Day Four-30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

“Who’s Out There?”

12″ x 12″ Acrylic on gessobord

For More Information About The Painting

Have you ever had the feeling that someone is…..out there? “Out there” could be anywhere. Did you ever dream hazy figures were watching you? Do you suddenly look around to see again something you thought you saw…but it is now gone.

Our imagination can be very creative. I painted mine.

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge-Day Three.

“Mediterranean Blue”

8″ x 8″ Acrylic on gessobord.

For More Information About the Painting

My inspiration for this abstract is  the colors and textures of the Greek Isles. I love old, craggy walls with decades (or hundreds of years) of just existing. Adding to the textured beauty of the walls and other structures is the beautiful, blue Mediterranean Sea.

My thanks to our eldest Granddaughter and her husband and their frequent visits to Greece. She sends lovely photos for me to paint.

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.

Day Two

My husband walked into my workroom, looked at today’s painting and laughed.

I replied, “Yes, it’s radical, isn’t it.” Then I looked up the definition of  the word radical;

“Marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional.”

Perfect!

“Radical”

12″ x 12″ Acrylic painting on gessobord, a museum quality panel.

For More Information About the Painting

Ever onward to the next abstract; only 28 to go!

The 30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS CHALLENGE

is here again.

With nearly 1000 other artists from all over the world participating, it’s fun to be a part. Each time our leader, Leslie Saeta, suggests that we select a theme.

My theme is “Abstracts”.

I like this one definition for abstracts:

“…having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation.”

Day One

“Pink Cloud”

12″ x 12″ Acrylic on gessobord.

For More Information About the Painting

Now, another day, on to another painting.

“So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.” _________1 Corinthians 15:45-47 NIV

                                                      Second Adam From Above
At Christmas time as I was growing up we always sang the old Christmas carols….all the verses. I have been blessed with a good memory, maybe not always a blessing, however. I remember the words to most the old hymns and listened carefully to the preacher. I figured the Lord put me there for a reason, so I’d better listen. I still believe that and act on it.
Back to the old carols. A favorite was “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” which I sang with enthusiasm.

However, I always wondered the meaning of one line in one of the refrains: “Second Adam from above.”

Charles Wesley’s original words penned in 1739:
“Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.”

Many years later and after much Bible study I learned the meaning: Jesus Christ is the Second Adam from above, or “the second man from heaven” as translated in the New International Version of the Holy Bible. I was touched and impressed with this profound doctrinal message. I checked the hymnal being used currently at our church and that verse was no longer there. I don’t know why it was removed.
Nevertheless, I can still sing that verse from memory and rejoice in the meaning. Jesus Christ came to this earth to “reinstate us” in God’s love, which had been lost in the Garden of Eden by the first man, Adam. Jesus Christ imparted Himself into each believing heart.

Now that is a Christmas gift far, far beyond compare. Glory!
Merry Christmas!

……..Just stay home!
Yeah, actually those three words are my best advice about Christmas shopping. Trust me, I know these things! After sixty-one (now 62) years of marriage and the age that implies, I have tested all methods of Christmas shopping. Of course, that was before online shopping, which I love. Back to the subject.
I first published this blog last December 2, 2013. This morning I realized I was beginning to have the same thoughts about Christmas shopping and suddenly remembered my own Excellent Advice. So here it is again.

I love numbers. After my husband served 6 years in military service; after 5 years of his undergraduate studies; after many years of his graduate studies; after 3 children, (all this time with 0 discretionary funds), I finally began to notice a singular truth about my shopping: If I went out of the house I would spend money! That’s it! It was as simple as that! To resist the urge to shop, I would make a cup of coffee, grab a cookie, and wait for the urge to pass….and it would pass. Yay! Just think how much money I saved today, I would think. Perhaps the thought of taking three little children along with my shopping trip had something to do with deciding to “…just stay home.” Maybe.

Fast forward to today with the convenience of online shopping at my fingertips. Remember I said that I love it. Well, I’ve learned something about that, too; If I fill out all the necessary information in the Shopping Cart…i.e. the mailing address, credit card number, on and on, I’ll probably make a mistake and have to delete the whole thing. I’m usually so aggravated and bored by that time, I go find something else more fun to do. Yay! Just think how much money I saved today.

Recently while shopping online at a fancy store website, I came to the final bottom line stating the cost, it was really low….yes LOW! I thought how can that be? I just ordered some expensive items, jackets, sweaters, etc. I pondered this for a while and decided to start over by going back to the home page of the store. Oh! I see it now….in big bold letters it read “EVERYTHING 70% OFF TODAY.” That answered my question and confirmed my growing suspicion that I am the world’s worst shopper. Yes, I started over and bought all the same things I wanted as before. Oops! I didn’t save any money that day.

