Lesson from the Summer of '66

My Unusual Teacher




Flop! Ouchy! That hurt! I didn’t know when I was going to be diving off the board but I wasn’t going to be tagged a quitter for not trying.



Swimming most everyday of my childhood, from about 9 to 12 years of age, wasn’t cheap. The cost of the pool wasn’t bad, but it did eat up my allowance for the week. But what else was I to do with $2.00? There was a higher cost —chores. All chores had to be done by noon and checked for their quality of excellence. Momma had a work chart detailing what we each had to do that day to have the privilege to go swimming from 1pm until the late afternoon rain shower chased us out of the pool or 4 pm came. During storms, we hung out in the dressing room to see if the rain shower and lightning were a sprinkle or a drencher. Then the pool manager would decide if the pool would reopen or not.

As soon as we arrived, Chrissie and I would stake off our territory, by putting towels and flip flops next to the wall. Our favorite spot was right past the rope dividing the deep end from the shallow. You had to swim across and back the width of the deep end to pass the test and be allowed to swim in the deep end and dive off the board—our ultimate goal. Kate, three years younger played with friends on the other side of the rope.

The lifeguard blew his whistle, indicating that rest period was over. Every hour for ten minutes the pool enjoyed a tranquil respite of children thrashing about, lap swimmers, babies clutching on to their mothers and the constant use of the diving boards by boys doing cannonballs into its waters. Heading back to the water, Chrissie tired of trying to teach me to dive and had joined some friends in the shallow end for a beach ball volley game. Kate headed to the baby pool to see if Anna had come today. My belly had recovered from the flops so I resumed my diving practice during rest period.

It was then that a “life guard type fellow started giving me instructions.” Furst, yo gotta bend over and touch your toes. Then whiles yous bent over, walk towards the pool until yous plumb in the pool.” He was an older black man dressed in a trench coat and wearing a lifeguard hat. I wasn’t sure if I should listen to what he said, much less talk to him, but I did.

“Really?” I had never heard of such a thing but it made sense to me as he went on to explain that when you dive your arms and head go in the water before your stomach and legs. Feeling very silly, I did this Johnny maneuver several times.

“Next time you go into the water, keep your arms stretched out and go in first with your hands. Keep your arms next to your ears. Bend over and kick your legs up.”

Following Johnny‘s instructions to the letter, I plunged into the pool. I knew it was a dive but then Johnny said, “Does your belly hurt?” I vehemently shook my head no. It was then that I realized that I had not belly flopped. Johnny told me to kick my leg higher and to just keep practicing.



Johnny continued to critique my dives through the summer.

By the end of the season, I was diving off the board. At least once during the summer time I visit my old teacher on his bench, thanking him for teaching me the value of diligence.



Mimi

A Really Great Reason to Journal

Remember the wonders He has done….. In the early 1980’s I had read through Colossians and looking for every time it stated Christ in you, the hope of glory There are a lot of them and as I read. I got excited. Yes, VERY excited! The thought that the Creator of the universe, the one who gave His life for me, the One who comes along side to strength, comfort, guide and correct resides within me and that His plan was for me to represent Him in the world was something to get excited about! That I would bring God glory was over the top!
During this time, an acquaintance asked what miracle I thought was the most spectacular I answered, “Christ in me, the hope of glory!” As I went on and on in my explanation of it, I think, she became sorry that she had asked! I believe that our excitement over God’s word should be a subject for show and tell. I don’t know how to glory in God and not show excitement and tell about it!
Fast forward twenty years in my life. I’m still hiking my trail of pursuing a rich and fulfilling life in the Lord. I once again come to a side trail entitled, Colossians. The first thing I think of is my golden nugget that I treasure so much “Christ in me. my hope of glory!” Yes, I’m still excited about it. No problem in being led to take this loop again for I know the many beautiful vistas which I will see as I have become more familiar with it than twenty years ago. I pick up the Message and read through the four chapters.* I found it so exciting and rich that I read again at an incredibly slow pace. As I read and savor a few verses at a time during this read through, one passage is in neon lights: Colossians 3:12-14.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

As I pondered this passage, I had a funny mini video run on the screen of my mind—a fashion runway for Christians set up in the center of a shopping mall. From the angel on the left of the stage, in a broadcast booth, halo glowing, minor wings a flutter, sharing his message with all who would listen. “And the signature line of this year’s Designer clothes from the Kingdom line of apparel is the classic look of love. You will be missing the mark of eternal Kingdom wear without it! Found in all shades, sizes, and styles, without the basic love of the creator undergirding your compassionate cape, your kindness kilt, or your humble fishnet hosiery, your outfit will be incomplete in the eyes of the One who you desire to please. Believe me I know about these things.” Then I noticed his halo was worn in a rakish fashion and his identity badge had ‘apprentice of school of humility’ stamped on it. I had the odd feeling that it wasn’t his first year in the course and that maybe my current badge bore the same stamp.

