Minnie Pearl and Friends

Spring Break 2008 has been great so far. Although our plans to travel to the Big Apple were nipped in the bud (cash flow problem), we decided to get in the trusty Toyota and head up the road to Nashville. Neither of us had ever been, but we researched it before leaving town Monday morning and felt pretty comfortable about our visit.

It was dark when we arrived, and since we were tired after seven hours in the car, we decided to grab a bite to eat and check into the hotel. The next morning we were up early, ready to go and do the tourist thing. First on the agenda was securing tickets for the Grand Ole Opry. After all, how can a person go to Nashville without visiting that legendary site?

Tickets secured, we signed up for a Grayline tour of the city, and thanks to our driver, it was both fun and informative. Among other things, we learned that Minnie Pearl earned two college degrees, Alan Jackson used to deliver mail to Opry performers, Porter Wagoner was a chronic insomniac who often slept only two hours per night, and printing and publishing is the #1 business in Nashville. We did other typical day-tripper things like shopping and eating out (even at 11:00 at night…a big deal for us small town residents). We did a little shopping. DH found a Bass Pro Shop, and I found a marvelous mall. Someone recommended that we tour the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, and thinking that’d we be in and out in fifteen minutes, we decided to sandwich it in. We emerged 55 minutes later, agog at the foliage, waterfalls, restaurants, atriums, conservatory, and ballrooms that we’d seen.

Because it was a Tuesday night, the Opry singers and musicians weren’t big names like Loretta Lynn or Lorrie Morgan; they had been there the previous weekend. In fact, there were no female performers at all on Tuesday, but the men who were there were all talented and well worth the admission price. My personal favorites were Little Jimmy Dickens (quite amusing) and Chuck Wicks (eye candy as my friend Dorothy would have said). Until this week, I didn’t know that the Grand Ole Opry was actually a radio show that’s broadcast three nights a week from Nashville on an AM radio station known as WSM (650 on the dial, I think). Since it’s actually a radio show, the performances from the Opry house are interspersed with commercials from sponsors such as the Cracker Barrel and Humana.

The most important thing I brought home from the trip was the sure knowledge that these singers, song writers, musicians, and other performers are using their God-given gifts and that they work hard, very hard, to hone their craft(s) and entertain their fans. Before our visit to Nashville, I never thought that much about Vince Gill, Roy Acuff, or Tammy Wynette. Thanks to our trip up the road, now I have an increased appreciation of these country greats. I can’t get Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” or her untimely death out of my mind. And just so you’ll know, we listened to 650 AM all the way back to SC

Reviewer or Critic?

Last week I learned that someone had written a review on my book, and it made me so happy that I wanted to do the same for someone else, pay it forward so to speak. It was easy. All I did was go to Amazon.com, find her book (Getting Maisie Married by Martha Alston), and write the review. Not too long, not too short, just right. In fact, Amazon provides guidelines that are quite helpful. It was fun and rewarding so I decided to write a few more.

Where have I been???? Seems like everyone and her sister have been in on the bandwagon except for me. My elation soon turned to sadness, however, as I read so many negative comments by readers across America. By negative, I really mean hateful, cruel, cutting, stinging, caustic, and acerbic. What would prompt a person to be so brutally vindictive towards a fellow human being?

Yes, I’ve read books that were poorly written, had no plot, were “simple,” or sophomoric, and yet I never felt compelled to berate the author or his creation in front of the world. What’s the point of that? To make oneself feel superior? To gain respect? To wound the author? To me, reviewer and critic are different terms with different meanings.  

My sweet momma always told me not to say anything unless I could say something nice, and I try (with limited success) to follow her advice. Like all mortals, I slip and fall…usually quite often And doesn’t the Bible warn us repeatedly of the power of words?

So what’s up with these mean comments? Maybe I’m looking at this all wrong. If so, please straight me out. In the meantime, I’m going to put even more effort into speaking and writing kind words. Will you join me?

Wedding Pictures

The wedding and reception are behind us, and the groom’s mother (yours truly) is busily back into the routine of daily life. It’s hard to believe that nearly a week has passed since the BIG DAY and that I haven’t posted a word or photo on my blog. The word is “beautiful,” and the photos are too numerous to post. However, I’ve culled through the dozens from the rehearsal, wedding, and reception (seems like everyone had a camera), and here are six of my favorites.

