When
the town’s beloved, elderly, and feisty Lucy Powell died suddenly at
age 95, all wondered how to peer into her belongings. Miss Powell had
no relatives yet alive and no family to inherit a lifetime of her
history. Her family was her community and friends.
Slowly, close friends began to assimilatebits of China, old books, quilts, and other items into their own homes. That was when the diary was discovered. Who should take it? Who should even open it?
A diary can paint a pictureof unrequited love with hearts broken, hearts renewed, and love lost then found. Finding a worn diary, fringedfrom fingers turning pages over decades, awed all who gathered around.
Finally, Old Ms Alda Franklin stepped forward. I will take it. She and I shared so many memories… All agreed.
When
Alda settled down into her rocker with a cup of tea, she opened the
cover and began reading each page. She chuckled, cried, gasped, and
sighed until she read the last page:
My life had meaning and gave me reasonto exist. Touching others, being kind and generous, loving those who are unloved: that is the essence of life.
When the town’s beloved, elderly, and feisty Lucy Powell died suddenly
at age 95, all wondered how to peer into her
belongings.
Miss Powell had no relatives yet alive and no family to inherit a
lifetime of her history. Her family was her community and
friends.
Slowly, close friends began to
assimilatebits of China, old books, quilts, and other items into their own
homes. That was when the
diary
was discovered. Who should take it? Who should even open it?
A
diary
can paint a
pictureof unrequited
lovewith hearts broken, hearts renewed, and love lost then found. Finding a
worn diary, fringedfrom fingers turning pages over decades, awed all who gathered
around.
Finally, Old Ms Alda Franklin stepped forward.
I will take it. She and I shared so many memories… All
agreed.
When Alda finally settled down into her rocker with a cup of tea, she
opened the cover and began reading each page. She chuckled, cried,
gasped, and sighed until she read the last page:
My life had meaning and gave me reasonto exist. Touching others, being kind and generous, loving
those who are unloved: that is the essence of life.
To all who turn these pages: Go! Make your life
count!
Journals paint lives in ways that simple words cannot. When we
moved, I unpacked 10 family complete diaries and a few not so complete.
The bold underlined words are from Wednesday Words, 2015.
Delores started this challenge for bloggers to try other genres. Please go to these marvelous sites:
Life
in a farming community was a great world to be and grow. The world was
somewhere out there, with the Martin Luther King, Jr. , Pope John, Janis
Joplin and other people whose lives and mine would never intersect.
There
is a hidden group that has been persecuted for 2 millennia, the God's
people, the Jewish people. Six million gone in a matter of a few years,
there is little sympathy for a people that escaped genocide.
But there is no reason to dig this up. They went on their own choice. Get over it. These are part of the language that puts the Jewish people down more.
Just who are the famous Jewish people? Maybe You will be surprised.
Chris PineRobert Downey, Jr. Adam Lambert Scarlet Johannson Jack Black
Gene Simmons Andrew Garfield Steven Seagal Paul Simon Art Garfunkel Joaquin Phoenix
Zac Efron Natalie Portman Paula Abdul Jake Gyllenhal Sylvester Stallone Bob Dylan
So many talented Jewish people went to the entertainment and music. But why to entertainment?
Jews were prohibited for working in communities from One Millennia
to another to our current age. In America, Jewish people were forced to leave homes and businesses.Jews ejected from some states--Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well as states in the North, during the Civil War. Pre-war, several states expelled Jews.
Instead they were allowed to work in
entertaining at fairs. They emigrated to America, where the Hollywood
industry was picking up. Jewish actors were hired above other actors.
After all, they had spent 2,000 years practicing their skills as a way
of surviving.
Many of the producers and directors (Steven
Spielberg) were part of the Jewish people talent repository made
necessary by the rest of the world.
The rise of anti-semitism is criminal, breaking the laws on so many levels. No action has been taken to prevent such horrible abuse of Jewish students. They were afraid to go to classes. Columbia University was the early targets, going even so far as to break into a university building, occupying and hurting an employee. No action has been taken, ever.
In the wars that Israel has fought for their right to exist, they have pulled together a people who wanted to fight, to keep their land.
Iran has been the source of the destruction that has surrounded Israel. This noble little country is fighting the battle against such evil. America cannot and will not put boots on the ground, but can use our own weapons to eliminate Iran.
God is in charge. Those who despise and abuse Jewish people will find themselves in front of an angry God.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3
It was a pre-Christmas shopping sale day at Harrod’s.It might be hard to imagine,
but the lifts were heavily packed with residents from with their presents.