You might also find it helpful to know that if you are traveling with all your children and you are on a tight budget……don’t stop the car……ever! It will cost you money if you do. I’ve tested that theory before, in fact, we’ve lived it. However, I’ll admit it is a little difficult if you are trying to get to Lubbock, Texas from Houston, Texas in one day. At last count it is almost 600 miles.

Friends, that is the extent of my shopping advice gleaned through hard-earned experience and a lot of fun. Get a cup of coffee and a cookie….and wait.

Our tiny kitchen Christmas tree!

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

Merry Christmas!

Maybe it’s because I’ve been cooking for 62 years.  OR….maybe it’s because I’m an impatient Sanguine. Whatever the reason, I do not like to linger over food preparation. Get it done!!! If it tastes good, well, that’s a plus. Just get it done! This morning was no exception. Therefore, witness the birth of……

The Frito Omelet

(A Caution: If you object to fat, calories, and salt……..Step Away from the Frito Omelet.)

 Ingredients:

A touch of olive oil

“Some” Original size Fritos

1 large egg

1 slice extra sharp cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons of chili…(canned is perfect!)

2 Tablespoons of chunky, medium spicy red salsa

(Our daughter, Karen, has often mentioned how I rarely measure ingredients; some here, a little there. It makes a difficult recipe to follow.)

Preparation and cooking:

In an omelet pan or any small skillet, warm the olive oil. Spread the Fritos (as many as you want) in the olive oil. Scramble the egg in a separate bowl and pour over the Fritos. Quickly place the chili, cheese and salsa on one side of the mixture in the skillet.

(You are on your own here. Knowing when and how to flip one side of the omelet over onto the other takes at least 50 years of practice to master. Good luck.)

Flip the omelet into the classic shape and serve. David likes spicy foods, but when I saw him salting this omelet this morning I yelled (sweetly) at him. “What are you doing?” Oh! Sorry! He was not adding salt but pepper. Nothing new there.

Hope you enjoy this Frito Omelet. I know the photo doesn’t exactly make your mouth water, but trust me, it’s delicious…..and quick!

How The Club Began!

(A true story; I’ve changed the names to protect myself!)

It all became clear that day on the bus. I finally had a label to pin on an idea that had been in my head for a long time. The idea had begun to collect in the recesses of my brain several years back. I’m not sure when it all started. If I had kept a notepad in my purse to record my astute observations and insights through the years, it would be full by now. I would be well on my way to writing a book on the subject.

It was a lovely spring day. Mabel and I were among a group from our church on our way to a two-day inspirational and educational women’s event in a town about two hundred miles north. Everyone was in high spirits chatting away as the bus left our church parking lot. We even had our brown bag lunches and iced-down soft drinks ready to enjoy when the time came.
Mabel and I chose seats near the back of the bus. We left a few vacant rows between us and the rest of the ladies. I’ve thought about that a few times since then. Why did we choose to sit a little separate from the other women? I think I know now, but I’ll save that for later.

Mabel and I are good friends and we had lots to talk about. But soon our attention was drawn to the conversation going on at the front of the bus. The group leader was standing in the aisle at front more or less leading the informal topic. The topic was how old certain famous Christian women leaders look now, and what they are doing to try to look younger. What? Mabel and I looked at each other in disbelief. But, we kept listening, of course. Apparently the subject was a favorite judging from all the laughter and willing participation.

After listening with rapt attention for several miles it occurred to me that Mabel and I were the oldest women on board the bus…..by far. Should I put a stop to this before it goes too far? Wouldn’t they be embarrassed if they looked back at us two “Senior” church ladies? Now, mind you, neither Mabel nor I have indulged in plastic surgery but we still look pretty good. We do use makeup and deodorant! We even wear those sparkly, brightly colored open-toed sandals…….without hose. What more can you ask?

Deciding to break in to their conversation seemed like a good idea, before Mabel and I got really angry. So, I bravely called out “Hello. Are we invisible back here?” Utter silence. I continued “Mabel and I are both older than the women you are discussing.” Even quieter than before. Then we could hear quiet chuckles, shifting in the seats, rustling of papers. Then someone said “Time for lunch.”

Attention quickly turned to our sandwiches and drinks and conversation was at a minimum. By the way, to this day Mabel still brags about how much food she brought for the two of us. It was her idea, not mine. But I enjoyed it all weekend.

Maybe it was the rise in my blood sugar that cleared my head. But suddenly it came to me. My long-held thesis was taking shape and actually had a title. Here it is: The Invisible Woman’s Club. And Mabel and I are members. Since I’m the first to give it a label or title, I think I should be the President.

Mabel and I talked the rest of the way to the city up north. The younger ladies were rather quiet.

President, The Invisible Woman’s Club.

