LJL

December, 2010

2010-12-23T15:11:00.002-05:00

This blog is simply published to tell you that I am still around. Not too much time spent in Blogdom - mostly on Facebook.
Christmas is two days away. I plan to see Regi, Jason, Rylee!, Bullwinkle, Belle, Jamie, Bilko, Holley, BJ, Luke, Albert and Marty along with Rena and Dudley!

Baby

2010-05-18T07:45:00.002-04:00

I know, Regi, I don't get on Blogger much. However, the kid is here. April 1, the date I predicted, I might add, was the day Rylee decided to appear. Such a cutie. She has come to visit once and will be back for an encore this weekend.
BJ and I are planning a quick mushroom trip to Michigan, so we won't see her much.

Where is the Granddaughter?

2010-03-23T08:28:00.002-04:00

When my nephew, Steve, was small, his mom was pregnant with his baby brother. Of course, we did not know that it was a brother at that point. I asked him several times, "Where is your baby sister?" He would always answer, "He's still not coming yet!" And, sure enough, it was a he. Gool ole Jonathan(JonJon) Yoder.
Now, it's "where is the granddaughter?" I guess Regi will get it here when it is time. This time we know it's a she, but the stubborn parents won't spill the beans on the name. Ally has somehow gotten the agreement to be the first to know the name. She always gets whatever she wants. Spoiled little kid. Her mom made her that way.

NASCAR

2010-03-08T07:29:00.002-05:00

If anyone is still watching NASCAR, what do you think of "Mr. Nice Guy", Carl Edwards? An intentional wreck of Brad K. at Atlanta was not very cool. Here's my idea...park him for Bristol, 100 point penalty, $50,000 fine and probation. He ruined a lot of racer's days with that boneheaded move. The NAPA car was top ten before that, but the resulting re-start began the "big one" that ruined Truex's day along with several other's. Surely, NASCAR will not just slap him on the wrist.

SNOW

2010-02-05T18:38:00.002-05:00

Yes, Dani, it has been a long while since I have blogged. Too much time on Facebook, I guess. Finally, got some snow in Darke County, Ohio! We are on a level 3 snow emergency. No one is to be on the road except emergency personnel. I left work at 4 as soon as my pizza was delivered. Mom had called and said to bring home pizza for supper.

Dudley likes to look out the window at the snow, but doesn't like to be out in it. He is getting ready to stay at Bilko and Belle's house while we go to see Fat Albert in sunny Florida in a couple weeks.

Forecast says 8-14 inches of the white stuff through tomorrow. Blowing snow will be the real problem if that happens as expected.

The grandkid is about 5 pounds by now, but still in the oven. Hurry up, Regi, let's get the show on the road. Regina was here last weekend while Jason was in Ireland. Had a great time with Bullwinkle, Bilko and Dudley all in the same house.

November

2009-11-18T15:38:00.002-05:00

Blogging has not been on the agenda recently. However, I did have a notable Saturday. We went to the Baker residence to visit Jason, Regi, Bullwinkle and my granddaughter, who is now making my daughter bumpy-looking.
Brent and I accompanied Jason to the American Legion for a birthday celebration of one of his parishioners. We were invited to eat, and Brent and I needed very little cajoling to accept. We had chicken, ham, green beans, macaroni salad and chocolate cake...good ole' Kentucky cookin'.
Next week is Thanksgiving already. Soon after that we will be getting ready for Christmas. And then, the countdown to Granddaughter #1!

September

2009-09-16T07:57:00.002-04:00

Regi says it is time for an update. Facebook seems to be the main place to gather, so haven't blogged since July.
The Bakers went to Ireland in July, and now I hear there is a new Baker on the way! Bullwinkle stayed with us, and he is back for another stay at our house now. Bilko, his first cousin, is here, too. Dudley loves having both cousins here because they fight each other and leave him alone for the most part so he can get his beauty rest. They are all excited about getting a real cousin in March. Well, maybe not Bilko who went to the vet's office Monday to get "tutored". He misunderstood at first...now he gets it.
Rena is off to National Quartet Convention today...it's just me and the four dogs.
In two weeks, Rena and I fly to Myrtle Beach to work the Collingsworth table at the Gaither Concert.
Now, you're updated.

44 and 6

2009-07-06T07:36:00.002-04:00

50 beings celebrated the 4th at the Lavy Ranch. 44 humans and 6 canine friends. There was Spanky (Olivia's pup), Bilko (Dani's pup), Boeing (Brooke and Holley's horse...er.. pup), Bullwinkle (Regi and Jason's pup), Jessica and Dudley (the dogs who live here) and a whole bunch of Lavys, Hilligosses, Collingsworths and other friends.

The food was plentiful and outstanding. Apple cider ribs, Nathan's hot dogs and Bratwursts were the main meats. Add to that salads and beans and chili and slaw and desserts too many to enumerate and you have a 4th to remember.

Volleyball, cornhole, softball and visiting with family and friends was the order of the day.

Unfortunately, I was coerced into fingernail and face painting. Fortunately, I am not able to add pictures of that right now, but you could check out some images on Facebook if you desire.

Since Regi and Jason are going to Ireland today, we have the pleasure of puppysitting for Bullwinkle. He is a cool dog, and Dudley and he are good buddies. Right now, Dudley is napping in the morning sunshine, while BW chews on a toy beside of him. Gonna be a fun couple of weeks!

100th Blog

2009-06-16T07:42:00.002-04:00

This is my hundredth blog. I wasn't aware of that until I signed in.

Saturday starts Vacation 2009 for the Lavys. This year is Myrtle Beach year. This will be the fourth family vacation there. The first year, we went "budget". It was not the greatest vacation ever. Next time we had a beach house across the street from the ocean. Very nice. Two years ago was an oceanfront condo. Wow, what a view of the Atlantic! This year it's a condo across the street from the ocean with a side view of the water.

Dudley and Bilko, the doggie cousins are going with us. And, so is Holley, so it could be the greatest vacation ever, or something not quite that great! Just kidding. Vacation 2009 is just around the corner.

Gatlinburg!

2009-06-02T20:23:00.003-04:00

Family Fest Weekend in Gatlinburg

Courtney Collingsworth

The Cousins - Bullwinkle Baker, Dudley Lavy and Bilko Lavy Camping out in the Smokies in the Puppy Condominium The only picture I wanted - Ben Speer

Michigan 2009

2009-05-23T18:27:00.003-04:00

A beautiful cluster of four morels

Grandpa, Brent and I took a quick mushroom-hunting trip to Wolverine, Michigan. We left our house at 2:55AM last Tuesday. We were in the woods at 9:08AM. Sixty seconds later, we had our first morel mushroom. After a day and a half of hunting, we finished with 180.

Dad started this madness in 1958 when he took the family north to find sponge mushrooms for the first time. Fifty-one years later, I got to take him to the very same woods to which he took us many years earlier. We still find them in almost exactly the same areas.

In 1960 - give or take a year or two - Dad took his mother and father to Michigan. Grandma Lavy, Dad's mother, found a patch of mushrooms in an area near Old 27. For many years after, we hunted that same spot and found mushrooms nearly every year. In recent years, we have not found them there. However, this year Brent and I searched that spot. We were about ready to give up when BJ spotted two small ones on the edge of a dirt bike trail. That caused us to look more closely, and we found sixteen in that patch. That was very near Grandma's spot. That was amazing to me.

If Grandpa (who will be 89 next September) is able, we may try it again in 2010. As he said, "I'm making no promises." None of us are, but what a treat for the three of us this year! Dad and I at the roadside park where he stopped in 1958 What a smile! Dad in the woods that he loves. That's a start Grandma was happy to see Grandpa come back. No, seriously, she was!

WOW

2009-05-14T06:52:00.005-04:00

OK, here's the little kid that I helped raise for quite a few years. We played one-on-one basketball in his bedroom for hours. Keep in mind, this room was 8'6"x11'. Almost every game, played with a rim hung on the closet door and a nerf ball, came down to a last-second shot or free throws. Mom wasn't thrilled when we took out the light. Eventually, we took the rivalry outside.

He moved onto the court at Ansonia and had some success against Covington, Twin Valley South and a few other schools. Mom and I got to see him light up the scoreboard with threes. Then, he was outta here.

Off to Cincinnati where he has worked his way through four gruelling years of college. A little basketball, a little soccer and a lot of work has been the norm for the past few years.

There, he found this young lady to spend some time with. She has been to visit us a few times. She has toured the site of our in-room basketball games. I think she thinks BJ is as goofy as his dad.

Pride is not really a great attribute. However, this father is VERY proud of his son, Brent. Four years of college and many hours of work takes a lot of discipline. He'll make a great teacher, husband, man and whatever else it is that he decides to do.

I'm proud to call you my son, BJ. Go get 'em.

You might ask him about the door in the background
Kid's Klub
That's the lady to whom I was referring

Farewell

2009-05-01T19:40:00.002-04:00

Farewell, my friend

Cancer has consumed your body.

Soon you'll be only a memory here,

But you will live forever - somewhere.

Be faithful to the end, dear friend,

Lavished in God's grace.

I stoop to kiss you one last time,

Your weakened lips whisper - Goodbye!

I'm looking forward to the Eternal Day

When we can share and enjoy more fully

With none of earth to hinder us.

Yes, rooted in the Timeless One,

Our friendship will not die and wither,

But blossom fuller, sweeter,

"Over There."

"See you in the morning,

My precious friend."

("Tea Leaves" adapted from Jo Weaver & Joanna Birky)

This was sent to Rena from our pastor's wife following the death of Rena's best friend. Rena sang to Bobbi and held her until she left this world last Saturday night. I believe her last words were, "Look up." Not sure what she saw, but it must have been worth looking at.

Fortunately

2009-04-22T07:10:00.003-04:00

A man had wanted to ride in an airplane all of his life. Unfortunately, he had never had the opportunity. Fortunately, on his sixty-fifth birthday, a pilot offered him a plane ride. Unfortunately, while the pilot was doing an acrobatic maneuver, the man fell out of the plane. Fortunately, he was wearing a parachute. Unfortunately, he did not know how to open the chute. Fortunately, the pilot of the plane was able to fly close to him and tell him how to open it. Unfortunately, the chute would not open. Fortunately, there was a haystack below him. Unfortunately, there was a pitchfork in the haystack with the sharp end pointed up. Fortunately, he missed the pitchfork. Unfortunately, he missed the haystack. Fortunately, this is a fictional account!

Two Captains

2009-04-13T08:05:00.005-04:00

Captain Sullenberger

Captain Phillips

In this era of constant grim news about the economy, crime and war, it’s nice to have some good news. I, along with most Americans, have rejoiced and felt a great sense of American PRIDE at the unfolding of two stories involving two American captain heroes.
On Jan. 16, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 took off from La Guardia Airport in New York City. In just moments, that aircraft was in serious danger after striking a flock of birds which unbelievably knocked out both engines. Apparently, Captain Chesley Sullenberger was one of a few captains who would have been able to successfully save the passengers on his plane. With no more than a handful of minutes to work with, Captain Sullenberger surveyed his options, saw the small landing strip at Teterboro, New Jersey, realized he could not make it there and radioed with amazing calm these words, “We’ll be in the Hudson.”
After clearing the George Washington Bridge by about nine hundred feet, he ditched the A320 Airbus in the Hudson River, with nose elevated as if he had done it many times. As you know, he lost no one and became an instant hero. Are you proud to be an American? Me, too.
On April 8, 2009 the Maersk Alabama was plying the waters of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. A few wannabe pirates saw their opportunity to make a few million dollars by taking over a defenseless American-flagged ship. Well, it appeared to be defenseless to these four Mensa candidates. After storming the ship like pirates of old, they met up with Captain Richard Phillips, who quickly surrendered after instructing his crew to lock themselves in a room, no doubt trading his life for their freedom. I don’t know all of the details of the attack, but there was apparently some hand-to-hand combat and one of the pirates took an ice pick through the hand. Believe it or not, that saved his life. Somehow, the crew overpowered the pirates, sending them on their way in a lifeboat, but with Captain Phillips as a hostage.
On Easter Sunday, after the pirate with an injured hand had agreed to come on board the US Navy ship, the USS Bainbridge, the drama was about to come to a violent ending. The lifeboat was being towed by the ship to get it out of rough waters. I understand that they were being towed by a 200-foot towline. I’m just speculating here, but sometime during the towing operation, the line was shortened to about 90 feet. Do you start to get the picture?
At some point in the previous five days of this crisis, a select group of Navy Seals had jumped out of a plane from approximately 25,000 feet in the air. They dropped in a free fall for a few minutes, then deployed their parachutes in a classic HALO operation. That is an acronym for “High Altitude Low Observability”. They were then picked up by small boats and transferred to the Bainbridge where they set up shop on the fantail.
When two pirates decided to get some fresh air, and one pirate may have been momentarily distracted from holding an AK-47 to the back of Captain Phillips, the Seals did what they are trained to do. Three bullets, three dead pirates and one happy nation.
America needs some happy news. I think those were two happy events. Be happy and proud today for America. There’s plenty of time later for worrying and hearing all the negative news. That’s my two cents for today, April 13, 2009.

Grandma

2009-04-04T07:38:00.002-04:00

Grandma Lavy - she's about as different from Grandpa as can be. But, can you imagine them not together? What word describes her? Hmmm...might be the same word we used for Grandpa. Consistent. Maybe not the first thing that comes to mind, but she's just the same most of the time.

I talked about Dad coming home at 5:30 every night, and he did. But, Mother had supper ready every night at 5:30. If you came to visit and it was bedtime, you might as well get ready to go home or she would get ready for bed and you would be leaving anyhow. Wasn't quite like that, but she did pretty much everything on her schedule day after day. So, she has been "consistent" in her own way for a long time.

She never thought much of mustaches and beards. She is pretty constant in reminding me that mine could go away at any time and she would be happy. She always enjoys company, and wants us back soon! Even wants me to come back with my mustache!

Stop by and see her when you get the chance. She won't let you out of her room unless you sign her guestbook, even if you were there the day before.

Thanks, Mother, for being a Godly, consistent woman for those many years.

It's 30 Minutes From Troy

2009-03-22T18:43:00.004-04:00

Dad, Dudley and Dumbo

**********

How do I know it's thirty minutes from Troy to 9163 Neff Rd.? Because almost every weekday from as early in my life as I can remember until Dad retired from Hobart Brothers in Troy, Ohio, he got home at 5:30 P.M. He worked 8-5, I believe. I think the word here is "consistent". I knew he was coming home at that time every night, and many times I would ride my green 3-speed bike to the end of Neff Road, turn right on Red River West Grove and meet him at about 5:27. I'd grab hold of the door handle and get a helping hand all the way home at about 35 m.p.h., just in time for a 5:30 arrival.

I couldn't believe it one time when my sister-in-law, Connie Lavy, drove from near our house to Troy in about twenty minutes. I told her that I knew it was thirty because Dad got home at 5:30. Oh, well, not everyone drove like my dad. And, certainly not everyone drives like my sister-in-law!

What is the meaning of this blog entry? Just a small compliment to my father, I guess. He won't be around forever - just like the rest of us, actually. But, he is 88 and still going....not real strong. However, I think consistent is about the perfect word to describe Victor Lavy.

One more memory of Dad for you. This really doesn't follow the theme of consistency...well, maybe it does. Many years ago, I was travelling with Dad to Messiah College in Pennsylvania to pick up my dear sister, Marilyn, from school. I was lying on the back seat half asleep when from the front seat I heard a chorus sung by my father. He was never a soloist, but there was no mistaking the sincerity of the words:

Take this whole world but give me Jesus

I won't turn back, I won't turn back

Ev'ry bridge is burned behind me

I won't turn back, I won't turn back

I'm sure he wouldn't remember that, but I do. Stop in and see him if you get the chance and tell him what he meant to you.

Next time we'll try to talk about Mother and see if there is a word that might best describe her.

10 Reasons

2009-03-11T20:20:00.002-04:00

Rena gave me this list of reasons why the English language can be so hard to learn.

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The farm was used to produce produce.

3. The dump was so full it had to refuse more refuse.

4. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

5. He would lead if he could get the lead out.

6. They were too close to the door to close it.

7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10.I did not object to the object.

Marilyn

2009-03-03T07:38:00.003-05:00

I met a friend and colleague of my sister, Marilyn, on Facebook recently. In corresponding with her, some old memories of Marilyn came back. Marilyn died on September 29, 1985. I remember thinking that a good title for her biography would have been "Life Begins at 40", for she was forty years of age when she passed away.

I never had a whole lot of time with her - she was away to college when I was quite young and then on to New Guinea and other parts of the world. She had a great laugh and was a great writer, teacher and friend to many people.

Here's the poem entitled To My Sister that I wrote in her honor in October, 1985.

