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Monday, October 10, 2016
Time Travel: A Branson Smorgasbord
Time Travel: A Branson Smorgasbord: A Branson Smorgasbord We went to Branson for the shows . . . but I came home with the...
A Branson Smorgasbord
A
Branson Smorgasbord
We went to Branson for the shows . . . but I came home
with the memory of the outdoors . . . laying on my lounger chair outside the
Minnie Winnie trailer . . . smelling the
clean fresh air . . . looking through the trees at the clouds rolling across
the blue sky. The shows were great but I
would return to the Ozarks for the outside life.
After a rewarding family reunion in Indianapolis, we
packed up and started out early for Branson.
It was a grueling ten hour trip of driving with quick stops only for
snacks and stretching legs. Arising at
an early hour is tough on my 89 year old bones and the solution is a comfy nest
in the back seat of the car and return to dreamland.
The route included a zig zag through St. Louie. I had transferred planes many times here but
had never seen the Gateway Arch. We came
close enough that I can now cross it off my Bucket List.
It was still daylight when we pulled Minnie Winnie into
the Shenanigans RV park and tied her down.
After a quick meal from the refrigerator, we relaxed with three games of
Mexican Train dominoes. I was behind in
our running competition but due to my rested condition while others had slaved,
I won three games in a row. So watch it,
Mr. B.!!!
The next day would be grocery store and organizing the
days ahead. We drove around hilly
streets with all imaginable entertainment – from Ghost tours to Wax Works -- and
menu choices from well-known fast food to the top priced elite. Reservations had been made in advance for
four shows and we knew we wanted outdoor time and possibly a train ride.
My report here will not be a review of the attractions we
attended but rather impressions of our sampling of all that is offered.
The first show, the Haygoods Family Entertainment, was
written for a younger audience. The
country songs came out with a rock pattern and streams of lights covering the audience. I was ready to leave after the first 15
minutes but was glad we stayed when the talent -- some awesome solos – overcame
the zooming lights.
After looking over our table full of brochures and maps,
we settled on the next morning plan of a Free Trolley Ride around the historic
area and exploring Downtown. However,
sometimes Plan B turns out better than Plan A.
After waiting 30 minutes for the trolley, she told us that it was her
lunch hour and she didn’t know when the next trolley would be coming. We spotted
the Branson Scenic Railway at the historic depot and walked across the street. This turned out to be a winner and we made
reservations for 2:00 pm the next day. I
also bought mighty fancy souvenirs for only 99 cents.
We walked a few steep blocks toward the main street of
stores and spotted the Free Trolley Ride, ran for it and got on. Progress indeed! Three blocks of riding to reach the downtown and
now that can be crossed off the list of To-do’s.
Back in the good ol’ days when I had been
hunting for cheap antiques, this area would have been a goldmine to search the
cubbyhole stores. Now it was fun for
about 30 minutes, my favorite place being Dickie’s with rows and rows of “five
and ten cent store” type of variety.
Lunch time. The
recommendation was Landry’s Seafood House, which turned out to be the classiest
joint we attended in Branson and worth every expensive penny.
We barely could get in a nap before our evening show; I
love my sleepy hour outside with overhead tree branches partially blocking out
the sun and cloudy skies.
Our evening destination:
“The Shepherd of the Hills”, an outdoor amphitheater with lots of action – a
love triangle, the beautiful Ozark girl planning to marry a city slicker, but
the rugged hometown boy overpowers the bad guys and wins the girl. Lots of melodrama and excellent horse
action.
At halftime the audience was
invited to meet the actors and I couldn’t resist heading for the outdoor stage. My feet moved dancing to the square dance
music. The good-looking “bad guy” with
the drooping mustache and cowboy hat held out his arms to invite me to dance. Do-se-do and swing me around. When I ran out of air and had to quit, I gave
him a hug and headed back to the grandstand.
On the way I asked one of the ushers for his name. She said, “Ed.” OMG, I ran back to my dance partner and told
him, “Ed was my love, departing two years ago.”
He understood and embraced me again.
After the show we began our departure across the field to the
stairs. My partner came running toward
me, held out his hand and said, “This is from Ed.” He handed me one of the empty blank shells
used in the gunfire. My arms went around
him and when I looked into his eyes, we both had tears. We both knew that this was sent by my
Ed.
More attractions filled up our calendar and the days were
passing too quickly. We went to the
morning show of the Blackwoods in the Starlite Theatre: Gospel, Country and Patriotic with wonderful
harmony plus a back screen showing various Blackwood family members with big
name artists throughout the years. We
all loved them.
