Spring Cleaning

My goodness how time has just flown by! It's been weeks since I've been here, after meaning to at least update weekly! Spring is in full force now here in our beautiful state. Little chilly in the mornings but warms up to fantastic afternoons so full of color! I love this time of year!!

I spent some of my morning at the nursing home with Mom and Dad. Each Sunday morning there is a Sunday school lesson that begins with a song service. I joined Daddy for the song service this morning. I love to sing praises to our Lord! I really enjoyed the time singing with my Daddy. Most of my life he has been the constant that kept us in church. He enjoys singing, teaching about the Lord. I couldnt ask for a better legacy to pass on to my kids. I pray for the Harrington's and associates who conduct this service for our nursing home bound; the residents present really enjoyed the singing!

Mom is insisting she try to stand, but her therapist wasn't comfortable doing it alone with just her and the lift, so tomorrow (Monday) they will try her legs out to see if they can support her at all. She is determined she is going to walk again and that will be good. Gives her something to work toward. I just don't encourage it because I don't want to give her false hope. Her body limits her ability to sit on the side of the bed and just do leg exercises to about 10-15 minutes maximum. Then her hip hurts and she has to lay down. The right leg she can't lift as high as the left. But, God works in mysterious ways and HIS will be done. That is where I have left it, in HIS hands! None better.

We (Michael, my husband and I with Daddy) spent yesterday afternoon working at Daddy's house. We trimmed all the trees up to where we can mow without dodging limbs. Removed "sprouts" that my Dad was letting grow that were only creating havoc for Sadie as she would just wind herself up in the young sapling trees. Helped Dad with his garden. He is insisting on a full garden, so my brother plows and I just visit with Daddy as we watch him. Daddy just can't function in the capacity he once could. His mind says you have to do this and that, but his body restricts him. And while we were all witnessing he fell, got his foot tangled in Sadie's cord as he was walking to feed Charlie. It breaks our hearts, but he keeps on going, and we are going to let him. Because Daddy has always felt if you just sit down and do nothing, you are useless and become so. What a lesson in strength and love he shows us daily. No matter the trial, keep on your path.

Baby Blake will soon be making an appearance in our world. I can't wait to get my hands on him and show him how much we all love him! We are all ready for the joys a baby brings into a family. Kameran and Jarah will have a new lil cousin to love on, and we will all grow in our shared family!

Knowing What I Know About Heaven

I came across a very beautiful song after the untimely death of my niece. It's called Knowing What I Know About Heaven and Sarah Darling is one of the talented people who have a version of it. Guy Penrod is another. Both are equally touching, amazing songs, that almost celebrate the joy of arriving in heaven.

When you really think about the song, the words touch you in a most powerful way. Why on earth would I want you back? Imagine if you will, and I'm sure you all can relate to the pain and suffering of this world. Disease, emotional, physical abuse abounds. If you had the chance to walk away from all of this, have peace and comfort in your life, wouldn't you want to chose that path? I would and I would want to take all of my family and friends with me. Because who doesn't want the best for those you love the most? Can you imagine sharing this wonderful place with each other?

Of course it is heartbreaking and sad to have someone we love so much taken from us and this earth. Our hearts break for days to years after their gone. Time makes the pain lesson in severity, and God comforts us to know they are safe. It's still a void in our lives, one we can't imagine filling, and honestly never do. But then we realize how honored we are to have had them in our lives and knowing they are resting without stress and strife just makes the journey all the more special.

Why on earth would I want you back, when you are somewhere that love never ends? Knowing what I know about Heaven....puts a smile on my face and assurance in my heart, all is well. Tell those you love, that you do love them, every single day. Share the goodness of our God, who is peaceful, loving and kind. Show your friends and family all is in His will, His way, His time.

Healthcare, Pay attention!! This is my RANT!!!

I know you are technically supposed to write daily on your blog, but my life these past weeks have not given me much time to do that.  You see, my elderly Mother has been in and out of the hospital.  Mom suffers from a variety of illnesses which combined have worn her body down.  These past days have been very frustrating in determining what is going on, believe me, healthcare has lost some of it's compassion over the years.  I feel my mother would have been swept under the carpet and just sent home to die if I didn't have some form of medical knowledge.  Many of you know I have been in the medical field since 1979, even though I am not a nurse, I have functioned as one more times than not in my career, trained on the job by some of the best physicians I have been honored to work with.  For the record, I am a manager who specializes in medical billing. 

