Man, I did it again. In my last post I was griping about the errors in my work that got past me, and there I found two or three more. I give up!! If, when you read me, I don't make sense, just guess at it! You probably won't be too far wrong.
Yesterday, I received an email from my granddaughter. I think it is just priceless, and it goes right along with the school situation I have been complaining about - you know, the things teachers are required to do, or not allowed to do, due to some state or federal regulation. Well, anyway, that's what I started out to do, but I guess I did get a little sidetracked on some of it.
Anyway, this came as a forwarded email. It had already been forwarded two or three times, to a whole bunch of people each time, and there was no originator's name attached, so I guess I am legal in putting it here. I think it is so true! and so priceless.
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their distruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their "T"-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and secually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish, or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this, and then you tell me . . . .I CAN'T PRAY?
Thank God for teachers who ARE still willing to try to do all these things.
And, on the outside back cover of this month's Country magazine, I read "IT ISN'T WHAT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH THAT HURTS YOU -- IT'S WHAT COMES OUT OF IT."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
This is kind of another "pet Peeve", only this time I am the "peevee" (is there such a word?) I sometimes get so irritated at myself. All my life I have been very good at "English" - spelling, grammar, conversation, and composition. I am not an analytical person, I can't take someone else's story, and tell you what they were "really" thinking when they wrote it - after all they wrote it, don't you feel they knew what they really meant when they wrote it? I can't take a magazine advertisement, and tell you what the subliminal meaning of that ad is. This type of thing has always given me trouble, and almost cost me my Associates degree from college, because I could not pass my English lA class, due to my inability to "analyze" what someone else was trying to say, when they wrote it. But, you would think I would know what I am trying to say,, when I say something, or write something. You would think I could recognize when I have made a boo-boo in my writing. That is what makes me so peeved. Like yesterday's blog. Any time I write anything - a letter, a story, my "book", or my blog, I read and re-read every part of it at least two or three times before I send, print or post it. And still the goofs get by me. Take the possting yesterday - I know I read all of it several times before I posted it, and then after it was posted and I read it again, I found several errors. I just went back and read it again, looking for those errors, and voila! I could not find them. I did find a couple that should have never got past me - I referred to "of those 160 students" which should have said "FOR those 160", and later on I used the word "is" where it should have been "in". I said "enought" where it should have been "enough". Funny how you can read the same thing many times over and fund different things wrong. Usually I am pretty good at catching these things. In fact, over the last year or so, I have found two commercially printed books with errors of this type in them. But, in both of these cases, the error completely changed the meaning or context of the sentence. In both cases I called the error to the attention of the editor of the book, and in both cases, the error was acknowledged and promised to be corrected in the next publication of the book, assuming there will be a "next" publication.
Since I posted my comments yesterday, there have been a couple more articles in the paper along the same line in re: school. So, I get stirred up all over again -but I've ranted enough. I'll pick another subject for next time.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A "Pet Peeve"
I was sitting here wondering just what would be a good subject to "vent" about today, and I was reading today's local paper. There it was, on page C7, in the Letters to the Editor, one of my Pet Peeves. And, of course, that stirred me up good This particular pet peeve covers a lot of territory, so bear with me, here goes.
I would not want to be a kid (especially a teenager) today for anything. They have so much more stressful, mentally taxing lives than when I was a kid, or even when my girls were kids. When I went to school, there was no such thing as "Kindergarten" except in the largest schools. We started in the first grade, not knowing how to count, how to recognize our letters, or with no idea how to write or print. We might know our colors, but only if our Moms were really on the ball. We finally learned to write cursive letters when we were in about the third grade, and it was then that we first used a pen and ink. Of course there were no such things as "ball point pens" then. Those didn't come into existence until about 1941 or l942. We actually had to dip our pens into the bottle of ink, and then write. Could sometimes get kinda messy, and boy, the stories that could be told about that. We had "penmanship" classes until we finished the eighth grade - again Oh, the stories. And now there is discussion about the possibility of dropping cursive writing as a school subject altogether. We had eight grades of grammar school and four grades of high school. No "middle school" or "junior high school". We "graduated" from the eigth grade, and we were not "promoted" to the ninth grade. All the girls in the 8th grade had to take a sewing class, and I almost didn't get to graduate because I hadn't finished hand hemming my dischtowels. I also almost didn't graduate, because I could not pass my test on the US Constitution. The only reason I finally got by that one, they never did get around to giving the test again, so I guess you could say I graduated from grade school "by default". By the time we finished grammar school, college was about the last thing on our minds. No one was asking us what college we planned on attending, or what career we planned on persuing. Shoot, we were just kids - not to be worried about such things when we were only 13 or 14 years old. That was time to be a "kid" and enjoy life. The major difference between grammar school and high school was the fact that, in grammar school we had the same teacher for almost all of our classes - usually someone special for music and sewing. In high school we were introduced to choices in some of our classes, and sometime to four or five different teachers every day. Of 160 kids in my high school, I think we had about 7 or 8 teachers. The math teacher taught some of the science classes. The music teacher taught girls PE, Chorus and Spanish. The coach (of all the sports) taught shop. Yes, one coach was for all the sports, and the practices for the sports were held during school hours. Some of those kids lived 15 or 20 miles from school, and out of that 160, only about 4 or 5 drove their own cars to school. One year, the term started with no teacher hired for the commercial classes, so one of the senior boys who was really good at the commercial classes, was our teacher for the first month or two. No one was worried about college applications, or entrance exams, or SAT tests, or anything like that. When I was about 14 or 15, they intoruced an experimental subject into our "Social Studes" class - driver's education. Yes, that's right, driver education. There were two phases - the first being driver education, where we learned the rules of driving, and the road. Then, if we passed the test for that, and were over 15 1/2 years of age, we could take driver's training, which was actual behind-the-wheel training. Passing this class, and the corresponding test, tntitled us to apply for our drive's license. But me, I had to be different. I passed the driver education test (100 questions) at 100 percent, but I was not old enough to go on. So for reasons of another story, I didn't get my license until I was 17 years old.
In about the end of July or early August, you see all the "back to school" sales, and in stores like Walmart you see the "school needs lists - depending on what school the kid is going to be going to, and what grade - of all the things he/she will need. Such things as pencils, ball oint pens, notebooks, writing paper, color crayons, erasers, felt tip pens, rulers, protractors, and even back packs. Whan I attended school, and even when my girls were going, all these things (except maybe the backpacks) were provided to the kids by the schools. I doubt if many of the families could have afforded the items, even had they been required. When we got old enough to participate in the instrumental music program (7th grade) the school provided the instruments, and you usually wound up playing whatever the school had to offer. More about that later. We had a pretty nice orchestra (string instruments included). Would you believe that the lady who was my music teacher in the 7th grade (l942) is still alive and lives in Yuba City?
