About two months ago I'm minding my own business reading in the living room and my parents are in the kitchen having a snack. All of a sudden I hear (71 year old) Daddy ask Mama, "Brenda, what'd you say a 'cougar' was?" And Mom explains that a cougar is an older woman after a younger man. I hear Daddy start cackling. "Well, I got an email. It said there were 30 cougars waiting to meet me online." Mom and I are both snickering now. "Brenda, how old do you reckon them women'd have to be? 90?" And that's when we almost choked.
Fast forward to the day Daddy got out of the hospital. He was chomping at the bit to look at his tomato plants in the yard. Since he was still a little unsteady on his feet, he needed a cane. We had not acquired one at this point, so what's a good Southern family to do? Take a paint roller extender (minus the roller) and use it for a walking stick. Yup, we did. And because it's MY family, and MY father, it's not just a stick. It's a cougar stick. 'Cause he needed something to keep the cougars off.
And because I am the product of my father, I nicknamed him "Cougar Bait".
Which we still call him-to his face. 'Cause we're respectful like that.
For my peace of mind, would you please not tell your grandma about him?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dear Keith Urban
Dear Keith Urban,
I am writing to you to inform you my thoughts about your dvd of your concert, "Love, Pain, & The Whole Crazy World Tour Live". I do apologize for the delay in writing this letter. If I were to recount what all's happened since the release of the dvd, you would understand. But then, you've had a child (or I guess your wife has), won some awards, and been on more tours, so I guess we're flush.
Anyway, back to task.
I gotta tell you, as diplomatically as I can muster, I was disappointed with the dvd. And here's why: I was there, dude. And that dvd just does not do it justice.
And quite frankly, the state of Kentucky does not like to share the limelight. So what is up with half of it being filmed in Lexington and half of it filmed in Atlanta?
And while the little girl giving you the roses was super cute and all, you left out the super talented girl who got up there and played guitar with you! Even your band members were completely amazed! If you've forgotten, here's a reminder:
I know this all sounds completely childish (and it is), but it's like you didn't want to offend the entire southeast, so you put in a couple of shots from Atlanta to make it seem like you weren't trying to be biased. However, let me assure you it's okay to record a live album in Kentucky. Um, Alison Krauss did a 2 cd (and dvd) at The Palace in Louisville. Michael W. Smith recorded a live cd at Southeast Church in Louisville. Sugarland recorded one of their songs on their "Love on the Inside" record in Lexington. It's socially acceptable to record a cd in one location. All y'all know that Kentucky crowds rock. It's only a secret to the neighboring states. But we won't tell them. We're polite like that.
So next time, you don't have to front. The phone's ringing, so I gotta go. Take care!
Regards,
Robin
I am writing to you to inform you my thoughts about your dvd of your concert, "Love, Pain, & The Whole Crazy World Tour Live". I do apologize for the delay in writing this letter. If I were to recount what all's happened since the release of the dvd, you would understand. But then, you've had a child (or I guess your wife has), won some awards, and been on more tours, so I guess we're flush.
Anyway, back to task.
I gotta tell you, as diplomatically as I can muster, I was disappointed with the dvd. And here's why: I was there, dude. And that dvd just does not do it justice.
And quite frankly, the state of Kentucky does not like to share the limelight. So what is up with half of it being filmed in Lexington and half of it filmed in Atlanta?
And while the little girl giving you the roses was super cute and all, you left out the super talented girl who got up there and played guitar with you! Even your band members were completely amazed! If you've forgotten, here's a reminder:
I know this all sounds completely childish (and it is), but it's like you didn't want to offend the entire southeast, so you put in a couple of shots from Atlanta to make it seem like you weren't trying to be biased. However, let me assure you it's okay to record a live album in Kentucky. Um, Alison Krauss did a 2 cd (and dvd) at The Palace in Louisville. Michael W. Smith recorded a live cd at Southeast Church in Louisville. Sugarland recorded one of their songs on their "Love on the Inside" record in Lexington. It's socially acceptable to record a cd in one location. All y'all know that Kentucky crowds rock. It's only a secret to the neighboring states. But we won't tell them. We're polite like that.
So next time, you don't have to front. The phone's ringing, so I gotta go. Take care!
Regards,
Robin
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Hooray For Family
As I sit here, it's semi-early (7:15 a.m.). The house is quiet. But we have had the best time over the last twenty hours.
If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that it's been a very crazy summer. It's been one filled with illness, recovery, and learning-both in classrooms and out. But for a little while last night, it felt like our home was the way I remembered some of my relative's homes when I was growing up. And it did wonders for my spirits.
Usually, my family is the one who does the traveling around. If we have kinfolk who come up from Florida to Virginia, we'll visit Virginia, and manage to see lots of family. (Once, when I was twelve or thirteen, I spent the week in Virginia. Never even had time to miss my family-we were too busy having a big time.)
