PEARLY BLUE
Pearly Blue. Old bluegrass song that Alicia taught Garrett to sing. He loved the song. He won't sing it much anymore, at least not to me. Maybe he sings it to Alicia when he is over at her house.
Here is Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs in 1956 singing Pearly Blue (I guess the actual name of the song is "Down the Road").
PEARLY BLUE
Now down the road just a mile or two,
Lives a little girl named Pearly Blue,
About so high and her hair is brown,
The prettiest thing, boys, in this town.
Now any time you want to know,
Where I'm going down the road,
Get my girl on the line,
You'll find me there most any old time.
Now everyday and Sunday too,
I go to see my Pearly Blue,
Before you hear that rooster crow,
You'll see me headed down the road.
Now old man Flatt he owned the farm
From the hog lot to the barn
From the barn to the rail
He makes his living by carrying the mail.
Now every time I get the blues,
I walk the soles right off my shoes,
I don't know why I love her so,
That gal of mine lived down the road.
Leighton Joseph Lauglin
More babies, well one here and one on the way. Kyle and Kassidi had their baby boy on March 7, 2017 and he is a big beautiful baby! He weighed 9 lbs and has a head full of beautiful dark hair.
I had dental work on the day he was born. Had several teeth pulled and dentures put in, but I insisted we stop back by the hospital and see him. I was SO loopy from the pain meds they had given me I couldn't even walk straight. Bob had to get a wheelchair for me to sit in. I was ordering him around, buying gifts in the gift shop and looking back, I probably should have waited until the next day, but I really wanted to see the baby that day...haha.
Kyle and Kassidi are so proud of their boy. I know Kyle wanted a boy, because he already had his little princess, and he wanted one of each. So glad it worked out that way.
Now we also found out that Courtney is having a baby in June so we are excited about that too! Can't wait to see the little sugarbaby!
Can a family have too many babies? Not a chance! Love 'em all!
I Like to Sing...So Sue Me
I like to sing. I really like to sing.
I am not a good singer. I have recorded myself countless times, old tape recorder, old cassette recorder, computer, cell phone. I can hear okay, I just don't sound that good singing. kinda off key, sometimes I hit it, sometimes I don't...
Before I decided I didn't sound good, I was singing everywhere. At church, I'd sing a special, well...I might sing two or three. Go to a singing at a different church, I'd sing a couple.
I always thought I sounded okay, until, I recorded myself. Then there is no way to fool yourself or deny the truth, I stink at singing. I want to sing well. I have always wanted to sing but it just isn't meant to be.
I thought God was leading me to sing. Was He, or was it just me wanting to sing? Which leads to something I have heard discussed a lot. I know you should do things you are lead by the Spirit to do, but I have also heard a preacher say, if you can do something well, and it isn't against scripture or God or the Holy Spirit, do it. So, do you have to be lead to sing, or sing for God if you can sing?
I am not going to sing again at church, unless I get some kind of "sign" from God that I am supposed to. I have a sign I have asked for, if I am supposed to sing, and have never had it revealed to me.
I used to ask for a sign, Lord, if I am supposed to sing, let someone ask me to.....then hint to people about singing. I wasn't fishing for compliments exactly, I just wanted to sing and wanted them to like it.
People would tell me, You sing with a lot of heart...okay, I know what that means...I don't want to be the person that sounds awful, off key, screeching, bellering as one man put it, but puts her heart into it. I can put my heart into something I am good at, like....like....well...nothing comes to mind that I am good at, I am kind mediocre....but....
I would have rather somebody just tell me outright that I wasn't a good singer and shouldn't sing, then let me sing like I did for years.
It does kind of dawn on a person after a few years that nobody is asking them to sing....then I think, oh my how awful I must have sounded...and I know even at my best moments I didn't sound like the better singers at church, or somebody off of Gaither for goodness sake.
But, I still like to sing. There are a few people who like to hear me sing. One of them called a few days ago and asked if he and his wife could stop by and me sing a song they liked that they had heard me sing. Two Shoes...it was Two Shoes...he said he would play the guitar for me.
It was lots of fun. We sung that song two or three times, then sung a couple out of a church songbook, then he had me go through a stack of songs he had written out and see if I could sing any of them. He and his wife ended up singing one of those, to me.
One time at another church, a pair of sisters who are well known singers in our area told me they loved my singing. Was I going to make a CD? I thought they were joking but no! They were serious. Really? Really?
