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A Judgement Call~Part 2

15 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

 

On to my time as a judge. As I said in part 1, our church includes a school/academy. It started out with a daycare and one kindergarten class.   It now goes through 8th grade, some with multiple classes for each grade. So some of the children who started in the daycare have been with this school their entire school experience.

 

 

Regency Christian Academy Knights

 

The school holds several “contests” each year. One being the science fair, that is coming up in a few weeks. My husband, Fred, is to be one of the judges for that.

 

 

The other is the speech contest.

This is where my judgment call comes in. The contest is sponsored by the Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial company.

 

 

They sponsor many child/youth activities throughout the United States, including the speech contest each year. According to their website:   Available to schools of all kinds, this program provides valuable public speaking experience. Students in grades five through eight are eligible to compete at the local level. Modern Woodmen provides materials needed to run this contest, including the topic, judging guidelines and participation awards. The contest runs year-round.

They pick a subject for each year’s contestants. For instance, this year (2018) the topic was “Inventions that have improved the quality of life.” According to information provided:

Many inventions have made human life much easier. It is difficult to consider a life without the inventions that we are so accustomed to using. This year’s contest asks students to imagine a world without the invention of their choosing and to speak about how this invention has improved the quality of life.

There were three judges, myself being one, and 10 contestants.

 

 

They were all in the sixth grade. Those 10 were chosen as finalists by their classmates from the two sixth grade classes. During the speeches, the fifth graders were invited to sit in, to see what they might be participating in next year. It was a learning experience all around.

The students were all quite nervous, as none of them had done any public speaking before. The speech teacher told Fred and me later that she had encouraged each of them to practice their speeches, but didn’t think they did. I’m sure, if they had done so – even in front of the mirror – it would have added confidence to them.

In any case, it was fun to see what topics and titles they had come up with within the contest’s topic. They had such things as:

P.C. for Me! (Computers)

Microwaves (self explanatory)

Keepin’ it Cool (refrigeration)

No Wash Boards, Please! (Automatic washers and dryers)

Cruising in Style (the automobile)

The Incredible Pencil (self explanatory)

and last but DEFINITELY not least:

Bottoms up! (toilet paper)

They were a joy to watch and listen to. Most had done a great deal of research – did you know there are websites for toilet paper?

The only disappointment I had was that all of the contestants just read from their notes – none were “live” and animated. I’ve judged this speech contest for several years, and some were completely memorized and spoken from the heart. That makes the speech much more authentic. Perhaps that is something I’ll suggest for next year.

Anyway, it was a fun experience. I tend to “grade” more leniently that the other judges, but we all came up with the same ones for first, second, and third places.

This year’s winners

 

 

However…I’m glad it is over for this year!