Choose Kingdom apparel. Christ in you is the hope of God’s glory, drawing all men unto himself. Make the decision to put on His wardrobe today and everyday.
* Which I strongly suggest to you to do!

Blessings on you and your day!
Mimi

Going out in style

The next morning we knew something special was up when the missus started thinking out loud about dinner before finishing her second cup of java. When applesauce returned with half of his jar gone and some red Jell-O sprinkled with nuts joined us Tofu got excited and shouted, “Must be company’s coming’ and that definitely lets us off the hook, my dear little tofu-substitute friend! She’s not going to serve leftovers to company and besides, there’s not enough of you left to feed more than two.” I wondered how tofu had become so knowledgeable about the D’Trics. I finally got up the nerve to ask him. With a laugh from his little jiggily body he told me, “The missus had read in a magazine article that I am good for people so she decided to give me a try. But so far, she hasn’t got up the nerve to spring me on her hubby! I’m sure I’m safe for quite awhile!”

The day flew by as we visited with every one, including Jorge, a blue rubber gecko that is placed on whatever food the missus wants her hubby to eat up at lunch. From Jorge we found out what more of the world beyond the darkness looks like, including the whole other closet in the kitchen, known as a pantry. It is where Jerky, my second-cousins lives.

When the missus got home, we hardly noticed any change in her usual routine until she started to get out dishes while mumbling to herself, “We had decided we should use the china at least once a month and here January is almost gone. There’s still enough of that nice little roast to slice it thin and serve it for dinner along with mashed potatoes, gravy and a veggie. That will be a meal worthy of thc good china. When I arrived at the table, the room was lit up with candlepower. The missus had Andy Williams on the stereo, crooning softly. I thought, “You know if you got go you might as well do it with style and grace!”

Epilogue
Tofu was relegated to the vegetable drawer, a safe ‘out of sight out of mind’ place and is said to have survived two of the missus refrigerator clean outs. During the third one, his demise was quick and sure.

Red or Green?

I was happy to be back in the hood…trimmed down but still recognizable. I guess the missus thought about the temptation that I might pose as the mister has a different lunch schedule than hers and may ‘forget’ the warning so I was placed in a cozy corner where she knew I would be safe—my neighbors were fellas the mister and I had never met: someone called yogurt, wheat germ, and tofu. When the door to our hood was opened through out the day and the sun shined on us we saw glimpses of a cloudy day for the mister and missus. We thought, “cloudy with a chance of meatballs” but as the chit chat of after-work continued outside our hood, music with a salsa beat began to accompany the chatter. The tofu, yogurt, and wheat germ who had been quite chatty throughout the day inched their protective circle closer around me. The tofu whispered, “It all depends on if it’s red or green, enchiladas that is. Green and it’s goodbye to Senor pollo, who to hear him talk was a real strutter in his day. But red….”


.I held my breath as the missus opened the frig saying, “What a perfect day for enchiladas! I’m so glad that Del returned my casserole dish with two containers of fresh red chile.” The dreadful red had come true! Pulling out tortillas, cheese, onions, and red chile concentrate, the missus said, “And a little bit of that roast beef will be perfect.” The wheat germ whispered as she was moved aside saying, “Don’t worry! Most of you will be back. This is as close as these two get to a meatless supper!” to be continued

My week with the D'trics

Like most guests, I was welcomed into the D'trics' home with a hearty handshake, even a hug, and then left to rest up a bit and settle in. It was a bit cooler than I was used to but I adjusted pretty quickly and enjoyed looking around at the new scenery. These D'trics seem to be quite the collectors of things past the date where most folks think of them as unusable.


I was feeling quite rested when I heard the missus say something about dinner and crackpots (once again I had been fooled by that accent of hers—she meant crock pot!). Anywho, it felt good to be massaged by her loving hands with dry onion soup (great for exfoliation) then wrapped in a bright shiny new outfit from head to toe, and sent off to a sauna, of sorts.

I was on a high for about an hour with my new found warmth. Before the missus left for work she turned my sauna down a bit.. The cool down to low was welcomed She promised to be back to check on my condition in the early afternoon. I was lulled to sleep by the lovely aroma of onion soup that had permeated my skin and the increasing warmth of my sauna.

