• Blank pages…

    January 1, 2013 / 8 Comments

    There’s something special about a brand new tablet with little blue lines, the untouched pages of a sketch book or a totally blank journal.  They wait to be filled…with words, paragraphs, stories.  They wait to record the new year in a life.

    What used to come so easy for me is harder just now – the words.  It is a time in my life when I am being careful with my feelings and not quite putting those into words.  It is a time when my life is being reinvented.  Without a doubt, it is a time when I must choose to move forward and be happy.

    While I am not making any “resolutions” as such, I am going to work on a few things…  

    • After 6 years and literally thousands of photographs, my camera is at death’s door.  I’d love to have a Canon EOS…I think…I’ll do a little more research.  I’d like to find a community college here and enroll in a photography class.
    • I’ve started a series of children’s books that I’d like to finally have published.
    • I’d like to learn to crochet and knit (something other than a scarf).  As many “elderly” (I’m not one of them!) 😉 people as there are in this condo building, I’m guessing there is someone here who could teach me.  If not, I’ll find a class.
    • I purchased a new sewing machine and I’m looking forward to creating adorable outfits for my grandchildren.  I have six beautiful granddaughters, so that’s a lot of sewing!  I’m sure I can come up with some things my two grandsons would enjoy as well.
    • I would like to finally finish sorting and organizing the thousands of photos taken over my lifetime!
    • I NEED to get involved in a “life group” at church and make some friends.

    I love the cover of this journal below.  It’s empty for now.  My thirteen year old granddaughter journals faithfully every day.  Most likely, I will give it to her and simply keep a private journal on my computer.  It is easier to think with my fingers on the keyboard.

    Here’s wishing each of you a happy and healthy 2013…filled with time with your family making wonderful memories!

  • Home for Christmas…

    December 22, 2012 / 5 Comments

    A friend from high school posted the youtube video clip below on Facebook.  It reminded me of a post that I had written about coming home from college for Christmas in that very same 1963 snowstorm!   Thought I’d share the post here and give you a first hand look at what I was describing in the video below…

    Home for Christmas

    Originally published in My Southern Heart…the Stories on November 20, 2008.

    The days on the calendar flew quickly by. Thanksgiving had come and gone, and I was looking forward to a nice long break at Christmas. I was tired and “run down”, to use one of Mama’s expressions, after a bout with strep throat and a high fever. I had even managed to spend a few days and nights as a patient at the infirmary where I worked. The Christmas break would give me a chance to rest and catch up on all the school work I’d fallen behind on…not to mention preparing for the finals the week after my return to school. Not the best way to spend Christmas vacation, but I was thankful for the time.

    It snowed the day before we were to leave for Christmas break. A deep blanket of white covered the campus. Icicles hung from the chapel and other buildings and weighed heavily on the tree branches. Everything glistened in the bright sunlight. It was a winter wonderland in the deep South. No one had come prepared with boots but we still tromped in the snow, throwing snowballs at one another and basically acting thirteen again. It added to the excitement of going home.

    I was riding home with Sandra, one of my friends from Memphis, who was also a freshman there. Her boyfriend Mike had come down to drive us back to Memphis. It seems there was someone else with us on the trip…but I can’t quite remember who it was. I gently remind myself that it has been forty-five years.

    It continued to snow all that day, and the roads had turned into a solid sheet of ice. Driving was reported to be treacherous at best. Under normal circumstances, the trip took four hours. We left school about eleven o’clock in the morning right after our last class. It didn’t take long, or very many miles, to know we were not looking forward to this trip. Mike was a good driver but totally inexperienced driving in snow; and now the snow had been packed under a sheet of ice.

    I remember vividly that, at first, there was talk and laughter among us on the trip…and then silence as we realized how dangerous it was. We must have only been traveling about 20 miles per hour, but more than once, we slipped and slid totally across the road and into what would have been oncoming traffic…had anyone else been there. We passed dozens of vehicles abandoned on the side of the road or, even worse, wrecked. There were very few stores open and we needed to stop for gas. We also needed to get some food and something warm to drink. Unfortunately, this was before cell phones so we had no way to call our parents or anyone if, indeed, we were to need help.

