I saw Mama kissing Santa Claus

I was serving as Interim Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Billings, MT, and the Choir Director and Organist were producing a Christmas play of sorts with the members of the Children's Choir. That was in December 1999. I was playing Santa Claus. What else is Santa to do when Mama shows up under the Christmas Tree? And, besides that, she was always ready for a kiss. And so was I.

I was stitting in Church Christmas Eve when a young lady came up behind me to wish me a Merry Christmas and then said that she had a picture for me. When she brought it back I was easily reminded of that happening - and one of the last things I remember her saying to me a year ago while she was in the hospital. At the end of a visitation I always kissed her with the promise to be back. Just a day or two before she died she said with some force: "Do you call that a kiss?" And then we did it right. Last year at the traditional New Year's Eve gathering at brother John's I clearly recall my feelings of loss. There was no one there for me to hug and kiss and wish a Happy New Year.

Real Money

Ever since the headlines declared that W would be asking the Congress for another 99 BILLION for the so-called war in Iraq an old phrase has been going through my mind. At first I was attributing it to Arthur Vandeberg late of the US Senate, but after a bit of research I find that it was allegedly a quote by Edward Dirksen, Senator from Illinois. "A billion here and a billion there and pretty soon you are talking about real money." Further search states that Dirksen never said it, but someone quoted him as the source. He told one reporter that he never remembered saying it, but that is sounded so good he never bothered denying it. Regardless of where the phrase came from it certainly rings true in ths time of Republican "rule". One can only trust that the incoming Congress will be much more judicious in spending my money.

It's Expensive

So much for the idea of possibly getting a new computer when Apple finally comes up with its new OS. The Water Heater developed a leak over the week-end and needed to be replaced. Since I didn't have any idea of where to turn off the water at the heater I turned off the water at the central valve. It is amazaing how much one depends on having a ready supply of water, not necessarily "hot" water. Being without leaves on in "hot water" with the dishes and dirty clothes piling up. I checked prices Sunday at Sears, Lowe's, and Home Depot and after talking with Pete about a friend of his who might get us a discount, I went with Home Deport with the promise of prompt installation. We did get lucky there. Monday morning the company who does their installation had a cancellation and I was able to contract the installation for Monday afternoon. Job accomplished with all of the required safety updates. The old heater was put in probably 18-20 years ago after a major leak with a flooded basement. This time the leak was a slow one and not much of a problem cleaning up. I guess that the thought of this kind of thing happening had been on my mind for sometime since the heater was getting along in years. My own joint fluids are giving me trouble as I get along in years. The final cost will be in the neighborhood of $800. So much for a new computer anytime soon.

Prsidential Liars

The other day I began to wonder what it is about the U.S. Presidency that causes the office holder to become a liar - at least a mis-informer. W has almost begun to tell the truth about Iraq after leading us into that mess with lies about WMD's. Bill Clinton became well known for his statement "I did not have sex with that woman." Southern boy believes that "sex" is coitus and not fellatio. Regan kept us in the dark about the Iran-Contra affair as long as he could. Even Eisenhower lied to the Russians about the over-flight of spy planes until one was brought down over Soviet territory. Do you suppose that we will every be able to elect a thoroughly honest person as President? Not that many of us ordinary citizens would meet that standard.

God's timing

Today is the one year anniversary of Betty's death. I keep wanting to say things like "passing", but let's face it, it was death. I had a giant poinsettia put on the Baptistry opening at Church in memory, and numerous of her friends commented on how beautiful is was and how they missed her. The Pastor spoke on the birth of John (the Baptist) and of how God acts in His own good time and not always in ways we understand. It made me think of Betty's sentence to me when I came home from Church a year ago: "Take me to the Clinic." She had not gone that day nor two or three Sunday's prior. I just thought she was having trouble with her leg and the ortho she had been wearing. The diagnosis that day was - leukemia. Room was made for her on the Cancer Ward and we made the decision to begin treatment. Little did I suspect that she had probably been developing this condition over a period of time. The 80th Birthday Celebration in early October did not portend such a problem. All of our Children were with us along with a number of grandchildren and brother John's family. Those from out of town had long since gone home. My perception of the Hospitalization changed today. What if she had died at home? We would have been pretty much alone,. As it was when she went into the Hospital the children began to come back - this time with spouses and grandchildren. A rich time of visitation went on for two weeks and when death came she was surrounded with family. God's timing was right. And there is at least some comfort in knowing that she did not die alone. The tears do not come as often as they once did, but the heart still feels its loss. TIME magazines recent article on the death of the spouse said that where there is true love over many years that grief is not as devastating. My own experience would attest to that, but I now know what Jake Otto meant when he told me time and again long after his wife had died: "I still miss her."

