Memorial Day 5/30/11

Hi everyone,
Got back from Ada, Oklahoma late Friday evening from my Mom's.  Had a good trip with no car problems.
Gas prices here in Central Texas are $3.63 gal.  Oklahoma about the same prices.  Too hot here already and starting to break records.  Thank God for air conditioning.  Here in Texas it is used a lot as I am sure in most southern states.

Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day with no problems.  I can remember when we had the draft which everyone dreaded.  My husband was exempt because of being in Bible college.  This was in the 1960's when the Vietnam war was being fought.  I was always sad for  all the servicemen lost in Vietnam.  I never agreed with that war.  Many guys at that time ran away to Canada to avoid the draft.  My brother Jerry served one year in Vietnam.  Most of the men in my family served in the Air Force.  As far as I know, we did not lose any in the wars fought.  I have a nephew who is serving in the Army at this time and is stationed in Belgium.
During this Memorial Day, hope everyone stops to remember all the soldiers who lost their lives in all the wars we have fought.  They certainly deserve to be remembered for their service to our country.  I found this Memorial Day poem on the Internet and post it here in memory of those who died in service to our country.
As I have heard it said many times, freedom is never free and we must fight to stay free.

When I Am Gone

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.

 Poem By - Mrs. Lyman Hancock

Still learning this program, however, tried to center poem but could not.  This was a cut and paste item.

Well, that is all my thoughts for today.  Went out to Moffat cemetery today to place a concrete bench on my son, Hugh Gregg's grave.  Now I can go out there to sit by his grave which I have longed so to do.

Take care everyone.

Love In Christ,

Marie

Oklahoma Trip

Hi everyone,
Going to Ada, Oklahoma on 5-25-11 to see my Mom who has started to have some health issues. Long trip and I will not be back until 5-27-11 late in the evening.  Will have to extra watchful on that killer highway, IH-35.  Just hope they are not doing too much roadwork.  I will be going alone because my Aunt Lois from Ft. Worth could not go as planned.  I have made many trips up there alone so it is ok.  My brother Jerry wants me to go by the old cemetery in Ethel, Texas where most of my Mom's family is buried and take pictures of their headstones as he is so handicapped and will never get to go again.  I really need to get all of the graves posted on Find A Grave.com so maybe I can take my computer and show him the sites on it.  Some graves are already posted but most are not.
Taking my Mom her favorite cookie which she always requests.  It is a good cookie and so I am posting the recipe for you today.  Took Jerry a bag today and he was very happy.

Texas Ranger Cookies

Note-This is a commercial recipe and you need to halve all ingredients.  Even halved still makes a large

amount so be warned.  Will need a very large mixing bowl, I have a Kitchen aide.  Then you need a 5-6 quart large bowl to finish mixing.  What I do is to mix the creamed ingredients in the electric mixer, pour that into the large bowl and finish up with rest of ingredients.  These cookies are sold as fund raisers and at restaurants here in Texas.  Always popular. This is a refrigerator cookie and I place it in  freezer in waxed paper  to firm up.

4 Sticks Butter or Margarine

2 1/4 cup vegetable shortening

10 eggs

4 1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 2/3 cup brown sugar-packed

8 cups all purpose flour

1 Tablespoon Baking soda

1 Tablespoon salt

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 lb. shredded coconut

3 cups quick cooking oats

11 cups cornflakes

2 cup finely chopped Pecans

Remember you halve the above amounts.

1. Place butter or margarine and shortening into mixing bowl, cream until well blended, add 1 tablespoon vanilla, both sugars, cream until blended.  Add eggs several at a time, mix well after each addition until all eggs are blended into sugars/shortening.  At this point I do add baking soda, baking powder and salt, mix well.  Now pour this mixture into a very large bowl.  I use a 6 quart bowl.

2. To the creamed mixture add coconut, mix well.  Add chopped pecans, mix.   Then add oats, mix again. And lastly slowly mix in cornflakes several cups at a time.  Toward end, mixture will be hard to mix but keep mixing and you will get it done. 

3. Take a length of waxed paper, put cookie mixture down paper in a log shape.  Use paper to shape and roll into a log, fold waxed paper around and seal.  You will have 3 large logs.  Place logs of cookies into either a freezer or a refrigerator.  I find out that freezer is better, let sit over-night.