    We finally found a store open and bought some sandwiches and hot chocolate. We also filled the tank with gas. I remember calling my dad collect at that point. He said to find some where to buy chains for the car and that he would pay for them along with the gas. Luckily, we did find a store open and managed to get chains to fit. A little while longer and we were back on the road. The chains did help some, but it was still rough going. Twelve hours after leaving school, we pulled up to my front door. We were all exhausted but glad to be home.

    Since that long ago journey, I’ve lived in Illinois and Iowa where it snows a lot. I’ve driven in snowstorms and blizzards with white-out conditions. I’ve driven on sheets of ice.  Yet each time I do, I’m transported back in time to a car full of college kids trying their best to get home for Christmas…

     

  • Snowfall…

    December 20, 2012 / 18 Comments

    Snow fell last night.  I awoke to a beautiful blanket of  white…over a foot deep.  Snow was banked high against the doors of the garages and the tarmac looked icy.  Only one garage had been shoveled out – that of a young man about the age of my younger son.  (Most of the people living here are retired.)  I wondered what this young man does for a living that required his being out in this.

    Of course, I remember the days of snow storms and severe thunderstorms of years past before I became a “retired” Registered Nurse.  It didn’t matter what the weather was…I had to be there.  I’ll never forget coming out of the hospital one January night after midnight.  It was -18 degrees and snowing like crazy.  A few of the nurses had automatic starters and stood at the window on our floor, pointed it in the direction of the parking lot and started their automobile.  They came out to a nice warm vehicle.  I didn’t have one!  I just prayed my automobile would start…thankfully, it did.  I’m glad that my little 154,000 mile Camry is now parked in “her” garage.  Maybe not warm – but dry.

    Snow always brings back memories.  Sledding with the kids, building forts and snowmen, snow “cream” with vanilla and sugar (we didn’t know to worry back then and were always careful where we got the snow for it!).  If I could get to my daughter’s house right now, I could be playing in the snow with my grandchildren as I did during a visit a couple of years ago.  I’m sure there will be plenty of snow here in the Midwest and time for that over the next few months!

    The featured photo above was taken on March 22, 1968.  Sixteen inches of snow had fallen in a rare snow storm in Memphis, Tennessee!  I wrote it about it in My Southern Heart…the Stories.  I wrote My Southern Heart…the Stories for my children and last Christmas published it in book form for them and the rest of my family. 

  • Willow’s Adventure…

    December 6, 2012 / 10 Comments

    A true children’s story…thankfully with a happy ending! 

    The house was quiet and unusually still.  No music from the grand piano  below.  No sounds of laughter or the happy sound of children’s voices.  No sounds at all from the usually noisy kitchen.   Willow stood up on her back legs and sniffed.  She wondered where everyone had gone.  She glanced over at Midnight who was sound asleep in the corner of the gerbil cage.

    Suddenly, Willow noticed a small beam of light shining on Midnight’s head.  Where could that be coming from?!  She looked up.  The light was coming from the trap door above!  It was not completely closed!

    Curious as ever, she jumped on top of her exercise wheel and stood up…both of her front little paws on the trap door…and pushed!  The trap door sprung open!

    “Midnight!  Look!  A way out…let’s go,”  Willow whispered as loudly as she dared.

    “I’m not leaving Sweet Girl.  She feeds us and takes care of us!  I would miss her.  Besides, I’m too scared,” replied Midnight.  Then she stretched, yawned,  rolled over to the other side and went back to sleep.

    “Oookay then, I’m going by myself!  You should be brave like me, Midnight!  Here I go, I’m pushing the trap door open….and…I’m out!”

    The trap door closed behind Willow as she looked back into the cage to see Midnight sound asleep once again.

    What Willow hadn’t counted on was the distance from where the cage sat on Sweet Girl’s desk to the floor below!  She knew!  She would jump to the desk chair first and then to the floor!

    “GERONIMO!” she eeeked as loudly as she could as she practically flew to the seat of the chair and then to the floor below.

