Getting Older

One morning last week we had a hard rain. A friend and I had to attend a meeting at the Sternberg Museum here in Hays that morning. We got soaked getting into the car. It was difficult to drive because visibility was poor. I made a left turn and we were suddenly in deep water. The water rose over my tires. I had to keep going because there was a car behind me. Fortunately, after a couple of blocks I turned right and pulled into the parking lot. The rain stopped. I locked the car and my friend and I entered the Sternberg. We were cold and wet, but ok. After the meeting, I could not unlock the car. My keys would not work. I had to call a locksmith to unlock my car. He thought excess moisture may have shorted out the lock system. The locksmith refused to take any money for his efforts. He said,"It's raining and I'm happy to help."

Today, exactly one week later, I locked my keys in the car after returning home from running errands. Imagine my embarrassment when I had to explain to the locksmith that I needed his help again. He cheerfully came and unlocked my car, even though a hot sun was shining down, and he had to struggle to get a car door open. But the locksmith prevailed. I breathed a sigh of relief and paid him. I can drive again!!! But a moment's inattention cost me money. And I have the feeling that I am getting older and more forgetful. Not a good feeling. But I guess I'll survive. The rest of the day was loverly. I still have a little sinking feeling in my stomach, though. Am I really getting old? Maybe I'm just hungry. That's it. I'm just hungry. Carry on.

Surprises can be good

Well to quote Sister Honor "Surprises can be good." I didn't know that I had such a sneaky and clever family. You all really managed to pull off a great event. I have to say first of all that you shouldn't have. We just had a big family gathering and to ask people to do it all over again so soon was a lot to ask, especially for the out of towners and the hoster. You all put so much hard work into it, with the planning, shopping and endless cooking---unbelievable. It was amazing. Beth the hummus was very very good. You are forever in charge of bringing hummus. Ellen the baklava, well what can I say, you could open a baklava bakery when you retire, special orders only. Carol, the sugar cookies were tremendous. You really out did yourself and it sounds like Tom and Matthew will be happy to never see another sugar cookie again. Thank you too for the cherry pie, I think the sisters missed their calling, a tea room or something food related surely is in the stars. The chicken was excellent. It has been at least 20 years since I had Mom's chicken. Thank you Sharon and Honor for all that work. You did Mom proud. Once again I have to say that my favorite gift in the world was the original poems and stories my family created. You guys are all so talented. Sharon you have been hiding your writing talents under a bushel. Beth don't forget to e-mail me your poem and I will print it and put it in the folder. That really was such a wonderful thoughtful gift and very unexpected. Ellen, thank you for the grapefruit scented candle. It is very fragrant and I look forward to enjoying it soon. The roses are beautiful and very fragrant. I have never rcvd a dozen red roses in my life. I think John gave me three yellow roses once when we were dating and once when I was sick he gave me a grocery store bouquet, but that is the extent of my receiving flowers in my 50 years.
So 50 years has started with my very first surprise birthday party and my first dozen of red roses. You all better start planning my 60th now. It might take 10 years to top this one. Thank you all again for all that hard work and thanks to everyone who traveled to Sharon's to particpate. Surprises can be good. Love to all.

PS: Katie it won't be much longer and you will be able to join us for family events more frequently. It will be great to have all the kids close again.

Down, down, down

Hi, all. We significantly reduced our list price on the house last week in the hopes of generating some interest (and staying competitive with other houses that keep dropping their prices). I think we're as low as we can go now. Say some prayers that we'll get some buyers in the door. So far, so slow.

My official move date: July 28 (our ten-year anniversary). I'm looking forward to building our lives back in Kansas, and I'm also hoping we can eventually make a clean break from Georgia by selling our home.

On a higher note (pun intended) ... I sang a duet in church today. I've never done a solo before, and I'd never done a duet before today. I and another woman from the choir sang "In Flanders Fields." And I didn't screw it up! She sang the soprano part, and I sang alto, and I think we did the song justice.

HOLIDAY

HAPPY 4th of JULY FIDDLER KIN!!!!!
PARTY HARDY!!!!!

Tim Mcgraw & Lady Antebellum concert.