I was in the last class to graduate from high school without a cap & gown. The boys wore suits, white shirts, and ties. The girls wore floor length formals. And, I think we might have been the last class to graduate from that high school "stone sober". I was told that the next year, several of the class were so drunk they could hardly walk down the aisle. Anyway, things were a lot different then, than now.
And when my oldest daughter went to high school, there was still a pretty strict dress code. I don't believe girls were wearing slacks to high school then, let alone shorts or blue jeans. They did allow what were called "skorts". They were fairly short skirts. At least that's what they looked like from the front. But actually, they were shorts with a skirt in front. That was about as daring as the girls got. And, no such thing as "flip flops" for girls or boys either. On Fridays (or game days) the boys on the teams had to wear slacks, white shirts and ties, even to their own schools, and on the busses to the games. Four years later, things had taken a complete turn around, and it was almost a case of "anything goes". Oh, how times have changed.
When I started this post, I referred to a lettter in todays Letters to the Editor, that got me so stirred up. The writer was asking what happened to the "teachers' pride" he referred to the increased pressure to score high on tests, to the fact that teachers are more concerned about "dress code". I'm not sure, but I think the school she was referring to is one that has gone to a form of uniform, to more or less, standardize the type of clothing, for two purposes. One, to eliminate some of the types of clothing children were trying to wear, and two, to eliminate the wearing of "gang" colors - you know what I mean, handkerchiefs (plaid) around the neck, or on the head, or certain style or color of shirts that would associate them with gangs. She also was asking what had happened to the choirs, bands, and drill tems. In her words, "No money or no desire?" She was trying to remind the teachers of why they are there in the first place. Yes, I sometimes have that same thought - what has happened to today's teachers? Then, I stop and think. I'm not too sure how much of it is the fault of the teachers. I think many, if not most, of them still want to teach, so the student can learn; but with the way things have been going in the last few years, I have to admire anyone who even wants to be a teacher in today's society. It is not just this past year, and the current economy - it has been going on for several years. Costs have risen, and who has to suffer? The kids. What I said above about supplies, is a typical example. Then they cut out rooters' busses to the away-games; then they started cutting down on class field trips. One after another, extracurricular activities for the students have been cut. "Budget" is always the excuse. And now, with the economy the way it is, things must be more and more difficult for the teachers to provide for the students. California has long been one of the poorest states is meeting the standards for high school graduation, and every time I hear that some other school program (staff, supplies, activities, etc.) is being reduced or cut, my blood just begins to boil There's got to be an end somewhere, but where.
Well, I think I have "vented" about enought for one day. Anyway, I did kinda get it off my mind - not really, but at least now you know one of my "pet peeves"- one that really riles me up.
So, bye for now, catch you later -
I would not want to be a kid (especially a teenager) today for anything. They have so much more stressful, mentally taxing lives than when I was a kid, or even when my girls were kids. When I went to school, there was no such thing as "Kindergarten" except in the largest schools. We started in the first grade, not knowing how to count, how to recognize our letters, or with no idea how to write or print. We might know our colors, but only if our Moms were really on the ball. We finally learned to write cursive letters when we were in about the third grade, and it was then that we first used a pen and ink. Of course there were no such things as "ball point pens" then. Those didn't come into existence until about 1941 or l942. We actually had to dip our pens into the bottle of ink, and then write. Could sometimes get kinda messy, and boy, the stories that could be told about that. We had "penmanship" classes until we finished the eighth grade - again Oh, the stories. And now there is discussion about the possibility of dropping cursive writing as a school subject altogether. We had eight grades of grammar school and four grades of high school. No "middle school" or "junior high school". We "graduated" from the eigth grade, and we were not "promoted" to the ninth grade. All the girls in the 8th grade had to take a sewing class, and I almost didn't get to graduate because I hadn't finished hand hemming my dischtowels. I also almost didn't graduate, because I could not pass my test on the US Constitution. The only reason I finally got by that one, they never did get around to giving the test again, so I guess you could say I graduated from grade school "by default". By the time we finished grammar school, college was about the last thing on our minds. No one was asking us what college we planned on attending, or what career we planned on persuing. Shoot, we were just kids - not to be worried about such things when we were only 13 or 14 years old. That was time to be a "kid" and enjoy life. The major difference between grammar school and high school was the fact that, in grammar school we had the same teacher for almost all of our classes - usually someone special for music and sewing. In high school we were introduced to choices in some of our classes, and sometime to four or five different teachers every day. Of 160 kids in my high school, I think we had about 7 or 8 teachers. The math teacher taught some of the science classes. The music teacher taught girls PE, Chorus and Spanish. The coach (of all the sports) taught shop. Yes, one coach was for all the sports, and the practices for the sports were held during school hours. Some of those kids lived 15 or 20 miles from school, and out of that 160, only about 4 or 5 drove their own cars to school. One year, the term started with no teacher hired for the commercial classes, so one of the senior boys who was really good at the commercial classes, was our teacher for the first month or two. No one was worried about college applications, or entrance exams, or SAT tests, or anything like that. When I was about 14 or 15, they intoruced an experimental subject into our "Social Studes" class - driver's education. Yes, that's right, driver education. There were two phases - the first being driver education, where we learned the rules of driving, and the road. Then, if we passed the test for that, and were over 15 1/2 years of age, we could take driver's training, which was actual behind-the-wheel training. Passing this class, and the corresponding test, tntitled us to apply for our drive's license. But me, I had to be different. I passed the driver education test (100 questions) at 100 percent, but I was not old enough to go on. So for reasons of another story, I didn't get my license until I was 17 years old.
In about the end of July or early August, you see all the "back to school" sales, and in stores like Walmart you see the "school needs lists - depending on what school the kid is going to be going to, and what grade - of all the things he/she will need. Such things as pencils, ball oint pens, notebooks, writing paper, color crayons, erasers, felt tip pens, rulers, protractors, and even back packs. Whan I attended school, and even when my girls were going, all these things (except maybe the backpacks) were provided to the kids by the schools. I doubt if many of the families could have afforded the items, even had they been required. When we got old enough to participate in the instrumental music program (7th grade) the school provided the instruments, and you usually wound up playing whatever the school had to offer. More about that later. We had a pretty nice orchestra (string instruments included). Would you believe that the lady who was my music teacher in the 7th grade (l942) is still alive and lives in Yuba City?