God

46 years ago I wrote the following poem. I didn't plan it or give it a lot of thought. It was one of those things that just "came to me". Today I shared it with my senior citizen friends at Church at our fairly regular last Thusday luncheon.

Advent I

GOD
Enmanned,
Is often more than I
can understand.
And, yet at Christmas
time each year the
beauty and the wonder
of His birth ignites
my heart and in that
Holy fire, once more,
I am a child myself
and do believe the
Mystery -- Emmanual!!
God with us!

JRT 11/29/1964

One More Tme

See below. I'm still learning this stuff.The guys are Caleb, Lukas and Zackary.

Readers All

I looked forward with some trepidtion to the anticipated visit of three young grandsons who were coming to visit the week of Thanksgiving. Life has been pretty quiet around here since this time last year while Betty was in the hospital and I was pretty much livng alone. Nothing to fear. As you can see they have been good citizens. Reading much of the time and helping their Uncle Pete clean up the leaves from the apple tree in the back yard. Caleb even produced his famous pasta dish for supper one night. Now they are out with their parents for lunch with an old college buddy of their Dad.

Now I'm looking for forward to Jimmy's family coming in tonight and Annie and family tomorrow. We'll have 19 for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Turkey Day 2006

Last year we had Thanksgiving dinner at my brother John's house with Jean and many of the family. My dear Betty kind of looked forward to that gathering, but she was in the hospital with advanced leukemia and died on Dec. 3rd. Son Jimmy was with us with his family from North Dakota and he died in August after a long battle with lung cancer. (A non-smoker.) This year I am blessed with the gathering and look forward to Jim's family along with 4 of my remaining 6 children and the families of those who are married: Annie and Bill from Ashland, MT with Andrew and Willie with Karyn and their three sons from Portland . Also Ken in from Helena and Pete who is now living with me. John and Jean will be represented with Mark and Rosanna and his son, Ambrose.

This past week while watching the food channel on how to deal with the Turkey I noticed the use of a meat thermometer which can be inserted in the meat and the "read-out" on the outside of the oven. So today I went shopping and got one. That means I won't have to be opening the grill and letting out the heat from time to time. Yes, that's right. I said "grill". Two years ago I cooked the bird outside while the oven was used for other preparations, and it was well received. With 19 people expected - mostly adults - I have a 23 pound turkey not thawing in the fridge. I've read that it takes 24 hours per 5 lbs for the bird to thaw,. That means it should be ready for preparation on Wednesday and then to the grill on Thursday while the visiting ladies take their turn in the kitchen. It should be a glorious reunion with a touch of sadness.

Peace!

OOPS!

Yesterday I tried to share a list of things I have done in life. The idea first came from a blogging neice. Unfortnately the items which I had bold faced on my original list did not show up as BF in the blog. So - it has been deleted.

Another problem in my life has arisen. My MasterCard account has been delivered to Bank of America and I cannot any longer access it. That means I'll have to be sure to send them a check when the statement comes. AND the card will no longer be used. I certainly do not like the games some of these outfits play.

j curmudge

Genetics at work

So much for IQ tests. Three of my children have taken the test spoken of below, and all three have higher scores than mine. The all have that extra X Chromozone from thier Mom. I was particulary taken with the notice that the daughter scored well in the Math area since her mother was a Math student in college.

IQ Tests

Yesterday as I read some familiar comics in the Houston Chronicle I noticed a tag that promised a FREE IQ score. I went to it and it was page after page. When I got to the familiar pictures and which one came next, etc. I went quickly and got it over with. That only partially explains the results which are:


Your IQ score is:
You scored 118 on Tickle's IQ test.

There's more to intelligence than a single number, a single score or a single label. Tickle uses four distinguishable Intelligence Scales in the Ultimate IQ Test. By analyzing your individual scores on those four scales, we are able to look beyond the raw IQ score into how you process information and thereby determine your Intellectual Type.
How do you relate to other IQ test takers?

Your Intellectual Type Is: Word Warrior
You are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level. These talents make you a Word Warrior.