The first is of the newly married couple as they walked outside of the temple as man and wife. I have tons (or so it seems) of posed, smiling shots, but I especially like this one since it captures them in a more natural moment. Although you can’t see it, they’re holding hands, and I hope they continue doing that throughout their lives.

The second is Brooke and Braden, two of my precious grandchildren. If you’re puzzled at why it’s a favorite, take a closer look at his dimples and her fetching smile as they sit patiently waiting for the next happening of the day. And do I really need to explain why the picture of Baby Emma sitting contentedly in the bed of yellow pansies is so special?

The fourth is a favorite because of the sweet grandmothers who make me think of bookends holding the family together and up. Decked out in their pretty aqua attire, they’re at the far ends of each family represented, and yet if not for them, no one else would even be in the picture…nor would there have been a wedding that morning, at least not of Paul and Amanda. Families are important, and these grandmothers are grand.

The fifth photograph in this particular series is of the newlyweds as they left the reception surrounded by bubble-blowing friends and family, a crowd of well wishers who sent the lovebirds off with hugs and fond farewells. I hope they’ll always be surrounded with such love and support. The last shot was taken the next morning shortly before they flew off to Cozumel for a honeymoon, the first of many trips and adventures they will share.

  

Lessons from Steve and Billy

When visiting “Perfectly Blended,” the other day, I came across a great quote by Steve Jobs and promptly copied and pasted it on the shrinkrapping blog that we started at the college. My hope was that students and other interested readers would be prompted to more fully embrace life and go after their dreams regardless of cost or consequence. Here’s the quote:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
~Steve Jobs

This morning I listened to The Preacher and the Presidents on CD, a neat and efficient way to “read” books while I’m driving, driving, driving to and from work. I’m enjoying learning more about this phenomenal evangelist and man of God. The young Graham started out at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC but didn’t stay there too long. While he was always upright, he was never self-righteous, and the overly strict rules were too much for him to adhere to. For instance, he said that even after a person got permission to date another, the couple couldn’t even sit on the same sofa. When the young student decided to transfer to a college in Florida, he went to see Dr. Jones to tell him of his plans. Surprisingly, Dr. Jones told Billy Graham that he was a failure and that he’d never amount to anything! Despite feelilng dejected, the future evangelist was  resolute in his decision and left for Florida.

When I heard that, I had to go back to the beginning of the track to make sure I’d heard correctly. Billy Graham a failure???? I’m just glad that he didn’t listen to the stinging, cruel words of the college founder and president. If he had, just think what kings, presidents, and the rest of us would have missed out on.

While we can’t all be Billy Graham, we can all follow his example and have the courage and boldness to follow our dreams despite the naysayers in our lives. It’s YOUR life, not your mother’s, your friend’s, your spouse’s, or your children’s. LIVE it.

Wedding Weekend

The BIG weekend is upon us.  My son Paul is getting married tomorrow, and my thoughts are consumed with it, “it” being the wedding itself and all of the related events and people. Will my other children arrive at the rehearsal dinner on time as they travel from distant locations ?  Will Amanda’s family find the restaurant without a hitch? Will everyone like the cuisine and the little program that we have planned? And what about tomorrow? Will the rain hold off, or will there be a deluge right before the ceremony? Later at the reception, will everyone have fun as friends and family unite to dance, chat, laugh, and of course eat the carefully selected food? Sure hope so.

At the moment, I’m trying to think of just the right words to say to the young couple at the rehearsal dinner tonight as their immediate families unite to commemorate the marriage of these two special (understatement) young people. I don’t want to drone on and on and give a lecture. Nor do I want to say something trite like, “Have a great life!” As the mother of the groom, I feel that I need to do a little better than that.

So here’s my plan. I’m going to begin by telling that they’re in the midst of a circle of people who love them and who are there to support them. They probably already know this, and yet….Then I plan read parts of a prayer that I absolutely LOVE by Marianne Williamson entitled “A Prayer for Couples.” It’s too lengthy to read all of it, and I’m afraid the guests would drift off if I read it all; besides, so far I haven’t been able to read it aloud without crying, and Paul would be mortified if his mother started the water works. Finally, I’m going to remind them of one my favorite scriptures Alma 37:37 (Counsel with the Lord in al thy doings, and he will direct thee for good….”).

