The Family grows!

Yesterday (12/16/08) I became a Great Grandfather for the second time in 10 weeks at the age of 84. In the morning paper the death of a woman aged 76 was listed along with the names of 5 great grandchildren. Betty and I have 7 children and 12 grandchildren. What took so long? Then I occured to me that for the most part our children did not begin to have children until they were through college. Indeed most of them were not married until they had finished college. The oldest remains unmarried at 58. Our only daughtrer was married at age 27. Her son was born when she was 30. The next son was married at age 31. Their first child was born in the year he turned 34. The next son was married at age 19. He and his wife have 4 children, but the first was not born until he was 24 and had two bachelor degrees. It is his daughter, aged 28, who is the motherr of the first Great Granddaughter; and his son, aged 26, who is the father of the second Great Granddaughter. And they are both college graduates as are their parents.

Our next son was married at age 27, and their first child was born when he was 34. The next son was married at age 23 with the first of two sons born when he was 26. The youngest son, like the oldest, is unmarried at age 47. The children have pretty much followed in the foot steps of the parents. Betty and I were both through College and teaching before we were married. She was 24 and I was 25. We were married in April and Kenneth was born the following February. Betty died at age 80 after over 56 years of marriage. I am truly sorry she is no long with us to share in the joy of these two charming Great Granddaughters. My God bless them as He has the rest of this extended family.

Age and memory

I was watching T earlier when one of the Alsheimers adds came on where the old man calls his young granddaughter by the wrong name. I have sometimes told people how I can in my evening prayer mention all of my family: brothers, sister, spouses of each, children and spouses; 12 grandchildren; and now two great granddaughters. Plus, when I put my mind to it, I can list before God all of my nephews and nieces and their spouses and kids.

The other night I got a phone call from a former student a generation ago. I immediately knew that it was Quilla, and I called him by name. He's a black student from Arkansas, and was (is?) a very fine musician. He played a role in the ministry of Wayman Chapel here in Billings. (African Methodist Episcopal)

On the other hand there is often a name or circumstance which does not come quickly to mind. Maybe later. Maybe lots later.
I guess that it not to bad at 84.

So? One muses.

As I was listening to the news last night the reporter stated that the attack on Pearl Harbor had occurred in 1941 - 67 years ago. I turned and said something to my son about that now being “ancient history.” An earlier story in the paper told of a local high school class being shown a collection of letters and pictures depicting the Nazi Holocaust. It then occurred to me that I was 17 December 7, 1941 and was sitting in the front room of my high school girl friend with her family when we heard the news. Today’s generation speaks of 9-11, and the paper has little mention of 12-7-41. A part of this remembering was brought about by a photo brother John sent the other day of brother Lee, 79; sister Dorothy Ann, 90; and himself at 84. This relates to a picture taken at Thanksgiving of three generations of our family: granddaughters Natalie and Stephanie with Stephanie’s baby (my first Great Granddaughter, Arianna) and me - Grandfather Taylor.

In the middle of the night I began to think about ages. Both twin brother, John, and I have become the oldest Taylor males at 84. Grandfather Taylor died a few days after turning 83. Our own Dad died from a heart attack at 59. Older brothers died at 63, 50, and 56. The latter two of heart attacks. Dorothy Ann is now in line to become the oldest survivor of the Taylor females. Grandmother Taylor died at 90 years, 10 months. The oldest of the Aunts died at 89 years, 8 months. There’s not much history on the Petit side of the family, but Grandpa Petit died at 69, and our Mother’s mother (Mary Cart) died at age 36. None of us ever knew her and there was little discussion of that side of the family that I recall.

So much for ancient history. It is remarkable that at 84 with a massive heart attack at age 33; two rounds of by-pass surgery; a couple of stents recently and with aortic stenosis I survive and can still remember and relate to all this. Sorry you had to read all this!

Family Thanksgiving

This was my year to host Thanksgiving. I never thought that I would live to see the day that I was holding a Great Grandchild. This is Arianna with her Cousin, Natalie and her Mother, Stephanie. Steph and husband, John Huss came over from Minnesota so that both of her Great Grandfathers could meet her. In addition we had Ken, Annie and husband Bill, Pete, brother John, Jean, Mark, Rosanna, Andrew, Nathan, Geoffrey, Janet (Stephanie, Nathan, & Geoffrey's Mom), Cecilia, her mother Maggie, Natalie, Mark's son, Ambrose.

While I cooked the turkey (it didn't get quite done. It was over 22 lbs) on the grill Pete did most of the set up and cooking. Others, of course, brought in various dishes. No one went away hungry. It was a true joy to have 3 of David's 4 children with us along with John's family and to have Cecilia bring her mother to share with us. We, of course, missed Jimmy and Betty. And other out-of-towners are always welcome.

In the meantime I've been busy avoiding anything that smacked of work.

Compulsive?

It is our turn to host the family Thanksgiving Dinner. I have always gotten a frozen Butterball in the past, but this year decided to order a fresh 18-20 pounder from a regional Hutterite Colony. For the last few days I've constantly been thinking of what needs to be done. Get the table ready; make sure there is enough dinner ware for 18 or so guests; make sure the utinsels are clean; make sure there is enough seating capacity; get the mantel cleaned off and set for Christmas with the Creche I bought for Betty many years ago; have Pete get the artificial tree out of the loft in the garage; etc., etc. Then it occured that most of the family that I mail Christmas Cash to will be here so I can save a lot on postage by having the "gift" wrapped and ready. That meant a trip to the Card store and then to the Bank and making sure the right amount gets into each card. Then there is trying to figure out how many will be staying over night, and where to put them. As I sit here Tuesday night most everything is done. Pete has been an invaluable help Sweeping rugs, dusting furniture, getting our part ready to cook. We get the turkey Wednesday so there will be some preparation of that so I can pop it on the outdoor propane grill in time to have it done for a three o'clock dinner. Maybe I can relax in about 48 more hours.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and may God bless us evdryone.