All of that aside, I feel if I hadn't started questioning, insisting at each admission, my mom would not be here today.  I do on the other hand understand the severity of her disease and appreciate that she is with us, by the grace of God still today.  Without going into all of her medical issues, I can see where many medical malpractice cases are formed.  Several things were against her at admission.  One, shortness of breath, elderly female with chronic illness, over abundance of medication, all of which could and probably did contribute to putting her in the ER. 

Am I saying you get less care if you are elderly?  I'm afraid that is what I'm thinking.  But I happen to know different as my late 40's cousin who did not have diabetes was sent home from one of our local ER's with a blood sugar in the 400's, and she didn't have a diagnosis of diabetes.  She complained of nausea and vomiting, that is all the ER doctor treated her for, her complaint.   Completely overlooked the fact that the 400 range glucose was abnormal, didn't consider treating her for it, nor did he consult anyone else about it.  She was given medication for nausea and vomiting and sent home.  He totally missed what brought her to the ER with nausea and vomiting, assuming it was the current stomach virus going around. So age doesn't seem to be the culprit with today's physicians just missing the whole picture.  I can't caution you enough, learn about your illness, your parent's, sister, brothers illnesses.  Care about those you love, because I promise you no one else will.

I also want to tell you our local ambulance service and rescue persons are quick and well trained.  However, in the area we are in, they urged us because Mom had shortness of breath and the roads were icy, to go to the nearest hospital.  The nearest hospital is inadequately staffed to care for a chronically ill person such as my mother.  This paramedic again assured me the roads were too terrible to travel to Little Rock and we needed to go to the nearest ER which was Malvern.  If she needed stitches, then Malvern was okay, but she needed more. Malvern could not help her.  He assured me if we get her to the ER and they can't care for her they will send us on to the hospital in Little Rock.  Okay, most folks around here might buy that story, but I know that doesn't work.  He even assured me all ER's were connected electronically and they could just pull her records up on the computer and she would get the same care.  (The latter of that statement was probably the only thing he got right.)

I know they are trying to get that trauma center stuff going in Arkansas, so I gave his comment the benefit of 5 minutes consideration and said No.  He knew I understood Malvern could not help her. Then he tried to convince me to travel with her to Benton, because the roads were too bad to go to Little Rock.  I motioned for my brother to join me, because this irritating paramedic was about to lose this battle quickly and I wanted a witness.

I felt really bad for this gentleman, because he didn't know me at all.  I explained to my brother they wanted to take her to the nearest ER, because of the icy roads and wanted to travel on a icy, tree shaded, curvey highway less traveled than the one to Little Rock, how once at the ER they would admit her and we would be stuck with physicians who knew nothing about mom and certainly didn't have access to her medical records at all which would delay her treatment.  Not to mention that I threw in, I think we need to take her to Little Rock ourselves since they are refusing to do so.  The paramedic listened to how I presented it and responded they weren't refusing to take her to Little Rock, but said he would go talk to the driver and we would go to Little Rock.  I might not be the smartest cookie in the package but I know how to stay out of the milk to keep from getting soggy.

While each time the care and concern our paramedics have shown my mother has been the utmost highest regard, and I totally respect them and their duties, I'm really sorry fella.  I wanted to take her on to a hospital that had immediate access and could screw her care up just a little, rather than a lot.

Until next time my friends...may God keep you all safe!

I love YOU best....

Erma Bombeck once said a family is a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. 

I never knew she was looking into our windows on a daily basis!  Had I known, I am sure she would have never seen any of us act this way.  It is so great to know others in our world react the same as we do.  I never met Erma, but have read and savored each of her quotes and stories.  In my twenties, I thought she was so funny and had a quick saying for everything.  By my thirties I knew she was telling the truth with all her quotes.   Her wit is where I find some of my best encouragement.

In 1979 she wrote, “If I had my life to live over” and I found it inspiring.  I check it frequently to see how many of the changes she felt she missed, I had taken the time to achieve. 

My children even assumed unknowingly the “mom loves you best” roles she writes about.  My oldest son and youngest daughter are always calling my middle son Mom’s favorite.  At first it really bothered me because I love each of them equally, with every ounce of my being!  Why couldn't they see that?  Then I researched Erma and found her I love you best tribute to her children. 