Since Daddy has been ill, people have been coming to us. The fact that at the moment we are unable to travel makes me sad. But all of the guests have been wonderful.
Over the last few weeks, but especially the last 24 hours, we have visited. We have eaten our fill. We have reminisced. I've heard stories about my cousins, my parents, my grandparents that I'd never heard.
And we have laughed.
The kind of laughter that makes not only your sides but your face hurt. The kind that makes you gasp and giggle and then start all over again. The kind that you take for granted while you're laughing, but when you get a quiet moment to just sit and reflect, you realize how very blessed you are. Because you haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
And you see you're blessed because you have so many people who care about your family in your life. And to see how God sends you those people just when you need them. And you can't help but echo David's sentiment, "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:4
If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that it's been a very crazy summer. It's been one filled with illness, recovery, and learning-both in classrooms and out. But for a little while last night, it felt like our home was the way I remembered some of my relative's homes when I was growing up. And it did wonders for my spirits.
Usually, my family is the one who does the traveling around. If we have kinfolk who come up from Florida to Virginia, we'll visit Virginia, and manage to see lots of family. (Once, when I was twelve or thirteen, I spent the week in Virginia. Never even had time to miss my family-we were too busy having a big time.)
Since Daddy has been ill, people have been coming to us. The fact that at the moment we are unable to travel makes me sad. But all of the guests have been wonderful.
Over the last few weeks, but especially the last 24 hours, we have visited. We have eaten our fill. We have reminisced. I've heard stories about my cousins, my parents, my grandparents that I'd never heard.
And we have laughed.
The kind of laughter that makes not only your sides but your face hurt. The kind that makes you gasp and giggle and then start all over again. The kind that you take for granted while you're laughing, but when you get a quiet moment to just sit and reflect, you realize how very blessed you are. Because you haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
And you see you're blessed because you have so many people who care about your family in your life. And to see how God sends you those people just when you need them. And you can't help but echo David's sentiment, "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:4
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Summer Reading List
Here are the books on my nightstand. The Summer 2010 Rundown:
- King Lear by William Shakespeare. Atleast I can now say I've read this classic.
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. LOVED IT!
- You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark. Though I am a non-drinker, I love good southern humor. This fits the bill.
- Somebody Is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn't Catch That Bouquet by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays. Again, another southern humor book that is just too good to be true.
- 64 Great Games to Make The school teacher in me is getting her fix by reading what games I can prepare for the upcoming year. Now if I can just get my hands on enough tagboard....
- Tools for Promoting Active, In-depth Learning by Silver and Strong. Always on the look out for how to enrich my classroom. This book as lots of great tools. And I bought it (and the games book) at a consignment sale. I love a good bargain!
- The Me I Want To Be by John Ortberg. I have really enjoyed Mr. Ortberg's books ever since I went to a retreat in college at Lake Cumberland and the speaker used his book If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of the Boat as the topic that weekend. Water will always be one of my favorites (I also really adore When The Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box), but this one is nice as well.
- The Message version of the Bible is offering a new perspective on things. I really love the NIV version, but this isn't bad.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Dear Chris Tomlin
Dear Chris Tomlin,
Greetings. By now I am sure it has come to your attention that I will not be in attendance Saturday when you lead worship at that wonderful pavilion of pleasure known as King's Island. Knowing you are the sensitive type and are completely devastated by this absence, I feel the need to explain my truancy.
As you know, we go back. Like way back. Like, remember when you would sign cds? Before the whole mp3 thing became a big deal? Guess which cd I have a signed copy of? Not to Us. Yeah, that's how far back we go.
And usually if you are within a hundred mile radius of Lexington I (and some peeps) will happily traverse to worship with you. [Okay, there was that whole 'nother time there was a trip to Nashville. But that was due to an unfortunate debacle (see Ichthus comma, 2007 and people who would druther talk than sing worship songs).] However, this is the venue and date at which I draw the proverbial line in the sand.
Dude, do you know what King's Island is? I know you're from Texas and all, so let me enlighten you. It's an amusement park. And it's super fun. They do have a lot of great roller coasters (if you need to know which are worth the wait and which to stroll on by, just let me know). I really like the idea of this combo, but I just can't deal with it being on a Saturday.
I know the economy is rough and all, but you're going to be there. So is Toby Mac. And Third Day. On a weekend. The weekends are usually crowded as is. However, this is really going to bring in people by the truckloads. (Though in this case, it's the church vans.) Let me give you some perspective: I would sometimes have one of your cds playing when the bell rang as the kids came into my classroom. One of my kindergarteners would ask me, "Do you have any Toby Mac?" So you KNOW if five year old is requesting Toby Mac, it is going to be unmistakably crowded. I don't abhor crowds, but I know enough to avoid gobs of people.
