A Little More Enjoying Life

Thursday, June 28 – Saturday, July 28, 2012

Thursday, June 28

This journal entry is the conclusion of our journey first to Lubbock where we met up with Becky and then Ann & her family. Next, we went to ENMU in Portales so Jim could play in the reunion band where we were thrilled to have sister, Carol, join us. And, of course, since we were so close to Artesia, we had to go visit Jean and her family. With all of that behind us, we began the journey back to Mineola.

Barbara: After leaving Artesia, we stopped at Loco Hills to touch base with 2 of my nieces.

Next stop Lovington, NM, where Jim visited his former mother-in-law Marie who is very special to him.

We eventually made it as far as Eastland where we spent the night.

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Friday, June 29-Tuesday, July 3rd

Once back in Mineola, after visiting Edith, Jim & I began the daily routines of the everyday homeowners! Which for us, meant deep cleaning the house and mowing yards as we will have Edith home for lunch on the 5^th. In addition to all that, we had the lake property to take care of…it looked like a jungle! And, it was time for Big V’s yearly inspection. Have I mentioned that there is no rest for the wicked?

We were excited this time though that we got to see Addie’s “adopted” daughter, Linda. Last time she was here in Mineola, Jim & I were gone.

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Thursday, July 4rd

Jim started the morning preparing for his mom’s visit home tomorrow by putting a brisket on to smoke.

Since TJ had her son Donnie & his wife Lynette, as well as Rob’s family minus Rob, and Angela’s family, including Logan who is in the Air Force stationed in Nebraska home for the 4^th. Jim & I joined them for a hamburger lunch.

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Friday, July 5^th

Jim & I were pretty excited about this day since our guest list included Heather, Andy, and the kids! We weren’t certain we could find seating for 19; but…were there’s a will, there seemed to be a way. What a fantastic time we had!

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Thursday, July 12^th

It was good to hear yesterday that Gene & Michelle are back in Texas for a bit; so we had a fun evening tonight catching up on each others’ lives. I have absolutely no idea why we are posing the way we are. Guess we were looking to be different; and we are!

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Sunday, July 15th

Jim has joined the ranks of the praise and worship group on Sunday mornings.

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Tuesday, July 17^th

Jim: I started the morning with the prayer group at Yantis FBC.  While we were having our discussion group, I mentioned that I was going to get to see a former student this afternoon, all as a result of reconnecting through Facebook.

I guess I often forget that I’m getting older (although my knees and elbows remind me along the way), because I kept referring to Gary (the former student) as one of my “kids.”  I related the story of how I first met Gary Grindstaff at North Belmont School in North Carolina the first year I started teaching.  Gary was a trumpet player in the first class of beginners at North Belmont and went on to attend East Gaston High School, where I was the choral director and assistant band director.

As I sat there telling the story, I mentioned that Gary graduated in 1976, my last year of teaching in North Carolina before I moved to Texas.  When I said that, Gary Long, one of the men in the prayer group, said, “Jim, I graduated from high school in 1974!”  Well, that certainly put my age back in perspective as I was reminded that I am now in my senior years, and no longer am I that young band/choir director just learning my trade.

Anyway, Gary Grindstaff, now a long-haul truck driver, was scheduled to drive across I-20 to a destination in Louisiana this afternoon, so we made arrangements to meet at a truck stop for a few minutes to renew our acquaintance and do a little catching up on our lives.  It was a delight to spend that time with Gary...just hope I can do that again with him, as well as other former students.

Barbara: That evening we finally were able to coordinate our schedules with Gene & Carolyn! Anyone who thinks retirees have all this tremendous down time, certainly haven’t met Jim & me and our friends! We feel very blessed when we can get together.

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Wednesday, July 18^th

Another jammed day. 

First, we took lunch at the nursing home to Edith so she could have a regular hamburger and watch some pics of luncheons we have had for her. Her favorite caregiver, Vanessa popped in to check on her and to watch a bit with us.

It was also our night to baby-sit at church during the youth group. We use that time to not only play with Jeremiah; but to take photos of the youth and activities.

Gene & Michelle also came by earlier to tell us good-bye as they were headed back to their farm in Kansas.