 

~~~~~~~~~~The End ~~~~~~~~~~

 

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A Judgement Call

8 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

 

Recently, I was a judge….you know…Judge Judy. You see, our church includes a school/academy. It started out with a daycare and one kindergarten class. It now goes through 8th grade, some with multiple classes for each grade. So some of the children who started in the daycare have been with the school their entire school experience.

 

Regency Christian Academy Knights

 

I was the church secretary for nearly nine years. Fairly early on in my secretarial position, one of the kindergarten teachers told her class, as they were marching down the hallway, to have their “hands behind their back, and bubbles in their mouth.” That way, they couldn’t touch each other or talk. It was quite nice to have this quiet parade of children walking in front of our offices.

But soon, I found I would enjoy standing in my office doorway to watch them pass by, and “pop” their bubbles. I made the “popping” sound myself, but the children thought they had done it. Many smiling faces followed on down the hallway. And even today, if I see some of those children – now in high school – they will approach me with “bubbles” in their mouth! They still remember the “bubble lady” who popped their bubbles!

The school has a really good reputation. Some years ago, there was a man who came to enroll his child in our school. He and his family were fairly new to the area, but he made the statement to me that “we may not worship at this church, but I definitely want my children to go to this school!” That has stayed with me, all these years. The school does its best to BE the best it can be for the students. They get all the usual subjects to study, but the classes are smaller, and the students have more of the teacher’s attention. I’ve been a proctor for some of the testing, and the students usually score quite well on their standardized tests. Our school is not like the public schools where, I’ve been told by other teachers, that they have to “teach the test” rather than teaching the subject. That encourages me.

There are several “contests” that the school holds. Every year they have a science fair. Fred is usually asked to be one of the judges for the science fair, and he’s happy to do just that. He enjoys what the children come up with to show off their “scientific” skills. He’s also a fair judge, which makes him a good candidate for judging. He said that he actually started judging science fairs back in the 1980’s, probably when we were in Heidelberg, Germany. He did some regional judging when we lived in Virginia. And he’s been asked to judge the science fairs at our church school for several years now, and enjoys doing that. He will be judging our school’s science fair in the near future.

Here are some pictures from a recent science fair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred and the other judges hearing about a project

 

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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Butterflies and Flowers

1 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

New Mexico state flag – Credit Google Search

It was a grand place to live and grow up in. I loved the mountains – more now that I am no longer around them to enjoy.

 

ountains outside Albuquerque – Credit Google Search

 

I loved the dry climate – especially more now that I live in a humid environment. I loved the Indian/Mexican culture – I still do, with the sand paintings I have from my Aunt Jessie and the turquoise and silver jewelry I inherited from her.

 

 

There just isn’t much that I remember about Albuquerque and New Mexico in particular, that I don’t love. I mentioned once, a few years ago to our daughter, that it was dirty, dusty, and scrubby, but it was home. And I loved it! We had a cute, three-bedroom, one-bath house.

 

 

I remember Mom and Dad saying they needed to add another bathroom on – just because I took so long getting ready each morning. But they never did. They did add a covered patio that joined the house to the detached garage, which was nice. We had many a meal on that patio, in the evenings, especially, but sometimes breakfast. It was great.

When our neighbors added a concrete-block fence between their back yard and ours, my Mother planted many rose bushes and iris flowers along our side of the fence.

 

Fred and me by the roses

 

There was also a small, long stretch of dirt between the house the driveway, where she planted iris plants. I remember taking the petals from those iris plants and “pressing” them between book or Bible pages. When they flattened and dried, they were almost transparent – I could read through them! It was amazing.

Perhaps that’s why I came to love the iris flower so much. When I see them, it reminds me of “home” and how much I enjoyed those flowers blooming. I’ve never tried my hand at growing them, however. I think I’ve mentioned before that I have a “black thumb” rather than a “green thumb” when it comes to growing anything! When we were in Heidelberg, Germany, someone had planted a bunch of iris bulbs at the end of one of the housing buildings. Every Spring, they just sprouted up – mostly lilac color, some white, some dark purple. My favorite is the dark purple, so I suppose that is the most prominent color of iris Mom had planted.

