Memory Maven: September 2011

For those of us in my area of the country, this summer has been hard, or better yet, it has been a beating! We have had, as of today, 68 days of temperatures of 100 degrees or higher. I would often get into my car after work and the temp would be 113. It does something to your subconscious when it is that hot. My body would say, just get indoors as quickly as possible. The current record is 69 days over 100 degrees and that was in 1980. I lived here then and while time has faded the memory of that summer, I do remember how it affected the children I worked with. I was a house mother at a children's home and they could not play outdoors when it was 100 degrees. Fortunately, there was an air conditioned gym, but they still felt stir crazy. I no longer have children at home but I know this has been hard on everyone this summer. My friend Judi, moved this summer from the lovely Tennessee mountains to our hot, dry state. She calls it Dante's Furnace. I have to agree. And as a parting shot from summer, we are having massive wildfires in our state. The lovely hill country is under attack from the wild fires. That is the garden spot of our state. We will remain under the threat of wildfires until there is rain.

This is an emotional weekend for our country. I am avoiding those remembering 9/11 programs on television. Joe is watching them all. We will have a candle light service at our new fire station on Sunday night and unveil our 9/11 memorial. It is a metal beam from one of the twin towers. Our town sent rescue workers to NYC and the city gave us the beam to use as a memorial. I am thankful I am not in Washington DC or New York City this weekend. It is a heavy burden to know that there are threats of violence being made against you.

I am looking forward to fall. I love college football and it has officially started. I am cheering for our local team - TCU Horn frogs! (Except when they play the Baylor Bears! Then I cheered for them both.) I am ready to put out my fall decorations in the house. The weather man said we may have at least one more day of 100 degree weather so I am holding off until I am certain we are staying in the 80's. Every fall I go on a retreat with my childhood friends. It is the scrapping group from my home church. Most of us are scrapbookers and we go and scrap together. Some just go because it is a fun time to get away. It is not until October, but I am looking forward to it already.

Joe and I have seen our kids blossom and grow this summer. We are so proud of all them. Here is a little parental pride update coming to you.

Jamey started grad school a couple of weeks ago. He completed his last undergrad course this summer. He is working toward his masters of divinity. My future daughter-in-law, Samantha, is busy studying and planning her wedding in May. I am looking forward to the wedding too. They went on a mission trip this summer to Ecuador. I am extremely proud of my Katie. She graduated from college a couple of years ago and was not able to find a job using her degree. She started working in vet clinics. It was helpful while they moved around. She has always been able to find a job. From her work there, she realized she has an interest in nursing. While my wonderful son-in-law, Drew, is teaching at the university, she can take classes for $25 an hour. She is taking her sciences. This summer she took chemistry and biology. This semester she is taking anatomy and physiology and another science and 2 labs. Drew has been very supportive and helpful of Katie's return to school. He is a wonderful young man. I am so proud of all four of them.

My niece Tara gave birth to the sweetest baby boy ever - Jake. I know she is my niece so I can't take credit, but I am so happy for her. Jake has long legs and arms just like his dad. My sisters, mom and I went up to see him and holding that little baby just melts your heart. There is nothing that compares to a precious baby snuggled in your arms.

Joe's son, Ryan, got his dream job and spent his first month working for the company in India. Wow, it is amazing. He is currently based in Minnesota but works during the week in North Carolina. Good thing he is young because the travel makes me tired just thinking about it. Joe's granddaughter, Alicia, had been taking college classes while in high school. She graduated in May. She took classes this summer and is now almost a junior already. She is in the nursing program. It just so happens that her mom, is also going back to college with her. Beverly got her associates a couple of years ago while working full time and now she is back in school for her bachelor's degree. And finally Jordan, our precious grandson, started pre-K. His parents went to met the teacher this week and she said he is doing great in class. He loves riding the bus to school. That little one is a bundle of energy! We are very proud of him.

Please join me in praying for our country. There are so many who are facing floods from massive rains and those of us who desperately need rain. I pray for safety and peace to all.

Linda B.