Category: Family

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Just do it, Memories

Eating Dirt

The introduction photo is the grandstand at Moler Raceway.

Many years ago our daughter (who is now 50) won tickets to a dirt race track for LOUD cars. That began a family tradition. At first we drove way out to the country for the event. Then a newer track was built closer to home and that became our go to.

They race modified cars on a quarter mile race track. The size varies from little ones (that sound like angry bees to us) to V-8 engines that can threaten you with hearing loss. In fact, my apple watch warned me more than once regrading the noise level. I forgot to take ear plugs and eventually bought some for $1.00.

Several times earlier this summer we planned to attend, but the heat and humidity were just too much for use to endure. We went last Friday night. I packed two zip lock bags of peanuts in the shell. We took our insulated water bottles. The snack bar was actually reasonably price be it a soda, corn dog or chili fires. There were six family members in all. We wanted to finish our snacks before the races as an open plate of pizza would just invite ‘eating dirt.’

The owners always wet down the track prior to the race. However, with cars in sets of 5-10 going around it at 50-85 miles per hour it does not take long for the dirt to fly. I was smart enough to wear a ball cap and old clothing. I did not remember to take a hoodie or a sheet for protection. My bandana was soon soaked from perspiration and after a few laps I wondered it I was smearing mud on my face? There were a couple near crashes and the race was stopped while the track was cleared. No one was injured while we were there.

Here are some photo examples. The great news is that everyone was getting dirty!

Solid gray pack with fine layer of dirt!

Bob and I sat side by side. We were both tidy when we arrived. We do not have freckles on our legs. Get a load of this!

My solid black shorts. Our speckled legs.

Yes, a great time was had by all as we watched the various hot laps and races. The announcer was unintelligible. The family tradition lived on for another year!

While in the line for refreshments I had great fun telling Rowan about one year when he spent the night with us after the races. He is now 14. At the time he was quite a bit younger. When we got home that night I told him he had to take a shower. He balked and put up a fight. When I told him the story he shook more dirt off himself and said, “Gross!” I told him I agreed!

And the first time we took Ellie (now 20) the announcer was able to be understood. He was saying the names of the drivers. Ellie in full playground voice turned around and asked us, “Did he say Weasel Roads?” Indeed he had! If I could have found shirt with that drivers name on it I would have bought it for her in a heartbeat.

If you are there and get bored with the races, you can always people watch. This year they were selling something like 5 aluminum beer bottles in a sack of ice to keep them cold. One little girl had great fun playing with the ice. (I wondered if I could have just bought the ice?) She eventually put some up the leg of her dad’s shorts. The family did not think it was as funny when she tried it on her grandpa!

We left a halftime, our usual departure. Everyone but the retirees had worked that day and some had to work the next morning.

I hope you have some sort of family tradition to keep the joy and mirth flowing through the dog days of summer.

Posted on in Cooking, Faith, Family, Humor, Praise, Thanks

The Man Who Can Cook

My husband and I discovered early on that there thing he likes to eat that I detest. There are things I like to eat that he can eat for one meal, but does not want it repeatedly as leftovers. One of his favorite dishes is seafood pasta. He has learned and perfected his own recipe for that dish.

I was writing the blog entries as I usually do. I could hear him in the kitchen and remembered that he planned to cook his sauce this morning. I went about my prayers and writing. When I decided to take a break after 1-1/2 hours I had forgotten his kitchen work. I opened the office door and the sauce fragrance almost knocked me down! There is something about shrimp, olive oil, garlic and clams simmering in clam juice and wine that I was not prepared for at 10:00 AM! I can imagine Dana and Kathy beating a hasty path to our door upon reading this.

You see, the plan is to have the two of them over for dinner to meet each other and eat this dish Bob makes. I on the other hand will have something I like to eat. Nope, I’ve never tasted his sauce. Those who like that sort of thing say it is delicious. Mom ruined any hope of me ever eating fish with her exaggerations and tall tales. Such as, making salmon cakes for dinner using canned salmon and telling me there were no bones in it. The most brave I became was Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks. Once I left home I discovered that tuna steaks are quite tasty, as long as they are well done. In Ireland I was able to eat salmon, but here I have to make myself. Crab cakes are good. Coconut shrimp is tasty but not really good for me!

I tell Bob when it comes to clams and oysters, “I don’t eat bait!” Just pass me by when serving fish. Taking the photo for you, I was reminded his magic sauce also has butter and bay scallops in it!

