On this day, which happens to be December 26, the physical situation could be described as contemplative, zombie-like, quiet, and thoughtful. Trying to get back to normalcy after several days of completing projects, fulfilling lists at a once-a-year speed, remembering to contact two elderly aunts, finishing baking, and mailing packages requires a full day of rest and meditation.
There is one thing that marks the importance of this day...a proposal of a marriage 61 years ago today. This episode led to a marriage that we continue to celebrate every day. Records were set throughout which may never be broken, such as, what happens when the union involves one Type AA individual and another who is Type DD. What an unusual match! In the face of such differences, how could this possibly work? Answers: Same Lord, same values, same life directions and a deep abiding love which is unshakable. We will continue to celebrate.
And to answer the question, "Do you know where your children and grandchildren are?", on a given day, it might be: Iowa, Colorado, California, Florida, Washington, D.C., Africa, England, Italy, Germany, Alaska, Japan (today), Arkansas, Texas and this list is not complete!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Big Rich
Summer is the time for excessive reading for me, and the current captivator has been "The Big Rich" by Bryan Burrrough. I didn't count the pages (I am always surprised when my friends ask how many). Trust me....it is a big book, but so is the material inside. I received it as a gift for my birthday, and I had completed it in 6 days (I don't watch much television). It is the story of the early discoveries of the huge oil reserves from the 1920's forward and those men and their families who participated in this unique part of history.
Since I am a native Texan, I knew the names of these men and even some of their shenanigans, but never in the detail that this author shares. And since Bill worked for a bank in Dallas, he had some indirect contacts with a couple of these men....H. L. Hunt(in the same office building) and Clint Murchison, Jr. (Overdue payments and their collection comes to mind!)
The amounts of money acquired in the oil industry of Texas is mind-boggling. One has to admit, though, that it required tremendous courage to believe that the oil was there and that they could find it and bring it out. All this had a great influence on the Texas mindset. For instance, my dad, Walter Mackoy, owned 75 acres of land in Grayson County. He would walk around that property and come to a rocky place, which was seemingly useless, and he would say, "I think there is oil under there".* Also, there was an occasional lease for rights to drill which he welcomed. He had heard about the drilling successes; he and his friends talked about them frequently. This kind of thing became just a natural part of Texas thinking.
Ironically, there was a discovery of shallow oil rserves on Dad's property in 1952, and the ultimate result was 5 producing wells. It is nice to believe that he dreamed, and it came true, although not to the level of Spindletop!
Is this story just an obsolete part of Texas history with no impact on today, and especially since Margaret and I don't own dad's farm anymore? The mineral rights? They're not for sale!!
*Mr Burrough described a scene or two in his book when "where to drill" decisions were made just that casually.
Since I am a native Texan, I knew the names of these men and even some of their shenanigans, but never in the detail that this author shares. And since Bill worked for a bank in Dallas, he had some indirect contacts with a couple of these men....H. L. Hunt(in the same office building) and Clint Murchison, Jr. (Overdue payments and their collection comes to mind!)
The amounts of money acquired in the oil industry of Texas is mind-boggling. One has to admit, though, that it required tremendous courage to believe that the oil was there and that they could find it and bring it out. All this had a great influence on the Texas mindset. For instance, my dad, Walter Mackoy, owned 75 acres of land in Grayson County. He would walk around that property and come to a rocky place, which was seemingly useless, and he would say, "I think there is oil under there".* Also, there was an occasional lease for rights to drill which he welcomed. He had heard about the drilling successes; he and his friends talked about them frequently. This kind of thing became just a natural part of Texas thinking.
Ironically, there was a discovery of shallow oil rserves on Dad's property in 1952, and the ultimate result was 5 producing wells. It is nice to believe that he dreamed, and it came true, although not to the level of Spindletop!
Is this story just an obsolete part of Texas history with no impact on today, and especially since Margaret and I don't own dad's farm anymore? The mineral rights? They're not for sale!!
