Love you, but ...

A lot of people have asked me how I like the new job.

"I love it," I say. "Everything about it -- the people, the environment, the work, everything."

As crazy as I am about it, there's one problem: I am NOT a morning person. I'm sure most of it stems from my late bedtime, but it's hard to get 8 hours of sleep (and I've determined I need every minute of it) when Pete gets home late and we don't eat dinner til 8:30 or 9. I can't go to bed immediately following dinner, so that tacks on AT LEAST another half hour. Plus, I'd like to have some kind of chit chat with my lifelong companion, so that adds another chunk of time. Before I know it, it's 11 p.m. and I'm lucky to get 6 hours of sleep. I get up around 5 to leave time for my commute, and by 8 a.m. devotions, I'm struggling to hold my head up. All I can think about is how I should have taken those naps when I was a kid.

"One day, you'll WANT to take naps," Mom would tell me.

"No, I won't," I said. "And I'm not tired."

Stupid, stupid kid.

In an attempt to remedy my heavy eyelids, I did a quick Google search: "tips for keeping eyes open." (Not a coffee person, either, so that's out.) Here are my search results:

1. A website called Positive Performance Coaching says there's a lot to learn when you're waiting your turn in a cycling competition. You should watch for the following: "Who is the smoothest?" "Who keeps looking over there shoulder?" (Yes, "there," not "their." That's the second spelling error I've found on the first page.) And finally, "Who is riding like a squirrel?" I have no idea what that means, but I keep picturing a squirrel on a bicycle with nuts in its basket.

2. Tips for keeping your subjects' eyes open when photographing a group of kids. Suggestions: photographing in the early morning before the sun interferes; counting to three at which point everyone should have their eyes open (wait, this is NEW advice?); and not worrying about whether people are looking at the camera, as long as their eyes are open wherever they are looking.

3. A management site that inspires companies to "keep their eyes open for innovation." Among the recommendations: "Make brainstorming a religion. Practice it every day, weave it into the cultural fabric of your organization." That's what we need! A religion based on brainstorming! Pretty sure we already have that. ... Oh, and another recommendation I mustn't fail to mention: "Encourage boyish pranks and wild play in the office. They don't just pump up the team, but also create an atmosphere where you naturally take chances and solve problems." Yes, now I'm positive this was written by a guy. I envision Jim Halpert putting Dwight Schrute's stapler in a globe of Jello.

4. Kissing -- eyes closed or open? "The answer is not straightforward," Kissing Advice says. It depends on the length and intensity of the kiss, as well as your environment. My favorite part of the site is the ad for laser vision correction at the bottom. If you can't SEE your kissing partner, you don't have to worry about it!

5. A thread of comments about struggling to keep both eyes open when shooting, courtesy of NortheastShooters.com. One member offers the following advice: "Put some scotch tape on the glasses over your non-dominant eye." A commenter known as "Jack Daniels" has a different approach: "If you see two guns like I do, just shoot the one on the left all of the time." What a marvelous idea! I can't think of a better strategy than shooting from the gun you THINK is the real one. But wait! Member "P-14" has an even better idea: "I keep both eyes open when shooting, unless I have to aim." Sorry, P-14, the smiling emoticon tacked onto your post doesn't make me feel better. 

Other results took me to sites about keeping your eyes open under water, explanations of certain idioms and protecting your eyes while you tan. I gave up after that.

The only time it's OK to be cold

It was 63 degrees today -- 5 days before Christmas. A white Christmas, my foot. I may detest being cold, but how am I supposed to build a snowman and crave wassail if it feels like spring?

Mom, Dad and Emily came to visit this past weekend for Christmas at the Library, an event that the Billy Graham Library puts on. Touring the library was my favorite part, even though that part isn't specifically for Christmas. The tour follows Billy Graham's journey from a farm boy to national recognition, but keeps God at the forefront just like he wants it. It really makes me proud to work at BGEA. What an honor.

The only thing we didn't get to do was take a carriage tour. It was an hour and a half wait, so maybe next time.

And here's a picture that my friend, Tiffany, took at a nearby intersection (the entrance to the town of Hemby Bridge).

