Score - Love All

     My husband loves to watch tennis matches on the television.   That's surprising considering he always says tennis was his downfall.  Let me explain.


     Back in the good ole' days when he was much younger, Kenneth loved to play tennis at the local country club.   My sister and her family lived on the country club grounds to keep an eye on things at night.  The day after I graduated high school, I came to stay with my sister for the summer and soon took advantage of all the country club had to offer. 

     Picture this...an 18 year old girl, fresh out of high school, never been to a country club in my life nor had I ever picked up a tennis racket.    The closest I had come to a tennis racket was playing badminton in the back yard; and I don't think that counts.  

      Then I met Kenneth.

     If you've ever been an 18 year old girl, you know what happens when you meet a tall, handsome guy with the bluest eyes you've ever seen.  I'm talking eyes so blue you want to get lost in them.  That's right.  Before I knew it I had bought a tennis racket...not even caring that I was about to make a fool out of myself. 


     The things a girl will do to catch the eye of a man!

     Luckily, before long, he was trying to teach me to play tennis.  I never became very good at it but I really didn't mind because, after all, our final score was...

         

Love All.

A Day for Remembering

     Events 10 years ago today changed not only my life, but those of every American.  No matter where we were or what we were doing we collectively gasped in horror as the reality of what was happening set in. 

    First, one plane crashed; then 2 and 3; and a fourth.   It was clear...

        America was under attack!

     I couldn't believe what I was hearing on the radio and seeing on the TV.  This just couldn't be happening.  But it was.

     I cried as I watched this story unfold.  It was like having a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from.  As the towers collapsed I prayed for all the innocent men and women who lost their lives so needlessly.  I prayed for the heroes who tried to save them and for the brave men and women on those planes that went down in Pennsylvania and Washington DC.  America would never be the same.       

     Patriotism, love and compassion became more than just words.  Our nation came together in a way that none of us had ever seen.    Strangers were hugging on the street.  Neighbors were taking time to stop and talk to each other.  We became "One Nation Under God". 

     On this 10th anniversary, our entire nation is taking time to remember....to pay our respects for lives lost, to thank our heroes, and to celebrate our great nation.  We may have lost much that day, but we gained even more.  We gained appreciation and respect for this amazing country we live in.  We gained strength.  Instead of letting this attack destroy us we took from it a unified strength and pride in being an American.

     I love this country.  May God always bless America!

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Unusual Challenges

 

     To say that being stuck at home for seven weeks with a broken ankle provides challenges would be an understatement.    Everything I do is a challenge, starting with just standing up.

      This lovely knee high boot I'm wearing is not only so heavy it feels like a cement block, it is also rounded on the bottom.  Just trying to stand up can throw me head over heels.    As if that wasn't enough to cause problems keeping my balance, it is higher than the other shoe, throwing my entire body off kilter.  I feel like a Saturday night drunk trying to stand up on a hillside.

     Once I sort of mastered the art of walking, it was time to try taking a shower.  Now that sounds simple enough, but here's the dilemma....

I can't take the boot off - and I can't get it wet!

     "Sounds impossible"  you say.  Never fear.  I haven't had to go 7 weeks without a shower.  Whew!  Wouldn't that be unpleasant?    No, the doctor's office had this ingenious idea.  For $10 they gave me this nice little shower cap for my leg.    It is clear plastic and long enough to come to the top of my leg.  Problem is I have to be able to get it on over this huge, heavy, clunky boot, without tearing a hole in it.  Imagine trying to put a pair of pantyhose on a tree trunk.  Believe me, it's not a pretty sight (nor an easy task)!   By the time I get a shower I am pretty much worn out for the entire day.

       Once I've made it through the shower ordeal it comes time to get dressed.   I've heard women say they have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear.  Right now that is exactly how I feel.  Considering most of my slacks and jeans won't fit over this boot I am very limited as to what I can wear.  It pretty much has to be shorts or very loose fitting pants that stretch.  Not very fashionable, but I've never really been much of a fashionista.

      Bedtime brings it's own set of challenges.  I'm not even allowed to take the boot off at bedtime.  Getting into our high bed without falling is the first obstacle.  After I've accomplished that, finding a comfortable position to lay is an impossibility.  When I finally do fall asleep, I am afraid I will turn over and kick my husband severely bruising or maybe even breaking his leg.  It's almost easier to just sleep in the recliner!

