Hunter and some of his cousins a couple of months ago
Suddenly the “little guy” in turning in to a big kid. He is smart as a whip and will talk your ear right off. He is organized and meticulous and precise. He saus what he means and means what he says! And he cracks me up on purpose and quite by accident. His favorite snack at my house? A cup full of parmesan cheese and a spoon while he watches a movie.
Hunter-the Movie
Here is a little project Hunter and I did a couple of days ago. He was in a dancing mood, but not so much a talkng mood, but still…he is Hunter!
Dear Hunter-Magoo, You KNOW I love you and miss you when you’re gone on your ministry travels, but I love that you are learning to love the world for Jesus! Happy Birthday, Star Wars Boy! Hugs and a million-ga-ZILLION kisses from your Nonna!
My blog is almost 4 years old. This is the 1000th post. But there are over 30 posts in my drafts folder waiting…just…waiting.
I started blogging 1409 days ago (11.29.06) a.k.a. three years, ten months and nine days ago.
Graphomaniacal. In a word. And if I could always sum things up in one word, there would not be this blog…with 1000 posts.
Oh, and as it happens, today is the one-year anniversary of the day I turned 50. Or as some negative-Nellies like to call it: turning 51. Sigh….
Aka – 18,628 days old.
Tre took the photo of me, Stormie added me to the Sesame Street gang. Some one else had posted the original pic and “1000” sentiment and I swiped it from Google-images. Makes me happy. ;p
“If you move around all your life, you can’t find where you came from on a map. All those places where you lived are just that: places. You don’t come from any of them; you come from a series of events. And those are mapped in memory. Contingent, precarious events, without the counterpane of place to muffle the knowledge of how unlikely we are. Almost not born at every turn. Without a place, events slow-tumbling through time become your roots. Stories shading into one another. You come from [stories…events…people].”
-Anne Marie McDonald in The Way the Crow Flies
In Des Moines
The basement apartment
The Washington Street house, earliest memories
Me at the Washington Street house…on the Anderson-Erikson Dairy milkbox
1310 York Street, 2 doors down from Grandma Baker
1723 York Street, the first one my parents ever bought (across the alley and one street over from Aunt Rosie)
In Davenport
3536 Jersey Ridge Road, the acreage with ponds and baseball games
5506 North Howell
In Cedar Rapids
the “parsonage” on some street I can’t recall
In Robert, La
“the parsonage” on highway 190 east of Hammond
with Ginger (and Miss Clara for a few weeks)
In Gary
4995 Roosevelt Place
In Minot
Dorm Room
Trailer in married student housing park
barn-shaped house
In Kokomo
1106 Armstrong Street
In Sioux City
Leeds neighborhood house for one week (house had major problems ;[ )
Jackson Street-the yellow house
across from school, our first house to ever buy, huge!
In Norfolk (don’t ask)
N 10th, loved this house
N 13th, historical Victorian, loved it, too
Park Place, just passing through
“orange” house, endured
“Bob” Nebraska, torture (not the house, the season)
In Denver
Acoma Street house (where we had “Graceland Home School”)
In Brighton
Pheasant Ridge, land of grandbebes
There was actually some zig and some zag between some of these. But these are all just houses. They aren’t where I am from, though I enjoy looking at them again via Google-maps. They are just places I lived. Home is where my heart is. And where my heart is held with great care
Where thou art ~ that ~ is home. Emily Dickenson
“It’s anywhere I’ll ever go and everywhere I’ve been
Nothing takes my breath away like my front porch looking in”
Still blogging after all these years. { Thought Collage, est. 2006/11 }
What I hope the blog {as autobiographical as it may be} is accomplishing:
From Frederick Buechner’s words in Now and Then (via John Eldredge’s Walking with God)
“There is something more than a little disconcerting about writing your autobiography. When people have occasionally asked me what I am working on, I have found it impossible to tell them without an inward blush. As if anybody cares or should care…
But I do it anyway. I do it because it seems to me that no matter who you are, and no matter how eloquent or otherwise, if you tell your own story with sufficient candor and concreteness, it will be an interesting story and in some sense a universal story…
If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the Church, then I think that he speaks to us largely through what happens to us, so what I have done in theis book…is to listen back over what has happened to me – as I hope my readers may be moved to listen back over what has happened to them – for the sound, above all else, of His voice…[For] His word to us is both recoverable and precious beyond the telling.”