Bath time surprise

Mom told me a funny story about Emily this past week. Emily is afraid to be upstairs by herself, even in the daytime. The other day, she was in the bathtub upstairs and Mom had to run downstairs. Emily told Mom not to leave her up there by herself and then presented a very good argument why not: "What if the Rapture happens and Jesus comes back when I'm nekkid in the bathtub?" Mom told her He won't come back while she's nekkid. Her theory is that He'll wait until the one split second when no one is bathing or using the bathroom.

Goodbye fall, I miss you

Even though it hasn't been that cold lately, all the pretty fall leaves and plants are gone. I took these pictures a few weeks ago, a couple of days before it got all windy and forced me to rake. Boo.

Practice for children indeed

Zoey was annoying me last week, so I did this:

I tried to convince her that it was funny and she should let me do it again, but she wasn't having it.

P.S.

I forgot to add pictures to my last post. These were waiting for me on the kitchen table when I got home Wednesday as Pete's way of congratulating me. :) Earlier that day, I was thinking, "I'd really like some colorful fall flowers around the house." So, Pete, whenever you read this, I've decided that's 100 brownie points for you.

Those four little words

I've waited a year to say four words that I got to say Tuesday: "I got the job."

Overall, I've really enjoyed my job at The Enquirer-Journal, but I've been restless the past several months. I've been there for more than three and a half years, but have little to show for it. I have more responsibilities, I've gotten my master's and I think I'm a better writer, but no one to my knowledge has received a raise. Plus, health insurance went up, so I'm actually getting paid LESS than when I started. We also have one less reporter and one less editor than when I started, so as the "senior reporter," a lot of the extras fall on me -- typing in religion news, making sure all social news (wedding and birthday announcements, etc.) is in and editing endless briefs. It's not hard stuff, but it's time consuming.

More importantly, I feel like I rarely get to use my seminary degree. When people ask what I want to do with it, I tell them my education was good for personal growth and that I hope to write more about religion. I've been saying the same thing since I graduated in December 2009 and the words don't come out easily. I'm fulfilled when sharing my faith and feel like I could be making a lasting difference, but I have so few occasions to actually do that through my writing with so many other things vying for my time at work.

In the past year, I've pursued four jobs that didn't pan out. Then right at a month ago, a woman from SES (my seminary) emailed me about a job opening: an Internet writer/editor position with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I was excited about the job description but didn't know if it was another dead end. I applied for a job with BGEA back in February and received the nicest rejection letter I think I've ever read, complete with a Bible verse. I figured if I didn't get a job with them then, I probably wouldn't now, but I had to try. The job sounded so exciting. ... In fact, just last night, I looked back at my email to see what exactly the name of the job was that I applied for the first time. I knew the job description was at least similar, but I couldn't remember the exact name. When I found my old emails, I realized that it was the same job I just got! I applied for the same job twice but with two very different outcomes.

It's funny how there have been so many miracles along the way. When the woman from SES told me about the job, I applied that night, then expected a long wait. I got an email within the week, asking when I would be available to meet with them. Everything since then has been such a blessing. I've met some wonderful people and really look forward to working with them and in a new environment. The commute is longer, but I think it'll be worth it. The main person I interviewed with said they had interviewed several qualified candidates but just hadn't found the right person. I thought, "Oh no, what if I'm not the right person?" I knew I would be disappointed, but kept praying that if this is where I'm meant to be, it will work out. I met with more people the following week.

After I got the job, the interviewer told me that the day after we met the first time, he was in a business meeting where there was talk of freezing all the open positions. One guy brought up the position I applied for and said they should still fill that one.

I've also been thinking to myself that God would probably let me get below X amount in my checking account before presenting a new job opportunity. I don't know why I kept thinking about that number, but I wouldn't put it past Him to let me get in a somewhat uncomfortable place to show me who's boss. I just paid the mortgage and sure enough, I'm in that zone. I still have my savings account, but I'm trying not to touch that. At least I won't have to keep watching my account shrink for much longer. :)

If I'd gotten the job with BGEA several months ago when they first posted it, I wouldn't have participated in some great newsroom projects at work and I wouldn't have pursued the web editor job with WORLD Magazine. (I got to the top three!) WORLD plans to publish a story I wrote for them, and I might have a foot in the door for future freelance opportunities. ...

So those four little words -- "I got the job" -- have now turned into those three little words that I've known all along but now appreciate even more: God is good.

