business climate was built on the backs of the Mom & Pop businesses. If we could somehow support those businesses and allow them to grow within our communities.
Of course, this would mean forgoing the convenience of your Walmarts, Best Buys, Denny's, Mickey D's in favor of the smaller local businesses. We all ask whatever happened to the local burger joint or knowing the name of the pharmacists...
More local media in the way of weekly newspapers and radio stations might be a part of the plan.
Some areas are discussing the repeal of Blue Laws regarding sales of alcohol in the south on Sundays. I have also seen numerous reports regarding the decriminalization of a certain leafy green substance to use a cash crop in California.
I don't know all the details to those ideas but I do know that communities in this country were built by people not business conglomerates. And if we want our communities to be strong and tight knit, then we need to each get involved in our own communities in some manner. We each need to look within and see what effect we can make in our own communities with the talents and gifts He has given us.
We may not be able to make our voices heard like the national media personalities but we can make our voices be heard within our local communities.
We can get involved in our local governments to make sure our state, county and city laws stay strong and that the federal government doesnt steam roll through us.
We can volunteer in our community to help others with our time, sharing of ourselves and our talents.
In these uncertain times, we need to reach out to our neighbors and band together. I recall hearing about how in my grandparents days if someone was having trouble making their rent, they would host a block party to raise the funds. If everyone pitched in, they could help the family make it through to better times.
It's hard when everyone is having a tough time of it but somehow we must be able to add a little more milk to the gravy and make due with what we have.
I wish I had all the answers but I do know my rusty dull knife isn't going to work in this gunfight so now I am gathering my rocks. If we all gather some, we might have a chance at this fight.
Dennis, thank you for posting such an interesting subject that really got me thinking in many directions.
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Resolution Revolution
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Posted:Mar 14, 2009 4:46 pm
Last Updated:Mar 15, 2009 3:21 pm 3776 Views
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How are those New Year's resolutions going for everyone? Are we all thinner, richer, more satified with our lives? Do we have better jobs, better relationships, better attitudes, better health? Me niether!!
I suck at New Years resolutions. They are always the same and by March, they are forgotten for the most part.
Today for the first time in a long time, I invited my mom to lunch. It's been ages since we have gone to lunch just the two of us. Mom rarely gets out of the house except on grocery day or to run to drugstore or to my house to spend time with my . She even put make up on today!
We had a great time. We went to Applebees and had their two for $20 deal. There was so much food that we brought some home.
I need to do that more often. So many things my mom has done for me through the years and continues to do.
From now on, I resolve to take my mom out once a month, even if its just to starbucks or for a dessert. It doesn't have to be fancy. We both love the corndogs and cherry limeade at Sonic.
So it may not be a New Years resolution but who said we could only make them on New Years. This is my resolution revolution and maybe I'll be better at these things this way.
Now let's see where I can take Mom next month...
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Memories of the Milky Way
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Posted:Mar 8, 2009 10:07 am
Last Updated:Mar 14, 2009 10:06 pm 3702 Views
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I am sitting here drinking the last bit of Hurricane Milk in my mocha latte. I really need to go to the grocery store for milk.
In fact, I have needed to get milk all week! But that's the only thing on my list. I just hate paying convenience store prices as much as I hate fighting the parking lot at the grocery store on the weekend.
So I have put it off for the time being and used our boxed hurricane milk. I get a box of this specially pastuerized 2 percent milk every couple of weeks and since it has a wonderful shelf life, I put it away until we might need it. We call it Hurricane Milk and this week, I needed it!
I sure miss the days of home milk delivery. Do they even do that anymore?
I remember in the early 80s when I was living in California. There was a local dairy who still had home delivery. Regular milk, chocolate milk, sour cream, buttermilk! If it was dairy, they delivered it. The milk always tasted so very good in those cold glass bottles.
There is only one other time in my life that I remember having milk delivered to our home and that was in fourth grade when we lived in Washington state for a few months.
I know it sure helped my mom. My sister was just a at the time and we lived on this mountain. To get groceries, we had to drive down the mountain and then across the river into Idaho.
I don't even remember if we owned two cars back then but with the snow, we weren't going anywhere. We were transplanted desert rats from the Arizona desert. Navigating down an icy mountain with a nine-year-old and a baby was not my mother's forte.
Thanks to home delivery, we were never without milk!
I guess that kind of thing has been lost as Mom & Pop dairies cease to exist. A lot of Mom & Pop businesses have died trying to complete with the all-in-one big box industry giants.