I was in the last class to graduate from high school without a cap & gown. The boys wore suits, white shirts, and ties. The girls wore floor length formals. And, I think we might have been the last class to graduate from that high school "stone sober". I was told that the next year, several of the class were so drunk they could hardly walk down the aisle. Anyway, things were a lot different then, than now.
And when my oldest daughter went to high school, there was still a pretty strict dress code. I don't believe girls were wearing slacks to high school then, let alone shorts or blue jeans. They did allow what were called "skorts". They were fairly short skirts. At least that's what they looked like from the front. But actually, they were shorts with a skirt in front. That was about as daring as the girls got. And, no such thing as "flip flops" for girls or boys either. On Fridays (or game days) the boys on the teams had to wear slacks, white shirts and ties, even to their own schools, and on the busses to the games. Four years later, things had taken a complete turn around, and it was almost a case of "anything goes". Oh, how times have changed.
When I started this post, I referred to a lettter in todays Letters to the Editor, that got me so stirred up. The writer was asking what happened to the "teachers' pride" he referred to the increased pressure to score high on tests, to the fact that teachers are more concerned about "dress code". I'm not sure, but I think the school she was referring to is one that has gone to a form of uniform, to more or less, standardize the type of clothing, for two purposes. One, to eliminate some of the types of clothing children were trying to wear, and two, to eliminate the wearing of "gang" colors - you know what I mean, handkerchiefs (plaid) around the neck, or on the head, or certain style or color of shirts that would associate them with gangs. She also was asking what had happened to the choirs, bands, and drill tems. In her words, "No money or no desire?" She was trying to remind the teachers of why they are there in the first place. Yes, I sometimes have that same thought - what has happened to today's teachers? Then, I stop and think. I'm not too sure how much of it is the fault of the teachers. I think many, if not most, of them still want to teach, so the student can learn; but with the way things have been going in the last few years, I have to admire anyone who even wants to be a teacher in today's society. It is not just this past year, and the current economy - it has been going on for several years. Costs have risen, and who has to suffer? The kids. What I said above about supplies, is a typical example. Then they cut out rooters' busses to the away-games; then they started cutting down on class field trips. One after another, extracurricular activities for the students have been cut. "Budget" is always the excuse. And now, with the economy the way it is, things must be more and more difficult for the teachers to provide for the students. California has long been one of the poorest states is meeting the standards for high school graduation, and every time I hear that some other school program (staff, supplies, activities, etc.) is being reduced or cut, my blood just begins to boil There's got to be an end somewhere, but where.
Well, I think I have "vented" about enought for one day. Anyway, I did kinda get it off my mind - not really, but at least now you know one of my "pet peeves"- one that really riles me up.
So, bye for now, catch you later -
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Special Days
Hello - It's been a couple of days since I wrote and I had a couple of ideas different from what I had thought about. But then, that's the way it's supposed to work, isn't it? When I get an idea, I write about it.
Today was a kind of "special day" in that my new friend, Vicki, invited me to start going to a Bible Study group with her. I have been wanting to start going to one for quite some time now, but I'm not sure I want to commit myself to six months or so of every Thursday morning for two hours. But, I'm going to try it.
It's also a special day, because it is Esther's birthday. She was surprised I even remembered it, with so many in the family. I have tried very hard to remember most of my family birthdays this year, and have done a pretty good job. I know there are some I have missed, and I do apologize to them. But, as for Esther, there is no way I could forget about her birthday. I might miss the date, but I will never forget the day. Esther was born at home, and I was actually there to assist. I have been at the hospital, and even in the room, when several of the granchildren, and great granchildren were born, but Esther is the only one where I actually assisted with the birth. I'm not going into much detail, because I haven't discussed it with her or her Mother, but it was something I will never forget.
I'm not going to write much tonight, just don't feel up to it, but I did want to mention these things. So, I will talk to you more, later.
Today was a kind of "special day" in that my new friend, Vicki, invited me to start going to a Bible Study group with her. I have been wanting to start going to one for quite some time now, but I'm not sure I want to commit myself to six months or so of every Thursday morning for two hours. But, I'm going to try it.
It's also a special day, because it is Esther's birthday. She was surprised I even remembered it, with so many in the family. I have tried very hard to remember most of my family birthdays this year, and have done a pretty good job. I know there are some I have missed, and I do apologize to them. But, as for Esther, there is no way I could forget about her birthday. I might miss the date, but I will never forget the day. Esther was born at home, and I was actually there to assist. I have been at the hospital, and even in the room, when several of the granchildren, and great granchildren were born, but Esther is the only one where I actually assisted with the birth. I'm not going into much detail, because I haven't discussed it with her or her Mother, but it was something I will never forget.
I'm not going to write much tonight, just don't feel up to it, but I did want to mention these things. So, I will talk to you more, later.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
This 'n that -.
Hi, it's me again. I have just a couple of quickies before I get down to the business at hand. Boy, did I screw up on my last posting. Have you ever heard the old song, I think it was Ray Stevens who did it, called "I'm My Own Grandpa"? Well, if you have, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you have never heard it, or read the words, you definitely should. Go to the search field on the internet and enter"I'm my own grandpa" and you will find several listings for it. OK, now that we have that under control, on my last post, I said my Grandmother White first entered into my life "when she married my Dad" or something like that. What I meant to say was that my Grandmother first entered my life (or story) when my MOTHER married my Dad. No, Dad didn't marry Grandma. That's only in the song.
Another mistake I made - I got the cart before the horse. In reviewing some other writings I had done about Dad, I discovered he was born at the place north of Arbuckle, where the sewer plant now is, and they moved from there to the Schleich ranch, and then to the "home" place north of town. I'll get into that further as I recover (or remember) some of what I had already researched.
Another thing. I got an email this morning from Georgia's (my #4 daughter) step-son, who told me he had been working on "another blog" and gave me the address. Well, that is some blog. I asked him where he was 30 or 40 years ago when my husband and I were in a severe financial bind. Of course, that was long before he was even in my life. But anyway, his blog is simply financial advice from a non-pro. I'm sure you have seen articles in magazines about "How I got Rid of $100,00 in debt" or some such title. Well, that is what this is, only this time it is written by my grandson. And, what a blog!! With his permission I am going to give you the address. It is interesting reading, even if you don't need his advice. And with today's economy, who couldn't use a little help, especially when it is from someone you know personally, and you feel you can really trust. So, go to www.FinancialFreakshow.com and see what he has to say. As I said, it's good reading, even if you don't need or want his help.