The lunchbox duo

I occasionally pack Pete's lunch at the same time I pack mine. Poor thing gets a lot of "girly" foods: a fiber bar, wheat thins and gouda, pineapple pieces or strawberry yogurt with a pink ribbon on the lid for breast cancer awareness. I packed him beef jerky once so the guys at work wouldn't make fun of him. :)

The sky is falling!

I'm surprised that I haven't been hit in the head with an acorn yet. Every time I walk outside, more nuts fall out of the sky, pelting the deck and backyard with loud THUMPS. Sometimes they hit the door or a window. When it first happened, I thought someone was trying to break in. Zoey is having a ball chewing them and spitting them out.

Sitting pretty

Zoey does this funny thing when she sits on the kitchen floor. Her legs slowly slide back as she sits there and she has to readjust. ... I also let her ride in the front seat today (sans seat belt). She's a whopping 18.3 pounds now!

I also need to catch up on our weekend Oct. 8-9. Pete and I and several other family members surprised Mom for her 50th birthday with a dinner at The Peppermill in Abingdon, Va., and a funny show at Barter Theatre. She doesn't look 50. :) We went hiking the next day at Bays Mountain.

Man vs. woman

Here's an interesting paper about gender roles that a woman from SES wrote a couple of years ago. It's been sitting in my email for a while and I just got around to reading it.

Download paper

Zoey

We got Zoey on Sept. 9 after looking at several adoptable dogs online. No dog will replace Coal, and I felt kind of guilty even thinking about another dog, but we wanted to give another pet a good home. We got Zoey from a shelter in Lincolnton. She seems to be a fast learner and pretty smart. She started closing her eyes when I put my hand up to wop her on the nose for doing something bad. She stays out of the trash (unlike Coal) but likes shoes and feet and pulled my underwear out of the laundry basket yesterday. We have to work on her jumping and she's learning to go down stairs the proper way instead of jumping from the top and landing front paws out. She doesn't whimper nearly as much as when we first got her and put her in a crate when we went to bed. I'm not sure I would say she's totally housetrained, but she's definitely getting there. It does drive me crazy that she won't walk in a straight line when she's on a leash. She goes in zigzags like a drunk driver. She's not afraid of the neighbor dogs, either, but doesn't bark at them. Actually, I don't think I've heard her bark yet. I tell her "no" a lot, but I love her to pieces. ... She does look a little like Coal.

Remembering 9-11

I was a sophomore in high school when hijackers crashed two planes into the Twin Towers, left a gaping hole in the Pentagon and tried to take over a fourth plane that landed in a Pennsylvania field. My health class sat glued to the TV and suddenly, our assignments weren't so important.

In the past week, I've watched horrifying video footage from that day and read personal accounts of witnesses and emergency responders. It's all coming back. Saturday, I read an article about heightened security in New York and Washington, D.C., and I admit I'm nervous to see if anything happens Sunday. At the same time, I'm struck by New Yorkers going about their daily lives, almost ignoring armed officers lining subway stations and guarding government buildings. I love that they won't let fear get the best of them, that they are living proof of Americans standing strong.

I dug out my old diary from Sept. 11, 2001, and the days following. I had forgotten so much of my initial response. Here's what I wrote.

Sept. 11

"At about 10 'til 10 this morning, our principal came on the announcements and said for all of the teachers to turn their TVs on. She said something terrible was going on. ... The words 'America Under Attack' shocked me when I saw them on the bottom of the screen. I never really thought about OUR country being under attack. We're America. We're free. ... The first of the Twin Towers was on fire and billowed thick, dark clouds of smoke from its top. Then, while I was sitting in health class watching the screen, a second plane crashed through the second of the Twin Towers. The announcer lady who was reporting at that time started yelling ... and screaming. ...

"There was a third explosion, not from a plane, but from the first of the buildings collapsing. Then there was the second building. It was as if someone had pulled the ground out from under it. The whole thing just fell like enormous Jenga pieces. ...

"One girl in my class was crying, a couple of other people I know had family there ... and Mr. Cunningham looked so depressed . ... There was an administrator in our class while we were watching all of this and his mouth just gaped at the TV. ...

"When I got to Spanish, Ms. Contreras had the TV on even though we weren't supposed to by then. The principal came back on the intercom and said ... everything's under control, we're on top of things, and as long as we have a good education everything will be fine. 'Is she seeing this?!' I blurted out to Alex. ...

