Pictures...a blast from the past

These two photos I found while hunting a certain one for Gretchen (check her blog for that picture!) were taken of Terry in 1986. He is 37 years old, about Jason's age now. Do these remind you of anyone? The stand? The face? The expression? I was blown away when I saw these because I always think Jason looks like my dad...WRONG! WOW! What do you think about those glasses? Jason also had some like these in this same year...must have been the fashion, one I hope does not become a current retro look.

In March of 1972 Terry and I drove to Overland Park, Kansas, where Jason Christopher Little was baptized at Village Presbyterian Church (USA) by Dr. Robert Meneilly. We had a celebration lunch at the home of Gene and Lillian Thorngren. John and Lydia and a young Amy were present as well. That same weekend we had our first family portrait taken by Legler photography who had photographed our wedding a little over two years before this. WOW! Look how young Terry looks? My hair...the ONLY time I have had it long. I wish it were in color. How RED it is! And, Jason, my chubby! He was so cute! Don't you think I have him dressed casually for this picture? What was I thinking?

This has motivated me to get the photos in some order so we can look at them easily. What fun! I am really amazed at how much we have aged! Looking in the mirror daily does not give you the shock of looking at these old photos.

Time flies when you are having fun!

And....here I go!

This is my latest purchase...a blue mandolin. Lessons begin tomorrow. I am scared! A friend at church also bought one just like mine, but black. We will become the dueling mandolins! Actually, she is a music major and plays piano, sings, knows music. Thinking she will out perform me very quickly!

Some days I wish I had chosen music as my career. It seems to bring much enjoyment in daily living. My dad played in a community band from the time I was 10 until the day he died. You would hear him practicing as you entered his office (he had a veterinary small animal practice). He would have his music and horn on the surgery table. I know he had lost his enthusiasm for practicing veterinarian medicine. It was the public that drove him crazy! Music and flying...his later in life interests. Mine are knitting and reading and biking....and hopefully, playing the mandolin. I am trying to convince Terry he should play the banjo. We could jam together, don't you think. Time will tell. I wonder if these old fingers will be able to move over the frets as quickly as they will need to move? Update next week.

Saying goodbye

A former student of mine whose mother was a co-worker and good friend lost his battle with medulloblastoma on Tuesday morning. He has battled the cancer for three long years. Those years were filled with amazing adventures and new friends in the professional sports world. He "lived large" as Annette, his mother, liked to say. A former teacher and friend co-authored a book with him and it will be out soon, Carry Me by Carson Leslie. He was 17 years old. His memorial service will be Monday, and I am flying to Dallas to say "goodbye" and give hugs to Annette and his father and brother. The one blessing to remember is Carson's strong faith. His testimony these past three years has been incredible, and he was finally ready to go home last week as he was tired of being in pain and feeling lousy. With joy and confidence Carson longed to be with Jesus free of all disease and sorrow. He showed us that dying is not the worse thing that can happen to you.

But for those left behind who loved Carson, this is a difficult time. Sadness and grief fill the days. There is a vacant spot on the sofa as they watch a football or baseball game. That spot is large and reminds them of former days of fun and frolic. I have heard it said losing a child is the hardest of all losses. I remember my own grandmother, who lost two of her adult children (my mother and my uncle), always had a deeply hidden sadness long after their deaths...she let it show every so often and would speak of it now and again. Yet at the same time, she lived joyfully and fully. Faith carried her, and one day she went home to glory and is there by their sides. Carson is home waiting for family and friends to join him when each one's time arrives. For the moment, those who loved him and befriended Carson will have to continue life's journey with the memory of his smile and courage eventually bringing relief from sadness and grief.

Psalm 139 reminds us that our days have been ordained for us. Today, I am reminded to live each one fully and well, just as Carson had done these past three years.

Well done, good and faithful servant Carson!

