November 2017
If You’re Teachable, You’re Fixable
Who Get’s the Thanks? I’ve been turning on the stove in the Family Room and the Living room each morning for the past week. The old saying: “the north winds do blow, and we shall have snow, and what will poor robin do?” has been truthful. We have had a few days of wind, the birds have been numerous and VERY busy – no doubt preparing for winter. In the evening just before sunset, I bring in our huge fern plant and the wonderful flowering gardenia, so as not to lose them in a frost. I am thinking about baking, which often happens this time of year. Yes, we shall be getting ready for Thanksgiving soon, and I have already tried a new Pumpkin recipe – Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Ron loved them! I am considering making Grandma Rockey’s Sticky Buns, as we all called them, (really Pecan Rolls, and perhaps her Cinnamon Rolls as well.) They store nicely in the freezer until the Thanksgiving guests arrive and they are served on Thanksgiving Morning along with breakfast. I usually give a few away as well, so no doubt will this year. But there are several things for me to be especially Thankful for during the month of November. It was in November of 1963, that I graduated from Nurse’s Training, and then spent the next 20 years enjoying that profession.
On a cold, blustery day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 30, 1964, I met the love of my life. So he is #1 on my “I am thankful for:” list. # 2 on my list is the couple who took me to meet #1 – Pastor Joseph S. Damazo, a very close family friend since I was 5 years old. Believe it or not, I talked with him just the other day. He is 97 and still driving, preaching and performing weddings and funerals. He performed our wedding on August 15, 1965, 52 plus years ago. What a wonderful man and precious friend and supporter. Unfortunately, his sweet wife, Hazel, passed away a number of years ago. #3 on my list is Renata, Ron’s mother, who I met very briefly later that day. She was the BEST mother-in-law a girl could ever have. She would come and visit (sometimes for 3-6 months) and would bake the BEST goodies ever. She adored our children and loved packing their lunches for school. She became a close friend. #4 on my list is Phyllis, Ron’s sister, who I also met on that special day. She took care of him when he