Octoberisms

        Bride and Groom-to-be come Oct. 20, 2012

Oh, October!  Occiliating, occupying, occasional, occurrence, oceanic, ocular, octagonal, o'clock...

It's the tenth month of the year, yet, I've never figured out why it's root word means eight.  It's the beginning of fall, and yesterday, the anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, (remember that?). 

Birthdays in October-- my daughter Trisha; sisters Mary and Ceci; my dad; future son-in-law Patrick; and of course the arrival of our newest little grandson Carter ETA October 24!

On another note, we have a big occasion to look forward to this month- our daughter's wedding on October 20.  What could be more fun than enjoying an autumn evening with family and friends in the surroundings of a barn and orange groves!

So, here's to October, a great 10th month of the year and the final turn to end another year.  The following poem is written by Pearl L. Sorrels who also felt the magical feeling of this month:


It Must Be October

The harvest moon hangs round and high
It dodges clouds high in the sky
The stars wink down their love and mirth
The Autumn seasons is giving birth
Oh it must be October
The leaves of red bright gold and brown
To Mother earth come tumbling down
The breezy nights the ghostly sights
The eerie spooky far off sounds
Are signs that its October
The pumpkin yellow big and round
Are carried by costumed clumsy clowns
Its Halloween lets celebrate
Come one come all and don't be late
We know now its October
We'll roast and toast some luscious food
For apples we'll be bobbin
While tales are told around the fire
Of timely ghosts and goblins
Oh how we love October
The moon has grown pale
The stars have grown dim
Our Halloween party is over
With a hi-de-ho homeward we'll go
What a delightful month October      

90 Days Until Christmas

It’s 90 days until Christmas!  Wow… I’m just getting used to the beginning of fall, but as history serves me well, it’s really home stretch to the most encompassing, time-consuming, costly part of the year!  It is at this time that I find myself juggling household and family obligations in a mad rush to finish the perfect gift, decorations and party gathering activities.

I’m older now, and hopefully wiser.  My days are gone of having to hide gifts so my children wouldn’t find them.  Sometimes, I miss those days.  Those little ones certainly make for a fun time at Christmas.

But, in all honesty, those days were very stressful.  Especially when my children asked for things that my pocketbook could not afford.  It wasn’t as though I raised my children to be so materialistic, but let’s face it—they saw what other children received at Christmas, and it made me feel sad when they were disappointed that they could not get the same.  It was at this time that I grew to cringe at even the thought of Christmas coming. 

Now, as a grandma, I am still very sensitive about the deficiency that parents feel at this time of the year.  I have grandchildren now, and my husband and I try to be as generous with them as we possibly can be.  But, I also know that we cannot give them everything.  This is a part of the reality of life!  However, I also know that which I just referred to is of an earthly nature.  For we have all riches that are without measure that are available to us.  These are the most important in the big picture of things.  So this Christmas, I am going to be very generous.  My pocketbook may have limits, but not my spirit.  It is in this realm that I must first though fill up with God’s resources.  Galatians 5:22 speaks of gifts.  I must possess these ‘gifts’ before I can give them to others.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, …”

What this says to me is that these are the gifts I need to possess as I am scurrying about the Christmas season.  It’s what I carry in my spiritual ‘pocketbook’, so to speak.  These gifts will guide me through the times I am tired and just can’t take waiting one more minute in a long line at the store.  It is what will keep me in check when my budget needs to be obeyed and not the temptation to buy a more expensive item even though it’s hard to resist.  Finally, it will give me the joy to be able to reach out to others who are in desperate need of kindness.  This is because above all these ‘gifts’ is One who is the mantra – Jesus Christ.  It was His birth and death that allows me to receive eternal life.  This puts the Christmas season in perspective.  The day after the holiday when the season’s merchandise is slashed by 50% and the store aisles look as though a tornado went through, God’s eternal gift remains untarnished and precious. 

