Armadillos and Thongs?

There are many times I have had the honor and privilege of visiting with friends.  We share ambitions, thoughts, joys, and blessings.  I am thankful for good friends who share hilarious, real life stories with me.  At this moment I am recalling a couple of stories my friend, Tammy Johnson shared with me that make my heart laugh.

Tammy was driving to camp and as she came up the hill she saw a family of armadillos crossing the road.  With no time to stop…her car went bump bum pity bum up the hill.  Tammy was thinking, “I hope that didn’t damage my car!”  After she was at camp for a while the Majerus girls came in to work and said, “You should of seen the road, there was a massacre of armadillos all over!” Tammy said, “Yes, I hit them.  It was awful…bump bum pity bump….”

Throughout my life time I have found that the names of things change and it can be challenging to switch names.  For instance, believe it or not, growing up in the 60’s and 70’s flip flops were called “thongs”. My friends, Tammy and her four children, Sarah, Jacob, Halley, and Russell were selling fireworks to the public for the 4^th of July under a tent.  During the shift change Russell and one of his siblings were headed to the car.  Suddenly, Tammy observed that Russell, age 8, had forgotten his flip flops.  Hurriedly, Tammy picked up the flip flops and yelled,   “Russell, don’t forget your thongs!” as she waved them in the air.  “Here they are!”  Customers and employees looked up and around with questioning and puzzled looks on their faces.  It was as if you could read their thoughts.  “A little boy has thongs?”  “What is Russell doing with thongs?”  Chuckling, Sarah said, “Mom, I think you mean flip flops!

God forbid I would ever be sad.  But if I do feel sad, then I remember all God has blessed me with.  I recall such stories as these two.  You see, God allows us to choose our thoughts everyday.  We write the story of our life.  And I just want to say that the joy and happiness I feel in my heart are because of God’s blessings.  My friend and these stories are just some of His gifts to me. 

October People and Mud Puddles

 Growing up in Polk County 40 years ago, Halloween was much different than it is today.  It was a time to dress in a fun costume just to let people try to guess who you are.  It was about going to friends’ homes to visit and to receive huge amounts of candy that would last for months.  It was communities of families gathering for fellowship. 

In the second grade I attended a rural elementary school in Polk County.  I was a student in Mrs. Cansler’s class.  She taught two grades in the same room; the grades were first and second.  I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience greatly.  That autumn Mrs. Cansler announced that there would be an All School Halloween Party for students (grades 1-6) and their families.  Everyone could dress up in costume, and an award for the best costume would be given.  There would be a hot dog roast, marshmallows could be toasted, and games.

I could not wait.  My mother helped me choose a cat costume complete with tail and whiskers.  My brother chose his, too, which was a pirate.  Later, I heard my parents talking.  My Dad was going to dress up including one of his friends.  He was going to cut the tail off of is horse to use for a wig in his hobo costume.  “Whatever you do, keep this a secret.  We want to surprise everyone!” he told me.  I wanted very much to share my information with a friend at school the next day, but I remain true to my Dad’s wishes.

On the night of the event I saw my Dad and his friend, Clifford come in the front door of the school.  Friends were looking at the two strangers and each other wondering who in the world these two outrageous people could be!?  Whenever anyone approached them they stomped their feet and shook their fists or fingers.  Even though I knew it was my Dad, it still frightened me a little.

Shortly, all the students of Polk School lined up on the stage for people to vote on the best costume for each grade.  It was fun whether you won or not.  The adults lined up and My Dad and Clifford came on the stage.  They would not take off their masks, shaking their fists and stepping away from Mrs. Cansler.  However, she was undaunted and finally yanked their masks off.  The whole room full of people exploded with laughter, as they discovered who the two characters were, and not expecting either to be so outrageous and daring!

After the costume judging, we all proceeded to the bonfire to roast hotdogs and marshmallows.  While eating a couple of boys walked up to several of us younger girl students.  They said, “I bet you are too scared to walk around the music building like we just did!”  My friend, Sharon, exclaimed, “We certainly are not scared of anything!”  She was not going to let any boy outwit or outdo her! 

Several of us began slowly walking around the building which had one dark side on the last corner of the building.  Just as we were rounded the corner those ornery boys jumped out at us.  Being only 7 years old and very naïve, I did not expect the boys to deceive us in that way!  I was startled and the adrenaline kicked in.  I ran ahead of everyone straight to safety, the community of friends, at the bonfire.  There was a huge mud puddle that I forgot about.  I saw it, but could not slow down.  I ran right through it and lost my shoe in the middle of the quagmire!  Yuck!

I turned around hopping on one foot, stopping my sprint at last.  One of the Dads reached in the puddle and pulled my shoe out and handed it to me.   I put my squishy shoe back on and walked around for it to dry out.  I only laughed at the comical situation and decided to learn from the experience.  Goodness gracious, there will be an opportunity to give those boys a scare of their own in the future.

