Hope

Center of Hope

Folks are every where soliciting money for many causes.  I often make a donation to those red kettles.  I really don’t appreciate those that hassle you on the hi-way, and I don’t mean the ones standing near the exits.  I am talking about those with buckets one in each lane.  Last time they were collecting for a church is what their sign said.  I broke a wrist sometime in the past.  It healed and now the bones in my wrist have separated.  I really can’t use it for much.  Rolling down the window in the Chevy (our Chevy is 12 years old and windows come down the old fashioned way) is hard for me to do as it is my left arm that is about useless, plus I am not the best driver and don’t like seeing them in the middle of the road.  Well today I went to get corn for the chickens.  I just go to tractor supply and usually they don’t even offer to help load it.  I thought “I can do this with one arm”.  Well! The center of Hope was there under a little awning taking donations.  I told myself if one of those THREE large adult males offer to load the 50 pound sack of corn I will give them a nice donation.  They hit me up as I left with my corn in a cart so I responded “ no, thank you” and still thinking I’ll give to the center of Hope if they offer to come to my aid.  I lugged  the sack of corn into the cab of the  Chevy as the three men talked.  Do you think any of them offered to help me as I loaded my corn one armed?  No, they did not and I do not have much hope for their center of Hope really having the heart to help mankind.  I did make a donation to the red kettle at Hobby Lobby where a handicapped man sat in a wheel chair.  He did not ask but thanked me afterwards and smiled as he did.

Hope Ada is feeling better today.   Hope....

Thanksgiving Grands

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.  My Dad and brother, Willis and Clayton Powell, loved wild turkeys.  They fed them and a flock was always near.  We see them in Galla Meadow and I think of Dad and Clayton when I spot one.

The idea that Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey as the national bird of the United States comes from a letter he wrote to his daughter Sarah Bache on January 26, 1784. The main subject of the letter is a criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati, which he likened to a chivalric order, which contradicted the ideals of the newly founded American republic.  In one section of the letter, Franklin remarked on the appearance of the bald eagle on the Society's crest:

“Others object to the Bald Eagle, as looking too much like a Dindon, or Turkey. For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk [osprey]; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country... I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red coat on.   Benjamin Franklin 1784

Movie time

My neighbors took me to the movies to see Mr. ROGERS.  They knew I’d love it and I did.  We have choices constantly in thoughts, actions, and feelings.  Go for the good.   Emulate Mr. Rogers.

Sigrid is Mobile

At last you have passed your test
And now you are on the road
So watch out for all those drivers
Who have forgotten the Highway Code
WELL DONE, Sigrid.

Sigrid passed on the first take.  Even Ingrid had to take it twice.  Noe, Sig is ready to roll.  Well, Mom or Dad has to be in the car, too.

Ada is Sick

 The picture is when Pop and Gigi were Larry and Betty.

Ada has pneumonia.  Trying not to worry. Worrying.

Hats for Ada

 Ada is coming Thanksgiving.  Erin said she needed hats to cover her little ears.  I made her several.

Happy Birthday, Erin

Pop and Gigi’s little girl has a birthday today.  The truck is her model and Pop says that she is over the hill heading down the other side.   He’s hoping her brakes will hold.  Happy birthday, Erin Marie Renfroe!

The Lord sent sunshine to me with my first child. He sent my second one as an anchor for my soul, a solid rock to hold me fast and care for me. Laura shines rays of sunshine on me and Erin holds me close with an anchor! Whatever troubles come my way, I cannot complain for I know I have had two great blessings and it is enough for a lifetime, but alas, God added six fold blessings to me....six wonderful grand babes.

Rags to Rugs

Helen’s making a rag rug. She ripped an old sheet and dyed it.  I have made several, but don’t enjoy connected the strips.

TV on Wall

 Logan and Astrid helped Laura get her new TV on the wall.  The principal at Laura’s school made her table.  I love all the pictures.  Sigrid is putting up their Christmas tree.

I am making an Afghan for my elderly cousin. After I get it done I want to make her a prayer shawl in the butterfly pattern.  I bet blogger Mary Lou could do it easily.  I worried I can’t get the pattern.  I have a simple mind.

Basketball Medal

 Greta’s teamed played basketball this morning.  She starred.

New Furniture

well, not for me but Laura and Astrid.  Laura’s principal made these not Pop.  Laura will put her new tv on the wall.  This will look good with the pieces she redid.  The end tables and coffee table  are Astrid’s.

Carolina Wren

It was on a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced,
And so sweetly as she sung--

Raisin Pie

Laura brought us old fashioned raisin pie.  Pop loves it as his Granny made it for him.  It was delicious.

Phinnie’s Pup

Blu is growing up.  She is really smart plus beautiful.  Sometimes we get to babysit when her Momma works late

Rare Whitetail Deer

Someone got a photo of this unusual deer this season.  He has three antlers so lots more points.  Would it count in the big buck contest?

Ingrid is In !

 My friend of 60 years came to see me today.  So wonderful to see her.

And...Whoopie, my Ingie has been accepted to the Honors College at University of Arkansas.  This dummy had to look it up and read about what it was.  I am so proud of little Ingrid!

The Honors College at the University of Arkansas enhances the learning of students by sharing unique learning experiences with participants. From 10-15% of Arkansas undergraduates participate in the Honors College. Entering freshman for the Honors College have an average score of 31 on the ACT and 4.0 high school GPA.  Honors students benefit from smaller classes, priority registration, special housing and opportunities for hands-on research. Each year the Honors College awards up to 90 freshman fellowships worth $72,000 over four years and more than $1,000,000 in research, study abroad and service learning grants.  The Honors College serves all undergraduate majors.

To Mom

 I. Six Months
Flaxen light filters through the thin curtains,
Casting ornate patterns on her cheek.
Like intricate paper snowflakes,
Dancing in frigid wind.
With rosy hands and balmy lips,
Blushing petunia petals,
She rocks my cradle with saccharine affection.

II. Four Years
I fall into backyard creeks,
And bring tadpoles into the tub,
Hidden in the folds of my baby fat hands.
She scrubs the mud from my skin,
And blows iridescent bubbles across the bathwater surface,
Like miniature sailboats,
drifting towards a porcelain horizon.

III. Eight Years
Wax races away from amber flames,
Dripping onto pristine frosting,
Creating daffodil craters in vanilla cake.
She watches in dim corners of rooms,
With a heaviness in her eyes,
Weeping for time that can’t be given back.

IV. Thirteen Years
I paint with gloss and powder,
A saturated version of myself,
A colorful tarpaulin pulled over innocence.
She watches with silent lucidity,
Out of hand and out of season.
Fallen fairy wings and pixie dust
Bottled in jars and flasks.

V. Seventeen Years
Alabaster legs hang off the edge,
Brushing my brass bedframe in teenage infatuation.
When our four legs become two,
She waits with subtle alchemy,
Gracing me with a summer storm.
Like a warm highway rain,
Showering me in love.
 Ingrid

So Proud of Ingrid

 She wants a career not a job.  She wants to choose her path not follow an easy street.  She raised her ACT score with her last take.  Whoop, whoop!

Style

 Pop made Laura the above table.  She also redid her side table to match.  The top is finished the bottom painted.  The contrast makes her small living room look larger.  Pop’s table has a small drawer that is cedar lined.

Still Kicking

 Astrid is still enjoying sports.  She played volleyball with a Tech team and some type of football.  I think is an independent soccer league.  She will always love sports.

Ingrid’s Pictures 5

Inrids Pictures 4

Ingrid’s Pictures 3