My friend Brenda & I headed to KC yesterday to enjoy the Tim Mcgraw/Lady Antebellum concert at the Sprint Center. It was a great show. There was an over an hour delay between acts which was kind of a drag. However, during the delay, a Tim Mcgraw kept walking around the arena. Sometimes he would be walking with employees. People who weren't close actually thought it was really him & were screaming & trying to take his picture. It was pretty entertaining. He walked right by us several times so we knew it wasn't Tim. Another highlight of the delay was getting to be filmed for a audience scene for the upcoming Tim Mcgraw/Gweneth Paltrow movie. We had to scream & chant Gweneth's characters name, Kelly. It was really cool & the people filming even made jokes about the look-alike. During Tim's performance, he sang Tiny Dancer by Elton John. He pulled a couple little girls from the front row up on stage & twirled them around then gave them each a hug. It was really sweet. We had a great time.
Prior to the concert, Brenda treated me to the Macaroni Grill, which I hadn't been to in years. It was soooo yummy. We took Jacob to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday. It's a pretty sad movie but pretty good. I hope all of you had a great weekend.

Last days of spring

I don't know about Kansas, but Georgia's spring has been heavy with heat and humidity, though today we had some respite as a windy thunderstorm rolled in around 3:00, dropping the temperature quite a bit.

I hope everyone in KC is having fun with the cousins. I hear that Sharon's hosting a BBQ today. Yum!

I'm feeling mellow today ... slowly coming to the realization (and accepting) that our house isn't going to sell when we want/need it to and that I'll be moving to Wichita on my own while Trent continues working in Atlanta and maintaining the house while it's on the market. Who knows when it will sell. No one's looking at it. (Yes, we've talked about lowering the price.)

Oh well, I still think the move will be worth it in the long run. We just have to get through the hard part -- and the next several months will probably be kind of hard. I'm teaching full time and advising at KSU this summer and will be right up until I move. There's so much to think about (besides the house) ... planning for new classes at WSU, packing up my office at work and whatever we can fit into a little trailer for me to take to KS (my apartment will likely be furnished with a bed and camping chairs -- ha ha!), figuring out cobra insurance since there will be a 3 month gap between KSU and WSU (luckily, we've gotten all of our doctor stuff taken care of for this year -- and I'm stocking up on prescriptions before I leave -- using my noggin').

I just need to keep thinking about the long run -- better quality of life in a smaller city, proximity to family, different job opportunities for Trent. Eventually, it will all work out.

I forgot to tell you all about the triathlon Trent and I signed up for in Newnan, GA, two weeks ago. Trent was talking smack leading up to the race, saying how he was gonna smoke me. Well, his time was about 90 minutes faster than mine ...

Because he didn't even finish the swim! :-) The big talker (who hadn't been swimming because of his work schedule) opted to catch a ride on the jet ski 200 yards into the lake swim. He was in good spirits after the race though. And I was pleased with my performance. The swim was fine, the bike ride was glorious and hilly -- out in the GA countryside--and I finished the run strong. All in all, it was a good day. Later, that day we chilled at a party at my colleague's home.

Last weekend, we invited an older gentleman from my church, Al, (and his lady friend) for grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and chocolate silk pie. Al used to sing in the choir with me, and he really likes visiting with Trent, so we all had a good chat and a tasty meal.

Quiet weekend for me while Trent's at work (the Royals are in town this weekend!). I went to tri training at the Y this morning, and I've been doing chores and looking at Wichita apartments online. I'll move the last week of July. Fortunately, I think Trent will be able to help me. Yay!

I hope you're all having a great weekend! Love you!

sage advice

Live in rooms full of light
avoid heavy food (avoid McDonalds and other fast and or fried food)
be moderate in the drinking of wine
take massage, bath, exercise and gymnastics
fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
change surroundings and take long journeys(vacations)
strictly avoid frightening ideas (avoid Fox News)
indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements
listen to music
---A. Cornelius Celsus 25BC -AD50

Celsus was known for extant medical work---De Medicina the only surviving section of a much larger encyclopedia. De Medicina is a primary source on diet, pharmacy and surgery and is one of the best sources of medical knowledge in the Roman world. It is not believed that he was a doctor.