I relly am enjoying writing these posts, but I have to be careful, becuase I don't know who is going to be reading them, and words have a way of coming back to bite me. That's happened a couple times in the last few months. It is bad enough when you know that only a few people have heard your remarks, but in a situation like this, I don't know how many are reading my words - I would like to think that maybe there are many, and I don't want these words to bite me, so it is better they remain unsaid. I always think about the story that was told about a little child who had a habit of making very naughty remarks and comments about other people. In order to try to break him of this habit, his father gave him a bucket of feathers, and told him to go out and scatter them along the road. When he got back with an empty bucket, his father told him to go back and pick each one of them up. In the meantime, a gentle breeze had come up, and so, of course, the feathers had all blown away. The child remarked about that, to which the father said that words are like the feathers. Once they are spread around, there is no getting them back. So, I TRY to be careful what I say. Only God knows my thoughts, and I think he will understand and forgive me for the thoughts I am having right now.
I was going to try to inroduce you to my Father tonight, but I have to organize my information a little better, so maybe tomorrow. But for now, talk to you later.
Another mistake I made - I got the cart before the horse. In reviewing some other writings I had done about Dad, I discovered he was born at the place north of Arbuckle, where the sewer plant now is, and they moved from there to the Schleich ranch, and then to the "home" place north of town. I'll get into that further as I recover (or remember) some of what I had already researched.
Another thing. I got an email this morning from Georgia's (my #4 daughter) step-son, who told me he had been working on "another blog" and gave me the address. Well, that is some blog. I asked him where he was 30 or 40 years ago when my husband and I were in a severe financial bind. Of course, that was long before he was even in my life. But anyway, his blog is simply financial advice from a non-pro. I'm sure you have seen articles in magazines about "How I got Rid of $100,00 in debt" or some such title. Well, that is what this is, only this time it is written by my grandson. And, what a blog!! With his permission I am going to give you the address. It is interesting reading, even if you don't need his advice. And with today's economy, who couldn't use a little help, especially when it is from someone you know personally, and you feel you can really trust. So, go to www.FinancialFreakshow.com and see what he has to say. As I said, it's good reading, even if you don't need or want his help.
I relly am enjoying writing these posts, but I have to be careful, becuase I don't know who is going to be reading them, and words have a way of coming back to bite me. That's happened a couple times in the last few months. It is bad enough when you know that only a few people have heard your remarks, but in a situation like this, I don't know how many are reading my words - I would like to think that maybe there are many, and I don't want these words to bite me, so it is better they remain unsaid. I always think about the story that was told about a little child who had a habit of making very naughty remarks and comments about other people. In order to try to break him of this habit, his father gave him a bucket of feathers, and told him to go out and scatter them along the road. When he got back with an empty bucket, his father told him to go back and pick each one of them up. In the meantime, a gentle breeze had come up, and so, of course, the feathers had all blown away. The child remarked about that, to which the father said that words are like the feathers. Once they are spread around, there is no getting them back. So, I TRY to be careful what I say. Only God knows my thoughts, and I think he will understand and forgive me for the thoughts I am having right now.
I was going to try to inroduce you to my Father tonight, but I have to organize my information a little better, so maybe tomorrow. But for now, talk to you later.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Grandmothers
It is 10:30 pm on Sunday evening. I just got home from church. Usually I get home around 8:30 - 9 pm but because we had a guest speaker, (a healing service) we were late. Anyway, it was a very nice service. Oh, I forgot to mention in my last blog, the group for which I am "corresponding secretary" is caled OASIS (Older Adults Still in Serive), just in case you are interested.
The title of today is "Grandmothers" and that could be because I am going to introduce you to my grandmothers. I never knew either of my grandfathers; they were both gone before I was born, but my grandmothers were very special to me, and Judy mentioned one day that I talked quite a bit about my Grandmother Arcand (Dad's mom) but I hardly ever said anything about my other grandmother. Well, that would be Grandma White (Mom's mom). And, I guess the main reason for that would be because I lived much closer to Grandma Arcand, and spent quite a bit of time with her, so I really knew her better. Her name was Katherine Henrietta Weyand Arcand. She was born in May 1866 just one mile (through the fields) from where my parents lived until their deaths and of course, where I was raised. I really don't know a whole lot about her younger years. I can't think off hand of where my Dad was even born. I know he attended grade schiol at a little country school near the intersection of Hahn Road, and ......Rd, about 2 miles north of Arbuckle. It was called, if I remember correctly, Wilbur School. Dad attended Pierce High School in College City. Some time during this period the family moved to the "Schleich ranch" about 2 miles west of Arbuckle, and then to a place about 1 mile north of Arcubkle, which is now the site of the Arbuckle municipal sewage disposal plant. Then, they moved to the ranch about 2 miles north-east of Abruckle, l mile east of where I grew up. This property had become my grandmother's property through a Spanish Land Grant, signed by the Presidend of the United States. I've kinda forgotten the whole story, but somehow after the war between Mexico and the US, the Mexican government granted quite a number of acres of land to the United States, to be given to the US veterans of this war. 160 acres was granted to one gentleman, and some way (I've forgotten how) this eventually became my Grandmother's land. When Dad & Mom got married, my Dad bought this property from his mohter, and it there he and Mother built the only home they ever shared.
On the ranch (farm) where my grandmother, and my Aunt Mable & Uncle Louis (Dad's brother) and their family lived for probably close to 90 years, they had mostly barley. Everything was dry land farming (no irrigation). I'm not sure just what they had in the way of livestock. As a kid, growing up, I know they always had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese. And, occarionally a horse for riding. Oh yes, and sheep. But mostly it was grain. In later years, they planted almond orchards - still no irrigation. Uncle Louis and his sons took care of the grain and almond part, and grandma took care of the livestock. She usually had about 5-7 cows which she hand-milked twice a day, and the chickens, turkeys & geese. I think the men did take care of the pigs & sheep. Things changed as time went on, animals came and went, but Grandma hand milked those cows until the day she went into the hospital a week before she died in 1947. For a long time, we owned one cow, and kept her at her place with the other cows. As long as that cow lived, we got one gallon of milk a day. Some of our family would go over to the house every evening to get our milk. This is a story in itself.
