* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

~~~

 

This will be a short and sweet Nostalgic Sunday, since it's very close to being Monday!

 

 

 

This picture is one of my favorites, partly because it's probably the only one I have of just my brother Mike, and me, and our dad. But also because we were so happy then. It was Christmas Day approximately 1960. Looks like we were getting ready to go to Mass, or just got home. I vividly remember my outfit, I guess because I loved it so much! It was a gray jumper with a pink blouse. To this day, I still love pink and gray together. Mike is holding his new Chess For Beginners game, and I'm holding my much loved Colorforms! And what is our dad doing? Reading the newspaper, not paying a bit of attention. SO TYPICAL! And he's wearing what I affectionately refer to as his "Barney Fife suit!"....I wonder what's the deal with he and Mike wearing white socks with their suits??

 

Ahh, such a happy time in my life that ended way too soon......

 

 

Happy 2016 everyone! May this be a year of doors opening and blissful encounters for all!

* MY COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING *



* Countdown to Thanksgiving *

 

 

 



It just occurred to me that I'd like to post something about Thanksgiving, beginning today and "hopefully" every day until the Big Day, November 26th. (I wrote "hopefully" because I am working a lot of hours right now, but I'm sure I can at least post something short and sweet if I'm totally worn out!) I'm not even sure yet what I'll write about, but I will be sharing a variety of thoughts and feelings. 

This morning I thought about one of my favorite movies: Planes, Trains & Automobiles. There are several parts that I love to watch over and over, and others I tend to skip through (thanks to DVDs, etc.) It's fun seeing the St. Louis airport and watching Steve Martin walking near it, and through it. Some of the quotes I laugh at the most aren't going to make it to this blog post, due to the "language," but they are hilarious!

Here's some I'd like to share (all three quotes are in totally different scenes) and if you've seen the movie, you'll definitely recognize them:

Neal: He says we're going the wrong way...
Del: Oh, he's drunk. How would he know where we're going?


State Trooper: What the hell are you driving here?
Del: We had a small fire last night, but we caught it in the nick of time.
State Trooper: Do you have any idea how fast you were going?
Del: Funny enough, I was just talking to my friend about that. Our speedometer has melted and as a result it's very hard to see with any degree of accuracy exactly how fast we were going.


Del: You're in a pretty lousy mood, huh?
Neal: To say the least.
Del: You ever travel by bus before?
[Neal shakes his head]
Del: Hmm. Your mood's probably not going to improve much.

~~~

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

Yesterday I received a Facebook message from someone who was both a grade school and high school friend. (Yes, once again Facebook has been a good thing for me, so I guess I better quit stating that I don't like Facebook!) It wasn't "just a message," but it contained some very profound words. The kind of words we writers live for.

Her name is Debbie and we'd kept slightly in touch through Facebook, mostly through our "Group Leader" who is so good about keeping classmates up to date on things, and arranging reunions, both large and small. A couple of weeks ago, Debbie sent me a check for a signed copy of my memoir. The following are her words, taken directly from our Facebook messages. (And yes, she gave me permission to use them.)


DEBBIE

"Totally enjoyed your book. Will definitely be interested in your sequel. It did make me laugh, make me sad, made me want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with the author like Judith Hendricks said. And it also did make me remember a lot more from my past and brought my life into a sharper focus like Susan Bono said. It definitely left me wanting more so bring on that sequel girlfriend - I am definitely ready. Thanks again, Becky."

"Oh by the way - Was Gary XXX the boy in grade school? Thought I recognized the description. If it was, it was the first boy I kissed in 8th grade. LOL... Maybe not the first for sure but the first I can remember. CRS"


Becky

"OMG! You are one fast reader, Debbie!" [I think she read it in one day.] "Thank you SO MUCH for your compliments!! Those words mean the world to me! And yes, that was Gary XXX! I asked his permission first, to use his name, and after I wrote the chapter, let him read it and give his okey dokey! He's a really nice guy. Did you remember that the house your family was renting on 87th Street, was the one my family moved into and rented after your home was ready?? Thanks to YOU! I think you had me over for dinner one night, or something, and I found out then about you guys renting it. You saved us!! True!"


DEBBIE

"ZZZZ did tell me about that although I had a stroke in 1975 and I lost a lot of memories - so I did not recall it. I am not very computer savvy on sharing anything correctly but I did put a new message on facebook about your book. I think you brought back memories for me that I thought I had lost forever and I am not sure how but somehow through the listing of songs and just different little things - something started coming back. Amazing. You are sure welcome to use anything I have written to you as a quote or recommendation. Also, you are an inspiration also to all of us that kept things inside and our insecurities. Still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. LOL but not really funny. I use laughter as a defense.

