Picasso and the Octogenarian.......

In 2005, at the age of 83, at an age when she would be expected to be sittin' in a rocking chair every day, my mother decided to go on a cruise with some of her friends.

Mom And Her Friends Go A'Cruisin'.......

As you can see from the photographs, she had a blast.

Hi Picasso!  May I Have This Dance? 

One of the highlights of her trip was the stop they made in Florida, where she swam with Picasso, the dolphin.  Look at my mom's facial expression of pure joy.

Go Picasso!

I bring all this up today because tomorrow she is leaving on another cruise trip with friends---at the very young age of 88.  Bon Voyage!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.................................

Everyone ought to have to move at least once every ten years.  It does have benefits.  For one, you get to explore all your closets and drawers and storage space and discover all the junk you had put away thinking you would some day use it.  You didn't and won't.

My, the crap that is being given to Goodwill and the garbage collector.  Why didn't we just throw it away to begin with?

And secondly, all the planning that is required --- packing stuff in the correct order, lining up the cut-off and turn-on dates for water, gas, electricity, trash removal, etc. keeps the mind sharp, keeps you thinking.

And third, you have to repeatedly deal with "customer service" reps on the phone.  This is good in the larger scope of things because it keeps you humble.  You are at the mercy of something very perplexing and much larger than you. 

It is written over and over in the bible that humility is most desirable.  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Let me give you an example of just one such conversation from yesterday --- this with the Dish satellite TV network :

Me:  Hi.  I need to discontinue my Dish service because I am moving.

Dish rep:  What is your account number?

I just recited that into your answering recording.

I know but you'll have to tell me again.

Why?  I already gave it to you.  You don't have it?

No, we don't see it.

Well,why do they ask for it then?

It is for management's information.

That's stupid.  OK---my account number is TXP-9834186-HP-201

Could you repeat that?

Grrrrrrrr......... TXP-9834186-HP-201

What is your address?

Well, if you have my account number, you should also know my address.

I have to pull that up on the screen.  It would be faster for you to tell me your address.

Pull it up on the screen.

(30 seconds of silence)

Icily.......You are Clint?

Yes.

And you want to discontinue your Dish service because you are moving?

(DUH)  Yes

I will transfer your call to our marketing department for further processing---please have your account number handy....

Multiply conversations like this one by 20 and you start to get the idea of what it is like to prepare for a move.  And I haven't even got to the packing, scheduling part yet.  And people wonder why I like an occasional martini....

I can't wait to inherit the earth.

My Good Book(s).......

My Bibles.  Each One Has The Same Message, But Each One Has Its Own Distinct Personality

When I was 9 years old, my parents enrolled me in Confirmation classes.  When I was officially confirmed, I was presented with a small, black leather bible with a zipper to protect it when not in use.  Unfortunately for me, I left the church the first chance I got and never even saw that bible again until a couple of years ago.

I Was Given This Little Zippered Bible When I was Confirmed at Age Nine

I Was Presented This Bible Three Years Ago After I had Served As President Of Our Sunday School Class

My Daughter Gave Me This Bible Several Years Ago

This Wonderful Old King James Version Belonged to My Grandfather Clinton

Fortunately for me, I rediscovered Jesus in later life, even though He had never left me.  At that time, I began to discover other bibles in my life---like those of my grandfather Clinton and new ones presented to me by my daughter and wife and a friend. 

Inscription In My Grandfather's Bible

Inscription In My Grandfather's New Testament Reads "Gorin, Missouri, 1918, Presented to Fred Clinton by Mother"

Funny thing, you know---I have found that each of these books has its own distinct personality, even though the message is exactly the same.

This is My "Everyday" bible.  It is so Very Easy To Read and Understand---Given to Me By Cindy

Looking Back and Wondering.......

I have been blessed to have inherited my family's picture albums. 

The thousands of photographs in my possession date back to before the 20th century.  This one (above) has always fascinated me.  It was taken sometime C 1895?

There sure are some characters in this picture!  I have always wondered what this colorful and motley group of folks was involved in. 

The only clues about this photo are written in my maternal grandmother's handwriting on the back:

This was a lodge drill team.