*Mr Burrough described a scene or two in his book when "where to drill" decisions were made just that casually.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Mourning Dove
Mother's Day was celebrated by everyone recently. I stopped to consider what it is about mothers that is so unique. There was an excellent illustration of what that quality is, sitting on a high level part of our gas meter in the backyard. For the second year, a mourning dove had built her nest in that area and was sitting quietly on it.
One might think that the environment she had selected was peaceful and quiet, thus making it easy for her to sit on her egg/eggs until hatched....and that would be wrong. It was extremely loud and noisy which might have led us to think it would upset her. That would also be wrong. One day the yard workers were back there pruning all the trees, grinding the limbs, and shouting in Spanish, and making a variety of noises. This activity was extremely near the nest. And the mother dove was sitting stoically still, somehow with a visible, mysterious resolve to complete her life purpose.
She did this for several days, and one day a baby bird was sitting next to her, healthy and bright. After a few days, they were both gone...an empty nest. Why? How did she learn this process? How was this bird moved to lay her eggs, care for her young, and teach it to fly? When we observe this quality of motherhood throughout time, even stronger in human beings, it is easy to know that God is the only reason and answer. The mystique of creation...who can fathom its complexity?
One might think that the environment she had selected was peaceful and quiet, thus making it easy for her to sit on her egg/eggs until hatched....and that would be wrong. It was extremely loud and noisy which might have led us to think it would upset her. That would also be wrong. One day the yard workers were back there pruning all the trees, grinding the limbs, and shouting in Spanish, and making a variety of noises. This activity was extremely near the nest. And the mother dove was sitting stoically still, somehow with a visible, mysterious resolve to complete her life purpose.
She did this for several days, and one day a baby bird was sitting next to her, healthy and bright. After a few days, they were both gone...an empty nest. Why? How did she learn this process? How was this bird moved to lay her eggs, care for her young, and teach it to fly? When we observe this quality of motherhood throughout time, even stronger in human beings, it is easy to know that God is the only reason and answer. The mystique of creation...who can fathom its complexity?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Hydrangea
I learned a lesson today...taught to me by a flower. Recently when we were having a dinner party, I picked up some flowers for the house. After all, it is May when flowers are in their prime, and there is nothing better to give beauty and energy to a room. The color of this blossom was a deep, hot pink, and after the party I put it on the front porch. It provided a special welcoming feature for anyone who might come to visit.
When I went out to get the morning paper today, I looked down at my new plant expecting to see more of its color. Surprise, surprise! There were two masses of very wilted petals that had turned a brownish color, and I was sure that the life of this plant was over. I took it to the patio and gave it a plentiful drink of water and anticipated the later necessity to dispose of it.
About an hour later, I looked out my kitchen window and saw a completely restored and vibrant plant. Its name is very significant.....hydrangea....and part of it means "water." Eureka! The flower told me that it needed water, albeit with "body language." It will be planted in a bed and given lots lots of water. A lesson learned from a plant!
When I went out to get the morning paper today, I looked down at my new plant expecting to see more of its color. Surprise, surprise! There were two masses of very wilted petals that had turned a brownish color, and I was sure that the life of this plant was over. I took it to the patio and gave it a plentiful drink of water and anticipated the later necessity to dispose of it.
About an hour later, I looked out my kitchen window and saw a completely restored and vibrant plant. Its name is very significant.....hydrangea....and part of it means "water." Eureka! The flower told me that it needed water, albeit with "body language." It will be planted in a bed and given lots lots of water. A lesson learned from a plant!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dallas Mavericks versus Denver Nuggets
Members of our family who have moved to Colorado were once avid fans of the Dallas Mavericks. One would think that such allegiance would last a lifetime, but I have my doubts now that these two teams are facing each other in the NBA playoffs.
And I hope that each one saw the games between the Mavs and the Spurs recently. Perhaps that will help you realize what you are up against. Dirk, Jet, Jason Kidd, Howard, and even Dampier are ready. And so are we! May the best team win....and we know who that is!