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Thursday, July 19^th

Jim: I got up early this morning and rode the motorcycle to Winona, a small town about 45 minutes southeast of Mineola, to join a large contingent of Patriot Guard Riders and Blue Knights at the funeral of William Rider

Despite the high heat index, more than 75 riders paid tribute this morning to William E. Rider in Winona, Texas. Mr. Rider died July 15 in a Tyler hospice center; he was 39 years old at the time of his death. Will served in the United States Air Force and worked as a Tyler ISD police officer. 

Leading the procession to the cemetery were 38 East Texas Patriot Guard motorcycles and 25 Blue Knight motorcycles.

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Friday, July 20^th

After all the busyness of this week, we decided this morning that we were due some serious fun which in our minds equals a trip to the Louisiana Boardwalk to find just the perfect gift for a friend who had just bought a new home. While there, we decided to visit a couple of new places…the Merry-Go-Round and the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

At the merry-go round, Evelyn, the ticket taker, let us enter free just so we could “horse” around and take some cool photos as we reminisced about our youthful experiences with this favorite amusement park ride.

Since shopping and fake riding left us hungry, we decided to splurge and have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We were like two kids in a candy store! Don’t laugh, but we have never been in an establishment like this before! Yeah, pretty sheltered life we live.

Kind of interesting, funny fact. Now that I don’t smoke, I can actually smell how yucky the casinos smell; so we don’t spend much time in them at all. Just sayin’.

Home, sweet home after a wonderful time together!

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Saturday, July 20^th

Grandkids…enough said!

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Monday, July 23rd

Since son John and his family were going to be in Cleburne with Leah and Ryan, Jim and I drove over and took the kids out to lunch. My sister Nancy took a little time to run back during her lunch break to say hello to everyone. Fun times!

After lunch, we went over to Leah’s apartment for a bit. There she showed me the autograph dog that Henry and I gave her a couple of days before he died back in 1990. The dog, Auto, was already special; but then she realized that her brother, Jimmy Clint, who died in December of 2010, had signed it as well. And…so had big brother John who calls himself the elder statesman! I had signed too, but my message is rather faded out as well as her Daddy's.

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Tuesday, July 24-Saturday 28

The rest of this week was taken up with getting Big V road worthy, volunteering at the church library, and packing for the up-coming trip with Alexander & Abby to Galveston as well as the daily clean, mow, visit Edith, take care of Bonita, etc., etc.

“If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year ... Today should always be our most wonderful day.” - Thomas Dreier

Back in the Mineola saddle, 

Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams

Back In Artesia for a Little Time

Saturday, June 23 – Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Saturday, June 23 PM (Continued)

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Barbara: After the concert in Portales, I hopped in the driver’s seat of Carol’s car and chauffeured her to Roswell where we met Jim at the Dollar Tree store. It was fun to have undistracted time to visit and talk to Carol.

Once Jim and I made a pit stop at Sonic, we were on the road to Artesia. We had decided that since we are never around a KFC, we would stop at the Artesia one before going out to Jean’s since we both enjoy their potato bowls. Never did we dream that such a simple idea would turn into a customer’s nightmare!

Our first clue should have been when the young lady at the register asked if we wanted small or large bowls. Now, since we didn’t know they had a choice, we mentioned that fact; but got a blank stare from her; so we both quickly said, “Small.” When we got the order we had the tiniest bowls you’ve ever seen, but actually, they were quite cute. We explained that though they were cute bowls we’d better have 2 large. She just stared at us and shook her head. We’re thinking at this point, “We’re seniors, girl, get over it!” Next thing I know, Jim is saying, “Barbara! All she is giving us is a large bowl of potatoes.” This is crazy! So…I politely mention that we ordered potato bowls, she informed me that’s what I got. Steam is coming out about then, but we quietly get another girl’s attention and explain our problem. She says, “I’ll handle it.” Meanwhile, while she’s handling, a young man working calls our number and we are astonished to find we now have another 2 orders of mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls.

To make a long story short, here’s what we left KFC with that night! They said once the dishes were on the counter, they would have to throw them away. Jim and I laughed all the way to Jean’s!

Finally, we made it to Jean’s where we found Jerry, Nancy, and Jean waiting on us. Once they lived through the story, we quickly ate our supper before giving Nancy her early birthday present.

It had been a long day for everyone so it was then time for good nights to be said.

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Sunday, June 24 - Wednesday, June 27

Our objective this trip to Artesia was to spend quality time with Jean and the clan. And, this is exactly what we did! During the days, we took care of Jean to the best of our abilities, re-visited the past, laughed, took naps, and ate. What a life!