Someday, when I get to Heaven, I will have a beautiful voice. I hope. I'm really not sure if I will or if Jesus will be like some of the people here and say "Just sing it and put your heart into it and it will be beautiful." My heart knows that Jesus loves me just as I am but my mind says no way. BTW Jesus...I want to play the piano and the guitar too.
I am not a good singer. I have recorded myself countless times, old tape recorder, old cassette recorder, computer, cell phone. I can hear okay, I just don't sound that good singing. kinda off key, sometimes I hit it, sometimes I don't...
Before I decided I didn't sound good, I was singing everywhere. At church, I'd sing a special, well...I might sing two or three. Go to a singing at a different church, I'd sing a couple.
I always thought I sounded okay, until, I recorded myself. Then there is no way to fool yourself or deny the truth, I stink at singing. I want to sing well. I have always wanted to sing but it just isn't meant to be.
I thought God was leading me to sing. Was He, or was it just me wanting to sing? Which leads to something I have heard discussed a lot. I know you should do things you are lead by the Spirit to do, but I have also heard a preacher say, if you can do something well, and it isn't against scripture or God or the Holy Spirit, do it. So, do you have to be lead to sing, or sing for God if you can sing?
I am not going to sing again at church, unless I get some kind of "sign" from God that I am supposed to. I have a sign I have asked for, if I am supposed to sing, and have never had it revealed to me.
I used to ask for a sign, Lord, if I am supposed to sing, let someone ask me to.....then hint to people about singing. I wasn't fishing for compliments exactly, I just wanted to sing and wanted them to like it.
People would tell me, You sing with a lot of heart...okay, I know what that means...I don't want to be the person that sounds awful, off key, screeching, bellering as one man put it, but puts her heart into it. I can put my heart into something I am good at, like....like....well...nothing comes to mind that I am good at, I am kind mediocre....but....
It does kind of dawn on a person after a few years that nobody is asking them to sing....then I think, oh my how awful I must have sounded...and I know even at my best moments I didn't sound like the better singers at church, or somebody off of Gaither for goodness sake.
But, I still like to sing. There are a few people who like to hear me sing. One of them called a few days ago and asked if he and his wife could stop by and me sing a song they liked that they had heard me sing. Two Shoes...it was Two Shoes...he said he would play the guitar for me.
It was lots of fun. We sung that song two or three times, then sung a couple out of a church songbook, then he had me go through a stack of songs he had written out and see if I could sing any of them. He and his wife ended up singing one of those, to me.
One time at another church, a pair of sisters who are well known singers in our area told me they loved my singing. Was I going to make a CD? I thought they were joking but no! They were serious. Really? Really?
Someday, when I get to Heaven, I will have a beautiful voice. I hope. I'm really not sure if I will or if Jesus will be like some of the people here and say "Just sing it and put your heart into it and it will be beautiful." My heart knows that Jesus loves me just as I am but my mind says no way. BTW Jesus...I want to play the piano and the guitar too.
Christmas 2016
Been so long since I posted anything, seems I get so busy doing nothing I forget to post anything. Some might say well this blog is nothing but it is something to me. It is a way to remember certain things in life, and to just have fun writing down things I like.
We had a very good Christmas. All the family members were here except for David, Amy, and Gideon. Wish they could have been here too, we all miss them so much.
But, we are going there to visit them in a few more weeks. Gonna spend around 10 days loving on that sweet baby and his mommy and daddy and seeing the sights of Maui. I can't hardly wait!
Back to our Christmas...
We did get to love on Eli Jared, brand new baby boy of Danielle and Jared. He is such a sweet baby, he is already smiling. I got to hold him quite a bit and he snuggled right up with me. Love love love him. He is such a handsome little feller and he looks so exactly like Jared! I see Danielle in there too, but just to look at him he is Jared Jr. for sure! So awesome how God can make a baby look just like one parent but also just like the other parent.
I think everyone had a pretty good time, of course the kids were excited for presents and that is always fun! The little kids got presents and the older kids and adults got gift cards from Bob and me. I hate to do that, I love to find something I think they like, I love to give presents and love to watch them unwrap them. Like to see their faces when it really is something they like. But, as I am older and don't pay attention through the year as to what each one likes, it is so much easier to do it that way. They all say they like the gift cards so I will take their word for it. I still like to get "some little something" so they can unwrap it, but didn't even get that done this year.
They got Bob and me presents and gift cards and I wish they wouldn't and told them not to, but of course they did anyway. Bob and I loved everything they all got us!