True to her word, the missus was back by 2 and lowered my sauna temp just a bit to keep me warm. I had been sweating quite a bit by this time and really would have liked a glass of ice tea but instead I was served up with one a couple of hours later. I was whittled on which left me with mixed feelings to be quite truthful, but the ooh’s and aah I received compensated for my lost heartiness— about a third of my beautiful grain fed body was gone. I had been jealous of my ‘butcher trimmed’ cousins for years. Slim and trim they hardly sweated a drop when in, on, or under fire the heat. The Mister kept talking about leftovers for lunch. His tone of excitement and delight caused me some consternation but I perked up when the missus said, “Hands off, buddy! I’ve got plans for this little guy!” to be continued……

Really! They weren't stuffed shirts!

Just got back from the Barrett Jackson Car Show or Auction...depends on the depth of your pockets....and these are some of the characters I met there.  I think Phil may be the last gas station man to actually pump gas for you.  He couldn't stop talking about his cousins, Gomer and Goober.
Mimi D

On the 6th day of Christmas...

Happy 6th day of Christmas! Watch out for six geese a –laying coming your way! According to the opinion of some, the 12 days of Christmas carol had a hidden meaning as it was written during a time of persecution of Catholics and others who would not join the Church of England in the 16th Century. The six geese a-laying represented the six days of Creation.
• I don’t know anyone who isn’t grateful for: a good night’s sleep and a pleasant day
• a refreshing cup of water and a beautiful sky at sunrise, noon or sunset
• ground that is fertile and a nearby lake to enjoy in the summer
• trees to enjoy throughout the change of the seasons
• a beautiful star filled night sky
• snorkeling or riding in a glass bottomed boat and marveling at the variety of fish one sees and then stepping ashore and having a flock of pelicans overhead and a group of shorebirds scurrying about
• a dog’s tail wagging in greeting you after a long day of taking care of animals at one kind of zoo or another and a “honey, I’m home” begets a “I’m in the kitchen” as someone who loves you has dinner going.
God then bequeathed the responsibility to care for all of creation to those of us created in His image.
Let this sixth day of Christmas remind you to pause and give thanks for all of creation and take good care of all of it.
And now for a cup of coffee and to watch the night turn into the day.

Christmas under wraps

Curtain Drawn on Christmas Day 2009

The curtain may be drawn on “Christmas 2009” but the heart of Christmas continues to beat. We will have lots of reminders of this happy day by the gifts we received, the memories of the way the day was spent and who we were with, and the photos. Probably our weight is up a pound or two, a case of “What goes up but takes a lot longer to come down.” A treasure that I will put in my scrapbook is a piece of wrapping paper that I ripped off a giftfrom my nieces (pictured)—I only reuse boxes and bows so I really like to let her rip! I love getting gifts early enough to squeeze, shake, and peek through any little rips in the paper. I also enjoy when the gift is given early and I’ve had time to admire its wrapping paper and ribbon but haven’t needed to dust them yet. The outside of this gift was pretty enough but just like folks, it’s what’s inside that counts the most. On the other side of the paper the following words were printed over and over
TREASU(RED) INC(RED)IBLE KIND(RED) ADMI(RED) EMPOWE(RED) ADO(RED) INSPI(RED) SHA(RED) ENAMO(RED)INSPI(RED) CHEE(RED)
These words are the key to keeping Christmas in our hearts all year long; they are also the Red letter words to Livin’ in sunshine. If you want more red letter days in your life apply these words to yourself and others and the blessings will surely come your way,

These words deserve some more “in my face time” so they will become part of my refrigerator gallery! I may turn some of the paper into a few bookmarks, bumper stickers, and pins….but probably not!

A Gift Not to Miss

Last night we swooped around Silver City in our t’bird and enjoyed the gifts of lights, a tradition with roots back to the Star of visitors that travelled from the East, candles on German Christmas trees, and then helped along by Thomas Edison. Cruisin’ main we noted that many merchants downtown have done a great job with setting the mood of Christmas, even with the absence of snow. Our disappointment with no lights on the courthouse lawn was quickly dispelled by bright beacons of the season on Market and on Black Street. Heading home the long way through the neighborhoods of Cherry Hills and North Loop area our de-light grew bright. The gifts of lights on homes fall into four categories, equally enjoyable:
· those which could be pictured in House Beautiful with uniform designed displays of typically white lights;
· the Christmas tree in the front window for all to enjoy with maybe a single string of lights on the porch or around a window;
· the homes that were decorated in stages where the families woke up on different days with the idea of “let’s add more lights to our yard”, adding to the jollyness of the displays;
· and then the homes that would make Chevy Chase jealous with their lit to the hilt approach, beautifully done, and deserving of several slow drive bys or just park at the corner and walk up to the home to really take it all in.
. “May your days—and nights—be merry and bright!”
Of course the greatest part of driving around looking at lights may be the time spent with your family and away from "Christmas chores", the wrapping, addressing envelopes, etc.
Blessings as we approach the last Sunday of Advent, that of worship.
Hugs from Mimi D

This delusional drugstore cowgirl challenged

Aaah, the trip to Bethlehem! Saddle up the mule, Joe, and let's get a move on! A couple of hours later....after being delayed by Mary's insistence on some last minute Christmas shopping in the biggest market this side of the Euphrates,the Jerusalem Jamboree....their reservation at The Inn of Bethlehem had been cancelled due to late arrival. After Joseph gave Mary "the look"...