This is the record of the sound of His {unwavering, thoroughly faithful} voice in my life.
I am leaving it here for Tara, Dave and Hunter Magoo, for Steph, Tristan and the Kelley kids (Gavin, Guinivere and Gemma May), for Tredessa, for Rocky, Jovan and the girls (Averi and Amelie Belle), and for Stormie and the blessed add-ons ;p and to all the rest to come and for all those ever-after who come from them.
We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
1 John 1.3-4 NLT
NOTE TO: Stephanie, Stefane and Kimberlee, Tredessa and Stormie, Ellie, Mary and Sarah, Heather and Denise: L O V I N G the chance to hear your hearts and walk this season-of-the-soul with you!
I am always mourning summer’s end, but really. Could we have had a more perfect month than September was, than October is? Fruitfulness in the garden, warm, sunny days and cooler nights? Slight breezes and swaying branches. Green grass, blue skies. I see a little color starting to paint the tips of Aspen leaves out the back door. October’s glow is golden and warm as I continue to carry in armloads of tomatoes and cucumbers, zucchini and squash.
No actual autumn rain, but a gorgeous autumn, nonetheless. Pie, mmm….and coffee I received in Montana! Delish!
…I have been younger in Octoberthan in all the months of spring…naked air late morningmy love is for lightness…– W. S. Merwin, The Love of October
God bless him, Rocky requested pumpkin pie for his family birthday celebration the other day. Early cool morning the house smelled of brown sugar and cinnamon baking as yellow and orange sunbeams rose slowly, then erupted into a merry dance and if only I could have stopped time…
Amelie (trying a new look) and her mommy.
“October is nature’s funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure
is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors.”
– Henry Ward Beecher
“Where on earth have you been?” the lemon cuke scolded. She was miffed at my absence while I was in Montana. “You can see what has happened here, can’t you?” Yes. I could and I had warned her of such trickery when the sunflower had perched so slyly in the tomato row. Yes, he’s offered his shoulder, but just as soon as lemon cuke was entwined, depending heavily on Sunflower for support and tomato thought a forever friendship had been established, he turned his head and bowed out. Oh, still he is there, less cocky than before and slightly bent over, but he is of no use to them now. Once the dashing provocateur, now a shadow of the promise.
Not to worry, I comfort heartbroken lemon cuke. The birds will soon peck his eyes out. {I cannot help laughing at myself for thinking such violence, and lemon cuke finally gives in with a faint smile…} The spell broken, lemon cuke returns to her garden square, esteemed and protected by King Zucchini. Summer has ended. Farewell, oh dashing Helianthus Tuberoses. Fare thee well … {the birds really are gonna pack his eyes out!}.
We took a colorable version of Picasso’s “Guitar Man” and wrote blessings and words of love for Rocky for his birthday as part of the song of his life (this year is all about song at our celebrations…ask Wrex about “Rocky mountain guy” hehe!)
Today the pool is packed away.
{But it DOES kinda still FEEL like summer…*b i g smile!*}
These are the things I cook or bake or make that I get the most positive response from, sort of the foods I have a reputation for. A list.
Delectable
Chicken and dumplings {hands-down favorite}
Olive balls
Crab Spread with Bookbinder’s Cocktail Sauce
Pizza Rolls
Mac & Cheese (NOT Kraft!)
Garlic-Butter White Sauce Vegetable Lasagna (with meatballs and marinara on the side, of course)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes {soooo creamy wonderful!}
Savory
Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips or warm, crunchy tortilla chips
Italian Nachos with crispy-fried won-ton chips
Green Chile
Swedish Meatballs
Garlic-Cheese Biscuits
Cilantro Salsa
Chicken Filling for Tacos and Quesadillas
Juicy
Iced tea. Amber lusciousness.
Lemon-Lime Sherbert Punch. The green-glow refreshment.
Cucumber Sandwiches (crunchy AND juicy)
Crunchy
Chimichangas, Rocky-style
Sesame Cabbage Salad
Popcorn Salad
Lime-Cilantro Slaw
Sweet
Lemon-poppyseed cake
Lazy Peach Dessert
Old-fashioned Fruit Pizza
Strawberry Shortcake
Pumpkin Spice Cake (inventing my own cake flavors is my favorite)
Peanut Butter Balls
Butter Cookies
Sugar Cookies on sticks {they really are as delicious as they look!}
Cream Cheese Icing
Yummy
Bacon-Corn Chowder
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
Potato Soup
Runzas (Ok, yes, in Nebraska I referred to these as mystery-meat-sandwiches, but mine are pretty tasty and sometimes called Harvest Burgers or Kraut Burgers here in Colorado, but I still call them Runzas).