Grandma White was another story. She was born just about 1-2 miles East of where Grandma Arcand was born. She was born in November 1866, and was named Sarah Ophelia Roberts White. Again, I know little to nothing about her grownig up years, or even her family. As I go along, I will try to do a little research to find out more about the younger years, and families of both Grandmothers. But, for now, Grandma White first became a part of my life history, when she and Dad got married on September 19, 1917. They were married in my grandparents' home. Grandpa died in about 1929, after my brother, Ollie, was born, but before I came along. Grandpa & Grandma had six children, only three of which lived to adulthood. There was the son, Robert, and my Aunt Inez. Robert married severral times, but never had any children. Inez was 16 years younger than my mother. I guess it was after Robert had married, and Inez had grown, that Grandma & Inez moved to the Bay Area, probably Berkeley, so my aunt could attend nursing school. When I was a small child, we used to go to visit them at Christmas time. They lived in Berkeley, and we would go by train to spend Christmas Day with them. I just don't remember much about this time. Then, for some reason, about 1945 or so, Grandma moved back to Arbuckle, to live with my family. We already had four people, parents, Ollie (my brother) and me, in a two-bedroom, one bath home. So, I had to share my bedroom with Grandma. I think Ollie was sleeping in the living room at that time. Anyway, it did not work out very well, for me and my grandmother to share a room, so I decided to run away. To make a long story short, I didn't get far, and that day, Mother took Grandma into Arbuckle, and they found her a small apartment to live in. Then, I can't remember exactly when, Grandma moved back to live with my Aunt Inez and her family. They had moved to Vacaville by them, and it is there she lived until she entered a rest home, and after about 2 1/2 years later, she passed away in around 1955. So, you can see, I just did not have as much contact with Grandma White as I did with Grandma Arcand, so I just never developed the relationship with her.
Well, that's probably enough for now. One person has said to me, my blogs are too long, another said "Just keep on blogging". I know I have a habit of talking too much, so maybe I can see if I can tone it down a little.
Beth
The title of today is "Grandmothers" and that could be because I am going to introduce you to my grandmothers. I never knew either of my grandfathers; they were both gone before I was born, but my grandmothers were very special to me, and Judy mentioned one day that I talked quite a bit about my Grandmother Arcand (Dad's mom) but I hardly ever said anything about my other grandmother. Well, that would be Grandma White (Mom's mom). And, I guess the main reason for that would be because I lived much closer to Grandma Arcand, and spent quite a bit of time with her, so I really knew her better. Her name was Katherine Henrietta Weyand Arcand. She was born in May 1866 just one mile (through the fields) from where my parents lived until their deaths and of course, where I was raised. I really don't know a whole lot about her younger years. I can't think off hand of where my Dad was even born. I know he attended grade schiol at a little country school near the intersection of Hahn Road, and ......Rd, about 2 miles north of Arbuckle. It was called, if I remember correctly, Wilbur School. Dad attended Pierce High School in College City. Some time during this period the family moved to the "Schleich ranch" about 2 miles west of Arbuckle, and then to a place about 1 mile north of Arcubkle, which is now the site of the Arbuckle municipal sewage disposal plant. Then, they moved to the ranch about 2 miles north-east of Abruckle, l mile east of where I grew up. This property had become my grandmother's property through a Spanish Land Grant, signed by the Presidend of the United States. I've kinda forgotten the whole story, but somehow after the war between Mexico and the US, the Mexican government granted quite a number of acres of land to the United States, to be given to the US veterans of this war. 160 acres was granted to one gentleman, and some way (I've forgotten how) this eventually became my Grandmother's land. When Dad & Mom got married, my Dad bought this property from his mohter, and it there he and Mother built the only home they ever shared.
On the ranch (farm) where my grandmother, and my Aunt Mable & Uncle Louis (Dad's brother) and their family lived for probably close to 90 years, they had mostly barley. Everything was dry land farming (no irrigation). I'm not sure just what they had in the way of livestock. As a kid, growing up, I know they always had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese. And, occarionally a horse for riding. Oh yes, and sheep. But mostly it was grain. In later years, they planted almond orchards - still no irrigation. Uncle Louis and his sons took care of the grain and almond part, and grandma took care of the livestock. She usually had about 5-7 cows which she hand-milked twice a day, and the chickens, turkeys & geese. I think the men did take care of the pigs & sheep. Things changed as time went on, animals came and went, but Grandma hand milked those cows until the day she went into the hospital a week before she died in 1947. For a long time, we owned one cow, and kept her at her place with the other cows. As long as that cow lived, we got one gallon of milk a day. Some of our family would go over to the house every evening to get our milk. This is a story in itself.
Grandma White was another story. She was born just about 1-2 miles East of where Grandma Arcand was born. She was born in November 1866, and was named Sarah Ophelia Roberts White. Again, I know little to nothing about her grownig up years, or even her family. As I go along, I will try to do a little research to find out more about the younger years, and families of both Grandmothers. But, for now, Grandma White first became a part of my life history, when she and Dad got married on September 19, 1917. They were married in my grandparents' home. Grandpa died in about 1929, after my brother, Ollie, was born, but before I came along. Grandpa & Grandma had six children, only three of which lived to adulthood. There was the son, Robert, and my Aunt Inez. Robert married severral times, but never had any children. Inez was 16 years younger than my mother. I guess it was after Robert had married, and Inez had grown, that Grandma & Inez moved to the Bay Area, probably Berkeley, so my aunt could attend nursing school. When I was a small child, we used to go to visit them at Christmas time. They lived in Berkeley, and we would go by train to spend Christmas Day with them. I just don't remember much about this time. Then, for some reason, about 1945 or so, Grandma moved back to Arbuckle, to live with my family. We already had four people, parents, Ollie (my brother) and me, in a two-bedroom, one bath home. So, I had to share my bedroom with Grandma. I think Ollie was sleeping in the living room at that time. Anyway, it did not work out very well, for me and my grandmother to share a room, so I decided to run away. To make a long story short, I didn't get far, and that day, Mother took Grandma into Arbuckle, and they found her a small apartment to live in. Then, I can't remember exactly when, Grandma moved back to live with my Aunt Inez and her family. They had moved to Vacaville by them, and it is there she lived until she entered a rest home, and after about 2 1/2 years later, she passed away in around 1955. So, you can see, I just did not have as much contact with Grandma White as I did with Grandma Arcand, so I just never developed the relationship with her.
Well, that's probably enough for now. One person has said to me, my blogs are too long, another said "Just keep on blogging". I know I have a habit of talking too much, so maybe I can see if I can tone it down a little.