I found his advice and observations very interesting. Why are we always trying to reinvent the wheel or better yet, why are we always breaking the wheel?

GA update

Hola, party people! I hope you're all enjoying a lovely Memorial Day weekend. I enjoyed reading Honor's narrative on her and Doug's Saturday in Ellsworth, and since I hadn't written for awhile, and I thought I'd share a quick update too ...

Trent's been spending long hours at work due to several lengthy rain delays during Braves games. The rain is good (keeps the grass green, while the house is on the market) ...


Look! There he is at the game on Friday night, pulling the tarp. Isn't he cute!

As for me, summer school has begun, and I'm loving it! I'm teaching our 6-credit hour Principles of Writing Instruction course, and my students are fabulous. I'm also advising for the program.

I also received word from Wichita State's Provost that my contract will go through, so it's pretty darn official that we'll be heading back to Kansas ... though possibly not at the same time, if the house doesn't sell soon. :-( We've got two months until I need to move, and we're just trying to enjoy our home as much as possible. It beats living in an extended stay motel (which is what we would be doing, if it had sold right away). So far, we've just had one showing and one open house (where the only people who showed up were some neighbors and one interested real estate agent). Oh well.

I also received word on Friday that one of my articles has been accepted for publication in a fall issue of a refereed journal in my field. That, along with a book chapter that should come out in December, will be a good start to my research career at WSU. Yay!

In other news, Trent and I will be competing in a sprint triathlon in Newnan, GA, next Saturday. (600m swim - 15 mile bike - 5K run). I'm really excited about it, after training more seriously for this race than any other previous tri's, and Trent is excited too, even though he hasn't been able to devote as much time to training with the Braves season in full swing. We'll let you know how it goes. :-)

Happy Memorial Day weekend, Fiddler Kin. Love to you all!

Ellsworth News

Doug and I spent Saturday in Ellsworth, Kansas. The aunts (including me) hosted a wedding shower for a nephew and his bride-to-be. We met the bride's family and they are very nice, charming people. They are originally from Larned, Kansas, but most of them live in Lawrence now. Both the bride and groom are KU graduates; although the bride went to Fort Hays State her freshman year.

The bride is pretty. She also has a good head on her shoulders. She is not allowing the wedding plans to get out of hand. The wedding will be small and within budget. I admire people who can be realistic about their plans.

We had lots of good food. An uncle cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. We ate watermelon, fruit salads, vegetable salads, cookies, candies and cake. Everyone was in a convivial mood. The day was sunny. The conversation was good. Several married cousins are pregnant, so we talked about a wedding in August and the number of babies who will be born.

Grandma Betty (Bestamore) is clearly enjoying the growth of the family. She said she is crocheting baby quilts as fast as she can.

We also talked about travel plans. One couple will fly to Mexico in early July. Another couple is going on an Alaskan cruise in August. Doug and I talked about spending time with family in Kansas City.

The couple received some nice gifts, including homemade ones. They appeared delighted with their presents. One that caught my eye was a grilling basket used to grill vegetables or shrimp. One grandmother gave a beautiful crocheted blanket and some embroidered dish towels. Betty gave a crocheted doily. The skill and workmanship involved with those items was obvious. Clearly, this couple is deeply loved.

Doug and I visited with our son Thomas. He was in Ellsworth to attend both a class reunion and a wedding shower. It was good to see him. Saturday was a beautiful day for a get together. But there was a shadow hanging over the party.

At 3:00 am, on Saturday morning, Terry's Pharmacy was robbed. The thieves threw a rock through a window and entered the store; even though an alarm sounded. The thieves stole about five hundred dollars worth of prescription drugs before they fled. The drugs are worth much more than that on the street. Two men were seen running to a car parked in a Dollar General parking lot. Dollar General is about a block east of Seitz Drug, Terry's pharmacy. Agnes told me that other small town pharmacies in the area have also recently been robbed. So the Ellsworth robbery is part of a crime spree.

To compound the matter, a few weeks ago someone broke into the Terry Kepka home and burgled it while he and Agnes were out of town. The police think the items taken were to be sold to buy drugs.

