The Blues

3 May

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Photo Credit Pixabay

I’ve been listening to a wonderful Christian speaker on YouTube every morning while I exercise. He uses 15 minutes to talk about God and to pray with the heavenly host. Bill and I like him a lot. Everything he says makes sense and is uplifting. 

But somewhere in the last month, I have lost something. I’ve been worried and somewhat depressed and couldn’t figure out why. I came in and out of experiencing peace and then rolling back to fogginess and disappointment. Never in my life could I measure up to what the morning speaker suggested we be and do as Christians, but I loved the power and the intelligence of his speaking. And that was all I heard every day for a month because I had stopped doing my devotions. They no longer fit into my morning routine.

Yesterday I got up sad and felt sad all day. I didn’t have anything to do. Oh, I could clean out a closet and write a blog, but nothing felt right. I sat down at my desk to figure out what action to take, and since I had nothing else to do, I started to write in my journal. The journals have been the most important stabilizing action for decades.

Photo Credit Pixabay

In her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron speaks of morning pages like this: “Morning pages are three pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness. Nothing in it is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included.

Our pastor, Peter Lord, also taught us about journaling, only his emphasis was on Jesus and the Heavenly Host. He wrote out his prayers early every morning for at least sixty years as did many in his congregation. He created some small journals with guides and told us to write letters to God. 

Photo Credit Pixabay

Over the years, I have read several experts on prayer and journaling, and now it is the only way for me. In my journal, I complain, thank, and request. It may not be for everybody, but this past month I have found my morning pages and the advice of our dear pastor necessary for sanity. When I ignored it, my emotions slid back into the miry clay of loneliness and emotional pain. Then I started writing again, even a little, and the sun came out, and the blues pushed off and away whether I had anything to do or not.

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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Music and Me-Part 6

2 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

I loved to sing…as I’ve mentioned in previous musings.  And while my favorite way to sing was in groups – trios, choirs, mixed groups – I did occasionally sing solos.  As I sang, I usually had the copy of the music in front of me, “just in case…”  Well, it was a good thing I did, because once, as I was beginning a solo, the intro had been played, and I opened my mouth to sing…and the words had completely left my memory!!  The pianist continued to play as I scrambled to look down at the music to find my place.  I was so totally embarrassed by that, that my confidence was forever shattered.  I never again did a solo without the music “just in case” – it was always there to support me.

I’ve mentioned that I sang with wives groups at all the military bases where we were stationed.  I sang with a wives group in Wiesbaden, West Germany, and later with the wives group in Heidelberg.  Unfortunately, while in Heidelberg, the pianist for the group had rotated back stateside with her family, and they needed a pianist/accompanist more than a singer, so that’s what I did.  I remember once we did a fun number (sorry, I can’t remember the name of the song we did), and about halfway through the song, was a piano interlude.  The director thought it would be a fun touch for the accompanist to stand up and play that piano interlude.  So when it came to that part – I actually stood up, Cheshire-cat-smiled at the audience (and winked at them) and played the music standing up!  It got a good laugh from the audience!

Last week I posted a picture of the entire music program at my home church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Photo credit First Baptist Church, Albuquerque

First Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico

 While that picture included the children, there were over 60 adults in that choir…no small thing. 

(Please see my post of February 21, 2016 – The Cruise of a Lifetime – Part 4.  We met Richard and Judy Bradford on that cruise, and he was the Minister of Music at my home church in Albuquerque in the 1970’s!)

When Fred and I first married, we moved to Fort Worth, Texas, for Fred to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – Rotunda

We joined Travis Avenue Baptist Church while there, and became members of the choir.

Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas Photo credit Google search and website

It was a great choir, and we had some amazing directors.  There were probably 80-100 members of the adult choir at that church.  We had some classically trained voices, and the first director was a voice teacher at the Seminary.  However, other directors who followed her were also great.  The one we sang under the most was Bill Pearson.  I remember we did The Seven Last Words of Christ,

Photo credit Google search and Biblio .com

and later a musical called God’s Trombones.

credit Google search and Amazon.com

That was so much fun to do – Bill had the choir members scattered throughout the sanctuary.  Someone had a large handbell, and when it began to toll, we got up, one or two at a time, and made our way to the choir loft.  And then we sang.  It is a wonderful piece of music, that would probably be considered “politically incorrect” in today’s world, unfortunately.