George Niggemyer (my great-grandfather) in middle.

Mother behind dad in the dark robeo hat. 

Aunt Dora (Frank Niggemyer's wife) by mother in the white blouse.

Uncle Frank in front of dad in the white or light jacket.

Grandma Sigler in dark outfit at far left holding pole.

Some background: 

My mother's family originally immigrated to the United States from Germany C 1840.  They settled in Ft Madison, Iowa.  My grandmother was born in Ft Madison in 1898.  I am guessing here, but I have to assume that this "lodge" drill team, which is composed of family members, was a German tradition which carried over to their life in the United States.  If anyone has any other ideas, please let me hear from you!

It is fascinating to see a portal of American life from over a century ago---the closeness of family, the colorful dress and headgear, and the fact that families actually did things together.

And what is it with those spears?  Ha.

Sausage Balls Recipe....

Several friends have asked about the recipe for sausage balls used in my earlier post today.  I asked Cindy to write it down for me so I could pass it along.  I love this dish, either by itself or with eggs.  I hope you enjoy it!

My friends Lidj (Crown of Beauty) and Rebecca (New York Traveler) especially expressed an interest.

Lidj---the "powdery" substance atop the eggs is black pepper.  Also, you asked if hotcake mix can be substituted for Bisquick.  Cindy thinks that it could be substituted because Bisquick is also used for pancakes.

---3 Cups Bisquick
---8 Ounces cheddar cheese, grated
---1 Pound breakfast sausage
---3 Tablespoons of milk or buttermilk

Grate cheese.  Mix Bisquick and sausage together.  
Mix in grated cheese.  Add Milk and form mixture into balls.  Bake on Cookie sheet at 350 degrees until done, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

NOTE:  Cindy likes to line the cookie sheet with parchment paper

Saturday Morning

I rolled outta' the sack at 5ish this morning and immediately got on the trusty ole computer to catch up with my friends on Blogger.  I was really taken in by my friend Lloyd at his blog, Solid Rock or Sinking Sand.  Bless you and your wife today, Lloyd.

Man!---That Cantaloupe is Sweet!

After I had caught up on my reading, the hunger pangs began.  Woman said she was going to cook up one of my favorites---sausage balls and eggs, but she said it would take a few minutes.

Start With Grated Cheddar Cheese and Sausage

In the meantime, I found some delicious cantaloupe to delay the growling of my stomach.  Ahhhh.

Add the Bisquick

Meanwhile, the sausage balls were coming along nicely, along with the scrambled eggs.  Mmmmmmm.

And Three Tablespoons of Milk to Hold it Together

Hey!---a guy's gotta eat!  And I got a busy day comin' up.  Goin' to Home Depot for boxes for our upcoming move.  Then, woman has informed me that I will be packin' stuff today. 

They Are Ready for the Oven

I have learned to pretty much do what I'm told.  Usually.  Well, OK....sometimes.

Into the Oven

Cindy says the sausage balls are easy to make---bisquick, grated sharp cheddar cheese and sausage---but the key is three tablespoons of milk to help the mixture stick together.

The Finished Masterpiece!  Sausage Balls, Scrambled Eggs and Mixed Fruits  Ahhhhhh.

OK, gotta go!  Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Apologies.......

One of those universal circumstances of life that we all share as human beings is the apology.  There are times when each of us should apologize to another for some slight; and there are also occasions when each of us is on the receiving end of an apology.

I have found that apologizing to another person is sometimes difficult.  I realize that the difficulty often lies with ME---my ego gets in the way when I admit I was wrong, or maybe my pride (a sin) does not want to admit fault.

On the other hand, receiving an apology from another individual can also be a challenge.  Sometimes I find myself secretly saying to myself, "Maybe I'll forgive you, but I won't forget!"   This attitude is also wrong-headed.

Have you ever apologized to someone who would not accept your apology, or who made it very difficult for you to fully apologize?  I have, and it is an uncomfortable experience.

Jesus encourages us to apologize when we are at fault.  He tells us that grace is interrupted until we make things right with our neighbor.

Your thoughts, please...........