Terry and Agnes are feeling much more vulnerable these days. I think it is safe to say they feel violated in some way. The nice thing is, that even though their day was marred by an early morning robbery, they still graciously hosted the shower at their home. The police called Terry and Agnes a little after 3:00 am, and that is what time their day began. Still, they smiled and joked with all the guests and gave them a warm welcome.

The party began about noon and ended about five o'clock. But the festivities did not end then. Some of us went to 5:30 Mass and then returned to Terry and Ag's to eat Mexican food. Doug and I left Ellsworth at around 7:30. Saturday was a long day, especially for Terry and Agnes.

We said good bye to Thomas, who was planning on staying with Terry and Ag another night. He arrived in Ellsworth on Friday so that he could get together with some of his high school friends. Tom is heading home some time today (Sunday).

We are looking forward to our trip to Kansas City and to our reunion with our cousins. Isn't it great to belong to a family. No matter what happens, good or bad, family is there to support and encourage one another. God bless the Kepkas. God bless all my Fiddler Kin.

Another Thought

A vocation is what we are called to become no matter what work we do.

here's a thought

Amateurs built the ark, professionals built the titanic


Never under estimate what you can do.

The Price of Efficiency.....or...sometimes it is better to call in sick.

Thursday morning is usually my time to do as I please...I could sleep in or head to the gym for an invigorating workout.....but instead, I usually run errands like a mad woman. Today I high tail it around accomplishing all sorts of minor household miracles and duties with the efficiency of a bee buzzing around a crab apple tree in full bloom.

I rose at 6:30 am and arranged myself in a presentable way to be out in the public. First stop, a hair cut at 7:30 am!! Carl meets me at the crack of hair dresser dawn to trim and shape my bristly mop. Then off to Price Chopper for chef's salad fixin's...lunch will be taken to Cottonwood Falls on Saturday and shared with Peggy at the nursing home. I like to get the veggies early and prep them for easy assembly tableside.

Then off to see Dr. Ying for a full eye exam...complete with dilated pupils. I look like a belladonna addict by the time I leave there.

A quick trip home to change clothes.....work will be fitted in eventually. Two long distance phone calls set the stage for future adventures.

Downtown Overland Park beckons. The Clock Tower Bakery has wonderful cinnamon rolls and scones....a cup of coffe perks me up as I quickly nibble a crumbly delicacy.

Then off to Ten Thousand Villages to look for gifts for our third year Residents...they graduate in June and I like to be Ready!! A tour of the the hand crafted free trade stock yields a couple of affordable appropriate gifts....but time is running out....no time to pay. The clerk offers to hold the items until closing time at 8 pm.

I sail out of the store and head to the Quick Trip for a fill up.....10.3 gallons ...then off to work.
I arrive at noon and eat a semi-leisurely lunch before clocking in. The next several hours are busy....time flies.

I feel a little squeezed for time as I leave work at 7 pm. I catch a lot of green lights as I coast to my Waterloo......the stop just before my 8 pm deadline at Ten Thousand Villages.

The traffic light is green at 79th and Metcalf so I float around the corner at 15 miles per hour....accelerating as I straighten the wheels.....my mind completely focused on the cool purchases I will soon make at the trade store......but wait....what is that shining in my rear view mirror?

Yikes...it is one of Overland Park's finest flashing all of the lights the car possesses. I realize he is after me so I pull over....driving over the curbing as I swerve to a halt. As I watch the cute young officer approach I wonder if I will soon be doing a sobriety test along with handing over my drivers license.

I lower the window....and blurt out "I have to get to Ten Thousand Villages before they close!" He is not impressed with the importance of my errand. "Ma'am may I see your license and proof of insurance." After brief check of my credentials the patrolman thanks me for being courteous and hands me an $81 ticket for speeding (29 in a 20).

I head for my destination.......arriving before the store closes. One clerk shares a similar experience along that stretch of roadway....the other wants to know if the officer was wearing a wedding ring. I offer to research that for her....I can speed through that territory again I say, but better yet, why don't you try it your self.

By the time I arrive home, all errands completed, I realize that I would have been further ahead if had just called in sick today.

One clerk wants