When our youngest daughter, Janet, was giving birth to her twins, I was able to attend to her in the hospital. I remember one day going by the gift shop in the hospital and stopping in my tracks! Hanging there was a beautiful, stain-glass window hanging that had butterflies and iris blossoms on it! It was one of those “I just MUST have that” moments, and so I purchased it and had it shipped home to Florida. It hangs in our “office” window where I can see it just any time I want.

I think it’s lovely. What do you think?

 

 

 

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A 1960 California Family Christmas

25 Mar

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

I know….I know….Christmas was either three months ago – or nine months to come. So I am either WAY late or WAY early with this post! However, in going through my pictures recently – something I really enjoy doing – I came upon the Christmas before Fred and I married, and it was in California with my parents and Bill and DiVoran.

We stayed with Bill and DiVoran in their tiny little house, so it was cramped spaces, but sometimes that can be the most fun, right?

 

 

In any case, we drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico early that morning, and drove straight through to Inglewood, California. It was a long drive, but there were four drivers, so it wasn’t too bad. We drove in Fred’s car – that lovely, classic 1957 Chevy Bel Air.

 

It was a dream to drive and to ride in. And with the four of us in the car together – Mom, Dad, Fred and me – we had a great time together. I remember starting out that there was frost on the windows. It didn’t take long before the sunshine on the car melted the frost, even though it was so cold outside.

Because Bill and DiVoran’s house was small, DiVoran made the best use of the space, knowing we would really crowd the place. There was no room for a Christmas tree, so she made one out of a tinsel garland, tacked on one wall.

 

 

She placed ornaments on the “tree” and a star at the top. They had a credenza underneath it where we placed our Christmas gifts. It was quite unique and imaginative. She’s so creative, and it shows in the paintings she does, as well.

I remember them setting up a cot for Fred to sleep on.

 

Bill and DiVoran sitting on Fred’s cot

 

There was a couch that I suspect folded down to make a bed, where my parents slept.

 

 

I have absolutely NO memory of where I slept, but perhaps there was another cot somewhere in that room that was my spot for sleeping. Perhaps they put me in the kitchen? It was a one-bedroom little house, and Bill and DiVoran slept in their bed. It was quite cozy!

We had some plans for things to do while there. I know we went to Disneyland one day.

 

 

 

We went to Marineland.

 

 

To Knott’s Berry Farm.

 

We kept busy, and made the most of our trip.

When Christmas Day arrived, we had a great meal together. And it was made even better because DiVoran’s parents came and joined us at the table. My mom and dad ate from TV trays, but that didn’t lessen the fun. It was just a great time together.

It just goes to show that you don’t have to have a lot of space, or expensive tastes, to have a wonderful family time together. And that’s the key – time together. That’s what makes family. We are blessed.

 

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People Do the Funniest Things

18 Mar

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

Have you ever just sat back and “people-watched?” You know – just watched people as they passed by you and noticed some of the things they were doing? I find it a fun and fascinating thing to do.

One of the first things I learned about my now-husband, Fred, is that he didn’t like mayonnaise – or mustard – or catsup – or anything with vinegar in it – or….well, you get the picture.

 

 

He didn’t like ANY of that stuff! Curious as to why, he told me that, when he and his siblings said something bad, instead of washing his mouth out with soap – she would put mustard on their tongues!!

 

 

Credit Google Search

 

Now, I like mustard, but that’s a bit too much! Consequently, none of the Wills siblings like those condiments! I have always wondered where she got that form of punishment. From her mother? Don’t know I’ve been told that, when I play the piano, I tuck my head down – until I have a double chin showing! Never knew that. I had to make a conscious effort NOT to do that!

My Dad had the “manly” habit of clearing his throat, then spitting the mucus out onto the ground. I’ve seen so many men and boys doing the same thing. But Daddy’s habit got himself into a fix one time. I’m going to copy what I wrote about him from a previous post (February 2, 2014 – Daddy):