4. Now to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Take a cookie sheet and place parchment paper cut to sheet size.  If you do not use parchment paper, leave cookie sheet un-greased.  Take log of cookie dough, slice with a serrated knife about 1/2" thick.  Edges may be crumby, if this happens, press crumbly flakes back into cookie.  Place cookies on cookie sheet 2 inches apart, these will spread out.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove with spatula and place on cooling racks to finish.  When cool, place into an air tight container or plastic bag.

Note: I have used smaller recipes of this cookie from the Internet but they have never been as good as this recipe.  Hope everyone who trys  cookie recipe enjoys .

Sometimes I have several with a glass of milk for breakfast.

So sad for all the people in Joplin, Missouri which had a terrible tornado this week.  So many lives lost and terrible loss of property.  We in USA this year have been having some terrible weather with much destruction.  I would rather lose property than someone I love though.  Property can be replaced but not a loved one.  We need much prayers here in US.  Today 5-24-11 , there is more bad weather happening even as I write this blog.

Well, must get off and try to get some sleep.

Take care everyone .

In Christian Love,

Marie

Busy Week

Hi everyone,
Had a busy, busy week.  Next week will be busy  as I am going to make a trip to Ada, Oklahoma to see my mother who is not doing well.   It takes 5 hours driving from where I live to her house with one stop.  Usually very tired when I get there and when I get back.  My youngest brother Dennis takes care of her needs and she still lives by herself.  My brother had to get a housekeeper to clean and do some cooking as she is not able to do much anymore.

 Started off Monday 5-16-11 with my brother Jerry's dental appointment.  I have to help him get from his wheel chair into the dentist's chair by way of a sliding board. I have problems getting his power wheelchair from the room and then back.  Dr. Tullis helped me with the chair this time which was much appreciated.
Then Friday 5-20-11, went to Dallas VA to pick up his new power chair which was made to fit his body and leg-foot requirements.  It is much better than the one we originally could afford to get him.  This chair is a Pride Mobility Quantrum Edge and is made in the United States.  The chair elevates feet up and back to position needed with reclining features in the back which can relieve his backside so he does not have to sit long in one position.   The foot rest was made to accommodate his feet which stick out at an angle.  I finally got up the nerve to ask the cost of the chair, it was $12,000 and the VA contracts get 40% off of original cost.  I would have had to take out a loan to buy a chair of this magnitude.  So far the VA system has been very good to take care of my brother who is 100% disabled.  VA Dallas sent wheelchair transport to pick him up at 6:30 a.m. and we were back in Temple by 2:00 p.m.  Now I have to sell his other power chair which I am sure will not be a problem.  The chair I had bought for him was a Jazzy and I had it out fitted with leg braces that took care of his feet-legs but the feet always half way hung over foot rest.  He could not sit long in this chair and usually had to get out of it after 6 hours.  The new one is better and I am glad they issued him this chair.  A lot of people say the VA does not take care of veterans but so far they have really done a good job of taking care of my brother.  I know the original hospital bill had to be in the millions as he was 2 full months in ICU, 1 month hospital, and 3 months rehab.  Rehab could not do much for him but at least they tried.  Dallas VA saved  his life and they are a first class facility.  He is under the Spinal Cord clinic there due to the spinal injury sustained from a MRSA and is partially paralyzed from the waist down.  He  gets most of his medical care at Temple VA clinic.  So please everyone clean up your scratches, wounds or this type of thing could happen to you.  Will publish a picture later of Jerry's new chair.

Going today to the Sportsman's Club Dinner at Lake Belton.  The men of the club are frying up the fish they catch so we will have a variety.  Women have to bring fixings to round out meal.  I am taking a Banana Pudding Supreme  and probably a vegetable. So I am posting this recipe for the cooks who read my blog.  This pudding is very good and is served here in restaurants.

Banana Pudding Supreme

1 package cream cheese-8 oz (any variety) softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk-14 oz

2 cups milk

1 package Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix- 6 oz

1 carton non-dairy whipped topping- 8 oz

5 bananas, sliced and tossed with lemon juice sprinkled over

1 box vanilla wafers- 12 oz

1. In a large mixer, cream softened cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk, milk, and instant pudding mix.  Whip on medium until well blended scraping down sides of bowl.  Fold in 1/2 of whipped topping with a spoon.

2. You will need a large bowl to layer the wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture.  Layer the cookies, bananas, and pudding mix in a large bowl of at least 2 quarts.  Make 3 layers of the cookies, bananas, and pudding mix.  Top last layer with remaining topping.

Chill well and serve cold.

So enjoy everyone, I think you'all will like it.

