The last day of 2020….what’s next?

My Facebook page is full of predictions from investment firms for 2021. I hope the good ones come true. It has been a rough year for so many businesses. Some people make lots of money when they invest in a new venture, but lose the gains or more, just as fast. It takes much more knowledge about this way of making money than I possess. I no longer do it on my own.

I am thankful that I worked for a company that had a retirement plan. I just hope that it will last as long as I do!

Many of the Facebook posts today are wishes for a Happy New Year. In bygone days, I would go to a party at the Senior Center to celebrate with friends and listen to the orchestra play some golden oldies! At midnight, we would sing, blow whistles or ring other noise makers, then go to the Waffle House for breakfast.

Two years ago, some friends and I went to the beach, we had a delicious meal, then went to a theatre for a show. We were given top hats and noise makers. We even hugged at midnight! It was such a carefree time as we welcomed the New Year in.

That was then and this is now! Life has totally changed!

For as long as I can remember, I have made a list of resolutions for the coming year. You can guess what Number 1 was every year. “Lose weight” has remained at the top and even though I did start with good intentions, the desire for sweets won the battle! For many, many years I was thin, rather than overweight. I am still not obese, but I no longer look like a pencil! This year, “Lose weight” will not be on my list…period!

Another item that appeared on the list was…”Get rid of everything you don’t need.” I tried that and found that as soon as I got rid of things, the next day or so, I needed them! Well, I can forget that. I do not need to add frustration to my life. I saw a list that some expert highly recommended, so I checked it out. I could agree with some things, but when it came to getting rid of towels just because they were faded, I had to refuse! I love my soft towels, so I can forget that. In fact, after reading the list again, there are other things I will not do!

The “expert” said, “Get rid of all mugs you have collected from vacations or events you have attended.” What? I love my mugs! My coffee tastes so good in certain ones! Plus, I like the shape of most of them. My daughters can get rid of them later when I am not around.

At last, I found one thing I can do on that list! I can throw out all my out of date spices and some other things from my pantry!

I am accustomed to my “old clothes” because we have grown fond of each other during this past year. And besides I got rid of so much when I took many bags of good dresses and suits to the Women’s Shelter. I will just hold on to some of what I have in the closet a little longer.

Both daughters are minimalist. I am the opposite. I keep telling them it is because of world conditions when I was born. I don’t even want to think about what will happen to my collection of depression glass from my grandmother and great grandmother when I am gone. But, at least I won’t know about it!

Well, after reviewing what I used to do on New Year’s Eve, I have made a decision! NO MORE resolutions for the coming year! I will take one day at a time, TRUST GOD for guidance and HE will take care of the details. I feel better already! Happy New Year!

Unfinished business for 2020

This year is quickly coming to a close and as I look at my calendar and date book, after the virus began to spread, most of what I see are lines drawn through dates or white out used to cover up my plans. It truly has been a year of unbelievable happenings.

My heart is heavy for the pain and suffering so many people have endured. We have even been told that the second wave of COVID 19 will be worse than the first.

All that has happened took the world by surprise by ordinary people like me. Americans have been so blessed for such a long time, I suppose it has been easy to take these blessing for granted.

When almost everything came to a screeching halt and many jobs no longer existed, when schools and churches had to practically close and teaching was done at home, not in a classroom, also church services were watched on television only for a while, then the world realized how helpless we humans are.

I don’t know about lifestyles around the world, although I have traveled to other countries, but always when times were normal. People were living the good life. It is so easy to become complacent when life is easy.

I have been thrifty all my life because I was born in a time when times were hard, then after I grew up and married, people in my circle of friends were average, hardworking folks who were happy to get a new car every now and then and maybe to go to the beach when you got two weeks of vacation with pay. To me, that was the good life!

Having a family, going to Sunday school and church, having good, nourishing meals, going to a movie now and then or being able to buy a color television set was a wonderful life. Naturally, when children grow up and salaries increase, the standard of living gets better for many people.

Then, an awaking takes place takes place when all of a sudden, people around the world become very ill and begin dying. No matter how rich and famous or how poor and unknown people are, we are all searching for mercy. We are in a battle for survival. Many have lost loved ones or their own lives. Many more have lost jobs, homes and everything that was owed for, because so many were living for the moment in homes and other luxuries on credit, so to speak.