The other event for the day took us on the Branson Scenic
Railway. At 2:00 pm we boarded and ate a
good lunch sitting high in the dome car. Our 1950’s train took us on a 40-mile
round trip through the Ozark foothills.
Lots of trees with interesting shots of the engine rounding the
curve.
This was the last night for playing Mexican train
dominoes. The score had changed from day
to day but our ending tally showed Mr. B ahead by one game. I vowed to pass him on the next visit.
I had been looking forward to a hike through the
woods, along the lake, someplace with a trail that was reasonably flat instead
of steep climbs. Table Rock Lake was the answer. We had an easy walk of a couple of miles plus
bringing home some pretty camera shots of trees and lake
Our last show ranked high on our list of “likes”: “Country Vault” with excellent renditions of
favorite country singers.
The day had come to go home. The three hour drive to Kansas City for a
nonstop flight is transition time from “I don’t want to leave” to “Can’t wait
to get home.” Sister has taken such good
care of the old lady and we have had so much fun together.
And yet I have been away from home for ten
days. Sunny weather and good friends are
waiting for me. After an uneventable
flight, now I am eager to unload the pictures from camera to computer, find the
brochures and tell you about my fun adventures.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Time Travel: MY TEXAS VACATION
Time Travel: MY TEXAS VACATION: I was 13, a freshman in high school, and I noticed the protruding of Mom’s belly. I asked in a disgusted tone of voice, “You are not g...
Time Travel: MY TEXAS VACATION
Time Travel: MY TEXAS VACATION: I was 13, a freshman in high school, and I noticed the protruding of Mom’s belly. I asked in a disgusted tone of voice, “You are not g...
MY TEXAS VACATION
I was 13, a freshman in high school, and I noticed the protruding of Mom’s belly. I asked in a disgusted tone of voice, “You are not going to have another baby, are you?”
The last one was not walking yet and took an awful lot of
care from the eldest of her children – me!
Mom always made the best out of whatever came and she answered, “Yes,
and this time I will give you a girl.
She will be special and you can name her.”
Wow. That was
quite a gift. “Well, it better not be
another boy or he is going back.” Three
brothers were enough.
That was about the best deal I ever made. Cute baby girls can twist anyone around her
finger and, along with everyone else who came close to her, I got twisted.
She is still being the boss lady. Just because I am 13 years further along to
getting old – like 88 to 75 – small difference -- when I fly into Texas, she
calls the shots.
We begin this visit with one of my favorite
entertainments. Fourth of July fireworks
in downtown Beaumont. We take a casual
cruise up the Neches River in Buford’s pontoon boat, peeking into the outlets,
catching sight of the picnics on the shore. Anchor is dropped in a quiet spot,
out of the way of speedboat waves. I
open a beer and we enjoy our sandwiches.
There is no better sightseeing spot for the dazzles
exploding in the sky than right underneath them. Breath-taking oohs and aahs. Then after the final firey explosion among
the stars, Buford skillfully navigates us between the other motor and
cruise-type boats to home. It is time
for our almost nightly competition on Mexican train dominoes. We have been keeping score for three years
and – at the moment – Buford and Mariam are neck and neck. However, we all know that can change in one
evening and last year I left Beaumont trailing by six games.
The next day Nancy handed me the calendar. Worst, first.
Eyes and teeth and feet. I told
her there was no need for these check-ups, but she doesn’t believe me. When the
moment came that the doctor(s) tell her that these parts are about as good as
they can be for an old lady (oh, I hate that description), both of us are
relieved.
The fun part comes next. Her hair-cutting lady takes her
time, snips here, surveys, snips a bit more.
The results actually turn me almost pretty. (for an old lady, that is!). Then I had my choice and this year I chose the
facial over a massage. This brand-new
procedure for me was smooth, relaxed every bone in my body, and I named it an
hour of heaven. Next year, when I am 90,
maybe I can talk her into both. After all, I changed a lot of diapers.
Since Beaumont is my second home, I had arranged to
present the Beaumont library with my book, four copies of “The Alternate Safe World of Sanctuary”. The folks at the library welcomed me with warm,
friendly, open arms. The newspaper
didn’t care but you can’t win them all.
The wonderful beautiful Texas Tyler State Park is about a
five hour drive from Beaumont and certainly worth the trip. A tree shaded lake side spot had been
reserved for the Minnie Winnie.
Then, for almost a week, we explored. A short trail, less than a mile, up and down,
left us hot and sweaty and heading for the camp shower. Our longest trail took us over a steady two
miles, around the lake, getting good camera shots from all directions. We took our picnic lunch and also lots of
breaks to sit and take pictures of the scenery.