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

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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Oh April-50th Anniversary Part 1

29 Apr

On the porch

Onisha Ellis

April 9, 2021-Day One

Our daughter arrived the previous night. She drove up from Florida. We made the decision over supper to not rush around in the morning to get an early start. We would be spending 5 nights at a time share in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee that our friend generously gifted us and check in was after 4 pm. The drive would take two to two and one half hours, depending on how often we stopped while driving through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

After coffee on the porch, a leisurely breakfast and some last minute packing, we loaded our daughter’s Toyota Rav 4 and set out. (Remember from last week, our car’s check engine light was triggered on our trip from Florida.) Over the years we have spent many happy hours in the GSMNP, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In our younger days we would day trip with my husband driving late a night, back to our rented cabin in Franklin, NC. Often the fog was swirling thick, but my husband handled the driving well. Many nights I held a sleeping, exhausted child in my arms. Sweet memories. Since we are well past our younger days we haven’t been able to explore our favorite places on the Tennessee side. We would have 5 days to visit favorite places and maybe find some news ones.

We were almost to the Oconoluftee Visitor Center when we saw cars parked alongside the road. This usually indicates elk in the fields but we didn’t see any. Our daughter spotted the elk in a river partially hidden by trees. We had seen pictures of the elk in the river but never witnessed it. My daughter and I grabbed our cameras and strode across the fields. They were beautiful.

The ducks enjoyed the water as well. There were more elk on the opposite shore but we didn’t get them in the pictures or the video.

This website

Where to view elk in the Great Smoky National Park has helpful information should you be planning a visit.

When we arrived in Pigeon Forge, we easily found our holiday retreat. We weren’t sure what to expect, as the property had several room options.

At check in we learned that we were assigned a Pedestal townhouse. I was thrilled.

The stairs were a bit of a trial, hauling our suitcases, coolers and the assorted things we felt we just had to have. After settling in, we were ready for some supper. In Pigeon Forge the main highway is called The Parkway. It is lined on both sides with every kind of business and restaurants. We decided our first holiday meal would be at Cheddars. It’s a chain restaurant but one we don’t have in our small town.

Our meal was excellent. A good choice for our first night. We returned to our rental and discovered the wi-fi surpassed our expectations. We brough out our Roku and settled in for television streaming.

Next week, day two and the hunt for wildflowers.

I'm a winner

After 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  

My 2021 goal is continue touse 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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Fishing With Ivan Part 6

28 Apr

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

I remember one trip to visit Ivan and Dora when they lived in Vista, CA.  This trip took place sometime around 1985.  DiVoran and I started this trip by flying from Orlando, FL to San Diego, CA.  After we picked up our rental car, we met with our high school friends, Jim and Charlene, who had moved to San Diego from Flagstaff, AZ.  We had a wonderful visit with them, remembering fun high school times and other times we had experienced with them in days gone by.  Then they took us to their favorite Mexican food restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal and more memories.

Photo by Bill Lites

After dinner, we said our goodbyes, and drove about 50 miles north to visit DiVoran’s brother, David, and his wife, Susan, in Vista, CA.  David was in the middle of restoring an off-road vehicle project, and enlisted me as his helper and go-fer.  DiVoran and Susan spent most of their time discussing children and grandchildren.  The two ladies conspired together to cook a wonderful meal that everyone enjoyed.  After an evening of more reminiscing, we finally called an end to the fun.  After that wonderful visit they put us up for the night at their lovely home.

Photo by DiVoran Lites

That year Ivan and Dora had decided to spend some time fishing at the Salton Sea.  So, the next day we drove east from Vista thru Escondido, Ramona, and Santa Ysabel (elevation: ~5000’), and then back down and thru the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, to somewhere on the west side of the Salton Sea (elevation: -226’).  I ask Ivan why he didn’t stay at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area where they had camping facilities (located on the northeast side of the lake), and he said it was too expensive and the fishing wasn’t any better in that part of the lake.