Once, when Fred and I were visiting Albuquerque, Fred had gone out driving with Daddy. That evening, Fred related this story of the day, but could hardly get it out for all his giggling. They were driving along – Fred driving – and Daddy cleared his throat, turned his head, and spit. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that the window was still closed! Fred said Daddy cleaned off the window then turned his head back to Fred and sheepishly said, “that’s only the second time in my life I’ve done that.” Fred said he had to “bite his tongue” to keep from laughing out loud!

Fred and I always laugh when we remember that story. And we get laughs when we tell it to other people.

 

 

Fred’s Mother had one little quirk that I enjoyed. After she finished stirring a pan on the stove, or a pot of tea, she would hit the spoon on the edge of the bowl/pot/pitcher in the following pattern:

tap, tap, ta-tap, tap…..tap, tap.

For those of you old enough to remember, it is the sequence for “shave and a hair-cut…two bits.” I always thought that was cute. She was such a jewel. If you want to know her better, please see my post of October 2, 2012 – Kitty. I really loved her, and miss her still.

 

 

Our Grandson, Forrest, had the habit of whistling through his teeth – sort of “whispering” rather than a full whistle. Used to drive our daughter crazy! She said he’s pretty much outgrown it – until he gets around her!

 

 

So….what about you? What quirks do you have? Or someone near and dear to you? Or someone you work with? It might be fun to look at someone you know and find out what their quirks are. Or, your own. Enjoy!

 

 

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A Tribute-Becky

11 Mar

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

 

In previous posts, I have mentioned that I enjoy singing. Please see my post of October 16, 2016 – It’s Music to My Ears for a little insight. I’ve been singing most of my life, it seems.

I actually don’t remember just when I met Becky and her sister, Billie Ann. We didn’t attend the same church, but were all Southern Baptists. Of course, Albuquerque was a large city, with many Baptist churches, so it was very possible that we met through some church function.

And I actually don’t remember when Billie Ann and Becky and I started our trio singing group, but we sang together in high school. Becky was about two years older than us, but was only one year ahead in school. She had polio as a child and that probably held her back. Here’s a picture of the three of us in my house, practicing our songs. Billie Ann is at the piano (she played for our group, as well as sang alto), and Becky is the one wearing the crutches.

 

 

Billie informed me that Becky died on March 4, 2018. My heart is breaking. While I haven’t kept up with Becky as much as with Billie through the years, she is still near to my heart.

It’s always hard to let someone you love go, but I always love to remember the good and fun things about them. For instance, I remember once when the three of us were going to sing a song over the P.A. system at our high school. Only problem was, there wasn’t a piano in the room, so we had to wing it. In the midst of the song, while we were waiting a few “beats” for the next phrase, Becky got tickled – and that got Billie and me tickled, and we couldn’t stop laughing. I’m sure they cut us off rather quickly!

And Becky, being only 4’7″ tall, couldn’t reach upper cabinets in her house, so she stored all her Tupperware in her oven. Once, however, she forgot to check the oven before she put the oven on to pre-heat – until she smelled something strange! She had melted all her Tupperware!

Becky had one of the sunniest personalities that I’ve ever known – especially for someone with her health issues. She was always laughing and joking. I’m sure she had her down days, but I never saw them.

She was a hero to me.

I miss her – as well as not being around Billie Ann. There are just some very special people that come into your life – and these two are some of my favorites.

I mentioned to Billie about my mother, and how, during the last year of her life they discovered that the bottom four vertebrae in her spine had disintegrated from osteoporosis and she was in great pain. When she died, I had a mental picture of her hiking up her skirts and RUNNING through the streets of heaven! I then suggested to Billie that Becky was now doing the same thing. Perhaps they were running races together?

I just thank the Lord for the privilege of having Becky in my life. She was a jewel, and I loved her.

Love never fails….these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:8, 13

 

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Typing Class

4 Mar

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

When I was growing up, my parents had an old manual Underwood typewriter that I used to “play around” with.

Credit Google search

Like the computer keyboards, all the “keys” had a number or letter on them. And while it was fun to play on, I didn’t really know what I was doing.

I knew that my high school offered typing classes, but I wanted to get a jump-start on that capability. So, one summer, I enrolled in a summer school typing class. Now you must remember that, back in that day, summer school was usually for remedial study. That didn’t bother me, however, because I knew I was just doing the class to further myself.