My movie review

Terry and I saw two new release movies this weekend...It's Complicated and Avatar. It's Complicated is no Academy Award winner, but it's funny. I would have liked more of Steve Martin and less of Alec Baldwin. We enjoyed it and the laughter. Some of the morality was a bit disturbing, but certainly culturally relevant. In the end, there was some actual "I'm feeling guilty for the wrong I've done". Was it really filmed in Santa Barbara? Beautiful homes and scenery and a view of wealthy living. Save your money and rent it from Red Box or Netflix. Avatar. AMAZING technology. The story was mundane and predictable. Nothing new under the sun here. A blend of Dances with Wolves, Save Mother Earth, and Greek mythology. Certainly not original. I rather expect more from writers in Hollywood, or rather Cameron! I was a bit bored toward the end. The conclusion was drawn out far too long for my taste. Especially when you know at the beginning how it will end. But, AMAZING, SIMPLY AMAZING technology in filming! Why blue people? Terry said red wouldn't work; yellow would have been yucky; I guess blue is as good as any color otherwise! Do see it on the big screen and with 3-D glasses.

January 1, 2009

Last New Year's Day, Terry went to Loveland and got Fred. He joined us for the entire day of watching the parade and football. It was a lazy day with many naps and good food, including the traditional black-eyed peas and rice. We were rather tired after a very difficult Christmas week, having lost Joan to cancer on Christmas Eve. But, we rallied for a great new year celebration! Fred did not move from his favorite leather recliner. We served him all day with our traditional snacks and drink. It was fun! A good memory for this year...we miss Fred and his delightful humor. I think Terry was smiling in his sleep thinking about those smoked oysters for afternoon snack. Perhaps his delight in bellowing out his needs and having me answer them all day on New Year's Day (that is our tradition). This year it's just the two of us, but we are carrying out the traditions of the past 39 years! A quiet day, a restful day, getting ready to tackle the coming challenges of 2010.

Happy 2010!

Our group photo on December 26....Jason and his gang traveled to Eugene along with us to celebrate Christmas with the Parkers. This records the "aftermath" of celebrating both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It was a grand time with the manic opening of gifts with four young children. Terry and I enjoy watching the four interact with one another. Reminds us of Christmases with the Thorngrens in Keystone....Amy and Jason, Kate and Gretchen, skiing and playing games. Fond memories! Also, a bite of sadness; we had few Christmases with the Bashes and the Petersons and none with the Johnsons as the children were growing....opportunities missed! It is hard to travel at Christmas; we did because Joan and Fred were here in Colorado as well as Lydia and family. Texas seemed lonely without family there. Jason and Gretchen have great memories of our travels in the Suburbans over the hills and through the woods...and the frozen frosted butter cookies (a Howell family recipe) are a major part of those traveling memories. We are now the grandparents, but we will travel because Jason and Kyle are pastors and Christmas is "high" season for them. This trip to Oregon was sans rain! No rain except during the night once in Eugene and snow one afternoon in Portland until yesterday as we left from the airport...that is amazing. We even had sunny days in both Eugene and Portland. Portland was actually sunny most of the time we were in Oregon. Caroline was like a cat, smiling and happy basking in the sun. As always, it was hard to leave not knowing when our next visit happens...June for certain as we have a Howell family reunion in June at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Obie was more than happy to have us home; he had not left our side!

Thanks, children and grandchildren, for a marvelous time with you. We love each one of you! You make this season in life very special. Those hugs and kisses keep us until the next time we see you.

Learning to knit is easy...stopping is HARD!

Since Thanksgiving, I have been a knitting "fool"! I completed the second mitt for a pair of reading mitts, two scarves (I am knitting another one right now), three hats, two baby doll hats, four pairs of leg warmers for the little girls, and I am working on two other projects in between! Crazy! But fun! Gretchen has asked me to knit a hat for a friend...if we get the pattern, I will start that for a Christmas gift! You must realize that none of these is a challenging pattern; it just takes time and endurance to finish. I have several more projects in mind...and a stash of yarn that gives me the opportunity to choose something fun! Caroline wants a scarf and we will choose some yarn when I am in Portland. Jason mentioned a hat, and I have one in mind for a stocking stuffer (if I can get to it next week!).

Santa might tell me "Knitting is knotty!" and not leave any gifts! Perhaps if I leave him a stocking cap or some socks, he will understand!