    Willow looked up – way up – to the cage above.  She could no longer see Midnight.  She could barely see part of the cage.  The trap door had closed.  It was now or never.

    Willow took a deep breath and stood up on her back legs to get a good look at everything.  Sweet Girl’s room was pretty.  It was filled with books and pillows and stuffed animals.

    “Okay, no time for a tour right now.  I must be on my way!  I’m FREEEEEE,”   Willow yelled as she skipped the other two bedrooms upstairs and jumped from the top step to the step below.

    “I’m FREEEEEE,”  she sang from step to step all the way down to the platform.  What she didn’t realize was that she was leaving a trail of poopy evidence of her escape!

    JUST as she made her way to the platform below, she came face to face with a very large animal!  The family’s Hungarian Vizla – who was very excited to see her!

    Willow’s heart was pounding in her tiny chest!  She scooted between the dog’s legs and ran for her life!

    It would be three days of her life she would never forget…three whole days of FREEDOM!  She scooted into the closest covered spot she could find – under the soft leather cushion of the club chair and she prayed no one would sit there!  At least, there was no way the dog could reach her here!

    Willow was just about asleep under a soft cushion on the chair, when she heard the sound of the back door and the family coming home.  The big dog ran to the family and tried to tell them about Willow.  They thought she was just excited to see them.

    Sweet Girl went upstairs to change her clothes.  She had competed in a swim meet that day and had done really well, but now she wanted dry clothes.  As usual, she walked over to say hello to Willow and Midnight in their cage on her desk.  At first, she thought Willow had  burrowed into the clean bedding in the cage and then she realized…Willow was gone!

    Sweet Girl was calm as she told her Mom that there was a problem but then the tears began.  She couldn’t help it.  The tears kept coming.  Willow was gone.  The whole family began searching.  They searched everywhere.  For hours and hours.  Then, they searched again.  Willow was gone.

    The poopy trail led to the landing and no further.  Everyone looked at the big dog with suspicion.  Hmmm…could she really have done that?!  Big dog did not look guilty.

    For three whole days, Willow wandered.  She saw the entire house from top to bottom.  She rested beneath soft pillows or in the dark beneath the sofa.  She found a few crumbs here and there to eat – but she was hungry.  Her heart always beat much too fast when she saw big dog.  She knew that she was in danger.

    For three whole days, the whole family searched and Sweet Girl softly cried.  Sweet Girl’s grandmother came over to help look for Willow.  She got down on her hands and knees to look under the big club chair and the sofa.  It made her sad that she couldn’t find Willow.  It made her heart hurt to see Sweet Girl so sad.

    For three whole days, the family eyed big dog with questions.  Sweet Girl’s Mom called the Vet and talked to him about the situation.  There was nothing they could do.

    Sweet Girl’s dad had the idea of setting live mouse traps and they did.  Sweet Girl placed some of Willow’s food in it…and then she prayed.  The whole family prayed for a little missing gerbil.  They prayed Willow was still alive.

    On the third day, they set the live mouse trap in the lower level den.  Grandmom was visiting.  She had been playing with Sweet Girl’s younger sister and brother.

    “Grandmom!  Look!  The sunflower seeds have been cracked open and eaten!  It has to mean Willow is alive.  And, look, the trap door is closed!”  Little sister was very excited.

    They were hopeful but the little cage was quiet.  No Willow.

    About that time, Sweet Girl and her Mom returned home and joined in the search.  They searched big brother’s room on the lower level carefully then closed the door.  They searched the other rooms and closed all the doors.  They put towels beneath the doors so Willow couldn’t scoot under.  Grandmom and Mom looked under the sofa and chair in the kid’s den.  They removed pillows from everything.  They searched and searched!

    Then Sweet Girl’s Mom began searching the play room with the large Barbie houses, the play kitchen set and the life size playhouse in the corner of the room.

    “She’s HERE!  I see her!  Oh my goodness, she’s still alive!”  cried Sweet Girl’s Mom.  Willow was on the other side of the large playhouse!

    Sweet Girl and Little Sister waited on one side and Mom and Grandmom on the other.  Willow was cornered!