"The Pentagon had also been attacked ... and had a huge slice in one side. ... President Bush had been in Sarasota, Florida. ... To make his speech to the nation, he was flown to Washington, D.C. ... He said people could tear down the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they couldn't shake the foundation of our strong country. ... Then he quoted Psalm 23: 'Ye though I walk through the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for Thou art with me.' ..."

Sept. 12

"It's the day after and the world is still in chaos. Every TV and radio station you turn to, all you hear is breaking news. They say America hasn't been this in danger since 60 years ago with Pearl Harbor. I bet they'll make a movie about this someday. ...

"It seems like a horror movie coming to life. You always associate terrorists with problem countries far away from here. ... All planes were grounded yesterday. Only a few of our military planes and ones carrying blood are allowed to fly now. It's just hard to believe all of this happened so fast. Yesterday morning was so normal. ...

"Sarah's dad is in Boston right now for work. ... He said he thinks he knew people on the two planes from Boston that were hijacked. ... I couldn't even imagine knowing you were going to die in a matter of minutes and not being able to do much about it. On the radio this morning, they were saying the hijackers were taking passengers and flight attendants to the back of the plane and stabbing them with knives and box openers. One man called his wife on his cell and said everyone was going to die, but three of the passengers were going to try to take over the plane from the hijackers. Then he told her he loved her. Once the passengers got control of the plane, they didn't know how to operate it and crashed. ... The man had three kids.

"There was even a picture in the paper and on the news of Palestinian kids and adults waving their flags and celebrating. It made me sick. ... Osama bin Laden is being blamed for a lot of this. ... They were saying on the news that the FBI and CIA had gotten warnings as soon as Sept. 8 that something awful would happen. But how do you react? You can't stop the world. You have no idea what's going to happen. Or where. ...

"They also had a moment of silence in the U.S. ... Radio stations were quiet. I was in the car going home from school and me, Mom, and Sara were quiet. Everyone's flying their flags at half mast. ...

"My main question right now is why is God doing this. But I know he has a reason. Whether to bring our country together, or begin an international war, I have faith in Him. He ALWAYS pulls us through. ...

"I was watching a man on TV tonight saying he thought we were on the verge of a huge war. Mom told me a few months ago she wouldn't be surprised if WWII happened during my lifetime. ..."

Sept. 13

"Building five of the WTC collapsed this morning. It had been twisting and breaking windows since at least yesterday. ...

"Dad's building, the Bank of America building, and other federal buildings downtown (Charlotte) were evacuated Tuesday. Dad was working from home. They were also evacuating the building across from him yesterday when he was going home. ..."

Sept. 18

"It's been a week now and I think people are beginning to bounce back. ... Mr. Wessler, my World History teacher, said this would be THE event of the year, decade, and even half century.

"I was watching TRL today. ... There were a few people standing outside the studio again. (Including some firemen.) ... They played the videos people had requested to make them feel better, or help them through this situation. ...

"President Bush has ordered, I think, about 35,000 people for war. It's not a war against a country, but one against terrorism. ... I think, and hope, we'll win."

Oct. 7

"We started bombing the Taliban today. ... I was watching the news some today and the 'America Under Attack' from 2 weeks ago was gone. In its place was 'America Strikes Back.'

"I was in the office typing up a book review for World History today when I heard a loud plane outside. I was the only one home and I really got scared. ... I could already see the window behind me breaking and smoke filling the neighborhood. ... The plane eventually passed.

"We started bombing today about 12:30. ... I really feel bad if any innocent people are dying. They don't deserve to die! I wouldn't like to die for something I had no control over — or even something I was against.

"They were also showing N.Y. on TV. The WTC towers are STILL on fire from little flames from the glass. Then they showed N.Y. from the N.J. coast. Desolated. Empty. Dark. NO lights. ... There are precautions, warnings, and heightened security EVERYwhere in the U.S. right now.

Another plane."

Back to two

We lost Coal today.

I haven’t cried so hard in I don’t know how long. I’m angry because she still had so much life in her and beyond sad to lose a member of the family. I’m not even sure how it all happened.