So, 90 days it is.  Will I fear or stress?  Oh yes, I will have my moments—after all, I am simply a flimsy mortal.  Why else would I need a Savior?  But, having God in my life does make a difference.  If I had to have a goal for this Christmas season, which I do; it is this~  This Christmas season, I want to make it count.  Not in how many earthly, temporary gifts I can give, or how splendid my house decorating turns out… But, my measure is by how much I can give out to others that would translate into the reflection they would see of the One who’s birthday it really is after all- Jesus Christ.

Years ago, when our children were little, we always made sure that they knew who’s birthday it really was at Christmas.  I even would have a birthday cake where my kids were able to sing “Happy Birthday Jesus”.  I confess though, that I very often forget this unchanging truth, and focus on the attributes of the season that actually remove Jesus from the holiday.  So, in writing this, I renew my commitment to keep Jesus first in the holiday, others in extending love and kindness, and taking time for myself to really see the beauty of Christmas.

In essence, this is what Christmas is really about:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

 

So, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

Septemberisms

What is a septemberism?  I don't know, but it sounded good, so I looked it up in the dictionary; and this is what I found.... (actually flipping pages of my Webster's right now)..... drum roll~

...The word septemberism doesn't exist in itself, I learned.  The closest I came was "septennial".  So, I looked up the suffix 'ism' and of course, this means - action, practice, quality, characteristic, state, condition, illustration, doctrine, or instant.  It made me feel a lot better about using this word.

September is a starting line for me as my birthday is on the 11th day.  I usually like to take stock of my life-- have so for years.  I make my own 'new year resolutions'.  I laugh at the ones I've made over the years... way too numerous and unrealistic.  But, I admit, I still do set goals-- I like to see progression in my life, but I have learned to simplify and be more content with not-so-lofty targets.

Another definition of September in my life is that it's the beginning of fall and the last  full season of the year.  With that comes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.  It's a time of days getting shorter, leaves abandoning their home, and cozying up with a cup of coffee under a blanket to watch a football game. 

September brings lots of birthdays besides my own that I like to remember... son, Tim; nieces and nephews Christie, Terri, Aubrey, Maddy, and Albert; other family member Gretchen; and friends Susie and Tena. 

Finally, September is a nice pause in the year.  Kids return to school in new clothes and backpacks, and the stores begin their advertising for the Christmas season.  In the words of Earth, Wind and Fire's song "September"-- I too remember...  Two other songwriters Anderson and Maxwell penned their words to a September song that I also related to~

 

"Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December.

But the days grow short when you reach September.

When the autumn weather turn leaves to flame,

one hasn't got time for the waiting game. 

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few...

September, September , I'll spend with you."







Today is Tim's Birthday

As today is my youngest son Tim's birthday, I felt it only appropriate to post one of his pictures I just viewed today from his blog. Seems like yesterday he was born. I know, it sounds like a cliche, but I was only 28 years old when 'Timmy' came into the world, and interestingly, this is his age today. As a mom, I think I will always keep in my heart my kids as little ones, even though they are now mature adults~ that's how it rolls in the minds of moms... it's a 'mom thing' I suppose. Even as I write this blog, Tim is in Colorado on business and is spending his birthday away from his family, friends and girlfriend Tiffany. But, one thing that I have learned about Tim, is that he values spending times with those he loves; and this is no different. He plans on hanging out with his long-time friend Adam in Boulder this evening. I'm always glad for others in Tim's life. It's reflected in his relationships the great person he is. So, Tim, have a great birthday! As I have told you before, "You're Still a Young Man"! I love you much...

Lucy and Ethel

We still love Lucy (and Ethel)...

 

What is it about Lucy and Ethel's friendship that I find so endearing?  I think it's the openness and the quick forgiveness that makes it so attractive to me.  Lately, I have been gathering all things 50s for a bridal shower for my daughter.  It began with some red dish towels with cherries on them that I saw she had registered for.  It was easy after that.  I printed up some recipe cards with cherries and distributed them with the invitation (which had a picture of Lucy and Ethel with captions).

