Roseland

Roseland

Music

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October Beach Trip

 

Keith & I spent this past weekend with our friends Judy & JE and Linda & Dean on Oak Island:) The weather was primarily overcast, we had showers now & then, but among friends it was a lovely time!

Ahhh...
We packed our bags & our bikes & headed southeast early Friday afternoon for a leisurely road trip to the coast:)I was so ready after a tiring week! I think Keith was feeling exactly the same:)

And on the way down we stopped by my Aunt Isabelle's for a brief, but sweet, visit. She met me at her door with a "I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again!". Now that's worth a few minutes any day, any time!! She is as sharp as ever, reporting on most of the nieces & nephews as well as her 10 children, all my Robeson cousins:)She had been crocheting, sitting in her chair by the window waiting for whatever the day brought:)

Linda & Dean & Keith & I arrived near Southport about the same time that evening, so I called Linda, Linda called Judy & JE, who hopped in their SUV & drove inland to meet us at a Southport waterfront restaurant for supper. Such a pretty place at dusk to dine on such delicious seafood!
Afteward we followed Judy & JE's onto the Island.

Judy & JE have built a beautiful home near First St. &, as often as time allows, they are 'in residence':)
Judy could actually hang out a B&B shingle since she & JE invite family & friends to visit year round. Plus she's a great cook; she plans & bakes brunch for her guests each morning--or she always does for us:)!! Homemade bread, breakfast casserole, pound cake, coffee, fruit salad, etc.:)

Most importantly, we catch up on each others' lives with 'us girls' reminiscing about our younger days growing up together, Judy & Linda talking 'grandma stuff' & knitting (which they're both learning to do) & gardening--while I soak it in:) Lord willing I'll talk grandma things someday, don't plan to knit, & gardening is something I admire but it's not one of my passions.....listening is fine:) The fellas watch whatever game is on & seldom talk; they do now & then.

This is our third time of re-uniting at the beach & what a blessing each visit has been!

Judy's health is stable at this time, but she is dealing with a serious diagnosis, which makes each of us concerned about how she's faring. JE says she's doing so well her Dr. may publish a paper on her positive response to treatment:)!
(So many of my family members have dealt with the same health issue that I tend to feel I'm in it with her--but, having a high percentage of contracting an illness is different from being diagnosed; that is truly another story)
Judy is handling her situation with such grace & optimism, & any of her struggles she covers well.
How grateful we are she's doing so well, but know it's a hard, daily battle!!
Judy, you're one of my hero's!!
You are amazing.

JE, Dean, Linda, & Keith & I are simply dealing with the aches & pains of growing older....we can't complain too much, but will share our latest ache if the subject comes up:)
LOL!

We ate, we talked, we laughed, the girls shopped, the guys watched football, Dean ran, JE walked, Linda & Judy walked, Keith & I rode bikes, we played Sequence, we ate out, we nibbled goodies, we drank coffee, & tasted Lu-Mill wine--and talked some more!:)

Such a relaxed time:)
I can't say I slept great (simply not sleeping in my own bed), but being with friends with no expectations, no time limits, no alarm clocks, no watches, is so peaceful....:)

After saying goodbye to Judy & JE about 1:30 this afternoon, Dean & Linda & Keith & I stopped by the Lou-Mill Winery in Dublin on our way home. We sampled their selections & bought Christmas wine, jelly, salsa, & tasty Scuppernong cider:) Keith & Dean hefted our boxes of wine & goodies to our cars, we said our goodbyes, & headed toward Aberdeen & Raleigh.....a pleasant way to end the weekend:)

Nothing like sharing a few days with friends that know you through & through & like you in spite of it, that care for you & your families & want a full account of all the goings-on, that support you through thick & thin, & always welcome you with open arms, no matter how long it's been since you've seen one another:)

Judy & JE, Linda & Dean, thank you!
Take care till we meet again:)

"What happens at the beach stays at the beach"---the details, that is:)


Posted by Picasa

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Grand Torino

 
Last week Keith & I put in our Netflix movie Grand Torino, not knowing what to expect. I'm not sure we even read the basic premise.
But this little movie packed a powerful one-two punch; a tough story, filled with crude and offensive language, (for those of us who live a pretty sheltered life), with the most tender, bittersweet, sacrificial love ending.

It affected me to the core.

We can find the greatest love in the most unlikely places, from the most unlikely folks!!
My clean and safe world is not where God lives and shines for the majority of people on this Earth.

