MORE FROM RECENT GUEST BLOGGER: DOROTHY FINLEY

Today I got this wonderful e-mail from my couisin, Dot Finley. Recently she was a guest blogger "From One Mother to Another." Some of you will reeeely love reading this; I did. Love, annie

                           

Let me tell you what has happened since I wrote what I thought was ‘my final report “. First my son, John , complained , Mom what did you mean by that title—he found that rather unfriendly! Then a few others said how much they would miss hearing from us---I really thought I was doing everyone a favor by ceasing telling “news” they may not find interesting. After all was said I decided I would write occasionally but give those not interested permission to just delete without reading----with my blessings!

I’ve been thinking about our life style and realizing how my plan for living by the road and being a friend to all has fallen off the tracks. After accompanying Bud to all therapy I just find I don’t have the strength to do the many things I think about. BUT NOW  I’ve thought of a new plan. Let me tell you about it and you tell me if I am “Nuts or Normal” LOL. I guess my thoughts are always concerning the plight of the aged and the children. I’ve heard so many old folks wish for certain foods that they never have but would love to eat again.  I remember Grandmother Finley & her roommate age 90+   in a nursing home in Pecos ,TX wishing for fried fish. I’m thinking that in our little town there are some who would love some old fashioned soups and vegetables or meat suitable for ole teeth to chew!  I’m planning to talk to a woman in our church who works tirelessly with those people, who knows the needs and I would like to be her silent partner . I can cook if I take my time and don’t get stressed. As for the children ---I worry about summer meals for them and food for infants. When we shop I see the prices I wonder how families are eating every day. My friend, Louinen, will know how I can connect with this woman. I know most of you are already at work in your churches so I’m expecting lots of suggestions and great ideas!

I loved my Mother’s Day this year—planned for me by our awesome 3- Sherrie, Kay and John-and executed by Kay and husband Bill. Mmmmm filet mignon and fresh salmon perfectly grilled by SIL Bill and other delicious eats to numerous to mention. We ate most of the day ,welcomed our two GKids, Garrett & Brett from college—UTX Dallas and North TX. Unfortunately GGbaby Maddie not with us.

We are getting a little rain this morning and looking out at the yard and trees is a beautiful sight.  Some people plant gorgeous flowers but we have chosen to leave just our 2 groves of trees in the back and wide span of green grass.

 As a reward we get to see into the pasture that adjoins us and see the cows, horses, deer etc. Every year we see mother deer place their babies safely under out trees while they graze nearby. 

                                                 

Jack rabbits come late in the evening to eat grass, one jack rabbit is very old.

It’s so easy to see Gods work in such a place

Well when I get to the weather I know it is time to end and today I get to wait the hour at S&W Round Rock heart therapy -11to12 and another hour at Georgetown for shoulder therapy.1to 2.  I’m tired already

Dot

CONFESSION OF A 50 YR OLD 10 K RUNNER!!!

I remember that shortly after my 50th birthday, a liquor store in Memphis held a 10 K out near the airport.

Everyone in the family was busy that morning so I drove out there by myself.  In addition to the main prize, there were smaller awards given to winners by age category.  I recognized a woman runner I had seen before...and when I looked on the list I saw there were only the two of us in the 50 and up category. The other runner was 60+, white headed, and wrinkled. 

I thought, "Now is my chance, surely I can beat her." 



              


When the race began, she took off like lightening, and I was far behind her.  

When they presented the awards, I heard "Second place in the category of 50 up, is Ann Brewer."  


Beaming, I stood as everyone applauded.

You won't believe this...I WAS SO PROUD, not at all embarrassed that there were only two of us. I confess I still recall that feeling of pride...shame on me!!

I confess...but I guess to have run 6 miles at all was worthy of some attention...

Now that I am nearing 80, I figure I can remember this story anyway I like. Sometimes imagining a cup...

The recent Boston Marathon was a nightmare....yet before the explosions  I could identify with those runners who finished safely.