From the mountains of Adirondack

To the plains of the Midwest

There you found your loved one

The ending of your quest

Then came two beautiful young ones

They came your lives to bless

They were full of life

And perhaps some mischievousness

Then you made your way across the sea

To a different kind of land

And certainly through it all

You could see God's leading hand

You helped many a lost one

And we know you did your best

The lost multitudes to aid

And from Satan's dark hand wrest

Now you've made your greatest journey yet

You'll travel past the farthest star

And we are here left behind

To mourn but from afar

But while we mourn we'll not forget

That while we here remain

Some day we'll cross to be with you

And together with Him we'll reign

So now we make this solemn vow

We'll neither stop nor hesitate

We'll stay true to His dear name

And meet you by the Eastern Gate

Thanks, Linda, for bringing back some memories of my sister.

Together Again

2009-02-25T08:59:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, things like this happen when they are together.

Here is a rare picture of Ally when she is not blabbing.

********

These two sisters will be together in sunny Florida for a few days. I think they both are a little excited about seeing each other. If anyone in Florida sees them, please try to make sure they behave. They are not known for being especially well-behaved.

Pharaoh the Comedian

2009-02-17T07:31:00.002-05:00

I have been reading in Exodus recently, and have been observing a little of the dialogue between Pharaoh and Moses. I chuckled a bit this morning when reading about the seventh judgment against Egypt. There had been flies and frogs and lice and now it was hail like never before. What made me laugh was Pharaoh's statement after the hail. I'm guessing one of the softball-sized hailstones hit him on the noggin. He said, "I have sinned this time." Ya think so, Big P?

He had already started the comedy stuff, though, after the frog plague. He had had enough of the green pests in his bed, kitchen and outhouse, and Moses asked him when he would like them to be taken away. He answers in a typical comedic way, "Tomorrow." One more night with the frogs... you have probably heard Ernie Philips of the Kingsmen with the song of that title.

You know the end of the story. You may have heard of the learned man who was telling a little old Christian lady that the part of the Red Sea where the Israelites escaped was only about eighteen inches deep.

She thought on that a minute, and then began rejoicing. The man, thinking she was daft, asked her what she was doing.

She said, "I just got blessed knowing that God drowned the entire Egyptian army in eighteen inches of water!"

I still think Pharaoh should win "Comedian of the Year" for 1491B.C.

Kids, Pets and ?.

2009-02-11T07:56:00.005-05:00

" Don't worry, no one will even notice us here in the gazebo at The Apple Barn."

Only about 50% of us are really happy to be here at this moment.

" Ya know what, Belle, that will most definitely be the last time you and I will ride the Slingshot together!"

" Hey, Regi, I thought you said 1:30. Do I just go on with the ceremony until you get here?"

Dave Hilligoss and his stupid ideas... I am tellin' you, there's somethin' wrong with that boy.

For those of you who aren't aware of it, I have a personal hairdresser.

" Belle, you promised me this would never see the light of day. I don't look too bad, though, do I?"

"Hold on a sec, I think I can put the rest of this sandwich in, too."

Jessica coming in for a landing after a cross-yard flight.

Dudley, wishing he was back in his favorite....

chair by the window looking out at the white stuff instead of in it up to his royal Rastafarian neenies.

"Last but not least, this is my mean look that I save up for Lowell when he dares get close to my stall."

PLEASE EXPLAIN!

2009-01-29T20:07:00.004-05:00

About two years ago, when Rena nearly left me, I was at home with her and Ally. I called for Ally to come from her room when it looked like Rena was in serious trouble. Ally got into the bed and looked her mom in the face and willed her to keep breathing. A few weeks after that, I found a stuffed animal that looked like Ally's dog, Dudley. I gave it to Ally with a note that tried to let her know that there was a special bond between dads and their youngest child, and that I gave her a lot of credit for her mom still being with us.

Fast forward to Wednesday, January 28, 2009. I was home from work due to a Level 3 snow emergency in our county. My cel phone rang, and when I answered, I heard Ally say in a shaking voice, "I'm OK, Dad, but we were in a bad accident."

I knew she was on her way to Pennsylvania from Florida with people from her school. Knowing of the bad weather, I assumed they had gotten into ice. As I soon found out, they were only minutes from Hobe Sound, Florida on I-95.

To the best of my understanding, here is what happened. Their van containing five people and pulling a utility trailer blew a rear tire in the left lane of the interstate. Skid marks show that it came across the three lanes and into the sandy grass along the road. At this point, it began to roll, apparently completing two rolls. When it came to a stop on its wheels, Ally had been thrown from the van through the side windows. The van teetered precariously, threatening to fall onto its side where Ally had been tossed. Ally told me that when she realized she was out on the ground that she immediately ran away, thinking that the van might roll onto her. She has some scratches from the sand on her lower back.

That was the end of the paragraph because that was the extent of her injuries. The other four people in the van had no more severe injuries than she did.

If I understand correctly, the other occupants were quite concerned for Ally. They saw her walking, looking for a phone so she could call Dad. Luke gave her his phone, she called Dad, and Dad was happy that she started with the words, "I'm OK, Dad!"

So, here's your chance. Explain to me how, what I've just told you, can possibly happen.

How's The Weather?

2009-01-26T08:10:00.002-05:00

Here is a little story not written by me, but I believe the weather forecasters may operate by this system.

It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets, and when he looked at the sky, he couldn't tell what the weather was going to be.Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared.

But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?"

"It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed," the Meteorologist at the weather service responded.

So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared.One week later he called the National Weather Service again.

"Is it going to be a very cold winter?" he asked.

"Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "it's going to be a very cold winter.

"The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again.

"Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?"

"Absolutely," the man replied. "It looks like it's going to be one of the coldest winters ever."

"How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked.

The weatherman replied, "The Indians are collecting firewood like crazy."

Taking A Gamble

2009-01-12T19:53:00.002-05:00

This weekend I had to go to Belterra Resort for a flooring conference. We were able to see new products by Mohawk and go to some classes on selling. There was a free buffet meal that I took advantage of. After the meal I went to the boat to observe the myriads of people tossing their money by the boatload (pardon the pun) into the hundreds or thousands of games lined up on two floors of a big floating casino. Never seen anything like it in my life. There were old people on oxygen, people on crutches and younger people all hoping to hit it big. And, I guess that is a drop in the bucket compared to Vegas. Unbelievable.

Before going to Belterra, Rena and I took a big chance and stayed with Belle in her apartment. You never know what may happen there, so that was risky. Friday night we headed to Hoggy's for some BBQ, only to see and stop at Montgomery Inn just a minute from Belle's apartment. Dani and I shared meatballs, wings, crab cakes and shrimp. Mom had ribs. BJ had filet of sole and that girl that runs around with Brent had a salad!

Then, we finished up our wild weekend with a trip to Jason, Regi and Bullwinkle's house. I was afraid Rev. Jason was going to preach for two hours on Sunday when I noticed his stack of notes on Saturday evening. He let us out by about noon, however, after a well-preached message on faith.

Dudley and Bullwinkle didn't get along as well as the adults, but they had some fun together playing tug-of-war. You can see some pictures of the weekend on Regi's blog.

Bowling For Buzzards

2009-01-02T07:07:00.002-05:00

I think "bowling for buzzards" was in Lion King, wasn't it? Danette, Jamie, my old sales associate friend, Judy and I went bowling on Thursday. No one did anything spectacular, except Dani, who rolled a 65 on the first game and then doubled her score on the second. Jamie won the second game with a 154 to my 150. Which brings us to the second part of the bowling theme.

On the way to work this morning Mom ran over two deer that had already been hit. One was still alive before the Dodge Ram got him. There was some damage to the truck. She must have gotten to the deer even before the buzzards knew about them.

Happy New Year to all three of my regular readers.

Change Your Clocks

2008-12-30T07:39:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note for everyone. Make sure you remember to set your clocks back on Wednesday night before you go to sleep unless you are planning on staying up until midnight to do it. We will be adding a leap second to the end of the year if you hadn't already heard. You will be getting to places too early if you don't heed the advice. This is quite possibly my last advice for you until 2009. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and want all of you to have a wonderful and blessed New Year.

Lowell

And Love Me, I Pray

2008-12-18T07:14:00.002-05:00

This entry was originally published Dec. 24, 2007 and is the sequel to "Close By Me Forever."

And Love Me, I Pray
It had been nearly five years since Stephanie had seen these streets. The last fifty-eight months had been a constant struggle, full of pain, prayers and progress. Just weeks after her encounter with Farrah, Amed and her family, she had been a victim of the same type of violence as that family. However, almost no memory of that time in her life remained. After this long period of recovery, she had been encouraged to travel with her new husband, Vince, to the country where she had previously served in the military.

The neighborhood looked vaguely familiar as they traveled by taxi. But, something was very different. Beautiful flowers were in hanging planters on street signs. Families strolled along the clean streets and the buildings had that freshly remodeled look. She almost wondered if they were in the correct location. Suddenly, her gaze was directed to a specific location ahead on the right.

“Vince, I need to get out here,” she said.

The taxi driver was asked to pull over to the side of the street. As Vince helped Stephanie out of the car, a strange sense of peace seemed to envelop her. Then, they saw the small building just a few yards from the street, nearly hidden in the dusk. A sign at the front of the property, written in English, asked the question, “What Is Christmas?”. At the sight of those words, a bit of Stephanie’s memory which had been seemingly non-existent for nearly five years came to life.

She had been to numerous specialists in the states over the previous months. They had helped her adjust to living in a wheel chair, but no one could seem to help her recover from the memory loss that she had encountered. She had received occasional letters from someone she could not recall knowing. They were always signed by someone named Farrah, and she knew they came from the country where she had served. Something would not allow her to respond to the letters, although the person seemed to think that Stephanie had been some type of heroine in her eyes.

Then, her doctors, almost as a last resort, had encouraged her to travel to this foreign country and here she was on Christmas Day.When they had arrived at the airport, it was almost as if she and Vince were royalty. The officials, and for that matter, everyone they came in contact with, seemed to be in awe of the Americans. It gave Stephanie great pride to know that she had done her part to liberate this country.

The last few days had been a breath of fresh air to her, and she had begun to regain some of her memory from years ago. Could she take that final step tonight?

She seemed to be drawn to the little building. As they approached, it became obvious that it was a small church. Stephanie became aware that their taxi driver had joined them as Vince pushed her wheel chair up the walk to the front door. Their driver opened the door and Vince pushed Stephanie’s chair into the small foyer. As they entered, the small congregation began singing a beautiful Christmas tune. It was unmistakably “Silent Night”. The words were sung in the native language, but it had been a long time since Stephanie had heard a song so beautifully sung.

They found a place to listen from the back of the room. When the song was finished, the preacher made his way to the podium.The preacher had the full attention of everyone in the room that evening. He spoke in English from his wheel chair, and that fact alone was enough to keep Stephanie’s eyes glued to him.

There were huge amounts of her memory returning as the preacher spoke on the topic “What Is Christmas?”. Yes, she remembered relating this same story in this same country to a little girl and then to a family and that family had a father who had no legs! The preacher had finished speaking, and now he announced that his daughter would be singing the final song for the evening.

When beautiful, dark-haired, seventeen-year-old Farrah, in a flowing white gown, entered from a side room, the journey was complete for Stephanie. As Farrah’s mother played the small organ, Farrah sang the three verses of “Away In A Manger”, in English, just as she had been taught five years ago. When Farrah was partly through verse two, her eyes locked onto a person sitting in the back. The audience watched as Farrah walked slowly to the person, never missing a note in her beautiful rendition of this well-loved carol.She reached Stephanie as she sang the last words of verse three, “and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven To live with Thee there.”

There were no dry eyes in the little sanctuary that evening. The two were lost in each other’s embrace for what seemed like hours. Farrah’s father dismissed the service, making a statement that they had all found out a little more of what Christmas really means this evening, or something to that effect, as emotions had overcome him, also.

Much later that evening, as Stephanie and Vince visited Farrah and her family in their modest home, they were told that the little church where they worshipped was built on the site from which the grenade had been launched that had changed Farrah’s family’s life forever. Oh, it had caused pain, but it also had brought them to a place where they could minister to others in their neighborhood.

“Come and see my room,” Farrah begged Stephanie.

Stephanie allowed herself to be pushed down the hallway. At the first door on the right, Farrah opened the door. Stephanie looked into a small, neat room. She noticed the walls were full of pictures. Smiling boys. A singing group. Pictures of their quaint little neighborhood. The little church where her father was pastor. Then, her gaze was drawn upward. On the ceiling, directly above Farrah’s bed, was a picture of a little girl in a hospital bed. Beside the bed was an American soldier. The two were holding hands.

Closing the bedroom door behind her, Farrah spoke, “Every night, before I go to sleep, I look at that picture. I have prayed for you every night that I can remember, and, now, you’re here! Will you sing that song for me again?”

In the living room, the rest of the family and Vince could only listen in awe as two angelic voices joined together to sing the song that had helped to change lives in that part of the country over the last few years.As the last notes of the song were being voiced, Farrah pushed Stephanie back into the living room. When they finished, Farrah’s father announced loudly, “It is officially CHRISTMAS!”

LJL2007

Close By Me Forever

2008-12-16T18:37:00.002-05:00

This was originally published Dec. 14, 2007. It is the first of two related stories. I will post the sequel soon.

Close By Me Forever
It was December 24, but in this war-torn country it was hard to think of it as anything out of the ordinary. However, this night was destined to be anything but ordinary. Specialist Stephanie Rose found herself on patrol in a dangerous part of the city. Earlier this very day she had walked these streets and given candy to eager young children. Now that darkness had fallen, it seemed that it had become a completely new world. She thought she detected some movement several yards in front of her. She began moving in that direction, while speaking quietly into her radio, asking her fellow soldiers for back-up.

Twelve-year-old Farrah and her six-year-old brother, Amed were riding with their father in the family car. It was only a short drive to the little shop where they were going to purchase a small gift for Farrah’s mother, whose birthday was tomorrow. She peered out the window and saw an American soldier on foot patrol. She was still half-frightened due to the constant barrage of anti-Americanism that she encountered at their mosque and from other acquaintances. Still, sometimes she saw the soldiers giving candy and small gifts to children. Her father had told her to stay away from the foreigners, so she obeyed. In the next instant, her world was changed forever. She saw the flash of an explosion and then a rocket propelled grenade slammed into the driver’s side of their car. The door was peeled away as if a giant can opener had been used. Her father took the brunt of the blast, but both she and Amed were badly injured.

Specialist Rose was an instant too late in bringing her M16 to her shoulder. She saw the so-called “freedom fighter” - how she hated that label - launch his grenade, a split second before she fired the bullets that would prevent him from any more of his murderous activity. But, the damage had been done for that evening. She was the first to the scene and seeing the driver, she quickly went to the two small ones in the car that she knew she would be able to help.

Many times during training, they had been warned not to become personally involved in the tragedies that they were sure to encounter. But, tonight Stephanie was breaking all the rules. She had ridden in the Humvee with the injured children back to her fortified camp. She had personally helped the medics transport the two children into the hospital. Now, it was almost midnight, an hour past the end of her shift. She found herself by the bedside of a twelve-year-old girl whose name she did not know.

Farrah lay quietly in this strange bed surrounded by American soldiers and medical personnel. She was frightened, yet something told her that she was safe. Then, she heard a quiet melody being sung by someone sitting in the shadows beside her bed. She had studied English since she was six, but she had never heard such beautiful words sung so sweetly.

“Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”

She stirred and the person sitting there leaned over her bed. The soldier looked to her like an angel, and she asked her for her name. The reply came, “My name is Stephanie. What is yours?”

“Farrah. You are the one who helped me out of our car, aren’t you? Will you stay with me forever? My daddy was in the car with us…” Her words trailed off.

Stephanie spoke, “I know someone who can be with you forever, Farrah.” And in the next few minutes, Specialist Stephanie Rose was able to lead a precious little girl to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So much for not getting personally involved , she thought.

“Will you sing that song again for me?” asked Farrah.

“Away in a manger no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my bedside ‘til morning is nigh Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”

Farrah lay back in her bed and whispered, “I wish my daddy could have heard that song. Do you suppose I will see my daddy in Heaven?”

Stephanie had no answer for Farrah, so she just encouraged her to rest for now. It seemed that only a few minutes had passed when Stephanie awoke abruptly. It was 7:00 A.M.! She heard noises at the door. There were people coming into the room. Farrah awakened to see an American doctor at her bedside. Behind him was her mother, smiling at her.

Farrah asked, “Why are you smiling? I lost my father and maybe Amed last night. I have something now that I so wish I could tell my father…” Sobs came from her small frame as the grief poured out of her.

The doctor spoke, “Farrah, I have a surprise for you.” He motioned to someone at the doorway and the next thing that Farrah saw filled her with joy that she did not think she would be able to contain. It was her Father! Sure, it didn’t look much like him. He was in a wheel chair, and it looked as if his legs were gone. Bandages covered much of his head, but there was no mistaking, it was him! And, behind him was a nurse holding Amed.