Am I open to being surprised at every turn?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Autumn

 
Posted by Picasa

This chair is at the home place, Sandrock Acres. A Mr. Briggs made it many years ago:)

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
- Stanley Horowitz

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Maggie May/Liz

Years ago, back in the early '70's, Keith & I met a girl I always associate with the song "Maggie May". I think of her every time I hear Rod Stewart's song:

"Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you.
Its late September and I really should be back at school.
I know I keep you amused but I feel Im being used.
Oh Maggie I couldnt have tried any more.
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and thats what really hurt.
The morning sun when its in your face really shows your age
But that dont worry me none, in my eyes you're everything."

I heard it today on the car radio.
"Maggie May" was popular then & Liz, her real name, was like no other person I had, or have, ever met!

After we moved to Stone Ridge, NY, in 1969, a coffeehouse was opened in the tiny village, located in the back of a large white historic church, Rondout Valley UMC. We attended Rondout Valley where we volunteered as youth counselors--actually the pastor drafted us as soon as we arrived since we were the youngest adults in the congregation. Keith & I grew to love those kids like family:)

The Stone Ridge JayCee's sponsored the coffeehouse held each Friday night and church folks helped as well, even our youth group. It was offered as a place for the young people to congregate since it was a rural area (Kingston was 10 miles away). I recall one of the JayCee's, Larry Lohman, a policeman in Kingston, would always be around every time the coffeehouse doors opened, ready to talk with any of the young people that dropped in. A friendly, jovial fella.

Some of the sponsors would go into Kingston each Friday afternoon and collect day-old donuts from Dunkin' Donuts which were then served that evening along with coffee, soft drinks, etc.--all free. I can vividly recall Keith and I doing the donut "run":) Maybe I remember so well because we did it often; maybe because I was just tickled to get into town!!

Liz dropped in.
She liked the coffeehouse:)
She was the most unlikely friend I'd ever make, but we became friends. She was a pothead who lived with other potheads in an abandoned house in the woods close to town. She never smoked in front of me, but even as naive as I was, I knew she did. (I didn't know where she lived for a long time, but found out eventually, and the conditions horrified me; just nasty!)
SUNY at New Paltz was not far (where I was attending), as well as Ulster County Community College, so maybe originally she came to the Stone Ridge area to go to school. Or, maybe she traveled to Woodstock and never found her way home again.

Liz had long tangled, unkept, brown hair, was terribly thin since she seldom had a real meal, looked older than her years, and her teeth were beginning to deteriorate--most likely because of drugs and lack of nutrition. She didn't have a job and didn't attend college, seemingly someone's throw away daughter.
Sad.

If she didn't come to the coffeehouse one Friday night, we'd worry about her.
Larry would try to find her.
I can't remember which happened first; if she finally quit coming and we couldn't track her down, or we moved away. To this day, I wonder what became of her. I wish I remembered her last name. Keith can't recall it either:(
The years have robbed us of details.

I pray we gave her at least one bit of encouragement, one place that people cared for her, one hint that life mattered.
Liz, I remember you.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

On the Eve Of a New Decade

 
Posted by Picasa


This coming week I will turn 60 years old. I love birthday celebrations dearly (ask Keith & my family!), but this one has a new feeling for me.
In the 21st Century anyone's 50th decade still places them in middle age (or that's how I've felt), but turning 60 is another matter; it has a different connotation...the adjective 'Senior citizen' becomes attached to your name, for the duration.

I thought this devotion by Max Lucado was so encouraging & so true.
I pray my latter chapters will be filled with Godly wisdom, discernment, family & friends, sweet joy, & contentment in all things:)

Daily Devotional by Max Lucado
“the One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks”

"The Oldest and Choicest

Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
Isaiah 46:4 (NCV)

Growing old can be dangerous. The trail is treacherous and the pitfalls are many. One is wise to be prepared. You know it's coming. It's not like God kept the process a secret. It's not like you are blazing a trail as you grow older. It's not as if no one has ever done it before. Look around you. You have ample opportunity to prepare and ample case studies to consider. If growing old catches you by surprise, don't blame God. He gave you plenty of warning. He also gave you plenty of advice.

Your last chapters can be your best. Your final song can be your greatest. It could be that all of your life has prepared you for a grand exit. God's oldest have always been among his choicest."

From: He Still Moves Stones
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1993)

Friday, October 02, 2009

Leaves

 
Posted by Picasa

Leaves

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.

by Elsie Brady