Received in the mail yesterday a DVD I had purchased from Scripture Truth Book Company.  It is about the most famous Baptist minister who pastored in England. It is called, C.H. Spurgeon, The People's Preacher, one of history's greatest preachers and his abiding influence.  Most ministers who are worth anything love this man who published many books on understanding the Bible.  We have most of his books in our personal Christian library.  We show DVD's in our Sunday evening training class at church and I know this will be a blessing.

We recently concluded the series, "The Indestructible Book", a history on the Bible, how we got it, the much persecution over printing the Bible and how the Bible came to America.  This can be purchased from Bridgestone Multimedia group which sells many Christian DVD's for all ages. Bridgestone online address is - www.gobmg.com.

Scripture Truth Book Company on line site is-  www.scripturetruth.com.  They have a sale once monthly with very good buys.

Well, I guess that is all my news for this week.  It rained 2/10's of an inch yesterday and possible rain again today but we are way behind normal levels for this time of year.  Do not think we will catch up this year.  Our Texas farmers are in desperate straits over the current drought we are having as well as fire destruction.  It seems we are having a bad year in the U.S.A. , what with the fires, tornadoes, drought and now floods.  Already Temple is rationing water because our lake water has to be conserved as so many people depend on it.  It serves not only all of Bell county but many small communities-cities downstream.

Oh, I forgot, it is predicted today is the end of the world and Christ will rapture His people out of this wicked world. I for one would be glad if this happened as I am ready to go.  I hope everyone who reads is ready to go .  Confess Jesus with your mouth, ask Him to save you from your sins, believe that He took your sins on His body when He died on the cross, believe he was raised from the dead, believe that He is in Heaven today at the right hand of God the Father and thou shalt be saved.  Romans 10:9-11.

 You have to be sincere in all of this, though.    This has been predicted by Harold Camping, a Christian broadcaster from California.  The Bible says no man knows the day or hour of the Rapture, only God the Father knows the day or hour.  This is in Matt.24:3-44.  The Bible says we are to be ready to go and watchful for our Lord's returning.

Well, this is long and I hope everyone who reads gets a blessing.

Love In Christ,

Marie

The Heavens Opened

Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone is having a great day.  It is beautiful here this date 5-13-11 in Central Texas.  Cool day in the 70's and full sunshine.
We had rain, buckets of it on 5-11-11   Wednesday around 6:00 p.m.  and again on Thursday morning. Bad thing  we had winds blowing 65 mph and I thought my metal roof was going to come loose but it is ok with no problems. We got 4.7 inches and the ground is still soaked.  A  school in Belton, Tx  and in Moody, Tx had a roof collapse to so much rain .  The headline in the Temple Daily Telegram on 5-12-11, The Heavens Open;  Rain Falls!!!!!!!!  So thankful as we were so dry and worried about fire danger.
The wildfires in Texas now have burned a record 2.4 million acres.  We had a 400 acre fire Monday 5-9-11 in Milam county.  The Texas forest service reports we are still in red flag conditions mainly across West Texas.  The forest service is currently working 10 large fires that span 599,405 acres.  Hard to believe they are still working wildfires.

My brother Jerry and myself went to the Central Texas airshow on 5-7-11, Saturday, spent 5 hours there.  Very hot miserable day and a terrible wind blowing dirt all over us.  Both of us had to wash up all the dirt when we got to our homes.  His VA home was there and we sat with them.  They were allowed to bring in ice, food, and drinks which was nice.  I had Jerry transported in the Temple HOP handicapped bus because the VA home needed the wheelchair space on their bus which can only transport 2 wheelchairs.  Late in the air show, pyrotechnics stimulated a bombing run and set the air field grass on fire, burned 12 acres.  We could not believe it, but Jerry enjoyed all the fire trucks that were summoned to put it out.  Even where I live, Moffat area sent several fire trucks.  Moffat is a volunteer department.  No more air show after the fire started.  However, we had to wait for his ride to pick us back up because you have to schedule a return.  So we waited at the entrance gate in the shade for about 1 hour.  Jerry was very tired after all the excitement.  He really enjoyed the day out.  When he got back to the VA home, I helped him wash up and he could not believe how much dirt was in his hair, face, and arms.
Jerry was very happy he got to see a Stealth bomber fly in from Dyess Air Force base.  The bomber made about 4 passes around the airport before heading back to base.  This was the highlight of the show.  My camera batteries ran down just before it got to Temple and so I did not get a picture of it, maybe next year.
My back up batteries were new and no good.  First time I had new batteries that were bad.