Tried once ~ no one ever wanted again:
Deep-fried pickles (I liked them)
Corned Beef and Cabbage (it was St. Patrick’s Day, we were going to watch “The Quiet Man.” Who knew?)
Plan to try soon ~ will these make the cut?
Crispy Zucchini Chips
Zucchini Cakes (like potato cakes, only…)
Deep-fried Candy Bars {OH YES I am going to try these!}
Things I never make anymore, but love and should do again
Apple Crisp
Cheesecakes {with a “surprise” crust}
Cinnamon Rolls
Cream Puffs
Filled Savory Puffs
Salmon Chowder
Shrimp Gumbo
Red Beans and Rice
Tredessa has been after me for years now to recipe-ize these things, and many others, for very few of them have a written “recipe.” So I am trying to do that, including the story of where and from whom I got the recipe and variations she could try. And it stretches me. I cook by “sense,” what seems or feels like it will work? The door is always open for disaster. Tredessa is meticulous and follows known, tried-and-true procedure with a guarantee of a perfect product. So in this particular arena, I guess I am pretty brave. Haha. But it all goes with my philosophy about food in general:
If you use ingredients you adore, in almost any combination, they will be scrumptious!
Tell me your best recipe that should become a favorite of mine!!…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Get three recipes to Dessa this week!
I know its time for heaven’s rain, it’s gonna rain
Little boy grows up.
Look at you, Rocky. My little boy grew up. The shadow of the child with the thick black hair (mullet) and short legs running zig zags over surfaces and walls and ceilings, I can still see from the corner of my eye at times. I brace myself when you walk into the room these days – what joke or orneriness will ensue? Will you tickle me (undoubtedly) or try to scare me (most certainly) and when can I breathe relief as you move on to another target?
Rocky with Amelie Belle, September 2010
Oh, you were a bundle of delightful energy, you were all boy-defiant and strong-willed. You were all the brother your sisters could handle and you pushed their limits nearly every day of their lives and don’t they love you all the more for it, now?
Rocky with Averi earlier this year
‘Cause it’s living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire
Rocky with Jovan, the love of his life
But before me stands a man, an honorable and good man. He is rugged and handsome, he is gentle and humble. He loves his beautiful wife and he dotes on his little daughters, and they sure do love their daddy. He is strong and gifted, capable, yet unpretentious. You are turning out, Rocky Rhoades. You are have turned out to be a wonderful man! Your mama loves you – can you tell? ;p Like a rock!
Rain down all around the world we’re singing
Rain down can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Rain down, rain it down on me.
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing!
Just when I thought you’d drive me insane, when your boldness and courage collided with your young teen-aged hormones and you questioned everything about everything and I wondered if I’d totally missed instilling in you what I’d wanted to, when you were about 13 and God showed me in an instant, as I was walking in to Burlington Coat Factory in Westminster and an evening snow was beginning to fall, that I shouldn’t worry. He showed me I’d raised a David (your true given name ~ David Allen Rhoades II, and a Psalmist) mixed with a bold, impetuous Peter (the “rock”). My heart breathed a sigh of relief, strength to see you through the teen years.
And wow-o-wow, was I ever happy when, within a few days, you said aloud that the 2 people in the Bible you most related with were David and Peter. YEAH! Thank-You, God!
Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it’s time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I’m ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands – yeah,yeah
When you were just 2 as a ring-bearer in LeAnn and Ron Barnes’ wedding. With your 3 big sisters. We were practically our own 1980s “hair band.” Haha!
Time to dream again!
Then you read Psalm 112 and told us, as a young teen-age kid, no less, that YOU wanted to be that kind of man. A Psalm 92 man: whew! What a joyous relief for your mom! And that IS who you are and the grace into which you are continuing to grow and go towards. That is your life scripture and your future, Rock-man. It is your description, you calling, your destiny and your promise! And because you choose this, I have all confidence in your life, your future. Go get ’em, Rocky, my unshakable: wealth, riches, light, blessing, good, security, honor and all the rest!
Hope IS in your hands, baby boy! You can count on it!
Rain down all around the world we’re singing
Rain down can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Rain down.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU!
