Southern Porch Extension

[Carole L]

I was right! I just gave myself a pat on the back! Now if we could just meet in person!

Weren't you at the 2010 FW's conference? I thought I remembered meeting you there.

[Carole L]

This is one of the many group pics taken at the 2010 FW's conf.

[Edy]

Carole, what fun to have such a creative friend willing to organize such a special event! Theme parties can be so delightful. And, a blessing, too, since it can refresh a person's whole perspective on life, I think. My brother had a "WPA" party, years ago, when the city redid the West River Road and had bricks for the pickings stamped with the letters of the 1930s Works Project (Progress?) Administration. All the work Joel's family put into it was stunning. I could describe all the "characters" masquerading as someone from the Great Depression, the setting, the WPA gifts, the climax of the evening and more.

Which reminds me of theme weddings, too. Has anyone else a story or two to share?

The son of friends of ours from church married a very artsy gal. They had a kaleidoscope wedding if I ever saw one. It was outrageously colorful. It didn't hurt that the groom's sister has her degree in costuming! I think she sewed all the dresses. I should see if I can locate any photos.

Our theme wedding was more subdued, but we "staged" it as a drama, with programs including a cast of characters, and scripture readings our pastor claimed he'd never before seen selected for a wedding! The title of the drama: "Behold a host arrayed in white" - the guys were not too pleased with having to rent white tuxedos (when I insist on something, folks have no choice but to agree)! But, the emphasis was on the Bridegroom for my wedding! (Like funerals, weddings can be a great witnessing opportunity, so I didn't want to "waste" any of it. My best friends told me how they loved the whole idea. I wouldn't have changed a thing.)

[Edy]

All of a sudden a bunch of posts at once! I love it! Verna, you and Laurie are always so good at summarizing the current prayer concerns - thank you! And GreenLeaves, it seems you're on constant duty, being the ever watchful hostess and keeping the porch light on for any wayfaring strangers. I'm really glad I found you and invited you to the Porch.

[Green Leaves]

Me too, Edy. I will never be able to thank you enough. Even though posts may not be as frequent as in the past, I feel a strong bond with those here and continue to lift them in prayer.

No, Carole, I have never made it to a FW conference. At one time I thought I was going to be able to go, but it didn't work out. It would be interesting to know who you thought was me....

I remember seeing that pic from the conference and I think that's why I was able to pick you out.

My niece married a guy from England and though I was not able to attend, I saw lots of pictures. Her reception was so colorful and inventive designed around Monopoly.

Congratulations on 54 years, Verna! In today's world that is a major accomplishment. I bet many have asked you the secret to your success.

[BeachGrandma]

Verna, yes that is a major success story in today's world. I read some frightening statistics the other day and when I went back to get the link, I couldn't find it, but it went something like this:
Approximately 49 percent of 1st marriages end in divorce; Approximately 65 percent of 2nd marriages end in divorce; and Approximately 90 percent of 3rd marriages end in divorce. Tim said he read it somewhere, too, which was of interest to him.

BTW, Verna, congratulation on your win in the Challenge. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but I will!

Carole, I know it hurts when you see your kids so infrequently anyway to have them visit and yet not stay with you. Even grown children can be insensitive sometimes so I pray God will give you the grace you want to get through their visit and have a wonderful time.

And I, too, want to thank you Carol for being a warm hostess to all who drop by and for keeping up so well with the prayer requests. You are precious and I love you.

[Laurie]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Carole. The pink party sounds like it was a lot of fun. Understandable that you're disappointed the kids won't be staying with you and your husband. I hope they'll still spend plenty of time at your house, though. I realize adult kids can be insensitive sometimes. In the conference pic, I recognize you, Dub, Barb, Pam, Cat, Pup and Mid. The brunette looks familiar, but I can't think of her name. And I don't know who the blonde is.

Thanks for your kind words, Verna. I know you, and others on the porch who have been through this, understand. Yes, grief does hit out of the blue sometimes. And this year of firsts is hard, but I remind myself that we're almost halfway through it.

Verna, it sounds like the wedding was lovely. And congrats on 54 years.

Mariane, I've seen stats like that, too. Not too many people stay together anymore.

Edy, how is Howard doing?

I taught myself how to use PowerPoint yesterday and looked up how to go through the steps to make a PowerPoint presentation into a video for my website. If I can borrow a better microphone (since I'm not pleased with the sound using mine), I hope to have a short "welcome" video on my home page.

[Green Leaves]

I am so impressed with all you have come up with, Laurie. Let us know when you get it all set up so we can view it!

[ready2go]

Which reminds me of theme weddings, too. Has anyone else a story or two to share?

This isn't exactly a wedding story, but it is related in a crazy way. You see, one time I was an un-invited guest at a huge wedding dinner/dance party. Yep, that's right...quiet, shy, conservative Don crashed a party in his younger days. It is a true story from my "true stories" file. Enjoy!

Don

~ ~ ~

In 1962 a friend from school invited me to go home with him for the weekend to his parent's farm in northern Wisconsin. Well, that part of the country is kinda boring, so after arriving we began to look for something to do. We drove to several neighboring towns looking for some excitement.

