May 28, 2009

Slow...almost...Summer Days


This is one of those days when I'd like to be sitting under a tall oak tree sipping a mint julep. Being at home alone during the day has its advantages, but sometimes when the sun is shining, the cats are sleeping, there are no pressing needs and lazy trumpet sounds play on the CD player; I'm inclined to do nothing at all.

The outdoor patio chairs seem to be beckoning me to sit, linger, sip a cool crisp Chardonnay and exert no energy whatsoever. As much as I would have enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of simply staring into the green surroundings of my backyard, I resisted the temptation. Besides, at the time my patio desperately needs a chaise lounge, our new patio table to be assembled, and the big umbrella set up in order to truly be sublime. Perhaps a gentle breezy fan would also aide the stirring of the air across my face and shoulders on this warm day. Ah, yes, that would be truly nice.

It takes a while for me to get into the rhythm of a slow day. In the beginning, I'm restless and even...dare I say...bored? As I do not have a set agenda, the day leaves numerous options to keep me busy. Now that summer is upon me, I realize that much is still to be completed around my house. That so called office space is in real need of a make-over in order to be a more productive room. This lingering day with nothing better to do is tasking to say the least. HGTV would be the way to go if I could just persuade David Bromstad that I need his expertise in my office.

Although, a mire fraction of effort went into a plan for today, I did manage to move small piles of disarray in our office. An adequately sized room with a Mission style daybed heaped high with clutter, a small bookcase housing a complete set of World Book Encyclopedias, a two-drawer wooden file cabinet filled with paper-shredding material, a Mission style computer desk sans computer, a wheeled black desk chair and oddities of one sort or the other; the space resembles a college dorm room more than an office. Since so much stuff comes into this house on a daily basis with no assigned storage, it tends to be shuffled into the office. Our office has slowly become, against my wishes, a junk room. Although, much of said, "junk" are important documents, theater catalogs, tote bags and books, it is unwanted stuff just the same. If ever a file cabinet needed weeding out, ours does. Papers with dates back to 1987 were found. Blank letterhead from companies for which we are no longer employed will soon become drawing paper for my grandchildren. Play scripts, books, high school and college annuals, a whole set of Bible commentaries are filling the cubby holes and shelf areas in the room's closet along with plastic crates filled with photographs and albums. Old theater props, a huge exercise ball accepted from a friend who no doubt didn't used it either, and my guitar that I occasionally play, all share the same closet space as our eclectic range of books. The closet is also in dire need of weeding.

As mentioned before, this is a slow day. Many times today I stopped to consider where else I might drive to occupy my time otherwise; an antique store, a shoe store or perhaps the liquor store for ingredients to mix a nice mint julep cocktail. Instead, here I sit, checking my email and writing on my blog. The music has changed to soothing tones of a deep contemporary cello.

Daydreaming aside, it is I who will have to force myself back into the little room to organize, throw away and regroup. Maybe by the time June is over, I'll have completed the project or Carter Oosterhouse will agree to lean a hand. Now I really must get back to reality.

May 24, 2009

From Beginning to End


When I began this blog, my intentions were to post at least once a week. Lately, I've been doing good to post once a month. I noticed on the last Site Meter report that the number of views a week was way low. When I logged onto the site, I had 4 drafts started and none of them near completion. So, I managed to delete three and complete one; here is a second. Even though the writing bug is biting, and even though I have several writing ideas swirling around in my head, and even though I have more time to write; I just can't seem to gain the momentum to actually execute the activity. My plan is to return to once a week postings. That said, today I decided to make a fervent attempt to post another entry to my humble little blog. I hope you enjoy it and will tell others to follow along with ML's Musings.
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Spring is primarily known for new beginnings. Buds burst into colorful flowers, nude little chicks are hatching and caterpillars emerge as lovely butterflies pumping new wings for the first time. Many people are spring cleaning as they discard, organize, give or sell those once-needed items no longer of use. Spring is a time of new beginnings and also, in some cases, a time of endings.

Endings were celebrated recently at our church. All of the high school seniors who are graduating this May were honored. The church gathered in our fellowship room after services to share in the celebration. Just the eight of them and the 100 or so of their friends, family, and well-wishers brought food to share. In addition to good food, there were gifts, pictures, a DVD showing all the grads at various cute-ness over their young lifetime and a blessing offered for their futures. Happy endings are a also a sign of new beginnings.

Summer, while a time to play, can also be a time for continued work. The main school year morphs into summer school. For some it will be a time to redo what was missed during the long term with hope for improved outcomes. For others it is a time to get ahead, taking classes to further their progress to an end. Still, summer for many individuals is a time to rest, relax and regroup before the onset of Fall. Summer camps planned to not only occupy young minds and bodies, also provide activity for the adult sponsors to relive their youth. Families take vacations ranging from expensive cruise excursions to a back-to-basics tent in the woods. The main objective for family vacations is a time to bond, to appreciate those people closest to our hearts and enjoy the uniqueness of each family member.