We didn't have a big meal this year. Well, we didn't have turkey or ham and all the sides we usually have. We had appetizers but we had a table full of them! I don't know why but I couldn't hardly stand the thought of the same ol' same ol' meal this year. I wanted something different. I felt bad like I forced my wishes on everyone else but I think they all liked it okay. Maybe we will go back to the traditional meal next year, or maybe we have started a new tradition. Either way I am fine with it.
We had a very good Christmas. All the family members were here except for David, Amy, and Gideon. Wish they could have been here too, we all miss them so much.
But, we are going there to visit them in a few more weeks. Gonna spend around 10 days loving on that sweet baby and his mommy and daddy and seeing the sights of Maui. I can't hardly wait!
Back to our Christmas...
We did get to love on Eli Jared, brand new baby boy of Danielle and Jared. He is such a sweet baby, he is already smiling. I got to hold him quite a bit and he snuggled right up with me. Love love love him. He is such a handsome little feller and he looks so exactly like Jared! I see Danielle in there too, but just to look at him he is Jared Jr. for sure! So awesome how God can make a baby look just like one parent but also just like the other parent.
I think everyone had a pretty good time, of course the kids were excited for presents and that is always fun! The little kids got presents and the older kids and adults got gift cards from Bob and me. I hate to do that, I love to find something I think they like, I love to give presents and love to watch them unwrap them. Like to see their faces when it really is something they like. But, as I am older and don't pay attention through the year as to what each one likes, it is so much easier to do it that way. They all say they like the gift cards so I will take their word for it. I still like to get "some little something" so they can unwrap it, but didn't even get that done this year.
They got Bob and me presents and gift cards and I wish they wouldn't and told them not to, but of course they did anyway. Bob and I loved everything they all got us!
We didn't have a big meal this year. Well, we didn't have turkey or ham and all the sides we usually have. We had appetizers but we had a table full of them! I don't know why but I couldn't hardly stand the thought of the same ol' same ol' meal this year. I wanted something different. I felt bad like I forced my wishes on everyone else but I think they all liked it okay. Maybe we will go back to the traditional meal next year, or maybe we have started a new tradition. Either way I am fine with it.
Babies Babies Everywhere!
Well, we have a new grandson, Gideon David, born on November 28, 2016, and a new great grandson, Eli Jared, born on November 29, 2016! WOW! Unbelievable! We are so blessed!
Gideon was originally due on or about December 5, and Eli was due on or about December 13. I kept saying "wouldn't it be funny if they were born on the same day!" They ALMOST were!
We didn't know what Gideon's name would be until he was born. I LOVE his name. Gideon, the story of Gideon in the Bible has always been one of my favorite Bible stories, if not the favorite. And of course, David after his father. He looks so much like David when he was a baby, but I can see his mommy, Amy in his face too, especially when he grins. So proud of all my grandbabies. Wish Gideon lived closer to us so we could cuddle and love on him more, but understand in this day and age that doesn't happen as often as grandparents would like.
We have been very blessed that the girls live very close to us and we have always seen our other grandbabies a lot. It sounds selfish to want Gideon too, or does it? I think it is just normal to want all my babies around close!
I know his parents are some of the best parents a baby could have, even if they are mine, so I have no worries on that part.
We knew that Danielle and Jared were going to have the name Eli, and I love love love that name also, and it fit him so well when we saw him. He also has the middle name Jared after his father. And he looks exactly like his father, Jared. Wow! So much like him. I see Danielle once in a while when I look at him, but he is Jared all over!
We have no worries about this baby and his parents either, they love God and their family so much and are such wonderful young people.
Turkey Track Bluegrass and Mount Magazine
Bob and I took another trip to Arkansas last weekend. Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival in Waldron, Arkansas. It is south of Fort Smith, around a 4 hour trip from here.
We didn't think we were going to go, Garrett had his last "Hoopin' it up" ballgame that day at 11:00 and the festival actually went from Wednesday through Saturday. We wanted to go but didn't want to miss Garrett's ballgame. He only had 4 or 5 and we really enjoyed them, and of course he thought Grandma and Grandpa HAD to come see him play, and we felt the same way. Grandbaby....bluegrass festival....we love bluegrass but grandbaby will always outweigh bluegrass, or just about anything else.
So, we just kinda forgot about it...kinda.
Garrett's ballgame started at 11:00 and ended around 12:00 noon. We were driving out of the school's driveway and Bob said, "Wanna go to Arkansas and listen to bluegrass?" Well....I said "SURE", so we hurried home, threw a few clothes in a duffel bag and away we went! HAHAHA That is one of the things I love about Bob and me, we have always just up and done anything we wanted on the spur of the moment.