PS I am not usually a fast reader however I just wanted to keep reading - couldn't put it down."

 

Becky

 

"You are so sweet! And I'm sorry I didn't know about your stroke. How wonderful that you have recovered from it as much as you have! YOU are inspirational, Debbie. And I agree with you....I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up! Thank you again!! My STA and St. Philips friends/aquaintances have been my best cheerleaders! It feels so wonderful. Bless you...and xoxo "

 

~~~

 

This Is Why I Write. This is what I hope for when I write; for readers to feel something...happiness, sadness, memories of their own, hopefully to make a difference in their lives. And when Debbie shared her above feelings with me, I was on top of the world.

 

 

 

“If the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.”
—Wally Lamb

 

* A MEMORIAL DAY RE-POST *

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember what this day is really about. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men come home from wars, but many others do not. I am alive today because of one man that did not come home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters. A few years later, though, she met and married my dad, and so when my brother Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!
 
During our barbecues, picnics, and parties that celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer, let's remember that in spite of our country's problems, we are free, and we owe so much to all our veterans of wars....deceased or still living.



photo taken by Becky Sept 2011 at our friends' lake house

 

I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights. You will surely have chills......

 ~~~
 

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam


"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" -- Holly Near

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time Again for Another Nostalgic Sunday

My mind has been racing around in figure-eights and zig-zags, and miles way up high, and then swirling, floating down below with thoughts as many and as unique as the miracle of snowflakes. 

And because of all that, it's been almost impossible to choose which memories I want to include in today's Nostalgic Sunday post. So, I've decided to post random snippets of my memoir.

.....Some of my best memories are the times Dad and I watched TV together. It was more than just sitting, side by side, on our scratchy couch.(What was that material?)

I loved watching him as he watched TV. It was a show all by itself, an interactive one, and I was mesmerized every time...........

Dad would be so busy trying to watch TV while peering over his newspaper and holding his cigarette that he’d be lost to the world. It was as if he were daydreaming. Trying to get his attention during those times was next to impossible. I would watch the long ash of his cigarette hanging on for dear life, slowly bending down farther and farther, until it was the size of a gray wooly worm. Not being able to stand it a second longer, I’d finally yell, “Dad! Your ashes are falling!” I’d usually grab the ashtray and catch them just in the nick of time. He’d nonchalantly glance my way, as if he’d forgotten I was even there. He’d let out a chuckle and thank me for being so watchful. Afterwards, he’d go back to doing it all over again.

~~~

.......“Do you know what this note says?” she asked.

I already knew it wasn’t something good from her face and her tone. “No, ma’am.”

“Miss Mary Ann says you cheated during the times table test today! Rebecca Anne, is that right? Did you cheat?”

 Oh my gosh. I know I’m in big trouble when I’m called Rebecca!

“Uh…well, I uh—”

“I can’t believe this! You know better than to do something like this. You know it’s wrong to cheat. And it’s a sin!”

There it was—the dreaded guilt of sin being laid on me. I’d never seen my mother so upset, about anyone or anything, and here she was angry with me. I guess I was going to go to Hell. Attending a Catholic school Monday through Friday and Mass every Sunday, I knew all about Heaven and Hell and sins. But what I did should only be a venial sin, shouldn’t it? Not the horrible, mortal kind.I started to explain about the paper hanging out of someone’s desk, and how I thought I could do something like that.......

~~~

I hope y'all enjoyed reading those little tidbits of my young life! What else might have happened when I watched TV? What punishment did I receive for my gosh, I'm gullible sin?

*Welcome to my newest follower, Living a Dream. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! *

"Back on its golden hinges, the gate of memory swings. And my heart goes into the garden and walks with the olden things." --  Ella Wheeler Wilcox

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Oh my goodness, I haven't posted a Nostalgic Sunday since April 21st! The Ronald and I were just talking about how fast time is going, and how "all of a sudden" we became old!

I think it's time to watch Back to the Future again.

(Gotta be the original one. I just love that movie!)

Yes, I'm feeling nostalgic, but looking back at fond memories is a way of life for me. Even when I was much younger, my happy childhood days would just pop into my mind. Obviously, since I've been writing my memoir for a number of years, I'm constantly surrounded with them. And for whatever reason(s), the majority are, thankfully, happy memories. 

Yesterday, I attended the Saturday Writers meeting and had such a wonderful time. I think I've only been to a couple of meetings this year which is really unusual for me. I saw many friends that I hadn't seen in a long time. It was like "Old Home Week." The speaker, author Pamela Foster, gave a very entertaining presentation, including challenging writing prompts.

