8th Grade Home Ec

When I was in the 8th grade at Ingleside Elementary School, I had my first experience with a home ec class.  My teacher's name was Mrs. Welker.  She was a big woman (not overweight, just boxy).  She had light hair and glasses and was older than my mother.

We learned sewing from her, hence the little gingham waist apron with ties and a contrasting pocket.  She also told us a story that will haunt me forever, about her room mate in school that got down on her hands and knees to look for a fallen hat pin and ended up stabbing it right into her knee when she went down.  (Maybe it wasn't a hat pin, but the story was so graphic, I only imagined "big"!.)  I still think of that poor girl every time I'm tempted to get on my knees for a pin or needle hunt.

We learned how to entertain, using proper etiquette, the Mrs. Welker way.

 And at Christmas time, we learned how to make and preserve pyracantha jelly, using our own collected pyracantha berries.  My Grandma Ruth was especially impressed.  I think she made the little jar last for a long time.  She always had toast.

And I'll never forget the day Mrs. Welker taught us how to make eclairs.  It was a tedious project and we took great care.  After making and baking, we were ready for the rich cream filling.  I held up the fluffy long john so carefully to see the air in between.  Then, aiming just right I continued to carefully squeeze the cream inside.  My aim was pretty good, except for the little yellow blob that plopped right down my front.  I was wearing a navy blue wool-like jumper.  It had buttons going down the long waisted bodice on each side.  Then there was a belt.  That's where it landed; right on the silver buckle, against the fabric.  Goop into every nook and cranny of the buckle.  It couldn't be washed out easily.  So, I rubbed it the best I could and spent the rest of the day looking down at the yellow smudge that permanently marked my front. . .  Don't ask me where my apron was!

It's funny what I remember about life back then.  That was the year I also gained another little brother, who I knew would be a girl.  Such vivid memories.  Life was good.  Smeared cream filling and all! 

hAPpY BiRThDAy!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mother!!!

Whad'yaknow? Not Much. You?

Before Christmas, Randy expressed a wish to see the broadcast of "Whad'yaknow" weekly heard on NPR, with Michael Feldman.  The taping would be at the Chandler Center for the Arts on February 13.  So for Christmas I surprised him with tickets.  It's always fun to look forward to something for months ahead - kind of like your birthday.  As the day drew nearer, Randy was quick to decline conflicting events, explaining we would be going to the broadcast instead; so I knew he was excited.  The day before, he ask if I would be embarrassed if he tried to be a contestant on the show.  Knowing him, I wasn't surprised.  I could only encourage him.  So we talked about what he would wear to be unmissable.  His Disney shirt was the perfect attire.

The tickets were general admission, so we knew we had to be there early.  He got home from work, and we dashed to get something to eat, then we were on our way.  He had left that morning, wearing a red polo shirt, but since it was Valentines weekend, I didn't mention the Disney shirt.  The parking lot was full when we drove up, so we hustled faster.  Just as we approached the doors, they opened and we slid into the fastest moving line.  The seats were filling up fast, but that didn't hinder his "mission".  If you ever want a good seat, go with Randy.  He's not afraid to crawl over people to get to the middle, which is exactly where he was headed - the two empty seats in the middle of a filled row closest to the front  (OK, 13 rows back).  We promised people as we climbed over their knees that we would stay put, so they didn't have to worry about us being in and out.  So there we were, an hour early.  We watched people, observed the open stage lay out of life size fake ostriches and a bad tumbleweed Christmas tree (both representing Chandler!), watched the stage crew gp back and forth to set up, spotted Michael Feldman peeking from behind the curtain to see the audience. . .Finally his musicians took their spots, played a little, a n d, Michael Feldman!  We clapped like happy seals as we cheered at every joke/poke about our state.  It was fun to laugh with the rest of the country about the craziness going on in AZ.

During each broadcast, Michael Feldman schedules authorities to come in and share their expertise.  After the ASU cosmology professor, it was time for him to work the audience for a contestant to play the "whad'yaknow" game with him on stage.  Then he calls people in the state, puts them on the phone with you, making up a team to try and answer some of his questions, hopefully getting them right, for a prize and the pride of even being chosen as live contestants  This is what Randy had been dreaming about.  Being in the middle row, we watched as he came down into the audience, looking far beyond our seats and motioned for a young woman to come to the front to play.  We thought she was planted.  We also knew that he had just finished the first hour and he would play another game with another contestant in the second hour.