Jean has been a part of my life since I was a little girl living in Hobbs, NM (over 60 years ago!). My first really clear memory is climbing these huge steps to the upstairs apartment behind the funeral home in Hobbs to see this new baby Jean and Cal had. It was a boy and he was sooooooooo cute! I decided right then and there that he would be my brother. And, I’ve never changed my mind!

Sometime before Susie was born, Cal & Jean moved back to Artesia where Cal worked for Paulin Mortuary and they lived on the side of the funeral home. My family and theirs continued to visit and stay connected through the years.

Then in the summer of 1961, my Dad became the pastor for Clark Memorial Methodist Church there in Artesia which meant that I would complete my high school education as a senior there. It also meant that once again the Perry and Terpening friendship continued to grow.

After my graduation in 1962, Dad was given a church in Albuquerque, NM. However, since I was working at Artesia Laundry & Cleaners (and got paid in 2 dollar bills…how cool was that!), it was decided that I would move in with Cal & Jean for the rest of the summer and that they would take me to college in the fall at McMurry in Abilene. Every summer after that, the job at the Cleaners always became available and I continued to live with the Terpenings.

In 1963 Cal became part owner and the funeral home was then called Terpening & Paulin Mortuary (renamed, Terpening and Son in 1978 after Jerry went into the business). I believe 1963 is the same year that I wound up keeping Jerry & Susie while Cal and Jean went to a convention somewhere. They had said I could use the family car (as in…funeral home long family car) if the kids and I wanted to do something. Well…I decided that I should take them to the drive-in (picture that in your mind!). It was a hoot. We even had popcorn. However, what I failed to realize was that that popcorn got all over the vehicle and there was a funeral the next day and the family car was needed! Oops!!! I have never lived that little escapade down!

Let’s fast forward now to almost 47 years ago (1965) when I returned to Artesia from Abilene with an engagement ring from Henry. One Saturday Jean took me down to a store and bought me my first 2 wedding gifts, a Good Housekeeping Cookbook and a Hamilton Beach Gourmet Chef (fancy can opener, knife sharpener, meat grinder). It cost over $75! That was big bucks back then! And…for the record, I continue to use both to this day.

A thousand more memories flood my mine….fishing trips with Cal & Jean, sleeping in the back of the station wagon with Susie until the lightening and rain storm sent Susie into a “I want inside a building with my parents mode!”, stuck in Vaughn for hours for either a car or boat trailer repair, Jean teaching me to make homemade noodles, rhubarb pie, hours of playing games…so many years to discuss this week with Jean!

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Jim: I first became involved with the Terpening family when I was eleven.  On the first day of summer after the sixth grade, I started my first paper route, throwing the El Paso Times, a morning newspaper.  The paper cost subscribers a whopping 45 cents a week and my cut was 5 cents out of each 45 cents that I collected each week.

I would stop at the residence portion of the funeral home each Saturday morning to collect my 45 cents, and could usually see Jerry and/or Susie playing while Jean got the money to pay me.

In later years my best friend, Steve Kinney, had a job delivering flowers for a local floral shop.  When Steve went on vacation, he asked me to fill in for him.  The funeral home, of course, was a regular stop, as were the various churches where services were held.  One day when I was making a delivery to the funeral home, I had to make my way through a dark hallway to get the flowers to Cal.  I was feeling along the walls for a light switch when I finally found it.  As I turned it on, I found that I was looking directly into an occupied casket.  It was the first time in my life I had seen a dead body, and I almost threw the flowers into the air.  Cal came in about that time, looked straight at me and said, “I don’t think you have to worry about that one; we’re finished with him.”

Daddy was a jack-of-all-trades and sometimes worked part-time for Cal, assisting with the various aspects of funeral services.  From the two of them I learned that gentle humor was a necessary tool for those who worked in that business.  Without it, the job would become overwhelming.

Cal handled the funeral arrangements for Daddy in August of 1966, and then was there for our family when Pa, Mother’s daddy died six weeks later.  Terpening and Son also handled the funeral service for Mom, Mother’s mother in later years.

When Barbara and I got married, the “adoption” extended me, and I happily became an unofficial part of the Terpening clan, something that I have treasured over the years.