Afterwards, a few of us dined together at a local Mexican restaurant, having a raucous time! (I'm not naming any names and you can't make me!) It was a fabulous day and one I needed much more than I realized. Friendship and camaraderie can help to heal many wounds. 

May all of you have a beautiful, blissful week!

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." -- Albert Schweitzer

* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday!

Last night I thought about Christmases of long ago, and it occurred to me to share a few lines from various chapters in my memoir. 

~~~

The first one involves my sister Jo Ann, my brother Mike and me. I was 10 years old.(my parents were recently divorced at this time)
.......another very cold Sunday, Jo Ann, Mike and I were at Mass. When it was time to go to Communion, we were still completely bundled up in our heavy winter coats. Since we walked the few blocks to church, we never did warm up. As we knelt at the Communion railing, all of a sudden one of the shiny, gold buttons on Mike's coat popped off and went soaring up towards the altar. I guess he had on one too many layers that day and the thread couldn't hold any longer. And of course, being in a situation where we shouldn’t laugh, it made us want to giggle all the more. We couldn’t help but do that silent, shoulder shaking laughing and a bit of snorting, too. Luckily, the button didn’t hit the priest, or anyone else, but it pinged a couple of times as it bounced around the marble floor and steps. I could feel many pairs of eyes scanning the front of church, wondering who the culprits were. The three of us managed to get through the rest of Mass without causing any more commotion, but I don’t think we could've said what the closing hymn was. We were too busy trying to keep solemn faces and weren't doing a very good job of it.

~~~

I remember a few things all the way back to when I was three years old. The following are some of them.

My brother and I never believed in Santa Claus. Why, you may ask? Our mother didn’t want us to! She said when she learned the truth as a little girl she was so devastated she didn’t want her own children to ever suffer the way she did. Huh?! ....

...I watched my older sisters Marian and JoAnn wrap presents.....Some years we had Snow-in-a-Can and Dad sprayed that fake stuff all over the tree. I actually have a few delicate ornaments with that gunk still on them......Those early Christmases were perfect and I still carry them in my heart. Our tiny house didn't overflow with gifts or decorations, but with our family's love. There was a warmth to our home that I felt even as a little girl of three or four years old.

Becky & Mike
get a load of my knock knees!

~~~

The time frame of the following speaks for itself.

......I particularly remember getting an idea in my head the Christmas I was 12 years old. I truly believed he was going to “come to his senses” and come home to us. (I’m pretty sure that idea came from my mother.)  I sat for hours in our living room, facing the front door, listening to Bing Crosby croon “I’ll Be Home for Christmas." I played that record so many times, I almost wore it out.  I just knew any minute he would burst through the door, ask for forgiveness and be loaded down with gifts for all of us, including Mother. It was a scene I played repeatedly in my wistful daydreams. I made sure the porch light was on, so Dad could find our house. But of course, that never happened.  (The title of this chapter is "Thoughts On Love & Forgiveness," and was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul; Divorce & Recovery in 2008.)

Although most of my adolescent Christmases were lonely, because they were spent without my dad, I choose more times than not to remember those early, happy ones.

Wishing everyone the merriest of Christmases!

 "Memory is the library of the mind." -- Francis Fauvel Gouraud

Busting Through Writer's Block

I don't remember exactly when I finally busted through my writer's block. 

*You would think I'd remember the exact day of such a momentous occasion, wouldn't you? And it hasn't really been that long ago. But, as I've mentioned before, my long-term memory is wonderful....and thank goodness, since I'm writing a memoir! But, my short-term memory...Sheesh, I don't even know half the time why I walked into or out of a certain room.*


This morning as I was getting ready for my day, it hit me. And so, you know what I did? I immediately grabbed my handy-dandy pencil and paper, jotted it down, folded it and put it in my pocket. *Yay for those simple writers' tools!* 

And so, in case I haven't already done so, I just had to share my little revelation in hopes it might help someone else:

* I realized I was writing the chapters of my memoir as if they were Chicken Soup for the Soul entries. 

* They weren't quite personal enough. 

* They didn't sound like me. 

* I know all about "Voice" in writing, and I know what mine is.

* But I also think there are various levels of that voice. 

* I needed to write more like I really talk. 

* There I was, sharing events of my life in my writing, and it just didn't sound like "me."

THAT did it. THAT was my answer. THAT was my breakthrough. 

It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Yes, in hindsight it is. But that's how it happened to me. And when I finally realized it, 

I began to write! 

The words poured out of me and I felt like I'd been hit with Writer's Lightning! 

Image: Microsoft Word Clip Art

Those of you who've read my posts involving prop planes and my writing, will get a kick out of this! I can't believe there even is a Clip Art like this.

I know this is blurry, but I love this picture. See Vern's paw on his rawhide chew bone?
Awwww, isn't he adorable?? 

When my beloved, pal Vern, and I went on our walk today, I saw prop planes fly over, again, just as they always do...just for me.


"We shouldn't forget that the universe moves with us, is at our back with everything we do." -- Natalie Goldberg

Wandering Wednesday

As far as my rant yesterday, I really don't know what all the changes will be when all is said and done, and I decided to Go With The Flow and not waste [any more of] my time stressing over it! (But I can still be mad, right?!) AND, I googled Free Blogs, and found a couple that I messed around with yesterday. Also found a couple that weren't free, but were reasonable. I'm ready to just wait and see. And as Doris Day always sang  --  ♪♫ Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be.. ♪♫


* Also, I apologize for not responding to your comments lately. I honestly appreciate everyone who reads my blog, and especially those who take the time to leave a comment. AND, I've also been terrible about getting around to read all the blogs I love. I'm going to try to do much better on that. *