I noticed that English people murmur apologies, tourists do not. Elbows
dug into my ribs, and I swore the entire population of London was
in the lift with me.
Famous elevator from 1940s
I was hoping for some support from the doorman,
but he was hiding somewhere.I had saved
6 months’ salary to visit London during the Christmas season but
regretted it now.A flood of shoppers
drove me along through the door and I stumbled the first five steps.On the verge of making a face plant, I heard the
Yank tourist mock me, gaining irritation in the English swarm. Then he laughed.
As I hit the sidewalk with a bloody nose crunch, I felt a
hand pull me up and whisper to me. “Those Yanks. Wish someone would give them a
comeuppance.”
With that I was on my feet, I grabbed the shoulder of the
American tourist, flipped him around and wiped my bloody nose on his shirt. Then I
dredged up and cut loose with every profane swear word I knew. Never being one
who said more than a “damn” of “shite”, I had a vocabulary from memories of
my brothers.
The swarm froze and then clapped.We all moved on, but I kept pace with the
bloody tourist. Well done, well done, they murmured.
The underlined and italicized words are from the infamous Wed. Words, started back a decade or so by a delightful blogger, Delores from Under the Porch Light. She is no longer active in blogging, so the baton has been passed onto: Riverand Elephant's Child.Please go and check them out! They were easy on us this week.
The musical "1776" in movie and on stage revealed more about the Declaration of Independence than I ever thought about. Each video is about 4 minutes long.
Vote yes
Cool Considerate men
Molasses to Rum to Slaves
At one point, Adams and Franklin are discussing how history will view them. He said don't worry we'll be dead and that history would clean it all up.
If you can watch this, do! So many good actors, such good music, and messages for our generations are there.
Handwritten
neon-green signs led Sarah down streets to the estate sale. Let’s
see—mid-1980s, neatly kept desert lawns…retirees who have moved from the busy
life to the business of staying alive.
The
sign and number of cars indicated that this house was the estate
sale. Sarah prepared herself for
venturing into someone else’s house, someone who either no longer lived, or at
least, not here.
Walking
through the door told her everything, almost.
Blue and mauve was a sure sign of the late 80s. Furniture was well worn, especially the big
recliner. The man’s recliner…Sarah thought.
He was the last to leave.
The
high ceilings and fans over the dining room and the dining furniture showed the
couple had been well off; no Jerome’s or MOR furniture here. Oak,
real oak—and Lenox china ware, a complete set? Waterford lead crystal? Ireland?
Sarah
passed through the kitchen with its separate dining table, a mid-century
set. Now
that’s worth some money, she thought as she ran fingers along the
maple. The then much younger couple must have loved this during the 1960s.
The
bedroom was a bigger story about the couple’s lives together. Travel.
Native American artwork. Framed
movie posters lined the walls. MASH. Hmm, they loved MASH.
Sarah
began crying in the bathroom. Hair
rollers placed in a plastic bag, shower cap, and rows of nail polish lined the
counter, Mabelline lipsticks in shades of red. Some were opened, laying on the counter. When did she last use these?
She picked up a purple vinyl
purse and promised herself she would use it.
Then
the man’s attached office told of his fascination—no, obsession with Star Trek
and X-Files. Rows of video tapes,
graphic novels (comic books), and collectibles lay casually on shelves. How
long had he been amassing this stuff?
The
other two bedrooms had been her rooms.
Loved dolls, giraffes, Hallmark special Christmas ornaments. His room was all Sci-Fi and her rooms were filled
with a soft love.
The
garage was the final stop. It told the
final chapter. Sarah’s eyes watered as
she held rusted hammer and tools, beheld the walker and raised bathroom seat, and saw “50
cents” attached to one golf club. It was too
much to bear.
She
paid for the purse, 25% off the $5.00, and hurried away from the house.
Inside her car, Sarah opened the purse and appreciated its construction.
In
one zipped pouch was a scrap of paper.
It read, “Pick up t-bone steak for dinner.” It was for him. Sarah found a tissue and wiped her eyes.
Disturbed, with Draiman singing the Israel anthem.
David Draiman is Jewish, was educated in Israel, studied in America.
The Light with David Draiman
Each
is about 3 min. long, worth listening to at least part of it. This is a
real departure from what I had heard before. His voice is hypnotic.
I met the Disturbed music quite by accident. It was my 10 yr. old
gr-daughter who showed me the new cover of Sound of Silence played some
selections that I really enjoyed.
