Awhile back, at the time of the Sturgis Rally, my husband had an appointment at Ft. Meade Veterans Hospital.  I went with him.  At one point, while he was in Pharmacy waiting, a fairly young man, Curtis W. Brown,  Chesterton, Indiana was also, waiting for his medication.  He had an interesting vest on, so I ventured to talk with him about it.    He explained to me about the Patriot Guard soldiers, of which he is one.  These are men on mortorcycles, whose main purpose is to raise money to help pay for the college education of the orphans of soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanestan.  This is a nationwide effort and they raise literally, thousands of dollars for these children.

On his vest were many patches with messages like this:  “A Veteran is someone who at one point in his or her life ,  made a check payable to the U.S. of America for an amount of up to and including “my life”.    Another patch said:  “The blood shed by Veterans is the reason we are free.”  Another patch stated :”That if you won’t stand behind our troops, stand in front.”  “Patriot Guard may be angels for our heroes.”   Another said, “Enjoy your freedom, thank a veteran!”

I had not heard of the Patriot Guard, but now, I will never forget them.  They may be your sons and daughters traveling from one town to another raising funds for the children they help.  I write this today here, because they could easily have elderly parents who are proud of their efforts or you may be one grateful grandparent.  The Patriot Guards are veterans helping veterans through their children.   So if you see these emblems they all wear, the flag, and rcognizing them as Patriot Guards men thank them for their efforts. 

Next week, I ‘ll write more about others of them I encountered since talking with Curtis.  Many veterans of any war era go unnoticed as they work behind the scenes to give America freedom, and we count our blessings for their presence all around us in our country.

My husband is a veteran who served in Korea.  He is very proud to have served and of his uniform, which he usually wears Veteran’s Day festivities.  (Yes, he still fits into his uniform.) 

These younger men are big fans of you veterans,  who are seniors,   men and women alike.  Stand up, be proud, you are appreciated!  If you see a convoy of men on motorcycles leading a procession for a fallen comrade, or in a parade, they are probably members.  Next week, more about the S.D. Patriot Guard and Legion Riders.

I commend you, Curtis, for your work and your serving to help veterans children, along with many veterans in this nationwide effort.   It was a pleasure to have met you , Thank you!.

C 2009 Evanell

I got a little behind in my computer work because we have been entertaining company.  I would like to tell you about some of my LIFETIME THOUGHTS.

I have many remembrances of wonderful people who have received something I created through the years.  I have chosen three I would like to share with you.  You Seniors and younger may be moved to record some of your lifetime thoughts for your children and grandchildren.  You say you aren’t a writer, that you would misspell words. No excuse.  Family doesn’t mind that.

Sometimes I get introverted thoughts and ask the question of myself:  “Will it matter that I was?”  That’s a sober thought.  The legacy we leave our children is not what we leave them financially, rather what we are most proud of that we accomplished in life.  Our children need our encouragement,our guidance, our positive outlook.  These things we share are our legacies of good will and love.

One good memory of mine of LIFETIME THOUGHTS was when I was invited to speak at a Beta Sigma Phi Convention in Birmingham, Alabama.   I met great ladies and was invited to the Statehouse by Gov. George Wallace.   We drove to Montgomery and I met him and his wife in his office.  He told me that when he campaigned he would have his wife at his side in the South, but when he was in the North, I could act as his wife in the Scandanavian states because I was blonde.  In effect, he was telling me he was going to run for president before he made his announcement.  Unfortunately, a few months later he was shot and paralyzed and spent his last years in a wheelchair.  At the time we visited, he gave me an impressive document that said I was made a member of the Alabama Militia with the rank of Lt. Colonel.  When I asked the significance of this document, I was told that if I traveled in Alabama, I could ask for a police escort .  I would be a VIP.  However, I have not been to Alabama since then.

Another LIFETIME THOUGHT that stands out in my memory was when George McGovern of South Dakota ran for president and lost.  His wife was in the Civic Art Gallery one day soon after and she bought a sculpture of mine called:  Temorarily Defeated.  The poem with it goes like this:

“To reach success in your endeavor, you must try and try and try,  For success in life is not easily won, it won’come to you by and by.  It takes patience, and fortitude, determination and work, to reach your every goal, so rest awhile and try again, give it your heart and soul.”

She asked them to call me to come to the gallery which they did and I did.  I found her to be a very gracious lady.  It was touching for me that she consoled her husband with some thing of my creativeness.  The sculpture is of a person sitting looking dejected with a broken ski. 

