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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Happy 90th Birthday

George
Two Trump Tater
Two Trump Tater

Today is my mother-in-law, Ruby Mae Watson’s, 90th birthday. I must say that she has been a great mother-in-law. I want to wish her a wonderful birthday.

She loves to play Texas 42. A domino game that seems to be native to only Texas. You learn a lot about people when you play 42 with them. When you play with Mother, you will quickly learn what a determined and risk taking person she is. 42 is a bidding game and the amount bid is most often determined by the number of a particular suit you have drawn. Most people would need at least four of a suit and only rarely will three will be enough. Not so with Two Trump Tater (her nickname in her younger years was Tater), she will take a bid with only two trumps in a heart beat. Her daring bids, I believe, are a reflection of a mindset that sees possibilities and is not bound by the fear of failure. From what I have learned, that is the way Mother has approached life for her many years and continues even at 90. Which, by the way, is really irritating when I play 42 with her and she continually kicks my shins.

Happy Birthday Two Trump Tater!

Projects and Class Reunion

George
Scott's workbench
Scott's workbench

For the past three days Scott and I have been building him a workbench. It has been very enjoyable. We had our share of faux pas. Not the least of which was Scott’s encounter with the table saw. He nipped the end of his finger. Despite several “engineering” obstacles we were able to complete 95% of the project. He will paint and finish off some details later.

We also came this weekend to attend Ann’s high school class reunion. She graduated from Harding Academy in 1960 and her class of 24 graduates was invited to join the class of ’59’s 13 graduates in celebration of their 50th reunion. The class of 59 was the first graduating class of Harding academy. I enjoyed the time. It was interesting to hear about the lives of Ann’s classmates. Apparently we won the most grandchildren prize. (actually there was no prize) There were only 1o in Ann’s class to attend. Ann is the beautiful younger lady in the picture.

Harding Academy Class of 1960
Harding Academy Class of 1960

A Happy Birthday

George

I had a great day celebrating my 67th birthday. Ann and I are visiting with Scott and Allison in Atoka, Tennessee. Scott and I are building a workbench for his garage. My day started with a nice run and then Scott and I worked on his project until after 5:00pm. During the day I received several calls from friends and family. Nice.

This evening I was treated to dinner at a very nice restaurant in Covington by Scott and Allison.

NOW I am as old as Ann.

andandeo5114

Looking for Church

George

I thought this excerpt from Internet Monk’s post today worthy of some thought.

Scot Mcknight astutely points out that we have a lot of people taking the church very seriously these days, but ironically, many of them can’t find the church they need. Not because of a lack of entertaining programs and preaching, but because they are looking for a community where they can faithfully struggle alongside other strugglers in the discipleship journey.

Many of us feel that absence. We are parts of community, but we are afraid to confess our struggles. We’ve seen how others are written off, and we don’t want to risk the same kind of rejection. We want to be the kinds of persons who can pray for others as fellow pilgrims. We want to move past being the judges of those who are simply like us: broken people who need a hand.

Scripture has the Jesus shaped community in mind. We find it too risky. We want Christians to get it right the first time and keep on getting it right. When they fail, we don’t want the mess to intrude into our so-called “walk with Christ.” If we embrace a community where strugglers of every kind can find a home and help, we may be overwhelmed at what God is able to do.

An Almost Birthday Party

George
Photo by Meredith Crockett
Photo by Meredith Crockett

Yesterday, since we are leaving for Memphis tomorrow, I was honored with an “almost birthday party”. Ann fixed a great meal and the Crockett’s helped us celebrate. I got gift cards to Lowe’s and two new books.  I can’t wait to see what I get on my real birthday.