Jerry Frye @ Central Texas airshow, Temple,Tx 5-7-11

Old car @ airshow, Temple, Texas

Then on Wednesday 5-11-11, I was at the HEB grocery store around noon when we heard 2 large planes flying low over the store, sounded like they were going to crash.  Everyone was ducking and  trying to get more in the store middle.  The planes made two passes over the store.  Later we found out on the news that the planes were 2 fighter jets that had been at the Temple, Texas airshow and they were going back to their bases.  The reason why they were flying low was to gain attitude which is hard to believe.  Sure scared a lot of people in Temple, Texas though.  People were running, ducking and trying to find a safe place.

Well, that all my news for now. 

Hope, pray everyone is safe and has a great weekend. 

In Christian Love,

Marie

My Greatest Sorrow

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday 5-10-09, my dearest youngest son Hugh Leon Gregg died on Mother's Day just about 1:00 a.m.
of alcohol intoxication.
 He was at some friend's house when they noticed him about 1:00 a.m., thought he had passed out drunk but when they checked, he was blue in the face.  Called paramedics but too late.  A police investigation had to be done as well as an autopsy in Dallas.  The worst thing was the autopsy because I know what they do.  I begged the Judge not to do it but he said he had to know the cause of death.  Hugh has been gone 2 years now and I sorrow every day.  He is buried in Moffat, Texas cemetary which is approximately 3 miles from my house.  I had talked to him about 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.  He told me he loved me and was sorry for his life.  He was upset because he had no money for anything on Mother's Day and he knew his brother would get me something.  I told him I did not care about any gifts, just wanted him to be well.  I told him I would love him no matter what happened in his life.  Just wish he could have gotten free of the addiction.  Anytime there was a major holiday, Hugh would drink himself senseless because he would be depressed over the holiday.  I always dreaded the holidays because I knew what would happen and I could not make him stop.  His son's mother and him had a major argument earlier in the week becasue he was not supplying her with any money for the boy.
His father and I had tried many times to get him help but it never worked out.  He was many times into Scott & White hospital detox program but the most they ever would keep him was 2 weeks and then it all would start over again.  One time he was in a Waco, Texas program but they let him go after a week because they could not regulate his high blood pressure.
His father wrote the following poem to put on his funeral paper:

Sleep On Now

You were such a troubled soul,
With your life so out of control.
Though I failed you, I tried my best,
So sleep on now and take your rest.

Sometimes you could be such a pain,
I wish you were still here to be again,
Life without you will never be the same,
But sleep on now and take your rest.

I would trade places with you ,
If only I could,
But that would do you no good,
So sleep on now and take your rest.

Even though I loved you so,
I didn't take time to let you know,
But your mother did it best,
So sleep on now and take your rest.

In memory of Huey, Albert S. Gregg

I will write another time about Hugh.
Rest in peace in heaven my beloved son.  I will always love you and look forward to seeing you again someday when God calls my name.

In Christian Love,
Marie

Tarrant Lake, VA Property 5-6-11

Hi Everyone,

Posting some pictures of my brother Jerry and his last day out at Tarrant Lake, VA property.  He cannot go down to this little lake unless I am with him because there is a train track at entrance to park and his wheelchair could get stuck on it which would be terrible as there are a lot of trains that come through. There is a picture of the Amtrak train

that comes through each day @11:15 a.m.

Sammons Park Indoor Pool where I exercise,

also has a small lake with golf course.          

Well, that's all for today.  Will post some pictures later on Central Texas Airshow from Saturday.  Jerry & I went to the airshow and had a good time.  

Take care,

In Christian Love,

Marie                       

Texas News, Personal Happenings, Tornados 5-1-11

Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone is well and having a good day.  We certainly have been having some terrible things to happen in the United States last month.  Hope this month is better than last month.
I will start off with the Japan earthquake which was a 9.0 disaster and  occurred on 3-11-11.  We have an aquifer here in Texas known as the Edwards Aquifer.  When the earthquake happened in Japan, just 15 minutes after the quake in Japan, the water sloshed here in Texas in the aquifer.  The aquifer is monitored in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas and has monitoring devices. I thought that was amazing.  One woman whose property sits above the aquifer said she was looking out of her kitchen window when the water started to rise several feet in her stock tank. Later she found out it was due to the Edwards aquifer moving.
The Edwards Aquifer serves 2 million water users in Texas.  Not the first time it happened, also Chile 8.8  and Haiti 7.0 quakes did the same thing.