The third LIFETIME THOUGHT I would like to share with you. is  when President Ford became president after Nixon resigned, I sent him and his wife one of my inspirational books.  Shortly, thereafter, Mrs. Ford was hospitalized with cancer surgery.  There was a photo of her in her hospital bed at that time and I saw this episode on the news.  To my amazement, there on her bedside tray was MY  little book!  President Ford sent me a very warm message that I have framed. 

I have more stories of this nature and will include more at a later time.  These kinds of things in our lives, and everyone has some, should be written down for future generations. 

Next week, my message is going to be about several men who do much work for children.  It is a nationwide organization.  Read my blog next week and Iwill tell you about them.  They are amazing!  

May your week be blessed with all good things.

C2009 Evanell

I just came from a funeral this morning of one of my sorority sisters in Beta Sigma Phi.  Mary Fiala was one of the most caring and personable women I have ever met.  She exemplified all that is good and gracious in life.  She was always there when needed.  She was a wonderful wife, mother and grand mother.

In thinking of Mary, I was moved to share with you a prayer I wrote back long ago, that has traveled through the years to many to uplift them.  I am moved to share it with you because if comes from my heart.  It makes me think of all the good of Mary  and that I aspire to.

I was just informed a week ago that this prayer still travels to the multitudes,  being a part of a service in Minneapolis a short time ago.  I have heard of its travels before through the years.  It travels as   on the current of the wind as people read and reread it and away it goes with more beings finding solace, Faith, hope, forgiveness, and love.  This kind of inspiration is the kind that needs to travel and go around the globe, seemingly, through the breeze as God wills it.

ESPECIALLY TODAY, SHOW ME THE WAY

O God, grant to me this day…inspiration.  Inspiration that I may share through communication in concern for others in their need.  Direct my footsteps along your path of Faith and righteousness.  Grant me the wisdom to know how to divide my energies in proper proportion in respect to the responsibilities that are mine.  Through your love and guidance, O Lord, help my feelings of inadequacy as I greet this day.  Help me rise above them. Show me the way.

When I am troubled with indecision, cast your Light of Hope in my direction.  When the burdens of life seem overpowering, when obstacles appear insurmountable, when I am floundering…grant me clear vision that I might approach my tasks with peace and enthusiasm.

Grant that I might be forgiven by those I may have neglected or offended.  That I may forgive offences, real or imaginary, touching me.  Forgive my lack of insight when I do not understand, my impatience when I am not understood.

Help me, Dear Lord, help others help themselves.  Direct my mind to positive thoughts, my hands to worthy deeds, my heart to compassionate understanding, my life to unselfish goals, my love to encompass all whose lives touch mine this day…and every day.

DEAR LORD, ESPECIALLY TODAY, SHOW ME THE WAY!

C1972 Evanell

WHEW!  Nobody told me that downsizing was fun and easy, but they did say it gets better.  We are almost done with the house and will soon put it on the market.  To add to the enjoyment, I gave friends, relatives, and some I just met, some paintings for untold courtesies by neighbors above all.  Deeds they did for us through the years, like mowing the lawn many times, snow blowing out our driveway when it snowed,  thinking of us on holidays, etc. 

When two nice persons came to take furniture we were selling to the Auction House I was moved to offer them a painting, so I asked the older of the two if he had a wife and he said he sure did.  I told him to pick one out that she would like.  The younger man hastened to tell me he didn’t have a wife, but  that he did have a mother!  Needless to say, Mom got one too!

I brought many paintings and sculptures to the condo we moved into and we are going to make one room the Studio.  We are making it look like a gallery, and will have shelves in a pleasing pattern between the paintings for many of my original sculptures, called Uniques.   My computer is also here.

We redecorated from ceiling to floors to have a brand new condo in a lovely building where we hear no barking dogs or loud noises at all.  My husband and I chose blues and golds, with touches of pink, black and red.  Our movers, friends of ours, were so well organized, as we were.  Since the boxes were easily identified with stating their contents, it was easy for them to put them in the rooms designated on the boxes.  The transforming of a new home gave us some ideas in decorating.  Our end project gave  me the nerve to make a remark about the fact that we just might become Interior Decorators.  Course, that was said “tongue in cheek” as they say!

We had been dubious about making this move, but in talking to others who are now our neighbors, they enjoy living in this building of nice people.  Just this morning, my husband said, “I am beginning to like this place!” We moved in last Saturday to this condo which has two bedrooms, two baths, a conpact kitchen, and spacious dining room and living room.  This we really like because we are social people and like to entertain.  We can do that here so we are not losing that delight. 

