Happenings

It is in the form of cold snow/ice at home but in Florida, it's in the form of cloudy skies, occasional showers, cold (for Florida) and breezy. It's back into the jeans, sweatshirts and jackets for everyone today, even to church for those who brought no warm dress clothes with them. The weather is quite uncertain here, jumping from 81 last week to 61 today. That's okay though; we like all weather but actually prefer the cooler temps. I would love to see the snow though.

Since my last blog, Hubby and I have been to see the Broadway show,"George M", the life story of George M. Cohan which was very good. We really enjoyed the music, especially the more familiar tunes: "It's a grand Old Flag", "Over There", Yankee Doodle Dandy", and "Give My Regards to Broadway". Next Monday, several of us girls are going to see Danny and the Juniors, a popular group in the early 60's. Sunday, we will be going to hear an orchestra whose members are formerly played with great bands. (I will comment on that later).

Our pastor here has been bringing us excellent messages each Sunday; today's lesson was entitled, "What Happens When God Shows Up", taken from I Kings 18. There is always a wonderful lesson to be learned in every sermon. Next Sunday is Communion. I know many at home missed a church service today due to the snow, but we can always receive a blessing from God's Word.

And that is the Happenings here in Florida for me.

Shirelles

What a fun night we had last night!! Three of us ladies from the park went to the Broadway Palm Theatre to see the Shirelles, a popular group from the late 50's and early 60's. They were absolutely great. When singing their hits, such as Tonight's the Night, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, and Soldier Boy, they brought the house down! And, there was a full house present too! The lead singer was dancing all over the stage (I would guess that she is around 70 or better and she could move!) Their singing was just as strong as before. I was as impressed with them as I am/was with Chubby Checker! There was real talent present in the 50's and 60's, and even before. Today, there seems to be a lot of "yelling" and "screaming", with no idea of what words they are using (and that's probably a good thing). Personally, I like all music, even today; it's usually the vocals that I think needs improvement (I thought the American Idol from 09 did an awful job with the National Anthem; some of the older singers can do a good job with it though).

If you want to see a great group of singers and, if you ever get the opportunity to see the Shirelles, my favorite group during my teenage years, I suggest you give them a chance. They are great and I thank them for giving me an evening of lively entertainment.

You Steal, You Pay

Today has been a day of football in the park. Many were sad with the final scores while others were shouting victory. As for me, I was unhappy on both counts; but, now that we know who will be going to the Super Bowl, I have chosen to pull for New Orleans. It probably doesn't matter a lot because most people can't remember from one year to the next who played the year before.

Temperatures are rising in Southwest Florida, up to 83 today; however, there is supposed to be a slight drop for this week, to the mid 70's (Now that's my favorite).

We observed a race in the park today, a race of three-wheel bicycles. All of us North Carolinians have the two-wheel versions, thus ineligible to race. It's fun to watch the older q-tips enjoy racing around the block as fast as they can pedal. Two would race at the time and the winner then would take on another biker until a final winner was recognized. People here will do anything to have a little fun.

Yesterday was a huge yard sale in the adjacent park. There were so many people who came from all over the city. Rose and I rode out bikes over and were immediately met by the security patrol to tell us to lock our bikes. Fortunately, I carry a lock and cable on my bike at all times; the most difficult part was finding a tree to lock our bikes to! Every tree was taken! Finally, we located one and I locked our bikes together. There is no way I want my new bike to disappear. It is a shame that now we have to keep everything locked at all times it seems. Our next door neighbor had his bike stolen last week; he was lucky that the police did find it within the week. Another man had his golf cart stolen. When it was found, he had to pay over $300 to get it back! When asked if he was going to press charges on the young boys, the man replied with a very forceful positive. I don't blame him. These young people need to face the consequences of their behavior; they need to learn that you cannot get away with theft. Parents often want to defend them, protect them, and that's only natural; my thoughts are, though, are you really need to pay the piper. Theft is against the law and needs to be dealt with.

Is the World Smaller?

We are enjoying a busy time in Florida so far. First of all, we have enjoyed visitors from home twice in less than two weeks! Wouldn't that be great if the trend continued! Friends came and spent the afternoon talking about traveling to Alaska and other topics; second, friends of Hubby's came. It's strange that the guy was Hubby's college roommate in college 50 years ago and they hadn't seen each other since. Now, they live within 15 miles of each other and have to meet in Florida, over 700 miles away! It just goes to show that even when you are away from home, you can enjoy seeing old friends; so, you better be careful and do nothing shameful, which we aren't anyway.

