Saturday, September 11, 2010

WHERE WERE YOU...

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love...
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day ?

Personally, I had just completed packing for a cross-country move (from Massachusetts to California). We left for California on schedule on September 15th, 2001. We were in shock most of the time. What do I remember most about that journey? It rained a lot that week.



AMEN.
Thanks for stopping by...

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

One Year Later

With all the time that I have been away from you, my friends, I am sure you don't remember my post from just about a year ago.
http://carol-george.blogspot.com/2009/08/wild-fire-in-auburn-california.html
It was on August 30, 2009, that a wild fire destroyed the home and ALL the possessions of my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law. The have spent the last year living in a rented home not far from where they had lived. At the time I wrote the blog, I didn't include any pictures. This is all that was left. You might be able to make out the metal shell of my brother-in-law's Jeep on the left side of the picture.

Sixty-three homes and three businesses were lost in this fire. We have visited Auburn a few times since the fire. And slowly the neighborhood regains its footing. New homes are being built and happy faces breathe a sigh of relief as more and more families move back into their neighborhood. It is now less of a "cookie cutter" neighborhood than I remember it being before the fire.

This is the home (on the same lot) that my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law moved back into last Saturday, August 22, 2010. It is a few feet more in total square footage, but is basically the same foot print as the old home. Wasn't it nice for the clouds to cooperate for this picture?


The neighbors (to the right) were moving in on the same day. Lots of smiles at this end of the cul-de-sac. The neighbors went in a totally different direction with their new home. They went from a ranch-type structure to a 2-story contemporary home with four bedrooms (two master suites) and a full pool instead of a back yard. The variety of homes being built to suit the owners is quite obvious.

This is the deck -- sliders off the dining area. And they included the garden window for Mom's plants. They have been told that now is not the time to plant grass seed, but they could lay sod. The decision about that hasn't been made yet. You can almost see my brother-in-law standing at the sliders. The dog belongs to my husband's sister who came from Redwood City to line all Mom's kitchen and pantry shelves.

This is my mother-in-law sitting at her new dining table and showing off her new kitchen. I think she was ready for her afternoon nap. The woman will be 90 years young on October 11th. We are throwing her a grand party in her new home. The orchid is a housewarming gift. Did I mention, she loves her flowers and flower gardens? The rose bushes have been purchased for a few months... now it's time to plant them.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Biker Bar ??

I dropped by your house the other day
and was told you were down at your favorite biker bar
with some friends!

I wasn't sure where that was,
but was told I wouldn't have much trouble finding it.


Sure enough, I drove just a couple blocks and there it was...


Thought for the day: "When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first."

Thanks for stopping by....

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

RABBITS, RABBITS, RABBITS

IT IS JUNE the FIRST.
Many years ago, I was on a bowling league with a lady who asked me if I ever did the "rabbits, rabbits, rabbits" thing when I got out of bed on the first of every month.
I had never heard of it. She explained that on the first of every month when she got out of bed she would hop on one foot and say "rabbits, rabbits, rabbits". It's supposed to bring you good fortune and $$$$$$$$.

Here is what Wikipedia told me about this...
“Rabbit rabbit white rabbit” is a common British superstition. The most common modern version states that a person should say “rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit” or simply "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" upon waking on the first day of each new month, and on doing so will receive good luck for the duration of that month.

The exact origin of the superstition is unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1954 in Bromley, Kent, England, where it is most commonly said to have originated, though some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1800s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. This superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a “lucky” animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck. Some have also believed it is representing a jumping into the future and moving ahead with life and happiness.

So... rabbits, rabbits, rabbits....
may you shine and prosper during this month of June.
Thanks for stopping by...

Monday, May 31, 2010

THANK YOU... we miss you





For my children and grandchildren...
This is Dad’s/Grandpa Don’s final resting place.
He spent a year in Viet Nam (Marines).
Then he was in a medic unit of the National Guard
(out of Pennsylvania).
He is resting at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
RIP Don.
Hope your day is sunny.
Thanks for stopping by...

Sunday, May 30, 2010

MEMORIAL DAY ~ 2010








Enjoy your holiday.
Thanks for stopping by...






















Sunday, January 10, 2010

Thank Goodness... I'm not

For this week’s TAKE THIS TUNE, Jamie has chosen a tune by Ray Stevens titled: I Am My Own Grandpa. Ray Stevens has done a long list of silly/parody songs… this one included. And I do like his musical comedy. Personally, my favorite is “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” – along with the video (cute kids).

This brought me back to what I was investigating when I stopped blogging back in August or September. I never knew either of my grandfathers very well. My father was a mystery to me as well. I spent a lot of time investigating what made them tick. Well, I may not have figured that out, but I think I understand my father and his father better for having done the investigating.