Motor boats are not allowed on the small lake. Paddle wheelers and kayaks are for rent. I had my eye on the kayaks but Nancy
considered it too dangerous for “an old lady.”
It was with reluctance that she finally quit hassling me about paddling
a single seater. I plopped down into it
and Nancy and Buford took off in a double kayak. All going great, and with the help of the
wind, I moved out into the center of the lake.
I pushed my paddles down deep, trying to turn
around. Hollers were coming at me, “turn
right! Right! The other right!” The wind kept pushing and my paddle kept
going the wrong way and in about two seconds flat, I was in the weeds, against
the shore. Sigh.
I pushed out, got around to a beach and my single kayaking
days were over. I was assigned to the
double kayak with Buford doing the work and me admiring the scenery. Nancy got into the single kayak, and with no
previous experience or instructions, took off, smoothly skimming her paddles
along the surface, sending the boat any way she wanted it to go. My only consolation is that I didn’t manage
to turn that durned piece of wood over.
One more week and two more stops. This is the chance I get to visit with family
and see how much the young ‘uns have grown.
Bernie was not enthused about making friends with me but
he was still young. His sister took her
time, but she finally came to my lap. I
do need to mention that this picture of her was enlarged by the lady of the
house in order to make an impression of how much Marshmallow has grown.
Otis had added considerable weight since the first
picture had been put on facebook. He
wanted to make an impression by showing off his teeth, but I was warned: “Keep his mouth away from your arm.” I wasn’t quick enough but it was only a baby scratch. In this picture, he wanted to show his
affection for me, almost knocking me over.
This week went by too quickly, a relaxed time, with lots
of family togetherness. I came home with
so much pride in the family connections that belong to me. From Aunt Mariam: Love you all so much and
thanks for being you.
And for Buford – here is a question for you.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Time Travel: THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE
Time Travel: THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE: MY ROLLER COASTER RIDE Quick decisions can sometimes get you in trouble. Or it can lead to a roller coaster ride that might be ...
THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE
MY ROLLER COASTER RIDE
Quick decisions can sometimes get you in trouble. Or it can lead to a roller coaster ride that
might be missed by being a scaredy cat. I
jumped into a whirling jamboree without considering the work or the
consequences. When 21 year old Tia,
third great granddaughter, walked out on Hoy Field to receive her Phoenix
College diploma, little did I know how that was going to affect me.
Without thinking it through, I told son Fred, “I can do
that. I only need two more credits,” and
with a sigh, “in Science.” I had lots of
credits in the fun courses, writing, newspaper, photography, art, history, but
lack of Science credits had kept me from graduating forty some years ago.
It wasn’t easy.
Short term memory caused me to give up all other activities for 100 days. I had to concentrate solely on finding a way
to pass the online “Science of Nutrition.” I strongly considered dumping it
after the first test. However, I couldn’t
face telling my PC graduate kids – son, grandson, three great-granddaughters –
that I was chickening out.
Three blogs give the story of the struggle if you want to
check the blog file.
Then came the big day, G-Day, Friday, May 13, 2016. It is now almost three months later, as I
write this, and I am trying to get those fireworks days organized. The URL link shown will show the story.
This will be my filing case. I’m putting out a red flag now that this file
might be rather dull. The next blog, three weeks in Texas, will be
much more lively.
Megan, from Phoenix College, emailed and asked if I would
talk to a reporter from Channel 3 and Channel 5. Wow!
You’re durn tootin’. Send ‘em over!
http://bit.ly/25rG8dp You're never
too old to follow your dreams. Reporter, Jason Barry, TV channels 3 and 5,
KPHO/KTVK, May 12, 2016.
We made a date of May 12 at Laura Danieli lunchroom where
I had arranged to give a talk, “Hear Her Story – 71 years to Finish a
Dream.” My desire was to encourage
others to follow their dream, regardless of age or disability.
The action began when two special friends, Amanda and
Ursula, came to my apartment. They
helped me put my gown on right side out and the cap at the proper angle. They attempted to calm me to a slow run, but
it wasn’t possible, I was keyed up to high gear.
One of the very best Arizona Republic feature writers,
Dianna Nanez, appeared with her camera. This
link is to the e-version of the Arizona Republic. After you get past the ad, it also captures
my five-minute talk.
http://bit.ly/1OcLkKz 88-year-old Phoenix woman chased her dreams
and caught them. Arizona Republic story,
Dianna M. Náñez, June 4, 2016.
In the lunchroom, two cakes and flowers magically
appeared to give a party appearance.