After the ASU fossil authority professor, the band started playing and the director announced there would be a break.  People stood up, but sat back down quickly as Michael Feldman came down the aisle on the other side of us.  He stopped and spoke to an odd elderly couple.  He was a bout 15 feet away.  It was fun to see him in person.  Then he left them and came up another step or two towards us, triggering hands waving in the air for his attention.  He looked right at Randy, but his hand wasn't as frantic as some.  So he looked beyond.  Seeing and reading into the situation, I lifted Randy's arm myself,  prodding him to wave bigger.  It was then that Michael looked back at him, and motioned for him to stand up and come to the aisle, all the while, acknowledging his good looking red shirt and pants, as the audience clapped and the spotlight shone  on him  It was like I was in a bubble of unbelief.  There was Randy, actually speaking to Michael Feldman!  I knew he was excited.  He did great.  I thought he was still at break, but when the director announced the taping to begin again, Michael led Randy back down to the stairs, and onto the stage.   And there he sat, sitting across from him, on air, in front of a sold out crowd, speaking into a microphone that delivered his voice throughout the country! It was like a dream, but I saw it myself!

One of the questions ask, was "What is a love sack?"  I had no idea, but since it was Valentines season, the conversation could have gone in a variety of directions.  That made me nervous.  However, having the seat next to me empty now, and seeing my husband on a stage far away, I knew, without a doubt, that no matter where the conversation went, Randy would not go "there".  The man is filled with integrity, and even being a fan of the show, he knew coming in,  it was a good environment.  It took two different callers and three different questions before the caller finally knew the answer.  Luckily Randy agreed with him.  He also knew the other answers, but had to concur with the caller for a final answer.  (By the way, a love sack is a big bean bag chair.)

Most of his life, Randy has been unafraid of public speaking.  I have watched in awe as he has smoothly and eloquently expressed his views and knowledge, from church, to work, to city events, to school boards. . . And I knew it meant a lot to him to pull this "Whad'yaknow" game off with class.  He did it with ease, even though his heart was pounding frantically.  (OK, mine, too.)

The kids were also proud.  That's why he chooses the integrity road.  The kids will always know his priorities.  Carianne, upon hearing about his being chosen, replied,  "Of course you were chosen! You know everything!"  Julianne replied on face book,  "My Dad Randy. . . . I am so proud!"  It didn't hurt to have strings of comments and likes from his fan clubs, eaither.  What a shot in the arm.  He'll be floating for weeks!  And in case you want to hear a recording, it's programmed to the exact second on his i phone!

It really was a fun time.  The red shirt won out over Disney.  And Randy added yet another fun adventure to his bucket list.  Whad'yathinkisnext?

http://www.notmuch.com/wyk/february-13-2015-chandler-center-arts-chandler-az

It was a good weekend! 

randon acts of kindness

Last week I found myself at the Broadway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat".  (a fun surprise!)  Before it started I had time to dash to the women's room to wash my hands.  Public restrooms are not on my list of favorite places to visit; oh, the strategies . . .   The line was long and winding, with many shapes and sizes of waiting women.  When I walked to the front of the line, pleading I only needed to wash my hands, I wasn't sure if that would be a believable  enough excuse to "cut" ahead.  But surprisingly, some nice little ladies let me through, and I purposely found a sink they could see me at, to let them know I was legit.  Every sink was full, and then of course, everyone needed paper towels.  When I was through, I turned to the machine to pump the little knob for paper towel roll out.  I tied with a woman who beat me to the machine, and while my hands dripped in the air, she took her turn first.  When she finished, I was pleasantly surprised again.  She kept her spot in front of the machine, but instead, continued to pump the little knob for a sufficient amount of dry paper.  Then she stepped aside and nodded  for me to retrieve it.  I didn't have to work the knob.  She set it up for me. (She had no idea how relieved I was to not have to touch that germy knob!) A couple of tiny random acts of kindness   It felt good.  And definitely, I'll not forget it.  I will be that fast little knob control lady next time, for the people behind me.  I'm really good at pumping it with my elbow!

Angels in the Temple

There were angels in the temple;

Right before my eyes.

When the elevator opened,

Much to my surprise -

He stood in radiating white;

To another one he faced.

My hand reached out to clutch his arm,

Then wrapped around his waist.

With a stuttering introduction;
Glad tidings we both had.

I smoothed the greeting over

While explaining, "He's my Dad!"

He went his way on errand.

I continued on my own.

Then another angel beckoned.

Dad was not alone.

My eyes drew toward a staircase,

And sitting in a chair

Sat my angelic Mother

Peacefully awaiting there.

My heart began to flutter

As I drifted to her side.

She held her hand out gracefully

And I reached for it with pride.

We whispered thoughts of happiness,

Of perfect days like this.

We talked of loved ones gone before,

And this coincidence of bliss.

I saw angels in the temple.

What a blessed day!

My own angels right in front of me.

It took my breath away.

(With Love, Jody)

Thank heaven for little . . . blossoms

Oh April showers
May come your way.
They bring the flowers
That bloom in . . . September!

(to be continued . . !)