A Small Blog

Looking at Life in Small Pieces

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I hope you enjoy Jack’s and my stories. Remembering is hard work. I’m a retired Development Director, Communications Mgr. all for nonprofits. Jack worked at Whole Earth and he cooked.

  • Six Days on the Road and a Wedding

    Let me say this right up front–I would rather stick a hot poker in my eye than go on another road trip.

    Here’s how it begins. Anticipating the impending marriage of our daughter, Maria, Richard–aka Hubby– decided we should drive the 1,200 miles to Minneapolis where the wedding was to take place.  This way, he said, we could bring his specialty dessert, Torte Maria, to be used for the groom’s cake. So the trip went like this:

    Good first day, ate a wonderful dinner at the Two Frogs Restaurant in Ardmore, OK. Displayed on the walls was a fine collection of rock and roll musicians’ autographed guitars.  We sat under Johnny Winters’ Firebird! “This is not so bad,” I thought.

    Second day, spent two lovely hours in Burger King in Somewhere, Kansas waiting for the Imodium to kick in. Got as far as Des Moines, Iowa for the night.

    Third day, drove in the rain through the rest of Iowa. Survived a killer mosquito attack at a beautiful Minnesota rest stop.

    Finally in Minneapolis, Hubby, Maria, and I plan to drop off the cake at the reception venue. Driving around lost for an hour, Hubby is holding a 25 lb. cake in his lap all the while the warning bell is going off because he can’t buckle his seatbelt. Phone battery died, so no Google maps.  Finally find the ballroom, hand over the cake and get ‘shortcut’ directions to our friend’s house from the manager.  Lost for another two hours, Maria finally goes into a bar and gets good directions from the bartender.

    Friday wedding rehearsal at the Lakewood Chapel. The groom’s mother, who evidently never even heard of Emily Post, doesn’t introduce any one of the wedding participants, but proceeded to give us each our marching orders. “So, Adolph,” I say to the young man escorting me down the aisle, “how do you fit in the family?”  “I’m Scott’s boyfriend.” “Cool,” I say.

    After rehearsal, six cars of folks caravan all the way across Minneapolis to a “surprise” restaurant for dinner. Surprise!!–wrong restaurant. After another hour of driving around, trying to find the right restaurant, Hubby and I decide to call it a night and go back to my friend’s house, which we actually find this time fairly easily.

    Wedding day. The groom’s mother keeps calling me Maria’s mother, when I am in fact her step-mother. It wouldn’t have been so bad, but she does this in front of the real mother’s mom and sister. Geez, could things get worse you ask.  Pastor Jeff Cowmeadow (I swear that was his name!) did a simple, sweet ceremony, calling Jason and Maria “you guys” about a dozen times.  Maybe he was practicing for Scott and Adolph’s wedding.

    Reception speeches were all by the groom’s family. They never even asked if we would like to say anything. And, for the pièce de résistance, the entertainment was an Elvis impersonator who only vaguely resembled a very young Elvis.

    By this time, all I can think about is getting home. The next day at the airport, after the plane to O’Hare gets pushed back for the fourth time, I realize there is no way I can make my connection to San Antonio. Re-route to DFW, stay overnight in a hotel (American Airlines’ dime) and catch the morning plane to San Antonio; kiss my front door and collapse on the bed.

    All that being said, I wouldn’t have missed the marriage of Jason and Maria for a perfect trip to Hawaii or anywhere.  It was the shining star that made the trip worth all the driving and other misadventures.

    Oh, and if you are invited to a formal wedding–DO NOT wear Capri pants and flip-flops

  • Finding Jesus on Facebook

    I just found out Jesus has a Facebook page!  He currently has 33,700 fans who ‘like’ him  My first thought, was “Oh my God!” I wonder who was confident enough of their own godliness to ‘be’ Jesus on Facebook? Not that there is anything wrong with that.  I ‘like’ the Dalai Lama and am inspired by his spiritual wisdom everyday.

    I believe life always includes searching for our spiritual side.  We all want to understand and relate to the mystery of our existence. I just finished reading this nice little book “I Golfed Across Mongolia.”  While not a golf fan by any stretch of the imagination, I found the title intriguing.  The author, Andre Tolme, took his three iron, used over 500 golf balls, and golfed 2,000 miles across Mongolia from Choybalsan to Khovd.  Tolme describes his journey as an “improbable adventure to rediscover the spirit of golf and life.”  I enjoyed the conversational tone Tolme uses to tell his adventures from the logistics of golfing across the challenging terrain; encounters with extreme weather; occasional lack of supplies; to his experiences with the Mongolian people and their culture.