Photo: https://www.yelp.com/biz/salton-sea-state-recreation-area-mecca?start=40

They had their 30 foot Silver Streak travel trailer setup near the water’s edge with nothing around them but a few other campers.  I never could figure out what had attracted them to this desert area, where there was nothing around them but a few scrub bushes and tumble weeds for as far as the eye could see.  

Photo: https://saltonsea.com/events/seafest-october-21-2017-7-am-to-7-pm-salton-sea-state-recreation-area/

I don’t remember much about that visit, but somehow Ivan had heard that the Mozambique Tilapia in the Salton Sea were plentiful that year, and he was determined to catch his share of them.  I don’t know how good the fishing had been for him before we got there, but that first night we didn’t have fresh fish for dinner.  DiVoran remembers that Dora had apologized for having to serve us canned salmon patties for dinner.

Photo: https://www.theseoldcookbooks.com/low-carb-salmon-patties

The only thing DiVoran remembers about that trip is that Dora had learned to paint there from a lady who lived there at the lake, and that she and Dora spent much of their time painting.  This activity ended up creating a new and very special life-long bond between DiVoran and her mother.

: https://paint-ok.blogspot.com/1991/10/face-paint-clipart-free.html

Note:  For an interesting read, check out Wikipedia for the details of how the Salton Sea was formed over millions of years, from a natural Salt Sink to a thriving 343 sq. mi. size lake, and how it has now been transformed to its present day ‘dead sea’ condition by mankind over the years.

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 63 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Richard B.

27 Apr

The Storyteller Almanac

Reblogged 4/27/21

Greetings Y’all,

This weeks’ episode from my podcast series, “Storyteller Almanac” is called, “Richard B.” It’s a story about a famous person in history that had one of the most unique and original views on a well known piece of American heritage. He really held ‘allegiance’ to his ‘pledge’ . I think you’ll like this one – especially if you are even a little bit patriotic and have feelings for this great country called America!

Click Here to Listen

You can find the podcast on all the major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts etc… You can also find it at www.StorytellerAlmanac.Com . And please, if you feel so inclined, subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss any future episodes. No obligation. No charge and no salesperson will call . 

Thanks for droppin’ by neighbor!

Mike’s newest CD Path of the Heart is available now.

If you would like to listen to a sample

CLICK HERE

I’ve been ‘clickin’ the shutter since I was about 16. I morphed into video production when I went to work for The Walt Disney Company many years ago. Currently, I still work for Disney. But my real passion and path is utilizing my photography and multimedia skill sets for the greater good. Translated, anything or anybody that deserves recognition, appreciation or documenting for future history, I’m all over it. Too many important things just slip away in a fast moving, fast paced world / society. ‘If ya’ wanna know where you’re going, ya’ gotta know where ya’ come from’ (Sir Lawrence Olivier – The Jazz Singer 1980). 

If you feel so inclined, I’d sure appreciate you subscribing to Storyteller Almanac on any of the major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Really helps me grow the po

To contact me for any reason, please click or copy & paste: 

MikeThomasImagery@gmail.com

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One Baby, Two Mothers

26 Apr

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Photo Credit Pixabay

16 One day two women came to King Solomon, 17 and one of them said:

Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. Not long ago my baby was born at home, 18 and three days later her baby was born. Nobody else was there with us.

19 One night while we were all asleep, she rolled over on her baby, and he died. 20 Then while I was still asleep, she got up and took my son out of my bed. She put him in her bed, then she put her dead baby next to me.

21 In the morning when I got up to feed my son, I saw that he was dead. But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he wasn’t my 

son.

22 “No!” the other woman shouted. “He was your son. My baby is alive!”

“The dead baby is yours,” the first woman yelled. “Mine is alive!”

They argued back and forth in front of Solomon, 23 until finally he said, “Both of you say this live baby is yours. 24 Someone bring me a sword.”