When I began this journal entry is was to be about my “unfinished ” business in 2020, which after March was “everything” on my calendar except for a few appointments with doctors. I even stoped getting haircuts because I am at home all the time and my appearance is it not a major concern. My daughter and son in law do so much for me, I will never be able to thank them enough.

My volunteer work, my Bible studies, all trips and everything else for me was “unfinished ” in 2020. I, along with everyone, know that only God can bring this terrible situation to an end. God is in charge. We need to pray as a country and as individuals that life can be restored. We will never take our blessings for granted, I’m sure.

May the coming year of 2021, be one of peace, healing and a stronger love for God and our fellow man.

Quotes….I like reading them!

For many years, I have enjoyed “quotes.” At one time I had a large collection of them on small wooden strips I used on my desk at work. I would alternate the “gems of wisdom” and when coworkers dropped in, they liked to read the “thought of the week.”

Some people have the gift of making a powerful statement with only a few words. I am not one of those people! I have always loved poetry for as long as I can remember, but composing a poem is not one of my gifts, either.

Each of us have certain things we excel in. If everyone did the same thing or had the same talents, the world would be a very dull place. It would be like being in a mass of robots with no individuality. God made each of us different and unique. Just as no two people have the same finger prints, our talents differ in each person.

All this to say, that today my journal entry is about “quotes.” I use Facebook more for my pleasure than for others, especially during these long days we have been given because of the pandemic. I am retired now, so I fall in the category of people who have more time to fill.

Facebook is running over with photographs, videos, poems, weather reports, current happenings and much more. Whatever you want to check out, you can. This morning I found that David Jeremiah’s message went along with my subject. So much of what he preached about was from Psalms and Proverbs. Many quotes come from these two books of the Bible,

It is doubtful that I will be given the gift of writing poetry or meaningful quotes at this stage of my life, but I can share what I find so that others who need to read them can do that. On the other hand, nothing is impossible! Look at Grandma Moses and her paintings. It is never too late for a new beginning! Maybe 2023 will be the year for us to get a different perspective of life and what is important. Perhaps, we can each discover talent that has been within us, but in the busyness of the rat race, it was deeply hidden. 2023 can be the year of new beginnings and a new life! I look forward to better days ahead!

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Some thoughts and reflections on Christmas Day 2020

Needless to say, things are quite different today. It is Friday, but it doesn’t seem like Friday. I really don’t know what it seems like. It is very cold and I didn’t even venture out to get the paper. No doubt it will have more sales ads than good news!

I have heard from both daughters, who now live in South Carolina. I am back in South Carolina, but none of us are close enough that we can run over to visit one another. Thank goodness for Facebook and cellphones!

Since I am alone, I can get up early or sleep late, stay up until the wee hours or go to sleep one minute after Jeopardy ends. I have reached the point in life when you might say I am my own boss! There are those who may be thinking, ” what a life!” and it has many advantages, but I wish it could be different.

I must have been born with a very loving heart. I can remember my Mother telling me . ” Jean, you are very special and you just love everyone and everything.” She was right about me loving people. My very best friend, as a child was Mary Hughes. I feel sure Mary felt the same way I did. I didn’t have a sister, but Mary was like one to me. After I finished the fourth grade, my family moved to Charleston, SC. The night before we were to leave the next morning, Mary came across the street and she and I sat in the back seat of Daddy’s car so we could talk. We promised to write one another and to never forget our happy childhood together. I said, “Mary, I’m not crying” but the tears were streaming down my cheeks. Mary cried, too. Mary is in Heaven now, but I did get to make a trip to Charlotte to spend some time with her before she became ill with cancer,

She and I went back to Kannapolis, went to the houses we grew up in, took a tour of homes, then went to the cemetery where the grandparents I grew up with are buried and attended a concert at the Gem Theater. Our last stop was to a nursing home to visit Myrtle Long, a neighbor on South East Avenue when we were children. It was a very full day and by the time we got back to Charlotte, we were very tired.

That was the last time I saw Mary. She will always be my best friend, ever. During my long life, I have had so many dear friends and I have been blessed beyond words by having such a kind hearted, sacrificing Mother. Also, by having my prayers answered when I became the mother of two daughters.