      Hopefully, all these challenges will soon come to an end.  I go back to the doctor next Tuesday and I am praying I get to take this boot off.  I'm not sure if he actually said that would happen or if it is just wishful thinking on my part.  I guess if I don't it won't be the end of the world, but it will definitely be another challenge...

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

 

Time Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

    
    

     I grew up in a small town in Indiana.  So small that everyone went to the same school from first grade through 12th.  When I graduated high school, like many teenagers, I couldn't wait to leave home.  And that's exactly what I did.  The day after graduation I moved to Kentucky and never looked back.

      My best friend that I grew up with had already gotten married and moved on.  So had my cousin, who I had also spent a lot of time with in my early teens.   Without dwelling on the negative, I will say that I have wonderful memories of growing up until my sophomore year.  My last three years of high school were not so great.  There were some good times, but there were also a lot of painful and unhappy times.  There really was nothing left there for me and I pretty much broke all ties.    Mother and Dad lived there and I did go back to visit them, but that was it.  I had very little contact with anyone else.  I guess I thought if I broke "cold turkey" it would help erase the bad memories. 

      For many years I managed to not think much about that part of my life spent in that little town.  But then, something happened.  

I got old.  

    

     As the old saying goes, "Time heals all wounds".  Well, maybe not all, but it certainly diminishes the pain.   Aging plays funny tricks on your mind and I began to think more and more about my youth.  I started remembering things I hadn't thought about in years and wanting to find some renewed connection to my past.  

Along comes facebook.  

     Thanks to modern technology I have been able to reconnect with some old friends that are happy memories from a simpler time.  Good people who have helped me realize I have found something I never even knew I was missing.   Thank you dear friends.

     I've decided that as we get older it is natural to want to reconnect with our youth.   Not just a want, but a need.  After all, where we come from is what makes us the person we are today.   My dad has recently moved back to Milltown and I now get very nostalgic when I visit him.  Even though it has changed drastically and many of the places so dear to me in my youth are gone, it is still my hometown.   I now think of it fondly and can look back on all the wonderful times spent there.

 

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Are You Ready for Some Football

     I wouldn't call myself a football widow.  I've always tried to be supportive of my husband watching sports on TV and most of them I don't mind watching with him...even enjoying some of them.  If it's sports, Kenneth is a fan.  Now give me a good baseball or basketball game and I can get into it with the best of them; but when it comes to football - I just don't get it!

     In my defense, the small school where I graduated didn't have a football team, therefore, I didn't grow up with it.   I've tried to watch it on TV or at local high school games and understand what the players are suppose to be doing....but nothing.  I just don't get it!    

     Don't get me wrong.  It's not that I dislike football; but then again, it's not that I like it either.  I guess I'm just indifferent.  It's hard for me to appreciate something I don't understand.   I'm not completely ignorant.  I do know Peyton Manning from Eli Manning and Bret Favre from Drew Brees, if that counts for anything.

     I have nothing against all you gridiron diehards.  My husband, my son and my grandson are among your ranks.   More power to ya!  As for me, I'll continue to sit with Kenneth and watch with one eye while I enjoy a good book, magazine or my laptop.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat      

I'm Back...I Think

     Do you ever feel like life is just 1 big question mark?   Everything I do seems to require some sort of decision.  What to wear, what to eat, where to go, who to see; it's never ending.  I hate to make decisions.  I'm not good at it.  I'm one of those people who tend to over analyze everything.  

What would happen if I do this, or, what if I do that?  

 

What would be the outcome?  

How would it affect me and everyone around me? 

One question leads to another until I just can't think anymore!  Ughhhhhh!              

Then even after I make a decision, I wonder if it was the right one.

And this is before I get out of bed every morning!

     Okay, so maybe I exaggerate a tiny little bit, but you get the idea.  Life is one big question after another.  We make hundreds of decisions daily...some trivial....some life-changing.    And even though I may labor over some decisions for hours, I wouldn't want it any other way.  This world would be a boring place if someone told me every move I am supposed to make.  Freedom of choice is the spice of life, and we can all use a little spice!

Until next time...that's my view (I think).

Kat 

Be Back Soon

Dear Friends and Fellow Bloggers,

I apologize that my blog hasn't been updated for a few days.   I was out of town for a couple of days visiting my Dad and now my Son, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren are here for a visit.   I don't get to see my kids near as often as I would like so naturally my priority right now is to spend as much time with them as possible.  Please have a great Labor Day Weekend and I will be back in a few days.

Love to all,

Kat