Shortly after Pete went to work today, I took Coal outside. She was battling some neck/back issues (stiffness, whimpering when you barely touch her, etc.) and was still in pain today. She got to the grass, lost her balance, tripped over herself and collapsed in the flower bed. I finally got her up and moved her to the deck before calling the vet. The woman I spoke to said the doctor would call me back, but I called again a few minutes later because Coal was barely moving and went completely limp. I brought her inside. On the second call, the woman told me to bring her to urgent care. I quickly put my shoes on, grabbed a couple of things and was about to put Coal in the car, but it was too late.

I cried for about an hour and a half straight until Pete got home, then started again when he left with Coal wrapped in the sheet she was laying on. We were both torn up by the whole thing and I gave myself a headache. I've never lost a pet like that, and it really is like losing a kid. I also felt guilty, thinking, "I shouldn't have wasted time calling the vet; I should've just gone," but I don't think it would have made any difference. I felt slightly ridiculous for getting so emotional over a pet, but Sara told me that's normal and Sara isn't usually that emotional.

When Pete left, I didn't want to see Coal's hair on the carpet, I didn’t want to see her food dish, her chew toy or her pawprints on the deck. We just got her June 29 and I thought we would have her much longer. I was looking forward to taking her to TN next weekend. I washed her things and put them away so I wouldn't have to look at them.

I wonder if it was a bad reaction to some medication or something internal, but I guess we have to focus on the positive. At least we gave her a good home for a couple of months and at least I was here when it happened. We did what the vets told us to do and tried to make her as comfortable as possible.

I called Ester's sister today (the one who gave us Coal) and told her what happened. I was afraid she would think we didn't take good care of her, but she was very understanding and sympathetic. She said she knows we did all we could do.

I guess this is why people make movies like "All Dogs Go to Heaven."

Trip to D.C.

I tried to post this blog last week, but due to a hard drive glitch, I had to wait for a new one to come in the mail. Another reason I love being married to someone who knows how to fix everything. My new hard drive is from Japan and has penguin things that light up, which I'm super excited about. (I don't know what they're called, so I'm sticking with the all-inclusive word "things.")

Here's the journal I kept during the trip with Mom and Mamaw after the 4th of July.

Wednesday, July 6

9:45 a.m.

Leaving rental car place. Mom is driving Chevy Equinox. The first thing she says while the car is running: “Is this thing on?” Call Mamaw to let her know we’re on the way. “Well, I’m ready,” she says.

1 p.m.

Passing old stomping grounds in Roanoke, Va. Mom pointing out what all the exits lead to. Learned that Papaw was in the Army from 1953 to 1955, and he and Mamaw got married in ’53 when he was home on furlough before going to Germany. I knew he served in the military, but I couldn’t remember what years.

2 p.m.

Pit stop at Exxon on Lee Highway in Virginia. Giving the key to Mom, who calls it “newfangled” because you push a button to swing the key part out of the control. Mamaw snacking on popcorn after getting kettle corn by accident a few days ago.

4:35 p.m.

Driving through Shenandoah National Park. Pass a building that says “Antique tables made daily.”

5 p.m.

Went the wrong way to the place we’re staying. Note: If traveling north into Shenandoah Park, Skyline Drive is on your left at the top of a mountain with no clear signage on your side of the road.

7 p.m.

Stopped at Walmart earlier for some food so we don’t spend so much eating out. Just ate dinner: chicken salad on whole wheat, macaroni salad, grapes and Fritos. Staying at Skyland Resort, Room 141.

Thursday, July 7

10:30 a.m.

Mom and I walked to the gift shop this morning. Leaving for D.C.!

11:26 a.m.

Saw a black bear in the grass by the highway. “Bear, bear!”

4 p.m.

Settled in our hotel about 1:30. Staying at the Capitol Skyline Hotel. Proud of myself for navigating D.C. traffic, even if it was with the help of the GPS. Planned to go to the Library of Congress, but got a late start and spent half an hour looking for a parking spot. Went to the Capitol and cooled off in the U.S. Botanic Gardens instead.

5 p.m.

Stopped for something cold at a little van vendor on the street corner. Mom got a frozen lemonade, Mamaw got a Dr. Pepper and I got a chocolate éclair ice cream. Watching all the pedestrians and traffic from a shady bench. Definitely wouldn’t live here, but visiting is fun.

7 p.m.