I have talked with each daughter already this morning. Under normal circumstances, we would be together today. But these are not “normal” circumstances. I will have lunch at my kitchen table, with an empty chair across from mine. It has been “empty” for more than twenty years. I will have a good meal, clean the kitchen and the talk with my family again.

There is no way I can count all the blessings that have come my way. My life certainly has had more than my share of disappointments, heartaches and challenges, but it has been a wonderful life. No one makes it through life without illnesses. Mine just happened to come in bunches!

Today I am so thankful for my memories. I thank God for everything that has shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful to be an American, to be a Southerner, to be a mother and grandmother. If I kept listing my blessings, this journal entry would be longer than Margaret Mitchell’s book, “Gone With the Wind!”

Most of all I am thankful to serve my God and Savior. We celebrate the birthday of Jesus today! And that is what my life is about!

It is here…the long awaited day is here! It is Christmas Eve!

I can remember how excited my brother and I would get as Christmas Eve drew closer. One year is very vivid. We went to bed at 5 o’clock so Santa could come earlier! We tossed and turned and were so exhausted, we finally drifted off to dreamland. Christmas morning was so wonderful! He got a train that made smoke as it circled the track. You put in a pellet of something that caused the smoke. He got Lincoln Logs and some games. I loved dolls, dishes and there was always a book or two for me. Our stockings were full of fruit, nuts and candies! We were so thrilled with all our gifts. They kept us busy all day!

Then taking a giant leap in time, I remember how thrilled I was to have a beautiful little girl and to get up early with her to find out what Santa had brought. Well, actually, I woke her up while it was still dark because I wanted to see her reactions as she opened her toys and gifts! She was the “little princess” for seven years! We had hoped for a little sister much sooner, but were so grateful to have another little girl! Carole was born in October and that year she was the only infant in the church, so I was Mary and my baby daughter played the part of Jesus in the Christmas pageant! She was very good..no crying she made!

I loved to sew and for years I made matching outfits for us to wear on Christmas Eve. Sometimes it was robes, night gowns or pajamas. One year when choirboy tops were popular, I made slacks and each of us a top with beautiful heavy lace trim. I also made little nurse outfits when Susan got a kit with all the things a doctor would use. She would wear her little outfit and take our temperature and pulse, then give us a “candy” pill. I made evening dresses, too. Back then you could buy imitation mink stoles, high heels and tiaras for little girls. We had great fun on Christmas back then!

Everyone grows up and Mothers grow older, too! Before we know it, all the earlier Christmases are much different. From the very beginning of my daughter’s childhood, my Mother spent Christmas Eve with us. She was with us for Christmas Day and ate lunch with us each Sunday and every holiday. It was such a happy time of life for each of us.

Fast forward again to the present. Both daughters are married and now have children and grandchildren. Today will be busy for them, It was always a tradition to make cookies and decorate them. That will be happening today.

Those days for me were before computers and smartphones. Now things are very high tech. No more “homemade” outfits or board games. Times are still good, but in a different way. I am so thankful for my family! I am also thankful for memories. We read the “Christmas story” in the book of Luke every Christmas Eve. I had a huge white Bible with a red velvet ribbon marking the page. We sang “Silent Night ” and gave thanks for the Christ child.

Our world is in a state of chaos this year. Not just one part of the universe, but the entire world! It is time for us to thank God for sending His son to earth on that cold night so that in time, we can ALL can have eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. I love the “old” Christmas carols that have meaningful words and beautiful tunes. So tonight, we need to take time to sing several of them…” Silent Night” and “Joy to the World!” We need to remember that Christmas is not really about “us” but about God’s greatest gift to the world! Happy Birthday,,Jesus!

My cup runneth over…

I am not talking about my morning coffee cup, nor am I thinking about the song Ed Ames made famous many years ago. I am referring to the feeling I have in my heart. My cup really runs over with love for my family, my friends, my country and so much more.

When I woke up this morning I was grateful for so many things. I live alone, so if I want to say a prayer out loud it does not disturb anyone. I thanked God for letting me wake up in a nice house after sleeping in a comfortable bed with clean sheets and a soft comforter to keep me warm. Last night when I checked Facebook, one of the posts asked everyone to remember the homeless. It is difficult to understand that some people actually sleep on park benches or even on the ground when the weather is warmer.

