Saturday 9: Cruella de Vil

I think we all need something a little fun right now with all that's going on in the world, so I'm linking up with the Saturday 9.

Saturday 9: Cruella de Vil (1961)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In the original animated 101 Dalmations, this song is written by Roger, who gets his best ideas at the piano. Where do you feel most creative?  At my desk surrounded by my books, music, and all my favorite things.

 

2) His piano is tucked away in a crowded attic. Does your home have an attic? If so, what do you keep up there?  No attic. If we had one it would be full of seasonal decorations and all the sentimental things I can't part with.

 

3) The inspiration for this song is his wife's old school chum, the very wealthy and very mean Cruella de Vil. Have you ever found you couldn't stand one of your spouse's or lover's friends?  Unfortunately, yes, but only once.

  

4) Make no mistake, Cruella is a very bad lady. The American Film Institute named her #38 on their 100 Greatest Villains list. Tell us another nasty movie character who comes to mind.  The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The late Alan Rickman was brilliant in the role.

5) Cruella wanted to skin sweet little Dalmation puppies and make a coat. (We told you she was bad.) As winter wears on, could you use a new coat (though not one made from puppy fur!)?  No, I have several. 

6) This song was written by Mel Leven, who did both words and music. Do you think you'd be more successful as a lyricist (words) or composer (music)?  A lyricist. I have zero musical talent.

7) 1961 was a big year for Disney. In addition to this animated movie, they had a hit with The Parent Trap, about twins who are reunited at summer camp. Approx. 1 in every 250 births results in twins. Are there any twins in your family?  My mother's younger sisters.

8) Also in 1961, IBM introduced the Selectric typewriter. Amazon and Walmart both still sell typewriters. Do you own one?  You know, I'm not sure. My old electric one might be stored somewhere. Oh, wait! I do have a big black antique one that I bought in a junk shop for $20...just for decoration and inspiration.

9) Random question: When is the last time you took a nap?  Friday afternoon. The cold, rainy day seemed to demand it.

**I started this blog very quickly in response to my old one freezing up. It has never really been what I wanted. It's just been a space. Keep your eyes open in the near future for my new blog home. I'm working on it and trying to make it what I've been wanting.

There's a Little Bit of Magic in Every Blog

Yesterday's Tuesday 4 questions (and everyone's shared memories in their responses) really got me thinking about the good old days of blogging and some of the folks I've met along the way.

Some of those who stand out were: 

Mitch, a young, idealistic, pastor who served in the same denomination I was part of at the time. He was my first blogging friend. He doesn't blog any longer and the last time I saw him he's not so idealistic. Full-time pastoring can take a toll.

Rodney worked in Christian radio and youth ministry in Australia. He's still around, now working for Compassion International's Australian Division, putting out a podcast, and doing some serious mountain biking.

Josh was another youth minister. His love for the Andy Griffith Show and all things Mayberry were infamous. I don't know what ever became of him.

Simone was a pastor's wife. A woman of color with a beautiful soul who shared the joys and trials of her life and who encouraged me greatly at times. She proved with such love and grace that race does not have to divide us. We are all God's children. Simone has also left blogging as far as I know.

Paul was a gentle soul, a cowboy poet from the Texas hill country, who chose to do his blogging and sharing of God's speaking to his heart from a local coffee shop. I believe I may have heard Paul passed away some time ago. He isn't blogging at any rate.

Then there were dear friends Elaine and Yvonne who both walked away without looking back, deciding they couldn't live with my political views. That was during the 2012 election season. Neither blogs these days, that I'm aware of. Both are on Facebook and Yvonne did reach out last year with a friend request. Her political beliefs are now in line with mine. The friendship really isn't there, though.

And finally, there was Dr. John. Dr. John was a Lutheran minister and the most beautiful of souls. His health was not good. He blogged to keep himself busy and to create a community. And what a community he created!

He had a wonderful imagination and along with tales of his life he spun the story of a magical world he created and the adventures of its inhabitants. He also wanted to spark creativity in all of his readers so each week he'd hold a writing contest. The winner would get some silly prize he'd picked up at the dollar store. The week I won, I received a little frog dressed as a wizard...and a saffron bun (the most wonderful food in the world according to Dr. John). The frog wizard, he said, was to remind me that "there's something beautiful...a little bit of magic in every blog." 

