Cooper

30 Jun

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Have you ever thought about your family name? Where did it come from?  Has it been changed or “revised” through the ages?

My family name has done just that.  One of my father’s siblings did a genealogy research some years ago, and found the name of our original immigrant from Germany in the 1700’s.  The original name was Leitzinger.  I have so much regret that I wasn’t that interested in genealogy while we spent those six years in Germany to do any searching on my own.  Time wasted.

In any case, Leitzinger was changed to Leitsey, and eventually down to Lites, which is my maiden name…as well as my brother’s name.  I kind of like it – it is unusual, and there are many, many relatives throughout the United States.

But that brings me back to my topic – Cooper. Did you know that, back in the Middle Ages (and probably before), people were named for their occupation?

The blacksmith in the village was called “Smith.” 

Credit to Pixabay and Image by jacqueline macou

The baker was called “Baker.”

Credit to Pixabay and Image by jacqueline macou

The one who fashioned crockery was the “Potter.”

Credit to Pixabay and Image by cstibi

The one who worked with stone was the “Mason.”

Credit to Pixabay and Image by Henryk Niestrój

The one who made your clothing was the “Tailor.”

Credit to Pixabay and Image by Erik Lyngsøe

The one who made rugs and tapestry was the “Weaver.”

Credit to Pixabay and Image by Sabine van Erp

 And so on. However, the one I want to talk about today is the Cooper.  

Credit to Pixabay and Image by kaufcom

According to Google search and ThoughtCo. – The surname Cooper is an English occupational name for one who made and sold casks, buckets and tubs. The name derives from the Middle English couper, cowper, adapted from Middle Dutch kuper, a derivative of kup, meaning “tub” or “container.” Cooper may also be an Anglicized version of a similar sounding surname such as the Dutch Kuiper, or the Jewish Kupfer or Kupper.

What brought this to mind, was that I learned about “cooper” while we visited Colonial Williamsburg many years ago.  Since then, I have seen several restaurants named “Cooper” or Cooper’s” – and the symbol on the restaurant sign is a barrel.  I mentioned that to my mother once, while I was visiting her in Albuquerque. We saw a sign for “The Cooperage ” and it had the barrel on it.  She had no idea. 

Credit Google Search and the cooperage website

 Even Cracker Barrel uses the barrel in their sign:

And so, even today, when I see the name “Cooper” I visualize a barrel.   I just found that to be interesting.  Perhaps not to you, but it is to me.

Credit to Pixabay and  Image by Herm. 

The large cask in the Heidelberg Castle – large enough to have a dance floor on top. Fred says he has walked on top, and his parents danced on it.

Credit to Pixabay andImage by K. H. J. / MCI.

Old postcard drawing.  It holds 221,726 liters of wine.

The large cask in the Heidelberg Castle – large enough to have a dance floor on top.

Think about your surname – see if you can find where it came from – and where your ancestors are from.  Interesting stuff.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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The secret to overcome self-pity

29 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged June 28, 2019

I was shocked. My friend Becky is a powerhouse of faith. But she felt lame. Here’s her story:

A crippled man lay by the pool of Bethesda for days, months and perhaps years hoping someone would roll him into the pool for healing. (John 5:1-17)

I visited the pool of Bethesda a few years ago while traveling in Israel. The pool was located directly over some underground springs of water. When the water bubbled up from the spring, people thought an angel was stirring the water and that if they rolled in, they would be healed. Believing for a miracle the lame man lay there waiting. But he never quite made it into the pool. Victimized by unfortunate circumstances, He was left crippled.

I sympathize with this man.

A few months ago, I broke my ankle and was lame myself. I had to wear a cast for a few weeks, hobbled around on crutches, graduated to a walking boot and then finally upgraded to an ankle stabilizer. I looked lame, I walked lame. I felt lame. Here’s the thing. It’s easy when we’ve experienced unfortunate events to settle into “lame thinking”. Lame thinkers feel victimized. Lame thinkers feel they have no options in life. Lame thinkers imagine that their circumstances will likely never improve. Jesus approached this man and asked one simple yet profound question, “Do you want to be healed?” Ah, such a profound question.

When our thinking becomes lame, we settle for self-limiting and God limiting beliefs. The next time you catch yourself settling for lame thinking, hold a little self-management meeting. Remind yourself that though life may feel difficult, God is still able. Spend a few moments praising Him and thanking Him in advance of what He will do. What He calls you to do. He empowers you to do. End. Of. Story.