    Mom and Grandmom were holding up a blanket to block Willow’s way.  They had their knees holding down the blanket on the bottom.  Just about that time, Willow scooted somewhere under the blanket and took off!

    “She’s under your feet!”  yelled Little Brother!

    Willow felt cornered and scared…but she was also tired and hungry.  She made her way under a big square cabinet and trembled.  She had spent the past three days exploring and seeing the great big house.  She missed Midnight.  She missed Sweet Girl.  Maybe it was time to go home…but she was still very scared.

    Sweet Girl, Little Sister, Little Brother, Mom and Grandmom waited…and waited.  Minutes turned into an hour.  They had scrunched blankets under all sides but one.  There was just one way out for Willow.  Sweet Girl put sunflower seeds just outside the edge of the chest and Willow would poke her head out just far enough to get them…and then back into the darkness.

    Mom called Dad at work.  He had the idea of placing Willow’s cage just outside the chest where Willow was hiding.  Midnight was placed inside their clear exercise ball and away from the scene.

    The minutes ticked by.  Sweet Girl and Grandmom were holding the blankets up on either side of the open door to the cage.  There was only one way in for Willow.  Sweet Girl made a trail of food leading up to the door.  Finally, Willow came out.  She crawled over by Grandmom and then over by Sweet Girl.  They held their breath.  Finally, it happened.  Willow walked up the ramp and into her cage!  Sweet Girl and Grandmom closed the door quickly!

    Everyone was so happy!  Willow was happy to be home!  She explored her cage and jumped on the exercise wheel.  She drank water to her heart’s content.  She went up to the second story and back down again!  Midnight was happy to have her friend back.  She had been lonely.

    Sweet Girl smiled and gave them both fresh food.  Sweet Girl was happy.  Then, she taped the trap door on the top securely closed!

    by Dianne McGregor Campbell.  Copyright 2012.

     The featured photo at top is of Midnight, missing her little cagemate Willow.

     

  • All that I need…

    December 2, 2012 / 2 Comments

    I spent this afternoon and evening at my daughter’s home playing with the grandchildren, preparing to cut out a dress to sew for my thirteen year old granddaughter, and enjoying my delicious birthday dinner.  Yesterday was my birthday and a full day of swim competition for the grandchildren, so we celebrated tonight.  My daughter prepared a tender, scrumptious roast with carrots and potatoes…and an amazing homemade chocolate cake with buttercream frosting.  On top of the cake was a generous scoop of the best homemade vanilla ice cream!

    I loved the gift they gave me – the “Blessed Holidays” angel from Jim Shore.  The colors and carved design on the angel are vibrant and exquisite…and I love that she has dimples!

     

    Three of my grandchildren had created cards for me.  (My oldest almost 15 year old grandson bestowed a 6’+ hug on me!)  I treasure everything that each of my eight children give to me.

    My daughter was watching closely and smiling as I carefully read the card that my eight year old granddaughter had personally drawn for me.  She was waiting for me to turn it over.  When I did, this was the powerful message that I found…to me, this precious child’s “grandmommer” (she calls me Grandmom or Grandmommy).

     

  • Apple enchiladas…

    November 30, 2012 / 3 Comments

    My desserts are usually made from scratch and more involved than I was in the mood to tackle tonight…just for me…but I wanted something sweet. I had seen this recipe all over the internet and thought I’d try it. I modified it a bit and it was good. I actually prefer the Seven-Up Apple Dumplings though and will make those next time. But, for tonight, these hit the spot!

    Apple Enchiladas

    4 – 6 FLOUR tortillas (I used four)

    1 can apple pie filling

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)

    1/2 cup packed brown sugar

    1/2 cup granulated sugar

    1/2 cup water

    Lightly butter an 8″ x 8″ dish.  Spoon apple pie filling into the center of 4 – 6 flour tortillas.  Sprinkle cinnamon on top.  Roll tortilla up with apple filling inside and place in dish with seam down.

    Combine butter, water and sugars in saucepan and bring to boil – stirring constantly.  When it reaches boiling point, turn to low and cook for 3 minutes – continue stirring.  Pour over apple enchiladas and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.

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