And I hope that each one saw the games between the Mavs and the Spurs recently. Perhaps that will help you realize what you are up against. Dirk, Jet, Jason Kidd, Howard, and even Dampier are ready. And so are we! May the best team win....and we know who that is!
Perimeter Musings
For the mature individual, awareness and appreciation of God's blessings are fairly easy to bring to mind. However, their profundity, intensity, richness, wisdom, fulfilling capacity, and timeless applications become overwhelming, and then there are those ever-present qualities of listing and counting.....impossible to do. Bottom line: God has filled our lives with immeasurable goodness and fulfillment, and we can only continue to make our feeble attempts at gratitude.
Then, this realization: some things come to an end, and many others change. During these periods of transitions, we find ourselves facing changes with an uncertainty about our personal value. Value in the past has been closely related to and involved in situations which have now come to an end. It becomes a temptation to deal with some frustration about that and wonder what we will do with skills no longer needed and time no longer automatically filled.
I heard an elderly and wise woman once say: "I have remade myself not once, but several times. I hope I can keep remembering that." She expressed an important formula for all of us as we move into different life stages. God helped us as we began our life and showered us with unbelievable and innumerable blessings throughout time; He has also given us the ability to deal with whatever challenges we face. Why should we ever doubt that He will continue to do that daily as we move on?
Then, this realization: some things come to an end, and many others change. During these periods of transitions, we find ourselves facing changes with an uncertainty about our personal value. Value in the past has been closely related to and involved in situations which have now come to an end. It becomes a temptation to deal with some frustration about that and wonder what we will do with skills no longer needed and time no longer automatically filled.
I heard an elderly and wise woman once say: "I have remade myself not once, but several times. I hope I can keep remembering that." She expressed an important formula for all of us as we move into different life stages. God helped us as we began our life and showered us with unbelievable and innumerable blessings throughout time; He has also given us the ability to deal with whatever challenges we face. Why should we ever doubt that He will continue to do that daily as we move on?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Preventive Medicine
Somewhere in my distant past, I remember hearing about a philosophy that is guaranteed to help anyone who is experiencing some adversity and carrying a heavy burden. I think the natural expression under such circumstances is one of sadness, regret, self-pity, etc. What is this antidote? What is there that would help me through difficult times and make my load a little lighter?
The answer is simple. It is believed that if we are truly and regularly grateful for the good things that happen to us, the good things we are given, and express that gratitude, it will return to us in the form of added strength and forbearance when our fortunes do a negative turnaround. I think it works without fail. It's too bad that I need to keep remembering this, over and over, when my humanity overcomes me. May it work for you.
The answer is simple. It is believed that if we are truly and regularly grateful for the good things that happen to us, the good things we are given, and express that gratitude, it will return to us in the form of added strength and forbearance when our fortunes do a negative turnaround. I think it works without fail. It's too bad that I need to keep remembering this, over and over, when my humanity overcomes me. May it work for you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Legacy of a Life
In the Dallas Morning News on February 28, there appeared a lead editorial which moved me deeply. It became a step of encouragement for me regarding this newspaper which, in many ways, has earned a declining respect for its pages in recent months. The coverage during the presidential election was outrageous and biased. But I suppose that is another story.
The editorial to which I refer is entitled "The Legacy of a Life". To summarize, a prominent and wealthy English family had a baby boy born into their family. This child, their firstborn, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, and they were told his life would be short.
The parents of this baby stated that they would love this child fully to the utmost, and they did. The dad would leave his office without socializing with his friends and go to the hospital to take his turn at sleeping on the hospital floor, and his parents never left their son's side.
This little boy, Ivan Cameron, died in London last week. Mr. Cameron, who is likely to become the next prime minister of England has vowed that if he does, he will do everything possible to strengthen England's National Health Care. If this happens, the life lessons imparted by this helpless little child will go with this family to 10 Downing St. and beyond.