When we retired on June 30, 2006, we left Liberal in Big V, drove to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and then down to Artesia to set up our “home” on Jean’s property west of Artesia.  By the time we got there, Jerry had installed a 50-amp electrical hookup on the side of the boat barn and had seen to it that the water hydrant was in good working order.  We set Big V up and called Jean’s place our home for the first three years of retirement, spending our time, when we weren’t on the road, taking care of Jean’s pecan grove and the surrounding property, and visiting regularly with Jean, Jerry, Nancy, Becky, and other members of the family when they were in town.

I’ve often thought that if I had ever been adopted, I couldn’t have been happier than we have been with this gentle, caring, family.

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“Real friends are those who care without hesitation, who remember you without limitation, who are trustful without suspicion, and who love without communication.” – Unknown

With family/friends in Artesia,

Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams

A Little Return to the Past

Thursday, June 21 – Saturday, June 23, 2012

Thursday, June 21 (Continued)

Jim: As soon as we left Ann’s house in Lubbock, we headed toward Portales, New Mexico, the peanut capital of the southwest, and home to Eastern New Mexico University, where I received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1966.

Every other year for the past 26 years, members of the bands at Eastern New Mexico University have returned to the campus in Portales for the biennial Alumni Reunion Band, where for three days they rehearse and then present a concert.  The purpose of the band is three-fold; it honors and memorializes Floren Thompson, Jr. long recognized as the father of the modern band programs at ENMU, it serves as a fundraiser for band scholarships, and it brings together band members of all ages to, for the three-day period, become 18-year old college band members again and enjoy the thrill of making music together.

It’s been at least 18 years since I participated in the alumni band.  I had been to a couple of them during the early years, but after the family moved to Liberal in 1989, summers became very busy.  When I was a band director, the month of June was for summer band, and when I moved over to the “dark side” in administration, June was for summer school and interviewing new teachers.

When we arrived in Portales, we drove directly to the Super 8 motel on the Roswell Highway (U.S. 70), checked in for a couple of nights, and went through the process of moving everything from the car to our room.

We later made a Walmart run (had to make it an official day) to buy a few necessaries, and then returned to the motel until 5:00, when we went to the music building on the ENMU campus for registration for the alumni band.

One of the first people I saw at the registration table was Jane Henry, a horn player who was a year or two ahead of me when I was an undergraduate.  Her husband, Pat, was one of the finest musicians (and funniest guys) I ever met.

I hadn’t been in the music building since the new Floren Thompson, Jr. Band Hall was constructed, so Jane asked one of the Kappa Kappa Psi (band fraternity) members to show me around while Barbara took some photos.

I took Barbara back to the motel and then returned to the music building at 6:30 to warm up and get ready for the evening’s two hour rehearsal.  The rehearsal went well and I was glad to know that my chops were in shape enough to keep up with what the music required of me.  It was also fun to sit beside Raymond Jenkins, a trumpet and violin player who was a couple of years behind me at Eastern.

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Friday, June 22

Today was a full day of rehearsals for the alumni band.  The planned program is the caliber one would expect for a good college band, so there was lots of concentration (and conversation) throughout the day.

At one point in the morning rehearsal, I was called out with another band member to be interviewed for an article in the Portales newspaper.  It seems that in doing a piece about the alumni band, the reporter wanted to speak with someone who returned after being away from the school for many years...guess that was a fair description of me.

Barbara had already decided that she was due for a day of rest and relaxation, so she stayed at the motel and got caught up on reading and computer work. Carol, Barbara’s older sister, drove up from Roswell this afternoon to spend the night, visit, and attend the concert on Saturday.

One of the first things Barbara and Carol did was to get Carol set up with her computer.  The internet signal wasn’t all that great, but waiting for responses was as good a way to while away the time as there was.

Tonight was the traditional alumni band banquet at the Campus Union Building Ballroom.  It’s been many years since I was last in the building, but I couldn’t tell that much, if anything, had changed.  It was an evening of good food, conversation among friends, new and old, and a trip down memory lane as a slide show featuring band pictures from the 1940’s through 2012 was shown, accompanied by band recordings from those eras.

After the banquet, we returned to our digs at the Super 8 and visited with Carol until time to call it quits and get rested up for another busy day.

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Saturday, June 23

I was up early this morning to have breakfast and get ready for another full day of rehearsals prior to this afternoon’s concert.

I visited with the folks at the front desk to see if we could get a late check-out time for today, since the concert wouldn’t be until 4:30.  The best deal I could get was a 1:30 check-out.  I told Barbara and Carol that we could just move everything into one room when I came back after the morning rehearsals and they could stay there until 1:30 and then come to the music building.