In this fast moving world we live in, most people have the basics of life. It is so easy to take a good life for granted. For as long as I can remember we have given money to Oliver Gospel Mission to help cover the cost of lodging and food for those who have no place to go for shelter. I donate to the Salvation Army for the same reason. They also have a fund to provide money to pay for heat and electric bills for the needy who live in homes or apartments, but who have such a limited amount of income they cannot pay high utility bills.

From time to time we hear about veterans who are living under bridges in cardboard boxes because they have fallen on hard times and have no family to help them. Thank goodness for all the agencies that do what they can to help those who are desperate for food and a place to live until they can do better. It is only by the grace of God that many of us are not in similar situations.

This year one of my daughters suggested that instead of buying gifts for each family member we donate what we would spend or more to a charity that will do something that will help many people. The small children will still have gifts, but none of the grownups “need” anything. So our new tradition will benefit others by paying for a well to provide clean water to a community or to purchase pigs or chickens for small “farms” so they can raise food in areas where those things are needed.

Truly “my cup runneth over ” with gratitude and love. We are told in the Bible that what we do for others is doing it as unto the Lord. Before I got up to begin my day, I listened to a wonderful message by Dr. David Jeremiah about the birth of the Savior. The times we are living in now are so different than any Christmas I have experienced. The inability to gather with our families for the Christmas meal or to go to large meetings at church for special music, have taught us many lessons. We realize what is really important.

I am thankful that from now on our family will be able to do something positive for those who need it most. God sent His Son, the greatest gift possible, to us, so we can all say that our cups truly runneth over with love!

“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas “

Many folks associate Christmas with the ground being covered with a blanket of white. When I was a child, I’m sure I was one of them! It was so exciting when it snowed no matter when it happened. Back in North Carolina, it seemed we had more snow than later when we moved to South Carolina. Climate change was the reason, I suppose. However, children knew nothing about climate.

One treat, we as children, looked forward to was snow cream or ” ice cream” Mother used to make for my brother and me. She had to be careful where she got the snow to make certain it was completely clean. Both my brother and I had gotten a set of Mickey Mouse dishes for Christmas one year. The set consisted of a plate, a pretty large cereal bowl and a mug, plus a fork and spoon. We always wanted our ice cream in the cereal bowl, so we would get a generous serving.

I remember that when it snowed, my daddy would clear the front steps and then he would walk to the road, bearing down so his shoes left a big print for me to walk in. The roads were cleared by the town, so I walked to school in the road. You might say that I “followed in my father’s footsteps.” The only children who rode to school on a bus lived in the country or on farms. The “city children ” walked.

There is so much I don’t remember about my younger years because there were not a lot of photographs taken. I do have one of my Grandmother McInnis, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Tesh standing beside a large snowman. The ladies were bundled up, with bonnets on their heads and heavy sweaters or shawls on. The snowman was leaning to one side, but it was large. I wish I had more memory joggers to help me recall how life was long ago. I do have a few faded photos of me in Grandmother’s flower garden and several made at a play we had at school.

Back in my childhood, schools did not close when the first snowflake fell. Our fathers went to work. Most mothers stayed at home to take care of the children and do all the chores. Now, with the advanced technology, we know far in advance of storms of ever kind. I think that long, long ago people depended on the almanac for many things , including the weather forecast a year in advice.

Now, with the Internet and Facebook, there are hundreds of pictures of snowmen and beautiful scenes of the snow falling that are posted each day. I am guilty of sharing so.many of them! As beautiful as snow is, I still prefer to watch the Christmas movies and just to listen to Bing Crosby sing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” rather than having one!

The brain…..a storage place for memories

When holidays approach, our mind often wanders back in time to our childhood. At least mine did this morning. I don’t live in the past, I am very …

The brain…..a storage place for memories

The brain…..a storage place for memories

When holidays approach, our mind often wanders back in time to our childhood. At least mine did this morning. I don’t live in the past, I am very much in the present, but right now, the future seems so uncertain that most people want to dwell on happier times.

I woke up early as I do almost each day. I had hoped to get an early start, but was awake during the night, so I slept about thirty minutes past my getting up time. Being retired allows flexibility that is not possible when you have a demanding job.