So I started the class. We had the standard, manual typewriters on each desk. However, there were NO numbers or letters on the keys – they were blank! But in front of the classroom – attached to a blackboard – was a chart with the typewriter keyboard on it – with the letters and numbers on each key.

 

Credit Google search – Pulaski County, Virginia l National Archives

 

As we began typing, we had to look at the chart – not our hands – to type what the teacher wanted us to type. In that way, we learned to type without looking at the keys or our hands. That has given me a lot of fast typing in all the jobs I held, as well as the letters I have written to friends.

As I was typing along one day, the teacher approached me and asked if he could ask me a question. When I agreed, he asked if I played the piano. Surprised by that question in a typing class, I said “yes.” In triumph he said, “I KNEW it! I can always tell the students who play the piano – they have a different dexterity to their fingering than those who don’t.”

That’s a fun memory that has stayed with me.

Following that class, I went on to take more typing classes in high school. When I graduated from high school, my parents purchased a portable, manual Olympia typewriter for me. I still have it. Here I am, typing my senior paper on my little portable typewriter at my Aunt Jessie’s house.

 

 

As I mentioned in another post (please see my post of December 18, 2016 – Out in the Cold), when I went back to work after 20+ years of being a stay-at-home mom, I tested out at 70+ correct words per minute on the computer!. That was a big surprise to me as well as those testing me. During those 20+ years between working in an office setting, and that testing for a new work situation, I had kept up my typing skills. Every letter I wrote home to my family was typed. My handwriting isn’t the best, and typing takes so much less time than hand-writing. So I typed all my letters. That helped keep up my typing skills.

I suppose many of you have seen pictures recently on facebook and other places that show old typing classes. That could have been me in that class! See the above picture!

Recently I had a visit to my primary care physician and for some reason we began talking about typing. She mentioned that people today can tell older computer typers as the keys “click.” That’s because when you learn to type on a manual typewriter, you must push the keys really hard to get it to actually meet the paper. Our wrists are in an up position (that’s a pianist position, as well), and we “attack” the keys.

It’s hard to let go of those habits, you know.

But, as I said – it’s a fun memory!

 

 

 

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Puzzles

25 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

Puzzles. Do you like them? Enjoy working them? I’ve never been able to do crossword puzzles or any kind of word puzzles. My brain just doesn’t work that way. And especially when I’m told the crossword puzzles have a “language” all their own. Well, I have enough trouble with my native language – I don’t need any “hidden” language to trip me up!

But there is one kind of puzzle I’ve come to enjoy – jigsaw puzzles! Surprised? So am I. A few years ago, our daughter, Karen and her husband, Brian, gave us a Disney jigsaw puzzle for Christmas. We set up the card table in the family room and got to work. It was a fun thing to do, and took our minds of anything except the puzzle while working on it. Sometimes it’s a bit frustrating because that particular piece looks like it really should fit in that place – but it doesn’t! Hmmmm….why not? Oh, it fits over here instead!

I don’t remember just how long it took us to finish it, but here is the finished product.

 

 

When Fred and I were trying to sell our house in Virginia, before moving to Florida, we were a bit stressed out. So again, we set up the card table – this time in our large bedroom – and got to work on another jigsaw puzzle Karen and Brian had given us. It was of the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Working on that puzzle was a wonderful way to release that stress. All we could think of at the time, was finding just the right piece to fit in a particular spot.

Fred parents lived in a retirement facility for several years before they passed away. One of the interesting things about that facility was that puzzles were left out on tables in the hallways. Any of the residents could come and “pick up” just where the last person had left off, at any time. I thought it was a wonderful way for them to keep their minds sharp while trying to do the puzzle. It was also an entertainment for them. This facility was one of the most pleasant we had seen. It had lots of windows, was bright and airy, and smelled wonderfully clean and fresh. It was a delight to visit them, and they seemed to enjoy living there.

Karen and Brian gave us another puzzle this past Christmas. It has 21 pictures on it – all of Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers. Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists, so this puzzle is a joy to work – and a bit of work with all that many pictures – some quite small. I’ve learned to use the magnifying glass a lot to help identify some of the pieces. No…that is NOT cheating!! Here’s a picture of the front of the box – the puzzle isn’t finished just yet.

 

 