A “Before We Had Children” Story

The other night during a delightful dinner out with our son and his wife I told them a story they had never heard before. Amazing!!! After all these years. It’s one of our many “before we had children” stories.

It happened in September of 1955 at the Sir Walter Hotel on Virginia Beach, Virginia. At the time David was stationed at the big Naval station in Norfolk, Virginia and had a 3 or 4 day pass. I was working as an artist at a high fashion store in Houston, Texas. I flew there (my very first plane ride, by the way) and was met at the airport in Norfolk by David and his First Class Petty Officer who served on the same ship as David. We appreciated the ride out to Virginia Beach.

It was a magical weekend; the beach, a beautiful hotel right on the beach, and David. One evening we decided to have dinner in the main restaurant of the hotel. We were dressed very casually; David in slacks and a T-shirt (tucked in), and I wore black Capri pants and a long-sleeved blouse, tucked in,also. We didn’t even have on sandals. The only shoes David had were his Navy shoes….very conservative.  Nevertheless, we were told we could not come in because of their dress code.

This surprising pronouncement by the Maitre di’ was clearly heard by many diners already in the restaurant and drew quite a lot of attention. For some reason, I think we were getting more attention that weekend than we realized. But I’m happy to say, his words didn’t bother us at all. David asked him if there was any other place in the hotel we could eat. He said “Yes, there is a hamburger bar in the basement.” That sounded wonderful to us and off we went. We had a great time and forgot about the rejection. We even found a TV there in the basement. In those days there were no TVs in the rooms. See us posing by the TV in the collage above? That was cool then.

The next day the hotel manager came up to us and apologized for what had happened in the main restaurant and offered to drive me to the airport when I was ready to leave. We accepted his kind apology and offer. Virginia Beach was a long way from the airport in Norfolk. From the airport David returned to his ship.

It turns out I would need all the help I could get, because while chasing my rubber raft on the beach, I sprained my ankle rather badly. The flight home was very long; I flew from Norfolk in a small plane to Washington D.C., had a several hours wait, flew to Atlanta and landed, flew to New Orleans and landed, and finally made it back to Houston. At each stop the Attendant had to awaken me to fasten my seat belt then I would go back to sleep immediately.  My parents met me at Hobby Airport and I made it back to my drawing board at work just in time.

About a year later, David was transferred to “floating land duty”, at Little Creek Naval Station near Norfolk, at least that’s what he called it, and I moved to Norfolk to be with him all the time. We had a wonderful time there, making many friends……and creating more stories.

Our weekend at the Sir Walter Hotel is just one “before we had children” story. I have plenty; we were married four years before our first child arrived. More to come.

October 17, 1952

Yay us! It doesn’t seem possible that we have been married (yes, to each other) for sixty-two years. Our wedding was held on a beautiful fall evening in Houston, Texas at a little church that no longer exists, Woodland Christian Church. My Father and David’s Mother had to get the marriage license because we were too young; I was 17, David was 19. My brother, Rev. Emil H. Bunjes, Jr. officiated. It was his very first wedding to perform as a new Pastor. We were all nervous but it was lovely. The balcony at the church was filled with  my girlfriends from high school. We were all in our drum and bugle corp/drill team, the Reagan Red Coats. A lively group. David had graduated from high school in January of that year, 1952 and I graduated the following June. My best friend, Sue, was my Maid-of-Honor. We met in the 6th grade and are still best friends. I guess we really are BFFs (Best Friends Forever).

I designed my wedding dress and my Mother made it. I still have it. My Mother also made my “going away” suit”. My Honeymoon wardrobe was simple…..really simple….blue jeans and plaid shirts. David and I had shirts that matched. That was considered very cool at the time.

We spent our Honeymoon in New Braunfels, Texas, staying at the beautiful, old Faust Hotel. I wonder what they thought when we walked in? It’s a good thing we had made our reservations in advance. We came home a week later to a room full of more wedding gifts that had come in. So blessed. We moved into an upstairs apartment in a lovely old home in the Montrose district of Houston close to bus lines to take us to our jobs. David was in the Naval Reserves and had to be gone once a week in the evening. I had never been at home alone….EVER! But that’s another story! Funny, too!

Guess I had better stop now, after all, there is a lot to say about what has happened since we returned from New Braunfels; David went to college, then served in the U.S. Navy, David went back to college, our two sons were born, David went to graduate school; our daughter was born. See what I mean…..lots of living!

Someday I’ll go all the way back to the beginning and write about how David and I met. It makes a great story that our children, grandchildren and friends love to hear. It’s funny, and yes, it’s all true. It’s my opinion that people don’t like LONG blogs; David disagrees and writes really long, scholarly blogs. I don’t.

We are blessed with three children and six grandchildren (counting the two newest who are married to two of our oldest grandchildren. We proudly call them our grandchildren, also. We are retired now and enjoying life immensely.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17