I learned by chance, in a comment on another blog, that he had passed away. The frog wizard has been smiling at me from my desktop every day for a dozen years or more, reminding me to look for the beautiful, the creative, and the magic.

* My little frog is the second from the left in the photo above.

Community

Thank you all so much for your kind and encouraging words yesterday. You are the reason, that no matter how discouraged or burnt out I may get with blogging, I will likely never completely give it up until I am physically or mentally unable to continue. 

We have a community of sorts here and those who don't participate don't understand it, but it is very real. We laugh with each other, encourage and support each other. We cry together when one of us is hurting and we do what we can to help bring healing. We pray. We send little gifts. Sometimes we even meet in person. How could I give that up?

Now, in case you missed yesterday's update...Megan's surgery went well. The cyst was large enough and infected enough that the surgeon had to make a 3-inch incision to remove all of it. He was able to close it with stitches on the inside and glue on the outside. Thank you so much for all your prayers. 

I had believed I'd be staying the night with Megan and the kids. She isn't supposed to be left alone for 24 hours following the surgery (Cody works midnight shift). Mom decided she was going to be the one to stay...perhaps taking pity on me since I had the kiddos all day. 

I also didn't sleep well Sunday night. I kept hearing this throbbing hum. I thought at first it was the air purifier, the ceiling fan, or the furnace. When I had ruled those out I checked the refrigerator, freezer, and hot water tank. It wasn't those, either. It was driving me insane! I couldn't block it out. Burying my head in the pillow only seemed to make it louder. 

It was still there when I woke up yesterday morning. When I took the dog out the mystery was finally solved. It was coming up out of the valley from the steel mill. I was actually relieved because I was beginning to think I was hearing things. Later conversations confirmed that Tim and my mom also heard it. It just didn't keep them awake.

So, today I am meeting one of Tim's sisters and a family friend at Olive Garden for lunch and tonight my Bible study group is meeting online. Our teacher is finally back from visiting family after a month away. We've had a couple of Zoom meetings, I even taught one, but it will be good to have her back at the helm.

To Blog or Not to Blog? (UPDATED!)

The set up of the blog is a bit different today. I'm tinkering and fine tuning. Trying to find what feels right. 

Because...

Friday evening, when I sat down to do my Saturday 9 post and visit everyone's blogs and comment, I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm or bear the thought of all the time it takes to visit and comment on everyone's post. Not one little bit. Surely there are better ways to spend my time? 

I was actually on the verge of deleting the blog and calling it quits. I've been blogging in one form or another for 20 years! I don't know the exact date, but the anniversary is somewhere within a few weeks of today, give or take. 

I've blogged (on that very first blog) to keep the youth group I was leading at the time updated on activities. I've blogged to connect with others in youth ministry. I've blogged to get through some of the hardest periods of my life. I've blogged to share some of the happiest times. I've blogged by name. I've blogged anonymously. I've blogged when no one read what I wrote and I blogged when lots of people liked what I wrote. I've blogged of deeper things and of shallow fluff. I've blogged about godly things and some not so godly things. I've blogged meme after meme.

In all that blogging what I don't feel like I've ever found is my true voice. Oh, there have been hints of it here and there, but I have been all over the place. I think I have bloggers ADHD. My blogs serve a purpose for a while, but then just sort of fade away. I have tended to change blogs each time my life changed direction, my circumstances changed, or when I got bored.

I long to be one of the big time bloggers, one of the popular girls, with hundreds or even thousands of followers, but unless the Lord's got a plan I don't know about, that's not me. I'm too scattered to pull it all together and keep it there. Plus, if I'm honest, as an introvert the sheer effort of maintaining that kind of community would completely overwhelm me.

As I sat there staring at the screen, thinking about walking away, I kept thinking about how much I would miss it...miss the friends I have made and know only through blogging and Facebook. I would miss having a place to share my thoughts and life and get wonderful encouragement and advice. 

I can't delete the blog and I can't walk away. I am thinking and praying about ways to change it. 

