Beauty

This summer I have been more cognizant of the beauty around me than at any other time in my life. During the last few months of regrouping, playing catch-up, and slowing down, I've had some time to simply digest life rather than skim over it.

I've taken time to literally stop and smell the roses, noticing the beautiful flowers showcased in people's yards and the birds perched on the trees. I've enjoyed unhurried moments with friends and family members. It's been luxurious, to say the least.

During one of those unhurried moments, my daughter Rachel and I were looking through a myriad of pictures she has posted on her facebook. This picture of my daughter Joanna in Oregon stood out to me. It's another reminder to take in the beauty that surrounds us and to enjoy the colorful side of life.

What The Merry Wives of Windsor and the Longest Wed Couple Have in Common

"O wicked world! One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age to show himself a young gallant!"

These are the words of Mistress Page who scoffs at a letter of seduction from John Falstaff in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor which my husband and I saw last night at Kansas City's Shakespeare Festival.

Yes indeed, ageism shows up as far back as Shakespeare, implying that age is a less than desirable commodity when trying to seduce a woman. Of course, it's all in fun, but it's not without its share of vulgarities, the primary premise being about a comic rogue who plans to seduce two married women.

I would, however, like to point out a real love story in which age knows no bounds. Click http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article777122.ece to read what the longest-wed couple, 100-year-old Frank and 99-year-old Anita Milford, have to say about threesomes!

Corn Crib Adventure

"Nice weather, eh?"

"By God, yeah!"

Those are the types of interactions one might hear by the ragged blue jeans, t-shirt, and baseball cap-clad patrons who frequent the Corn Crib Restaurant, a quaint little eatery situated near the cornfields of Corning, KS.

I had a delightful day yesterday presenting puppet shows for three different libraries in Northeast Kansas. After leaving Seneca, I decided to make my way to Centralia for lunch before I did my final show. Unfortunately, Centralia has no restaurants, so I stopped and asked a pedestrian for any recommendations nearby. The closest place was ten miles away, but it sounded intriguing. I wondered if this might be a place overlooked by "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." I was all set for my mini road-trip adventure.

I was not disappointed. After sailing along highway 63 listening to the mesmerizing vocals of Eva Cassidy and viewing sprawling pastures dotted with hay bales, I spotted it. Just beyond the Co-op sits the Corning General Store and Restaurant, its slogan boasting, "We serve genuine broaster chicken." I soon found myself sitting in my own booth facing the back of a patron wearing a brown t-shirt that sported, "I back Kristin Rethman and the Wildcats," as I awaited my barbecue brisket dinner with mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, and a homemade roll - all very delicious, by the way. The lattice laden walls were adorned with various farm tools, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. You can see a picture of the cook proudly arranged with her grandchildren, some of who were enjoying cheeseburgers and french fries served by their pampering grandmother.

I loved every minute of my experience which I would have missed had I settled for a trip to McDonald's back in Seneca. What I also would have missed, had I not backed my car up a few feet when I realized I went a block past the Centralia Library later on, was a little lemonade stand situated on the street corner. I stopped my car, got out, and met 12-year-old Justin, who poured me a delicious drink of lemonade for fifty cents.

Just like the good old days. By God, yeah.

Ages (aka Birthdays)

I just returned from a pleasant evening in K.C. with my sister Alicia. During the course of tonight's fun-loving and enlightening conversation, she shared about her five-year-old daughter's lamentations concerning the fear of outgrowing the comfort of always being held by her mother. I asked Alicia's permission to share the moment, and the following snippet was awaiting my e-mail inbox when I returned home.

In a contemplative and disappointed realization that each birthday makes her older, bigger and taller, Phoebe expressed, almost shouting, "Why does God have to give me ages?!"

Up on the Rooftop

Last night Jeff took me out for a spin in the country to watch some fireworks in the distance. When we returned home, we heard our daughter Rachel calling from the rooftop.

"Is there anyone out there?" she teased, mimicking the words from the movie, Titanic.

We looked up to see her perched on the peak of our two story farmhouse. I've been kind of envious of my daughters' periodic rooftop adventures. But not enough to make the trek myself. Until last night.

"Is your sister up there with you?"

"No. She's on the computer."

