Evelyn's Updates

FOUR months without an entry.

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 23:15:00 -0500

Still no more signs of recurrence. Can't claim I'm cured and I have more side effects than I want to think about, but at least the people who love me are happy.

TGFM!

Composers' Meeting Today

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:32:00 -0500

At the composers' meeting that we had today, I presented a tune that I had "heard" (dreamed, actually) back in June. It was one of those pieces that the main part showed up so complete that I thought I must be plagarizing. Well, none of the rest of the group recognized it, so it isn't too likely to be "borrowed" from somewhere . . . which means I WILL go ahead and finish it.

TGFM.

Where We're Supposed to Be

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:53:00 -0500

Today at a breakfast restaurant, we ran into the parents of an old music student of mine -- who also happened to be patients of Steve's. Turns out that the referral Steve had arranged for him had turned up lung cancer in the husband. He's on chemo and looks great bald, but their uncertainty was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Such WONDERFUL people; such a ROTTEN world! The amazing thing was that we had started to go TWO other places and had changed our minds before going to that particular restaurant. Anyway, they'll be added to our prayer list.

They're getting CLOSER!

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:47:00 -0500

My upcoming cancer screening tests (Oct. 6 and Oct. 13) are making me so anxious that I wish I'd been a bit less "macho" at my last Dr's appointment and asked for a new anti-anxiety Rx. So far, my escalating exercise program and sleep meds are enough that I'm able to sleep, but . . .

Mom's Friends

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:41:00 -0500

Today, I was supposed to go to a presentation by a Hungarian youth choir that is returning a visit from a local youth choir. Instead, we got a call from long-time friends of my mom's. They were going to be passing through on their way to a wedding, and would it be convenient to stop by for a while? Well, the time frame ended up being DURING a Dr. appt that Mom had. However, we decided that they could come to the Dr. waiting room and visit while she waited. It was great to see them and I'm thrilled for my mom . . . especially since tomorrow would have been Dad's 89th birthday--the first since his death. At least she had something special happening that's GOOD to sort-of take her mind off missing him.

Twinkies & Rootbeer

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:33:00 -0500

Twinkies

Hybernating

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:36:00 -0500

Today is the last of the twice-a-year NASCAR race that is only about 2 miles from our house. Bristol Motor Speedway is a popular race and there are 160,000 seats in the arena. The races are ALWAYS sold out and for the days before and immediately after, our area becomes one vast campground. The main road from the interstate to BMS goes right past our house and we have to time our trips very carefully or we could get stuck in traffic. Usually, though, we just make sure we have enough food in the fridge and hybernate. Makes you wonder where everyone gets their $$. How can they afford to drive all those huge RV's here; are there THAT many independantly wealthy or rich retirees who can come and spend a week or two at the Bristol Races?

TGFM

NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:36:15 -0500

The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.'

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care. (This one should be changed if we could do it right.)

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

College Man

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:36:00 -0500

Yesterday we went with Eddie to get him moved into his college dorm. Things were amazingly smooth. We only drove around a few minutes until we found his dorm. There were only a couple kids ahead of him getting their keys. He had reserved his books online so getting textbooks only took a few minutes, and the parking permit sticker line moved FAST.

TGFM!

Bar Sues Local Church

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:03:00 -0500

In a small Texas town, a new tavern business started constructing a building in which to open up a bar. The local Baptist church began a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed, however right up until the week before opening, when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.

The church folks were rather smug in their outlook until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the destruction of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.

As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork. At the hearing he commented . . . . . “I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't.”