Beth
Friday, September 18, 2009
Harvest Time Church
At the start, I said there would be comments about my church, etc. Well, this is as good a time as any to introduce you to my church. All my life (almost,all my life) I have been active in one church or another. But it has always been a Methodist church except for a time when I was in high school and we had a pastor I didn't like personally. So I would go to Sunday School at the Methodist church, then run two blocks down the street to the Baptist Church for the actual church services. One day the pastor caught me going out the door and asked me where I was going. Mom of course, was staying for church. Well, I guess you know, that was the last time I went to the Baptist Church. Over the years, I have always been active in the church, except for a period of three or four years, when I didn't go to any church at all. I even attended, and completed their courses as a certified lay speaker twice. This "qualified" me to conduct services in any Methodist Church. I could not perform any of the rites of the church, but I could preside over the worship services. Somehow I never really felt adequate for this position, even though I was "trained" for it. Judy & Steve have long attended church at Pentecostal type churches, and have at times asked me to attend with them. I would go, and then go home, saying, "That's not for me. I like my church a little more on the refined (quieter) side." In 2008, I was attending the Methodist Church about nine miles south of Yuba City (Grace Methodist). In fact, I was acting as alternate organist. I had been playing for church for two or three weeks while the regular organist was on vacation. I came home one Sunday, and decided I had had it. I called Judy a day or two later and told her I wanted to go to church with her the next Sunday. I wish I could have seen her face. I think she was probably very surprised. So, on Sunday, they picked me up, and all the way to church (in the town of Lincoln, about 30 miles away) Judy and Ruth kept saying, "You realize we are Pentecostal. You know we do get a little noisy at times." My answer was "Yes, I know that". It was over 6 months before I missed a Sunday morning service. I made most of the Wednesday night services and many of the Sunday night. I still have some problems with some of the things about that church, but I have neverbeen back to a Methodist Church, and have no desire to go back. We are a part of the Pentecostal movement, but are actually "Word of Faith" believers. We look to Kenneth Hagen, and Kenneth Copeland for spiritual guidance.
In "our" church, we have an average Sunday morning attendance of 150 +, almost evenly divided between men and women. There are special classes for children from infancy to junior high school. And, the regulars include all ages, the oldest being in their 90s. We are a very active church, with many weekday acticities - prayer services, Bible Studies, group meetings. And there are the things that take place only once or twice a month. On certain Sunday evenings, they have what they call "Alternative Church" which is intended for the teenagers. I have never attended one of these, because I understand it is very active. On Sunday afternoons, they have a Spanish language service. One of the Pastors (Pastor Dan) is Spanish, and he and his wife, who is also a Pastor conduct this service. Usually about once a month we have an activity intended for those over 50. This group usually goes out to lunch together, to a play in one of the theaters in Lincoln, Roseville, or even Woodland. Last week they went to the auto races in Roseville. It is a real fun group. I am what I call the "corresponding secretary" of this group, in that I send cards (Birthday, sympathy, get well, or just thinking of you) to the various members on occasion. There are over 100 people in this group. I say "Members" but there is no charge. You just have to sign up, so we have the essential information. Tami makes a news letter about every two or three months, and I make the envelopes, and mail the letters. We had our all-church picnic a couple of weeks ago. Lots of fun. It was held at the home of one of the church members, out in the foothills north-east of Lincoln. There were about 150 there, and it was really a beautiful day - in every respect.
I didn't realize how involved, excited, impressed or whatever, I am with this churh. For various reasons, I only get to go once or sometimes twice a week, but if I miss the Sunday morning service, I really feel I have missed something that has become a very real part of my life. Incidentally, if you would like to see what I am so excited about, go to www.htclincoln.org and check us out.
Enough for now, see you tomorrow (probably).
In "our" church, we have an average Sunday morning attendance of 150 +, almost evenly divided between men and women. There are special classes for children from infancy to junior high school. And, the regulars include all ages, the oldest being in their 90s. We are a very active church, with many weekday acticities - prayer services, Bible Studies, group meetings. And there are the things that take place only once or twice a month. On certain Sunday evenings, they have what they call "Alternative Church" which is intended for the teenagers. I have never attended one of these, because I understand it is very active. On Sunday afternoons, they have a Spanish language service. One of the Pastors (Pastor Dan) is Spanish, and he and his wife, who is also a Pastor conduct this service. Usually about once a month we have an activity intended for those over 50. This group usually goes out to lunch together, to a play in one of the theaters in Lincoln, Roseville, or even Woodland. Last week they went to the auto races in Roseville. It is a real fun group. I am what I call the "corresponding secretary" of this group, in that I send cards (Birthday, sympathy, get well, or just thinking of you) to the various members on occasion. There are over 100 people in this group. I say "Members" but there is no charge. You just have to sign up, so we have the essential information. Tami makes a news letter about every two or three months, and I make the envelopes, and mail the letters. We had our all-church picnic a couple of weeks ago. Lots of fun. It was held at the home of one of the church members, out in the foothills north-east of Lincoln. There were about 150 there, and it was really a beautiful day - in every respect.
I didn't realize how involved, excited, impressed or whatever, I am with this churh. For various reasons, I only get to go once or sometimes twice a week, but if I miss the Sunday morning service, I really feel I have missed something that has become a very real part of my life. Incidentally, if you would like to see what I am so excited about, go to www.htclincoln.org and check us out.
Enough for now, see you tomorrow (probably).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Boy, I don't know if it's just that I'm getting old, (79 isn't old, is it?), or getting forgetful or what, but when I had to write to Texas to ask how to make a new entry in this thing, that's getting pretty bad.
Anway, I went to town today, for the first time in about two weeks. When I say "went to town", I mean the area of town where I CAN go. It is about 1 1/2 miles to the Target, Walgreen's, and the Mall, takes me about 30 minutes in my power chair. It is amazing the changes that can take place in that period of time. We in this area of California, are in what is considered a drought. It is nothing like some places. We do not have severe water rationing, or restricted water use like some people. We just haven't had normal rainfall for about three uears. But, you can sure see the yards where people are not watering like they used to. Yes, some of it is due to the fact that the houses are now vacant (rentals & owned), but there are plenty where it just seems to be that people aren't taking care of their yards like they used to. And, we have a new traffic light. At the corner of Queens Ave., and Gray Ave., they finally have a light working. I have never been able to figure out why there wasn't one there long before this. It is a major intersection, not far from two elementary schools, and in the afternoon, when kids are getting out of school, it is a bad intersection. I think this will help a lot.
