Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tornado Alley



I live about 35 miles down the road from Joplin Missouri.


I have been pretty restless these last couple of days. The talk radio station that I listen to  regularly is covering tornado news non stop and I can't turn it off.  All of the stations under the umbrella of Zimmer Radio are reporting wall to wall on news, missing person reports, taking calls and answering questions of listeners, interviewing city and federal officials with reports and updates.

Heartbreaking calls.




Rangeline...driving south

Yesterday, I went with my friend Gerri to Joplin MO, with a carload of groceries and supplies to help a friend and her extended family. They have a set of elderly parents who were sent to  the hospital in Miami OK. They both have injuries and her Dad may have suffered a stroke. Rita's folks have lost their home, as did  her sister.  One son has lost the roof and a wall from his house.  Our friend is trying to hold on to her job and juggle all the relatives floating in and out for food and a place to sleep.

It felt good to bring these much needed supplies to feed almost 15 people for maybe a month, but as we were driving out of the city gaping at the damage, that help felt like such a drop in a bottomless bucket!

I felt guilty taking the few pictures that I snapped out the window.

126 people have died. Around 100 are still listed as missing.




More of Rangeline...


 When I make it back, I will try to take pictures of the people we saw helping. I was just too dumbfounded to think of it.

 People standing out on the curb holding signs that read :"Free Dinner" at Fellowship Baptist Church

 About 15 people  wearing t-shirts that read RUBICON - they all looked exhausted and were waiting for their table at  The Red Onion downtown.
 I don't know who RUBICON is, but I love them!

People grilling hot dogs and hamburgers in open parking lots...
a giant semi and tent...people fixing food and  serving the Mo Highway Patrol
.
 We did not drive into the residential areas that were hit, where countless people are slugging away at this mess. Search and rescue teams are still searching and rescuing in there.

It felt so strange to see our favorite places standing quiet and normal, and then BAM, nothing but the flat horizon and miles and miles of rubble. Even though we knew where we were, we caught ourselves asking
 " where are we?"  It really is disorienting!


South Main heading North...


Joplin is my go-to town for a day away from the mundane country life. When I need something special to wear, a craft supply, a nice meal out, a flea market fix, I head for Joplin.  On Tuesday I sewed blankets just to keep myself busy

Today I heard that the crazies from Topeka are planning to come down on Sunday during a Memorial service...I wish the main stream media had the wisdom to ignore this group, but it will not play out that way.
I want to stand on the road with a sign that reads

Kansas loves Joplin!
We're with you Joplin!
Keep Calm and Carry On Joplin!

As I was picking up sticks out in the front yard today, it just seemed so pointless. My house needs to be cleaned but I just can't get started on it.

How do you eat an elephant, Joplin?

ONE BITE AT A TIME!



Farther along south Main, heading north


If you are searching for someone, or if your church wants to help, or if you just want to leave an  encouraging word..KZRG 1310 AM has a Facebook Page and they are the go-to place for information.

Give blood.
Send money.
Pray!

Thank You on behalf of Joplin, MO.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

When my baby walked...





It's been so long since I wrote,
I'm not sure I remember how to do it!


I was hoping I could wow you
with a creative non-violent way
to rid the world of 
pesky cardinals.

But the sad news is,
the bad bird is 
not only still here,
He /She
has moved on to other windows and doors.

Last weekend when we had family here
for our youngest son's college graduation
bird went straight for the guest room windows.

My little grand daughter reported to her mama
"there's  a bird out there nibbling on the window!"


If it hadn't been such a happy weekend
with impressionable children present,
I would have marched out there
and given that bird a piece of
my mind.
No wait.
I have already lost my mind!

As I was saying,
 It was a happy weekend,

Here is Kevin as a new alumni of Pittsburg State University
with a Bachelor's of Science
in History Education.






That's Jason, our oldest in the background
looking pensive and wise,
probably feeling like
and old alumni.

So old...class of 2000.





We are through paying college tuition.
Four kids.
Four college grads.
We are extremely proud.
We are so proud of each of them.
But I must say there is something about the last one
finishing this milestone.
For the first time since 1981
I will not have anyone in school this fall.

This calls for a cigar, don't you think?









Days like these make you want to hit the rewind button
and have some do-overs.
You want to slow things down a whole lot.
You want to talk more and play more and try harder.
Instead,
  we celebrate
all the things we did right,
and all the things he did right,
and all the things the future holds.

Kevin, the world is your oyster!
What DOES that mean, anyway?

I knew I wouldn't be able to write this post without crying,
so while I wipe my nose,
here are some more peeks at  graduation weekend...



Big Sis, Little Bro.





A future Pitt alum????





Silly and Sweet!






You made it Kevin!
You made it Dad!
Congratulations to you both!










So proud.



"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Welcome to my happy place. A place where I can share ideas, projects, and dreams. I am a nester, a crafter, a creator and a dreamer I hope you will find inspiration and encouragement for the journey you are on. I am a Jesus follower, wife, mother and nana. Blessed beyond measure, just trying to live my life gracefully and make a difference in my small world. Join me!