Accent

O.K. Philipa, you started it. My accent is Midland.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The Northeast
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

To do or not to do

About a year ago my Cardiologist had an Echo test done when I suggested that my increased angina might be due to a previously diagnosed aortic stenosis. The test showed an opening of the valve about the size of the opening of a ball point pen. She indicated that I should have surgery right away and made an appointment for me to talk with the outstanding heart surgeon in Billings. I told her that I had a wedding to go to in Texas in February, and she said surgery in December should not hinder that. I was told a couple of years ago that my chances of surviving knee replacement were 1 in 4 so I was not enamored of heart surgery. I did talk with Dr. Milliken and we discussed the odds, He seemed to agree that such an operation was problematic, but that he would be willing to do it. My decision at the time was to not have it. Lately I find the angina getting, if not worse at least more prevalent with less activity. Nevertheless today I was able to do several errands including walking around Wal-Mart and Costco with no real trouble. Then Studs Terkel died.

What does that have to do with it? An article in the Chicago Tribune included the following: "In August 2005 Terkel added another item to his lengthy list of accomplishments, undergoing a risky open-heart procedure at 93 to replace a narrowed aortic valve and redo one of the five coronary bypasses he he'd undergone nine years before." He died three years later at the age of 96. If I were to have such surgery and live to 2011 that would take me to 86-87. And I'll never be any healthier than I am at this present time. There is, of course a decision to be made, but my "musing" tells me that such decision should be made, plus or minus, by the end of the year or no later than January. Actually I would not choose to have any surgery before Christmas.

Busy

Watching the World Series last night I was truly amazed that they kept playing. What a storm! True to the old saying : "when it rains, it pours." Then I looked at my own plans for this Tuesday night. My Alma Mater, Marshall U. is on ESPN2 tonight from the home town playing Houston - 6 pm mountain time. The Yellowstone County Democrats are having the monthly dinner at 5:30 pm. And a friend has encouraged me to attend a meeting at Rocky Mountain College at 7:30 tonight - sponsored by her son.

I guess that I'll skip the dinner and watch the first half of the game and then go to the meeting. I do have some lasagne left from last night so will certainly not go hungry.

By the way. It is a beautiful day here in Billings, Montana today.

A growing family

Knowing that Stephanie was in labor and that it was prolonged I waited until after noon (CDT) to call her Dad to find out if the baby had been born. YES. Son David is now a Grandfather and I am a Great Grandfather. Then I got there e-mail with further details. Arianna Elizabeth, welcome to the Huss and the Taylor family. You will have many Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents to love you. May we simply love and then let your be yourself. I will have to admit that when I read the e-mail that this little girl was to carry her Great Grandmother's middle name - Elizabeth, I felt a deep emotion knowing the my Harriet Elizabeth would never hold her, but she will surely be a guardian angel. And there is still to be born, Sophie Harriet Elizabeth Taylor later this year. That, too, will be a time of great joy. We Montanan's and North Dakotan's are looking forward to meeting Arianna at Thanksgiving.

Shopping

I have been able to pretty much save my Social Security income so it had built up in a typical savings account. I checked the Credit Union and found that I could get a 6 month CD with 3.0% interest so half of the savings have been so transferred. I caught my favorite "banker" just before she headed out to lunch.

Then I went to Costco for some lunch stuff and whatever. It turned out to be more whatever. They had a collection of chicken legs and wings with mesquite. Very good. I anticipated an Eggo omlet for supper, but it will be chicken instead. I also got some bread, English muffins, mixed nuts (Pete seems to like them - too), and a couple of books: Garrison Keillor's latest: "Liberty", A novel of Laker Wobegon; and "Blue Man in a Red State" - the story of our Governor, Brian Sweitzer. While I have met the Gov. I have not met Garrison except on NPR.

So much for the economy.

Politics

I commented on Facebook the other day wondering what McCain was afraid of while making plans to ditch the first Debate. Today I noticed that after FOX carries the Presidential Debate it will be followed by "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?"

Widower-hood

As I sat in Church last Sunday I noticed two of our retired clergy sitting together. Hugh has just recently lost his wife, and Paul was widowed 3-4 years ago when Mary Lou died. She had been wheel chair bound for some time. Mary Huntley died soon after planned surgery which resulted in a massive blood clot to the brain. She never recovered, and was dead within a week. Ahead in front of me was A layman, younger than myself, whose wife died after a long battle with cancer. Today I went to the College to attend an Art Exhibit of current teachers work. There was some pretty nice work n display. One of my colleagues, now retired, was also there. Bob Morrison's wife died from a massive clot which lodged in her brain just over a year ago. I had not seen Bob since that time so it was good to have a chance to talk with him. He also expressed that it was "good" to have a chance to talk. He commented that he was still adjusting. He though early of selling the "big" house they were living in, but the children all said "no". "Where would we stay?" I, of course, know that feeling. I want to always be available to house any of the children who are able to come for a visit, and with Pete living with me taking care of things is no problem.

I guess that what started all this in the realization that it is not always the husband who dies first. And just like Bob, we soon come to the realization of how much the wife has been doing and we were not quite aware. And in recent weeks I have thought often of how often I was on the road - out of town - and Betty was left to raise the kids, and take care of things. Now I wonder if I did not miss the most rewarding part of being in a family.

Are you grown up?

In cleaning out some files today I came across the following from my ancient file for a course in Healthy Personality at Rocky Mountain College. I labeled the course that instead of "Mental Hygiene." This list is based on "Ten Marks of A Disciple" by The Rev. Rod Romney, an American Baptist Pastor who served in Seattle many years ago. I don't know if he still lives or not. I label it "Ten Marks of Maturity:

1. A loss of interest in judging the self.
2. A loss of interest in judging others.
3. A loss of interest in conflict in any form.
4. A loss of interest. More seriously, a loss of ability to worry.
5. An unmistakable tendency to enjoy each moment.
6. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation and thanksgiving.
7. Tendency to think a and act spontaneously and lovingly rather
than from fears based on past experiences.
8. Contented feeling of being connected to all of life.
9. Increased ability to let things happen rather than trying to make
them happen.
10. Increased susceptibility to love extended by others, as well as the
the uncontrollable urge to extend love in all directions.