The economy has had an indirect affect on a lot of things. More than we realize, I guess. I am beginning to see how it is affecting things here where I live. We are not affected as directly as most of you are - we do not buy groceries, gas for our cars, or things like that. But we are a facility that was designed to house about 70 residents. When I came here three years ago, I had to wait about 3 weeks for an opening. Now, we are about 50 percent capacity. Stop and think about it. That means their monthly income is cut by about l/2 but there expenses are not. Sure, the expenses are cut some, but not in proportion to the income. They still have most of their staff - state law requires certain mamning - they still have to put out three meals a day, seven days a week, they still have to cool/heat the whole building, and they still have to have certain lighting on,etc. We do have one building that has twelve single occupant apartments. None of these are occupied at this time. What I have started to notice is mainly in the meals. I don't believe the food is of the quality it was at first (not sure why this is), and I'm sure the portions are smaller. They supply us with artificial sweetner, and I know there are some residents who use artificial sweetner when they could use regular sugar. They used to use Euqual, now they are using something I have never heard of. I think it is a "store brand" from the wholesale house they get most of their groceries. We were told it was because the Equal was much more expensive. They have trays on each table with the sweetner, tea bags, and sometimes powdered creamer or no-salt. Anyway, there is this one table where the ladies all use large amounts of sweetner - five or six packages at a time. As one of the ladies says, "I like my 'sugar'". Guess what. They have taken the tray off that table and are "rationing" the amount of sweetner they can have. I've seen some other less obvious places where they are trying to cut expenses, but that is the most blatant.
When I was in town today, I was looking for a special "doctor recommended" cough syrup. I normally get it at the Walgreen's. They didn't have any today, so they called the other store which is at the corner of Tharpe & Colusa Hwy (about 3/4 mile further West) and asked them to hold a bottle for me. On my way from one store to the other, I stopped at Target, and at Rite Aid to see if they had what I was looking for. No such luck. But, at RiteAid, there was a very nice man about four feet further down the aisle checking on sleep aids. He started to chuckle and said "Look at this". He had a package of sleep aid medication, and on the outside was the statement, "Non drowsy formula". A sleep aid that is "non drowsy". Now that is really going some.
Looks to me like this is going to become a daily thing. I mentioned before, how I miss human companionship. Well, by writing in this blog, I take care of part of that. I don't know, and don't really care, how many people read this, but it does give me a place to "vent"- to tell little stories like above, to get upset about things, and just to clear my mind and thoughts, even though there is no one to answer me. So, bear with me, cause here it comes.
Anway, I went to town today, for the first time in about two weeks. When I say "went to town", I mean the area of town where I CAN go. It is about 1 1/2 miles to the Target, Walgreen's, and the Mall, takes me about 30 minutes in my power chair. It is amazing the changes that can take place in that period of time. We in this area of California, are in what is considered a drought. It is nothing like some places. We do not have severe water rationing, or restricted water use like some people. We just haven't had normal rainfall for about three uears. But, you can sure see the yards where people are not watering like they used to. Yes, some of it is due to the fact that the houses are now vacant (rentals & owned), but there are plenty where it just seems to be that people aren't taking care of their yards like they used to. And, we have a new traffic light. At the corner of Queens Ave., and Gray Ave., they finally have a light working. I have never been able to figure out why there wasn't one there long before this. It is a major intersection, not far from two elementary schools, and in the afternoon, when kids are getting out of school, it is a bad intersection. I think this will help a lot.
The economy has had an indirect affect on a lot of things. More than we realize, I guess. I am beginning to see how it is affecting things here where I live. We are not affected as directly as most of you are - we do not buy groceries, gas for our cars, or things like that. But we are a facility that was designed to house about 70 residents. When I came here three years ago, I had to wait about 3 weeks for an opening. Now, we are about 50 percent capacity. Stop and think about it. That means their monthly income is cut by about l/2 but there expenses are not. Sure, the expenses are cut some, but not in proportion to the income. They still have most of their staff - state law requires certain mamning - they still have to put out three meals a day, seven days a week, they still have to cool/heat the whole building, and they still have to have certain lighting on,etc. We do have one building that has twelve single occupant apartments. None of these are occupied at this time. What I have started to notice is mainly in the meals. I don't believe the food is of the quality it was at first (not sure why this is), and I'm sure the portions are smaller. They supply us with artificial sweetner, and I know there are some residents who use artificial sweetner when they could use regular sugar. They used to use Euqual, now they are using something I have never heard of. I think it is a "store brand" from the wholesale house they get most of their groceries. We were told it was because the Equal was much more expensive. They have trays on each table with the sweetner, tea bags, and sometimes powdered creamer or no-salt. Anyway, there is this one table where the ladies all use large amounts of sweetner - five or six packages at a time. As one of the ladies says, "I like my 'sugar'". Guess what. They have taken the tray off that table and are "rationing" the amount of sweetner they can have. I've seen some other less obvious places where they are trying to cut expenses, but that is the most blatant.
When I was in town today, I was looking for a special "doctor recommended" cough syrup. I normally get it at the Walgreen's. They didn't have any today, so they called the other store which is at the corner of Tharpe & Colusa Hwy (about 3/4 mile further West) and asked them to hold a bottle for me. On my way from one store to the other, I stopped at Target, and at Rite Aid to see if they had what I was looking for. No such luck. But, at RiteAid, there was a very nice man about four feet further down the aisle checking on sleep aids. He started to chuckle and said "Look at this". He had a package of sleep aid medication, and on the outside was the statement, "Non drowsy formula". A sleep aid that is "non drowsy". Now that is really going some.
Looks to me like this is going to become a daily thing. I mentioned before, how I miss human companionship. Well, by writing in this blog, I take care of part of that. I don't know, and don't really care, how many people read this, but it does give me a place to "vent"- to tell little stories like above, to get upset about things, and just to clear my mind and thoughts, even though there is no one to answer me. So, bear with me, cause here it comes.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Just me
OK, I think I got this thing figured out. So, a couple more trials, and then we will get down to serious business.