Seasons have cycled around with reoccurring events in much the same manner for decades. Goals are set, tracks are laid, and progress is charted for whatever we humans have planned. If we think about our future, it is as an endless circular rail from beginning to end, never to be broken until the ending date is stamped on our headstone. While we ride this sphere around and around, the primary differences come in our growth as individuals. Numerous physical and mental changes have taken place within us. Along the way we have acquired knowledge, spouses, learned skills and talents, children, homes, and spiritual awareness. From the time we are babes until our final end on earth, we continue to rotate in and out of seasons, experiencing life's starts and stops. Keep in mind that with each end, something new will begin. May we all reflect, appreciate and savor our time on earth until we stop at our final resting place and forever live the ultimate new beginning.

Ps 104:19 The moon marks off the seasons,p and the sunq knows when to go down.
May God bless your seasons.

May 12, 2009

Peace, Be Still

I can just imagine sitting in a sailboat on a quiet body of water, the evening air is warm, and I feel a gentle breeze brush against my face. I like that tiny light you see hanging off the mast in the picture. The fishermen must be working late casting nets after the sun has gone down and the lantern provides added light. Earth's moon illuminates the dark waters. It's a peaceful time of the evening when most other fishermen have retired to their homes for the evening. Only the sound of waves softly lapping up on the sides of the boat can be heard. Calm waters gently rock the boat and the fisherman watch the waters without speaking a word. Peace, be still.

Jesus, asleep on a quiet boat as a storm is forming. His shipmates are growing nervous as dark clouds roll overhead and dangerous waves begin to rock their boat violently. No longer the tranquil scene described in the above paragraph. Deafening thunder claps roll across the sky as torrents of rain saturate the tiny boat. Jesus, possibly below deck, remains unaffected and sleeps through the furious storm. The disciples are alarmed, thinking they are going to die and wake Jesus, shouting their pleas to be saved.

Jesus calmly surveys the storm and speaks, You of little faith, why are you so afraid?
Jesus isn't concerned about their safety because He knows who is in control. He is. Like a father to a rowdy child, he rebukes the storm. Quiet! Be still! And in an instant, the unruly winds and rains obey the Master's voice. Peace has returned to the lake waters.

Jesus told the stormy winds and rains to stop. It should comfort and calm our anxious feelings to know what our savior can do. He can rebuke the storms in our lives. He can still our fears of inadequacy. He hears our cries of desperation and with outstretched hands he replies, Quiet! Be Still. Our faith is strengthen and our fears erased when we call out to Jesus.

Peace, be still.


Matthew 8:23-27

May 4, 2009

Louise, Mama, Big Mama

Louise Bernice Bond Ritchey, lovingly called "Big Mama" by our sons, passed away on May 4, 1993. The photo here was taken March 2, 1984 on her birthday.

May 4th, around 3:00 a.m., I was in Port Neches standing at my mother's bedside with my sister-in-law's mom who was helping tend to Mother. Barbara wrapped her arms around me as we both watched Mama take one last breath and leave. In the middle of the night, we stood there watching and breathing our own sighs of relief that Mom's struggle with cancer had ended.

I miss my mom and the impulsive last minute decisions I'd make to drive the hour trip to Pt. Neches just for a visit. The impulse to go, still comes without resolution. In 1993, on spring, sun-laden days in late April/early May, most of my drives were alone to be with Mom who lay dying of cancer. My oldest brother, Johnny, had already been there helping the best way he could. My other brother would join us at our childhood home the day before Mama passed away. My daddy lay awake in bed, confused as to why we were all there; had symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It was such a blessing to have my big strong brothers there to share the heavy grief as we made important, life-changing decisions. I was especially blessed to have Barbara there to hold me as we stayed those last moments with Mama's body. On that day and in years to come, my husband and his family have allowed me the separation from the surreal circumstance. I don't believe I could have made it through the ordeal without my beloved Kim for the mental support he provided.

Even though Mama has been gone for 16 years, it doesn't seem that long ago since we were together laughing in her kitchen. Mom was a great cook and loved to feed her family on holidays or anytime any of us were at their house. I mainly provided conversation, set the table or made a salad, while watching her cook. I miss her as much as I miss all the family gatherings we used to have with my brothers' families, my grandmother and all my aunts, uncles and cousins. All of that seemed to stop when Mama died.

Mom and Dad are together in heaven now with their sibblings and parents. Someday we will all be together again for a grand reunion.

I love and miss you every day, Mom.
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