My father’s father (Grandpa Johnson) passed away suddenly of a heart attack when I was about 8 years old. I thought I should cry over it, but never really did. I learned a lot about him through a journal that my Aunt Micky (dad’s much younger sister) kept… actually, my inquiries prodded her to begin her writing again. The following is the last piece that she sent me. She is almost 90 years old and I have left it as she wrote it. Todd School for Boys was the academia and Camp Tosebo was the summer boys camp associated with the school.

TODD SCHOOL POLITICS

This all happened before I was born but they are stories that have been told in the family. My father, A E Johnson, came to Todd as a teacher after he graduated from Hiram College. When he married he was given West Cottage where my brother and sister were born. When the then headmaster left, the family was moved to the headmaster’s cottage and Dad took the duties as headmaster.

At one point Dad left for a year to find a new position. However he was lured back with the promise that he would run the school after Noble Hill retired. That promise was never fulfilled and my mother was very bitter about it

During this time Noble Hill’s son Roger attended the University of Illinois and married Hortence Gettys. My humble opinion is that had her eye on the school. Anyhow, when Noble Hill retired the school went to Roger and Camp Tosebo went to Noble’s daughter Carol. Roger did not yet have his degree so Dad had to sign official papers.

As far as A E Johnson’s presence at Tosebo, early in his career at Todd, he was given the choice of recruiting students or being on the staff of the new camp. We are all glad that he chose the camp.

As a young boy Orson Welles came as a student and became like a son to Roger Hill. Orson considered himself a genius and had some effect on the activities at Todd. There was a greater emphasis on dramatics.
Dad kept up the academic standards quietly. This side did not get the publicity that the dramas and athletics did. Dad also taught the printing. He also helped with the building of the stage coach and the barn for the horses.

I feel a little unhappy and cheated that my father’s memory seems to be forgotten in history of Todd School.

~Mildred Johnson Thomas~

My father passed away in 2002 at the age of 90. He had Alzheimers. He was a strict father and was closed to people on the emotional level. At some point I thought it might have been because my sister and I were adopted. He was closed emotionally to my children also. But when the disease set in and the great grandchildren came along, he had such a big loving heart I couldn’t believe it was the same man -- there were much less of the prior emotional inhabitions. That love had been hiding inside all along. In hindsight, I believe that he was never shown or taught to show his emotions. Men NEED to do this as well as do women.

I am still sad that I didn’t know these men better – that I didn’t see inside their hearts, and brains – before they passed into a brighter light.

So I tell those who matter that I love them... and I tell them as often as possible.

Thanks for stopping by... you have a great day and I will too.

Friday, January 8, 2010

A Pet Peeve -- comes to light


I have a new pet peeve.

Monday through Friday I take my son to work. It’s something I can do for him because I couldn’t do more for him while he was growing up (he is still “growing up” – aren’t we all?). Anyway, we always listen to the morning DJs (Dave and Susan) on a local country station. This morning’s topic made me extremely angry. Tell me what you think… please.

Dave went through a red light on Christmas Eve (he says it was 4 a.m.). The camera at the light took his picture and in the mail yesterday he got a ticket for $371 and the copy of his picture in his car running the light. Apparently in the two years that he has been living in the Sacramento area, he hasn’t bothered to get a California driver’s license either. Now he is panicking because he has to go to court to get all this straightened out. His first stupid move was to admit to anything on this public method of communication (the radio station). You just don’t do that. I couldn’t help myself; I sent him the following email:

“Dave... I listen to you and Susan every morning. Now, I may regret this, but here goes. Get over it! Pay the ticket and get over it! YOU made the decision to not stop for a red light and to not get a California license. All this crap is YOUR responsibility... not Susan's, not mine, not the little guy in my review mirror... it's YOURS. Attitudes like yours make it really difficult for parents to instill respect for laws that are made for ALL OF US. Get over it and get legal.”

I guess this has always been a pet peeve of mine, but now I have voiced it publicly. Why do those personalities who are in the spotlight (be it a radio personality or President of the United States) feel that they are above the law? It sure would make it easier on all parents if these human beings admitted they were human and owed up to their mistakes.

Mama always said: It’s easier to remember the truth than many lies.

Thanks for stopping by...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR WISH

Perhaps a bit wiser,
a bit kinder, too;
a little bit braver,
a heart that's more true;
a touch of believing
I've not known before;
in joys I'm receiving
perhaps a little bit more.

A little more anxious
to reach out my hand;
despite hurt or problems
to still understand;
accepting the heartache
that life often brings;
a little more beauty
in life's simple things.

A prayer when I'm weary
as onward I trod,
a little more trusting,
believing in God,
'tis this I would wish
for within moments dear,
not a lot - just a little –
this wondrous new year.

~ Garnett Ann Schultz ~