Some people point their fingers and say Walmart killed Main Street USA but I think we have all played a part. Cheaper prices and convenience certainly influence my shopping habits.
But I sure miss home milk delivery and I'd try to save in other areas to afford it if it was available again.
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Buckle Up Buttercup
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Posted:Mar 1, 2009 10:08 pm
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2009 8:34 am 3660 Views
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So here it is late Sunday night as we approach the midnight hour and I am already dreading tomorrow at the office.
When I was younger, I remember my stepfather coming home from the office, totally exhausted. Although he never complained, you could just tell he hated his job. Yet he has been in the same industry now since his mid 20s.
I am sure you have seen those doormats that say One Nice Person and One Old Grouch lives here. That fit my dad to a T! Mom was always the nice one. Pop was grouchy.
I always thought as a that I would never ever take a job that made me feel like he must have felt every day. No matter what I grew up to be, I knew quite young that I would want to want to do whatever I grew up to do.
For the better part of my adult life, I have worked hard but at jobs I really enjoyed and ones where I could utilize my talents. They weren't the highest paying jobs but we made it through and I had tremendous perks and support from friends and family.
Times are harder now. Many I know, have been laid off. Others like me are expected to work harder to make up for the missing bodies. Needless to say additional compensation is not offered.
Now I find myself working, doing three times the work, and thankful for the job. But at the same time I dread every moment of it. I truly hate my job and while I am darn good at it, I have no desire to continue doing it. I find it creatively stifling at best and it does not utilize the talents God has given me.
It's a good job and the money I make, although not close to the industry standard, is enough to keep my and I afloat with a roof over our heads with a supply of coupons to make it thru.
God always comes thru for us some way, some how when things don't look so good.
My current position is completely different than anything I have ever done before and while it has increased my skill set significantly, it has done so in more of an administrative end than creative. It is one that requires much consentration and detailed calculation.
I guess I would fall in the lower middle class slot. I am a single parent who does not receive alimony or support. I have a 17 year old special needs who has meds that would cost in excess of $1,000 per month if I didnt have insurance. But I did purchase my own mobile home last Spring so it's mine and the banks! And my payment is cheaper than apartment rent!!!!
God blessed me into getting a first time home buyer FHA loan on this used mobile home and land right before the whole housing mess broke wide open.
A part of me says I need to buckle up buttercup. Be thankful for the job and keep busting hump for this company. I have been there for over three years now and some of the key players have changed in the past year...maybe things will get better. Keep your nose to the grind stone and ride this economic wave of doom out. As long as I have people to pay, I have a job. And a job that I need to do right as a representative of His .
So even if the company treats me like crap, if I do my job as I should for Him then it makes a lot more sense and makes it a bit easier to carry on with it all.
However... another part thinks I am a nutcase to continue to drive every morning in Houston traffic to go to the unsavory Greenpoint (Gunnspoint) area of Houston. Some days I spend up to four hours just getting to and from the office. And when I am already mentally spent, well, sometimes it's just not a good mix.
Besides why would God give me artistic talents if there is not some way I can use them for His glory and His will...
A part of me fully wonders why I should live paycheck to paycheck and hate it when I could probably get a job somewhere closer although it would totally foul up Jake's insurance and medical but I'd save on gas and perhaps keep my sanity.
I think I could feel a little more appreciated elsewhere than I do at this company.
At the same time, I don't want to mess with Jake's meds. He is doing really well right now. I think we have finally found the right combination and doseage for the most part.
Now I just need to find the right combination of employment that pays and provides along with use of my God given talents and creativity!
So that is my quandry on a late Sunday night. I am praying for God to open the doors that need to be open and close the ones that don't. I pray for His continued provision for my and I.
If God softens your heart just a little to say a little prayer for my and I, hey, I would be more than appreciative!
In the meantime, it's time for me to hit my knees before I hit the sheets. Monday morning comes early and once again it will be time to Buckle up Buttercup!
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Gonna reap what I sow
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Posted:Feb 25, 2009 10:25 pm
Last Updated:Feb 26, 2009 8:38 pm 3057 Views
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I should be in bed. It's after midnight and truly I should be in bed. I have to hit the freeways early tomorrow and the dread of going into the office has already set in.
Tomorrow is going to be rough for sure but I must find it within myself to look for the small victories and praise Him for every one I can find. I have to set my mind in the direction of the positive and ignore the negative...
And to really do it right, I must put my armor tonight and keep the enemy from creeping into my thoughts where I just think too much about things that keep me awake and get some good sleep while I can.
Goodnight y'all and peaceful slumber to you!
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