A sword was brought, and Solomon ordered, 25 “Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have part of him.”

26 “Please don’t kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed. “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him.”

The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.”

27 Solomon said, “Don’t kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”

28 Everyone in Israel was amazed when they heard how Solomon had made his decision. They realized that God had given him wisdom to judge fairly. 

And the baby lived. 

Kings 3:16-28 The Passion Translation

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.”

Music and Me-Part 5

25 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

I remember being in church choirs all my life long.  From the time I was just a small child (in the children’ choir) through the Sanctuary or Adult choir in my home church.  I even remember helping out with the children’s choir after I aged out of the youth choir.  And I do mean just helping out – again, I wasn’t really able to really lead those children.

I don’t really have any pictures of choirs I was part of in my early years, except this one of the entire choir from the First Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I’m not in the group of small children in the white robes, but I am in the row of a little older children.  And my older brother, Bill, is in that picture as well.  Looking at the picture, he is in the third row from the top, on the right hand, second person in.  I don’t know whether or not Bill was ever in any other choirs, until he and DiVoran moved to Titusville, Florida, and joined their church there.  I know they were both in several of the church choirs there.

And here is a picture of the group of Officer’s Wives Singers at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas in 1973.

I remember singing with that group, and I remember that lovely blue dress.  We were performing at the Base Chapel here, and it was a Christmas program.  We took that program – with taped accompaniment – to the San Antonio River Walk one evening.  We rode up and down the river on one of the tour boats, singing, for about one hour.  It was such fun!  But an interesting event came from that.  We kept seeing a threesome sitting at one of the restaurants along the way.  They would always wave to us, and the older gentleman would “tip” his hat to us.  As we were finishing up, they called for us to join them for a drink.  Well, I don’t “drink,” but I thought it would be fun to visit with them.  So a group of about five of us did just that.  Turns out, they were actors from Austin, who had come down to show off the River Walk.  It also turns out that the older gentleman was Hans Conried!  Movie actor (Uncle Tonoose on the Danny Thomas show) and voice of the mirror in “Snow White” as well as George Darling and Captain Hook in the Disney movies.  WOW!!  What a privilege to meet him.

1977- Hans Conried Credit Google Search and Wikipedia

While I don’t have a picture of the Officer’s Wives singing group I sang with while at Tyndall AFB, Florida (Panama City), I do remember singing with them.  We performed at many functions around the base, as well as throughout the city.  My fondest memory of that group was a Christmas program we did at the Base Chapel.  I was singing a solo (as I remember, it was I Wonder As I Wander), and I looked down at the audience to see our five-year-old Janet watching me in open-mouth amazement!  I’m not sure she had heard me sing before!

As just a side-note here – As I was riding home from one of our performances at Tyndall AFB, the lady I was riding with asked me, “would you like to be bad?”  I said, “What do you have in mind?”  And she suggested that we stop at the Dairy Queen and get a banana split.  Well, never having had one before, I was all game for it!  So we did – and I developed my of love for banana splits from that point on!  At least from DQ!  I’ve had others that use the “Neopolitan” ice cream, and it’s just NOT the same!  DQ every time for me!

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

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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Heartache: 7 Ways to Conquer It

24 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged April 24, 2021

April 23, 2021

Dust from the dirt road came in through the open window. But my nine-year-old brother and I, at 10, didn’t care. Mom held us tight as we rode in the back seat of the dilapidated truck.

“When will we get there?” my brother and I asked over and over again.

We wanted the trip to end. Maybe because with each bump, the springs that protruded through the cloth seat poked my bottom. Or perhaps we were eager to arrive because we knew the excitement that awaited us in our vacation place in the tropical area of Bolivia.

The destination was lovely, but the journey to get there was not only long, but dangerous. The narrow, bumpy road bordering the mountain is identified as the most dangerous road in the world.

Drivers honk their horn as they take sharp turns to alert the oncoming traffic. Did I mention it’s only one way?