Phillippa follow-up

Got this from a niece the other day and since things are kinda slow I've given it some thought.

1. Where is your cell phone? ……………… No phone
2. Your significant other?……………………. She’s gone
3. Your hair? …………………………………….. shaved off
4. Your mother? ……………………………… died 1946
5. Your brother?………………………………… two living
6. Your favorite thing?……………………. eat well
7. Your dream last night?…………………. had none
8. Your favorite drink? ……………………….cold pepsi
9. Your dream?………………………….. live longer
10. The room you’re in?………………. living room
11. Your ex?…………………no such
12. Your fear?……………………………………..no more
13. Where do you want to be in 5 years?………….right here
14. Where were you last night?……………at home
15. What you’re not?……………………………very young
16. Muffins?…………………………………… home made
17. One of your wish list items?…………..Great Grandchildren
18. Where you grew up?…………………… Huntington, WV
19. The last thing you did?………………. Computer Search
20. What are you wearing?………………… blue jeans
21. Your TV?……………………………………not on
22. Your pets?…………………………………. have none!
23. Your computer? ………………………… use regularly
24. Your life?……………………………………..old guy
25. Your mood?………………………………pretty relaxed
26. Missing someone?…………………My Harriet
27. Your car?……………………………………Honda Accord
28. Something you’re not wearing?………………my shoes
29. Favorite Store?……………………………. Costco market
30. Your summer?…………………………….. all done
31. Like someone?……………………………my family
32. Your favorite color?…………………….. Kelly Green
33. Last time you laughed?…………………this morning
34. Last time you cried?………………….August 2006
35. You are with?……………………….. son Pete
35. Who will re-post this?……………………hopefully someone!
 

Housekeeping

Early in the week I called Pro-Steam to get my carpet cleaned. Thursday at 8 o'clock o.k? Fine. Then I called Pro-tech about servicing the furnace. Thursday at 8:30 o.k.? Fine. So last night I was awake off and on to make sure that I was dressed, pilled, and had breakfast before 8 a.m. The carpet guy came about 7:45 and worked diligently with his assistant, and they were on their way by 8:30. About 8:25 the furnace guy called and was running a bit late. Good! One truck out of the way before the next one shows up. I was really surprised to get them both here so quickly, but according to the carpet guy, people are putting a lot of this sort of stuff off. He was truly glad to get the job.

The furnace guy tells me that there is a small amount of CO2. Not to worry, but I have budgeted for a new furnace next year. I was thinking yesterday about a 2009 budget. This year the big expense has been hearing aids. At least my income should not be much different from this year. Social Security should increase due to inflation, and my Equities retirement will decrease due to market forces. Annuities and Bond income will remain constant. I've increased amounts for Utilities, groceries, auto expense, Medicare, Medical Insurance, etc. It looks as if I'll survive.

Time marches on. Today people are remembering 9/11. Every day I remember 12/3.

Family Gathering

I've been writing on Facebook about Sour-dough waffles for breakfast. Saturday mornings brother John's family along with Pete and me have been having late morning breakfast. We call it "Farmer's Market" because the 9:30 time gives those who wish time to get to the local Farmer's Market before hand. John and Jean are the usual hosts, but this last Saturday Pete and I did it. I have a sour-dough starter I got in Jackson Hole, WY in the early 1960's. From this I make waffles on occasion, and sour-dough wheat bread. Both are very good. The picture above shows this past week's gathering with the one of little hair being brother John - my twin. And I have less hair. Clockwise around the table are Jean, Lisa, Pete, Mark and Rosanna. Lisa is not often with us since she lives in Red Lodge. It was good to have her. Dennis could not be with us as he was visiting his mother in Cody, WY. She is not well, and is in our prayers. Of course, in addition all the human types we had Rosanna's two large dogs. They are very well behaved, and love human contact: that is "scratching".

Democrats!!

I've spent the last couple of nights watching the Demo gathering in Denver. At times it has seemed like old home week. Last night was the stirring speech of Ted Kennedy in strong vibrant voice fresh out of the hospital. I met and shook hands with Ted in the mid 60's right after Bobby's murder in 1963. He was visiting Billings and we had a breakfast for him on the Rocky Mountain College campus. AND I had attended seminary in Massachusetts for four years 1955-1959. The Black Gov. of MA spoke tonight. Also Gov. Manchin of WV the State where I grew up and went to College spoke. In addition there was Ed Rendall, Gov. of PA. I went to Penn State for graduate study 1950-51. There was Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa. I lived there from 1951-1955. And just before Hillary there was my current Gov. Brian Schweitzer of MT. Schweitzer did a great job of getting the delegats involved. I've lived in Montana now since August 1961, and know most of the State and national office holders. In fact I was at a cook-out last week with Sen. Max Baucus who is now running for his 6th term in the US Senate. He is currently Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Montana is often thought of as a Republican State, but we have a Democrat Govenor and two US Senators who are Democrats. And who could forget Mike Mansfield who was Majority Leader of the Senate for many years. I knew Mike well and once had a rather long visit with him in his Senate Office where he showed me a side room dedicated to the memory of John Kennedy.