I give thanks for this wonderful husband who is not afraid to take on the cooking tasks he enjoys! I just pray I never get dementia so he can tease me and try to get me to eat bait. You wouldn’t, would you, Bob? He is an incurable tease. He just might try it should things ever go that way.

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Memories, Music, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust

Parents Love Song

When I was mourning my mother recently, nothing seemed to comfort me. Then I heard this song rolling through my soul. The first version I heard was done by Willie Nelson. He almost nailed it. It amazes me where comfort can come from!

Then I found what was likely their version from December 1951.

With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to God alone
Just a spot to call our own
We'll Find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by

As I listened repeatedly to the song, I realized that my sister has a sweet little nest, somewhere out in the west. She spends June into September there! And we have been privileged to stay there a time or two!

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NRSVUE

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Humor, Memories, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Worship

Births

The birth I told you about recently reminded me of my daughter’s birth. Fifty years ago today she came into the world. It is hard to grasp that number. I was in labor for 32 hours. Finally the doctor decided to do an emergency C-section. When I awoke they held her up for me to see. She was sticking out her tongue! (Of course, they had just popped a pacifier out of her mouth.)

She is a delight now, just as she was as a newborn!

Celebrating her daughter’s birthday this month, too!

When this woman turns on the joy there is no mistaking how she is feeling! She loves dogs.

For Mother’s Day her daughter took her to Puppy Yoga!

She is her Dad’s clone. They are so much alike I often wonder if I had anything to do with her birth! Emily is a joy and a blessing to us.

Happy Birthday, my dear!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3 ESV

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Memories, Obedience, Special Event, Thanks, Trust, Writing Life

My Mother’s Passing and New Book

This quote stirred in me as I marked year fifty of my mother’s death. The photo above shows my mom with her white gloves at our wedding.

Every sorrow I bear will be supplanted by a greater heavenly joy, when you, O Christ, make all things right and new – even this thing. From Every Moment Holy – For Navigating Difficult Moments

Fifty years ago on Flag Day, I awoke nine months pregnant. My mother was visiting us in Kentucky. She had driven herself down from Ohio. I assured her the baby would not be born this weekend, but she was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She was sleeping on the sofa bed in the living room.

She had brought a Styrofoam cooler filled with food for us. We had put the cooler on the porch the night before to dry. That Saturday morning it was getting ready to rain and a wind had come up. I was afraid the cooler would blow away, so I walked through the living room to go get it off the porch. As I walked by I noticed she was not breathing. I got the cooler, closed the porch door and stopped again. No, her chest was not rising and falling.

That began a time of anguish and grief like none I had ever known before.

This is fifty years later. I know, because our daughter turns fifty in a week or two. Mom never knew any of our children. She has remained Grandma Ann, mostly known for recipes I was able to recreate after her passing.

I still miss my mother. Even though I am now 74 years old, there are still times I long to hear her voice. I wonder what she would say about the book about to be published with Kindle Direct Publishing using my writings from this blog and other writings? I had sort of hoped the final approval for printing would come on June 14th, the date of her passing. Approval did not come on that date though. Page 11 I wrote about her influence upon me by songs she taught us while driving in the car.

The tile of my book will be Treasures in Plain Sight: Growing Closer to Jesus in Prayer. I has 107 pages and is 5 x 7 inches. It will cost $12.00. I will earn only a small fraction of that. I did not print it to earn money though. I worked on this to get the writing out there where hopefully people can use it to draw closer to Jesus. Below is photo of the proof copy.

I am working on Volume 2 which will be about relationship with God.

Please pray for these materials to fall into the hands of folks who are yearning for God. I pray this is all done to God’s glory. I am now wondering if I should submit the poetry for publication through Kindle Direct? So many decisions about so many things!

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Ha! It just came through! Here is the link to purchase the book !! https://a.co/d/1dcvaGf

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling, Trust

Visiting New Mexico

I cannot remember the date we actually met the Cookseys. It had to be at least thirty years ago.

We went to church together. They taught us so much about prayer. Dan lead classes that instructed us deeply in how to shepherd the Lord’s people. We also led marriage workshop weekends together. Dan used to joke that God chose four introverts to lead those groups.

There was a time when we traveled with Dan and Betty Cooksey. We have a photo on our office wall of a lovely owl I spotted in a tree during a drive around Reel-foot lake. I told Dan, “Back up! Back up!” He slowly backed the car up until I could point out the owl to everyone. Bob and Dan are both great photographers. I will never forgot practically lying down in the car seat so Bob could get the right angle! Sweet memories, indeed.