So off we went to Waldron, Arkansas. We went down some of the most mountainous, narrow, curvy roads. I figured we would never make it there in time to hear anything, but we actually got there around 4:30.
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage were playing at 6 and she is the one we really wanted to see although we liked all the groups, hers is one of our favorites.
Lots and lots of good music, good food, good people.
It was over around 10:30 and we went back to the small town of Waldron and found a motel room. It wasn't 5 star, but it was clean, cool and adequate. Bob and I have never been very picky.
The next day, on the way home I wanted to go home a different way and go up Mount Magazine, the tallest hill/mountain in Arkansas. This is the Ouachita Mountain Range.
We stopped at a scenic area on the way up and got this selfie of ourselves. The sun was behind us but I kinda like the effect...
We drove to the top of Mount Magazine and went in the visitor's center. We went up the opposite way most people drive up (of course...hahaha) but it was very enjoyable and scenic. We drove a ways down the other side and got a few pictures at another scenic stop area.
We drove on home, coming up through Ponca (where I had absolutely NO phone service for miles) hoping to see an elk or two. We saw nothing but scenery.
We thought about going to Hawksbill Crag and hiking out to the point but I am a little nervous anymore about high places. We used to climb the Hercules Tower all the time but the last time we climbed it I kinda had vertigo and felt like I was going to just fall off the stairway. We will try another day.
On we came through Harrison and up 65 highway to Branson and then home. It was a very nice and very much needed trip. I love our little day or weekend trips and can't wait for another one!
We didn't think we were going to go, Garrett had his last "Hoopin' it up" ballgame that day at 11:00 and the festival actually went from Wednesday through Saturday. We wanted to go but didn't want to miss Garrett's ballgame. He only had 4 or 5 and we really enjoyed them, and of course he thought Grandma and Grandpa HAD to come see him play, and we felt the same way. Grandbaby....bluegrass festival....we love bluegrass but grandbaby will always outweigh bluegrass, or just about anything else.
So, we just kinda forgot about it...kinda.
Garrett's ballgame started at 11:00 and ended around 12:00 noon. We were driving out of the school's driveway and Bob said, "Wanna go to Arkansas and listen to bluegrass?" Well....I said "SURE", so we hurried home, threw a few clothes in a duffel bag and away we went! HAHAHA That is one of the things I love about Bob and me, we have always just up and done anything we wanted on the spur of the moment.
So off we went to Waldron, Arkansas. We went down some of the most mountainous, narrow, curvy roads. I figured we would never make it there in time to hear anything, but we actually got there around 4:30.
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage were playing at 6 and she is the one we really wanted to see although we liked all the groups, hers is one of our favorites.
Lots and lots of good music, good food, good people.
It was over around 10:30 and we went back to the small town of Waldron and found a motel room. It wasn't 5 star, but it was clean, cool and adequate. Bob and I have never been very picky.
The next day, on the way home I wanted to go home a different way and go up Mount Magazine, the tallest hill/mountain in Arkansas. This is the Ouachita Mountain Range.
 |
| our selfie |
We stopped at a scenic area on the way up and got this selfie of ourselves. The sun was behind us but I kinda like the effect...
We drove to the top of Mount Magazine and went in the visitor's center. We went up the opposite way most people drive up (of course...hahaha) but it was very enjoyable and scenic. We drove a ways down the other side and got a few pictures at another scenic stop area.
 |
| overlooking the Ouachita River basin |
 |
| picture a nice man took of us |
We thought about going to Hawksbill Crag and hiking out to the point but I am a little nervous anymore about high places. We used to climb the Hercules Tower all the time but the last time we climbed it I kinda had vertigo and felt like I was going to just fall off the stairway. We will try another day.
On we came through Harrison and up 65 highway to Branson and then home. It was a very nice and very much needed trip. I love our little day or weekend trips and can't wait for another one!
Hoopin" It UP!!!
We got to watch our 5 year old grandson, Garrett, play basketball Saturday. It's a program called "Hooping it Up" and it is a program to help the kids from Kindergarten through the 6th grade learn the basics of playing basketball.
The "coaches" are high school kids and they help the kids get organized into teams, and the coach for the high school girls and a parent or two helps run the floor with the kids and instruct them where to run, what to do with the ball and such. It's very informal and very very entertaining to watch...oh my.
Our little grandson has never played ball before, as most of the others have not either.