"Kathryn, get off the computer and join your sister on the rooftop!" I teasingly scolded her sister as I entered the house.

By the way, we've never urged our children to climb the roof, at times requesting they stay off of it. But on this occasion, I felt like Kat and Rachel should enjoy the experience together.

I stepped back outside and looked up to see them both peeking down at me. Rachel happened to be on her cell phone talking to her boyfriend.

"Has he ever been up there with you, Rachel?"

"Yes. He wants you to come up here, Mom."

That was it. I was going to prove that I was capable of handling the same physical feats as my athletic daughters. It made me recall the time Emilou, a former resident of Brookside and dear friend who I sing about in my CD, begged to "sit in a regular chair." Her dementia had been playing tricks on her, causing her to be unaware of her physical limitations that required her to remain in a wheelchair.

"You can't walk,"remarked a CNA who spoke insensitively.

"Why I'm just as agile as the rest of you," Emilou rebuffed.

So, in a similar attempt to prove my agility and to impress Rachel's serendipitous boyfriend, I clumsily climbed over the headboard of Kat's bed, through her bedroom window and out into the balcony beyond. It was a laborious endeavor, but I succeeded.

But that wasn't the worst of it. I looked up at the roof and suddenly it appeared to be much steeper than I had envisioned. I thought of my oldest son, Josiah, who gets on roofs regularly as an insurance adjuster, marveling at his agility and bravery that he probably takes for granted. He once told me that on rare occasions, a coworker might take a fall on the job. I didn't want this to be my rare occasion.

So after much coaxing and coaching from my daughters, I made my way to the top! I was very pleased. But unlike my daughters, I had a few aches and pains from the experience and have decided that once was enough.

I can certainly get a sense of the reality that our spirit can remain youthful while the body ages. It seems so unfair. It's like the octogenarian lady who once said while looking in the mirror, "What's a young chick like you doing in an old body like this?"

When you've got your health, you've got everything." That's what they say, anyway.

I don't know about the "everything" part, but it sure does help.

The Thrill of Dance

Tonight I was perusing through video clips (taken from my cell phone) of my daughters' dance performances at a recent dance camp they attended at Emporia State University. All three of my daughters have had the privilege of participating in their high school dance team. And I have experienced the thrill of watching them. Below is a video clip of my daughter Rachel dancing to the song, "Under Pressure." She is the girl in the middle. My apologies about the less than professional quality of the video.

The last day of their camp, however, was the day the world was shocked with the news of Michael Jackson's death. I could reminisce about my junior high years of enjoying the music of The Jackson Five and several years later watching my baby brother and sister (twins) dancing to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Instead, I'd like to share a thrilling peek at a performance I never knew about until this evening as I was reading all the latest on this international icon. The youtube video features 1,500 plus CPDRC inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines at practice in 2007. It is reported that they practiced this dance all over again as a tribute to Michael Jackson's death. It reveals the incredible power of dance even in the most "imprisoning" of situations. If you haven't seen it before, be prepared to be amazed by clicking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o.

I wish I had videos to prove how thrilling it's been to experience coworkers dancing with residents during both Movers & Shakers activities and at various concerts. Instead, you'll just have to use your imagination . . .

Hoary Glory

This morning I dropped by Brookside to join the residents for devotions. When asked if they had any hymn requests, How Firm a Foundation, was mentioned.

So, I pulled out my guitar and started leading the folks through verse after verse, admittedly a bit mindlessly at first, until I found myself singing some very strange lyrics:

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

"What in the world are hoary hairs?" I inquired, disrupting the song mid-sentence, incredulous at the bizarre terminology.

At first nobody seemed to know, although a few suggestions were made such as "horrible hairs" and "fuzzy hairs."

"And why would the temple be adorned with hoary hairs," I pondered further.

Aha! We finally realized that hoary means grayish hair and the "temple" is referring to one's head, not some sanctuary.

I believe the residents enjoyed the humorous and serendipitous ponderings on this archaic phrase. It also spurred on further conversation about the wisdom that comes with age and how the scriptures say that "a gray head is a crown of glory," (Psalm 16:31).

"Well, I believe you all should be the ones writing the books and giving out counsel!" I encouraged the smiling faces. "I guess we all have hoary glory!"