I was pleased that David Gergan of CNN mentiion the part of Hillary's speech that I found very good. It was the comment that it was right that Bush and McCain would betogetherr next week in the Twin Cities since it is so difficut to tell them apart.

jimmy w/ his Mom

In looking through a large box of ancient pictures this week I came across this one which family will recognize as especially significant. Mom died in December 2005 and Jimmy died just a year ago this week. Betty's beautiful smile has always captured my heart. She was generally 100% positive in her outlook on life. During the two weeks she was in the hospital with leukemia we never talked about her not eventually coming home - to me. She was happy to visit with her children and most of our grandchildren who were here for Thanksgiving. I do hope you all enjoy this picture.

Auditory

A couple of weeks ago I saw an Audiologist who checked things out and determined that I could benefit with some sort of hearing aid. Today I went in and was fitted for the latest in digital devies - Opticon. They are very small and will take some getting use to. For example I was very much aware of my footsteps on the kitchen floor, and the click of these computer keys is not something I am use to. When I first got home I turned on the TV and found that I didn't need to turn the sound to 35. I could hear things perfectly well at 20. That should make things easier for the rest of the household. The man I dealt with is owner of the Billings Hearing Aid Service. He spent over an hour with me this tine checking, adjusting, and making sure that things were going to be alright. I had won a $3,000 certificate through a newspaper program for which I paid $1060. The two aids cost an additional $2200 each. I guess I had expected to pay a bit more so the $5460 total wasn't a big blow even if that would buy a lot of groceries and gasoline. Now to see if it makes some of those young fast-talking TV news people more understandable.

Betty - plural

I guess that I just have to go ahead and put this in writing. Maybe it will get it out of my head. In looking through a box of pictures this past week I have come cross the idea that I must be a "Betty" person. In grade school and early junior high I had a crush on Elizabeth Wilson. She wasn't that popuar or good looking, but I can still remember my chagrin when she answed in class pretty much like Jake in Two and a Half Men. I didn't find a picture of her but I did find pictures of BJ Jobe (Betty Jean) and Betty Mavity. Both of these I dated in College and beyond. BJ was a classmate of Betty Clarkson (my Harriet), but I didn't know that until sometime after I was married to Betty C. Betty Mavity was from Charleston, SC and was visiting her Granparents who belonged to my Church in Huntington, WV - Fifth Avenue Baptist. We dated while she was in town on occasion and when she matriculated at Denison University in Granville, Ohio she invited me to a Tri-Delta sorority dance her Freshman year. I remember hitch-hiking there and back. Of course, there was a rather long period of time through the 12th grade and beyond when the only girl I thought about was Julia (Judy) Gaines. That broke up during my brief absence in the military and her move to Washington, DC to work as a Secretary. Brother Don evenutally married Judy's sister, Garnett. So maybe I am not just a "Betty person", I'm a Harriet Elizabeth Clarkson Taylor person.

Rambling

’m going to ramble. Early this morning I got up (around 5:30) to do what old men do after a long night sleeping. I turned off the night light, and then stepped out the front door to get the morning paper. To early to stay up to read so I did my usual bit of grabbing an afghan and stretching out in the Lazy Boy lounge chair. It does cool down pretty well at night here in Montana. I laid back, pulled the cover up, and my brain began to “spin”. I began to wonder about the difference between “best” and “better”. For example: was is best that I get up when I did or was it “better”. My less that total command of the English language decided r that “better “ was the correct usage since there were only two choices. Get up oe wet the bed. About that time my right eyebrow began to itch. Descartes came to mind: I itch therefore I am. By 7:15 it is time to get up, take my 30 minute before breakfast pill and make some coffee. Now I can read the funnies and the sports page before Pete gets up. AND then eat the roll he brought me from Perkins. What a thoughtful kid. Guess I’ve somehow got to stop thinking of our offspring as “kids”. The youngest is 46 and they just go up at 2 year intervals to 58. And that sort of thing starts a whole other line of thought. At 83 I am the oldest male survivor of the A.B. Taylor family. Dad died at 59 of coronary thrombosis Uncle Claude at 61. My last memory of him was after a stroke which left him uncommunicative. Uncle Cordie in his early 40’s of TB. He had served in the military in WW I. My first military funeral at age 7. The Aunts died mostly in their mid to late 80’s and my only sister if currently 89. My older brothers died at 63, 50, and 56. I am said to be the first born of twins. Brother John still lives and appears to be in better health than I am. I honestly don’t know what brought this all up - but there you are. Another bit of Taylor history.

No Problem

Annie reporst some problem of not being able to log in to blogger.com. Obviously it hasn't happen to my account. On the other hand my Facebook account is always asking me to sign in. I do so with the wrong password, it tells me that is the wrong one and then adds the right one and signs on. Computers!!!

I did go up to Rocky after a lunch at the Church for a quick trip around the stadium to look at the various booths at Summer Fair. Not much appealed to me, and I'm still having to clean up 50 yeas of clutter. Not just Mom's. I did have a chance meeting with Lyndon Pomeroy who I have not seen for many months. He has lost a lot of weight. The next door neighbors were there this year for the first time in several years. Nancy has added a lot of color to Greg's pottery. Near the end of my sojourn I came acrosss Hal Mathew's booth. He has brought his potter to town from Missoula for the last several years. It is always good to have a chance to vist with him.

The Luncheon at Church was to say our "good-bye" to Bobby and Gloria Shaw. Bobby has been our Choir Director the past couple of years. Mary Lynn Anderson had asked me to say the blessing. One needs to be thankful not only for food, but for good music.

Pete is out so I am catching up and in the meantime doing some laundry,.

History

I've spent a major portion of this afternoon going through a file collection which contains a lot of hitory. Contracts which deal with the purchase of the current house and its upkeep. There was a number of purchase invoices of cars which we have ownned in the past. One was a Volkwagon "bus" which most of the kids will remember. With a family of 9 it sure came in handy. I remember going with Betty to a Class Reunion, but threre was a newpaper article with her picture at her 30th class reunion. That was held in 1973 a few weeks after I had come home from by-pass surgery in Denver. A Christmas letter spoke of this as my being well enough to be left in the "care of the kids". As I recall they must have done a good job. There is a group of letters of my correspondence with various Seminaries - and this before I had even finished a year of College. There is also a copy of my discharge from the Army Air Corps in Nov. 1943 - after 7 1/2 months of military training. They finally admited that I could see only with one eye. There was a pciture of the family which appeared in the Jersey City newspaper. Paul had not yet been born, but was born later in Jersey City. Of Course Peter did not arrive until we had moved to Montana. Betty only got prettier as she aged. But there was always that welcome smile. Letters from Father and brothers, and some copies of my own. My, O my. What an afternoon.