Her world had come back to close to normal now. She said, “Oh, Father, I have something to tell you and I have found a professional singer who will sing for you and she will give you a story that will change everything…”

The doctor interrupted, “Farrah, we will have time for that later. For now, you need some more rest and so does your father.”The room had quieted down. She looked at Specialist Stephanie Rose, the tough, young soldier who was not allowed to get personally involved and who now had tears streaming down her face as the night’s memories flooded across her.

Farrah turned toward her and asked, “Why are you crying? Aren’t you happy, too?”

Stephanie could only nod. Then, she found her voice. “Merry Christmas, Farrah.”

“What is Christmas?” queried Farrah.

“Oh, no, now I’m going to be here all day,” Stephanie said with a smile. When Farrah grinned back at her, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

LJL 2007

Special Night

2008-12-09T12:51:00.004-05:00

This was originally published Dec.3, 2007. Hope you enjoy this re-run.

His mind wandered back to his early childhood…Joshua had always been slower than his playmates. His parents called him their “special” gift from God and he always knew he was loved by them. But, there were times when the other kids made fun of him and made life unpleasant for him. When those instances occurred, he could run to his parents who would comfort him and tell him he was special and that God had a special plan for his life. His father would read from the writings of the prophets and tell him that one day a Messiah would come that would save the people from their sins. Joshua could comprehend enough to know that this would be a wonderful time!

Then, one day when he was eleven, his world came crashing down around him. His parents were tragically killed in an accident. He was never told what happened. He only knew that the two people he could truly trust were gone. A distant relative, Zebulon, an innkeeper, was kind enough to allow him to stay with him.

When he grew older, he became the “keeper of the barn”…Tonight, as he finished his chores, he couldn’t shake the feeling about this evening. He heard some folks coming toward the barn. This generally made him upset for he could never speak to strangers without getting his words all tangled and twisted. He quickly climbed into the hayloft and hid as he normally did when strangers came into the barn.

He was distressed to see a man and woman come in the door. The woman appeared to be in discomfort. Still, the feeling about the evening persisted.Unable to climb down the ladder without being seen, Joshua decided to sleep in the hay as he had done before, rather than be humiliated by having to speak to a stranger. Too many times before people had laughed at him when his thoughts and words had become a tangled mess.

He moved in the hay to where he could be comfortable and saw that the man and woman were in one of the stables and it appeared they were staying for the night!Much later, Joshua was awakened from a deep sleep by the sound…of a baby?! Never before had there been a baby in this barn!

He peered down into the stable, and there in the manger was the little child. The moon was now lower in the sky, and its light had flooded the stable. The beams seemed to be shining directly onto the infant’s face.Something happened inside of Joshua at that moment. A voice seemed to speak to him that sounded like his father’s voice. The thoughts in his mind seemed clearer than ever before, and the voice seemed to say, “This is that special one that the prophets foretold.” He climbed quickly down the ladder and made his way to the stable.The man seemed surprised to see him appear, but he did not mind as Joshua made his way toward the baby.

The woman took the child into her arms, and the moonlight bathing the mother and child appeared to be straight from Heaven. Joshua had never approached a stranger before, but he knew there was something different about this family! He asked the woman, “What is the baby’s name?”The answer came in a hushed, reverent tone, “Jesus.”

At the mention of the baby’s name, Joshua felt his thoughts become completely rational, and while he did not voice them, he had the understanding that millions of people still do not have today - the realization that those radiant beams from a holy face brought the dawn of Redeeming Grace!

LJL2006

Victoria's Secret

2008-12-05T12:03:00.007-05:00

Now that I have your attention, check out Dudley's Fashion Show. Here are a few of his outfits that Mom has bought him over the years. Here he shows off his OSU T-Shirt, perfect for those fall football afternoons.

Looking great in his all-purpose jacket from that swanky Old Navy store in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Dudley looks stunning in yellow quilted comfort.

Ready for those bitterly cold Ohio winter days, when he goes with Ally to train horses. This is the ultimate in frigid weather protection.

Ideal for an evening out with friends, this knit sweater is the epitome of doggy fashion.

This mini-sweater is perfect for when you don't want that too-modest look.

This pumpkin outfit from Aunt Pam's Pet Paradise is the ultimate in Halloween style and fashion.

Christmas party? Nothing to wear? No problem. Even Santa will be jealous.

Even the Hollywood Hotdogs will sit up and take notice when Dud comes strolling by in this blue number.

Duddles is cheering on his favorite team in this cozy hoodie.

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree...

2008-11-29T11:12:00.004-05:00

I had to accompany Rena to Lowe's to purchase the annual Christmas tree Friday evening. Now, the problem with that is that every tree on the property must be examined before the purchase is made. Fortunately, this time she was only looking for a specific variety - a Frasier Fir. That meant that we only had to go through several hundred rather than the whole lot. I had the indignity of having to stand the trees up while she went to the other side of the store to look at the tree that I was holding.

The first choice looked great to me, and I told her so, but that did not put an end to the process. So, I put it back and went on to the next and then the next and...well, you get the idea. The most embarrassing part was when she was halfway across the store examining her choices. Inevitably, she would shout, "Now, turn it to the side so I can see it from a different angle." After obediently doing so, she would point in the general direction of my derriere and say, "That's definitely the bad side!" Then she said, "Now, twirl around." If half the customers in Lowe's had not heard her comments I would not have felt so bad.

Finally, after most of the evening was over, she made her selection. Of course, it was the original one we had started with. Actually, that made me think. She started with me over 28 years ago, and she still has the original one. I guess one long evening at Lowe's isn't all that bad.

A Mouse in the House

2008-11-22T19:29:00.003-05:00

This entry was originally published last Thanksgiving. It is factual for the most part. Maybe Belle dreaming about a prince is a little exaggerated.

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving
When all through our house
The only thing heard
Was the squeak of a mouse
Belle had reclined
On the couch by a chair
In hopes that a fair prince
Would notice her there
When out in the kitchen
There arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the matter
Dudley had charged
From out of Al's bed
His ears at alert
On his magnificent head
To the cabinet he ran
Where the cereal boxes were
And waited by the door
For the adventure to occur
The mouse had no clue
Of the danger in the air
While Belle stood nearby
Way up on a chair
I opened the door
Dudley crept in real close
His eyes were quite focused
Alert was his nose
The mouse must have thought
He was safe as could be
The next thing that happened
Surprised even me
The dog took a leap
By a Raisin Bran box
And his jaws snapped shut
Like those of a fox
He backed from the cabinet
His mouth full of mouse
And walked with great pride
Through part of our house
The rodent then dropped
On our nice kitchen floor
While Belle was threatening
To go through the door
Then Belle came down
And stayed at our house
She said, "Thank you, Dudley
For killing the mouse"
LJL 2007

Tilly and Me, Inc

2008-11-12T08:06:00.004-05:00

The little one climbed the last few steps to the top of the staircase. The air was pure, the sky perfectly blue. As the child stepped onto level ground, a shadow was cast across the staircase. A voice was heard, booming out across the garden that was directly in front of the stairs.

"Welcome, little one, I have been watching you on your journey. You are going to love it here. Come, I'll show you around. My name is Jeremiah, and I have been here a long time. You and I are going to be friends."

The child smiled sweetly up at Jeremiah, but no words would come.The little one turned to see the staircase and saw beside it another set of steps, coming from a slightly different direction, but allowing those who were climbing them to come into a large park-like setting next to the garden. At the top of this set of steps was a chair. Jeremiah looked down at the child and sensing the question, he spoke.

"Child, this is my chair. I spend much of my time sitting here, greeting little ones who have climbed this special staircase. It's a little different than the one you climbed, but you'll understand about that some other time. Come, let's go see the garden where you will play."

They turned and walked to the garden where there was a swing, a sandbox and beautiful autumn-colored flowers growing in abundance. The child was in awe of the beauty and quickly learned the purpose of the swings and sand. For a long time the child played alone. However, when some time had passed, sounds came from the park across the hedge from the garden. Curiosity drew the little one to the hedge, on the other side of which were little children running and playing all over the grass. Suddenly, a face popped up directly in the child's view. Startled, the child nearly ran away, but a voice said, "Hi. You are new here. What is your name?"

When no answer came, the voice said, "That's OK, it's not unusual that you don't know. I'm now officially naming you Kelly! You and I are gonna be great friends. My name is Tilly, and this is where I live."

The little one spoke for the first time in a sweet, angelic voice, "Kelly? That's my name? Thank you. It sounds so beautiful. Where are all these kids from?"

It was then that Jeremiah appeared. He said, "Little ones, from my chair I have watched millions of children climb the special staircase that you saw. A long, long time ago in a land far away, I was known as the weeping one. Since I had so much experience, when I arrived they put me in charge here. Every day, I sit in my chair and weep over the little ones who aren't wanted. They arrive here, and I do what I can to welcome them."

Tilly turned to Kelly. "You came up the other stairway. That means you are different than many of us. You were wanted. But, now that you are here, we're all alike. Do you understand?"

After playing together with Tilly for a long time, Kelly began thinking of a plan to help Jeremiah with his job. Kelly spoke to Tilly about it, and when Tilly enthusiastically agreed, they went to Jeremiah. They whispered to him Kelly's plan. A wide grin came over his face, and he agreed to help them with their enterprise. Later that day, at the top of the staircase, a tent was erected by Tilly, Kelly and Jeremiah. A sign proudly proclaimed the name of their company. Printed in bold letters by Jeremiah, it read, "TILLY and ME, INC."

Kelly and Tilly are very busy little ones these days. They are special assistants to Jeremiah, and they personally present hand-made gifts to every new little one that arrives. You may already know what they give to the new arrivals. Each one now receives a hug and a little eighteen-inch square quilt with stair steps on them and the words, "From Tilly and me." Each of them are a specific design and color and have the initials RJB in the lower right corner. Kelly doesn't know where the idea came from, but you do.

LJL 11-10-08

This story is written for and dedicated to my kids, Jason and Regi Baker. It was inspired by Regi's blog entry entitled "Quilt Therapy" and by a comment from Janella on that same entry.

Myrtle Beach - Gaither Fest

2008-11-07T15:26:00.008-05:00

Rena and I flew to Myrtle Beach last weekend. We enjoyed staying on the beach for two nights at the Sea Dip Hotel and working the Collingsworth table at Gaither Fest. We came back with them on Big Red, enjoying some stunning scenery on I-40 in North Carolina and Tennessee. Here are some pictures.

View from our room at the Sea Dip

From our balcony

Hey, Olivia, this was Bill and Gloria's hotel, next door to ours.

Phillip is always very serious.

Ben Isaacs is so big even his laptop looks tiny.

Olivia and I on stage singing into our $100 bills

Olivia trying to act like it's not freezing.

At Denny's after the concert with Gordon and Kimberly Mote

Sunrise over the Atlantic

A few of the buses - Lynda Randle's bus is on the far right next to Big Red

Ready to roll from Myrtle Beach

A nice picture of I-40 traffic

A bird flying over the hills

Phil praying that the fire will start while aiming the gun at Kim

He's now half a century old.

Shipshewana

2008-11-07T13:35:00.006-05:00

You can gain a few pounds here in a hurry!

Fortunately, this was taken before we ate.

Back in time

Fortunately, this was taken before we ate.

You know, there is just no caption for this one.

On stage at the Town Center in Shipshewana

Dennis Swanberg as Bill Clinton, "If Ah'd known Sarah Palin in college, Ah'd have been a Republican!"

The Triumphant Quartet

Here are a few pictures from Shipshewana, Indiana. Dani, Mom and I went for the Parade of Pianos, hosted by Dino. The grand pianists were: Josh Singletary, Stewart Vanardo, Jeff Stice, Kim Collingsworth and Dino. Along with them, appearing on stage were: The Collingsworths, Tribute, Dixie Echoes, Triumphant and Dennis Swanberg.

The weather was perfect, and the food at the Blue Gate Restaurant...fabulous. We met Mel Reigsecker, the owner of the restaurant, theater and other enterprises there. He is responsible for bringing the high caliber of talent to their showplaces.

When We Came Back...

2008-11-05T07:59:00.009-05:00

Do I look really silly in this?

Rena and I went to Shipshewana, Indiana, a couple of weeks ago to see the Parade of Pianos hosted by Dino. We were privileged to have Dani along with us. We had a super time and ate some great food. Dudley stayed at his puppysitters and when we came back he had a pumpkin costume on. Here he is with his costume and his OSU hoodie.

I think I will sit here in the sun a little.

Does this outfit make me look fat? Yep, I'm a Buckeye fan.

Got my hood up...bring on the snow.

I hope my friends don't ever see this.

Pardon Me While I Turn 50

2008-11-03T16:40:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. Rena and I were away to Myrtle Beach with the Collingsworth Family at Gaither Fest. While there, I began my second half-century. Nov.2 began at Denny's with a late-night meal. We got to meet Gordon and Kimberly Mote there. He is the pianist for the Gaithers and quite a character. He is very witty. He stood at our table and talked pianos, Gaither-talk and life with us for quite a while. He left, saying that he was going to drive his bus at night to save having to pay his driver. He is blind, as you may know.

Dudley went to his puppysitters while we were away. They have four other dogs, and he loves to go to his Aunt Pam's and stay. He goes there and gets spoiled by Uncle Bill, but he was happy when Mom came after him and brought him home.

Tennessee Pictures

2008-10-19T17:54:00.006-04:00

Dudley injured his foot on vacation
He's OK, just tired
Great BBQ place
Great seafood place

What we ate at Linebergers...not. Actually, this is a 4 ft long grouper at the Aquarium
These turkeys showed up on our golf course...curiously, soon after I recorded a birdie there. lol
Rena with a nice catfish...unfortunately, the bobber was stuck in her nose for a while!
Great show at the Comedy Barn
Our cabin at Little Valley Mountain Resort

View at Cades Cove
On a hike at Cades Cove
Barn at the Cove
Rest stop
Jellyfish at the Aquarium

Just a few pictures from our mini-vacation. On the way home from Tennessee, we drove through the hills of Kentucky to visit Regi and Jason for a little while. It was a VERY nice visit and conversation that we enjoyed with them.

Do You Have A Payet?

2008-10-13T08:38:00.003-04:00

You want ribs?
Smoky Mountain Memories
Dudley loves to travel

This is not really a contest - it is just a question that was asked to me last week. Rena and I went to the Smokies like we do almost every October. We rent a cabin and act like tourists for 3 or 4 days. This year we planned to go down on Saturday and stay until Tuesday. Then, Rena decided that she wanted to leave on Friday evening after I got off work. I think she did the same thing last year. Anyhow, that is what we did. Since we had the cabin reserved for Saturday, we needed a place for Friday night. We called and got a reservation for Friday night at the Days Inn at Exit 407 off of I-40. When I went in to pay the bill, the front desk person asked me, "Do you have a payet?"

Would someone please tell me what he was asking? I know, because I had him clarify the question, but at first I was stumped. Remember, we were in the South. And, by the way, we did have one.

While you are thinking, let me tell you where to go for BBQ ribs if you go to Gatlinburg. Soon after you exit at 407 and start south, you will cross the French Broad River. On your right, you will see the Christian Bookstore. Shortly after that, you will see, if you are looking closely, Tony Gore's BBQ and Grill. Tony is a Southern Gospel singer - Tony Gore and Majesty is the group - and he has a small down-home country restaurant. I ordered the Big Baby, and Rena got the Little Baby. Wow - baby back ribs smoked and cooked to perfection. Tony was there when we were there, and he came to our table and spoke with us. Kirk Talley was waiting tables there, also. We loved it so much that we ate there on our way out, too.

Somebody tell me what a payet is!!! No big prize this time...just a hot tip on where to eat in the Smokies!

Final One

2008-10-11T08:14:00.002-04:00

Here's the last cliche contest. The winner of this one gets the Final Big Huge Prize!

It was in medical school that the wannabe doctors were getting instruction on abdominal surgery. The instructor was giving directions to the students. He told them that to reach the intended area for the operation they would need to run their microscopic camera into the atrium, out through the ventricle, and then into the abdominal wall. This proves the old adage, "??? ??? ?? ? ???'? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ?????".

Who can solve the last one?

Congratulations, Bakers

2008-10-01T06:52:00.002-04:00

I had to change my profile on my blog. The reason was that it said I had had a son-in-law for over one year. Now, it has been over two years, since the anniversary was yesterday. If you are following her blog, you know they are on their dream vacation in Hawaii. Check out her pictures. Congrats, Regi and Jason. P.S. I think we still have the top to your wedding cake in the freezer. Better stop by on your way home from Hawaii and eat it!

Welcome, Ally

2008-10-01T06:40:00.002-04:00

Ally has her own blog now. You may visit her at allylavy.blogspot.com. It sounds like from her blog that she acts a lot like her mom. Hopefully, she will not be kicked out of school before she finishes her first semester. Welcome to blogdom, Fat Albert.