    On the last few pages of his book, Tolme evaluated his trip: “…during this journey, I’ve learned that “awareness” as an existential concept just may exist.  It has to do with one’s understanding of his or her place in the world.  The unique sequence of events that puts you in one particular place at one particular time, a four dimensional conflagration of time and space.  It’s an understanding of the interconnectivity of natural forces, which are beyond our control, and human relations, which are self-determined by a collective human consciousness. Manifestations of “awareness” are social responsibility and a humble, questioning inner voice.  Ignorance, war and intolerance are demonstrations of its absence.”

    I think we can find spiritual connections anywhere if we keep an open heart and mind.  We can find it in relationships, nature, books, music and even on Facebook.

  • Random Thoughts of Love

    Consider the word ‘love.’ Roll it around on your tongue like a piece of fine chocolate. Feel its velvety smoothness on your skin. Think how love makes you feel tingly, excited, passionate, euphoric… Sometimes love feels comfortable like your favorite cozy chair or safe like a parent’s sheltering embrace. When love goes bad, it can feel like an ‘achy-breaky’ heart.

    Love is a ubiquitous human condition. Love permeates our entire existence from birth to death. It expresses itself in our literature, art, film, music, and religion. Love built the Taj Mahal and destroyed cities. Studies have shown teenage boys think of ‘love’ every 14 seconds or something like that.

    Did you ever wonder how love and the heart became conjoined? Here are a few facts I found on Wikipedia: The heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind.  Ancient Egyptians and Greeks and throughout the Bible, the heart was used poetically to refer to the soul. In the 15th century Europeans began stylizing the heart with its current shape to symbolize romantic love.

    I have questions about love. When was the first word for ‘love’ uttered? Was it when Neanderthal man dragged Neanderthal woman into the cave for a passionate embrace?  If God is love, why does He allow all the bad stuff in the world to happen? Did Hitler love anything–ever? Do you believe “love is all you need?” If your family stinks do you still have to love them?  What is “tough love?”

    So, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, my hope is we love one another, without boundaries or qualifications. Make ‘love’ the fuel that drives your life. Or like Homer Simpson might say, “mmmmm, luuuvvv!”

  • Snow Storm Creates New Year’s Vows

    Christmas Eve, my husband and I drove from San Antonio, north to Mineral Wells to spend the holiday at the Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch. As we progressed on our journey, what started out as light rain, became sleet which quickly turned into snow.  George Curtis is credited with saying “The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows. ” So later, warm and cozy at the Double J, I stared out at the silent, sparkling winter wonderland and contemplated my 2010 new year’s resolutions.

     

    Winter Wonderland

    see more of my photos

    A tradition which began about 4,000 years ago, marking the new year seems intrinsic to our human nature.  It is the time of year we appreciate and celebrate the cycle of renewal and rebirth. This practice probably made more sense when the new year began at Vernal Equinox or the first day of spring.  Even so, about 400 years ago, when January became the first month of the year in the Western world, we continued the old tradition–just at a different time.  It is an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, to start afresh, begin anew, and make those new year’s resolutions.

    In my life, resolutions most often included eating or cussing less, going to church and exercising more, improving relations with family, and so on.  This year, I want to stay calm in the face of uncertainty, stay strong for my friend with cancer, and stop being too judgmental.  Oh, and to stop watching those insipid 24-hour TV news shows that just make me angry.

    As you contemplate your own New Year’s resolutions, think about how you can: spend more time with your family or friends; broaden your horizons with a book club or class; walk 30 minutes a day; bring joy into your life; bring joy to others.  Let me know.

    Music by Jerry Jeff Walker

    Published on January 1. 2010 http://www.alamocitytimes.com

  • Destiny and Demolition

    Whether you consider it fate, destiny, kismet or just plain luck, I venture to guess most of you recall where and when you first met your true love. Every day, as we drive down Broadway to work, my husband and I pass the place where we met—that derelict, graffiti-covered eyesore, once the home of Broadway Dodge.  In this building, as employees of a bustling, successful dealership, Richard courted me and won my heart.

    Several weeks ago, demolition began on the property.  As the building was being dismantled, we noted its progress and reminisced. I was working in the parts department, surrounded by a motley crew of auto parts clerks and mechanics. I listened all day long to shop talk, drinking stories, and boasts of sexual prowess. Fresh from a painful divorce, I tuned them all out–including the quiet guy on the other side of the window in the warranty department.