I fluffed my pillows and got comfortable. No television or radio because I did not want a gloom and doom morning! My mind wandered back to carefree days of childhood. In my storehouse of the pleasant memories, Christmas always comes to mind. My best friend, Mary Hughes, and I had vivid imaginations. We got the Sears Roebuck Wish Book and filled out forms of what we wanted, knowing deep down we would never get them! But childhood can a time of “make believe.”

Mrs. Long, the neighbor who assisted the doctor who delivered me in the living room of my grandparents home, always did a lot of baking for Christmas. She seemed to like me because she was there when I made my entrance into the world. She would let me “help” as she baked pound cakes, cookies and fruit cakes! Another of her specialties was mints. She boiled the sugar and other ingredients, then poured it onto a marble top table to cool! She and one of her daughters would divide the mixture into three parts and add color to the buttery mixture. So after all the pulling, the end result was some, pink, green and yellow butter mint candy. It had to be cut into small pieces and put into air tight containers to “mellow.” All these things come to the surface in my memory bank near Christmas.

Dad Long, as I called him, must have had more money than most people because he had a fancy organ in the living room.The cabinet was very ornate and you pumped pedals with your feet to make music. There were so many knobs to pull out, that I thought you had to be very smart to play it! So far as I know, no one ever played it! Back then, living rooms were closed and off limits in everyday life. But I was just an inquisitive child, so I didn’t know “everything.”

I was so glad that Mrs. Long loved me and showed me how to do many things. Mr. Sides was an old gentleman who sold eggs, milk and butter to the ladies on my street. He was blind in one eye. The eyeball was white, but had never been removed. He made his deliveries in his horse and buggy. He lived in the country and had customers who bought his wares on a regular basis. Now, I was not born in the dark ages, although it may sound like I was! Mr. Sides just happened to be very old and his horse and buggy is the way he had of making a living.

I had a pleasant journey back in time before I got up to face the world. There was so much more that I reflected on, but that will be shared through the coming days! By the way, those mints Mrs. Long made were for “Special” people. She always made sure I was included!

Where does the time go? Christmas is getting closer!

I have been negligent much of the time this month. It is so easy to be lazy! All it takes is a few days of “goofing off” to establish that trend. When I worked I used my time much more wisely than I do now.

I had a certain time to wake up, have breakfast and leave for my office. My work schedule was planned, so that I knew what I had to accomplish. I would cook in advance many times, or at least know what we would eat for dinner. I was much more organized.

Today, the weather was colder than usual and it was raining. Definitely a good day to stay inside! Not only because of the weather, but now with the pandemic in full swing, I don’t go out to do many of the things I once did.

Most of my friends are retired, as I am. The routine activities we were accustomed to have been put on hold. Going to the Narroway Productions Christmas play at Fort Mill,SC had become something I looked forward to. The stage is very large and the performance was so close to the front row, you could reach and touch the actors, but of course, you didn’t do that. Th play did not take place this season.

Last year this time I had been on a Christmas trip to see the gingerbread houses and to enjoy a delicious meal with my friends in North Carolina. This year, there was no trip!

Another annual event was our trip to the Charleston Music Hall for an excellent musical review and a delicious meal, quite often at the Charleston Crab House. I didn’t go to that, either.

All the special music programs I used to attend at church, I enjoyed on my IPad! The programs that our church has had have been exceptionally good. I am so thankful for everything that has been provided!

All this to say, Christmas traditions have been different, but they have been very good.

I hope that the change of lifestyle that has come about this year, will not become a way of life. It has made me realize what is really important. The true meaning of Christmas has been emphasized. All the parties, rushing around to attend so many drop ins, and spending too much money on unnecessary things has taken a backseat his year.

Some situations that are made necessary could be blessings in disguise. This year my daughter suggested that we give money to charities to help the needy instead of buying gifts for family members, except for the small children. We agreed that would be so much better than what we had done in the past.

When necessary, we change our plans. Most of us are very flexible! I hope I will not become so relaxed and lazy that I lose all the good habits I had at the beginning of the “forced isolation.”

It is almost time for Prayer meeting on my IPad. Then I can exercise my brain by watching Jeopardy, one of my favorite television shows. I have certain shows I watch after that, then hopefully, I can go to sleep. Tomorrow is another day, an another opportunity to do something constructive and not to be a time waster!