The writer concludes by "Who knows how many will be helped because Ivan lived and was loved by his devoted father? Who can say that there is any such thing as a life not worth living?"
The editorial to which I refer is entitled "The Legacy of a Life". To summarize, a prominent and wealthy English family had a baby boy born into their family. This child, their firstborn, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, and they were told his life would be short.
The parents of this baby stated that they would love this child fully to the utmost, and they did. The dad would leave his office without socializing with his friends and go to the hospital to take his turn at sleeping on the hospital floor, and his parents never left their son's side.
This little boy, Ivan Cameron, died in London last week. Mr. Cameron, who is likely to become the next prime minister of England has vowed that if he does, he will do everything possible to strengthen England's National Health Care. If this happens, the life lessons imparted by this helpless little child will go with this family to 10 Downing St. and beyond.
The writer concludes by "Who knows how many will be helped because Ivan lived and was loved by his devoted father? Who can say that there is any such thing as a life not worth living?"
Friday, February 20, 2009
Time and Numbers
Moving through life considering only numbers is a little scary. When numbers are heard many times, it can only generate comments like, "Isn't she too old to wear her hair like that?", or "My goodness! I thought she was dead." or "I am sure she is too old to enjoy that." So numbers become the motivating factor for everything. It is tricky to stay out of that mindset when so many others pursue it actively.
And there's always the statistics so often quoted giving us weighted numbers of so many people who have rejected something, implying that I, too, must not give it another thought. Such thinking requires returning to values and logical thinking on my own....all because of numbers.
Time, on the other hand, is a Divine gift which enables us to have an endless variety of goals, pursuits, and situations. The writer of Ecclesiastes presents a very realistic view of time and how it spells out in every life...some good things, and some not so good. "He has made everything appropriate in its time" expresses it well. No numbers mentioned; no age limitations.
And there's always the statistics so often quoted giving us weighted numbers of so many people who have rejected something, implying that I, too, must not give it another thought. Such thinking requires returning to values and logical thinking on my own....all because of numbers.
Time, on the other hand, is a Divine gift which enables us to have an endless variety of goals, pursuits, and situations. The writer of Ecclesiastes presents a very realistic view of time and how it spells out in every life...some good things, and some not so good. "He has made everything appropriate in its time" expresses it well. No numbers mentioned; no age limitations.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Recipes-Cooking
Our current environment and trends usually do not include preparing meals at home. In my home we do. Perhaps it sounds different to any of you who happen to be reading, but....there are two cooks in my house....my husband and me. There are many reasons for this I guess. First, when we began our life together cooking at home was practiced by almost everyone; second, it was more practical economically; planning meals was shared by most other families, and it was important socially; it was a means to fellowship and hospitality. And I could think of other reasons, too, and I am sure you could.
Cooking for just two people becomes the challenge as children grow up and leave home, and we have worked at this at our house....sometimes failing and producing massive leftovers. I will be sharing some small recipes and some large ones....we do still have company.
First, I'll share a large one which is used by our family at Christmas (it is more than a routine, it is a necessity.)
Mocha Punch
1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon milk
1/2 pint whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons instant coffee
Mix sugar and coffee with a little milk to dissolve. Mix softened ice creams with milk. Add coffee mixture. Whip cream and fold in. This probably serves about 20-25.
There will be more from time to time. Look for a small one next time.
Cooking for just two people becomes the challenge as children grow up and leave home, and we have worked at this at our house....sometimes failing and producing massive leftovers. I will be sharing some small recipes and some large ones....we do still have company.
First, I'll share a large one which is used by our family at Christmas (it is more than a routine, it is a necessity.)
Mocha Punch
1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon milk
1/2 pint whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons instant coffee
Mix sugar and coffee with a little milk to dissolve. Mix softened ice creams with milk. Add coffee mixture. Whip cream and fold in. This probably serves about 20-25.
There will be more from time to time. Look for a small one next time.
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