• The memes probably have to go. I'm terribly compulsive about them. I could do a meme, but I don't HAVE to.
• I need to stop trying to be one of the cool girls and just be me. Dorky, nerdy, ME!
• I don't need to post every day.
• I do need to post only about what I am passionate about
• God
• family
• books
• patriotism
• cooking
• thrifting
• antiques
• politics (maybe)
• etc. 

That's where I'm at. I don't know what may or may not unfold. Maybe I will find that it really is time to "retire." I'm game to find out.

*****

Prayer Request: I'm posting this Sunday evening because I have to be at my daughter's at 7:00 tomorrow morning to stay with the grandchildren. She is having a large, infected cyst removed from her breast. Please say a prayer they can get it all out and that it can be closed and not have to heal as an open wound. It would be much appreciated.

**UPDATE** Megan's surgery went well and she is home. The wound is stitched shut on the inside and glued on the outside. It's about 3-inches long. She's sleeping and I still have the kids with me and will until their daddy wakes up (he works midnight shift). Then I'm not sure what will happen. She is not supposed to be alone for 24 hours so either my mom or I will have to spend the night at her house, I guess.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. That's one health issue off her long list.

Hanging Around in God's Love

Here I am...and there you are. We're all waiting on me to post something on this first day of "Blogtober" and take the first step on my journey back to old-school blogging. Um, the blank page is a lot more intimidating than I remember it. I haven't used my writing muscle in a while so, be patient with me. It may take a while to get it back in shape.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited. Very excited, actually, about not only this change in blogging but also this season and this time in my life. Even though we've been in kind of a holding pattern for most of this year, I'm feeling like I'm on the edge of something. I can't quite see what it's going to be yet, but it's there...kind of fuzzy and in the distance.

I think a big part of my feeling this way is due to my word for the year. Abide. The Lord gave it to me in John 15:9, 10.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. 

Merriam-Webster defines "abide" as: to bear patiently, to endure without yielding, to wait for, to accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place.

Synonyms include: dwell, hang around, remain, stay, tarry, persist.

To my shame, at the beginning of this year I could not honestly say I was abiding in Jesus's love when faced with that definition. Work had done much to frazzle me and tire me and pull me away from the Lord. I knew it. I just didn't seem to have it in me to do anything about it.

Enter Covid-19 and my quitting my job the day before my state went into a total shutdown. At first, with my husband home, too, it felt like a big old party. We had a lot of fun just hanging out together, watching a lot of Netflix, doing projects around the house, and shaking our heads over what was happening. Then the reality hit home as he was able to return to work after being off just one month, but for the rest of us it dragged on until summer. Even now, nearly 7 months after the shutdown, life is still not back to normal and doesn't show signs of being in any hurry to get there.

When I quit my job the economy was booming and I thought I'd be able to waltz right into another job, one with hours and duties I wanted, without too much trouble. Ha! I sure never imagined I'd still be sitting at home all these months later.

But the truth is, these months have turned out to be a gift for which I am most thankful. I have worked my way through three complete Bible studies on my own, learned a great deal about prayer, faith, and the Holy Spirit, and have gotten into the habit of giving the first 2 hours (sometimes more) of my day to the Lord. In short, I have been learning to abide in His love. To tarry there, to hangout there, to persist in it, and to dwell in it. My relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is stronger than it's ever been. My soul is at peace in this upside-down world and my heart is full of joy. I am in awe of how the Lord works even the darkest of times for the good of His children.

This lifting of spirit has also worked into the things of this world. I've signed up for and will begin a certificate course in medical office assisting just as soon as the materials arrive in the mail. I'm hoping to add enough extra skills to land the type of job I want. Who knows...maybe it will lead to moving on to a degree? 

A couple of people have given me funny looks about going to school at my age, 56, but I always remember a letter to Dear Abby from back in the 70's or 80's. A woman, who was in her late 50's or early 60's wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. Her family was giving her all kinds of grief and telling her it was stupid because by the time she was finished with school, her residency and everything that was required, she'd be close to 80. Dear Abby's response was, "And how old will you be if you don't go to school? Go to school. Do what you enjoy. Follow your dream." I was just a kid when I read that but I have never forgotten it.

Well, would you look at that? We've made it through day one of Blogtober.