For I still remember running as a very positive part of my life..
from 46 yrs to 60 yrs old.
This picture was made in a Memphis in May 10 k a year later.



annie              





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TAKING A BREAK FROM THIS BLOG...WILL BE BACK SOON

I have put so many different kinds of things on this blog...a few pretend trips, a couple of fantasy trips, Ben's poetry and paintings, a guest blogger, many  of my own precious memories. (67 entries.)

 That was a mistake. Sort of a hodgepodge of stuff...especially if anyone else cared to read the blog. I had most of my pretend trips on my first blog started in 2011. (76 entries.)

annieinmemphis.blogspot.com

But I never really meant for my blog writing to entertain others, but to entertain Ben and me.
                         

 In 2011 I got the idea that pretend trips could be remembered the same as "in the flesh" trips. I have been blessed with thousands of miles of real live travel...both in US and abroad....also thousands of miles of pretend trips. But now my brain remembers pretend and live trips just the same. And I use my three blogs as permanent scrapbooks to save the details.

After sleeping on a Greyhound bus so many times (which was actually kind of fun) I decided my pretend trips should be first class in travel, I would stay in the most expensive hotels, eat at the most expensive restaurants. I would tell people I had unlimited funds (?) that can only be used for travel. I would pay for it all with monopoly money or a monopoly charge card. 

I'll be back on memphisannie.blogspot.com.....soon. 

I will continue the same way on my trip around the world. So far only one entry.
patriciaanninmemphis.blogspot.com 

But it will probably be boring because I have no story in mind so far.
If I were you I wouldn't bother reading it...instead, I hope you will make your own pretend trips. If I can do it, anyone can. Love, annie

FROM ONE MOM TO ANOTHER by DOROTHY FINLEY,. guest blogger

Dot Finley is my cousin; we discovered each other on face book a couple of years ago. Her grandmother was my grandfather's sister.
When I read this poem she wrote about her only son, I asked if I could put it on my blog. I think you will find this  delightful.
 Thanks, Dot. with love, cuz annie 

                                

Windows of the Soul

By: Dorothy June White Finley

1960

I used to love to rise up early

Before the others were out of bed

To sit at the table to sip my coffee

Dreaming quiet thoughts within my head

Before a verbal word was said.

But in my house another early riser

Loved to join my revelry.

How could I ever take offense

When he so cheerfully greeted me

And the day in such a pleasant way

He joined in looking out to see

But his response required conversation

He had so very much to say

I did not realize childhood’s pass so fast

The innocence of plans at age three

With glorious thoughts of what would be

Would not go on forever

Those special childish relations would not last.

Now I cannot recall our morning chats

For that I feel so much regret

To go back to those early days

Would bring much pleasure and joy

To hear again from my own child

His thoughts and dreams for his life.

Did I listen to him carefully?

Was my response suitable for his needs?

What memories does he have?

Without a blueprint for being a mother

When there was no internship or other

Ways to learn to do this job

Leaves life a chance mothers have to take

To succeed or fail by the choices we make.

                                   Here is Dot with her husband Odie Bud Finley.

A little note from Dot about her husband: "My husband is a true TX with a double name—Odie Bud---named for his 2 grandpas One was Charles Otis Finley called “Otie”) the other Issac Van Zant McElroy called Bud”. When my husband went into the Navy he learned that his name had been misspelled to ‘Odie” so he just changed to that. All his life called Otie Bud by all who knew him in TX. Later introduced himself to me as Bud so all of my family & my friends call him Bud. He has a warm personality and loads of friends. God does send THE BEST!!" 

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HANGING OUT IN JERUSALEM ON PALM SUNDAY

When I awoke yesterday morning, I did not hear the familiar sound of my son in the kitchen, making coffee and getting ready for work.
I found myself in a different place, altogether, perhaps a different time from 2013.

I looked down and saw I had on the maroon bathrobe my husband once wore. Under it was an old fashioned floor length flannel night gown. I didn't really look so out of place as I looked around me.

I seemed to be waiting with a throng of people for a parade to start. It reminded me of the Christmas parades in Memphis so many years ago. But this was in the day time and the excitement of the people seemed to go way beyond something you would expect for mere parade.

People were waving palms and shouting at Someone I could only now see at a distance.