More friends took time out from a busy day. Daniel, a one-of-a-kind-reporter who remained
a good friend despite Ed saying “No” to his writing about our romance, came for
the show. Jack, who had been Ed’s best Phoenix friend,
surprised me and I couldn’t have been happier when I hugged him.
Family had told me that they would be at our family
dinner on graduation day and I didn’t expect anyone here.
I was ready to give my talk, notes in one hand, mike in
the other, wanting someone to hold up my book, “The Alternate Safe World of Sanctuary,” when out of the
blue, great granddaughter Tia appeared.
My cup floweth over.
So much of what happened next has become a blur. Jason Barry and his crew took me over to
Phoenix College, in my cap and gown, on a hot afternoon and I walked up and
down that sidewalk dozens of times for the photographers to get 30 seconds of
shots. That evening I set the VCR to tape both channels and went to bed. While I slept a couple of dozen stations
picked up the story.
Next day would be even more exciting. Colleen arrived first, coming in from
Detroit. I know she came to support me
and show her love for me, but I also felt she represented Duane, a major person
in both of our lives. Then wonderful
niece Kathy, from Houston, parked and a beautiful young lady came walking up
the sidewalk. I couldn’t believe my
eyes. Dolores had come along, first time
I had visited with her since the families had explored the zoo together.
What a crowd we had at “My Mother’s” private dining room. There never can be so much happiness as to
when all of one’s family is together in one space, all talking at once, laughter
from one corner and then giggles from another.
Yes, just about every one of my family, plus my apartment friends who
had cheered me on from the beginning; plus Tim and Alice representing the Lewis
clan and always standing by me; and our special out-of-town visitors. My cup not only runneth over, I was crying
with happiness.
Another blur – only two moments stand out for the
ceremony. Five hundred or so graduates were
sitting together for instructions. The
channel 5 recording was shown on the tv screen, I was introduced, took my bow
and my fellow graduates rose and gave me a salute. The next I recall – walking across that green
grass to the presentation stand. The
rest is a blank.
Well, it’s all over.
The coach turns back into a pumpkin, the silver slippers are gone.
Almost. Shanna
Hogan called me. Shanna of the New
Times, ASU journalism teacher, author of best selling true-crime books, with a
bunch of awards. What could she do with
someone who is not spectacular and doesn’t have a problem? As it turned out, she wrote a great story and
one of my best moments was signing our books for each other.
http://bit.ly/1TGl3RE 88-Year-Old Phoenix Great-Grandmother Graduates from College. Phoenix New Times, Shanna Hogan, May 25,
2016
Some nice things have happened because of the media
attention. I sold a few more books. We had some nice family get-togethers. And I enjoyed every moment of my Roller
Coaster Ride.
Here are more links to stories. I hope I haven’t missed any.
http://bit.ly/295HjYY ”88-year-old writer donates book to library” June 30, 2016, Glendale Star.
http://bit.ly/2auAlfu ”Woman earns diploma at the age of 88” June 24, 2016. Hendricks County (Indiana) Flyer
www.taswos.com website, The Collected Life of Mariam,
long-ago published stories, current blogs and the first chapter of Sanctuary.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Time Travel: http://amzn.to/25sOwt5 Twitter Test?
Time Travel: http://amzn.to/25sOwt5 Twitter Test?: http://amzn.to/25sOwt5 6-16-16 Is This a Twitter Test? Today is a Number with Good Fortune While waiting for an ...
http://amzn.to/25sOwt5 Twitter Test?
Is
This a Twitter Test?
Today
is a Number with Good Fortune
While waiting for an important phone call, I have
finished paperwork that should have been done yesterday or maybe last
week. And every time I type the date, I
say “Good. You will bring Positive
Answers to my Quests.
This is my search:
To find people who will used their Kindle account and click on my book, “The
Alternate Safe World of Sanctuary.” It
is FREE with prime and the huge sum of 99 cents otherwise. The only way for me to market my book is to
tell a lot of people about it. This has
been moderately successful by the publicity of the last month.
88 year-old-great grandmother
graduates.
I’ll find out if today is truly a day that leads to
progress and success. Did I make
lemonade on this date? Here’s a lemonade
toast to Mariam!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Time Travel: IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN
Time Travel: IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN: It doesn’t happen often – But Sunday was the day. NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN To see my squinty-eyed silly grinning face taking u...
IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN
It doesn’t happen often –
But Sunday was the day.
NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN
To see my squinty-eyed silly
grinning face taking up a third of the page on the Valley & State Arizona
Republic section. Then to just glom into
the wonderful delicious article by Dianna M. Náñez.