The edge of the road that winds around leads to an endless cliff. The winding road has no protection. Homemade crosses of all kinds and sizes line the edge, marking the places where vehicles slipped off resulting in fatalities.

One such accident took place recently, leaving a young man paralyzed. His family, American missionaries, sent prayer requests around the world.

The Roads of Life

As we ride through the mountain roads of life, we also encounter unexpected turns that bring pain and heartache. And we ask, why? Why does adversity barge unannounced? It catches us unprepared and vulnerable. Inevitably, the tragedy pushes us down the cliff of sorrow.

I tasted that heartache years ago when, in that dark emergency room, the doctor said to me and my family, “He didn’t survive the stab wounds he received.”

Losing my youngest son was unthinkable. I cried out to God, “Why?”

I found that kind of pain has no logic, reason, or purpose. But more importantly, I learned that God’s peace has no limit.

7 Promises for You

Friends, if you or anyone is in the prison of pain, here are seven promises needed in order to be set free.

  1. We count on His help, constant and never changing because “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
  2. We silence words of self-pity or sorrow. “My lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live…” (Psalm 63:4a).
  3. We let go the grip on bitterness and instead, we reach up to Him. “In your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4b).
  4. Our heart may be broken, but our soul is intact. “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (Psalm 63:5).
  5. We thank God for the sweet sleep that will come because “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help…” (Psalm 63:6).
  6. We claim His power, knowing where we find protection. “We sing in the shadow of your wings. Our soul clings to you…” (Psalm 63:7).
  7. We declare: Lord, we will not faint because “Our soul clings to you; your right hand upholds us” (Psalm 63:8).

No matter where the road of life leads, how it turns or how bumpy it gets, we have God’s reassurance. We declare our trust in Him as we allow Him to take the wheel. He will lead us away from the cliffs of sorrow. And He will keep us on track as He proves He’s in control. Eventually we arrive at the destination. It offers freedom as we discover heartache leaves and healing begins.

Let’s Pray

Father, I praise you for already knowing the help we would need, the comfort we would desire, and the reassurance we would call for. Thank you for going before us to prepare the healing and the restoration of our peace. I thank you in Jesus’ name.

Who’s at the wheel of your life as you take unexpected turns?

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.

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Fishing With Ivan Part 5

21 Apr

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

After their retirement, Ivan and Dora tried to spend the three hottest months, each year, in a cooler part of the country.  They would pack-up their 30’ Silver Streak travel trailer and head for an RV Park somewhere near a good fishing spot.  Dora had a brother who owned an RV Park on Marrowstone Island, located in the Port Townsend Bay area, northwest of Seattle, WA.   They had visited Smitty and his wife, Waunita, several times over the years.  One year (I believe it was in 1980), I had a business trip to the San Francisco area, during the time Ivan and Dora were on their summer stay on Marrowstone Island.  When I completed my business, I took a week of vacation and joined Ivan and Dora for some relaxation time.  DiVoran had flown out from Florida to be with her parents a few weeks before I got there.

Photo: https://www.roverpass.com/c/smitty-s-island-retreat-nordland-wa/

DiVoran and Dora both enjoyed painting and they found lots of subjects to use to apply paint to canvas.  When they got tired of painting they would walk down to the beach to look for special pieces of driftwood they could use in their artwork.  They also found ‘Jade’ rocks that seemed to be prevalent along that beach.  On Wednesday evenings Dora would take DiVoran to her weekly Bible Study with some of the other ladies there on the island.

Photo by Bill Lites

       Each day Ivan would take me somewhere different where there were some old pilings (at low tide) where we gathered ‘tube worms’ for the day’s fishing.  Each day, after collecting our bait, we would head for another of his ‘secret fishing spots’ (he usually had more than one) to fish for Cod and Mackerel for our dinners.  That was always great fun learning how to fish for the different types of fish.

Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamellibrachia

Another day Ivan took us to the clam beds (again at low tide) to dig for Horseneck Clams.  We learned how to watch for the clams to spout water in the air; then we would rush over quickly, and dig them up before they could borrow their way back down into the sand.  What an interesting learning experience that was.  DiVoran and I learned to eat a large variety of seafood, and other things (well at least I did), during our visits with Ivan and Dora.

Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamellibrachia

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One day Ivan and Dora took us for a tour of Fort Flagler, located in the Fort Flagler State Park.  The fort is located at the northern tip of Marrowstone Island.  I learned that Fort Flagler (1897), along with Fort Worden (1898) and Fort Casey (1899) once guarded the Admiralty Inlet, which is the nautical entrance to Puget Sound.  Because of the many tourists that visit the park, some of the wildlife are very tame.  As luck would have it, Dora got a chance to feed a small deer the day we were there.  What a thrill that was!

Photo by DiVoran Lites

On a couple occasions, DiVoran and I made the trip to Port Townsend to do some shopping and to enjoy a bowl of the most wonderful Crab Bisque I have ever eaten.  I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant.  Ivan was an excellent cook, and he and Dora kept us well fed.  It didn’t matter, what the season was, or in what location we happened to visited them, the food was always good and plentiful.  However, I don’t believe I have ever known Ivan to cook fish any other way than pan fried.  Yummm!

Photo: https://www.thespruceeats.com/fats-oils-for-fish-and-seafood-1300626

I was amazed at the tide levels in the Port Townsend Bay area.  The difference between Low Tide and High Tide was over 9½ feet.  In the photo below, you can see the pilings behind us (at low tide) which will give you an idea of how much difference there is.  This amazing tidal difference gave us wonderful opportunities, during low tide activities, to participate in such interesting adventures as beach combing and digging for Horseneck clams.  It’s amazing the kind of things you will find on a beach, at low tide, especially after a storm. 

Photo by Dora Bowers

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 63 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

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Oh April

20 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

As I am writing this I am back in Florida. I was so pleased we had managed to actually end our winter stay in Florida not just on the planned date, but three days early on April 2! I think someone important- God, did say that man plans but God has the last word. And he did.

April 3rd was our 50th wedding anniversary. After much back and forth about a small celebration with friends we decided on a short trip that would begin April 9th.

We left Florida on April 2 and spent the night on the road. We only had two plans for the big day, doughnuts and coffee at Krispy Kreme and playing it by ear to choose a restaurant for a celebratory meal. The doughnuts plan worked out perfectly, the meal not so much. The route we were on didn’t offer much in the way of special and by the time we arrived home, I just wanted any meal I didn’t have to cook!

What a difference 50 years make! We haven’t mastered the art of the selfie.

I was thrilled to be back in the mountains in time to see the daffodils bloom. I haven’t seen them in a couple of years.I even discovered four tulips blooming in the Hosta bed. To my delight, the pansies I planted last fall were still going strong. They were impossible for me to grow in the Florida heat.

The grass wasn’t nearly as tall as when we return in May but the next day my husband couldn’t wait to get on his mower and tidy it up. I think he just likes riding on the mower but I love the way freshly mown grass smells so, it’s all good. I didn’t get a picture so this 7 second video will have to do.

He also likes to use the weed eater. I think he must work some of his frustrations out as the machine chews up the weeds and grass.

Later in the week we combined a doctor check up with a lunch visit with friends. Leaving our Florida friends behind is sad, but seeing our transplanted Florida friends in nearby South Carolina is always a joy.

One more day and our daughter would be joining us to be a part of our anniversary celebration. It’s a good thing too, because on the way north, the dreaded check engine light on the car dashboard came on. We needed her car for the trip!

Her visit ties in with my opening paragraph. While helping us pack the car in Florida, (She is an outstanding packer) she reinjured her upper back. By the time our anniversary trip was over, she was in severe pain. She tried Tele Med to no avail. Unable to drive, my husband suggested we rent a tow dolly and pull her car home.

Photo credit U-Haul

And so, here we are in Florida… with the truck. Husband is talking about a trip to Ikea.I’m thinking about more flowers and pots.

More next week on our anniversary trip. It was wonderful.

I'm a winner

After 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 .

My 2021 goal is to continue 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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