Murder???

There is a group in Montana gathering signatures to get a Constitutional Amendment on the Fall ballot to state that life begins at conception therefor abortion is murder. I guess that I can't argue against the major principle, but I have been known to argue that life begins with the first breath. Well, a couple of things have been going through my mind lately. If this law passes what happens to the lady who has an early miscarriage. Looking through some old folders this week I was reminded again of the fact that Betty had a first term miscarriage when we were in Davenport. That would be the early 1950's. As I recall most of the tissue fell into the toilet and was flushed away. Was this LIFE? And did this tissue deserve a Christian burial? A few years later she suffered the early birth of twins at about 6 months. Were we somehow subject to criminal prosecution? The twins were given a Christian burial with the Pastor of the local Congregational Church in charge. I can't help but believe that if our constitution is changed we will all be in big trouble.

Betty's absence from me in death is often on my mind. Does she miss me as I miss her? And then I think of the nunc aeternam - the eternal "nowness" of God, and it occurs to me that as far as she is concerned we are all with her in God's present. So much for now.

Ecclesiastical Conflict

So? So Obama left his Church. So what? I found that I had to do that at one time myself. I left the Highlawn Baptist Church of Huntington, WV. A Church of which my parents were charter members and in which I was baptized and grew up in. A Dhurch which contained many friends and spiritual mentors. A Church in which I had learned my Baptist freedom roots well. Unfortunately after both mother and father had died; I had graduated from high school; ,served a brief tour with the Army Air Corps (that should tell you how long ago this history was); and was very active in State Baptist Youth Fellowship work the Church hired a young man as Pastor who had lost his sense of Baptist History. He was the son of a pastor with whom I had worked one summer in Logan County coal mine communities. This guy came into the Church out of a very conservative southern Baptist seminary in Texas. He immediately got the Board of Deacons to enact some of his conservative theology and required that anyone who was active in the Church to subscribe to a creed he had written based on his fundamentalist beliefs. In the first place I could not subscribe to many of the statements contained therein, and secondly I felt that having to accept a creedal statement was outside the scope of being a Baptist. I believed that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, . . ." and that was all the "creed" I needed. BUT, after all, this was my famly's Church. The "Mother Church" was one in which my Grandfather Taylor was a patriarch. Fortunatly at this time I was graduating with a Master's degree and going to Connecticut so I was able to transfer my membership to a Church in Hartford, and then back to a more Baptist congregation when I returned to Huntington to teach at Marshall College. It did not become a University until long after I had moved on.

There are many reasons for leaving one's Church, even after a long time membership. I, for one, think that Senator Obama has done both himself and the Trinity Church a good.

Deer me!

The other afternoon (Monday) Pete and I were driving Blue Creek Road out to Mark's and Rosanna's for a Memorial Day feast. Just before we reached the turn off to the golf course I heard a sudden thump, and then Pete saying "There's a deer." I looked in the rear view mirror and there was two of them crossing the road. Apparently one of them had hit the car rather than the car hitting it. I didn't see the things at all until we had past them, and Pete says he hadn't noticed them either. Guess it will pay to be more observant on that road now. It reminds me of another piece of ancient history when I was on the road in Wyoming recruiting for the College. Late at night north of Meeteese I heard something galloping beside the car. Turned out to be a deer who apparently was avoiding me by running along side rather than crossing the road in front of me. It sure beats hitting one of the beasts. Back in 1995 when we had just bought a new Honda with less than 150 miles on it we (Betty was with me then) hit a horse which was being rustled, and had made a break for it to run back home. That was on the Northern Chyenne Indian Reservation between Lame Deer and Birney. The car sustained serious damage, but we were o.k. It was in the dead of night so we crippled into Hardin and spent the night.

Spring??

A month ago I wrote something about the furnace coming on and that Spring was delayed. Now here it is May 23d and the furnace still comes on in the evening. I turned the sprinkler system on a couple of weeks ago and with the weather pattern promising rain I turned it off Tuesday. Time to save on the water bill. According to the morning paper we have had 3.78 inches of rain this month. Last year by this date we had had only .31 inches. Most of this year's rain has come this week. When the weather guys started talkng about a Low over eastern Montana and water headed this way from the Gulf I knew we were finally going to break the drought. Up to this time they have only talked about rain from Washington/Oregon coming over the mountains. My experience indicates that that rain never makes it to the Billngs area. Seldom does it make it anywhere over the Divide. We get a "southeaster" when we get a Low Pressure and there is moisture streaming up from the Gulf. And I am grateful for this past week of rain. Even if it continues through the Memorial Day week-end.

Memory Time

I found this on another site and it looked like something I could do that might be interesting.