I am grateful for the camaraderie I felt with fellow classmates, their families and my teachers.  Relationships are what life is all about!  Proverbs 19:24 says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer that a brother.” 

The Balloon Scare

“Are we there yet?  How much longer will we have to ride in this van?”  “Can we get a balloon?”  Stephanie, Christopher, and Hannah impatiently probed Steve and I with questions.   “We are almost there.  Watch for the Missouri State Fair sign!” Steve smiled and answered.  From visiting 4-H exhibits, to watching the Missouri Conservation Department’s huge catfish, are activities we loved for 18 consecutive years.  Even helium balloons possessed much excitement for the whole family one year.

  

As Steve parked the van, Stephanie gasped, “I see the Ferris wheel!  Oh, can we ride the Merry Go Round?”  Christopher cried, “Can we see the horses?”  “Of course we can, but allow me to park the van.”  We quickly applied sunscreen to our faces, arms, and legs, gathered a tote bag with needed items, and hitched a ride on the tram to the front gate.  “Finally we are here!” exclaimed Stephanie.

As we entered the fair grounds, several minutes later, we mapped out our plan in our tour of the exhibits.  We visited 4-H project exhibits, a wild cat show, wild life with the Missouri Conservation Department, a pig race, horse judging, and more.  When we became tired or hungry, we rested and ate.  The Missouri Pork Association Pork Chop Place was a healthy restaurant to eat at.

At one exhibit, individuals gave our children helium balloons.  They carried those balloons tied to their wrists all afternoon.  When the day began to cool off around 7 pm, we purchased tickets for kiddie amusement rides.  The Merry go round, cars, trucks, and a small roller coaster will quite the rave for our children.  It brought so much joy to me to watch their smiling faces as I held their helium balloons.  We could not let them go! 

On the way back to the front gate, we purchase cotton candy to eat on the way home.  We walked the long way back exhausted.  It had been a fantastic day.  After the kids were seat belted in we secured the balloons to a handle on the seat or arm on a seat.  It would be a sad day to lose those balloons.  I looked back at the kids observing dirt, grim, sweat, and stick cotton candy on their hands and faces while they slept.  

Two and a half hours later we parked the van in the driveway.  “We are home now.  It’s time to get up and go to bed.”  I said.  Even though it was approximately midnight to 1 a.m., some took showers before falling into bed.  It felt so good to shower all the day’s dirt away from our bodies.  However, the most important part was to tie the balloons to the chairs by the kitchen table. 

Waking up in the wee hours of the morning, I was thirsty.  I gingerly and quietly slipped out of bed to tip toe to the kitchen leaving the lights off; I did not want to wake anyone up.  Suddenly, I spied what appeared to be two heads of people standing at the table and moving slightly side to side.  I froze and stifled a yell.  I choked back these words, “What do you think you are doing in our home?”  I stood paralyzed!

I stood in place for a few seconds and observed something that indicated these heads were not people.  Standing approximately 5 feet high, these people had no shoulders, arms, torso, legs, and so on.  I recognized and remembered the balloons.  Whew!  I let out a sigh of relief!  At first glance, in the dark the balloons looked so much like people.  I laughed at myself and walked to the refrigerator for my water.  I drank and returned to get some needed sleep, thankful that it was the balloons only, and thankful I did not wake everyone up.

I read in a book, Peace Pilgrim, this statement,  “If you realize how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.”  If we allow our imaginations to play tricks on us, a situation can seem to be fearful.  I could have screamed and frightened every family member.  But when I stopped myself from yelling and remained in control.  I allowed my mind to focus on what was real and I saw the truth.  The balloons were at the kitchen table, not people in the middle of the night. 

Over The Top Of Thrill Hill

“Teresa, you ornery thing!!!” my Dad exclaimed as we flew over a steep hill in rural Half Way, Missouri.  This steep hill known as Thrill Hill has provided a roller coaster experience for our family and friends.  Over the years my family has a few Thrill Hill tales to share.

One of my first experiences was at age18.  I was driving my Mom, Dad, and Grandpa back home early one morning.  My Dad and Grandpa were nearly asleep in the backseat of the Oldsmobile and oblivious to our location.  As we approached Thrill Hill, I decided to gain speed and just as we began to top the hill I removed my foot from the gas pedal.  This gave everyone a flying sensation.  My Dad and Grandpa were startled and I heard my Dad gasp!  Grandpa and Mom snickered as my Dad made verbal exclamations.