When they moved to New Mexico we were stunned and saddened. After we visited the first time Bob asked if I wanted to move there, too. I decided I could not leave my maple trees. Then we discovered that if we visited New Mexico we had a place to stay, always! We have visited several times over the ensuing years. From American Indian pow-wows to visiting birding sites. The Taos pueblo and other ancient settings. The adventure and delight of watching the farm market roast green chilis! Ah that fragrance 🙂 And then Dan and Bob peeling the chilis together.

Two men who remain such good friends though miles separate them

As couples we are not clones. There are some things we do not agree upon, but it is always possible through love and Christian fellowship to have warm discussions about any topic. The Psalm below always reminds me of the four of us.


Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore. Psalm 133

Now we are all aging and slowing down. We have not been to ABQ for 2-1/2 years. We are visiting there as you read this. I trust we will have a wonderful time as usual. I am fervently praying this is not the last time we get all four of us together. They are older than we are (only by a few years). With my heart scan looming in August and the prospect of open heart surgery I take nothing for granted anymore.

Making ice cream bowls!
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Beagle, Faith, Family, Humor, Memories, Nature

A Couple Family Updates

I finally got Lucky in for a bath, nail trim, and brushing, brushing, brushing. She would not let the groomer use the hairdryer on her so she came home with her ears dripping wet. There was only one bather in that day so she had to wait hours for her turn. She was none too happy when I picked her up! She looks svelte and cuddly. She certainly smells better. She followed me around all evening as if she did not want me out of her sight? She usually sleeps next to the bed on her pillow with her fleece blanket. When I got up in the night to use the toilet, she had arranged her sleeping space for the first time ever! She had dragged the pillow over the walkway at the end of the bed and her blanket was on top of it. What?!!? Seemed to be keeping track of me even in the night! Here she is in the morning sun waiting for me to give her a breakfast bowl to lick.

She is wearing her groomer bandana

We recently met Rowan for a crochet lesson. Yes, he wants to learn and is practicing and making coasters, potholders and now working on a hat. Then we went to lunch at Ramundo’s. Trying to get these two to look at the camera and smile at the same time is almost impossible!

Rowan is letting his hair grow out again

I have finally gotten all the seeds in the ground for nasturtiums and bachelor’s buttons. I am trying to tame the perennial ferns back to stay out of the way of the flowers. That is likely an endless job! We have a bachelor’s button volunteer that sprouted from last year. It has already sent out one bloom and has two other buds on the plant.

We walked past a garden in Norwood where there were a thousand bachelor’s buttons plants in blue, white and even a deep burgundy! There were also Sweet Peas growing amongst them. It was a riot of joy!! Now I wish I had taken out my camera for that garden! Sweet peas tickle me after a woman told me that when her husband first courted her he brought her a nosegay of sweet peas. A sweet couple with a sweet history. I miss you Maria and Dwight!

Once I tried to capture the flowers in a photo and found myself entering into the stillness of soul that moves me towards wholeness. I likely have posted this previously, but sometimes a poem bears repeating multiple times! Please read it prayerfully and let yourself come to a point of stillness as you do.

Bachelor’s Buttons©Molly Lin Dutina2023

Going inward with the deep blue of the bachelor's buttons, 
I sink down.
I take the encompassing blue with me.
Down.

I drop my shoulders
Down 
I breathe the blue petals.

Knowing the blue from the petals will fade.
Down.
For now they wrap me in stillness.
Down.

Wash me in the blue brightness I pray.
Down.
Not St. Stewart's bluing agent.
Down.

But the true blue of fresh flower.
Down.
Peculiar petals, 
Down.

Not like tea rose.
Down.
To where I am nestled inside the flower.
Down.

Beyond the pollen gathering bees.
Down.
Sitting still in the Blues
I am restored.
Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Family, Humor, Marriage and Memories, Nature, Thanks

The Camera

Many who know the hobby of my husband know he has a wonderful eye for photography. When he retired from the laboratory his fellow employees wanted to know how best to gift him. I suggested they take up a collection towards a new camera. More than once he has considered dropping photography as his hobby. The verse that follow tells what happened next. Loosely based on the ideas from If Your Give a Mouse a Cookie.

If you get a retiree a camera
He will want to buy the instruction manual
And then spend a month reading the manual
Playing with settings, and learning the camera
Just when you think he will never take a real photo
He will venture out to snap some shots

When it is time to go beyond the house
he’s gonna want a case
And if the book doesn't fit in the case 
He is gonna need a new case

If you get a retiree a camera
He is going to need time to edit
And through away the “junk” shots
And print only the perfect ones

If you get a retiree a camera
There are episodes of frustration
Away from home on a special occasion
When the settings somehow escape him
And he goes back to the book
Fuming that it seemed so simple
When he practiced in the living room

If you get a retiree a camera
You need to plan time to review
The videos and best shots
And praise his hard work 
learning the contraption
And the expert eye that is seeing
The things you had hoped all along 
he would capture

All of the photos below are by rmdutina

Yes! Always give this man as many cameras as he needs! What does your eye see most often? CAn you capture it in a photo?!?