Things to be thankful for:

1. Blogging from the heart.

2. Unexpected blessings.

3. The faithfulness of God.

4. Beautiful fall weather.

5. Favor. Yesterday at the Salvation Army store I found a long Anne Klein black, wool coat. For $24.99! It is in perfect condition. 

6. The blessing of so much time to spend with my 2 youngest grandchildren.

7. Peace in uncertain times.

8. Excitement about life and what it holds.

9. Deepening faith and abiding love.

10. No matter what, God's in control.

 

Changes Coming in October

Here we are, the last day of September. How is it possible in a year when we've been stuck at home watching the world spin out of control, that time is flying by so quickly? Normally I'd be joining in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge today, but...things are about to change. 

Yesterday I read a post by Rebecca Jo over at Knit By God's Hand about how she's lost her blogging mojo after being at it so long and also due to the fact that 2020 has not been kind to creativity. She's decided to get out of the blogging rut, by going retro with her blog. Instead of the scheduled daily memes and blog hops, she is going to do what we used to do in the old days. Just write about whatever is on her mind, how her day went, a scripture verse, things she's thankful for, etc. She's calling her "experiment" Blogtober or Bloctober. 

Reading that post solidified what I've been feeling for a while. I've been blogging since 2001. There have been a lot of changes over the years. I've done memes here and there for probably as long as they've been around, but the last couple of years mark the first time that my blog content has been almost totally memes. It can be fun, but a lot of times it feels more like an obligation. I "have" to post and then I "have" to visit everyone else's blogs...or at least the blogs of everyone who visited and commented on mine.

So, beginning tomorrow I'm going to join Rebecca Jo in going old school. The blog is going to be where I do my daily brain dump. Neither one of us will know what's going to pop up until I compose a post. I'm not ruling out all possibility of a meme or two showing up. I'm just not locking myself into them. I'm giving myself permission to walk away from them. I hope you'll keep checking in and that I won't bore you to death.

See you tomorrow for Blogtober!

A Pain & A Blessing

Welcome to my new blog home. The move was unexpected. On Saturday morning I found that my laptop would not open my blog. I kept getting a message that the blog was using out of date or unsafe security measures. Many people offered me advice on how to fix the problem, but nothing worked. 

Saturday night my virus protection let me know it had been stopping repeated attempts to connect to my laptop by the same IP address all day...and by repeated I mean nearly once every minute! That caused me to conclude that someone hacked my blog and attached some nasty thing to it. So, I did the only thing I knew to do. I made a new blog. And here we are...well, I hope "we" are here and I'm not talking to myself. Ha!

Okay, that's done so let's get on with the fun stuff.

The weekend was just okay here. I had to work and so did Tim so we didn't really do anything but relax at home in the evenings.

The only interesting thing happened on/through Facebook....I'd better start at the beginning.

Most of you know that during the last year I finally learned the identity of my biological father and found out that I have three half-siblings. I met my sister and we keep in touch. I have been writing back and forth with my father and we have plans to meet this summer when he gets back from wintering in Texas. As for the brothers, I'd been told one of them wanted to know about me, the other is semi-estranged from his full siblings so who knows how he feels about a surprise half-sibling.

I decided that it was past time for the brother closest in age to me to make contact so I reached out to him through Facebook messenger on Friday. I came home on Saturday to find a very excited, very long message from him.

To get started he told me all about himself and his family. My suspicions that he is very liberal were confirmed, but he seems open minded and I am more than willing to get to know him. Political leanings never used to keep people from being friends or destroy families so with the exceptions of those who are "extreme" in their actions, I don't see why it has to now. 

Anyway....

He sounds like a pretty nice guy and I'm looking forward to meeting him one day. For now he sent me a bunch of amazing photos.

My half-brother, his wife and beautiful daughters.

My great-great grandfather, Albin.

Albin playing baseball.

My 3x great grandfather, Reuben.

I think I can see a bit of my son in him.

My great grandfather, Dale, and his wife Sadie.

My grandfather, William, who died in a hunting "accident"

when my father was a boy and my grandmother, Marie,

who treated my existence as a dirty little secret

never to be discussed until the day she died.

I'm glad you found me, please change the link on your blogs so some of the friends I've made, but didn't have addresses for can find me. Thank you!

Have a happy and blessed Monday!