Another experience was with our three children.  Steve and I were driving to Papa and Meme’s (my parents) for a visit.  “Are we there yet?  Hannah is bothering me!  Chris is on my side!”  As usual our three kids were restless riding in the car so we decided to give them a little ride down Thrill Hill.  Three sets of eyes grew in diameter and three mouths opened wide.  “Ohhhhhh!!”  And then three faces with dancing eyes and smiles were laughing.  “Do that again!”

Another time Hannah dropped something on the floor of the van.  She unfastened her seat belt to retrieve the item.  Just as she set back up, her behind lifted up off the seat.  “Whoa!  It felt like the van came off the road and was flying!”

Today when we are all riding together which is rare, we just hope to catch someone unaware of their surroundings!  Surprise!  Another short Thrill Hill ride.

Overnight Camping Adventures

 

This great family memoir is written by my daughter, Hannah Stewart.

Woof  wooooof!  The ominous howl of the coyotes creeping outside our tent was enough to send chills down my spine.  Our camping trip was both entertaining and adventurous because we had bees in our tent, coyotes howling outside our tent, and our cat scaring us.

As soon as we had set up the tent, some uninvited friends came, and I did not like them very much.  Ouch, ouch something was stinging us. BEES!  The black and yellow bugs flying inside our tent looked vicious.  They thought they had found a new home.  Mom put some honey in the tent to catch them.  After an hour or two, we went outside to see if they were still there.  Some of them were stuck to the honey and the other had left.  Now we were ready for bed.  We put our sleeping bags down, and started setting in for the night.

The coyotes were starting to come out and howl.  I hated that sound;  it gave me cold chills.  I could hear the crunching of the leaves where the coyotes were walking.  Then one howled, it was so loud it seemed like they were right outside our tent.  I looked out one of the windows of the tent to see how close they were.  And I saw two or three walking around the tent.  Watching them circle out tent was so nerve-racking.  I just wanted to run inside the house.  The coyotes finally decided to leave, and I was almost asleep, when I heard something.  What happened next scared me the most.

Witnessing the zipper on the tent go up was one of the most horrifying thing to see and hear.  I felt like I was frozen, unable to move or scream.  I told myself that there was a logical explanation for this.  I was relieved when I saw that it was one of my cats, Star.  He wanted to sleep with us.  The rest of the night was calm and I actually got some sleep.

Stephanie's Dream

I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to be a stay at home mother and a homeschooling mother for 19 years.  I have successfully home educated all three of our children.  As a Mother I have encouraged and helped my children to reach for their dreams and to set their goals and strive for them.

I recall my oldest daughter, Stephanie, wanted to attend college.  It was an unknown journey for her and she was a little anxious.  Of course everybody has their opinion concerning her goals and endeavors.  Some thought girls have no business going off to college; they should be keepers of the home.  Now mind you being a wife and mother is amazing and a very rewarding and a high calling.  There is a time for everything.  Stephanie wanted to continue learning, but never forsaking the part of her dream where she meets Mr. Wonderful and someday Stephanie will be a keeper of her home in God’s timing.  And then some thought it dangerous to leave home to go to college.  The fear being she would forget all about Jesus!  In fact, He was the one who gave her the dream!  Needless to say she held onto her dream!

 

Stephanie, a Southwest Baptist University freshman, dreamed of a career in Radiology Technology.  There was much hard work and perseverance to complete each requirement such as biology, chemistry, algebra, and other basic classes.  It was challenging at times and yes, she was stretched more than she thought she could ever be.  She began applying to three Radiology Schools.  She was not accepted to any school the first year she applied.  Stephanie was disappointed.  She even thought of quitting.  Was I going to let her quit?  Absolutely not!!!  I suggested to her to go back to Southwest Baptist University to complete her biology degree and apply again next year.  She completed a Bachelor of Science in biology and applied again to Radiology School.  She received two letters with a no answer again.  I told her you only need to be accepted to one.  And sure enough the next letter was a yes!

She is a student at St. John’s Radiologic Technology School now.  She is still jumping through all the loops to complete the degree and depending on God to help her.  She is being successful and only has one year left.  I will add that someday Stephanie will be a keeper of the home in God’s timing.  She still serves the Lord and gives Him glory in all He does for her.  I am so glad she did not give up on her dream.

Our 4th Grade Play

Being a 4^th grade student of Mrs. Pursley at Leonard Elementary School I learned a lot.  There were even times that I experienced life lessons.  As I reflect, I understand I have been allowed to decide the path my life takes.  I can choose to empower myself and others with gratefulness and happiness, or not.   

Our class was given the opportunity to present a play about kings and queens.  Excitement was building as we prepared.  We read the play aloud, decorated props, chose a time, and studied the different characters, and invited parents.

It was decided to use parliamentary procedure to place the student with the characters in the play.  There were three or four speaking parts I desired greatly.  I was nominated, but not elected.  However, I was chosen for a nonspeaking part in which I was to water the ducks.  I thought, “Well, that is just wonderful!”  I was disappointed. 