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Nature, Special Event, Thanks

Went to The Reds Game

As we walked into the Reds game we saw this.

Yes, well. Storms blow through Cincinnati all the time. About 75 degrees and lovely.

Shortly the heavens opened! We were seated next to folks who were rooting for the White Sox. From our seats the State of Kentucky disappeared! The winds came, the rain blew. We moved under an area with a better roof. There we talked with a pipeline construction worker from Oklahoma who was excited to catch the game. He was worrying that they might cancel it.

The screen kept saying rain delay. We eventually chimed in with “No joke!”

The best reward for waiting through a rainstorm is a rainbow. And this one lasted and lasted!!

They were not very accurate at updating the weather radar. Eventually the game began, almost 1-1/2 hours late. I was wearing shorts and had brought a very thin hoodie made of t-shirt like material.

After the rain came the wind became steady and the temperature dropped. The lady next to me was able to go to her car and get her winter coat. She offered me her tiny scarf which I declined.

We left after 3-1/2 innings as it was just too chilly to be enjoyable. We got home before the game ended. And then the Reds lost 5-1.

We did get to go to the ballgame and eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground! It was also 1-2-3 Tuesday. $1.00 UDF ice cream cups (chocolate sundae cup was delicious.) $2.00 hot dogs. Yep, they were good, too. and $3.00 beer. Bob enjoyed his Kona wave. My husband always love a thrifty deal! A good time was had by the Dutinas!

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Illness and Health, medical treatment, Music, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust

Awoke Singing This

Some days I wonder do my dreams and worries inform my first thoughts upon waking up or is it all under control of the Holy Spirit?

For a few days I have recurrent thoughts about the cardiac surgery they say I will need sooner rather than later. Part of me wonders what if I do not have the surgery? All of that runs underneath the day to day thoughts.

My daughter’s mother-in-law died yesterday. Evidently she was sitting on the side of her bed, getting dressed. It appears she had a stroke? She fell backwards and just lay down on the bed. She was a catholic woman who lost her husband and her mother. While hospitalized a few years ago she was tested and doctors decided she had lost some of her executive reasoning abilities. She had to move into a retirement community. She did not like it very much, but there were so many things she did not like very much! May she rest in peace.

My husband, Bob, had recently taken her to Frisch’s for lunch, always her first choice. She had just seen her family for a celebration Easter weekend.

What does all this have to do with me? Margie was ten years older than I am. My death became a poignant fact with the aneurysm diagnosis last January. No one know when the Lord will call us home. Only God knows the day and the hour.

This morning when I awoke some of the lines from this song were rolling through my brain. Took me a while to wake up and capture it. This is a Catholic hymn based on several Scriptures. I chose to share this version because it provides the lyrics.

I have listened to the song several times this morning. I would be lying if I said that took care of any disquiet I have from the aneurysm I carry with me. NOT. The next scan will be a CT scan in August to determine if the thing has grown. Cardiologist will determine when to refer me to cardiac surgeon. Until then, as I do daily, I must trust in the Lord and walk in obedience to all I am asked to do for the Holy Trinity.

Bob jokes around about cremation which we both have chosen instead of burial. The funeral home down the street has been busy for the last year building a huge garage looking thing on the adjoining lot which they purchased. I called them this morning and yes, indeed, it is going to be a crematorium. The dictionary is so uncouth.

Crematorium: A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses.

He cracks a joke every single time we drive past, which is practically daily! I wonder if he thinks the same things while he is alone in the car? I told him he needs to stop or I will have weird flashbacks if he dies first. Yep, at our age these discussions occur with some regularity!

I chose cremation because I do not want any chance that I will get this body back in the afterlife. God knows the wishes of my soul. I told the funeral director I want the box the casket comes in, not some expensive casket.

Yep! There it is plain brown cardboard 🙂 from https://www.thefuneraloutlet.com/product/brown-cardboard-coffin/

I write all this as my daughter and her family go to the funeral home today to make arrangements. I have no idea if Margie had pre-planned her funeral. I hope so. No one wants to make all of those decisions while grappling with grief. Again, may she rest in peace.