    An avid fisherman, Richard is an artist at tying fishing flies. In case you don’t know, fishing flies mimic bugs fish like to eat. Imagine my surprise as huge cockroaches and spiders began showing up on my computer keyboard. All the guys thought it was hilarious making the lone woman in the department squeal. Believe it or not, this sophomoric tactic worked and Richard and I began talking and taking refuge in each other.

    So, almost 25 years later, the building is razed to the ground, but we are still standing together. Any married couple will tell you marriage is not a constant love-fest. With all the usual problems and trying to make that ‘blended family’ thing happen, it is often hard work.

    So, what is the secret to a good marriage? You and your spouse may have your own, here are a few of mine: It is not necessary to share all the same interests. Appreciate and listen when your spouse goes on about their favorite hobby, even if you haven’t a clue–like fly-fishing. Try really hard not to criticize your spouse’s family. It OK for them, not OK for you. Be friends.

    Next time you are together, take a few minutes with your spouse, significant other, partner… stoke that love flame and remember your first meeting.

    Vodpod videos no longer available.

    more about “MaryLauraCarter’s Stuff :::::: VUVOX“, posted with vodpod
    This blog was published by Alamocitytimes.com December, 2009

  • Life at the Movies

    When Henry Smith introduced me to Judy Garland, Bert Lahr and the Munchkins at his Texas Theater in downtown McGregor, it began a life-long love affair with the movies. I could not have been older than five as I remember being a little confused–thinking the opening black and white part was real, but the color part in “The Wizard of Oz” was the make-believe. Nancy Smith was my best friend and thus my movie ticket for the Texas Theater. Not understanding the dynamics of race in a small Texas town, we sneaked upstairs to the “Negro balcony” to watch.

    In the later 50’s, who knows what my mother was thinking, as she dropped me and my brother off at the Saturday horror matinees in Columbia, SC. We cringed under the seats as giant tarantulas and scooting brains wrecked havoc on the screen. Weekly movies such as “South Pacific” and “Psycho” were shown on a wall at the recreation hall on Fort Kamehameha. No matter it being shown on a wall, “Psycho” still kept us scared in the shower for months. Then came necking at the drive-in–so don’t even ask what was showing. In the meantime, I am watching all the old movies on late night television…“Sunset Blvd,” “Frankenstein” and Bela Lugosi’s “Dracula.”

    In Austin, in my twenties, I had a friend with a free pass to any movie theater in town. See how I choose my friends? When I was nine months pregnant, we went to the midnight showing of the “Exorcist.” We huddled in bed that night, waking to every noise and clinging to each other.

    I took my 12 year-old son to movies like “Conan the Barbarian” and “The Emerald Forest.” The later for which he is eternally grateful for the many nubile bared breasts. I sat in “Titanic” and There’s Something About Mary” with my stepdaughter. Continuing the tradition, I have seen every kid-friendly move for the last 15 years with my grandchildren. Thankfully, the older they get, the more they like horror and sci-fi, two of my favorite genres.

    Now, with Netflix, I can keep up with only an occasional trek to the theater, because there are some movies, like the “English Patient” or “Master and Commander,“ you have to see on the big screen.

    I would love to hear about the movies that moved you the most.

  • A Small Blog

    Welcome to the Small Blog: small thoughts by a not-so-small person.  

    I’ve read this advice for beginning bloggers “write about what you know.”  Hmm, I know a little about a lot, hence, the small part. Also, this being the day of Twitter, short-attention span and busy schedules, smaller might actually be better.

     In my salad days, friends and I enjoyed coffee, cigarettes, and long conversations.  We thought we could change the world back then.  So, as caffeine intake lessened, cigarettes are no longer smoked (especially in coffee houses), and conversation has gone online, the art of sharing ideas, knowledge and experiences changed. Having evidently recovered some of my brain cells since the 60’s, I am now ready to communicate in a new way.

     One of the organizations I follow on Twitter and Facebook is Solar San Antonio , a non-profit advocacy and resource center dedicated to renewable and sustainable energy applications. Led by long-time San Antonio visionary activist and 95 year old, Bill Sinkin, Solar San Antonio holds workshops, solar events and even a movie night. It is your one stop shop for solar energy use and resources.  Just good info.

    So, may the sun shine on you and enlighten your small thoughts.

    Laura Carter