Whether or not you recognize it, your vocabulary is your strongest suit—use it whenever you can. Since your command of words is so great, you are also a terrific communicator — able to articulate big ideas to just about anyone. Your wordsmithing prowess will also help in artistic and creative pursuits. The power of words translates to fresh ideas off paper too. Since you have so many words at your disposal, you are in a unique position to describe things in an original way, as well as see the future in your mind's eye. In short, your strengths allow you to be a visionary — able to extrapolate and come up with a multitude of fresh ideas. And you are in good company — bask in the brilliance of Word Warriors who have walked before you. William Shakespeare let loose the power of his pen. His ability to articulate the most subtle nuances of human nature and to create colorful characters are why his stories still have a major impact — even 400 years after he first wrote them. Whether you put pen to paper or use your understanding of the words around you to come up with creative approaches to problems, your potential as a Word Warrior is terrific.

The Cookie thing

You Are a Fortune Cookie

You're a rather normal person, except that you have extraordinary luck in life. People want to be around you (even when they're a little sick of you), in hopes of being lucky too!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

The program said to copy this and post it. Maybe the "nuts" won't show, but th words are there.

JRT

Musings

So, last night after my typical 1 1/2 hours of 5-6:30 TV with the news and Jeopardy I turned to FOX-TV to watch the World Series. Rain Delay. I read some in the latest issue of TIME and turned the TV back on to watch the game. Rain Delay. The Weather Channel made it look as if it would be more than a delay. I came downstairs to the MAC to write up the minutes of an afternoon meeting of the Peace Studies Executive Committee. It is always easier to interpret my “scratches” if done soon. Back up to the TV and there is regular programming. A good chance to finish Bob Woodward’s “State of Denial”. I’ve been reading it since the beginning of the month. Finished. Now there will be time to get at Grisham’s latest which I got from some birthday money.

At some point yesterday there was a call from my Doctor assuring me that the sonogram of my aorta showed no change in the small aneurysm first discovered 4-5 years ago. Now the only medical thing I have on the horizon is to check in with the surgeon who placed a couple of stents near the end of September. I see him Nov. 13th. Then it is time to get ready for Thanksgiving here with about 20 relatives.

Thanks to philippaalan

***You Have Your Sarcastic Moments***


While you're not sarcastic at all times, you definitely have a cynical edge.
In your opinion, not all people are annoying. Some are dead!
And although you do have your genuine moments, you can't help getting your zingers in.
Some people might be a little hurt by your sarcasm, but it's more likely they think you're hilarious.


How Sarcastic Are You?
http://www.blogthings.com/howsarcasticareyouquiz/

The Birthday Boys

We had a great time Saturday night with the rest of the local Taylors plus a Meeker: John and Jean, Jim w/ Pete, Mark and Rosanna, Ambrose, and Dennis and Lisa Meeker. Dinner at one of our finer restaurants courtesy Mark and Rosanna, and dessert later to John and Jean's: berry pie and chocalate cake. We, of course, missed Betty who would have been 81 today. Lisa had just turned 49 on Columbus Day (the real one), and Pete turns 45 on the 26th. He plans to play all of his old 45's at a party just as he played his 33's 12 years ago.

Blessings to all for your remembrances

Friday the 13th

Somehow or other I fell for the Google thing and it remains to be seen if I stay. I got an e-mail from them asking me to respond if I wanted to stay. I didn't respond, but the thing still required me today to sign in to Google. We'll see!

It's a beautiful day here in Billings, MT. Tonight is the annual Democrat Steak Fry at a new location. There will probably be a big crowd as most local and State candidates will be there as well as the Party faithful and the usual "hangers-on". Last night I went to a Church function to discuss a new set of by-laws. They seem to do the job pretty well, but spend a lot of words talking about how we will go about reconciling friction. "Do unto others . . . " seems to be to weak. At least the document requires a 2/3ds vote of those present and voting to change any denominational affiliation. I guess I'd rather it was set a 3/4ths, but there is probably little danger of First Baptst ever leaving the ABCUSA. At least I won't be around. In a couple of days I turn 82 which is really old age for a Taylor male.

Saw a cardiologist the other day and he suggested increasing my Lipitor from 40 mg to 80 mg per day, and to come back in 6 weeks. A date was set and I find that I am scheduled to see the Surgeon who dd the stents a couple of weeks ago on the very next day. I'll cancel the Cardiologist, as it seems a bit ridiculous to be seeing so many doctors back to back. I have an appointment with my Internist (annual visit) next week.

So much for "musing"

Comment

Growing older certainly is interesting. Last night I had dinner with a couple of former Rocky students who entered the College the same year that I went to work there - Fall 1961. He majored in Business and made his “fortune” in the market while working in the Twin Cities. At this time he is back in Billings and teaches a course on investing at RMC. Both are in their early 60’s. It was great fun talking over old times. Sunday morning if read with sadness of the death of a former student who died in an accident when she apparently overcorrected and rolled her car on a highway just north of Billings. Punky (Marianne) Wesbrook was 61. I remember her as an accomplished pianist who studied with Jean Lawson back in the early 60’s. The point is that I am 20 plus years older than these students, but they are also at retirement age - or close thereto. I guess that one just has to get use to the fact that “young” people do pass on while some of us are stll “hanging on.”