Mom always asked me when we returned from a long trip if I saw anyone I knew; I always laughed and said no. Now I know, she was smarter than I thought at the time because it happens. Mom was a very smart lady!

We ran into one of my college students at a restaurant in Alabama many years ago! We have experienced similar things in other places far away from home in the past. I think it's great that the world is so much smaller today.

Comfort

It's been a great weekend for the hubby and me. We enjoyed a really neat show on Friday night; yesterday, we enjoyed being around our neighbors and going out to dinner with them. Today, our pastor preached a wonderful sermon on God being a God of comfort and mercy. He took his text from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. There is a really good lesson here for all us, especially in times of need. He emphasized our need to comfort others too. With the disaster in Haiti, we all need to pray for their comfort and do what we can to provide them with some. We need to pray that this time may be used to reach these people and lead them to Christ. We realize that we all need Christ and these survivors need Him in a very special way now.

Enjoying the Shows

Tonight has been a really fun night for Hubby and me. We went to a show that was held in the park, called "Branson Meets Nashville". It was a great show with a really neat comedian, Harley Worthit. We had seen him when in Branson back in October; he was even funnier tonight. The lady who accompanied him used to sing with Boots Randolph. It was a wonderful show!

Monday week, we will be going to see the Sherilles, one of my favorite groups fom the late 50's. Their hits included, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "Soldier Boy", Tonight's the Night," and others. I am so excited about seeing them. On the following Wed, we will be going to a show honoring George M. Cohen, who made several songs popular: "You're a Grand Old Flag", Yankee Doodle Dandy, Give My Regards to Broadway, etc.

I'm glad to be getting involved in more of the activities in the area. I guess we are feeling like a part of the community now that we stay longer than we used to.

The weather has warmed up to the 70's now and everyone is coming out of their cocoons. I'm beginning to see some of my old friends more now.

I hope your winter is going well for all of you.

Out-of-Shape Mind and Body

We are now 8 days into a new year and I wonder how many are still keeping their New Year's Resolutions. Several years ago, I made a resolution never to make another resolution; for the first time since, I only made one for this year. I resolved to read my Bible more, to read it though in a Chronological order. For the first time, I decided I wanted to read things as they happened; so far, I am enjoying this plan even though I've only read 8 days. I thought it interesting that only the first 11 chapters of Genesis occurred chronologically; then, we move to Job where I'm currently reading. After 42 chapters in that book, we return to Genesis for the rest of the month. In the New Testament, I will be reading the books of Matthew, Mark, then John. I'm excited about this plan and resolve to get through the Bible.

Whatever your New Year's Resolutions were, I hope that you will be able to continue to keep them. And, if you haven't decided to read through the Bible in any order, I recommend trying such a plan. You can find various ones on the internet.

In the meantime, enjoy the cool weather, wherever you are. Even in Florida where we are now, it is very cold. I understand it will get colder in a few days. Tomorrow is supposed to be close to 70. I really don't mind the cool weather but the citrus farmers don't need this cold. There is a great fear that the crops will be ruined.

It's time to exercise my body now, on my bike. Now that I have exercised my mind, I need to work on the other "out-of-shape" part.

Jump on Board: Here We Go!

Another year has quickly disappeared and now we begin another. It seems that yesterday was 2000 and we are already beginning another decade! How many changes have occurred during the last one? Too many to recount, I'm sure. One thing I am still proficient in is typing. Although I still make typos, I have speed and pretty good dexterity of the fingers, for this I am thankful. Ah, but now, who needs to type with fingers? Oh no, all you need now is two flexible thumbs!! I watch the young people with their blackberries (and other fruits) and note how agile they are as they send those expensive text messages. As for me and some of my friends (I heard them agree), we still prefer talking on the phone. Will we become a silent generation this decade, I wonder. Well, maybe where the long distance is concerned; however, I would venture to guess that these young people of today will be vocal in expressing their views on such things as global warming, wars, and energy salvation. Hmmm...how about salvation of the soul? I pray that we will continue to be a Christian nation, that we will always seek to carry the Gospel to the lost, to spread the Word taught us in the Holy Bible.

It's going to be a fast ride, folks. So, to keep our values; to maintain our Christian heritage, my call for us all is: "Jump on Board; Here We Go!!"