Giving Thanks for God’s Faithfulness

is the Fix

When I fall into lame thinking, I structure my time of thanksgiving around God’s faithfulness in the past, present and future. I ask myself 3 questions:

Question 1:  How has God worked in the past?

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77 wrote, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord”. I make a thankful list of the miracles I have seen God do in the past. As I thank Him for each one, my trust in His faithfulness grows.

Question 2:  What is God doing at this moment in my life?

I may not feel like God is on the move in my life but if I spend a few moments seeking Him, He shows me that He is indeed at work. As I thank Him for what He is doing in the present, I find more faith for the future.

Question 3:  What does God want me to trust Him for in the future?

As I spend time praising and thanking God that He will work in and through me in the future, my faith is re-kindled and my trust revived.

Becky Harling is an author, speaker, and certified coach (The John Maxwell Team). Her recent books, The 30 Day Praise Challenge and The 30 Day Praise Challenge for Parents, are helping thousands to develop the habit of praising God so that worry and fear are replaced with more joy, courage, and less anxiety. For more information, visit Becky at BeckyHarling.com

Final words & prayer from Janet:

I hope Becky’s reminder to step out of lame thinking as we shed notions of self-pity encourages you to look to what God has done, what He’s doing and will do.

Father, thank you for lifting me from the lake of lame thinking. I praise You for placing my feet on the solid ground of faith, empowering me to do the impossible. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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From Grime to Shine

28 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Spring came late to our house. Well, the actual season came on time, but Spring cleaning didn’t happen until summer.

I am not the best housekeeper. I tend to think that when windows need to be cleaned, it is time to get new windows-or move. Since neither are currently an option, my husband and I decided to tackle the chore, but slowly.

For the slow start, I chose two windows in our dining area. Our drapes are quite long and are mounted almost at the ceiling. My husband took them down for me, then I set about cleaning.

I had no idea if the drapes were machine washable or needed to be dry cleaned. Once the pair were down, I searched for a label with washing instructions. As none was found, I decided to go for the dry clean option. Fortunately, a year ago I purchased a package of Woolite dry cleaning cloths to use in the dryer. I removed the top rings and tossed them in, not sure how they would come out. It was a success! They looked like new and had a faintly fresh scent. All in all, I like this method over machine washable as there would have been a chance I would have needed to…horrors-iron!

While the curtains were bouncing in the dryer, I went to work on the windows. We are blessed to have the type that can be dropped open so that one can clean the outside from the inside. Our windows are high off the ground and without this feature, I would have needed to stand on a ladder outside. And that would not happen. We would have to move.

After I finished the dining area windows, I moved to the guest bedroom. Once again, my husband was needed to take the curtain rod down and then I set to cleaning feeling a lot more optimistic about the chore. I was pleased with my first effort at cleaning windows and drapery and decided that Thursday we would tackle the living room with its four long windows.

I use the word tackle as this room would require moving furniture to gain easy access to the windows. I know some women delight in moving furniture to different locations. I am not one of them. As the Beatles once sang, “Let it be” is my motto about furniture.

My husband was feeling poorly on Tuesday, hence my solitary work on the windows, but Thursday he was better and offered to help.

Offer accepted!

As these windows are harder to reach, the window blinds were in sore need of a good cleaning. After a couple of false starts, we hit on a good method to clean them. We used the duster part of a Swifter (removed the handle) to clean the surface dust followed by a thorough washing using disposable sanitizing wipes left over from flu season. Due to their high alcohol content the blinds dried quickly with no drips or smears.

Like Tuesday, I put the draperies in the dryer. These windows required three loads to clean them all but they were done by the time we finished the windows. We knew these windows were a big job, so we took a short break after each one, drank some water and relaxed. At this point, I had begun to enjoy the task. There was something soothing about methodically turning grime into shine. In fact, it must have soothed my husband too as he promptly took to his bed for a nap once the job was done.

I left the blinds pulled up the rest of the day. I had forgotten how much I enjoy looking out of these windows.

There are more windows to clean but I need to purchase additional dry cleaning sheets. I think a day off to do some shopping and enjoy the outdoors will be my plan for today.

I survived window cleaning and came to enjoy it.Who knew that was possible? Do you have a task that you avoid or dread?

I'm a winnerAfter my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

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Forgive

26 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Mark 11:25 speaks of forgiving anyone you have something against. That sounds hard enough, but often the harder task is to accept forgiveness for your own actions.