Maybe Two More

2008-09-23T07:22:00.003-04:00

One or two more for the contest. Here's the latest.

Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad were travelling by sea to a distant land to fight dragons. Neither was aware that the other was on board. One evening while they were out on the sea, each decided to take a stroll on the deck. It was dark and the sea was calm. Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot walked from opposite ends of the boat, and somewhere in the middle they brushed by each other, their armor clinking in the stillness of the night. A fellow traveller was heard to remark, "I just saw ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ????."

Just think...we're almost finished with the contest you thought would never end!

Here's Dudley!

2008-09-16T07:45:00.005-04:00

Getting a dreaded bath

In Ally's bed
In Mom's bed
In his bed
His friend from Aunt Pam

The new pup
Favorite couch - Favorite toy
Missing Ally
On patrol
BANG!

Ally requested some pictures of the dog she received for her 16th birthday. He used to be a cute little Jack Russell pup. Now, he has grown into a 3 1/2 year old monster. He is pretty much loved by everyone, though.

As The Crow Flies

2008-09-15T18:26:00.002-04:00

The answers to the last contest are: as the flies crow and as the cries flow. I think there will be only one or two more.
I will try to post some pictures of Dudley soon. Ally has requested some pictures of her dog, and I have taken a few of him recently. He had to have a steroid shot for a rash that he had, so I am blaming the steroids for his size. He is a little plus-sized.

A Double

2008-09-11T19:59:00.002-04:00

Here's a double play for you.

A scientist spent many years teaching common houseflies to act like chickens. He finally perfected the process and now each morning he is awakened "?? ??? ????? ????".

If someone had quadruplets, and they were all hungry at once, you'd know - "?? ??? ????? ????".

Maybe this one is so far out that even Regi can't get it. It's the same cliche twisted two different ways. By the way, I am getting closer to the end of my ideas. I hear the cheers.

Answer

2008-09-08T07:41:00.002-04:00

He was charged with "transporting gulls across an estate lion for immortal porpoises". I know, that was a little obtuse. I've got a few more cliches lined up and then we'll be finished with this nonsense.

Quick Clues

2008-09-06T08:34:00.000-04:00

Here are some clues for the previous contest. The five words that are used in the puns are: gulls, estate, lion, immortal(from live forever) and porpoises. Since he carried some gulls across the lion he was charged with a crime. I'll give you a few more days before publishing the answer.

With What Crime Was He Charged?

2008-09-03T17:33:00.003-04:00

This one is not original. I think it was in Reader's Digest many years ago. I remember the punch line, but I will be supplying some of the extras through the story. It is not really a twist on a saying like most have been. It is more like a five-word pun. I don't think that it is one that can be solved, but maybe someone will surprise me. I hope so.

A wealthy man lived in a beautiful estate near the beach. He was rather eccentric, and he had four Atlantic porpoises in his large aquarium. A large lion was always tied at the front doors to his mansion. He had heard an old man say that a certain species of sea gull could be fed to porpoises, allowing them to live forever. Well, he loved his porpoises and set out to the beach to find sea gulls. He found the correct type and took them back home. When he arrived, he saw that his lion was sound asleep in front of the door. Not wanting to disturb him, he carefully climbed over the top of the sleeping beast and entered his home. There, he fed the gulls to his porpoises. Later that evening, he was arrested for the crime that he had committed. Do you know what crime it was?

I will supply some clues later if no one comes up with the answer. Remember, there are five puns used. I don't think that I would be able to solve it if I were trying from your end. I will wait for a few of you to reply, and then try to give a few hints.

Nightcrawlers

2008-08-27T18:40:00.002-04:00

A little different...

It was Nightcrawler City and almost all the citizens were sleeping. It was dark and dank as usual. There was very little noise at this time of the night. Suddenly, the night stillness was broken by the sound of a milk jug clanging against the box on the porch of one of the citizens. The 'crawler who lived next door was an unpleasant fellow, and he was not at all happy at being awakened at this hour by a couple of delivery guys. He slithered to the door, opened it and made a gesture toward the delivery duo. The one looked at the other as if to say, "What did we do to deserve that?" The other nightcrawler looked at his buddy and said, "You know what they say, '??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????' ."

Well, Ally thought it was funny when I tried it out on her. Ally is not allowed to answer this one if she is reading this blog. I will wait to see who is silly enough to figure this one out.

Cooking

2008-08-21T06:40:00.003-04:00

The contest is back.

It was one of those cooking shows. "Never trust a skinny cook", they say. Ferdinando was a very large cook. One day on his cooking show, he was making clam chowder and chili. During a break in the filming, he was quite hungry. He went into his camper and ate fourteen bowls of chili and five bowls of clam chowder. When it was time to resume shooting, Ferd was nowhere to be found. When his producer found out what had happened, he told the rest of the crew what you already know, "??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????".

We have had a few different people come up with the answers to the previous contests. Who will be first to solve this one? If you are new to the contest, you can look back at some previous posts to see how to solve.

The Hurricane Has Arrived

2008-08-19T08:55:00.002-04:00

The hurricane has arrived in South Florida. I know because we took her there ourselves. I think it is ironic that Mrs. Fay is a director there, and Mrs. Fay will be in charge of Hurricane Ally! Oh, well, how appropriate that the two storms should descend upon South Florida on the same week.

Ally was very happy to be there. Mom and Dad didn't shed too many tears, but I have had more trouble here at home than I did leaving her. Her room is so clean now, which means she isn't here to mess it up. I liked it better when there was a mess in there that I can see from this computer location.

Dudley was happy to have us home. However, he had a blast at his puppy-sitters, Pam and Bill's house. He wants to go back and stay with them if Mom and Dad go away again.

The Cliche Contest will be published again in a few days. Sorry for the delay.

Only One Sentence Is Completely True

2008-08-14T07:45:00.004-04:00

Ally and Dudley
Banquet Night

We are taking Ally to Southern California tonight to go to college. We will not miss her in the least. Since we have plenty of other kids at home, we won't even realize she is gone. Dudley will be one happy dog now that he doesn't have to put up with Ally.

We are going to be pulling our big Dodge truck with Ally's little Sunfire to her college. It should be an easy seven-hour trip. We will not be stopping, even for bathroom breaks.

The cliche contest will not be resuming next week when we return.

Ally is very excited about going to Florida, and we are happy for her.

August Blizzard

2008-08-12T08:07:00.003-04:00

Dani was home for the weekend. She went with Ally, Mom and Dudley to the horse show. On the way home Dani declared that she had to have a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. They stopped, made their purchase and then went to the truck. After placing her Blizzard in the truck, she checked her purse. It was about then that she heard a lapping sound. Looking up, she let out a shriek. Dudley LOVES ice cream. He's such a precious dog.

On The Road

2008-08-07T06:29:00.002-04:00

I will be on the road on the Collingsworth bus for the next few days. I have several more stories for the Cliche Contest lined up. They will begin again next week after I return. Check out www.thecollingsworthfamily.com to see the website and schedule of the Collingsworths.

It has been a busy summer here. Ally is leaving for Florida next Thursday to go to school. That will be the official opening of the empty nest. Mom has been busy trying to get the house sold in Dayton. It looked like it was finally done, and then the inspection went badly. Several things may need to be done to prepare it for sale, making it take a lot longer than expected. Summer vacation in Tennessee was a great break, but it seems like it is time for another! The trip to Florida doesn't seem like a vacation. But, everyone is pretty healthy, so there is a lot to be thankful for.

Contest

2008-08-04T17:54:00.002-04:00

This one is way out there. It's a little bit of Western, a little bad pronunciation/spelling, a little Nascar and all silly. Have at it.

Many years ago near a fort in Kansas, there was a little-known Indian tribe. The soldiers were friendly with the tribe and vice versa. Some days the soldiers would go to visit the tribe and engage in games with them. One of their favorite games to play was one in which the tribe would choose four of their nicest braves to run in a footrace against four of the soldiers. Since the Indians were so much faster than the soldiers, they had to start farther back than the soldiers. When the race was ready to begin, all the participants would line up on their respective starting lines. At this point the colonel who was the master of ceremonies would begin the race by allowing the Indians to start running from a point about ten yards behind the soldiers' starting line. As soon as the soldiers heard the braves start, they were allowed to leave their starting line. How did the colonel get the race started? By issuing the command, "??????, ????? ???? ?????????!"

I will wait to see who is far enough out there to post the correct answer. Thanks for reading and participating.

A Tale

2008-07-29T21:27:00.002-04:00

Here's the latest in the contest. This one is a little different in that the answer is not from a saying. You'll figure it out, I'm sure.

In a little town not far away lived a very small kid named Jamie who had hair the color of a fire truck. His dad owned a 1957 Ford with a special seat on the front of the car. He only drove it in parades. Jamie was so excited when it came parade time because he got to ride in the special seat made just for him! Oh, come on, surely you have heard of the story of ?????? ???? ?????? ???.

Who is going to get the big prize this time? Only time will tell.

Jed

2008-07-24T22:20:00.003-04:00

Well, here we go again. Be the first to post the correct well-known saying and be the contest winner!

Here's a story about a man named Jed, a poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed. He had a big old dog named Duke who was a hunting dog with a bad habit. He would take off on the trail of a critter, then lose the scent of it, but continue to take Jed on a hike, ending up with Jed lost and no game for Jed to shoot for food! Old Duke would hightail it for home and hide until Jed forgot about it. One time, however, Duke was so tired that he took a nap while Jed was still coming back from yet another trip where Duke took Jed on another wild goose chase. When Jed got home, he spotted the napping dog and snuck up behind him and scared the dog so badly that he jumped up and bit Jed on the hand. Granny, who lived with him said, "I told you, Jed, it's best to let ????? ???? ?????!"

Fill in the question marks with the correct letters and post the answer. You could be the winner of the second Cliche Contest.

First Contest Winner

2008-07-20T21:22:00.003-04:00

We have a winner in the cliche contest. The previous post was the first in a series of made-up stories that use a well-known cliche or saying and twist or change the words slightly. Brent Lavy is the winner of the first round. He won by giving the correct answer, "A waist is a terrible thing to mind", which is a twist on the saying, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste". Congratulations, BJ, you get the big prize. A new story will be on the way soon.

Saturday was the fourth annual go-kart race at our house. We had a total of 13 participants signed up. Mechanical failures on our racing kart hampered the afternoon. Shaun King won the pole in qualifying with a lap of 14.50 seconds. With the problems with the racer, the race was shortened to two laps for each person and only eight people were able to race. Regi Baker won the Nathan's Hot Dogs 200 with a two-lap time of 32.57 seconds on a slightly different track configuration from the one used for qualifying. Regi won a pack of delicious Nathan's hot dogs for her efforts. She has won this race two years in a row, having won the Minute Maid Light Lemonade 10 last year.

The Marlin Shooting Competition was won this year by Mary White. There were 13 shooters in the contest . Mary had 28 points out of a possible 30. Jason Baker was the defending champion.

In a few days, a new story will be posted in the cliche contest. If you know the answer, be the first to post it and receive the big prize of being recognized as the winner!

First of a Few

2008-07-18T06:55:00.010-04:00

This idea could turn out to be really silly. A while back, a radio DJ did something similar to this. I think that is where I got the idea. I will be taking a cliche or a well-known saying and then making up a story that will hopefully cause you, the reader, to be able to discover the cliche to which it refers. There is a twist, however. The actual cliche will have had words rearranged, or slightly changed, causing it to appear in a humorous light. Since I don't know how else to describe this silliness, I will just begin. The first person to post the correct answer shall receive the BIG PRIZE. The big prize will consist of being named the winner.

The young lady was not what anyone would call obese. Nevertheless, every day she acted like she was too fat to appear in public. She would cause herself a lot of grief because she was so afraid that she would become ugly. She was constantly worried that she would not be able to fit into her clothes. This caused her to be unable to enjoy her life, once again proving the adage, "A ????? is a ???????? thing to ????."

There you have it. Fill in the question marks with the right letters, post your answer by quoting the cliche in quotation marks exactly right and perhaps you could be the first Big Prize winner! Hopefully, it's not too difficult. Hopefully, it's not too easy.

Happenings

2008-07-10T20:07:00.003-04:00

What a great time we had at our house on the fourth. We had 36 people stop by for the party. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

In just a few weeks, it will be just Mom, Dudley and me. Ally will be going away to Florida for school. We will get to see what the empty nest syndrome is all about, and I don't want to try it. But, I guess we will any way.

"Dad, stay in the car!"

2008-07-01T21:30:00.005-04:00

BJ and Holley in the pool

Dad and Dudley after a long day of vacationing

Mary at the Garden Cafe

Yes, I went head first

"Dad, stay in the car"

Here are a few more pictures from Vacation 2008. One of the more memorable events of the trip was when BJ and I went golfing at our private resort course. We arrived at the course with me dressed in my flowers. He got out of the car, and when he saw a car approaching, he said, "Dad, stay in the car." I still think that was one of my best games of the week.

Next time I go off the bungee tower, it will be backwards. I don't like looking down 75 feet and diving head first. It was a very strange feeling.

Dudley was one worn out pup. Check out Regi's blog if you would like to see a video of Dudley swimming in the river to cool off.

I am trying to learn how to post pictures properly. Hopefully, these are OK.

That is all for now.

Vacation 2008

2008-06-30T07:12:00.004-04:00

Belle with the winning 17.5 inch catfish

Ally at Wiffle Ball Stadium

Our cabin, On Golden Pond

Jamie and Dudley in the Pigeon River

Mom and Belle on the Skyscraper

Vacation 2008 is in the books. Thanks to all who participated. It was a great time together in the Great Smokey Mountains. The cast was made up of Mom, Ally, BJ, Belle, Regi, Jason, Dudley, Mary W., Holley R., Jamie H and me.

The cabin that we stayed in was named "On Golden Pond" and was within easy walking distance to the fishing ponds, putt-putt and the pool, all of which were used often.

Jason, BJ and I rode ATV's on trails that I would classify as treacherous. There were plenty of places where I was on two wheels, and places that I had to inch over huge boulders. There were dropoffs and great views all over the place. Mom and Regi rode horses at the same location.

Mom and Belle rode the Skyscraper. They were strapped into a tandem seat on a ride that has an arm attached to a tower. I'm guessing the tower is 70 feet tall. The arm then extends another 50 feet and it rotates around the tower, flinging the riders into the air in a circular motion coming down to earth at a dizzying speed and then rushing back into the air to a height of perhaps 120 feet or more and then continuing on that course for a while before reversing its course and doing it backwards. Great fun! I have Mom on video mouthing the words, "Never again", as she exited. Later, she said she might try it again sometime. Not me. I dove head first off the Bungee platform, but you would not catch me on the Skyscraper!

Several of us went to a little country Methodist church for Sunday worship. That was a nice experience.

We ate like horses the whole week. Some of the highlights were: BBQ ribs for Sunday lunch, Hamburgers with Swiss Cheese and Bacon by Belle and Mary for Monday evening, Grilled marinated Ribeyes by Chefs BJ and Dad on Tuesday, Omelets to order by BJ on Wednesday morning (mine was a Deluxe - 4 eggs with ribeye steak, bacon, ham, peppers, tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms), Dixie Stampede Thursday evening, Pancake Pantry for Friday breakfast and a fabulous Fish Fry on Friday evening hosted by Jamie.

Each day devotions were led by a different person. Those times were very special. Thanks to each of you for your participation.

The Lavy Putt Putt Tournament held at Professor Hacker's in Pigeon Forge was won by Ally Lavy. She won by 2 strokes over BJ and Jason and by 5 strokes over me. She won a total of 10 dollars in prize money. After several rounds of golf on the resort course, Saturday morning was the prestigious Lavy Open. BJ won with a 48 over Jamie and myself, who tied with 50's. Belle won the fishing tournament with a 17.5 inch catfish. Mary W. won the official "word of the vacation" contest, effectively using the word "fling" and its variations enough to impress the committee (made up of volunteers Ally and me).

It was a week full of fun and relaxation. There was swimming in the pool, a pool table, Putt Putt on the resort and two great Wiffle Ball games at the Wiffle Ball Stadium, which was created in a picturesque valley just across a little bridge from one of the fishing ponds.

Dudley went along for his first-ever vacation. He had a great time wearing himself out on the mountains so that he could barely crawl into bed at night. He finished up by swimming in the river at the Apple Barn with Jamie.

Hopefully, we can do Vacation 2009 next June.

Kentucky Speedway

2008-06-16T17:29:00.002-04:00

I received a big surprise for Father's Day. My five kids sent me clues via e-mail and phone throughout the day on Thursday of last week. These were in the form of letters, which had to be unscrambled. At the end of the clues, I had no clue! After some unscrambling, however, the words were "Sparta Kentucky". That is the city where the Kentucky Speedway is located.

Danette and I went to the Nationwide race on Saturday evening. We even were able to get pit passes. We spent a couple hours in the pit area before and during qualifying. We were able to get very close to Carl Edwards, Kenny and Steve Wallace, David Ragan, Clint Bowyer, David Reuttiman and a few other racers.