Thing is that if I had not
fallen in love with David Draiman and his powerful voice, I would never
have gone to find his work, even listened to him. Happy accidents.
One of the guitarists brought his 9 yr old
son, Justin Donegan's birthday. One time
Draiman introduced his pregnant wife with
her pregnant belly. He was so proud of his
family, and his love for them is awesome.
HERE: some about his training.
Draiman was trained to be a cantor, given the voice. "As a child I had trained as a cantor, who leads the Jewish congregation
in prayer, so I’d had quite a bit of vocal training. And that’s still
with me to this day."
Daiman
considered studying Law or becoming a rabbi. He felt his interest in
becoming a rabbi was discarded. He studied law, planning to become a
lawyer, but his voice and talent were not in a law book.
Before
David Draiman became famous as the singer of the heavy metal band
Disturbed, he trained to be a cantor. That didn’t go so well. Growing up
in Chicago, he was expelled from
three different yeshivas, and after a rowdy night of Purim drinking as a
teenager, he blew up his high school rabbi’s van.
I know that Disturbed is a rock band of some fame, which I am just discovering.
Just really enjoyed listening to his voice and songs. The musicians are incredibly
talented
His voice fills the stadium.
There you have it. I have fallen in love Disturbed and David Draiman.
This is a repost from Jan. 2022. Watching the war in Israel and Palestine, how can we not be horrified
History teaches so much. Sadly the younger university students seem to be skewed. Lack of understanding history will doom generations whose minds reach only so far.
Pray for the Israel. Pray for its people.
ג וַאֲבָרְכָה, מְבָרְכֶיךָ, וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ, אָאֹר; וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ , כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. Genesis 12:3
As Theo rumbled down the country road to catch his cousin Victor at his business, he prayed incessantly. OhpleaseOhplease, Dear Lord…
Victor waited, clearly watching for Theo, his spirit battered by now. Cell phones are marvelous things he thought as Theo braked in front. There was urgency in Theo’s step, and some in Victor’s stance.
Theo pulled a business card from his wallet and held it out as they shook hands. “Does this offer still stand?” Theo gulped. “My barn was blown to pieces, and I need this….”
Victor’s eyes widened,assessing if this was a true offer. He credited Theo for the strength it took to come there. “You mean this? Really? You want to sell?”
Theo nodded with determination. “I gotta do this. I ain’t got a choice…Does the original offer still hold?” Oh, please say it does!
“Here, sit down,” Victor replied, pulling over a leather chair. “I’ll make the call, ask him if it the offer stands.” Victor made the call, spoke briefly, and his eyes widened as he made a thumbs-up.
Theo relaxed for the first time since the windy storm had crossed over his farm. He released a deep breath.
Victor jumped up, placing his hands of the desk.
“He’ll give you fifty more! Think what this means! $160,000!” Dropping his head between his knees, spots and stars floated in darkness.
“He already has a buyer, some fancy dancy designer up in Chicago. Been waiting for one of those barns in your county to tumble down! He's been putting together a collection of old reclaimed timbers for a year now. ***
Who knew some rich person wanted the 'country touch' in their mansion. ### Gol’durn. You’re going to be okay, Theo. That designer is already putting together a crew and eighteen wheeler to take that wood away in the next day or so."
Victor heard the sobbing and relief in Ellen’s voice when Theo called with the news.
In the sunny week that followed, from the old growth American chestnut, white oak, black walnut, pine timbers, planks and, hand-carved pegs that had held the structure together since 1840... the hand-hewed timbers were chosen. The collection embraced the history, decades, and lives which the barn had sheltered. Then the old barn was driven away, charred wood remaining.
The designer handed Theo a cashier’s check, wished him well, and followed the truck back to Chicago. Victor stood on the concrete porch with Theo and Ellen. “You’re gonna be okay, Theo. Okay…”
Theo nodded, finally seeinga brighter future. Ellen whispered, “Okay…we’re gonna be okay.” She saw, with a suddenclarity, her husband's courage.
Our old barn was taken down in the 1970s, before the trend to purchase the reclaimed wood began. At that time, the barn was wafting in the wind. It was sadly burned to the ground when it lay in pieces. When it was built? Possibly it was built in mid 1800s. We found items that were part of that era.
italicized and underlinedwords are from a 2015 post, and posted from Wednesday post. Many thanks to Delores the creator of Wednesday Words. Talented lady. She started a writing challenged for bloggers.