My family encouraged me to be the best “duck waterer” the class ever had.  Slowly, I began putting my heart into it.  I chose an outfit from my mother’s clothing and found a beautiful watering pitcher.  I pretended to water the ducks with tender loving care.  However, my heart was into watching my peers practice!  The teacher encouraged them to put expression with their words, and I loved every minute of it.  As I rode the school bus home, I would sit and just read the play two or three times through everyday for weeks.

When opening day arrived, I was excited to water the ducks.  The play went great.  The next day we were to present the play to our parents.  When our teacher entered the classroom that morning, she had an announcement.  With a sober expression on her face she said, “I am sorry to say that Dennis is sick with a respiratory infection.”  I empathized with the illness since I had endured many respiratory infections myself; and, I was sad he was sick.  Mrs. Pursley continued to share that Dennis would not be in school and would not be participating in the play.  This left our play in a dilemma.  We needed an actor for the part.  Who could pull this off at the spur of the moment?  It was decided to have try outs.  And that is what I did.  I tried out and in fact I had the lines memorized.  I remember seeing my teacher’s mouth drop open.  After the try outs the teacher and student teacher presented the part to me.  And I was thrilled.

We had two rehearsals before the play and then it was show time.  My mother was in the audience and had no idea I was to act a new part.  The play was great!  My mother would have been thrilled with me no matter what part I had.

Life is full of choices.  I had a choice to linger in disappointment or hasten on in excitement for the production.   I am thankful my mother encouraged me to be my best.  I am thankful I chose to take my mother’s advice, to be happy, to keep a positive attitude, and to enjoy every aspect of the play.  When a classmate became sick and the production of the play was challenged, I was prepared.  When I took the speaking part, my spot was vacant.  My friend was thrilled to take my duck waterer part and another classmate who did not have a part at all got a part in the play.  In fact, I helped my teachers, the whole cast of the play, the parents, and the sick boy.  Actually, the most rewarding part of my experience was helping all those people.

If I had chosen to wallow in self pity and disappointment, then I would have helped no one.  As a mother, I encourage my children to be winners instead of whiners.  Life has many twists and turns.  And who knows where a positive uplifting attitude will lead you down this journey of life.

  

My First Boyfriend

In the late summer of 1963 I prepared to attend first grade at Emma D. Schools in a little town called Goodson, Missouri.  Emma D. Schools was a grade school with only two classrooms and two teachers; there was one class room for grades 1 through 3 and another classroom for grades 4 through 6.  Yes, there were three grades in my classroom.

  

Believe it or not I never attended kindergarten, I prepared to enter first grade.  It was a huge change in my life and I was looking forward to it.  I remember my mother taking me to the Five and Dime to purchase my school supplies for the first time.  I chose a big red pencil and red eraser, crayons, paint brushes, a Big Chief Tablet, water colors, and a cigar box to put all my supplies in.

“You will like first grade school.  You will make a lot of new friends!”  Aunt Emma Lou shared with me.  I was excited about this new endeavor in my life.  My Uncle Floyd then added, “And you will probably find a boyfriend in school!”  I thought, “Well, I do not really know what that means, but it sounded like a lot of fun!”  I just listened and took it all in.

When the first day of school arrived, my mom dropped me off and said she would see me that afternoon.  Remember to get on bus number 3 with cousin, Rita.  I had a GREAT day at school learning my alphabet and making things.  At the end of the day I walked out the front door of the school with the other students to get on the bus to go home.  I recalled my parents telling me to get on bus number 3.  Or was it bus number 2?  I could not remember, so I just got on bus number 2.  I looked all over for my cousin Rita.  I could not see her anywhere and then the bus driver said sit down and the bus took off.

I rode and rode and rode.  I saw parts of rural Half Way I had never seen before.  I began wondering if I would ever get home.  The kids on the bus were loud and they seemed huge in size to me.  One high school boy started teasing me.  I just looked at him timidly.  Another high school boy walked to my seat and sat down beside me.  He turned to the bully and said, “You leave my girl friend alone!”  That was all it took and no one else bothered me. 

Finally, all the kids were taken to their homes and dropped off including my new boyfriend.  Then I saw familiar territory.  It was my grandparents place.  The bus driver knew whose family I belonged to.  My mother and father and grandparents were frantic when I did not get off the bus with cousin, Rita.  “Are you okay?” asked everyone and hugging me.  “Yes, I sure am.  And I had a great day at school.  And I have a boyfriend!” I excitedly informed everyone!

My first boyfriend stepped off the bus that early evening.  How I wish I would have asked for his name.  If I knew who he was, I would say thank you for making my ride bearable and I would say thank you for making me feel so important.