Danette observed that the guys qualifying were a lot faster than I drove when I drove there for Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure. It is still neat, though to watch the racing on the same track that I was able to drive a few years ago.

When qualifying was nearly over, we went to our seats. There, from Row 17, we watched the start of the race. When it was about half over we went back to the pit area. From our vantage point there, we could get directly behind the pit boxes and watch the crew chief and crews work. We could walk the entire length of the pit road from Turn 4 to Turn 1. That made for an extremely interesting evening.

When Kyle Busch crashed on the backstretch, the crowd was thrilled. If you don't know, Kyle is not liked real well by many Nascar fans because of his run-ins with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the fan favorite. Danette and I were standing at the entrance to pit road when that accident happened. When they brought the wrecked car around to the front, Danette and I were leading the cheers of the 73,000 fans. That was the happiest that the crowd was all night, I believe. I also received a phone call from Paul Lavy moments after the wreck. As Paul said, it couldn't have happened to a better person! Even Mom isn't terribly enamored with Mr. Busch!

Eighteen-year-old Joey Logano won the race easily. He is the youngest ever to win a Nationwide race.

What a great night it was for racing, and what a nice Father's Day present from the kids. Thanks Regi, Jason, Danette, Brent and Ally.

On Sunday, we had a great meal at Danette's apartment. All the kids were there, and some friends also. Thanks, kids.

Racing

2008-06-09T09:29:00.003-04:00

Some of you know that I am a Nascar fan. I'm not a huge fan. I've never even been to a Sprint Cup race. But, I do follow the racing somewhat. We have been to Kentucky Speedway to see the Busch Series race twice (now known as the Nationwide Series). We have also been to several other tracks to see some racing, including Myrtle Beach Speedway, Winchester Speedway, Shadybowl Speedway, Eldora Speedway, Indianapolis and O'Reilly.

In October, 2004, I had the drive of a lifetime, when I strapped into a 600 horsepower racecar at Kentucky Speedway, driving for Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure. Here, in my own words, is the experience as I recalled it.

Local Man Takes Drive of a Lifetime
By: Lowell J. Lavy
Most mornings when I get up, I get into my black ‘97 Geo Metro and head for work at Wholesale Carpet Outlet in Gettysburg. I pull out onto Rt. 127, push the accelerator to the floor, and in just a few short minutes I am up to my cruising speed of 55 mph. On Oct. 9, 2004, however, it was an entirely different situation. I had signed up to race at the Kentucky Speedway with Dale Jarrett Racing Adventures.

When I was much younger, my brother owned a 1967 GTO, and one time we went extremely fast. I don’t know if there is a statute of limitations on speeding so I won’t get any more specific than that. Besides, my dad may be reading this. One thing is certain- that Goat could move! However, this did not prepare me for what was about to happen.

Kentucky Speedway is located about forty miles from Cincinnati on I-71, near Sparta, Ky. The 1.5-mile tri-oval hosts several races each year, including the Nascar Busch Series in June. It is situated in rolling hills on a one thousand acre plot, ninety-seven of which are located in the infield.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, after spending the night at my daughters’ apartment in Erlanger, Ky., we drove to the track. After arriving at about 7:30 A.M., I registered, and then I had to be at the drivers’ meeting at 8:00. Here, they went over the track layout, introduced us to our spotters (who would actually be riding with us), and went over the rules. They kept it interesting and humorous, even getting one of the participants to admit to being a Jeff Gordon fan. They assured him it was something he would grow out of.

Immediately after class, we were instructed to go to pit road. There, eight cars were lined up – seven Tauruses and one Monte Carlo. Everyone had to take a van ride around the track for several laps so that the acceleration and deceleration points could be identified. Then, it was back to pit road to wait my turn.

There were thirty-nine drivers that morning, and I was about two thirds of the way down the list. As it got closer to my turn, I got into my fire suit and was fitted with a Hutchins device—a safety apparatus to keep your head from being tossed around in case of an accident. After selecting a helmet from the pit wall, I was ready!

When there were just a few drivers left before my turn, they put the number of the car I would be driving beside my name. It was the 7 car, a blue and white Monte Carlo. Soon it was my turn, and I made my way across pit road to the racecar. It was easier than I expected to slide into the fifteen-inch window opening and down into the racing seat. They buckled me in tightly so that I could barely move my body or head. After popping the steering wheel in place, they fired up the 600+ horsepower engine. On command from my spotter, I put it in gear and soon we were rolling down the 2800-foot pit road, at about 55 mph. A left turn at the end put us on a narrow entrance road, and when we got around the curve we were out on the apron of the backstretch. I quickly accelerated and my spotter instructed me to go up onto the 70-foot wide racing surface. Then it was through turns 3 and 4, and onto the 1662-foot front straightaway through the tri-oval to take the green flag for ten racing laps.

I was off the gas as instructed at turn 1, then down to turn 2 and back on the gas, down the 1600-foot backstretch, and then once again into turns 3 and 4, which are banked at 14 degrees. Then it was down the front straightaway and across the finish line to begin lap two.

According to the telemetry information provided to me on CD, my top speed was 139.5 mph. They told us that the record for holding your breath at Kentucky Speedway was six laps; I may have been close to that. Fortunately, there were only four or five cars at a time on the track, so there was not a lot of close racing. It is also fortunate that I am forty-five years old, and too old to change professions, because that is a lot of fun! This was real white-knuckle, heart-racing action, and I’ll never forget the experience. Tomorrow, I think I’ll climb in the window of my Geo and see if it will do any better!

I have changed jobs since then, and I am now happily employed at Creative Carpets in Greenville. Coincidentally, my boss, Jack Curry, also participated in the racing adventure at Kentucky. Brent, Danette and Jason joined me for a racecar driving experience at Myrtle Beach Speedway, last year on vacation. That was a nice drive around a one-half mile track.

Thanks for reading. See you next time.

Congratulations, Brooklyn

2008-06-02T08:24:00.002-04:00

Saturday afternoon was spent at the Collingsworth Estate honoring Brooklyn, a HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE. Congratulations, Brooklyn, for completing your requirements, much of which was done on the road in Big Red. It was a beautiful day, filled with fish, four-wheelers, food and fun.

Brooklyn even hit a home run off of my stellar pitching in the softball game between some of the older group and the younger group. Everything was fine until I pulled a leg muscle. That happens when you start to go over the hill.

Thanks, Brook, for inviting us to celebrate with you. I hope you always have success in what you and the Lord choose for you.

50 Years Later

2008-05-27T08:05:00.002-04:00

50 years after Dad started taking us to Michigan to hunt mushrooms, we took him back to the starting point. Don and Grandpa picked me up at my house at 3:55 A.M. on Friday. After getting Kenny at his house, we lost no time driving north on Rt 127. We hit the woods near Wolverine, Mi. at 10:38 A.M. We had our first finds within 3 minutes.

At noon we were at Silver Lake, a pristine body of water nestled along Peters Road. There we enjoyed pork chops, salad and dessert before hurrying on to our next stop at an old gravel pit. We picked about 5 there and then went to the snowmobile trail and followed my GPS setting to an area that has produced for us in other years. There we picked around 60 in a small area.

We harvested 183 mushrooms in two partial days of hunting. On Saturday, we stopped by the old roadside park, where 50 years ago in May, Grandpa had stopped the car and asked a park worker where to hunt. The man showed Dad a large yellow morel that he had found nearby. We have hunted near that area for the last 50 years.

We had fun, took some pictures, ate at Gobbler's Restaurant and had a wonderful time together.

Going North

2008-05-22T06:09:00.002-04:00

It is that time of year. We have decided to go to Northern Michigan once again in search of the morel mushroom. Dad and Mother began the tradition in May, 1958 when I was being carried by Mother. I was born in Nov. of 1958. Somehow, I got hooked on mushroom hunting. They went to an area near Wolverine, Mich., and we continue going to the same woods. Some of the exact area still produce morels in certain years and conditions.

In the 70's, during the great elm die, we found them by the bushel. They are not as plentiful now.

This year, Grandpa is joining me, Uncle Don and Kenny on the trip. We plan to leave Friday morning at 4:00 from my house. I will report on our trip when we return. Yesterday, it was snowing in Wolverine. The weather report calls for 60's and sunny for Fri. and Sat.

See ya when we get back.

Boys Night Out

2008-05-18T07:15:00.002-04:00

Jason called me on Saturday afternoon asking me to go go-karting with him and his brother and dad. Since the girls were horse-showing, and I had my mowing, door-hanging, weed-spraying and garage door-installing done, I said "OK".

I have done a small amount of racing in my life. I have raced at Kentucky Speedway with Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, did the driving experience at Myrtle Beach Speedway and ran the 1/4 scale cars at the Smoky Mountain Speedway along with numerous go-kart tracks, including Dawnview Raceway, our own exclusive dirt track in our yard. However, last night's racing experience left me asking the question, "Where are the HANS devices?"

Fasttimes in Indy was the location. And fast is the word of the day. I think you run somewhere around 45 mph at times. It is out of the pits with a left turn, hard on the accelerator, a sweeping high-speed left, then set up for a 180 to the right. That sets you up for the high speed part of the track. A right turn is followed by a right turn, up the hill to the second level, into a FAST sweeping right, and get ready for calamity corner as you barrel into one more hard right, before charging down the hill into, finally, another left that takes you past the pits and into another lap.

I think it was on Lap 3 of our first heat that I found the wall up there at the end of the high-speed sweeping rights. Being new to the track, I hadn't discovered the danger points yet. I slammed the wall, hitting on my left side, at maybe 40 mph. That's when I wondered where is the HANS? HANS stands for Head And Neck Restraint System and is worn by all the Nascar drivers. I got airborne a little and my neck snapped sideways. That will wake you up a little. I bumped the wall a few times the rest of the evening, but I found a way to get through that turn, quickly and safely the rest of the racing time.

That was easily the most exciting go-kart racing I have ever done. I posted the 24th quickest lap at that track for May 17. That was about 2 seconds slower than the fastest laps. I went as fast as I wanted for the evening, though. Thanks, Jason, Aaron and John for the fun and exciting evening.

To be honest with you, there was a freak fatality at that track a few months ago, apparently at the same place that I smacked the wall. I wasn't ever worried about being seriously injured while driving, but it can happen, and one should be careful when participating in sports like that.

By the way, I am hurting this morning. The neck is stiff, there is a place on the left side of my back where that series of sweeping rights forces the back into the seat and somehow there is a bruise on the right leg. One last question from me. How does it feel to hit the wall at 160 mph, like the Nascar boys do week after week? They just earned a little more respect from me.

Before long, I plan to tell you a little about the Dale Jarrett Driving Adventure that I participated in a few years ago.

I Owe My Mother

2008-05-11T07:22:00.003-04:00

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that comes out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

My mother taught me about the WEATHER. "This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father."

My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home!"

My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you're cold?"

My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Doris, Billie and Rena

2008-05-10T06:46:00.003-04:00

Just a few thoughts for Mother's Day, 2008. The three mothers that I have been closest to are the three in the title. Each one has a special place in my memory or life. Three very different people, but each quite precious.

Mother now resides in the Brethren Retirement Community. She loves company, and Dudley and I go to see her when we get the chance. She took me to church when I was little and still wants to make sure we're going to church on Sundays. Often she says, "Come back soon, and keep looking up". She loves when Grandpa comes to visit her from a couple floors below at BRC. She has aged a lot in the last few years, and has lost interest in some of life's not-so-important things. But, she still has much of her mind and is still a joy to visit and talk with. Thanks, Mother, for being a wonderful mother through the years. Love you.

Mom Collingsworth left us a couple of years ago. She gave me the best gift that I have ever received when she gave me my wife. She was as nice a mother-in-law as anyone could have. She was always welcome in our home, and we were always happy to be in hers. She obviously had a huge part in raising three Godly children, and God only knows the far-reaching effects that will ultimately have for God's kingdom. Loved you.

Last, but not least, I have had to put up with the final woman of the three in my title for twenty-seven years and nine months! I cannot imagine life without her. She has been the perfect match for me. We don't always have the same interests (for example, horses), but we complement each other well, and it has been a Joy to be married to Rena Joy for these many years. She has scared us a couple of times, and I have told her in no uncertain terms that she is not to do that again! I hope to grow old with her, and we are getting there in a hurry! I Love You, Rena Joy.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers.

Spelling and the Brain

2008-05-07T06:33:00.002-04:00

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Txes M&A Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Tlel me waht tou tinhk of that santrge ieda!

By the way, I had an aufwl tmie wehn I tierd my sellphccek porgarm on tihs psot!

Mushrooms

2008-04-29T07:17:00.003-04:00

When I was only a twinkle in my dad's eye, the Lavy family went to Northern Michigan in May, 1958. They were in search of the elusive morel, also known as a sponge mushroom. They are a delicacy in many people's opinion. When they found bags full of morels, this became a yearly trip and when I got big enough to know what was happening, I became a mushroom hunter.

In the 1970's, Dutch Elm disease devastated the American Elm population. For some reason, an elm that was dead for a few years produced morels. In those years, we would hunt in the woods mainly by looking for the next dead elm. At times we would find dozens of mushrooms around one tree. In some years we would come home with more than 3,000 in just a couple of day's hunting time. As the elm trees began to fall, mushrooms seemed to decrease in number. Since very few elms remain, we have had to adjust our hunting areas.

When we hunt now, we are looking for ash trees. Certain ash trees that are healthy are now morel producers. There a lot of variables that go into finding them, however. The ground cover is important along with soil and moisture. Temperatures are also quite important. A lot of things need to line up to make for a good mushrooming year.

A few years ago, Brent and I decided to go to Michigan and see if we could hit the jackpot. We didn't, but we found enough to have some meals of mushrooms and pork chops, and we brought a few home. In another year, Danette joined us for the trip. Then, Grandpa Lavy went north with Wayne, Lauren, Paul and me. Last year, just Grandpa and I went. So, it has come full circle. Grandpa got me hooked about fifty years ago, and now I have taken him to Wolverine, Michigan to hit the woods.

Danette, Ally, Jamie and I found 54 in a woods near our house last week. Finding them here gets you excited about finding the really big ones in Michigan. Here they were 2-3 inches in height. Up north, they can grow to 5 or 6 inches and bigger.

We have some tentative plans to go north in a few weeks. Time will tell if we will be able to take Grandpa to the north woods one more time.

From The Hymnal

2008-04-19T11:49:00.003-04:00

I am confident I am as guilty as anyone else, but recently I thought of how easy it is to listen to hymns without really paying attention to the words. I think I was watching David Phelps singing the following hymn when I was reminded of that fact. Would you read or sing these words with me and remind yourself to really comprehend the message?

There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel's veins

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day

And there may I though vile as he

Wash all my sins away

Dear dying Lamb,Thy precious blood

Shall never lose its power

'Til all the ransomed Church of God

Be saved to sin no more

E'er since by faith, I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply

Redeeming love has been my theme

And shall be 'til I die

Then in a nobler, sweeter song

I'll sing Thy power to save

When this poor, lisping, stamm'ring tongue

Lies silent in the grave

There are a hundred other songs with just as powerful a message as that. If you are like me, you have heard them repeatedly at church. Once in a while, the message just jumps out at you in a wonderful way. If you would like, leave a comment and a favorite song title that you may recall from years ago...or from yesterday.

Remax

2008-04-11T06:38:00.003-04:00

On April 8, 2008, our Australian Shepherd mix, Remax was put to sleep. He had been in failing health for a few years. Ally had convinced us that he wouldn't make it through the winter two or three years ago. That is partly how she got her Jack Russell, Dudley.

He was the cutest little ball of fur when we got him about sixteen years ago. We lived in Pleasant Hill at that time. He was never the friendliest of dogs, but nevertheless he was a part of the family. I don't think he ever bit anyone...maybe he nipped Dave Hilligoss once. But, that was understandable. Remember Dave and and animals don't get along too well. (see previous post about the crazy cat) I'm kidding about Dave not getting along with animals. Oh, I don't think he liked Uncle Cyrl real well either. 'Specially after that nasty little operation that Uncle Cyrl performed on him! It was nice to have a dog around the place that would make unwanted people think twice about bothering the house if we were not home.

After having some strokes, Remax just wasn't the same. In the last few days, he got to where he could hardly get up to walk. The night before he had to be taken away, he got off of the porch and walked out into the yard and lay down. I don't think he moved all night. In the morning, I thought I would just need to dig a hole and bury him. But, there he was, still struggling to get up and live!

I took his yellow blanket and covered him. He stood up, and I picked him up. What once was a sixty-five pound dog was now maybe thirty. I carried him to the truck and took him to Dr. Hartzell. After signing a consent form, I carried him to the door, handed him to a nurse dressed in purple and walked away. I know he was just an animal, but it was still hard to see to drive.