If there is any advice I would give those of you contemplating making such a move as this, you will find that in “stage one” you may think of all the reasons that you shouldn’t do it.  However, you have to think too, that you are a Senior person getting along in age and your negative thoughts will pass as you make your preparations and get in the swing of things.  Now that we have made the move we will make the best of it and will find ourselves saying:  ” We are home!”  Tonight we had our first guests for dinner. 

Our good friend, Dr. Orn, says that God takes care of His own!  And he surely does if we let Him.  We ask for his help in prayers and we recognize when we receive it.  May your next move be as smooth as ours has been. We have quite a few boxes to empty yet and we have plans to make this room “artsy” and pretty. 

Don’t fear change. There are changes going on in our daily lives every day in small ways.  This big move is no different.  There are things we will miss seeing, like the wonderful views we had at the house, but there are also good things happening here as we view the city.

It has been said, “that if instead of a gem or even a flower, we could cast a lovely thought in the minds of others, then, we must be giving as the angels would give.”  Go out of yourself and cast your thoughts to include  others, like your children who want Mom and Dad in the best surroundings they can in their waning years.   You will soon be smiling, happy to be thinking of others, and you will be blessed.

Indeed!  God takes care of His own and His own is you!  Happy Moving!

C2009 Evanell

As I have been downsizing, letting go of some of my prized possessions, I have been a bit nostalgic.  When I ran across something packed away in the attic loft, that was a remembrance of one of our children.  We might even shed a tear because the information holds so many memories. 

For example, when our daughter Karen, (Waltman) was Miss Rapid City, then won the state title in 1977, it was an exciting time for our family.  Going to Atlantic City for the Miss America national pageant was a joy, especially to watch her play the piano for millions watching.  Her expertise awarded her a scholarship as one of eight contestants non-finalists in the nation.  Her grandmother (my mother) flew from Washington State to be there for the event.  Karen was thrilled to have her grandmother present.  What I found from the attic were Journal clippings mostly, covering everything about Karen’s special time.  Her Dad and I stopped working for a time and read them.  We surely know that Karen is a beautiful lady inside and out.  She was then.  She is now.  Her sister, Teri, flew to her side too, which was wonderful for the sisters.  Teri’s support and love was important to Karen.  Our children have always made us proud. All three of them have excelled.  Thanks be to God for looking out for them. 

What made me think of this was in taking down a hanging I have with wonderful messages.  It says to:  “Share some treasure, which  I just did.  Laugh a little, appreciate, be kind, be gentle, think first of someone else, worship your God, love one another.”

There is nothing in the world as important as love.  Recognizing God’s love through and in others comes first.  Downsizing isn’t so overwhelming when we can take “time out” and reminise.  We realize it is a pretty great world, despite all the hardships it holds for people right now. 

Let us thank God today for His blessings and smile at everyone we meet.  It’s a great day!  Enjoy it and pause a little, to spread love across the globe.  Rest assured.  You, too, are loved!

PS .  A number of you have told me you read my blogs, which is wonderful, but it would be even more wonderful if you would give me a reply now and then.  How am I to know if you like what I write or not and glean something worthwhile from them?  To give a reply, just click on the title of the blog you wish to remark about, scroll down and you will see how to reply.  Thanks much!

C 2009 Evanell

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The rain today really freshened things up.  The yards are beautiful.  Summer is here!  We are still working on downsizing.  Our home is up for sale now.  We have purchased a condo and are in the process of decorating it,  painting and new carpets, etc.

I was visiting with a few friends earlier this week.  It is amazing how many people think their tastes in color, furnishings and over-all picture of the finished project is best.  How do you kindly say:”  I want it to be my way.”  I am not keen on those who decorate for a living.   Not because theylack anything, rather they have their place.  It’s just not my place.  We want our house to reflect our tastes, not theirs.

We have many boxes filled with household goodies ready to be moved to the condo.  Our children came home and helped us dispose of a lot of things and taking care of other things we want to keep.  We have been using  McDonald’s boxes.  There uniform-in size boxes can be stacked in moving and even for a time when we move in. 

The good Lord has been with us every step of the way.  We have faith in Him and faith is what we need to make a major move in life that is not easy to accept, but being Senior Citizens, we must move to smaller quarters.

You may be following in our footsteps planning your own downsizing or are making a life’s decision to change.  What ever you do, try to think, hear, and see the way the ball bounces in your behalf  You can make your goal realized by keeping a good heart, a keen mind, a warm disposition  and always thanking God for what you have.  When we count our blessings, really count them, our depressed personalities fade away and tomorrow looks promising once again!