There was an elderly lady standing by me; she had two palm branches and handed me one. I waved mine too, although I wasn't quite sure why??? I gathered she was  Hebrew Jew (spoke Hebrew) and she assumed I was a Greek Jew. Or perhaps she was speaking Aramaic; anyway I could not understand anyone.  

הושיעה־נא,הושיעה נא hôšâ‘-nā


Hosanna!!  Were they saying Hosanna? Indeed!! 

So this was Palm Sunday!!! And I somehow was there as a witness!!

When Jesus was at the top of the road ready to descend, he paused a moment. Was He crying as he viewed Jerusalem below him?





There was clothing thrown on a donkey which Jesus sat upon, Then the crowd began to throw down their cloaks on the road for Jesus to ride over.  I threw down my bathrobe and waved my own palm branch vigorously. The crowd was shouting!!




The procession gradually reached us. I could only shout, "Hosanna!"
From the Bible I remembered, (although I could not understand)...

 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

 "Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" ⁴⁰ "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.

The lady next to me tried to point to her back...and

then she bent over in a stooped position,stood upright and and did it again. She was showing me that Jesus had straightened her back!!

My new companion took my arm and led me to the temple where the procession reached.

She then motioned for me to follow her to her home.

We had light refreshments.

Then I sat in a chair to rest a little, then closed my eyes

 I was so happy 

because when I saw JESUS

I could tell he recognized me, knew my name. 

                           Hallelujah!

I guess I napped just a little, then I smelled eggs

 frying in our kitchen at home. I heard Ben(son) say,

"I'm up!!"  I answered, "Me too!"

Easter will be here in just a few days.
May you all be blessed.
Love, annie in memphis   

SHIRLEY CALDWELL REMEMBERS LEROY & HONORS THE LORD

Many of you read my blog entry about my little brother, WILLIAM LEROY CALDWELL, who died December 22. He was 75. It had one of the largest numbers of viewers I have ever had!!

Before his death, Shirley was already involved in sewing  to help &/or encourage others. She was already making pillow case dresses to send to young girls in Guatemala. 

Leroy sometimes washed and ironed the pillow cases. Shirley always dreamed of having a large sewing room where other women could join her in this endeavor. Not long before he died they did find a house with a large room suitable for the task. 

v



Yesterday, seven women came at 9 am and filled that sewing room with laughter and joy. They stopped for lunch then worked the rest of the day.
               
They made 7 adorable dresses; Shirley was not only blessed with a sense of satisfaction but also blessed with plain old fun!! The ministry will branch out and  "SOW AND SEW"  other things always for others.

vv


The yard can be seen  through the large glass area of the sewing room. Recently Shirley looked out and saw two birds seemingly flying away from each other but came together again. It was so reassuring to be reminded that she and Leroy will indeed be together again. Meanwhile, I know Leroy is pleased with the Sow and Sew ministry. 
v
   
Love, annie in memphis...God is good ALL THE TIME!!!

SNOT RAG

Have you ever in your life seen a snot rag...? I don't mean a dainty handkerchief that has been discreetly soiled from blowing one's nose. I mean a real SNOT RAG!!!  Well, I have lived to see and tell about it.

One day as Ben and I were driving over some Kentucky roads...(we so loved those Kentucky roads,)we were having trouble finding what we were looking for. We saw a fiesty farm woman out getting her mail, so we waved and called to her. 

She was wearing a nice print dress with a very large rag attached across the top of it by a huge safety pin. Yes, she did know exactly what we were looking for and started right in with the directions. Suddenly she grabbed on her rag (and without missing a word) she blew her nose.!!!!!

I was somewhat aghast, until it hit me...she was actually so friendly and gracious and not in the least self conscious about her snot rag.
Without the least embarrassment, she waved us goodbye with a big grin on her face.

I am finally coming out of my cold and this memory came to mind.
I learned a lesson that day...not sure what...but I learned something. Just saying. 

She was too modest to let Ben make her picture. But this is sort of how her farm house looked. A nice memory of a friendly woman~
Snot-rag is actually in the Webster's Dictionary. Dudn't that beat all??
annie in memphis