Maybe God gives us animals to help teach life lessons. All of us are travelling the same road when it comes to living and then dying. None of us are getting younger, that is for sure. Oh, well, I actually wasn't planning on this being too sappy of a story. Dudley and Jessie are just happy there is more food for them now. But, there is an empty place on the porch where Remax seemed to live for the past couple of years.

Honey, Water and Fire

2008-04-02T08:33:00.004-04:00

Want to hear about my three brushes with disaster? No? Too bad, you're already reading and now you are hooked. Only one was truly too close for comfort, but all three were interesting.

Grandpa and I were across the creek at his house cleaning up brush. Merrill had built a small building there, and there was a pile of lumber. Remember the song that was sung by The Edwards Trio many years ago? It went something like this, "When the Canaanites hardened their hearts against God And grieved him because of their sin God sent along hornets to bring them to task And to help His own people to win The hornets persuaded them that it was best To go quickly and not to go slow They did not compel them to go against their will They just made them willing to go If a nest of live hornets were brought to this room And the creatures allowed to go free You would not need urging to make yourself scarce You'd want to get out don't you see? They would not lay hold and by force of their might Throw you out of the window, oh no They would not compel you to go against your will They would just make you willing to go!" Just understand this...Grandpa and I were the Canaanites that day. And, you know what? It is best to go quickly and not to go slow! We jumped into the same creek that Grandma and I nearly drowned in (see previous blog about fishing). Grandpa twisted an ankle getting into the creek, and he was also stung twenty or thirty times. However, we both survived.

Not too long after that episode, the creek rose to flood stage. Normally, Painter Creek is a peaceful stream, maybe three feet deep in its deepest parts, six inches in other areas. When it floods, it can be eight to ten feet deep. Grandpa and I were on the bridge that Gene Shields helped him put across the creek. The water was rushing mere inches from the bottom of the bridge. A large piece of wood that Grandpa thought could be used for firewood was floating toward the bridge. I grabbed an oar from our famous boat and attempted to stop the piece of wood. The force of the floating wood came too close to flipping me off the bridge into the water. Between bees and firewood, Grandpa and I had quite the experiences around the creek.

Everyone knows that you should NEVER throw gasoline on a fire, right? I know that, too. And, I wouldn't do it. But, the week before Kim Lavy Marshall's wedding, I was burning brush here at my home. I know you are thinking, "What a dummy he was!" But, just listen and tell me where you know that I went wrong. I had a fire going. It went out and was no longer burning at all. Approximately, five to ten feet away, I stacked a bunch of brush. I got the gas can from the garage ( I hear you, there is where I went wrong!) and poured a large quantity of gas on the pile of brush. After soaking it, I turned around, walked away a few feet to set the can down. Behind me, the brush pile exploded into flame! The only explanation is that the fumes from the gas I had poured travelled along the ground to where the previous fire was. Enough heat remained to ignite the fumes, and the Lord was watching out for me is all I can say about that. If it had exploded while I was pouring, you wouldn't be reading my blog!

Thanks for reading. See you next time.

He Won What?!

2008-03-23T13:39:00.003-04:00

I have known Phil Collingsworth for a long time. Many years ago, I sold him his first car. It was a bright blue 1976 Chrysler Cordoba. Now, this was way back, before those gray streaks started showing in Phil's hair. Of course, he might say that this was back when I had hair. That was a special car of mine. It was my honeymoon car. I am married to his sister, Rena, and we drove it to Gatlinburg in 1980. Now, he has paid me back many times over, by allowing me to drive his bus, Big Red, occasionally.

Phil has always been a city boy. He was raised in Dayton, Ohio, lived in Cincinnati and then Indianapolis. Then it was on to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. So, it has always been the big city for him! Last year, we drove to Pennsylvania for a concert. We were making our way through the picturesque countryside, when Phil spotted a farmer out in the field beside the road. He was kneeling at the back of a cow lying in the grass. He said, "Lowell, pull this bus over to the side of the road." Phil jumped out, climbed the fence and went over to the farmer. He asked if there was something he could do to help. The farmer told him to grab hold of the little leg that was protruding from the cow and help pull! In a short while, a beautiful new calf was born. Phil was in awe, and the farmer asked if he could pay Phil for assisting. Phil, being the helpful man that he is, declined but said, "I do have one question. About how fast do you suppose that calf was going when he ran into the back of that cow?" I did say he was a city boy, didn't I?

OK, maybe some of that was not exactly accurate. The truth is that he grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and he entered a contest at WFCJ radio. They were giving away several gospel albums. This reminded me of my good friend Daniel Downing, who entered a similar contest in Cincinnati. They announced that the third caller would win the prize. Dan called. First caller, sorry. He redialed. Second caller, sorry. Once again he dialed. He won! But, I digress. Guess who won all those albums! I forget how many there were. Twenty-five or maybe fifty. There were a bunch of them. And, now look who is producing recordings today.

We are very proud of The Collingsworth Family. I know Grandma and Grandpa Collingsworth were very proud of them before they left us. It is easy to be proud of them when you see them singing on stage with gospel greats like Bill Gaither, Ben Speer, The Talleys, Lynda Randle and all the others. We were watching a live Gaither production on Daystar. Russ Taff was singing. As he finished, Bill came to the microphone and began the introduction for the next group. He said, "We'll start with the mother." And, Phil's wife, Kim came to the piano to play "How Great Thou Art" in front of the thousands at the Dallas-Ft Worth Gaither Concert. Next, Phil, Brooklyn, Courtney, Phillip and Olivia joined her on stage and sang "Not The Same". They are making a splash in the Southern Gospel Music world. If you haven't noticed, you will soon, if you are paying attention.

If you are interested, ask me about the windshield wiper problems on our last trip from Texas. Quite the picture I have in my mind - looking out the windshield at Phil with his hands thrown in the air and a look of confusion on his face.

Check out "thecollingsworthfamily.com" for pictures and info if you are not familiar with this group.

Dream Teams

2008-03-15T07:54:00.003-04:00

Paul Lavy reminded me of the great softball excursion from many years ago. Someone in Indiana, don't even remember who or what city it was, challenged some of the Lavys to a softball game. I believe they assured someone that they would handle the Lavy team rather easily. That was all it took for the team to jump in their vehicles and head for Indiana on a Saturday.

I don't recall all of the members, but it was mostly Lavys and one Chester Beatty. All of them were a rather competitive group as you might imagine if you know any Lavys. There was one major obstacle to the day, as we soon found out on I-70 somewhere west of Richmond. It was the worst traffic jam in history. At a dead stop, many of the team members got out and warmed up for the game in the median. Finally, they routed traffic on to Rt. 40 and hours later we arrived at the game site.

I think we had two games scheduled, but due to the fact we were hours late, we only got one game in. If I remember correctly, the score was something like 19-1. Indiana did not win.

That got me to thinking about the athletic ability of the Lavy/Welbaum tribes. Of course, it doesn't work this way, but what if you could put everyone on a team in their prime! Here is a possible starting lineup for a softball game. Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...never mind, that's Abbott and Costello. You probably knew that from their famous radio dialogue.

Start with Don Lavy at catcher. I'll tell you why at the end. Let's put Harold Fourman at shortstop. Merrill Lavy in center. Dean Welbaum in left. Paul Lavy in right. Wayne Lavy in short field. Deon Welbaum at second. Duane Lavy at first. Lowell Lavy at third. Tom Welbaum pitching. There could be a lot of variations there, I realize. However, that team with reserves like Kevin Lavy, Dave Welbaum, Steve Lavy and Dan Welbaum would be formidable. I have probably forgotten somebody, also.

Why Don at catcher? One last quick story. We were in a close softball game at old Laura Stadium. In Laura, on 571, there once was a field by the water tower. We were playing the Old Order German Baptists. Someone from their team drilled one over Merrill Lavy in center field. An easy homer, right? Not so much. After retrieving the ball from near the water tower, he fired to Harold Fourman standing somewhere behind short. Harold relayed a perfect strike to Don at home plate. The batter had circled the bases with an apparent homer. The ball arrived at nearly the same time as the runner. Don was blocking the plate. The runner ran into Big Don, bounced backwards a few feet, and Don walked over to him and tagged him out! One of those instances you never forget.

Well, there you have it. Oh, by the way, I also remember years ago, when someone Don worked with at Hobart Brothers wanted to bet his paycheck that his basketball team could beat Don, Merrill, Harold, Deon and Dean. I think I was a sub then. Too bad Don wasn't a betting man or we could have all gone out to eat at Frisch's!

Fishing

2008-03-08T16:55:00.002-05:00

Grandma Lavy and I were the only survivors of the boating accident that took place on Painter Creek many years ago. We were on board a fishing craft that was trying to dock. When it sank, we were able to save ourselves by flopping around in the six-inch deep water until we could get to our feet. Actually, no one else was on board the USS Lavy for that expedition. We sailed on the creek behind Grandpa's house in search of the great carp that live in those waters.

When I was about twelve, G and G Lavy and I went to supper at Gene and Mary Shields' house. Somehow the conversation got around to their Florida fishing trips, and Mary invited me to go with them. Fortunately, Grandpa loved to travel, so it was fairly easy to get him in the mood. For several years after that, we went to Ft. Myers, Florida yearly in February.

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is slightly different than Painter Creek fishing. We would fish in 50-60 feet of water, bouncing our shrimp-baited hooks off the bottom as we drifted. When a grouper, sheephead or red snapper hit, you had your work cut out for you pulling him to the surface. It was a great feeling to land them in the boat. On the way back to the marina, Gene would pull over to an island where he would fillet the fish and throw the scraps to the pelicans.

A few times we would tie up at an island, jump out of the boat and fish while wading in the surf. One of the most memorable times was when Bill Kuhnle and I stood next to each other in the surf while fishing for snook. I hooked a nice one and reeled him in. I think it was about a 24-inch fish. Those silver fish with a black stripe down the side are among the most delicious salt-water fish I've ever tasted (you should try a fried fish feast prepared by a pro like Mary Shields after an all-day fishing trip).

My fish looked like something out of Painter Creek next to the one Bill brought in right beside me. It was thirty-six inches long and I could put my fist in its mouth. Then, it was back in the boat and in to Four Winds Marina. Perhaps that night we had some blowfish and sheephead livers to add to the snook and snapper. What a feast it was!

Thanks, Grandpa, for taking me to Florida in February and providing me with some great memories. I came back to school with a suntan in the middle of winter. Gene and Mary are gone now, I believe. They were a big part of those memories, also.

Lezah Einnaf Snilloc

2008-02-26T22:02:00.003-05:00

What a neat lady she was! Many of you never knew her. She died in about 1977 or 1978. I called her Lezah Snilloc, but her name was really Hazel Collins. She was Grandma Lavy's cousin, and I think she was a big reason why Grandma and Grandpa are Christians today. When you think about it, that is pretty important as you look at their family and the fact that most are followers of Christ.

Hazel lived in Pleasant Hill, Ohio. We lived in her house a few years after she died. But, it wasn't the first time I had been in that house. I stayed with her different times when Grandma and Grandpa were away. She was a short little lady, and as kind as anyone could be. I wrestled with her when I was a kid, and once she fell off the couch. She laughed as only she could, and warned me that the neighbors would hear.

She had a one-of-a-kind testimony in church. She was the kind of person that any pastor would want in their pew. I doubt if she had an unkind word for anyone.

She went to Michigan to go mushroom hunting with us. She would get tickled and laugh with us. She went with us to New Mexico to see Geneva when she was out at a mission hospital. She was a big part of our family, though she had no immediate family of her own.

Uncle Cyrl found her in her room when he went to pick her up for church one Sunday morning in May, if I remember correctly. I got my first speeding ticket coming home from Cincinnati for her funeral. I think she is buried north of Pleasant Hill at Sugar Grove. I'll never forget her.

I woke up this morning thinking of dear old Hazel Fannie Collins. Thanks, Hazel, for inviting Victor and Doris to church many years ago.

The Playhouse Theater

2008-02-18T20:07:00.004-05:00

Mom, Ally, Dudley and I headed for the hallway. It sounded like a train was headed for the house. Limbs were pelting the siding, and we heard some unidentified thumps. After a few minutes the winds calmed and we were safe. We didn't know it until the next morning, but an old friend had left us during the storm.

Behind our garage sat the Playhouse Theater. It has been there longer than we have lived here. It was just an old outbuilding, used for storage. But, it was much more than that. I understand that our cautious kids used to jump from its roof when we were at work. We found out long afterwards that BJ nearly killed himself while jumping off. The girls assured him that he was fine (certain that they would be in big trouble if he wasn't).

My long-time enemy/friend, Chester Beatty came up one evening, and we treated the kids to a one-of-a-kind production of Laurel and Hardy. You can only guess who was Laurel and who was Hardy. I will only tell you this much - Chester was the one who got stuck halfway out one of the windows! And, so the Playhouse Theater was christened.

You would have to ask the LavyKids about what other things transpired inside those hallowed walls. Once, Remax found that a nest of bees had been built in one of the chairs. Fortunately, this was after Chester and I had performed there. That would certainly have livened up the show!

When I walked out the door the other morning, I could see the roof upside down at the back of the garage. The powerful storm had literally picked the playhouse up and turned it over, smashing it beyond repair. In an ironic twist, Regi had e-mailed me that very day, submitting some memories about the playhouse, and even asking for photos. Imagine her surprise when she found out that their very cherished friend had been destroyed.

Now that I think about it, I believe Chester was Laurel because he could cry just like Stanley. Anyhow, I think Ashley, Becky, Regi, BJ, Dani, Ally and even Esther and Rena thought we were absolutely, positively NUTS!

Cousins, Brothers and Enemies

2008-02-07T19:32:00.000-05:00

Cousins first. I was about fourteen. I rode home from our country church with Cousin Dean. We had a lot of snow and over on Red River West Grove Road there was a drift that was too high to go through. So, we backed up and went around the other way to Byrely Road. The drifts were nearly as bad there. But, Dean was driving "Heber". Heber was Dean's first car, inherited from his grandpa, Heber. Seems like it was a '61 Ford Fairlane or some such powerful animal. With some fine driving we plowed through the drifts and since we were young and intellectual giants, we decided if Heber could make it through those drifts, he could surely make it through the drifts on RRWG Road. We went around to that road, now driving north (meaning away from home), and putting the pedal to the metal we plunged through the drifts like a snow plow. Shoot, even snow plows get stuck sometimes! The thing with snow plows is, they don't have to call Uncle Cyrl late at night when it is 15 degrees and blowing snow. He had to get on his tractor and drive about 4 miles in the bitter cold to rescue Dean, Lowell and Heber. If you knew Uncle Cyrl, you know I can't repeat everything he said that night. He never let us forget it. And, true to his style, he finally got his revenge. The day we buried him was bitterly cold, and the wind cut through us like a knife as we stood around the tent and sang "Shall We Gather At The River". And Dean and I recalled a night many years ago...

Brother! Oh, Merrill is nice enough, I guess, but years ago when I was small and helpless, I was invited up to his room. There he was on his bed on all fours acting like an ape. I think Don was the zookeeper, and I was to be the poor person who had to feed the ape popcorn! The ape nearly took my arm off when I reached through the bars to feed him! He hasn't changed all that much, but I just keep my distance now.

Lastly, enemies. When I first met Chuck, a.k.a. Charles, a.k.a. Chester, it was a frightening day for me. We were in Covington, Ohio, at Rick Beatty's wedding reception. I was attempting to decorate Rick's car when I was attacked by his little brother, Chester. "Leave my brother's car alone!" was the command. And so a new friendship was formed between Chester and me. Now, I consider him a very close friend. And, the story might be a little exaggerated as things tend to be over time. With enemies like Chester, who needs friends?

Scared?

2008-01-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

When Rena was about seven months pregnant with Regi, we took a trip to Mammoth Cave. It was to be our last getaway before KIDS. We went to the wax museum. We rode the Alpine Slide. We toured the cave. Then we went to our very first Haunted House. We thought we would never find our way out. When Rena gets hurt or scared, she generally starts laughing. Did I mention she was seven months pregnant? Who knew that we should have packed the Depends?!

While we are on the haunted house subject, there is a nice one in Wisconsin Dells. That's where we found ourselves on family vacation a few years ago. Momma went down the swimming pool slide for her first and last time. Her sunglasses floated to the top before she did! But, that's another story. We walked downtown to the haunted house. BJ had his cool new T-shirt with an eagle on the front. Famous last words have a way of coming back to haunt...Before going in to the scary place, he pointed to his eagle and said, "This thing isn't scared of anything!" Fortunately, he was a lot smaller than he is now, or he would have killed me hanging on to my neck like that on the way through the house!