Carol, without telling us what she was going to do, went to the front desk and paid for another night so we wouldn’t have to be rushed and she and Barbara would have a cool room to stay in until just before the concert...it was a very sweet and generous thing for her to do, and was much appreciated by all of us.

I came home at noon, had McLunch with Barbara and Carol, and then we whiled away some time until I had to load the car and get back to the music building for the final rehearsal.  But, we also had time for a few more pictures.

I had to be back at the music building for a 3:00 pm rehearsal, so I finished loading the car and drove back to the campus.  Barbara and Carol arrived a little after 4:00 and took their seats where they could get some good photos.

We began the concert at 4:30...75 dedicated musicians spanning the ENMU graduating classes from 1951 – 2012, all working for a common purpose and sharing their God-given talents with each other and the sizable crowd gathered in the new Buchanan Recital Hall.  It was, as I had told the reporter yesterday, a musical and very spiritual experience as we each carried with us the memories of fellow band members and good friends who are no longer with us, but who played a major part in who we are.

I was so glad to spend the time with fellow students from the 1962 – 1966 years that I was at Eastern; Jane Henry, Raymond Jenkins, Jim Barnard, Chuck Love, Gerald Tiffin, and Dick Echols...what a great way to stage a reunion!

And, how nice it was to have my two groupies in attendance to support me in this project; thanks, Carol, for driving up from Roswell to spend time with us, and thanks to Barbara for some wonderful photography as she captured the great moments of these three days!

“Music is what feelings sound like” – Unknown

On the road to Artesia

Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams

A Little Time With Lubbock Friends

Wednesday, June 20 – Thursday, June 21, 2012

Wednesday, June 20 (Continued)

Our trip from Mineola to Lubbock was uneventful, thank goodness, and we rolled into Lubbock amid wind and blowing dust (it seems that some things never change) at 5:15.  We went immediately to our home away from home for the night, the Best Western Plus Palms, checked in and took in what was necessary for our overnight stay.

Barbara:  Since Jaycie was unavailable to us this trip, we asked Becky if she’d like to go out to eat with us; but after talking to her, we decided it would be a lot more comfortable and private to eat in the breakfast nook of the motel. So…after ordering pasta dishes from Orlando’s that’s what we did! What a wonderful night of catching up on each other’s lives, hopes, and dreams.  Where there is Becky, Barbara, and Jim there is laughter, tears, and joy since she and I have walked a million miles together and though Jim is a late bloomer in this relationship, he has blossomed and walked the walk with us!

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Thursday, June 21

Late last night Jim got a text from Michelle, his cousin’s wife, saying that they were also in Lubbock. So…we made plans this AM to meet them at the Discovery Center.

Next on the agenda was a quick trip to find windshield wipers for Big V. Took stops at two places, but found them!

We arrived at Ann’s at the designated time so we could see her son Brad and his wife Corrine who were visiting from Colorado. Thank goodness she had warned Brad’s family that a photo hound was coming because everyone was very gracious! The youngster in the top pic with Ann is Valerie’s son…

However, unbeknownst to Ann, I had a inspiration this morning…I asked Jim if he’d take us to Wheelock and be our photographer as we wandered through our old stomping grounds. So, it was there that we met up with her daughter Val, in the bottom right picture above.

Imagine our surprise when Ann and I went in to Wheelock to find that the new principal who was cleaning closets, etc. was Cindy Andrews, a friend of ours! What an “old home” moment!

Ann and I toured the old tree where we used to stand while on recess duty, the work room, the front of the building, the lounge, and, of course, the lockers that were once in my room…but that same room became Arnold’s and then later Ann’s! It was such a perfect environment for the super kids we had at Wheelock! Last, but certainly not least, we had Jim take our picture in front of the door of Arnold’s old room (when we taught together). It was a bittersweet moment as we told Arnold stories! He was such a wonderful man, husband, father, teacher, and co-worker!  And, yes, he would have shaken his head and declared Ann and I crazy to take this pic! We rather exasperated him at times! Lol!

Next stop was back to Ann’s for a short visit and to sign her up on Facebook! She finally agreed! Yay! Then more photos before putting Lubbock in our rear view mirror.

 “Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” - Unknown

On the road, but Lubbock on our minds,

Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams