DEJA VU all over again!

We had a glorious week-end with family visiting both from North Dakota and from Montana. The NoDaks came in around 9 o'clock Friday night so we caught up a little before bedtime. Ice Cream and Pete's cookies were well received. On Saturday Annie and Bill come over and we planned to go to Jake's for dinner. Andrew was expected. His parents went a bit early to stop by John's and Jean's to pick up an old photograph John called about. Turned out to be a copy of a Christmas Card Betty and I had sent out from our days in Davenport, IA. I had superimposed head shots of Ken, Ann and Jimmy on a picture of a coal fired train engine I had taken earlier. It probably dates from 1953 or '54. Andrew came in from Bozeman just as the rest of us were leaving the house. Good timing!

Anyway, Sunday afternoon after Church we were all sitting around the front room and the second and third generation adults and grown children were deep in memories as I sat and listened. All of a sudden in seemed to me that I was the kid again back at Grandfather Taylor's listening to all of my Uncles and Aunts in conversation about their past history and present activities. And then today in the comic strip "For Better or Worse" it all came back again. April, the teen aged daughter is asked to sit at the kitchen table with the young children since there isn't enough room at the table in the dining room and the children need someone to watch over them. As she listens to the "yackty-Yack" from the adults she mutters to herself - "Bonus". No that I felt than my hard-of-hearing was any sort of bonus yesterday. It was simply great having them all present and enjoying their "catching-up".

And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

He's back!

It's been a long time since you found me here. Not much happening. Life is not dull, but not much happening. For the last few weeks I've been going to Choir practice to help our Choir in its production of "The Birthday of the King". It was not exactly a cantata since there were many speaking parts of Bibilical chracters between numbers, and there were many more solos than Choir selections. We produced it Friday night to a big audiance and Sunday evening to a full house. It was a challenge since I stopped regular choir participation when I turned 80. (Well, after all practice was on Wednesday nights, but so was "The West Wing.") I went back after Betty's death, but some of the numbers were much to much so I stopped again.

I saw my Cardiologist yesterday. She suggested that I might feel better if I lost some weight. I found it hard to believe that I had topped 173. We've scheduled a follow up echo cardiogram for January to see if there has been any major change in the stenosis of the aortic valve. Otherwise the visit was fairly uneventful.

Jimmy's family will be coming in from Dickinson late Friday for a week-end visit. We'll have dinner at Jake's with Pete as our waiter. There will be 7 of us: myself, Cec, Jonathan, Natalie, Ann, Bill and Andrew. I'm truly looking forward to this time even if I'll have to order lightly.

That's probably it until after Christmas.

Fiesta Time

It is in the holiday-fiesta period at Rocky Mountain College. A couple of weeks ago I attended the Annual Thanksgiving meal with the price of admission some nonperishable food for the area Food Bank. Tonight it is the Annual Yule Log Dinner. When we first came here there was a real yule log fire, Cliff Clark as Santa, and the singing of carols. Lately it has been the dinner along with some theatrics by the drama people. I plan to be there. At least its a chance for a balanced dinner for a widower.

Last night Pete (son) and I went to the Annual RMC Choir program of Lessons and Carols. Various students and staff members read from the Bible stories of prophecy and anticipation, and the Choir and other members of the Music Department perform. The First Presbyterian Church was packed for the 3 o'clock performance, and it is probably the largest church auditorium in town. One family said that they had come in the afternoon this year because the evening is "so packed." I've been many times, but not at the 7 o*clock. This year there was more instrumental music than in previous years. On the last number the congregation joined in singing "O Come, All Ye Faithful." When the Soprano's came in on the high notes at the end of each chorus it was thrilling to these old ears.

I had checked the list of choir members in the program. Fifty-six in all. One name I recognized as the last name of students who were enrolled while I was still on staff. After the program I approached a young lady and told her how good the concert had been and said that I recognized one name in the Choir. Surprise, Surprise. She turned out to be the one. She was not, however related to the previous students even though she was from the same town in Montana.

Good eats

Got this from a Blogger who I check regularly. It's a Montana Omelette. I drool,but do not indulge. After all those aren't Egg Beaters. I was thinking of lunch today, and the universal PBJ came to mind. After all, there is grape and strawberry jelly in the fridge. I've eaten peanut butter with a lot of toppings. Pickles, banana, etc. And then I though of the small sandwich grill sitting on the stove and remembered a Mr. Food item from several years ago. "Are there any marshmallows around?" And there they were. A few small ones in a nearly empty bag. Why not? A grilled peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich. It was delicious. And, Phillipa, the Skippy has palm oil not soy.

Celtic Woman

Such beautiful women and such beautiful music, and to think I almost missed it being sold on football as we get close to the end of the season. And it was good to watch as the Mountaineers of West Virginia beat up on UConn. WVa will probably be listed at the top or second in the BCS poll this week. But then I turned to PBS to watch my Saturday Britsh shows, and there they were with a Christmas special. Of course PBS was in its fund raising mode, but the "commercial" segments weren't so bad when one waited for the music. As well as the singers there was the lovely blond violinist whose sound and technique were excellent. And now they closd with a novel presentation of "Let it Snow." And the concert ends with a well deserved standing O.

Thanksgiving 2007

The Taylor's of Montana had our annual Thanksgiving Dinner this year at brother John's. Rosanna (their daughter-in-law) was, I understand, a big help. Ken brought the sweet potatoes down from Helena; Annie brought pies over from Ashland, MT; I brought mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce; and Pete made gravy and took along his apple crisps. The turkey and other trimmings were provided by the host family. We've been doing this since 1961 with alternating years between John & Jean and Betty and me. Often the NoDaks are with us, but this year conflicts entered the picture and they couldn't make it. Of course Betty and Jimmy were with us in spirit only both having died. Betty in December 2005, and Jimmy in August 2006. The last time all of my children were together was at Jimmy's funeral. The above picture shows my current family who were with us this year - including my grand daughter, Stephanie with her husband (the tall one) John Huss. I'll likely see them again in February when I go down to Texas for David's marriage to Suzanne, who will become Steph's step mother. We missed the Oregon crew, but I did get to visit with them over Labor Day. Family is wonderful, and I give thanks regularly for them all.

Weather Report

Had a new experience today. I was sitting in my car waiting for the traffic light to change and was suddenly aware that my car was shaking. The wind was that strong. The large flags at Perkin's and at a used car dealer were straight out, and stuff was blowing all over the place, Our apple tree still has lots of apples on it, but many are now on the ground. The ones still up are essentially bird food now. I guess one should not be to surprised about a shaking sedan. The local news yesterday showed an 18 wheeler blown over on I 90 near Livingston. Cross winds in that area can be truly fierce.

While I was out shopping at Costco I found a new John Grisham -- Playing for Pizza. He labels it a Novel and not Mystery. It seems that Grisham is in this mode after A Painted House, and Skipping Christmas

O.K. Here's a Muse!

i was writing to family the other day and commented on our kids. Somehow or other i used the phrase “my kids”. This didn’t sound quite right. They are mine, but they are also their mother’s even though she is now dead. I have wrestled with this format before and have now decided that they are “our kids”,. when I really think about it she probably had more to do with their upbringing than I did,. She was a stay-at-home mom until Pete was in the sixth grade. I was on the road a lot for the college and then on the Board of the American Baptist Churches.

Another thought has insinuated itself recently. I have often commented on how much I miss my love. Recent thoughts about how the Bible talks about what people are doing in heaven around the heavenly throne have caused me to wonder: does she miss me? Some how that answer will have to wait. And I am sure she is not alone. She’s finally met her in-laws, shares with her own father and mother, and she now is with Jimmy and knows our twins who died at birth.

My God indeed bless us all wherever we might be.

follow up

Some how or other this did not get published couple of weeks ago when I first wrote it - 10/28/07. For what it's worth here it is now,


There isn't really much to say about last Friday's Post. I made four loaves of bread and took a couple over to brother John's to share with him and Jean and with Mark and Rosanna. The Saturday breakfast is always a good occasion. The breakfast on Thusday was also interesting. I first met Linaya Leaf in the Fall of 1990 when she came on staff at RMC. She is a graduate of Linfield College and was raised in the Swedish Baptist Church - a part of Northern Baptist when we still went by that name as a denomination. She has her PhD from U. Oregon and teaches English and Theatre at Rocky. She regularly tells the story of how I invited her to Church and told her that I would meet her "out front". We both had scrambled eggs and french toast. She found it hard to believe that I could drink my coffee black. "You're certainly not Swedish." Actually, as I told her, she is young enough to be a daughter - 63 last summer. She was raised pretty much in Beaverton, OR and graduated from high school there. Her father was a lawyer, and was very interested in seeing that his grandson, Aaron, became a lawyer. Some one would be needed to look after the real estate holdings in the Seattle area.

Shopping

I decided last night that I should someway use my two cup sourdough starter since it had been a long time sitting in the fridge. If I was to make bread I needed to check to see that I had yeast, etc. Nope! Had to go to the store. Couldn't find my warm jacket since the temp was in the mid-40's. Not downstairs. Maybe I left it at Rocky Wednesday since I was at a meeting there on Wednesday night. Nope, I had worn it to Choir practice Wednesday night. Maybe there? Then, again, did I wear it Thursday morning on the way to breakfast with Linaya. (More about that later.) We went to Stella's not having been to her "new" place since she moved. I checked at Church since it is always nice to have a chat with Robin, the Secretary. She was my gal Friday for the 20 months I was Interim there. No Jacket. I went on down to Stella's and there it was. It is a jacket Jimmie gave me when he was working on the oil fields. I'd hate to lose it.

Anyway, back to shopping. I stopped by the IGA and all I saw going into the store were middle aged and older ladies. When I got inside there were a few men who appeared to be husbands along with their wives. Those were the day! Now I have to do it all myself - in what seems to be "ladies land". Well, us guys have to eat also.

Confused Republicans

"Romney also said he made a slip of the tongue Tuesday when he accused Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, instead of Osama bin Laden, of urging terrorists to congregate in Iraq."

The next thing we know he will be confusing Joseph Smith with Jesus Christ.

You Can Win Some

The last major post on this site was a couple of weeks ago when I suggested that one can't win them all. It's still true. While Marshall is still losing (last nigh to Southern Mississippi), and Rocky Mountain College lost for the umpteenth time against the Butte Miners - The Red Sox came back from a 3-2 deficit to win the American League championship. The Patriots won and Denver won on a last second field goal - actually there were 2 seconds left on the clock. So!! You can win some.

The past week-end was also a winner when a host of RMC students of the 1970's returned to campus for reunion. I found that hose cute chicks of the 70's that I wouldn't dare have touched are now ready to give the old man a hug. And I have some suspicion that I've always been an old man to them. "Why, Professor Taylor, you haven't changed a bit." Oh? Did I always look like I was 83? It was great to be with them again, and I actually recognized some of them without checking the name tag.

That's not a CFL above

Pedro got me on this one. Not enough electricity to even light a nightlight.

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Surprise

I would never have guessed that I was almost a blogging addict.

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Winners?

Well, you can't win them all. My Alma Mater, Marshall University (then College) can't win any of them. I was waching them take on Memphis the other night (also a non-winner), and it was not difficult to understand why Marshall is 0-5 for the season. Their Center can't do his job, and various linemen have visions of glory. For example, on one play the guy had a fumble right under him and instead of falling on it he tried to pick it up. Memphis got the ball back. The game was so poorly played that I turned the TV off and finished Volume 7 of the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling IS a winner. And two out of three of my favorites won their first play-off game in baseball yesterday: The Rockies and Boston. Now if the Yanks can lose today it won't be a bad start to the Play-offs.

Great Week-end

What a good few days it has been. After my visit to Oregon the last week of August and first of September to visit my two sons, their wives and sons (5 of the latter), I was privileged to have my oldest son and my only daughter visiting this past week-end - the end of September. And yesterday I had to good fortune to have breakfast with my twin brother, his wife, two of their three children and spouses. This morning at Church it was good to sit between Annie and Pete and to join both in singing. And as well as that my good friend from Rocky's facuty was back after a two week absence due to an appendectomy. It was good to see her doing well. Last night (Saturday) I went to the annual Democrat Steak Fry and saw a number of friends, left early with some left over steak and came home to find that Annie had returned from her Librarian Conference and was able to satisfy her hunger at least in part. Tonight (Sunday) Pete brought home some rib-eye, he bar-b-q'd it and we had baked beans and salad and a good wine for supper with Ken providing the wine. It is heartening to have a large family all of whom love each other. PEACE TO ALL.

Real Age

I recently took the RealAge quiz. Turns out that I am 90.9 years old as I turn 83 next month. There are things I am doing right, and a long list of things I could be doing better. For example: they think my med use is wrong. So what are my docs doing? And with a tendancy to angina my exercise program ain’t going anywhere or I might not make it even to 85. Guess I could eat more fish.

Things about life style that make you younger

Good sleep levels
Limited or no secondhand smoke exposure
Parents relationship
Daily vitamin
Pneumonia vaccination
Healthy resting heart rate
No drinking and driving
Folic acid intake
Good oral hygiene
Education level
Safe driving speeds
Vehicle size
No lower body disability
Safety belt or airbag usage
Daily aspirin use
Ex-smoker
Daily breakfast
Ideal blood pressure
Diverse diet
Calcium intake
Vitamin E intake

Most of these make your RealAge older!

Lycopene levels
Low fruit servings
Low unsaturated fat
Lack of flexibility exercises
Heart attack
Flossing habits
Potassium levels
Low grain intake
Low vegetable intake
Low omega-3 intake
Strength training level
High BMI
Workout schedule
Vitamin C intake
Medication use
High red meat intake

Nerd Test

O.K. So I took the thing againN. Let's see what it says. Incidently the picture was drawn by the Rev. Dr. Roland Bainton, a well known thelogiann of the mid to late 1900's on a visit to Rocky Mountain College.

You Nerd

Having nothing more to do at the present I took the Nerd Test. I then outlined the code which would copy the results to my Blog, but forgot to hit "copy". I'm not about to do the thing over, but I tuned out to be a Literature Nerd. The test is Nerdish. It made no effort to believe that a widower would be taking it. Or a retiree.

Actually I guess I am a Lit Nerd. I read Volumes 3 and 4 and most of 5 of the Harry Potter series while in Oregon. Finished 5 at home and finished 6 last night before going to bed. I'm looking forward to 7 next week.

It is cool in Billings today. When I got up around 6:30 this morning the furnace was going. We had nearly an inch of rain yesterday afternoon and evening. Most welcome!

Trip West

The last week of August and the first week of September I was priviledged to visit my two sons in Oregon, their wives and 5 grandsons. It was a great visit and except for a couple of nights out for dinner and a Saturday morning soccer game I did little but read volumens 4 and 5 of the Harry Potter series. The first dinner was with Paul and Louise at the McGrath Fish House in Beaverton, and the second dinner was with Will, Karyn, Caleb, Luke, and Zack at the Spaghetti House in Portland. I had eaten there several years ago at Brandon's high school graduation. The Soccer match included the twins, Lukas and Zackary. Their team won 3-2.

On Saturday before Labor Day Paul and Louise took me into Washington to view Mt. St. Helens. Larry went with us, and it was good to have a chance to catch up with his doings. I encourage him to start a blog about his studies and plans. The picture, of course, is of St. Helens with some evidence of steam as it continues to be active. My first experience of this volcano was years ago when it was first threatening to erupt. I was visiting a niece in Salem at the time. She was in Law School then. The eruption occured shortly after I got home and it left its trail of dust all over Billings, some 600 miles away.

Someone at Church yesterday asked me if I had driven to Portland. I assured her that I had not. Horizon Airlines flies non-stop between Billings and Portland and it was an uneventful flight both ways. On the way home it appeared that there had been fairly heavy snow in the mountains in Idaho. Saturday night it got to the low 40's in Billings and the furnace was running Sunday a.m. when I got up. It is supposed to warm up some later this week. It is good to be home.