Oh, yeah, Dave H. and the CRAZY cat. There I was, peacefully sleeping in our Dayton house soon after we were married. The phone rang. It was the Hilligoss household, located just a few blocks away. It seems that a CAT had gotten into Dave and Connie's bedroom in the middle of the night, and they needed assistance. In minutes we were there to find Dave chasing something around the bedroom. To be quite honest with you, I never did see that cat. I think he was hallucinating. No, I'm kidding. That stupid cat was crazy and running berserk all over the place. It was under the bed and then in the window behind the curtains. That was when we all thought we were crazy, because when Dave moved the curtains there was NO cat! It appeared from somewhere, and Dave clubbed it with a crutch that he kept handy to beat Connie into submission when necessary. Were we scared? No, we were brave throughout the whole ordeal!

One last thing...If you are looking for a pleasant evening, and you are in Gatlinburg, I recommend Ripley's Haunted Adventure. You can relax on the walk through the old Grimms and Reaper Mortuary. I think they have Depends for sale across the street at the drugstore.

Remember?

2008-01-22T08:33:00.000-05:00

Somebody, probably Uncle Phil, started rhyming everything when talking. For instance, he might say, "Look at the snow, Mo". That led to the most famous statement ever voiced by none other than Grandma Collingsworth, when a peanut fell on the floor. The words never forgotten by the Collingsworth family are here for your viewing pleasure, "Pick up the nut, Butt". We never let her live it down.

Anyone ever watched "America's Funniest Videos"? Of course, you don't usually have the video camera going when you should, or 'most everyone could "get it on camera and get it in cash". I have missed a few winners in the past. A friend of ours, who shall go unnamed, was playing softball at West Milton Campground. She ripped a double into right field, and unfortunately attempted to turn it into a triple. Halfway to third the skirt hit the ground and the triple was not to be!

Remax, our ancient dog, who, by the way, was supposed to pass away before any more dogs were added to the household (how did Dudley get here?) would have provided us with a $10,000 prize as one of the funniest videos. But, alas, we did not have the camcorder running. Uncle Merrill installed a new fence for us when we first became horseowners. Somehow, we forgot to inform Remax about the new obstacle between the house and the barn. The next day he ran to the barn as usual. Have you ever seen a three-foot-long dog with his snout stuffed two feet through a fence? He hit the fence at high speed, but he was none the worse for wear. He still lives on, in spite of Ally's grim assessment that he has three feet in the grave and the other on a banana peel. She thinks if he goes away, she can get Dudley II.

Regi remembers being tossed high into the air by Dad when she was little. She was pretty fearless. One cloudy day, after throwing her high into the air, it began raining. So, from that day on, I didn't throw her quite as high.

That's all for now. Send me memories if you have some come to mind.

Do You Remember When...?

2008-01-17T20:15:00.000-05:00

It is time for a few memories from Memory Lane. I plan to devote some blogs to remembering. It will probably be a lot of disconnected happenings that get noted. If you are reading these, and have a memory that I was associated with and would remember, leave a comment or tell me and we will try to expound upon it if it would be a proper thing to do and wouldn't harm too many innocent bystanders!

Many of the memorable times that I spent in Cincinnati are connected to Craig Dahler and cannot really be discussed in public. You would have to contact him and find out more about the time he made a carload of guys mad at him and me. If there was trouble around, it seems that Craig and I were together. I think it was mostly him that was the trouble magnet.

Regi remembers Dad playing Spin-o-rama, a crazy game, thought up by Dad, that involved spinning a lightweight ball in the air to one kid after another until someone missed it. It continued until all but one "Grand Champion" remained. The Grand Champion would then receive "the BIG prize" - that no one has ever really received yet!

And, don't forget "The Trap Game", in which, one by one, the kids would become trapped in Dad's hand and have to figure out the magic button on Dad to push and get released. It could be his nose or elbow or knee or big toe or left ear. It was very educational!

Last memory of this session...remember how Dudley loved to go see Grandpa Coddaword (that's Collingsworth, but Regi liked to pronounce it Coddaword, or Dad made that up, too, I'm not sure which is true). Anyway, he loved to travel to Noblesville, where he would hurriedly peepee in the yard after the long trip and then gallop to their patio door - he knew which one - and rush into meet Grandpa and Grandma. Some times he would jump onto the bed and go to sleep with Grandpa. Now, he goes to visit Grandma and Grandpa Lavy at the Home where they live.

That's it until next time. Maybe one of those Dahler stories will be able to be told. Paul Clemens was a part of one big-time problem that I recall, too. Something about oranges being thrown at on-coming cars. But, I don't think Paul would be involved with that, do you?

And Last, But Not Least

2008-01-10T19:37:00.000-05:00

He called me and asked if he could meet me at Bob Evans for supper. Mom and I pretended we didn't know what he would want to talk about. Sure, he had been dating our little girl for quite a while. The Bob Evans meeting was to take place just before Ally's basketball game at Huber Heights Christian. I was joining Regi and Jason at the game. We were all driving separately and Regi was not to know that Jason and I were meeting prior to the game.

All went as planned, and I met Jason at the restaurant. Soon after being seated, the conversation took an ominous tone. Rather than directly asking if he could have my daughter, he asked something to the effect of "could I become your son-in-law"? Before the meal was finished, he was given permission and my blessing.

We went on to the game after eating, and Ally's team, the OPBA Blazers, roared to victory, one of very few wins for the season. Regi knew nothing of our clandestine meeting, and the very next day she and Jason took a small trip and he completed his two-day mission of talking to me and talking to her. She said "Yes", and the rest, as they say, is history, and two of my daughters recorded wins in successive days.

So, what do I think of Jason? He makes my daughter happy, and that makes me happy. He likes to surprise her, including where they were going on their honeymoon and where they were going on their one-year anniversary. Sounds like what I like to do with our family. I guess he is similar to me in that respect. Did she pick someone a little like old Dad? Maybe. She has to live with her decision for the rest of her life. And, I think she loves her decision and her man. Congratulations, Regi and Son, Jason Baker, last, but certainly not least!

My Biography

2008-01-01T18:55:00.000-05:00

I was born near Gettysburg, Ohio. When I was quite young, I was adopted into a nice family. When I first came to live with my new family, I was given a room of my own. However, soon after that, I got to share a room with the youngest member of the family. At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would be loved, because where I was born, there was never a lot of love shown to me or my siblings. Our house was never very clean, and my dad ran around a lot. My mom was always very close, but then things changed and I had to leave.
When the man came to take me to my new home and family, his daughter came with him. She was very pretty and smelled nice. She held me on her lap all the way to my new home. I will never forget how scared I was. I kept my neck so stiff that it hurt. I just couldn’t be sure that I was going to be loved. Then, when we finally arrived, there were lots of people staring at me, it seemed.
One of the first things I can remember, was taking a bath in this nice, clean, white tub. At my old home, baths consisted of getting scrubbed by my birth mom until it hurt. Here everything seemed so clean and bright. The first day, after the bath, two of my new sisters went to town and brought back a new bed, just for me. From then on, I knew I was going to love it here.
Now, that I’m grown, I am so glad that I was adopted by this family. My adopted mom is so nice. She had surgery about a year ago, and had a close call. She was very sick, but has now recovered, and has lost a lot of weight. She is happy about that. It is okay with me, too, but she used to be a lot softer when I sat on her lap. Oh, well, she is my favoritest person in the whole world. She spoils me, and still to this day, after a bath, she holds me in a warm towel.
Before I close, let me tell you what happened a couple of days ago. There is this neighborhood guy who comes around once in a while. He is a lot bigger and taller than me. Usually, he is nice enough, but this particular day, he was harassing one of our dogs. This dog is old, about fifteen or sixteen years old, and I can’t stand guys being mean to animals. When I saw what was happening, I ran out the door and got into a fight with the guy! I actually knocked him backwards away from our old dog, but he was tougher than I thought. He threw me down and slapped me across the face. We fought for no more than thirty seconds-although it seemed like an eternity-before my dad and sister ran out to stop the fight. The guy ran off before they got there. It’s a good thing for him, because both my dad and sister said they would have done some pretty bad things to him if they had caught him! My eye swelled up real bad, and I had to end up going to the doctor. Outside of a few scratches and bruises in other places, I am okay.
Well, now you know a little about me that maybe you didn’t know before. If you know of any other kids like me, that need a home, maybe they could be adopted here. My mom said she wasn’t adopting any more kids, or maybe she said that if they came here, they would not be living in the house. But, I know she wouldn’t make them stay outside, so I don’t know what she meant. Anyway, I love it here. It’s the best family in the world. I have tried to post some pictures of me. I hope you can see them.
Love, Dudley The End

And Love Me, I Pray

2007-12-24T15:42:00.000-05:00

It had been nearly five years since Stephanie had seen these streets. The last fifty-eight months had been a constant struggle, full of pain, prayers and progress. Just weeks after her encounter with Farrah, Amed and her family, she had been a victim of the same type of violence as that family. However, almost no memory of that time in her life remained. After this long period of recovery, she had been encouraged to travel with her new husband, Vince, to the country where she had previously served in the military.
The neighborhood looked vaguely familiar as they traveled by taxi. But, something was very different. Beautiful flowers were in hanging planters on street signs. Families strolled along the clean streets and the buildings had that freshly remodeled look. She almost wondered if they were in the correct location. Suddenly, her gaze was directed to a specific location ahead on the right.
“Vince, I need to get out here,” she said.
The taxi driver was asked to pull over to the side of the street. As Vince helped Stephanie out of the car, a strange sense of peace seemed to envelop her. Then, they saw the small building just a few yards from the street, nearly hidden in the dusk. A sign at the front of the property, written in English, asked the question, “What Is Christmas?”. At the sight of those words, a bit of Stephanie’s memory which had been seemingly non-existent for nearly five years came to life.
She had been to numerous specialists in the states over the previous months. They had helped her adjust to living in a wheel chair, but no one could seem to help her recover from the memory loss that she had encountered. She had received occasional letters from someone she could not recall knowing. They were always signed by someone named Farrah, and she knew they came from the country where she had served. Something would not allow her to respond to the letters, although the person seemed to think that Stephanie had been some type of heroine in her eyes. Then, her doctors, almost as a last resort, had encouraged her to travel to this foreign country and here she was on Christmas Day.
When they had arrived at the airport, it was almost as if she and Vince were royalty. The officials, and for that matter, everyone they came in contact with, seemed to be in awe of the Americans. It gave Stephanie great pride to know that she had done her part to liberate this country. The last few days had been a breath of fresh air to her, and she had begun to regain some of her memory from years ago. Could she take that final step tonight?
She seemed to be drawn to the little building. As they approached, it became obvious that it was a small church. Stephanie became aware that their taxi driver had joined them as Vince pushed her wheel chair up the walk to the front door. Their driver opened the door and Vince pushed Stephanie’s chair into the small foyer. As they entered, the small congregation began singing a beautiful Christmas tune. It was unmistakably “Silent Night”. The words were sung in the native language, but it had been a long time since Stephanie had heard a song so beautifully sung. They found a place to listen from the back of the room. When the song was finished, the preacher made his way to the podium.
The preacher had the full attention of everyone in the room that evening. He spoke in English from his wheel chair, and that fact alone was enough to keep Stephanie’s eyes glued to him. There were huge amounts of her memory returning as the preacher spoke on the topic “What Is Christmas?”. Yes, she remembered relating this same story in this same country to a little girl and then to a family and that family had a father who had no legs! The preacher had finished speaking, and now he announced that his daughter would be singing the final song for the evening.
When beautiful, dark-haired, seventeen-year-old Farrah, in a flowing white gown, entered from a side room, the journey was complete for Stephanie. As Farrah’s mother played the small organ, Farrah sang the three verses of “Away In A Manger”, in English, just as she had been taught five years ago. When Farrah was partly through verse two, her eyes locked onto a person sitting in the back. The audience watched as Farrah walked slowly to the person, never missing a note in her beautiful rendition of this well-loved carol.
She reached Stephanie as she sang the last words of verse three, “and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven To live with Thee there.” There were no dry eyes in the little sanctuary that evening. The two were lost in each other’s embrace for what seemed like hours. Farrah’s father dismissed the service, making a statement that they had all found out a little more of what Christmas really means this evening, or something to that effect, as emotions had overcome him, also.
Much later that evening, as Stephanie and Vince visited Farrah and her family in their modest home, they were told that the little church where they worshipped was built on the site from which the grenade had been launched that had changed Farrah’s family’s life forever. Oh, it had caused pain, but it also had brought them to a place where they could minister to others in their neighborhood.
“Come and see my room,” Farrah begged Stephanie.
Stephanie allowed herself to be pushed down the hallway. At the first door on the right, Farrah opened the door. Stephanie looked into a small, neat room. She noticed the walls were full of pictures. Smiling boys. A singing group. Pictures of their quaint little neighborhood. The little church where her father was pastor. Then, her gaze was drawn upward. On the ceiling, directly above Farrah’s bed, was a picture of a little girl in a hospital bed. Beside the bed was an American soldier. The two were holding hands.
Closing the bedroom door behind her, Farrah spoke, “Every night, before I go to sleep, I look at that picture. I have prayed for you every night that I can remember, and, now, you’re here! Will you sing that song for me again?”
In the living room, the rest of the family and Vince could only listen in awe as two angelic voices joined together to sing the song that had helped to change lives in that part of the country over the last few years.
As the last notes of the song were being voiced, Farrah pushed Stephanie back into the living room. When they finished, Farrah’s father announced loudly, “It is officially CHRISTMAS!”
LJL2007

Happy Birthday

2007-12-20T07:18:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to my wife, Rena. The post dedicated to her is called "We Have A Heavenly Father Above". It is published, but out of order on the blog, due to the fact that it was written and saved a week ago. So, check it out and add your comments to her if you would like to.

Lowell

Close By Me Forever

2007-12-14T18:38:00.000-05:00

It was December 24, but in this war-torn country it was hard to think of it as anything out of the ordinary. However, this night was destined to be anything but ordinary. Specialist Stephanie Rose found herself on patrol in a dangerous part of the city. Earlier this very day she had walked these streets and given candy to eager young children. Now that darkness had fallen, it seemed that it had become a completely new world. She thought she detected some movement several yards in front of her. She began moving in that direction, while speaking quietly into her radio, asking her fellow soldiers for back-up.
Twelve-year-old Farrah and her six-year-old brother, Amed were riding with their father in the family car. It was only a short drive to the little shop where they were going to purchase a small gift for Farrah’s mother, whose birthday was tomorrow. She peered out the window and saw an American soldier on foot patrol. She was still half-frightened due to the constant barrage of anti-Americanism that she encountered at their mosque and from other acquaintances. Still, sometimes she saw the soldiers giving candy and small gifts to children. Her father had told her to stay away from the foreigners, so she obeyed. In the next instant, her world was changed forever. She saw the flash of an explosion and then a rocket propelled grenade slammed into the driver’s side of their car. The door was peeled away as if a giant can opener had been used. Her father took the brunt of the blast, but both she and Amed were badly injured.
Specialist Rose was an instant too late in bringing her M16 to her shoulder. She saw the so-called “freedom fighter” - how she hated that label - launch his grenade, a split second before she fired the bullets that would prevent him from any more of his murderous activity. But, the damage had been done for that evening. She was the first to the scene and seeing the driver, she quickly went to the two small ones in the car that she knew she would be able to help.
Many times during training, they had been warned not to become personally involved in the tragedies that they were sure to encounter. But, tonight Stephanie was breaking all the rules. She had ridden in the Humvee with the injured children back to her fortified camp. She had personally helped the medics transport the two children into the hospital. Now, it was almost midnight, an hour past the end of her shift. She found herself by the bedside of a twelve-year-old girl whose name she did not know.
Farrah lay quietly in this strange bed surrounded by American soldiers and medical personnel. She was frightened, yet something told her that she was safe. Then, she heard a quiet melody being sung by someone sitting in the shadows beside her bed. She had studied English since she was six, but she had never heard such beautiful words sung so sweetly.
“Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”
She stirred and the person sitting there leaned over her bed. The soldier looked to her like an angel, and she asked her for her name. The reply came, “My name is Stephanie. What is yours?”
“Farrah. You are the one who helped me out of our car, aren’t you? Will you stay with me forever? My daddy was in the car with us…” Her words trailed off.
Stephanie spoke, “I know someone who can be with you forever, Farrah.” And in the next few minutes, Specialist Stephanie Rose was able to lead a precious little girl to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So much for not getting personally involved , she thought.
“Will you sing that song again for me?” asked Farrah.
“Away in a manger no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my bedside ‘til morning is nigh Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.”
Farrah lay back in her bed and whispered, “I wish my daddy could have heard that song. Do you suppose I will see my daddy in Heaven?”
Stephanie had no answer for Farrah, so she just encouraged her to rest for now. It seemed that only a few minutes had passed when Stephanie awoke abruptly. It was 7:00 A.M.! She heard noises at the door. There were people coming into the room. Farrah awakened to see an American doctor at her bedside. Behind him was her mother, smiling at her.
Farrah asked, “Why are you smiling? I lost my father and maybe Amed last night. I have something now that I so wish I could tell my father…” Sobs came from her small frame as the grief poured out of her.
The doctor spoke, “Farrah, I have a surprise for you.” He motioned to someone at the doorway and the next thing that Farrah saw filled her with joy that she did not think she would be able to contain. It was her Father! Sure, it didn’t look much like him. He was in a wheel chair, and it looked as if his legs were gone. Bandages covered much of his head, but there was no mistaking, it was him! And, behind him was a nurse holding Amed.
Her world had come back to close to normal now. She said, “Oh, Father, I have something to tell you and I have found a professional singer who will sing for you and she will give you a story that will change everything…”
The doctor interrupted, “Farrah, we will have time for that later. For now, you need some more rest and so does your father.”
The room had quieted down. She looked at Specialist Stephanie Rose, the tough, young soldier who was not allowed to get personally involved and who now had tears streaming down her face as the night’s memories flooded across her.
Farrah turned toward her and asked, “Why are you crying? Aren’t you happy, too?”
Stephanie could only nod. Then, she found her voice. “Merry Christmas, Farrah.”
“What is Christmas?” queried Farrah.
“Oh, no, now I’m going to be here all day,” Stephanie said with a smile. When Farrah grinned back at her, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
LJL 2007

We Have A Heavenly Father Above...