Party Time

This weekend last year we were all looking forward to a big family party celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. It all started when Paul and Louise wrote that they would be coming to Billings to celebrate their 10th Wedding anniversary and Louise's birthday. The next thing we knew as that Willie was also planning to come. Jim and family would be here as their 20th Anniversary was also in October. Ann and Bill would come as many of the rest would be here as would Ken. They are all in Montana already. Since all of the rest were coming I made it possible for David to come as well That way all of the kids would be here for their mother's 80th birthday. In less than two months time she passed away from acute leukemia and septic shock. Ten months later Jimmy would succumb to lung cancer which he had fought for a long time. My memories remain deep for the good times we had and the fact that all could be together for that one last time. With us as well as our kids were all of twin brother John's family with their daughter Lisa also having an October birthday. Louise's parents also came up from Colorado. It was a time of great celebration. Let's see: Birthdays; Louise, Cecilia, Lisa, John, James R., and Pete. Anniversaries: Paul and Louise (10), and Jim and Cec (20). What a great time!

What a week!

It has been an interesting few days this week. I’m copying some e-mails which tell the story better than I could just blogging.

September 25, 2006

Dad had a heart attack this afternoon. He is doing well as is at Billings Clinic Room 2204 ATU. There was some blockage in the grafts from the by-pass surgery. They put in a couple of stents and he is doing well. He has good color as was talking to us before we left. He'll be in for a couple of days
He had gone shopping this afternoon and a had little pain and thought it was gas since he had just eaten. KMart was having a sale on soda so he was hoping to get some but they were out  so he went to Target . The pain wasn't getting better so he went home. When it still didn't pass he called 911. Before he knew it there was a fire truck  at the house followed by an ambulance. I was at a movie,  So up until I got home it was a normal Monday.
The neighbor motioned to me when I pull up the street and told me that the grandfather who lived in that house had a heart attack. I said, "you mean my Dad!?" " He wanted to let you know was a Deaconess"  The calm in her voice told me that Dad had talked to her so I wasn't in a panic. I just went in the house grabbed my cell phone and went to the hospital.
Please keep Dad in your prayers

Pete (Son)

September 26:

Your dad does indeed look good. When I arrived, he was sitting in his chair watching TV. He was unplugged from the monitors around the bed and they had him hooked up to a radio telemetry gizmo that he had stuffed into the pocket on his gown. This allows him to walk around freely while they monitor him remotely. He had still not seen the surgeon, so no decision had been made with respect to a time for release. He looked ready to go home, as far as I could see, but the hospital was being cautious. From what he told me, your dad was not feeling any significant discomfort from the procedure, and he was probably feeling better than before because he is now getting better circulation to his heart.


Mark Taylor (Nephew)

Hi Everybody,
 
We just got back from Billings and a visit with Dad.  He seemed in good spirits and not incapacitated at all.  In fact before we left he was yawning and I said "You look like you could use a good nap."  He replied that with not much to do but walk around and lie in bed it was pretty boring.  Sounds good to me.  Can't be bored if you're in pain.  
 
Anyway, I called the hospital as soon as we got home to see if he's getting out tonight because when we left he wasn't sure.  He said they decided that they would keep him overnight for "some reason," but he will be going home tomorrow morning.   He said to be sure to tell everyone that he is all right. 
 
EVERYONE, DAD'S ALL RIGHT! (add as many Praise Gods or Hallelujahs as you want)
 
Love always, Annie (daughter)

Finally got the doctors at the Clinic to release me this morning.   Blood pressure, heart rate, etc. were all in good order.  The Emergency people took good care of me and so far I am walking without  any angina.  The surgeon is muttering something about an enlarged  opening in the Aortic valve.  I am to see Dr. Zirpoli in about a  month to discuss that situation.  Last December Dr. Burg, my cardiologist since retired, didn't think it was bad enough that  surgery would be needed at my age - soon to be 82.  We'll see.  I 
certainly want to get the best input possible before going back to the hospital.

I want to thank all for the telephone calls, the e-mail notes, the prayers, and the good thoughts.  I am particularly in debt to Pete for handling things so well.

Love to all,  Jim, Dad, Grandfather, etc.