Here’s one part of the prayer that I’m going to include:

“May this relationship be a burst of light.

May it be a fount of love and wisdom for us,

   for our family, for our community, for our world.

May this bond be a channel for Your love and healing,

   a vehicle of Your grace and power.

As lessons come and challenges grow,

Let us not be tempted to forsake each other.

Let us always remember that in each other we have

   the most beautiful woman, the most beautiful man,

   the strong one, the sacred one in whose arms we

   are repaired.”

Isn’t that a beautiful prayer? Do you think they’ll like it? Is there anything else I should tell them, or have I already gone overboard? Should I remind them that there’s only one letter difference between cleave and leave but that that one little c makes all the difference? Or should I stick with telling them to have a long and happy life together?

Do you have any advice for the young couple? If so, please share it, and I’ll make certain that they get it. By the way, I only want to read and pass along good stuff so don’t bother with posting negative comments about love or marriage.

Eyebrow Raising Article

While doing a little ”homecaring” this morning, I came across some old newspapers and just had to scan a few articles before tossing them. Yes, I’m still old fashioned enough to enjoy reading from the actual newspaper; there’s just something special about being able to open it, separate the sections, fold certain pages down, and take it specific articles around with me to reread…like the one I found this morning.

In The State of March 6, a headline about eyebrow transplants caught my eye, so I read on. Hmmm. Intrigued, I read all of it, every word, and now I’m feeling a lot less guilty about having my brows waxed earlier this week. Apparently, many women (and some men) who are “follically challenged” are opting to have hair(s) removed from their scalps, legs, or trunks and transplanted into their brow line.  The transplants can be a little tricky since hair growth varies on different parts of the body. Head hair grows at a rapid ½ inch per month, much faster than brow hair. Accordingly, a person would have to trim her brows often…or have someone do it for her. Plus, there are apparently problems with transplanted hairs growing in wild directions, something that can be remedied with plucking.

A typical transplant requires between 50 and 300 transplanted hairs and can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000.  For those who find that a bit pricey, they might consider tattoos or an eyebrow pencil.  “Eyebrows are the most important part of the face,” according to Crystal Thomas, a brow specialist. Without them, we’re expressionless.

Bottom line: I’m feeling a lot less guilty about spending $8 to have mine waxed. After all, who wants to appear expressionless?

I Already Know the Way

I just had a bit of a revelation. Wanting to get my look just right for my son’s wedding this weekend, I went to a new and highly rated stylist for a touch-up and trim. This was such an upscale and pleasant salon that there were even goodies (brownies and homemade peanut butter bars) for the patrons. Oh, and there were soft drinks and coffee for thirsty palates. Did I mention the music? Satellite radio provided tunes from various artists, and I loved hearing the voices of Macy Gray, Etta James, and Josh Groban wafting through the area as I caught up on the latest goings-on in Vanity Fair.  

Do you get the picture? I was just loving this environment. I walked into the modern and well-decorated restroom/changing area and saw a cute picture hanging on the wall. It was of a woman of indeterminate age holding several shopping bags, and all around her were words like chocolate, shopping, designer bags, and so forth. Then I got a little closer and read the phrase beneath the picture: “Lead me not into temptation; I already know the way.”

I felt as though I’d been slapped (in a way) as the truth of the statement hit home. True, we all need to look and feel our very best, but I am often caught up in the ways of the world. I LOVE chocolate…and shopping too. In fact, I was planning a brief foray into TJ Maxx on the way out of town. And was it really necessary to have my eyebrows waxed today when there are hungry children around?  

While I don’t consider myself an overly materialistic or vain person, Sunday’s lesson (see post about turning left) sure came to mind as I thought of the many distractions that keep me from being more in tune with the Spirit. What about some of you other gals?