I wish y'all a good time. Please don't shed any tears because I'm sitting this one out. Do ride the Beast for me-it's my favorite roller coaster. A good time will be had by all up there though-those who are brave enough to face a blue million people at King's Island are sure in for a treat. Surely the Lord will be there in your midst-His favor is definitely upon you. Have a wonderful time!
Sincerely,
Robin
Greetings. By now I am sure it has come to your attention that I will not be in attendance Saturday when you lead worship at that wonderful pavilion of pleasure known as King's Island. Knowing you are the sensitive type and are completely devastated by this absence, I feel the need to explain my truancy.
As you know, we go back. Like way back. Like, remember when you would sign cds? Before the whole mp3 thing became a big deal? Guess which cd I have a signed copy of? Not to Us. Yeah, that's how far back we go.
And usually if you are within a hundred mile radius of Lexington I (and some peeps) will happily traverse to worship with you. [Okay, there was that whole 'nother time there was a trip to Nashville. But that was due to an unfortunate debacle (see Ichthus comma, 2007 and people who would druther talk than sing worship songs).] However, this is the venue and date at which I draw the proverbial line in the sand.
Dude, do you know what King's Island is? I know you're from Texas and all, so let me enlighten you. It's an amusement park. And it's super fun. They do have a lot of great roller coasters (if you need to know which are worth the wait and which to stroll on by, just let me know). I really like the idea of this combo, but I just can't deal with it being on a Saturday.
I know the economy is rough and all, but you're going to be there. So is Toby Mac. And Third Day. On a weekend. The weekends are usually crowded as is. However, this is really going to bring in people by the truckloads. (Though in this case, it's the church vans.) Let me give you some perspective: I would sometimes have one of your cds playing when the bell rang as the kids came into my classroom. One of my kindergarteners would ask me, "Do you have any Toby Mac?" So you KNOW if five year old is requesting Toby Mac, it is going to be unmistakably crowded. I don't abhor crowds, but I know enough to avoid gobs of people.
I wish y'all a good time. Please don't shed any tears because I'm sitting this one out. Do ride the Beast for me-it's my favorite roller coaster. A good time will be had by all up there though-those who are brave enough to face a blue million people at King's Island are sure in for a treat. Surely the Lord will be there in your midst-His favor is definitely upon you. Have a wonderful time!
Sincerely,
Robin
Why I Teach
Some do it for the money. Others for the fame. For me personally, it's to help kids avoid looking like fools. I saw this yesterday. If they had taken a moment to read the sign before getting on a machine and attaching it to the side, it would have saved them a lot of work. But it sure gave me a good laugh. Look closely and you'll see why. (You have to click on the pic to see the other half and see why this is hysterical.)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Birthday America!
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you....You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,
and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:10, 17-18
We all know how blessed we are to live in the United States. While the U.S. has its problems, and we are all aware of them, I still cannot help but feel gratitude that I am an American citizen.
And much like the Scripture says, whcn I look at my possessions, at our great nation, sometimes I am tempted to pat myself (or collectively ourselves) on the back and take credit for a job well done.
Then, conviction creeps in. And I realize that all I have has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the sacrifices of others, from the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives and their occupations so that we can live, work and play with freedom and security. It's about family members who sacrificed self so they could help form character and help make sure their families had all they needed. It's about the founders of our who valued worship so much they were ready to venture to an unknown.
Above all else, the reason why America is great is because God has put His favor on it. We have done nothing to deserve it, which is why it's called favor. We don't need to delude ourselves into thinking that we earned it, it's simply His grace.
So I humbly ask you this long weekend, as we celebrate America's birthday and contemplate how very fortunate we are to live in this blessed nation, to do exactly as Moses instructed the Israelites a long time ago. Eat, be satisified, be thankful! Just be sure and remember to whom those thanks must be given.
and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:10, 17-18
We all know how blessed we are to live in the United States. While the U.S. has its problems, and we are all aware of them, I still cannot help but feel gratitude that I am an American citizen.
And much like the Scripture says, whcn I look at my possessions, at our great nation, sometimes I am tempted to pat myself (or collectively ourselves) on the back and take credit for a job well done.
Then, conviction creeps in. And I realize that all I have has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the sacrifices of others, from the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives and their occupations so that we can live, work and play with freedom and security. It's about family members who sacrificed self so they could help form character and help make sure their families had all they needed. It's about the founders of our who valued worship so much they were ready to venture to an unknown.
Above all else, the reason why America is great is because God has put His favor on it. We have done nothing to deserve it, which is why it's called favor. We don't need to delude ourselves into thinking that we earned it, it's simply His grace.
So I humbly ask you this long weekend, as we celebrate America's birthday and contemplate how very fortunate we are to live in this blessed nation, to do exactly as Moses instructed the Israelites a long time ago. Eat, be satisified, be thankful! Just be sure and remember to whom those thanks must be given.
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