In one of the towns, and judging from the number of parked cars, we saw what looked to be a huge gathering of people. Of course we stopped to check it out. Inside the large building were well over 200 people participating in a wild wedding dinner/dance celebration. They had a beautiful fully catered buffet table with every kind of food you could imagine, an open bar, and live music. Ed looked at me and said, "Whoa, are you hungry?"

We made a couple of trips to the food table, a trip or two to the "refreshment" bar, and even hit the dance floor after locating some fair maidens who were willing to dance. With a crowd that large, and with very few knowing everyone there, it was quite easy to mingle/converse with many of the people.

Of course, when talking with people, we made sure to quickly find out whether they were from the bride's side, or the groom's side. Then, we could speak with them as someone they probably didn't know. Besides, most people there had made too many trips to the bar, and were unable to think straight. It was a wild and crazy evening.

After almost two hours, our good time did come to an end. A few of the people started talking quietly with one another, and kept looking our way. Finally several of them approached us, and began to angrily ask some questions. With the truth out in the open, we were ushered to the door.

Since we were seriously out numbered, we decided to pass on our second helping of dessert - and leave quietly.

[Laurie]

I'm chuckling, Don.

Thanks, Carol. I figure that if this business never takes off, it won't be because I didn't try. I try to think of changes to my website, what else I can offer, more ways to get the word out, etc.

[Edy]

Don, you should have protested that you THOUGHT you were at the right wedding - that was a pretty clever idea, however! Sometimes we may know only one or two others at a big wedding reception, besides the bride or groom. I wonder how many other strangers have pulled a prank similar to yours!

Thanks for reminding me, Laurie! I forgot to mention the last time I posted. Howard is doing very well, and we are so very grateful for all God's blessings of life and health.

[Edy]

BeachGrandma asked me to post this here, after I added it to my facebook wall. It came in an email from our pastor, this morning:

A Church very Few People Know About right in the heart of D.C.

Everyone in the United States needs to see this; Most especially our President, Congress, and Supreme Court Justices.

Something we were never taught in school; 99 out of 100 people don't know this, do you?

It's fascinating...and every American should become aware of this true part of American History !

http://stg.do/Iwpc

In case that link doesn't "work," here it is, directly:
http://stg.do/Iwpc

[Laurie]

It's a busy week here. Some good things, though. My sister and niece were at my mom's for a couple of days. Our frozen strawberries came in this week.

I have a meeting tomorrow with vocational rehabilitation people who will hopefully be able to help me find work with local employers I can do in my home.

Thinking ahead to the foot surgeries I hope to have next year. I think my mom and I have figured out how I can stay with her. We have a plan for where her spare room furniture can go so I can stay in that room. With my allergies, I can't be around that old furniture. I sure hope everything works out to get these surgeries behind me next year. I've put it off for many years, and it's time. I can't wear shoes much anymore - not even the double wides (that I also had stretched) I bought last fall.

[BeachGrandma]

Question for dear friend, Laurie: How do you grow frozen strawberries? You said yours "came in this week." If I could grow them already frozen it would save me a lot of work. Is it too late to plant them this year or should I wait til next spring? Where do I order the frozen strawberry plants from. This is so exciting!

I didn't realize you needed foot surgery, Laurie. Since you mentioned "surgeries," I wonder if you'll have them done one at a time. I would imagine the alternative would make you bed-bound for quite awhile. My sister had surgery on her feet years ago and she couldn't believe how much better she could get around. She used to cut out part of her shoes to ease the pain. I hope your surgery is successful and the recovery time is very quick.

Don, my older son, Johnny, would attend wedding receptions with his friends when he was in high school. They'd dress up and act like they knew the married couple but spent most of the time around the punch bowl and the food tables. Some of these were beautifully catered and these boys enjoyed samples of shimp cocktails and all kinds of goodies. I wouldn't hear about it til sometime later when I'd wonder how they'd act if they were escorted out the back door of the country club.
No wonder I started dying my hair when I was so young!

Time for my usual breakfast of oatmeal with dried cranberries and chopped pecans. So good!

[BeachGrandma]

Can you think of any of your friends to whom this would apply?

JUST YOUR FRIENDSHIP
by Mariane Holbrook

I seek nothing else, I have no higher aim.
I’m not laying ground rules nor staking a claim.
I feel good just knowing that you know my name.
Just your friendship, that’s all that I want.

I won’t hold you back, and I want you to know
That if you change your mind, then I’ll just let you go.
I made that decision a long time ago;
Just your friendship, that’s all that I want.

I’ll provide an oasis, a place you can rest,
A place in my heart for a favorite guest,
A spot that I’ve always reserved for the best;
Just your friendship, that’s all that I want.

You will be like a bird who is free in its flights,
Who soars down at random from eagle’s nest heights
And brings with each visit such joys and delights.
Just your friendship, that’s all that I want.

You’re safe with me, friend, and you always will be.
As long as I live, you can count upon me.
You’re a dove that is loved, but who always is free;
Just your friendship, that’s all that I want.