4 Jobs I've Held:

1. Instructor in Psychology, Marshall (then) College
2. Clinical Psychologist Iowa children’s home, Davenport
3. Pastor, Baptist Churches, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Montana
and a couple of UCC churches in Montana
4. Registrar, Dean Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT

4 Movies I've Watched Over and Over Again:

1. None, but I know all the lines in all the Becker series
2. and most of the plots in Two and a half Men
3.
4.

4 Places I've Been:

1. Puerto Rico
2. San Diego
3. Mexico
4. Montreal, Canada

4 Places I've Lived:

1. Huntington, WV
2. State College, PA
3. Woodville, MA
4. Jersey City, NJ
5. Billings, MT

4 TV Shows I Watch:

1. BOSTON LEGAL
2. Two and a half Men
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. 60 Minutes

4 Radio Shows I Listen To:
I seldom listen to the radio
4 Things I Look Forward To:

1. A Hug at Church on Sunday morning
2. Birth two Great Grand children
3. Monday evening CBS Comedies
4. One more family reunion

4 People I email regularly:

1. Brother John
2. Older Sibs
3. My children
4. A first cousin on my Mother’s side

4 People to Tag:

1. Phillipa
2. Louise
3. Aniroo
4. Paul T

Politics

Watching TV the other night the phone rang. What's new? It was a lady who wanted to do a survey. When I asked for more information none was forthcoming, but I just told her to "go ahead." It lasted a long time and was about who I intended to vote for in the coming election. Schweitzer (D) or Brown (R). I told her that Brown was a "whiner" and would never get my vote. Satisfied with the Gov. Yes! etc., etc. Finally there was the question about age range,and religion: Protestant, Catholic, Hebrew, other? When I said I was Protestant she asked if I was "a born-again, evangelical Christian". I told her that I was indeed "born-again", but it was unlikely that I could be called evangerlical in terms of how that is now interpreted.

At the end I commented again that she had not told me who was back of this survey. "We are not allowed to tell. You can usually tell by the way the questions are asked. It was so obviously Republican there was no question. Most of the questions at the end were directed against Max Baucus. I've known Max since he first ran for Senate. The picture above was taken before he gained his first term. He doesn't always vote the way I'd like, but who does. He's been good for Montana, and the Nation.

Vote! Early and often.

Mother's Day

It is good to have great thoughts of all the mothers and the surrogate mothers in this Taylor Family. There's Ann, Cec, Janet, Ronda, Louise, Karyn, Jean, Sharon, and all the nephews and cousins and their wives, etc., etc. Pete wore a shirt to Chuch this morning with his mother's picture on it. One dear friend told me later that when she saw the picture from her place in the choir that she teared up and couldn't sing the second verse of the hymn. This friend had visited Mom on Friday before her death on Saturday. As for me as I sat listening to others talk about their mothers I found my self thinking that my own mother died in my arms; and I stood at the bedside of my children's mother and watched the heart monitor as she "flat lined." Both of these women were truly loved and are greatly missed. And I am a better person because of them. I must admit, however, it is the dhildren's mother whom I miss daily and deeply.

RIP, Harriet Elizabeth.

James R.

New TV

The Pastor spoke this morning of kid dreams about driving the family car. Getting in the seat and pretending. I told him later than my family didn't own a car. I could remember brother Norman carrying me the 3-4 blocks to the streetcar to take me to the doctor's at age 5 after recovering from spinal menengitis. He commented then about how hard it is for children today to believe that his generation (50's) didn't have TV. I told him that at one point we didn't have a TV so that the kids would do their homework and read. Well, they're all grown up now and left home (o.k.! One of them has returned and is more than welcome to this "old man"). We've had a TV, but I was no longer able to read the small print. So yesterday I had a brand new 42" HDTV installed. Now to get down to the Cable people and see if I can afford to upgrade that service. Even so, it's a great picture as is. And David wanted to see a picture.

Peace to all.

And I do mean all. I've just been reminded of an officious columnist whose column I read once in a while in the Denton, TX newspaper - Ann Coulter. Thank God she isn't carried by the Billings Gazette. Yet, I'm sure she has a right to her warped opinions. David Crisp, that comment is all your fault. I truly meant to comment simply on my own current activity. I'm sitting here by the front window with an occasional look at this flower. Friends from Church gave it to me when Betty died 2 1/2 years ago, It has bloomed, I think, 3 times in that period of time. Always two pure white ovals. She would have loved it. Pete makes sure to take good care of it, and I simply prize its beauty. Thanks, Sue. Thanks, Don.

Spring has Sprung??

Here I am at the computer in my basement office and all of a sudden there is the light rumbling sound of the furnace. In one of the comic strips in todays Billings Gazette there is some argument as to the nature of global warning. Living in Montana this Spring would make one wonder just how correct Al Gore is. Of course we don't have any ice shelves breaking off. There is, however, the fact that the glaciers in Glacier Park are a lot smaller now than they were in the 1960's when I first saw them. I guess I'm glad for a cold Spring. It does delay the snow melt from the mountains so there will be wate for irrigation this Summer, and the grass is not yet ready to cut.

No News is Good News

On of my favorie bloggers is a local newpaper man. In commenting on the past week of tragedies in Billings he commented today on the belief that maybe the above title is what one might wish for. There were extensive firs in several areas of the town and local area. On young man died in an apartment comples fire - he was 21-22 years old and his name was James R. Taylor, no relation to the writer with the same moniker. A 5 year old drowned at a party with many of the fire victims. A 24 year old surgery nurse was killed in an altomobile accident when a couple of young guys ran a stop sign with their SUV and T-boed her Toyota. That was all the early part of the week. This week-end an old man died outside his house in the cold weather apparently having locked himself out; and another young person (a passanger) died following a traffic accident. No News is Good News.

Actually there was some good news. Billings had about 1 1/2 inches of wet snow Sunday afternoon with moisture badly needed. Today the sun is bright and cheereful and the ground is open to receive its drink. And I seem to be in relatively good health.

Anniversary

It was 59 years ago today that Harriet Elizabeth (Betty) and I were married. When she died in 2005 we had shared over 56 of those years in love, passion, and parenthood. Six of our seven children remain. The youngest is 46 the oldest is 58. I was 18 and in military basic training when my father died at age 59. My mother died in my arms at the age of 57. In many respects I have been most blessed, but not a day goes by that I don't miss my dearest Harriet and her eternal smile. Thank God for the record of photography.

She was "Betty" to her family and pretty much to herself. Her grandmother was Harriet. I first knew her as Harriet and that was always the name of affection. And that is the way she signed letters and cards to me.

