For Those That Wish To Sing Along

There is something about the old songs that make life feel better...at least to me. When I was in grade school, I used to go to my friend's house next door and the two of us would sit at her grandmother's piano and play and sing this song. It is such a nice memory. Her grandmother's name was Mrs. Klammer. In the summer when my friend and her family would go to their lake cottage Mrs. Klammer didn't want to be home alone. She paid me a dollar to come and sleep at her house each night and then served me toast in the morning before I went back home.

Words & Music By Stephen Foster

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea
Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

More Pictures Of The Tree Down In Sarah And Dave's Driveway

Here are a few more pictures of the tree down in Sarah and Dave's driveway. It is hard to believe how life can change while you are sleeping. What a shock to wake up to!

Sarah And Dave Lost A Tree

I just talked to Sarah and she said they had a storm last night. They slept through whatever passed through their neighborhood. The first they knew of the storm was when Dave opened the garage door to go to work and this is what he saw! The beautiful Maple tree in their front yard was down in their driveway.

Their house was the only house in the neighborhood that showed any sign of the storm. Help is on the way. One of Sarah's friends is bringing over a battery operated chain saw and then Dave will use her car to go get a chain saw. It is so wonderful to have friends!

As hard and as sad as the loss of this beautiful tree is, I am thankful that it did not land on the house and that all of them are ok.

I love you guys! You didn't need this!

Sounds On The Back Deck

I woke up early this morning. When I opened my eyes it was still dark. Sometimes that makes me groan silently and sometimes it gives me a little extra time to lie in bed and think about things. This morning was one of those think about things times. I guess I wanted to think about things out loud..(some people in my family know I have a habit of talking out loud to myself) so I got up in the dark and quietly slipped downstairs.

It was dark down there too. I didn't turn any lights on. I didn't want any lights on. Perhaps I wanted to be alone with my thoughts which seems easier in the dark. But, as it turns out my thoughts were interrupted when I heard a noise I wasn't familiar with. I sensed I was no longer alone with my own thoughts. I heard something on the back deck. I said to myself, "Hmmmmmm, I wonder what is making that noise?" Was it a tap tap noise? Was it a clip clop noise? I couldn't tell for sure.

I peeked up over the back of the couch and saw a raccoon pawing through the acorns. Within a minute another raccoon was there. I looked at them and I believe they looked at me. Soon they had had their fill and the two of them wandered down the steps and off into the woods. Whatever I had been thinking about was now gone and replaced by the wonder of nature and how nice it is to live where I live.

My Dad And The Reader's Digest

I mentioned in my last post that there was a story about my dad and the Reader's Digest. Since his birthday is coming up on September 1st, I thought I would tell this story as a way to share a little bit about what my dad is like.

As far back as I can remember my dad has loved to read stories that have heart. The tradition was that on Christmas the family would be called to gather around to listen to my dad read a story from a magazine like Ladies Home Journal, Redbook or Reader's Digest. It didn't matter if we wanted to do this or not and of course, we did. Why? Because it was tradition and it meant so much to him.

Over the years, my dad would become more emotional as he neared the end of the story and usually my sister, Linda, or I would have to finish reading it for him. That became tradition too.

I recently learned the history of my dad and The Reader's Digest. Here is the story as my dad told it to me.

I always wanted to learn. I tried to learn something new every day. In 1946, I went to business college one night a week. As part of the class, I was required to give speeches. I did well. One night, I didn't prepare in advance. I stopped on my way to class and bought a Reader's Digest and read a story for my speech that night.

The story was about a young college boy who was a football player. He wasn't good enough to be on the first team. The only time he could play was when someone was hurt. One night he told the coach that he had to go home because his dad had died. The dad and boy had often been seen walking arm in arm on campus.

When the boy got back from the funeral, he asked the coach to let him start in the game. The coach hesitated, but let him start. They won the game. The coach said, "What in the world happened to you today? You did such a good job!" The boy said, "This is the first time my dad ever saw me play football. You see, he was blind."

My dad got the top prize for the best speech that night and the above words are his words as he told me the story.

I think he must have told me this story when he was in his 80's and I believe it meant as much to him then as it did when he read it to his class in 1946. You see, he got a little choked up just remembering it and telling it to me.

I love you Dad!

And, now you know a little bit about my dad. He will be 95 on September 1st.

Just One Line

It is Sunday morning and the thermometer outside my kitchen window says the temperature is an unseasonal mid-fifties in mid-August. Sitting with my cup of coffee at the table I picked up the September 2007 issue of Reader's Digest. My dad has given us the Reader's Digest for as many years as I can remember. I recently learned something about my dad and the Reader's Digest, but that will be a post for another day.

I started to read a story about a young man in his late 30's who suffered repeated episodes of amnesia. His amnesia was a rare form of amnesia. While his story was fascinating and captured my interest, there was one line that led me to write this post..........Aristotle believed that memory resides in the heart.......

I guess I believe, too, that what touches our hearts we don't forget.

Thank You Rainee

I don't usually...in fact, I have never put a comment on as a post, but I had to share this beautiful comment today....(with Rainee's permission)

Judy this is Rainee from Australia, I have just read all through this Blog, and you know what? I have tears streaming down my face. It is the nicest story of your life I have ever read of anyones...so much has gone into it...your family, grand children ,the love and happiness of you all, something I missed ,never had that as a child and unhappiness,but by the grace of God I found the Lord. He makes up for everything I have ever missed and now has led me to chats where I meet such lovely people such as you and Joe, love all the info you have here. Thank you Judy for letting me share your world with you for the 1 hour I have been reading it. It has me enthralled to the very end...just wonderful Judy and I told Joe you were the loveliest person I have ever known and you know what, you really are... Huggs and love you for welcoming me to your world ....

Hugs to you Rainee! My life is richer for having met you! Judy

Bridge Collapses

It is with depth of feeling I write this post today. Two days ago a bridge spanning the Mississippi River collapsed and left our city, the nation, and indeed the whole world in a state of shock and grief.

My prayers are with the victims, their families, all those involved in the rescue and recovery operations, the medical staffs at our local hospitals, the unsung heroes who helped because they were there......perhaps just passing by on what seemed to be an ordinary evening.....and my gratitude for all those who have lit candles and said prayers because that is what is in their power to do.

Thank you to the people who have called or written me to check on my safety and the safety of my loved ones. I have heard from people in many states and across the ocean. Love is powerful and has such long arms.....Love to you all, Judy