“FAITH IS THERE,  IF WE SEEK IT, TO CLIMB UNCOMFORTABLE STAIRS, IF OUR TRUST IS UNWAVORING, IT CONQUERS OUR FEARS”

C1970, EVANELL

The sun is shining brightly this morning.  I think about so many Seniors puttering in their gardens already today.  There is nothing as heartwarming as being able to pull up a fresh carrot, clean it off, and eat it right there and then!  Do you remember succulent tomatoes   to be picked and be the start of a vegetable salad? 

My sister has some rasberry bushes in her back yard that yield rasberries for weeks.  Another Senior Citizen sister has a huge garden for give-away and to fill her freezer.  It is fun to go there and partake of all of her vegetables and fruits. 

I remember, as a little girl of 8 or 10, having my very own strawberry patch and I remember, putting up a sign and selling strawberries by the side of the road that ran by our farm.  My mother made great preserves out of strawberries and rhubarb, which thrived on the Minnesota country side.

Ray had a garden too, for years until the deer and turkeys took over.

We had a wonderful rhubarb cake recipe, I would like to share with you now.  I just made one a few days ago.  It is so good and there is no need for frosting.  Rhubarb is so great this year.  It contains alot of water and all the rain we have had this year has seen our rhubarb perk up. 

Here is the recipe for you:

RHUBARB CAKE

 2 cups of rhubarb, cut up

1!/2 cups of brown sugar

1/2 cup margerine

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tesp. soda

1 cup sour milk

Cream sugar and shortening, add egg and vanilla.  Add 2 cups flour with tsp. soda.  Add alternately, with sour milk and rhubarb. 

Topping

1/2 cup white sugar mixed with tsp. of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of nuts.  Sprinkle on top of cake which has been put into a 13×9 pan, which has been well greased.  Bake 40 minutes in 350 degree oven.

This is wonderful!  Good cooking for that next picnic!

 Your friend, Evanell

This writing I wrote 39 years ago, but is just as relevant today as when it was written.  We never know when we are an inspiration to someone.  When we give of ourselves to other through our deeds and love, we exemplify the ways of God. 

                                     INSPIRATIONS

 I write words for you, for me….and all who read them in this revolving arena called Life, to brin g forth a smile, a remembrance, a con solation and contemplation….for be you a gentle person of depth and heart, and goodness….or be you a lie, a fascade, a hypocrite…you have been my inspiration.

You are life, you out there….people passing by through life unceasing until the evening sun goes down.  You were, you are, you will be my inspiration s.

I fear not the untrod path, the entrance of the arena, in truth shall I always speak…I have watched the carnival, the circus….seen the juggler deftly toss his pins, two in hand….third breezing through the air unscathed, free until….he dropped them all in the dusty dirt of the murky ring…and they all looked alike.

I have glimpsed the tinsal, the glitter, the bright neon lights….and I write words for you, for me, for all who read them from my perch on the merry-go-round, and I write for the beautiful. 

I write with peace in my heart, He gives the words to me; as I feel His directio n….words….to make you smile, to remember, to contemplate, and perchance to recognize yourself.

You out there in the circus ring of life, you make your own comparisons, see your own reflections,

for you alone will recognize yourself if you be my inspiration….except for me…..

because you have touched me.

C1970 Evanell

Our downsizing has slowed up.  My husband, Ray has had serious health issues for the past four months.  Three issues one after another.  Two have been healing, but another looms on the horizon next week.  Doctors looking in Ray’s bladder have discovered two tumors which will be operated on Monday.  We trust in God to help us through this so that we can, indeed, enjoy our next home. 

I have so many original sculptures and painting of mine and others for everyone visiting can enjoy.  Our condo will not be like others in that some will say looks like an art gallery, which is what they say about our present home.  My sculptures will each have their own message to convey to others which are thoughts of goodness and love.

I ask for your prayers.  I will have a more informative blog next week. 

Your friend,

Evanell

Our house is showing signs of disaray with  boxes everywhere.  Our daugher, Teri and son, Jim will arrive Monday, which makes me very happy.  They will be for us like balm on a sore.  Their presence and sharing of their energy and and love for their dad at this time, is truly welcomed.  Our dauaghter, Karen, has been by our sides in all of this.  God bless her.

We are also, in the process of preparing our condo we will be moving into, freshened up with new paint and carpetimg.   This surgery of Ray’s Monday will slow this process somewhat as we will all be with him through this ordeal and after. 

The living room and dining area in the new condo is large and perfect for us, once we are able to move there.  I have plans of decorating with pen and brush to brighten the decor.  Then too, I have many original sculptures and paintings that should make us feel at home.  Each of these took a piece of my heart to create.  Hopefully, when friends and relatives come to visit, they will enjoy God’s creations.