Last Wednesday 4-27-11, a powerful storm system came up from the Gulf waters across Central Texas and started moving north east .  We had a small tornado touch down at Groesbeck, Texas.
Groesbeck is 40 miles north east of Temple.  Groesbeck is home to Old Ft. Parker.  It was established by the Parker family when they came to settle in Texas. A daughter, Cynthia Ann Parker was kidnapped during a Comanche Indian raid and grew up among the Indians. Her son was the famous Quanah Parker, last Comanche Chief.  She was recaptured and brought back to live with her family but she never accepted that life.  She died  2 years after this event, a very sad story. Ft. Parker is a place to ponder the event and walk among the graves of the slain from the indian massacre.
 The system then moved towards Ben Wheeler, Texas and another tornado touched down with winds in excess of 90-100 mph.  Ben Wheeler is 75 miles east of Dallas.  We did not get a drop of rain from this sytem but Dallas did get rain.  Only 3 structures lost and no one seriously hurt.  This same storm system
then moved through seven southern states and produced the worst tornados the U.S. has known in 30 years or so.  Alabama was hardest hit by a very large tornado.  I really feel for all the people affected by this storm, so far 327 lives lost and still 400 people missing.  The system was produced when the warm air from the gulf met the colder air from the north.  The destruction is massive and uncomprehendable.  The cleanup will be a massive event and probably will take several years.  Bodies have to be placed in refrigerated trucks until they can be buried. So, so sad for all the loss of property and life.
We in Texas are in the midst of the worst drought.  Several years ago, we had a drought but nothing like what we have at this point in time.  This time the drought encompasses all of Texas and we are desparate for rain.  The wildfires are still burning in north west Texas and they have them contained down to 300,000 acres.  But if we get no rain, we will have more fires as the vegetation is so dry.

Went with my brother Jerry on a restaurant outing on 4-28-11 to the little spot in the road called Ratibor, Texas.  The home he lives in does 1 restaurant day each week and he goes about each 2 months or so.
The only thing at Ratibor is an old gin, a new gin, the restaurant and about 4 houses.  This all sits in the middle of corn fields about 8 miles east of Temple.  Jerry could not believe his eyes, a restaurant in the middle of nothing but country and it was busy.  The restaurant is known for its good cooking and its jalapeno chips.  These are jalapenos sliced thin diagonally, battered and fried.  Served with ranch dressing, lip smacking good.  He had an old fashioned burger and I had the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with jalapeno chips.  After this they took us on a bus ride through out the country side, Jerry really enjoyed all of this trip.  Got to see lots of farm land, animals, and farms.  The recreation aide from the home told me she was glad I could go with them as it is someone different to have around.  I do help them with various things when I go so I guess you could say I am a volunteer aide when I go with them.
On Saturday I went out to his VA home and we had a movie date.  I had just got him a DVD player and we tried it out.  Saw the movie, "Night Crossing" by Disney films.  A true story of the Strelzyk and Wetzel families daring escape from East Germany into West.  They made and stitched a hot air balloon in one of their houses in 1979.  A very good, suspenseful film. Amazing what a thirst for freedom they had and were willing to risk their lives to be free.
Got up early enough Saturday to watch Texas Country Reporter which is stories all about Texas and especially the small places.  You can watch some of their clips on You Tube.  Address is youtube.com/texas countryreporter.  Check out the Blind quilter clip, so good and hard to believe that someone can be blind and still quilt.
Then we  had several terrible things happen.  Remember I told you Milam county was having a crime wave.  Well, a really bad thing happened last week, 2 guys 18 yrs. old decided to rob a house in the country side.  Only the woman was home, when the door bell rang, she opened the door without looking.  They shot her, killed her and then took her new car which they had seen in Rockdale, Texas.  Caught several hours later with car, how dumb and now they face capital murder with possible lethal injection.  What a thing to lose your life over and how stupid.  So ladies if you are home alone, do not open your door without seeing who is at the door.  The lady did not know either one.  Then a 37 year old man in Killeen, Tx shot his 5 year old daughter, then killed himself.  How tragic, how sad for their family. Bell County where I live has the highest rate of child abuse in all of Texas because of the military.  We do not like these facts.
Thanks to all of you who are reading my blog. 
It is a cool 70 degrees today with winds of 20mph.  Rain in forecast but none as of 4:00 p.m..

Well, that is all from my current perspective.  Hope everyone has a safe week.  Remember to put Christ in your life, you will never be sorry if you do.  Maybe the recent disasters will bring people back to their knees and what is important in life.
In Christian Love and compassion,
Marie