Celebration Time

It has been quite a week. Blood was drawn on Wednesday and all measures were good or a point or two off. The next day visit with my Internist was positive as he took good time to evaluate and converse with me. No sense of urgency. Today my youngest brother Lee turns 79 and a phone call this morning at breakfast with brother John was positive. Earlier in the week I was able to have a birthday dinner with my youngest (and oldest) daughter who also shares a birthday with her Uncle Lee. She turns 56. Son Willie and his wife Karyn are celebrating thier 22nd marriage anniversary. If my dear Betty was still living, on Monday we would celebrate 59 years of wedded bliss. Well, it was mostly bliss. I think of her often and there will be yellow roses in the Sanctuary tomorrow in her memory. I will take a bud or two to the crypt to share with her. She was passionate about flowers, and roses were special.

Short book

I've had a Border's gift card lying around for some months now and decided to go find out how much it was worth. Besides there was nothing lying around the house that I wanted to read. There wasn't a lot left over from the day I bought "Audacity of Hope" so I looked in the recent paper back section. There was "for one more day" by Mitch Albom. Since I had already read "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "Five People You Meet in Heaven", it was worth a try. About 200 short pages I have read it this afternoon. A good read about a guy who has a hard time reconciling time with both his father and his mother. Things get resolved as he is close to death. Albom apparently likes to deal with that subject. It is, however, a good read.

Spring is springing in Billings today with temps in the 60's, I see in the Huntington, WV paper that they are having heavy rains. Montana could certainly use that. Billings is nearly 2 inches below normal for the year.

Surprise, Surprise

I decided yesterday that I'd best get gsoline at $3.099 yesterday before it goes up again. At Costco with my AMEX card I save 9 cents: 3¢ at the pump and the additional ¢¢ at refund time next year. When I came home and began to update my expense program I referenced the grocery chrge to Quicken and then took the pump receipt. SURPRISE! It read 22.893 gallons of premium at $3.189 per gallon - $73.81. When I filled my tank the receipt was there already when I put away the hose. I thought then that that was quicker than usual. Obviously the guy before me had a bigger tank that my Accord and an engine that called for premium, and had left thr receipt. But, then, if I had let my tank go to near empty it would cost me over $40 to fill up. Guess that I won't be hitting the road anytime soon. Of course my charge will be on my AMEX account which I check fairly regularly to mke sure there are no strange charges.

March One

Yesterday was an interesting one. By noon the temperature was near mid-60's. By 3 o'clock when I was out shopping (and getting a tire repaired) the wind had come up and it was in the mid-40's. Nevertheless I would have to say that March has come in like a lamb. Not unusual for Billings. It may very well go out like a lion.

Pete, bless his heart, noticed that the tire was flat and took it off for me before I went to Tire-Rama. They had supposedly repaired it some weeks earlier. He was also a good help as we got ready to host the rest of the Billings family Saturday a.m. for sourdough waffles.

Another Church Dinner

I was sitting at home Saturday minding my own business when the phone rang and one of the long time members of the Church (is that better than saying "one of the older women"?) called and wondered if I was going to the "Sentimental Journey" dinner that evening. I had not planned to go for several reasons, but since she had "an extra ticket", and was encouraging me to join her, I decided "what he heck!" The dinner is an annual thing sponsored by one of the ladies Circles, and is usually pretty good. Last night it didn't meet expectations. Mostly vegetarian with a small piece of chicken. The Cauliflower and broccoli were all right, but nothing to write home about. The big mound of rice cried out for some picante or other sauce. I noticed that not much of it was eaten by anyone else at our table.

The entertainment was, however, worth it. The musicians took over and sang many of the old favorites of my generation: "I can't stop loving that man of mine", "Smoke get in you eyes", etc. And then the Choir Director (an old southern boy) came on an did an Elvis impersonation. "Hound Dog" was particularly good. And I got home in time for "Waiting for God", one of my favorite British comedies. I spent the rest of the evening with "Havana Bay" by Martin Cruz Smith.

Texas trip

I was going to say that it was a wild, whacky week-end, but that was way to much alliteration after "Texas trip." I'll just say it was great for most of us and glorious for the couple pictured here. I debated this trip for a time and suddenly realized that there would be several grandsons there I had not seen since Christmas 2004. As it turned out there was half of the dozen all there. Christopher, Stephanie, Jonathan, Nathan, Geoffrey, and Natalie. I have had a chance to see the other six in the last half year.

It was also good to meet most of Suzanne's family. We were all well treated. David and Suzanne took us all out to a pre-wedding dinner Friday night. Winona Dees (Suzanne's motherr) and sister Diane saw that there was an ample repast following the morning wedding. Sunday night I was able to take most of the grandchildren plus Cecilia out to dinner. Cec had rented a car with GPS so I rode out to the DFW airport with the NoDaks. Christopher is designated to get pictures from everyone so more will be available soon - or look of the Taylor Facebooks.

If it ain't one thing

it's another. Earlier this month I visited my Optician. He was concerned last year that I might be developing glaucoma. I was back this morning for a follow-up and an OptoMap of the retina. That and another test indicate there are some preliminary indications of the problem, including borderline pressure. I was given some drops to use at bedtime and scheduled for a followup visit at the end of the month. Again, I have a concerned doctor who wants to make sure that further change does not take place. No mention was made of the cataract.

I'll be busy tomorrow finishing up preparations for the trip to Denton and goingto the bank for travel funds and for a roll of the latest gold president dollar - Monroe

Activities

I sat and watched most of the Grammy Awards, etc. Sunday night. Since Grand Old Opry went away I've lost complete track of today's music and "country" singers. What the heck is "Rehab" all about? Then they went back to Gershwin. I don't belive that I have ever heard "Rhapsody in Blue" butchered so badly. Enough already. And 3 1/2 hours plus. They need to take some lessons from the Academy Awards.