She wrote to three children, which is what I have.  My oldest is our tower of strength.  He’s so loving, dependable and supportive.  He gives his time to others, loves children deeply and has laughter sealed in his heart.  My middle son is very laid back.  He enjoys a good laugh and is okay for someone else to take charge.  He is a hard worker, devoted to family, and giving to those less fortunate.  My daughter, the baby, is a whirlwind of emotions, extremely outspoken and fights for every ounce of footing having two older brothers.  She loves and respects, works hard, cares for those less fortunate, shares her joys or sorrows and treats others with respect and encouragement.

Somewhere buried deep inside their elementary school papers they will find my I love you best letter to them.  I’ve written them several times over the years, to capture why I loved them at different life stages.  Maybe then it will settle this age old battle they so joyfully engage in.  It’s quite fun to watch actually.  Their eyes all light up with mischief as they start, makes my heart swell with laughter and pride that they have a connection they all agree on, that Mom loves them best.

So, with this said, I will now close and I thank my children, who I love with all my heart.  For without them, I would not be who I am today.  I love you, Mom.

Lord, open my eyes to the love around me, and help me see how much You love me through others.

Have you ever heard of a June Bug?   Well I have, but I couldn’t recall what type of bug it was, only that we caught them by flower bush Grandma Gilbert had near the corner of her house. They were hard shelled, good flyers with sturdy, prickly legs and came out at dusk.

     We would catch these bugs and tie a long piece of thread to one of its back legs.  Once released the June bug would fly but was limited to the string leash we held.  We would play for hours with these bugs.  Grandma always had a spool of thread we could use because there were a lot of us Gilbert grand kids.  It was entertainment at its best, or so we thought.

     I decided I needed to know more facts about this wonderful toy so I did some research and found it is common in late spring and summer months. It is a nocturnal insect and active at night, feeding mainly on favored plants, such as buds and flowers of shrubs and fleshy garden vegetables.

     The June bug begins as a fat white grub.  In the larval stage the June bug lives in rich humus and leaf litter. Hatching from deeply buried eggs, the grub worm feeds mainly on roots, moldy leaves, and other plant matter. It lives underground until it molts into the adult stage.

     I wasn’t surprised to learn the grub-worm is a favorite live-bait among fishermen, because I’ve used them.  I was surprised to learn it grows up to be my favored June bug. Very few fish will refuse the chance to take a grub and I suspected there was a deeper reason for my husband’s sudden interest in my flower garden.  Birds and other wild animals like them too, feeding avidly on the fat worm.

     The adult June bug is a robust insect, reaching up to two inches in length. A true beetle, it has a set of powerful wings protected by a wing case. Exterior color can vary from pale tan to dark brown or almost black.

     A chemical analysis of the June bug revealed its hidden secrets as full of edible fats and proteins.  Toasted June bugs have a surprisingly sweet delightful taste. The flavor closely resembles thick raw molasses or crudely made ribbon cane syrup.

     They say it is difficult to eat just one.  I say give me a cane pole and a bucket of grubs.  You can find me on the river bank flying my June bug while I catch a more favorable dinner.

Growing Up In Arkansas

Growing up in Arkansas

1. You've never met any celebrities.

2. Everyone you know has been on a "Float Trip".

3. "Vacation" means driving to Hot Springs or maybe even Branson...

4. You've seen all the biggest bands ten years AFTER they were popular.

5. You measure distance in minutes rather than miles. For example, “Well, Conway's only 20 minutes away."

6. Up North to you means Missouri.

7. The phrase "I'm going to the Lake this weekend" only means one thing.

8. You know several people who have hit a deer.

9. You think Arkansas is spelled with an "ah" at the end.

10. Your school classes were canceled because of cold.

11. You consider riding a mechanical bull true entertainment!

12. Your school classes were canceled because of heat.

13. You instinctively ask someone you've just met, "What High School did you go to?"

14. You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

15. You think ethanol makes your truck "run a lot better."

16. You know what's knee-high by the Fourth of July.

17. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.

18. You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it, no matter what time of the year.

19. You know in your heart that Arkansas can beat Texas in football.

20. You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: “Where's my coat at?"

21. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, or grain.

22. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

23. You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, beer, and Jell-O salad with marshmallows.

24. You carry jumper cables in your car and know that everyone else should.

25. You went to skating parties as a kid.

26. You only own three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.

27. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

28. You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightie.

29. The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page, but requires six pages for sports.

30. You think I-40 is spelled and pronounced "farty."

31. You'll pay for your kids to go to college unless they want to go to UT.

32. You think that "deer season" is a National Holiday.

33. You know that you can't get anywhere without going through Little Rock first

34. You can't think of anything better than sitting on the porch in the middle of the summer during a thunderstorm.

35. You know which leaves make good toilet paper.

36. You've said, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity."

37. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, summer, Still summer and football.

38. You know if another Arkansan is from the Ozarks, Northern, Central, or Southern part of AR soon as they open their mouth.

39.You know that Bill Clinton, Ted Danson's wife, and John Grisham are all from Arkansas.

40. You failed World Geography in school because you thought Paris, London, Bismarck, Nashville, Lincoln, were cities in Arkansas (And they are!)

 41.You think a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.

42. You know what "WOO PIG SOOIE" means and how to call the HOGS.

New Year Food Superstitions

Luck & Prosperity or not?  Folk Lore continues….

According to Folk Lore, the first food eaten on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead is Black-eyed Pea.  In Folk lore I found a couple variations on when we should eat these peas.  One legend states folks must all retire to bed one and half hour before the clock strikes mid-night, failure to do so brings bad luck.  Then they must rise as soon as the day rolls over at 12:01 a.m. and eat a bowl of black-eyed peas and continue eating them throughout the day to ensure luck and prosperity. 

The Southern practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is believed to date back to the Civil War. These peas were planted as food for livestock therefore the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops.  The humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea took on an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.  For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.

As the years have gone by the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme.  They must be served with greens (collards, mustard or turnip greens, which varies regionally), the peas represent coins and the greens represent paper money. In some areas cabbage is used in place of the greens, which is my family’s tradition.  Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.  Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health. 

In some areas, actual values are assigned with the black-eyed peas representing pennies or up to a dollar each and the greens representing anywhere from one to a thousand dollars.  Had I known this as a child, I surely would have eaten more of them.  Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck for the New Year, unless of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unlucky way to start off the year.

There is no way to enjoy luck and prosperity if you avoid black-eyed peas!  The catch to all of these superstitious traditions is that the black-eyed peas are the essential element and eating only the greens without the peas, for example, will not do the trick.

Personally, I only eat them about once a year, but even most avid fans of black-eyed peas will concede that enjoying the flavor, frequently described as nutty, earthy and buttery, is an acquired taste. Whether to enhance or disguise the flavor, depending on your point of view, there are several popular ways to serve black-eyed peas, other than as a simple side dish. 

My family prefers rice with the beans, as I research this is often called Hoppin’ John.  You can find it served throughout the year, but Hoppin' John is one of the most traditional New Year's Eve and New Year's Day dishes in the South. Black-eyed peas are cooked with rice, pork (such as chopped pork or ham, hog jowls or hambones, fatback or bacon) and seasonings. Sometimes chopped onions and hot sauce are added.

So, whether you choose to follow the Southern New Year's tradition or not, black-eyed peas are a good source of nutrition. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, black-eyed peas are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are low in sodium. They are high in potassium, iron, and fiber and a one-half cup serving of cooked black-eyed peas counts as one ounce of lean meat from the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs and Nuts Group of the Food Guide Pyramid.

This information led me to discover black-eyed peas are actually not peas at all, but rather a variety of bean related to the cowpea and categorized as legumes, having both edible seeds and pods. According to the Library of Congress, they have been cultivated in China and India since pre-historic times and were eaten by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Early records from 1674 indicate that black-eyed peas were transported from West Africa to the West Indies by slaves. Subsequently, they reached the Low country coastal regions of the Carolinas and Georgia, also via the slave trade, more than 300 years ago.

So, there you have it.  Black-eyed peas are legend, depending on your own personal taste buds.  I certainly hope if you avoid them, you still have luck and prosperity in the coming New Year.  Oh by the way, let me know if you have other traditions as well; and definitely if they don’t work!!

Happy New Year to All!

Tracy Gilbert Brown