New Neighbors

24 Jun

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Story by Dora Bowers

Not long after the Pueblo flood of 1921, Dad rented a small house in Canon City. Some of the neighbors were close to my age. I remember Jessica Redmond who came to America from England with her parents. Jessica had bright red hair. Her mother gave me Jessica’s pink silk dress because of that hair. The dress had tucks and embroidery and was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. That is how I learned that no self-respecting red-head would ever wear a pink dress because at that time people believed that pink and red would clash. My light brown hair, though, was just right for it. 

Pink Silk Dress       DiVoran’s Vintage Pictures

The other neighbor’s child was a curly-headed boy with sparkling blue eyes who teased me and made me laugh. His name was Ivan Bowers. Ivan and his parents and brother had ended up in Canon City after a long trip from Illinois and a sojourn in Paonia, Colorado where his grandmother had died and been buried before they left.  

It wasn’t long until the Bowers and the Bedell families left the block of houses where they lived in order to start their own businesses. Marie and Ira Bowers bought a barber/beauty shop on Main Street that included living quarters. Ivan and his younger brother, Lowell helped out with the chores of keeping up the beauty shop, but Ivan would run next door to the machine garage any chance he got and from there he developed many of the skills he would use such as welding and car repair throughout his life. 

Welded Ship by Ivan Bowers  Photo, DiVoran’s Vintage Pictures

Marie, Ivan, Lowell, and Ira at the side of the machine shop DiVoran’s Vintage Pictures

DiVoran’s Vintage Pictures

Around the same time, my mother and dad, Mabel and Roger Bedell bought an apple orchard on the outskirts of town.  During the Great Depression neither family lacked food or a place to live. People would always need haircuts and as for my parents who took in relatives such as my mother’s sister and company, we always had eggs from the chickens, milk from the cows, and vegetables from the garden.

As I grew I was given more jobs on the farm. At first, I gathered eggs, but then I started bringing the cows in for milking. That reminds me of something that happened at school one day when I was twelve years old: I got up from my desk and walked to the pencil sharpener at the back of the room. As I passed one of the boys whistled softly then whispered, “Would you look at the swing in that gate!” I knew he meant the way my hips swayed when I walked, and I was mortified!. That evening as I followed the cows from the meadow to the barn I put my hands in the back pockets of my overhauls and started re-training my walk so that nobody would make fun of me ever again.

Dora in her overhauls at twelve and the baby sister she prayed for plus a young neighbor.  DiVoran’s Vintage Pictures

Author, Poet and Artist

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Happy Anniversary

23 Jun

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Fred:  June 20, 2019 was our 58th anniversary.  This is how it all began:  

 In the Fall of 1957, Fred enrolled in the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. 

Fred’s dorm – Mesa Vista dorm – UNM

Sandia mountains, East of Albuquerque – Credit Google Search

In February of 1958, he joined the First Baptist Church in Albuquerque, where Judy had been attending since she was four years old. 

First Baptist Church, Albuquerque credit Google Search

Sometime later, Fred joined the Sanctuary Choir, which is where he became aware of Judy, who was also in the choir.  

 In the Fall of 1958, at the Baptist Student Union (BSU) center on the UNM campus, in a planning meeting for the upcoming BSU Conference in Portales, NM, 

Photo credit Jimmy Emerson

Judy became aware of Fred, while riding in the same car from Albuquerque to Portales (four hour trip).  After the group arrived in Portales (ENMU),

Credit Google Search and ENMU website

and signed in at the hotel, a group of about 10 drove Fred to his parent’s home on Cannon AFB, near Clovis, NM (18 miles away). 

Credit Google Search and http://www.abqjournal.com

 We all rode in our Bible teacher’s Studebaker Champion.

Barbara, Fred, and Coach with his Studebaker Champion – October 1958, leaving the convention

Because there were 10 of us, we had to “double up” and Judy sat on Fred’s lap for that distance.

 Later that Fall, the church youth department, sponsored a hay ride, and Judy asked Fred to go with her…and he did.  This was Fred’s first date with anybody, since he had been a confirmed bachelor!

After this, we dated casually for about one year,

1959 – Albuquerque, NM

and after a lot of prayer and soul-searching, Fred decided Judy was the “right one” for him, so he went to Judy’s father, and asked him for permission to marry his daughter, Judy.  He said “yes.”  With her father’s blessing, I asked Judy to marry me, and – hallelujah!– she said “yes.”

From the beginning of our relationship, we were both committed to the “True Love Waits” concept, before it became popular.  We were convinced our Creator and Lord knew what was best for us.

 We were engaged for over a year-and-a-half before we were married, since we and our parents agreed it would be better for at least one of us to have a college degree.