I don't know how you picture the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem for Mary and Joseph but I'm sure that you have a difficult time leaving the influence of your life experiences and really understanding the trip Mary and Joseph made. Maybe it's because we do relate to the paying taxes part.
An article by Malachi Martin,"The way to the first Christmas", set this here delusional drugstore cowgirl back on her heels, with the spurs a spinning!
If you can find the article which was first published in Guideposts Magazine, read it. Highlight include: length of journey 20 days, travelled with a merchant's caravan going through Samaria, no travelling on the Sabbaths, places they were going past that Jesus would visit during His years of public ministry,and they needed an exit visa to leave Jerusalem. And of course, I recommend a fresh read through of Luke 2.
Here's hoping Christmas comes to you today for it comes everyday when we look to the blessings of God's love.
Mimi D

A favorite by Jack Prelutsky

E versions are fine with somethings but give me the old hold in your hand kind of Christmas card! This task is yet ahead of me. I love writing the Christmas letter and selecting the different cards for individuals but this time of year— Santa is not the only one with a list! Enjoy the poem by Jack Prelutsky!

My Christmas Cards

Oh, no one got my Christmas cards,
it's making me upset,
I sent them off two weeks ago,
but no one got them yet.

I drew a bunch of pictures
and I wrote some poems that ryme,
I sent them off two weeks ago,
that should be lots of time.

I mailed them to my cousins,
to my uncles and my aunts,
sent them off two weeks ago
I think they've had their chance.

But no one got my Christmas cards,
not Mommy and not Gramps,
I sent them off two weeks ago...
did I forget the stamps?

Hugs from Mimi D

Reminder about Christmas Cards

If you are approaching the task of Christmas cards or letter, read Jack Prlutsky's short poem and remember "love may make the world go round but a letter flies better when stamped!"



My Christmas cards

Oh, no one got my Christmas cards, i
t's naking me upset
sent them off two weeks ago,
but no one got the yet.

I drew a bunch of petures
and I wrote some poems that rhyme;
I sent them off two WEEKS AGO
That should be lots of time.

I mailed them to my cousins,
to my uncles and my aunts,
I sent them off two WEEKS ago
I think they've had their chance.

B But no one got my Christmas cards,
not Mommy and not Gramps,
I sent them off I sent them off two WEEKS ago...
did I forget the stamps?

I had a blast writing a letter this weekend to go in the cards but haven't stuck any in envelopes and addressed them. I need to think Christmas in July this next year and get my address book on my computer!

Learning to like Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving is over. well, more accurately, the sun has set on the day set aside for everyone to give thanks. Chalk up another one for the Cowboys!
Before I share my sweet potato recipe with you I must confess that they are not on my weekly or even monthly shopping list. Sweet potatoes should make the monthly one but I just forget about them....oh, well, let's not go down or explore that mental aisle any further...I have matured quite a bit over the years when it comes to sweet potatoes. The first huge monumental step was discovering that they do not come from a can! I was shocked as I experienced a fresh one instead of the sticky-icky let's cover up the taste kind with marshmellowskind that I had to get to before the pumpkin pie was served.. No orange s'mores for me. Many a Thanksgiving paper napkin stuffed with the gooey variety accompanied me to the kitchen to "get more water" when I was a kid. Another real big help in getting over the sweet potato hurdle was eating at my mother-in-law's table as a newly wed who didn't want to offend her. No one else at the table was still holding on to the common childhood dietary requirement made by many parents, that is, "You've got to try at least three bites of everything being served."
The recipe is very tasty, not too sweet, and a zinch to do. I think I'll make it again .....in a couple of months.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples
4 large sweet potatoes

1 cup cinnamon flavoured
Applesauce

¼ tsp salt

½ cup of dried crispy apple
chips, broken tn large
pieces
Scrub, dry and pierce the sweet potatoes in several places with a fork. Arrange on paper towels in microwave and cook on high 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway, until soft when pierced with a fork. (Oven 400 for 45 min.)
Halve, then scoop potatoes from skins. Mash in large bowl, then stir in applesauce and salt. Heat in microwave 5 minutes until hot. Spoon into serving dish and top with crushed apple chips.
Dish made be made one day ahead, just reheat and serve.
This is my favourite way to serve sweet potatoes.
Mimi D