First of all, I am bored to death. I have been living in as Assisted Living Facility since June 2006. I had a stroke and the dr. said I should nevere live alone again. So, here I have been ever since. Don't get me wrong, actually I have a life of Riley. I don't have to do a blasted thing, literally. For the rent I pay, which seems high until you realize what I get for it, I can sit on my duff all day, and do nothing, I can watch TV or whatever I want. They provide 3 meals a day, plus snacks. That means no meal planning, no grocery shopping, no food preperation, and no dirty dishes to clean up. They do my laundry - hence no nickels in the laudromat, of course all the clothes have to be wash and wear (they don't do, and there is no way for me to do, any ironing). If I slept in a bed, which I haven't done in about four years, they would make my bed daily for me, change my sheets weekly (because of my back, I cannot make my bed). They clean my room (at least they are supposed to, I don't think they do what they should), clean my bathroom (I do have my own bathroom, toilet & basin, shower down the hall), supply me with T.P. and bath linenens a couple of times a week. I have a "private" room. It is 7.5 ft x 15 ft. You figure it out. 7.5x15=about 105 square feet. Yes, it is small, but it is ALL mine. I don't have to share with anyone else. And it is adequate for me, without a bed. Although the last person in this room did have a bed. I can watah TV whenever I want, as loud as I want, as late as I want, watch what I want. I don't watch much daytime TV but I do watch until about midnight. I have my computer which gives me games, email, etc. and now with my blog, I will have that to do. I read a lot, work puzzles, and read my Bible. Yes, read my Bible. In the last year, I have become much closer to God, through the church I am now attending. More about that later. But I am still lonely and bored. I seek human companionship. The other residents here are mostly mentally challenged (Altzheimers, etc.) and I just don't feel comfortable trying to visit with them. The activities they have are geared more to pre-school or kindergarten mentalaties, so I just spend most of my time in my room. I have my power wheel chair, so I do get out once in awhile that way. I go to church in Lincoln, whenever I can get a ride, and I have made many new friends there - again, more about that later. I mentioned how small the room is, and the fact that I have a private bath. In that bathroom is a shower - or was, it is not usable for some plumbing reason, so with a shower rod across it, it is my closet. The closet in the room is very, very small. I have wondered, and even asked some of the staff what this room was designed for. It is completely removed from the others, right across from the kitchen, and right next to an outdoor exit. It has the tiny closet, large bathroom, and really quite different from any of the other rooms. I was told by one of the staff members who has been here for years, that she thought it was designed as an office. But if that is the case, why the very large bathroom? Anyway, the other day I was looking at a floor plan of the building (actually intended as a fire escape plan) and noticed that all the other rooms were numbered, or identified as to their purpose (laundry, storeroom, etc.) And this room, it is identified by the letters I S O - guess what? Does that mean "isolation"? That would explain its remoteness to the other rooms, and the fact that it had its own shower. This is just a guess, but it makes a whole lot of sense.
See, when I get started, I don't know when to quit. So, if you check this out every day or two, you might be surprised what you will find. But, for now, I think this will do.
First of all, I am bored to death. I have been living in as Assisted Living Facility since June 2006. I had a stroke and the dr. said I should nevere live alone again. So, here I have been ever since. Don't get me wrong, actually I have a life of Riley. I don't have to do a blasted thing, literally. For the rent I pay, which seems high until you realize what I get for it, I can sit on my duff all day, and do nothing, I can watch TV or whatever I want. They provide 3 meals a day, plus snacks. That means no meal planning, no grocery shopping, no food preperation, and no dirty dishes to clean up. They do my laundry - hence no nickels in the laudromat, of course all the clothes have to be wash and wear (they don't do, and there is no way for me to do, any ironing). If I slept in a bed, which I haven't done in about four years, they would make my bed daily for me, change my sheets weekly (because of my back, I cannot make my bed). They clean my room (at least they are supposed to, I don't think they do what they should), clean my bathroom (I do have my own bathroom, toilet & basin, shower down the hall), supply me with T.P. and bath linenens a couple of times a week. I have a "private" room. It is 7.5 ft x 15 ft. You figure it out. 7.5x15=about 105 square feet. Yes, it is small, but it is ALL mine. I don't have to share with anyone else. And it is adequate for me, without a bed. Although the last person in this room did have a bed. I can watah TV whenever I want, as loud as I want, as late as I want, watch what I want. I don't watch much daytime TV but I do watch until about midnight. I have my computer which gives me games, email, etc. and now with my blog, I will have that to do. I read a lot, work puzzles, and read my Bible. Yes, read my Bible. In the last year, I have become much closer to God, through the church I am now attending. More about that later. But I am still lonely and bored. I seek human companionship. The other residents here are mostly mentally challenged (Altzheimers, etc.) and I just don't feel comfortable trying to visit with them. The activities they have are geared more to pre-school or kindergarten mentalaties, so I just spend most of my time in my room. I have my power wheel chair, so I do get out once in awhile that way. I go to church in Lincoln, whenever I can get a ride, and I have made many new friends there - again, more about that later. I mentioned how small the room is, and the fact that I have a private bath. In that bathroom is a shower - or was, it is not usable for some plumbing reason, so with a shower rod across it, it is my closet. The closet in the room is very, very small. I have wondered, and even asked some of the staff what this room was designed for. It is completely removed from the others, right across from the kitchen, and right next to an outdoor exit. It has the tiny closet, large bathroom, and really quite different from any of the other rooms. I was told by one of the staff members who has been here for years, that she thought it was designed as an office. But if that is the case, why the very large bathroom? Anyway, the other day I was looking at a floor plan of the building (actually intended as a fire escape plan) and noticed that all the other rooms were numbered, or identified as to their purpose (laundry, storeroom, etc.) And this room, it is identified by the letters I S O - guess what? Does that mean "isolation"? That would explain its remoteness to the other rooms, and the fact that it had its own shower. This is just a guess, but it makes a whole lot of sense.
See, when I get started, I don't know when to quit. So, if you check this out every day or two, you might be surprised what you will find. But, for now, I think this will do.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
OK, the test worked, so here goes. Esther suggested I have a "theme". Hence the title "Beth, etc." That will cover just about anything I want to write about. Where did it come from? About 30 years ago, I had a ceramic shop of my own, and out of the clear blue sky, I picked the hame of Beth, etc. Actually I felt it was one way of includig the rest of my family, which is where the etc. came from. I thought it would be good here, because the blog is from Beth and can include just about anuthing I want to talk about, so that's where the etc. comes in.
I plan to talk about some of the things that happened in my childhood - things going on about my church, and just life in general. One thing I probably will not have is pictures. I know they are a major part of most blogs, but as far as I know, I have no way of adding pix to my blog. So, you are just going to have to read about my life, and not rely on pix. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. So I invite you as you read it, to respod, ask questions, or make comments. If you have siomething you don't understand or rant to know more about, just ask.
That's it for now - just a sort of an introduction.
I plan to talk about some of the things that happened in my childhood - things going on about my church, and just life in general. One thing I probably will not have is pictures. I know they are a major part of most blogs, but as far as I know, I have no way of adding pix to my blog. So, you are just going to have to read about my life, and not rely on pix. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. So I invite you as you read it, to respod, ask questions, or make comments. If you have siomething you don't understand or rant to know more about, just ask.
That's it for now - just a sort of an introduction.
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