We married on June 20, 1961….and the rest is history!  And thus began year one.

Judy:   I remember going to work with the Draft Board in Fort Worth, Texas, where we had moved after the wedding.  When our first anniversary was approaching, I was able to take the day off (without pay) and Fred and I went to Six Flag Over Texas, which is between Dallas and Fort Worth. It was our first time at that amusement park, and we played the entire day.  It was great!

Credit Google Search and Six Flags website

 I don’t have a lot of memories of too many of our anniversaries, but that first one stands out.  Since we’ve been in Florida, we have made it a “habit” to stay at the Shades of Green resort on Disney property, and do one park each day.  However, since we are getting older, the heat really affects us, and we decided not to do that on this anniversary.  Instead, we drove over to Titusville and spent time with my brother, Bill and his wonderful wife, DiVoran. 

We four then went to our favorite seafood restaurant in Titusville – Dixie Crossroads – for lunch.  

Credit Google Search and Dixie Crossroads website

We shared a wonderful meal with them, and then headed home.  It was a lovely, quiet, day, and we treasured each other all day long.

 58 years as a married couple – plus three years getting to know each other. That’s a true landmark.  We are grateful to God for bringing us together. We placed Him in the very middle of our lives together at the beginning, and He has never let us down.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

JUDYJudy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years
 
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing.
Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
 
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.
 
She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins.
 
She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Is Jesus enough? Three questions you need to ask

22 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged June 22, 2019 Janet Perez Eckles dot com

Sweat poured from my forehead as I shooed away mosquitos. Through the sticky humidity, a friend, native of the island, and I pressed on through the dusty dirt country roads in the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

But what was also warm yet sweet was the hug and peck on the cheek as I embraced a small, frail woman who greeted us outside her nipa hut. “Welcome beautiful visitor,” she said.

We sat on a rock nearby observing her at work. She brought small bowls of rice to feed the children who came from other nipa huts around the area, they gathered outside her tiny dwelling with nearly nothing in it.

But the richness of her faith and commitment overflowed.

In the midst of the humid, scorching heat, she fed them. They sang songs, and then she nourished their souls with Bible lessons.

I forgot about the discomfort of the outdoors as I listened and observed her joy, her passion and patience with those little ones.

As we were about to leave and head to our next stop in our missions’ trip, I hugged her. “I admire you,” I said. “You have so little and give so much.”

She gave a shy giggle. “When you have Jesus, you have enough,” she said.

Gulp. Can that be so? Can Jesus really be enough?

Here are three questions to determine if He’s truly enough for us:

And if we had nothing, can we repeat what Habakkuk declares?

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to go on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Jesus is our strength.

When all we value is gone, He is our strength. When our weakness can’t be ignored, He is our strength. When nothing produces fruit in our life, His strength is enough. And in that power and strength, He gives us what we need—the feet to keep on walking, the diligence to stay on track, the ability to focus on Him, and the boldness to refuse defeat and begin walking in high places.

And in that journey, victory greets us when we declare:

“Whom do I have in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for the forever promise. From now on my trust is in You as I believe, I embrace and stand on the truth that You are truly enough. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What or who is enough to strengthen you these days?

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Seeking Peace-Mother May I?

21 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Do you remember as a child, playing Mother May I? One person was the “mother” who acted as the caller. For instance, they would call upon a child and say “take two steps forward” The goal was to be the first player to reach the caller, but the child must remember to ask, mother may I. If the child isn’t paying attention, and takes the two steps without asking the question, the child must take the opposite action…two steps back.

I also remember my teacher who was determined to teach the correct usage of the words can and may. If a student asked a question such as “can I go to the restroom” so would respond, I don’t know are you able to go or do you need permission? She did this a lot, Lord love her.

As I read John 16:33 last week the word, may, popped from the page. In me you MAY have peace.

We have permission to have peace!

And not only may we have peace, He has equipped us to have it. He has overcome the world.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33

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Due Date

20 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Forty-two years ago today was my “due date”. I was living in Florida and pregnant with our second child. The heat and the already mischievous son I was carrying were making me miserable.

As the days passed and he still had not make his appearance, I remember walking in the shopping mall and seeing moms from my childbirth class with their babies in strollers. I confess to feeling a bit resentful.

Am I weird or do other moms remember their due date?

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Why Rely on Faith?

19 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

In my prayers of late, I feel compelled to pray for blessings over people. I’m not sure why, but I do find it refreshing over listing problems and challenges.

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