Then on Monday afternoon I had a visit with Billings' finest Cardio Surgeon, Dr. Scott Milliken. We talked very frankly and at length about my failing aortic valve, and the possiblities of surgery. It was clear that the man had taken a long look at my extensive medical history. I've been seeing doctors at Billings Clinic since the Fall of 1961, and had have by-pass surgery twice. The final decision was up to me. "I'll would be honored to do your surgery" the man said. BUT it was clear to me that as long as I am able to function the same decision was made (by me) as was made in regard to knee replacement. Let's delay this until it is absolutely necessary, and even then it has already been a long and fruitful life. Taylor males don't typically live into their 80's.

And there IS family on the other side.

Confused?

Last post when I commented that I was "done" I simply meant to tell DD that I had finished the book she wanted next. Not that the Curmudgeon was through Blogging. I'm still sweating out the Turbo Tax thing. Every time I redo it I get different figures. Oh, well. It is still a couple of months to April 15, and I have a wedding to go to next week-end down in Texas. I'll try to update readers one what the heart surgeon has to day Monday afternoon.

Frigid here in Montana over the week-end with a promise of the mid-30's next week.

The Appeal

I'm done!

Reads

I finally finished Michael Gruber's "Valley of Bones" last night while keeping an eye on CNN for election results. I was also able to read the first chapter of "The Appeal" by John Grisham. The first book was very interesting with the story of a hillbilly girl who has more facets to her personality than seems possible; plus a PhD female with health problems who keeps putting off a visit to a doctor, and Detective Jimmy Paz, who has a strange Cuban mother. It turned out to be a good read. Grisham starts out as typical Grishman. I'll probably finish it before the week is out.

I got a kick out of the local Republican County Chairman who commented about how democracy was at work with the Montana Republican Caucus. Democracy?? Taking the vote away from the majority of the citizens. How does that add up to a truly democratic process? Thankfully us Democrats will have our regular Primary in June,.

New Book

I bought a copy of John Grisham's latest book - The Appeal - at Costco yesterday. When I went to add it to my Goodreads list as one to be read it did not appear in a search either of Goodreads or at Amazon. Today (Sunday) I listed "JohnGrishman" in Goodreads and the title still does not appear. I listed the title and it showed up among a long list of books with the word "appeal" in the title. I look forward to reading it as soon as I finish "Valley of Bones".

Otherwise Pete is busy getting dinner ready before he leaves to watch the Super Bowl with friends.

Tagged by Trudy

So!? Get the book that is closest to you and: Find page 123, Read the first 3 sentences and then post the next two. The books closest to this computer are a Schfield reference Bible, a copy of the NRSV of the Bible and the New Testament in the New English Bible edition. The passage on page 123 from Luke is the tale of the so-called Podigal Son. Sentences 4 and 5 read: "He had spent it all, when a severe famine fell upon that country and he began to feel the pinch. So he went and attached himself to one of the local landowners, who sent him on his farm to mind the pigs."

The earlier sentence says that he took his inheritance and went to "a distant country." You don't suppose that was Iowa do you? I have deep memories of driving past pig farms in that "far counrtry," having lived there for four years.

I really don't have anyone to tag.

Uncle Curmudge

Winners - Losers

Once again, you can't win them all. The Patriots won and the Pack lost. Oh, well! At least Eli Manning looked like a real quarterback. And Pete and I were able to watch in relative comfort indoors. Even so, we made it to a Church Pot Luck dinner and so missed the first half of the second game. AND it has been 0 degrees in Billings the last couple of days with our heaviest snow fall to date. I'm fortunate that Pete is here to take care of the shoveling.

We are now on Facebook as a Taylor Family group with 14-15 members so far including a number of grandchildren.

Good News and questionable

Exactly one month ago (12/17/07) I saw my cardiologist for a routine checkup. I suggested that I was having occasional angina and wondered if it might be related to the stenosis of my aortic valve. That condition has a long history. Dr. Dudczak suggested that we could schedule another Echo Gram and see if there was significant change. She also suggested that I might lose some weight. After all 175 on my 5"2" frame (if that tall) was a bit much. The good news is that this morning (one month later) I weighed in at 168.2. Still a ways to go, but cutting out the Fritos plus dip seems to be working.

The questionable news is the suggestion that sugery is indicated. Dr Barbara (she is also a twin) will be talking with other staff tomorrow and will get back to me next week. She showed me that the size of the aortic opening is about the size of the opening in a ball point pen where the "stem" comes through. It all means that after the pros make some decision I'll also have to be making one.

Jane Eyre

I didn't get turned on to the Bronte sisters when I was going to high school or college. The last couple of Sunday evenings I have watched the PBS Masterpiece Theatre production of "Jane Eyre". It was a good story and well done. Since it was four hours w/o any commercial breaks can I now list that in my "Good Reads"? Probably not, but I'm not likely now going out and hunt up more of the Bronte books. After all this way had a pretty girl to watch instead of a Sunday Night football game.

Of course, tonight will be a difficult TV choice. BCS Championship Bowl or CBS Monday night comedies?

West "By God" Virginia

At last a football game worth watching. The WV Mountaineers beat up big time on the Okies. The Sooners were listed as #3 in the final Bowl Champion Series ratings to West Virginia's #11. So much for computers. As a Marshall graduate it does not pain me at all that WVU did such a a great job in their 48-28 victory - and without Slayton. The Freshman, Noel Divine stepped in and did a great job. And in regard to the above phrase - West "By God" Virginia" - I heard it at least 3 times during the telecast. As one who regularly heard people in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Montana tell me that they had "a friend in Norfolk" or in "Richmond" and I had to remind them that I was from "West 'by God' Virginia." And while I have no desire to move back there, I've always been proud of the Mountaineers stance at the time of the Civil War, and I don't want people to think that I'm a Virginian.