July Calendar

July 1-3 Alexander-Butcher family at Camp Cherokee on Lake Ocoee with Bradley Cleveland Developmental Services.

July 8-14 New York vacation with Emma and Leslie and my sister, Michele and her daughter, Hannah,

July 16-27 Historical Theology 1 July Intensive at the Seminary.

July 18-21 Becoming Champions Rodeo Camp, Rarity Bay, Loudon County, Tennessee

July 30 Leslie has oral surgery (4 12-year molars extracted)

At least my life is not dull!

30 Years!

Last week-end Corky and I attended my high school reunion in Rock Hill, SC. I graduated from Northwestern High School in 1977. Many of the people in my graduating class actually were in Kindergarten with me, so for some of us it was a Kindergarten reunion! These friends and acquaintances were in and out of my life for 13 years, and then suddenly, for the most part, they were gone! Or I was. Because I went to college in my home town, a few of these same folk were there (some of those pictured) but we rarely saw each other. It's sobering to think about how quickly what seems very stable can change.

In SC it is the law that you dance the Shag to beach music! Literally! The Shag is the "state dance". I had no idea that my friends were learning this dance at some point in their childhood but by the time we got to high school many of them were experts at it! And they haven't forgotten how! Corky was amazed at how well they could dance and how many of them could! Even though we graduated during the disco and stadium rock era, and that is what everyone listened to, the moment beach music is played, they all hit the dance floor! Being raised in the Holiness church, of course, I didn't learn the dance, by the way. Still don't know it.

Anyway, it was great seeing everyone again. I have a kind of incomplete feeling, however. I had very few full conversations and I'm left with lots of unanswered questions. Maybe I'll find out in five or ten years!

Is This My Inner Child?

Your Inner Child Is Sad

You're a very sensitive soul. You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have. Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone. You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Grace

Don Henley asked, "How can love survive in such a graceless age?" Billy and Ruth must have found that answer.

The truth is, this age, though it is passing away, is not graceless. God extends grace, but we must respond. Apparently these two responded to God's grace, over and over again.

If we look, we can see signs of that grace everywhere. The Grahams are that kind of sign.

"Pardon me while I have a strange interlude..."

That's how I sometimes feel about the direction my life is taking: it's a strange interlude! I never dreamed that I would be shopping for horse tack (right now I'm looking for a breast-collar and tie-down as well as barrel-racing bumper spurs); riding in trucks with other barrel-racing mother-daughter duos; stepping in so much horse poop; and sitting in the sun for hours waiting for my youngest daughter to race around poles and barrels on a large sorrel mare. It's not anything I prepared for in any way. But, like most things I encounter, I approach it academically, researching, reading, studying and trying my hand at it! I did this earlier in my life with less dangerous crafts/arts such as cooking and gardening. Oh well! Here I am, a rodeo-mom (sort of like a stage-mom...which I was for Hope and Emma). Mothers do what they have to do.

By the way, the photo and quote in the title are from one of my favorite Groucho scenes in "Animal Crackers".

The Banana Split Gang

This is for those nostalgiac for old kids' tv shows. I was a member of the Banana Split Gang fan club! Don't remember much more about it, just getting the kit in the mail!

27th Wedding Anniversary

Things We Said Today

You say you will love me
If I have to go.
You'll be thinking of me,
Somehow I will know.
Someday when I'm lonely,
Wishing you weren't so far away,
Then I will remember
Things we said today.
You say you'll be mine, girl,[boy]
'Til the end of time.
These days such a kind girl[boy]
Seems so hard to find.
Someday when we're dreaming,
Deep in love, not a lot to say.
Then we will remember
Things we said today.
Me, I'm just the lucky kind.
Love to hear you say that love is luck.
And, though we may be blind,
Love is here to stay. And that's enough
To make you mine, girl,[boy]
Be the only one.
Love me all the time, girl.[boy]
We'll go on and on.
Someday when we're dreaming,
Deep in love, not a lot to say.
Then we will remember
Things we said today.
Me, I'm just the lucky kind.
Love to hear you say that love is luck.
And, though we may be blind,
Love is here to stay. And that's enough
To make you mine, girl,[boy]
Be the only one
Love me all the time, girl.[boy]
We'll go on and on.
Someday when we're dreaming,
Deep in love, not a lot to say.
Then we will remember
Things we said today.


Happy Anniversary, Corky!

Family, Again

Yesterday, Leslie competed in the East Tennessee Regional 4-H show at Roane State in Harriman. She competed in senior barrels and senior poles. Just before her barrel run, one of the competitors' horses went crazy (that's the language the horse people used!) and ran wildly around the arena, very fast, scraping himself and the rider against the concrete wall, finally knocking the rider's father down, running over him and running out of the arena. Leslie witnessed all but the man being knocked down, as well as the rider beating the horse in the head. The tension and fear in the arena were deafening. Leslie rode, knocking over 2 barrels, a 10 point penalty. She was shaken up, lost her concentration and then beat herself up for it. It was really difficult. After a break, and some coaching from Carol and Bria, her trainers, she got it together and made a good, steady pole bending run, placing fourth. She's normally placed higher but it was important for her to do a flawless run, even if she wasn't pushing Sweetie to run as fast as she can.

I've never been much of a competitor and certainly not an athlete. But this whole enterprise has taught Leslie a lot about working hard, trying your best, focusing and being a champion. I'm extremely proud of her. We go to State competition in 1 1/2 weeks.

On a lighter note, today Corky, Emma, Hope, Josh, LEX and I went on a picnic at a park in Farragut (or Concord?) by the lake. It was great fun and Lex was in a great and playful mood. We had fun watching ducks, observed (at a safe distance) a moccasin in the lake and many other picnic-ers who should NOT have been dressed so scantily (too much winter food storage still in view).

We are a truly blessed family!

How Many of These Quirky Landmarks Have You Seen?

Who knew that every state had a landmark as interesting as the Big Chicken in Marietta? Take the tour! How many have you seen? I've seen SC, RI, MS, GA, ME, OH, NC, LA and maybe PA. Can't believe I haven't seen TN! And by the way...which came first the AL landmark or the one just like it in SC??

Now Reading: The Poisonwood Bible

I'm about halfway through this very disturbing book. I'll write my reflections on it when I'm through. In the meantime, see Dr. Howard Snyder's review.