Dorothy’s Daffodils

Everywhere I look, I see sunny yellow daffodils. I even spied a couple in my front yard, down close to the road, and I know they weren’t planted by me. Where’d they come from? I think they’re a reminder from Dorothy and the dozens of other loved ones who have “gone on” to the next life. She especially loved them, and her husband Tracy arranged to have over forty bouquets of them in the church on the day of her funeral. Seeing the two blooms in my yard today reminded me of Dorothy and of the fact that life never ends. Although we no longer see her in the flesh, she lives in our hearts AND in paradise. So do our other departed friends and family.

This morning in Relief Society we sang a lovely hymn whose last verse brought Dorothy and my other loved ones to mind as I realized yet again that there is “no end to being.” I don’t know about you, but that brings me feelings of peace and anticipation.

There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.”

Turn Left, Go Straight, or Turn Around

Several years ago I was feeling a little guilty about not going to church that particular Sunday, and my mother kindly and truthfully reminded me that the church was not going to fall down if I missed a week. As years passed, I began to realize that the church would not only stand but would also continue to thrive and grow without me. I, however, would soon begin to fall down without the instructions, lessons, and fellowship that I receive weekly.

Today was no exception. In Sunday school, the teacher asked for a volunteer, and Flo was willing to be his guinea pig. He blindfolded her with a tie, which just happened to coordinate with her pretty dress, and then gave her some instructions about what she was to do. After spinning her around a few times, he asked Flo to find her way to the front of the room by listening to directions from Elder Ticone, a young missionary who was playing the role of the Holy Ghost. Class members had the task of confusing and distracting her by giving her the wrong directions. “Turn left,” Elder Ticone would say, only to be overridden by orders to go straight, turn right, or turn around completely. After a few minutes of “fits and starts,” she seemed paralyzed and had no idea on which direction to turn. All this time, Elder Ticone was giving his commands too; it’s just that he was farther away than the other class members who were all barking out orders.

I think the “object lesson” was perfect. When we feel lost or alone and ask for help, the Comforter spoken of in John 14:26 is not going to hit us over the head to get our attention. Nor are the voices and distractions from the world going to die down or go away. We must train ourselves to ignore them and listen only for the “still, small voice.”

Interestingly, Elder Gibbes spoke up and added that he was with his companion, Elder Ticone,  24/7 and would have recognized his voice immediately, regardless of all others vying for his attention. Great point! He knew his companion’s voice because of  their constant company with each other. It makes perfect sense that we will recognize the voice of the Holy Ghost more readily if we are diligently engaged in prayer, meditation, and scripture study.

What about you? Do the distractions, noises, and voices of the world sometimes seem so loud and so overpowering that they drown out the voice of the Comforter? What are some of those voices? What can we do to better tune them out?

Sitting on Top of the World

Nice photo, huh? It was taken Monday right after DH and I had crossed the Mile High Suspension Bridge on Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Smokies. Several other folks shared that moment in time with us, and we all had a grand time taking turns shooting pictures of each other. The experience reminded me of a quote I once saw on a dining room hall at Girls’ Camp: “We may never walk this way together again.” And ’tis probably true, for I doubt that I’ll ever encounter those couples from Mississippi, Alabama, or Boone, NC again. But wow…what a great day and weekend.

 Sunday morning we eased out of town around daybreak and headed for the mountains of western North Carolina. We shied away from the interstate and opted instead for the scenic route, a decision that allowed us to see parts of the countryside that reminded us that there is indeed a slower, more bucolic and peaceful lifestyle than the busy, almost frantic hustling and bustling that characterize so many of our days…and perhaps yours too.

This weekend was especially memorable for a couple of reasons, and the mountain getaway was the frosting on the cake. First, I had the opportunity to go the temple on Saturday with my future daughter-in-law, her family, and my son. Being in that holy place reminded me of all of the beauties of this earth and of our Creator’s hand in the hills, valleys, streams, rocks, rills, deer, blue skies, hawks, daffodils, and mountain laurel (for starters).  As DH and I wound around and around the mountain roads and paths, I found myself thinking repeatedly of my temple impressions.  I said, “Wow, look at that,”  so many times that I began to sound like a broken record.

The second reason that the weekend was so memorable is because it marked the end of my tenure with the state of SC (for one day, Monday) and my rehiring by the same state agency on Tuesday. As a TERI employee fortunate enough to be rehired in my same position, a day of separation was necessary. Where better to spend it than on top of the world with DH by my side?