Give me strength to cross the water – Keep my heart upon Your altar
Rain down, rain down!
Give me strength to cross this water – Keep my feet don’t let me falter
Rain down.
Do not shut the heavens
But open up our hearts, open up our hearts
Your mama loves you like a rock!
VIDEO: This is when Rocky took a few months of voice lessons in 2006 so he’d know how to sing it up without damaging his vocal chords. His instructor threw a recital for all of her students. It isn’t a worship setting, so there is some awkwardness in the set-up and maybe even a little in the response, but he brought it! And every time he sings this song, I can almost see the heavens opening up to pour out a blessing.
Happy Birthday, beloved son. May the heavens pour you out a blessing you can hardly contain and I hope you just get drenched! Soaked! You and your family, too!
First of all, it is STILL hard to believe you had that heart attack in May so unexpectedly and surprisingly! If anyone could have staved one off by right living and clean eating and working out, it was you. So, the emergency surgery and 2 stints were kind of a shocker.
But THEN – to have you become even MORE health-conscious and even more dedicated to eating to overcome any possible cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease related problems, only have to have to have a SECOND surgery a couple of weeks ago (because of another impending attack, identified through the chest pains and an 80% + blockage) with two more stints in the SAME artery??!? Positively unbelievable.
Pictures of my dad I love (I am the baby on the right)
Sorry, dad. I am sorry you had to find out at this age that you can only do so much and that even you have a body that will eventually wear out. It has been healthy and good to you for years, so don’t get all bitter on it now. You and mom have both been the great-health-exceptions in your families and that is nothing less than the favor and protection of God as you have worn yourselves out for Kingdom stuff.
Some stuff I know you hate:
That it stopped your busy lifestyle, first for the sugeries and then for the recovery times.
That your doctor has limitedyour activity a little and said you have to go back slowly.
That some one else had to mow your lawn for a couple of weeks.
That us kids had to know anything at all about it.
That even after the first heart attack and your seriousness in following the rules, your body didn’t follow yours {what betrayal!}. It actually had the nerve to break your rules!
And that ^%$#@#$@!! insurance company now telling you they won’t pay the second surgery CANNOT be helping anything. I guess they’d have preferred you go ahead and have a massive heart attack with permanent damage so they could pay you $$$ forever? If this insurance thing causes you to have a stroke now (try to remain calm, daddy-kins), I will become very litigious. Very litigious, indeed. They better not mess with a girl who loves her dad.
I decided to sing you a “heart song” to help you feel better.
Reasons/excuses I am late doing this video:: Rocky was suppose to sing it with me with his guitar. I was waiting for a good hair day in spite of Tredessa recently telling me I am having a bad hair YEAR. I wanted to be strong of voice, however, I tried that today and my poor little web-cam laptop mic can’t handle it, so I had to whisper anyway. I wanted a camera that could soft-focus me. I wanted a sound system to make my voice good. I wanted to actually know the words and the song arrangement…in the right order. And? I knew I would furrow my brow in a frown most of the way through…and I did. DANG IT! Those are basically all my excuses. ;p
All this to say: sorry, dad. Be well and take care, really good care.
You’re a good-hearted man with a hard-working heart and I pray for you daily. You’re still strong and healthy and running circles around the rest of us. Don’t worry. Just guard your heart. Because I love it and all the rest of you! LOVE to my papasan!
The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990
§§§§§
P.S.
Oh, and Dear, sweet Mom-of-mine~
YOU made me smile. A lot. This week! Sittiing on our swings on our patios chatting on the phone… hundreds of miles apart {you there in Springfield and me here in Denver} after dark. Then the sheer joy of realizing that the very bright almost-full moon shining on each of us was one and the same. And there we were, both shamelessly and with childlike abandon singing “Somewhere Out There.” Probably looking like loons to our neighbors. That is funny!
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Some one’s thinking of me and loving me tonight
§
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
§
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we’re sleeping underneath the same big sky
§
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we’ll be together, somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true!…
My little grandsons crack me up. And? They are my little heroes.
They helped me put this together a couple of weeks back when they spent the night. And they have taken to opening the car door for me and allowing me to enter doorways ahead of them. They are my little gentlemen, my darling fellas.
Hunter is almost 6 and Gavin is 7. Best cousins, silly boys and my heart!
NOTE TO SELF: The granddaughters are next! I can see it in my head and it is beautiful! ;p