The little fellers would just stand there until told to jump for the ball, just stand there until told to run down the floor. Boy, when they understood a little about what they were supposed to do the contest was ON!
Of course we had our eyes on our little feller, and he was very energized. He did jumping jacks, ran with the ball, shot the ball, did a few push-ups....shot the ball some more, it was hilarious.
There is a fine line to walk while watching these little guys and gals. You don't want to laugh so much it is insulting to them but it is so dang cute you can't do much else. There were many many hands over mouths all morning, trying to cover the laughter.
Those that didn't laugh or seem to enjoy it, I don't know, are you dead or what?
The "coaches" are high school kids and they help the kids get organized into teams, and the coach for the high school girls and a parent or two helps run the floor with the kids and instruct them where to run, what to do with the ball and such. It's very informal and very very entertaining to watch...oh my.
Our little grandson has never played ball before, as most of the others have not either.
The little fellers would just stand there until told to jump for the ball, just stand there until told to run down the floor. Boy, when they understood a little about what they were supposed to do the contest was ON!
Of course we had our eyes on our little feller, and he was very energized. He did jumping jacks, ran with the ball, shot the ball, did a few push-ups....shot the ball some more, it was hilarious.
There is a fine line to walk while watching these little guys and gals. You don't want to laugh so much it is insulting to them but it is so dang cute you can't do much else. There were many many hands over mouths all morning, trying to cover the laughter.
Those that didn't laugh or seem to enjoy it, I don't know, are you dead or what?
Football and Bluegrass
Bob and I went to Bolivar Saturday to watch Gavin play football. He is Corey's youngest son and we just love him! I think he loves us too, especially Bob! He is a hoot to be around!
Gavin is quite the ballplayer, we really enjoyed watching him. Although it was the end of September it really got hot sitting there on the bleachers and the little boys really got hot playing football too! I wish I had took a picture of him in his uniform, he sure was cute!
We sat by Lynn and Corey and Corey's dad, Kevin and his wife, Marcy. Very nice people.
After the game we headed back towards Springfield, and on the way, we decided to go to West Plains to the HOBA bluegrass festival. We had talked about going but decided we wanted to see Gavin playing football and probably couldn't do both since he played in Bolivar and the festival was in West Plains....wrong! Of course we could do both! The game was over by noon, so we decided to go ahead and go to West Plains.
Of course, we had to make a quick detour into Springfield and eat at the Golden Corral that was out on N. Kansas. It was okay but we decided it wasn't as good as the one on S. Glenstone or the one in Branson. Bob loves to eat at Golden Corral. I always overeat because I think I need to get my money's worth! HA that is my excuse anyway.
So, we took off to West Plains, got there just in time for the dinner break, so we just sat in our car and dozed for a few minutes.
There weren't any big name groups at this festival, it is just a tiny little festival but the music and singing was good anyway. We enjoyed it a lot.
Here is the only picture I took. I didn't have my camera, only my phone. The back of my ankle was getting a blister on it from my new sneaker....haha
We didn't stay overnight, we figured we were close enough to home to sleep in our own bed so home we came. It was around 1:00am when we got home.
Good times!
Gavin is quite the ballplayer, we really enjoyed watching him. Although it was the end of September it really got hot sitting there on the bleachers and the little boys really got hot playing football too! I wish I had took a picture of him in his uniform, he sure was cute!
We sat by Lynn and Corey and Corey's dad, Kevin and his wife, Marcy. Very nice people.
After the game we headed back towards Springfield, and on the way, we decided to go to West Plains to the HOBA bluegrass festival. We had talked about going but decided we wanted to see Gavin playing football and probably couldn't do both since he played in Bolivar and the festival was in West Plains....wrong! Of course we could do both! The game was over by noon, so we decided to go ahead and go to West Plains.
Of course, we had to make a quick detour into Springfield and eat at the Golden Corral that was out on N. Kansas. It was okay but we decided it wasn't as good as the one on S. Glenstone or the one in Branson. Bob loves to eat at Golden Corral. I always overeat because I think I need to get my money's worth! HA that is my excuse anyway.
So, we took off to West Plains, got there just in time for the dinner break, so we just sat in our car and dozed for a few minutes.
There weren't any big name groups at this festival, it is just a tiny little festival but the music and singing was good anyway. We enjoyed it a lot.
Here is the only picture I took. I didn't have my camera, only my phone. The back of my ankle was getting a blister on it from my new sneaker....haha
We didn't stay overnight, we figured we were close enough to home to sleep in our own bed so home we came. It was around 1:00am when we got home.
Good times!
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