2007-12-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. Twelve months have passed. She has added another year to her age. Sometimes, at our age they are just another bump in the highway that we have to endure. This one's a little different. Special. 'Cause, less than a year ago, no one was certain that Mom was coming home to us. I wrote this short story for a writing contest early in 2007. It won nothing, but it gives a little glimpse of what transpired in late December of last year.

It was an uneventful evening. My wife of twenty-six years and I shopped at Wal-Mart and then stopped at a fast-food restaurant before driving home. After watching a movie, as my wife turned over to switch off the bedside light, she grabbed her chest and said, “You need to call 911!”
She had undergone surgery about a week earlier to repair a hiatal hernia. She had been experiencing shortness of breath and pain, but her physician had attributed it to normal recovery from that procedure. Little did we know that her problem was much more serious. The next few hours and days were a blur of doctors, hospitals and family.
Nothing gets your attention quicker than the love of your life asking you to call 911. Rena is a registered nurse and when she knows something is wrong, you act! The dispatcher assured me help would be there soon.
Rena was holding her chest in severe pain and losing consciousness. I called for my daughter, Ally, to come to the bedroom. As Rena struggled to breathe, Ally climbed onto the bed, held her hands and tried to keep her mom talking, while I felt for her pulse. We watched helplessly as her face became gray. We assured her help was on the way.
The rescue squad arrived at our country home in about twenty minutes after making a wrong turn. Rena fainted as they loaded her on to the stretcher. After a quick drive to the hospital, she was rushed into the emergency room where they found a feeble pulse and dangerously low blood pressure. After a few moments, a grim-faced doctor informed me that it was not looking good. Their plan was to take her by helicopter to a larger facility to treat what they believed was a blood clot in the lung. However, after determining she had a collapsed lung, they quickly changed their mind and took her by ambulance.
One day later, she underwent major surgery. The surgeon removed two liters of blood from her chest cavity, some of which had clotted and collapsed her left lung, impeding the function of her heart. He also removed an unnecessary blood vessel which had been oozing for several days and repaired her damaged aorta. After several hours of nervous waiting, we were privileged to see her again.
Now, eight weeks later, she is on the mend and back to work. When I look into her face now, I recall that frightening night, and realize how quickly the ones that we love can be taken from us. Hold your loved ones a little closer tonight. I will be doing the same!
LJL2007

She did this once before, you may recall. I was at school teaching when a man stopped in to inform me that my wife had been in an accident. I asked if she was okay, and he said that she had cut her lip. A sigh of relief. Then, I drove to the scene. Ambulances. Fire trucks. Long backup of traffic. Never mind the relief. I parked and ran. When I got to the crash they were loading her into the ambulance. It had been almost a head-on collision. I met her at the hospital. She had a broken wrist, injured knees, a hole in her chin and a nearly severed tongue. So much for a bloody lip!

So, she has a history of not being very nice to us. Nevertheless, I am wishing her a very special "Happy Birthday" today. I love you, Rena.

Not eveyone's story ends with everyone living happily ever after. Some of you reading this may have stories that didn't end happily. God alone knows how to run this world. Here's the song that has been running through my mind through this past night. Maybe it helps to explain why Momma is with us today!

Verse I
Consider the lilies they don’t toil or spin
Yet there’s not a king with more splendor than them
Consider the sparrows they don’t plant or sow
But they’re fed by the Master who watches them grow

Chorus

We have a Heavenly Father above
With eyes full of mercy
And a heart full of love
He really cares when
Your head is bowed low
Consider the lilies and then you will know

Verse II

May I introduce you to this friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars and tells the sun when to shine
And kisses the flowers each morning with dew
But He’s not too busy to care about you

Top Ten

2007-12-10T09:18:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice Top Ten list for anyone Connie Hilligoss's age or higher.

Top Ten Hymns For People Our Age

10. "It Is Well With My Soul (But My Back Aches A Lot)"

9. "Nobody Knows The Trouble I Have Seeing"

8. "There's Something About That Name (But I Can't Remember What It

Is At This Moment)"

7. "Just A Slower Walk With Thee"

6. "Count Your Many Birthdays, Name Them One By One"

5. "Go Tell It On The Mountains-And Speak Up!"

4. "Give Me That Old Timer's Religion"

3. "Blessed Insurance"

2. "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (I've Forgotten Where I Parked)"

And the number one hymn for people our age is...

1. "Nearer, My God, To Thee"

(Found these on a birthday card-probably sent to me from someone like Dave Hilligoss)

Hey Hey Hay

2007-12-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

For those of you who know Ally, you know why she is nicknamed Fat Albert. And, you know why it's Hey Hey Hay. She is a horse person - always has been. I think she was born on a horse. Even my good friend, John Hinker says that Fat Albert has special abilities as a horse rider. As you know, if you read this blog, she just won the All Around Youth Contest a few weeks ago.

There are not a lot of hilarious memories of Ally that come to mind. She did provide us with a couple of funny incidents on vacation, though. In Branson, probably while waiting for Regi to finish her laps on the go-cart track (see blog entitled "The First One"), Ally was leaning against the railing that was probably about chest-high. She was about three at the time. Losing her footing, she found herself suddenly flipping over the metal rail and upside down, swinging by her little arms, head just barely missing the cement. We should have gotten the camcorder before rescuing her!

On the way to Virginia Beach via USAir, we had a layover in Pittsburgh. With a little time to wait, we were going to explore a little. Fat Albert and the other kids were starting to leave Mom for a little bit and Albert had her trusty Rabbit (which slept with her for years). She didn't want to drag it with her on this particular walk, so she took it back to Mom. It took her longer than expected, so I asked her what took so long. She said in her two-year-old voice, "I had a little trouble with Mom. I threw my rabbit on the floor, and Mom made me pick it up!"

Mom remembers when Fat Albert was learning to swim. When she was about to drown, she was to lift her hand up for Dad to save her. All Mom can remember seeing was one pitiful little index finger sticking out of the pool while her little baby struggled to stay afloat. Now, she can swim almost as fast as me! lol

She loves her little dog, Dudley. He sleeps with her every night. She got him for her sixteenth birthday, and they have been pretty much inseparable since.

Well, that's Fat Albert for you. She's spoiled, she's silly, sometimes she's serious and, oh, yes, if you don't know her, she's called Fat Albert 'cause she's about 5'3" and 105 pounds!

Coming Soon

2007-12-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

Just a quick announcement that the last LavyKid, Ally, will very soon be featured here on the blog. Also, anyone who reads is more than welcome to comment. It is always nice to know if people are reading and/or enjoying the site. It takes a while to get all the information processed that will be used to describe Ally! But, she'll be on soon.

I have written a Christmas story for 2007 that will be posted before too long.

Upcoming features are Ally, the Christmas story entitled "Close By Me Forever", Dudley(the superdog), and then finally Jason, the first son-in-law.

Lowell

Special Night-A Story of Christmas

2007-12-03T09:09:00.000-05:00

It was the brightest night that Joshua had ever experienced. The tall, lean youth was sixteen years of age. He was proud to work in the barn behind the inn where he lived. Even now he was thankful for his distant cousin who had taken him in some five years ago. Tonight, with the moonlight streaming in the open window at the end of the barn, he felt that there was something special, magical about this night. His mind wandered back to his early childhood…
Joshua had always been slower than his playmates. His parents called him their “special” gift from God and he always knew he was loved by them. But, there were times when the other kids made fun of him and made life unpleasant for him. When those instances occurred, he could run to his parents who would comfort him and tell him he was special and that God had a special plan for his life. His father would read from the writings of the prophets and tell him that one day a Messiah would come that would save the people from their sins. Joshua could comprehend enough to know that this would be a wonderful time!
Then, one day when he was eleven, his world came crashing down around him. His parents were tragically killed in an accident. He was never told what happened. He only knew that the two people he could truly trust were gone. A distant relative, Zebulon, an innkeeper, was kind enough to allow him to stay with him. When he grew older, he became the “keeper of the barn”…
Tonight, as he finished his chores, he couldn’t shake the feeling about this evening. He heard some folks coming toward the barn. This generally made him upset for he could never speak to strangers without getting his words all tangled and twisted. He quickly climbed into the hayloft and hid as he normally did when strangers came into the barn. He was distressed to see a man and woman come in the door. The woman appeared to be in discomfort. Still, the feeling about the evening persisted.
Unable to climb down the ladder without being seen, Joshua decided to sleep in the hay as he had done before, rather than be humiliated by having to speak to a stranger. Too many times before people had laughed at him when his thoughts and words had become a tangled mess. He moved in the hay to where he could be comfortable and saw that the man and woman were in one of the stables and it appeared they were staying for the night!
Much later, Joshua was awakened from a deep sleep by the sound…of a baby?! Never before had there been a baby in this barn! He peered down into the stable, and there in the manger was the little child. The moon was now lower in the sky, and its light had flooded the stable. The beams seemed to be shining directly onto the infant’s face.
Something happened inside of Joshua at that moment. A voice seemed to speak to him that sounded like his father’s voice. The thoughts in his mind seemed clearer than ever before, and the voice seemed to say, “This is that special one that the prophets foretold”. He climbed quickly down the ladder and made his way to the stable.
The man seemed surprised to see him appear, but he did not mind as Joshua made his way toward the baby. The woman took the child into her arms, and the moonlight bathing the mother and child appeared to be straight from Heaven. Joshua had never approached a stranger before, but he knew there was something different about this family! He asked the woman, “What is the baby’s name?”
The answer came in a hushed, reverent tone, “Jesus”.
At the mention of the baby’s name, Joshua felt his thoughts become completely rational, and while he did not voice them, he had the understanding that millions of people still do not have today - the realization that those radiant beams from a holy face brought the dawn of Redeeming Grace!
LJL 2006

"Why'd They Have To Build Missouri So Far Away?"

2007-11-30T17:44:00.000-05:00

The house sat at the dead end of a lonely country road. 'Most anything could happen there and no one would even be around to know about it. The young girls huddled together in their room as the intruder slammed into their bedroom door again and again. They could only imagine what would happen to them if he broke through their door. Not the type to cry, they waited until it seemed that the person had stopped, realizing that the hinges were going to hold. They slowly opened the door, seeing that the hinges were almost torn from the door. One of them spoke, "Brent, you are going to be in big trouble when Dad finds out you almost broke our door down."

Sure, you know him as a fun-loving, laid-back gentleman, but it has not always been so. Once, he was a fun-loving, excitable little kid. But, that's Brutus for you. He spent several hours trying to fix the damaged hinges when Dad did find out. Of course, there was no fixing the black plastic nose that came off of his pound puppy after bashing it against that same door.

Brutus was never the bravest of the brave. One dark pre-Halloween evening, Dad took the four young LavyKids into the orchard for a story. It was about an old woman who still roamed their haunted orchard at night, doing dastardly things to young kids who were unfortunate enough to be out in the orchard in the dark. As the story came to an end, behind the kids came an apparition seemingly floating through the darkness toward them. Their mom had consented to dress in a flowing white sheet and it looked much like a ghost in the pale moonlight. When Dad told them to look behind them and began screaming for them to run to the house, Brutus took the command seriously. At one time there were five rows of apple trees at the Lavy orchard. After that fateful evening there were only four, as Brutus mowed tree after tree down on his flight to the safety of the house.

One year the Family Vacation took us to Branson, Missouri. We started from our house in Pleasant Hill at about six in the evening. Many hours later as we travelled through the night, little Brent asked sadly, "Why'd they have to build Missouri so far away?"

Any way you look at it, Brutus is the number three kid out of four (or five, if you count Dudley, which I guess we must do) and we would be in big trouble with all girls. So, let's all give a big "HOORAY" for Brutus.

G,G,S,P,R,G,D,A,D,L,R,J and D

2007-11-27T06:44:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note about Saturday, Nov. 24. The Lavys had a mini-get-together at Grandpa Lavy's new room at the Brethren's Home. Grandpa had a full house as Grandma, Stephanie, Paul, Roy, Geneva, Danette, Allyson, Dudley, Lowell, Rena, Janet and Don all came to visit at once. It was really Stephanie's fault for all the commotion. She drove up from Florida to visit and wanted to see the rest of us. We did not get to see her ferocious cat, Boo, who travelled with her. It was neat to see Stephanie again. She reminds me a lot of her mother, who we lost several years ago. I could make Marilyn laugh easily, and Stephanie has a quick laugh, too.

When you get a chance, go see G and G. Next time we visit, we plan to meet BRUTUS!

Ode to Belle or A Mouse in the House

2007-11-22T07:39:00.001-05:00

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving

When all through our house

The only thing heard

Was the squeak of a mouse

Belle had reclined

On the couch by a chair

In hopes that a fair prince

Would notice her there

When out in the kitchen

There arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed

To see what was the matter

Dudley had charged

From out of Al's bed

His ears at alert

On his magnificent head

To the cabinet he ran

Where the cereal boxes were

And waited by the door

For the adventure to occur

The mouse had no clue

Of the danger in the air

While Belle stood nearby

Way up on a chair

I opened the door

Dudley crept in real close

His eyes were quite focused

Alert was his nose

The mouse must have thought

He was safe as could be

The next thing that happened

Surprised even me

The dog took a leap

By a Raisin Bran box

And his jaws snapped shut

Like those of a fox

He backed from the cabinet

His mouth full of mouse

And walked with great pride

Through part of our house

The rodent then dropped

On our nice kitchen floor

While Belle was threatening

To go through the door

Then Belle came down

And stayed at our house

She said, "Thank you, Dudley

For killing the mouse"

LJL 2007

"My Name Is Not Danette!"

2007-11-19T08:33:00.001-05:00

It was 2:22 a.m. on 2-22 several years ago. Mom was ready, the baby was ready, but the doctor was not quite ready! So, she waited until 2:26 to make her entrance. Bellehog had arrived and she seemed to cry for the first ten weeks of her life. Of course, when your sister wants to name you "Pignail", you are probably going to have a rough time of it!

Belle is the number two kid of the family, and we would be much poorer without her. She arrived in Anderson, Indiana, becoming our only Hoosier. Now she lives in Kentucky, so perhaps living in Indiana, Ohio and now Kentucky has contributed to her becoming the person she is today.

Once while driving on the interstate, she was involved in an accident. She was hit from behind. When she called to tell me, she said after being hit she steered her car off the roadway to avoid hitting the car in front of her. I asked her if she went into the median, and she replied, "No, I drove into the grassy area in the middle!"

Our family has a tradition of going on Family Vacation every June. Our most cherished memories come from those times together. Our lowest rated vacation was probably when we went to Mackinac Island a few years ago. It was a little too chilly to receive a high rating in the Family Lavy Actual Vacation Official Rating System (FLAVORS). However, that week gave us two anecdotes that have helped us to remember Belle in a special way.

We were walking on the island and viewing the remains of ancient Fort Mackinac. High above us, the wall of the fort was visible on a steep cliff. Thorny bushes covered the hillside. Belle remarked that the attackers would have had a terribly difficult time navigating through all the "sticker bushes". We reminded her that the arrows, musket fire, cannons and maybe even the occasional cauldron of hot oil poured over the side might have been worse than the brambles.

Finally, we took a carriage ride around the island. (I might add, this is a beautiful island, especially when the lilacs are blooming. If you don't mind a little chill in the air, I recommend Mackinac Island as a vacation spot.) We were able to rent a carriage and actually drive it with a team of calm horses. The girls took turns driving while Brent and I said prayers and hung onto whatever was available. Belle eventually took the reins and apparently did something which Mom did not like. Mom said, mistakenly, "Allyson, watch what you are doing!" Belle replied indignantly, "MY NAME IS NOT DANETTE!"

The lesson we have all learned from Belle is this: if you are going to have a second kid, you will want one exactly like our dear Bellehog!