So how ’bout you? Are you into jigsaw puzzles? They can be a great deal of fun – sharpens your attention span, and is just a great way to kill some time. Give it a try. You just might like it – we do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Peacocks

18 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

 

Seems like I’ve written before about peacocks. I remember my mother telling me that my grandmother had peacocks in her yard in San Antonio, Texas.

 

 

I remember her telling me that one time I was sitting on the steps of the back of Granny’s house, eating a peanut butter sandwich. Mom and Granny heard me let out a shriek and they came running. Apparently that peacock wanted my sandwich as much as I did, and he had just snatched it out of my hands! Naughty bird!

I have always loved to watch peacocks. Their sound is so unique – almost like a child crying. I love their beautifully colored feathers. Perhaps that’s why I developed a distinct love of the color turquoise. That, of course, turned into a love of all things turquoise in jewelry. It didn’t hurt that there is a LOT of turquoise jewelry around New Mexico, where I grew up. I still have a lot of it, and enjoy wearing it. I have some pieces that are quite unique and beautiful, and I always receive compliments on the jewelry when I do wear it.

In any case – back to peacocks. I remember as a child that, when we went to visit Granny and Aunt Jessie in San Antonio, we always went to the zoo. It is an amazing zoo.

 

 

I remember riding the elephant there (please see my post of June 9, 2013 – The Elephant Walk). But I especially remember hearing the peacocks crying.

 

 

This picture shows something amusing about this beautiful bird – they know they are beautiful and love to find their reflection wherever they can! This was taken at the San Antonio zoo.

We’ve seen some peacocks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom a few times, and enjoyed seeing and hearing them. We haven’t seen them recently, but are told they are still in the park – just not where we are accustomed to seeing them.

Most recently, we joined our daughter, Karen and her husband, Brian, on a visit to Winter Garden, Florida for a few hours. Brian drove us to a lake, where he had heard there were peacocks. We were pleased to see some. Here are a few pictures that we took of them.

 

 

What amused us the most about this bird, is that he seemed to see his reflection in the shiny black surface of the car! He kept walking around and looking. He never tried to “peck” at the “other bird,” but he was certainly admiring himself. Unfortunately, he never spread his tail feathers – which is a joy to see.

I asked Brian if he had ever seen a peacock in flight, and he said no. I had recently seen a collection of pictures of peacocks in flight. Here are a few of them. They are truly amazing! I thought that, with that long tail, either that they could not fly, or were flightless birds. Wrong on both counts. I searched Google and found these:

 

Credit Google search and boredpanda – Image credits: reddit


Credit Google search and boredpanda – Image credits: imgur

Credit Google search and boredpanda – Image credits: Chandrashekar Badami

 

They are truly magnificent birds. Enjoy the pictures!

 

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God Will Never Let You Go

11 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

 

A few weeks ago, I was reading the daily post from Pastor Rick Warren, and it touched my heart. He takes a scripture and just brings it to life, so that it means something to me on this day of my life.

One of the most important things that he said was this:

No matter how bad life gets, you can rest in one important truth: God won’t stop loving you.

Have you ever thought that God was just so far away from you that He had turned His back on you? That you thought you had done something so horrible that there was absolutely NO WAY that God could look at you and love you? If that is how you feel just remember:

No matter how bad life gets, you can rest in one important truth: God won’t stop loving you.

Pastor Rick quoted a scripture:

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us” (Romans 8:38-39 TLB).

Pastor Rick went on to say:

That truth should be one of the most important sources of joy in your life!
Isn’t that amazing? And he also went on to say something that just reached out and grabbed me:

But God won’t let go of you — ever. Once you put your hand in his, it’s there to stay.

That is a belief that I’ve held onto my entire life. While Pastor Rick says That’s an unimaginable source of joy for the believer, that is also one of the most important sources of hope (confidence) and strength in my life. I’ve experienced that hope (confidence) and strength in my own life – especially when I was going through cancer (please see my very first post, September 16, 2012, Safe).

God has never let me go – and I’m absolutely convinced that He never will

 

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