My turn to drive again. Passed all the embassies – South Africa, Belize, Turkey, etc. Battled D.C. traffic to the National (Episcopal) Cathedral. Woodrow Wilson and his wife are buried there. It took 83 years to build (1907-1990). Obama and his family attend services there sometimes, but I’ll hold my tongue on what else I think about that. Each state’s flag is displayed on either side of the cathedral. The people of the church pray for one state a week, then D.C. and the islands.

7:30 p.m.

Ate at the Bookhill Bistro, a restaurant 9 weeks old. We sat at a table on the second floor and had salmon, salad and a fruit and cheese plate.

10:42 p.m.

Just got back to the hotel. Spotted the Jefferson Memorial across the Potomac River and decided to take a look. It’s all lit up at night, and it was nice to beat the heat. Learned that Jefferson suggested a grid for Washington’s streets, but L’Enfant didn’t listen. Bad decision. I’ve never seen such confusing streets, and there’s no way I would get on a bike like all these other people. People don’t like to slow down.

Friday, July 8

9:30 a.m.

Took a courtesy shuttle to the Washington Monument, but realized you have to get a free ticket for a certain time to actually go in it. We weren’t interested in that anyway, so we snapped some pictures and walked around it. Got pictures of the White House and some Native American demonstration around a teepee. One guy had a POW shirt on, so it might have been a military thing. Mom complimented an Indian woman on her sari.

10:16 a.m.

Walked to the World War II Memorial across from the monument. Beautiful. I love all the water. I like all the languages I’m hearing, too: Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, German, Chinese and some kind of African language.

10:30 a.m.

On our way to the Lincoln Memorial! Reflecting Pool is closed for construction. L Bummer.

11:55 a.m.

Lincoln Memorial is one of my favorites. It makes me feel patriotic. We also saw the Korean War Veterans Memorial. In the Smithsonian Castle now. Took a cab over here for $9. Surprised how friendly people are – the police officers, cab driver and information desk people.

12:52 p.m.

Ate lunch in a castle. J Holy moly, it’s expensive. $3.25 for a small lemonade.

5:07 p.m.

Exhausted and wet from the rain. So much for packing umbrellas. But it’s all worth it; we did everything else on the list – the Museum of American History, the Library of Congress and a picture of the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the exhibits at the museum almost made me tear up. It was the one on the presidents, and it was amazing how much some of our former presidents were revered and how much they did for our country. I feel like our current Chief is taking us down. The military exhibit honored all the men and women who have fought so hard for our country, and now it’s like we’re going backwards. … We did see Lincoln's hat, though! I also enjoyed the exhibit about the diary of a Civil War nurse and seeing the ruby red slippers used in “The Wizard of Oz.” I thought they would be shinier or something.

8:33 p.m.

Mom and I ate dinner at the hotel restaurant. The burgers were yummy, but mine wasn’t cooked well done the first time, so I had to get another. The service wasn’t great, either, so I didn’t tip much. At least I saved money. Mamaw is napping. Mom thinks she left one of her souvenir bags on the taxi earlier. Water tastes funny here, but I have Deer Park so it’s OK.

Saturday, July 9

3:30 p.m.

Sitting in McAlister’s either in or near Fort Royal, Va. Went to the National Archives this morning and saw the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Can barely read them now. Learned that the Constitution was the first reference to “the United States of America.” (Well, I think I learned it before and forgot.)

Also visited an exhibit about how the American government has influenced food and the American appetite. Lots of propaganda for eating healthy. Hasn’t worked too well long term. Mamaw told us about rationing during the Depression and getting books of something like food stamps. School kids used to turn in their mother’s metal canisters to be used in WWII.

Ashamed that I don’t remember more from my history classes and buy a copy of the Declaration and Constitution.

Visited the Arlington Cemetery, but I was thinking it would look like a different cemetery. Which is the one with all the white crosses? Saw JFK’s grave and didn’t know he and Jackie had two kids that died young. I think one died at birth and one at two days old.

Now heading home.

6:35 p.m.

Stopped at our old house in Roanoke in the North Lakes neighborhood, 4785 Lantern St. Saw the steep backyard and mailbox I remember. House is now blue. I remember it being a white or cream color with black shutters.

9 p.m.

Sharing funny stories about church, poetry contests, a delayed wedding and bicycle wrecks in the creek. Giving me ideas for my future interview with family members. J