. This is one of the few times that I can’t
find enough words to express the sky high feeling I get when I read and re-read
the story she writes about my life.
Graduating at 88, maybe that’s a big deal, but that just fell into place
as one of the things on my bucket list. The
chance to spout out about “Never too Late,” and “Don’t Give up Your Dream,” is a definite plus.
The ‘walking on air’ came about because Dianna painted
such a hilarious picture of me. I’m
certainly not “toothpick thin” but I will allow her the literary license and
love her for it. But where my eyes
couldn’t get enough, I kept going over the page to be sure it was printed
correctly, her description of Evangeline and “The Alternate Safe World of
Sanctuary.”
THE ALTERNATE SAFE WORLD OF SANCTUARY
Those are MY words. To see them in such a prominent place in the
gigantic newspaper of the sixth largest city in the United States, wow!, a gal
can go through the roof and head for the moon.
There are only a few times that a person is allowed to
have such a delirious feeling in their lifetime:
When I first
soloed a plane by myself and bounced that Cub six times before landing at Weir
Cook Airport, I had to be tied to the ground. 
When I sold my first small magazine story, phone calls
cost money, but I didn’t care, I had to tell everyone in faraway places about
it.
At seventeen, our three day secret honeymoon in Chicago
and for weeks I had a hard time keeping my mouth downturned not to give away
such flying happiness.
The wonderful fuzzy-warm feeling that overtook me when my
5 pound 11 ounce skinny un-beautiful son was put in my arms.
Actually standing up on the ski-slope and skimming down
the bunny hill.
When the first copy of “The Alternate Safe World of
Sanctuary” came in the mail and I danced around the room, the house, the block,
couldn’t slow down.
When I walked into Ed’s arms at the age of 75 and knew
that something so very special had happened that it stays part of me always.
And now – THIS.
Good fortune, call it luck, call it Providence, call it my guardian angel
watching over me, that a writer with the talent of Dianna Náñez would take the
hours of interviewing, I don’t know how long on writing, to turn out a story
that sounds like best-seller fiction but it has my name, my actions, my book,
as the subject, it is unbelievable.
At this age, one thinks, “O.K., I’m on top of my world
now. It would be a good time to
go.” After all, one likes to leave the
party when one is having the most fun, before it winds down - - - I don’t
expect it will get any better than this - - - but I think I will stick around a
while longer to make sure I don’t miss anything.
Thank You, God.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Time Travel: THE BUTTERFLY LANDING
Time Travel: THE BUTTERFLY LANDING: Those colorful butterflies of happiness flit around, fluttering up, drifting down, coming close, don’t l...
THE BUTTERFLY LANDING
Those colorful butterflies of happiness flit around, fluttering up,
drifting down, coming close, don’t look . . . or those wings of beauty will
disappear. Then – suddenly – from an
unexpected direction, one comes and Ands landsupon my shoulder. 
Never did I consider the Phoenix New Times with its controversial
approach. I haven’t seen any UFOs and I am
not in the public eye. When I received
an email from a New Times reporter I was very curious. I don’t consider it a big deal to graduate at
the age of 88. I’m glad and proud and
hope my action might show others that age or disability is not a barrier.
Shanna Hogan is author of three best-selling true-crime
books, has a bunch of awards and teaches writing at ASU. After this discovery, I was even more
curious. What could she do with someone
who is not spectacular and doesn’t have a problem?
After meeting Shanna, I forgot my dismay and we talked
writing and formed a bond. I suspect
Shanna would instantly be a friend with any person on her radar but not many
come into my radar to exchange autographed books. That was pure pleasure!
Here is her story about Mariam Cheshire:
Sunday, May 15, 2016
88-year-old-great-grandmother-graduates
Here is a link that will bring up the story for now. I don't know how long it will last or when I can get the expertise people to help me save it. Another blog is almost ready to go - The party is over! It was fun, Mariam
Read more: http://www.cbs5az.com/story/31962916/88-year-old-great-grandmother-graduates-from-phoenix-college#ixzz48nNgw9x2
88-year-old great-grandmother graduates from Phoenix College
Read more: http://www.cbs5az.com/story/31962916/88-year-old-great-grandmother-graduates-from-phoenix-college#ixzz48nNgw9x2
88-year-old great-grandmother graduates from Phoenix College
Posted: May 12, 2016 5:44 PMUpdated: May 12, 2016 7:06 PM
Read more: http://www.cbs5az.com/story/31962916/88-year-old-great-grandmother-graduates-from-phoenix-college#ixzz48nNgw9x2
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