Along with Lucy and Ethel's complete confidence in one another, I love the simplicity of the everyday normalcy of the 50s.  Things were pretty much black and white then (including the t.v. screen).  Even though it made for good entertainment, there were lessons to be learned in watching two zany women finagle everything from competing for the same dress to perform a song in, to out- doing their husbands in not caving into modern conveniences.  There was a camaraderie that I love.  Lucy was herself, and didn't put on any airs.  Ethel was patient, but when she had enough, she made it plain; and Lucy, as strong willed as she was, was able to bend for her dear friend.

It makes me think of my friends and sisters.  I am grateful for having those who put up with my zany ways.  We laugh a lot at life.  I guess this is what you do when you realize that sometimes, you can't change circumstances, but you have the blessing of having those around you who hang in there with you.

And the Heat Goes On...

Whoa... We're two thirds into this month and the heat goes on.... To the tune of the Sonny and Bono song, "The Beat Goes On",  we keep going forward, maybe at a slower, withered state...

We've been experiencing over 100 degree temperatures for the last two weeks.  I wrote the following email to several friends and family members recently about my observation of others (including myself) during this heat wave and am recounting it below....

So, what do people do when the mercury reaches over three-digits?

----SNIP...People cut corners. They jaywalk to not have to walk more steps to the crosswalk. They snip their hair-- just notice how many people are at Super Cuts getting a impromptu cut to get their hair off their necks. Even clothing takes a "snip" of a sort-- lots of rolling up of sleeves and pants or shirts untucked and tied at the waist or left hanging loose in order to get more air in the waistline

----SNAP...Unfortunately, this is part of the swealtering heat. People get mad for the smallest things. I've seen this in the post office (too long of a line), the intersection (people's car conditioner may not be working and they're fuming that the pedestrian walking across the street is taking too long), and at the Dairy Queen where the single attendant can't get the ice cream cones made fast enough for the crowd standing in the heat.

----FAN...It has been quite amusing to me how inventive people become when they need a fan to bring down the temperature. I've seen fans made of the following~ their hand, bank statement, keys (this didn't work so good), magazine from the newstand, brochures, and receipts. Additionally, people even try to make a fan out of the items they're about to purchase. This includes, (but isn't limited to) the following~ merchandise boxes, packages of underware, and school supplies (spiral notebooks are popular as this is an essential Back to School item).

----SIGH... I've heard so many. They range from soft, loud, mean, defeated, repeated, and obnoxious.

----SWEAT.. Oh, yeah. Yuk... it's hard to be around this. Even the coolest building now is experiencing the sweat of its patrons. Usually it's the men that sweat the most, but I've seen lots of ladies too. Usually though, it's only the men who are brave enough to wipe it away shamelessly.

----DRESS INAPPROPRIATELY...Either too much or too little. (Need I say more?)

----ROLL THEIR EYES..Brings back memories of my kids growing up... (You moms know what I mean.)

----BARE... I've seen too much. I don't want to see anymore. (Bellies, tattoos in strange places, lines, wrinkles, and bulges.)

 

Hope this makes you smile, and maybe even chuckle. Remember that good humor keeps you cool and relaxed. As for me, I think I'm going to go and pour myself another cold glass of water.

All About August or AAA

August has always been for me an uneventful, hot month.  I've written about it in the past, but am re-visiting it once again.  However, I learned this week that August has been slated as the month that 'National Neighborhood Day' is held.  Our neighborhood plans on recognizing this day on August 7 with a barbecue/potluck and featured guest speakers from the police department and other city resources.  I think I'll go check it out.  I learn quite a bit from talking to our neighbors.  For example, a couple of days ago, one neighbor told me about a garage fire that ocurred down the street. Our local newspaper made no mention of it.  So, it caused me to re-think whether I should continue my subscription with the Press Enterprise.
So, this hot August month, my goal is to enjoy the nothingness of it:
-Adjust to the heat and humidity
-Attack the weeds in my backyard
-Allow myself to relax with nothing but hot summer days to bask in...

How's that for all about August?