~~~~~

I won't be posting anything new until at least Sunday night. One of my cousins and her husband are coming to town. I'm SO excited because we've only seen each other twice since we were little girls, and I've never met her husband! She's bringing some old photos to share, too. ☺

  ~~~~~

(photo taken by Becky)

The Ronald and I are really enjoying bird watching. We have one bird feeder in our back yard (in above photo) and three in the front, all hanging from tree branches. My favorite is the cardinal. The males seem to have a particularly brilliant color this year. I have no idea if it's mating season, or what...but when I see and/or hear one, I must stop and revel in their charm and beauty!



Do you have any plans for the weekend? What brings you joy?




"In memory everything seems to happen to music." - Tennessee Williams

Searching for Bliss

A few days ago I wrote the following. Originally it was going to be a "regular" chapter in my memoir but as I typed, the words felt more like a poem to me. It was one of those special moments when the words just flowed. (If this isn't poetry, please forgive me. It's my very first one.)

Untitled


I strolled along the pavement,
the sound of quiet surrounding me
like a quilt. The stillness was deafening
until I heard the engine of a prop plane
flying overhead. Stopping and shading my eyes,
I squint and watch it putter across
the powder blue sky.
Memories flooded my soul,
immediately tugging my mouth
into a wide grin.

The next day I walk the
same path. A distant cardinal chirps,
most likely believing it's already spring.
Why shouldn't he?
These past few days have been nothing
but glorious.
Only the calendar page declares
it's just early February.
I turn, looking for his brilliant crimson color
among the vast bare branches
but my eyes cannot find him.

I notice the sky is full of "airplane smoke,"
those cloud-like wispy lines also
carry memories for the child within me.
I close my eyes, and for a moment
I'm standing motionless in my front yard again.
I stare up, marveling at the sight above,
taking it all in and thinking as profoundly as
a five-year-old possibly can.

Blinking, I become aware of
my present surroundings and
begin my journey
back home.
Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow
I'll think back and
reminisce once more.
Sentimental journeys.
Always bittersweet.

©2012 Becky Povich

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Memories and ideas (for my book) pop into my head quite often. And just as quickly as my mind attempts to grasp those thoughts and hang onto them, all too often they pop right out again, not even leaving a wisp of a reminiscence.

Because of those short-lived reflections, I try to have paper and pen everywhere. Two of the most recent scribbled notes have these words on them: Ball and Jacks, (and) Pop Beads. Oh my gosh, how I loved playing the game of Jacks, and creating jewelry with my Pop Beads!

Over the past couple of years I've thought about buying some Jacks, but the only ones I ever saw in stores were the huge, plastic ones.

Google/Ebay image

Nope. Don't like 'em. Gotta be more like I remember. So, eventually the Old Light-Bulb came on, I looked on Google and bought some from Amazon. And an extra benefit: I read many comments on the Amazon page from women of my generation who said they were great for hand eye coordination and improving motor skills.

Here's five of the jacks, the ball, and my palm. I actually got through Onesis last night! ☺

How many of you played Jacks when you were little? And would you like to do it again?

* I know many of us are still having "issues" with trying to leave and respond to comments. It is quite annoying, but I decided I'm not going to make any changes on my blog, unless I absolutely HAVE to.

It seems that Maxine feels the same......

"Change is good as long as I don't have to do anything different." -- Maxine



Intense Colors & Joy

I've mentioned before that autumn is my favorite season. I wasn't sure what kind of affect the crazy summer weather would have on the leaves in my part of the world, but I must say I haven't been a bit disappointed!

When I've been in my car the past few days, I could barely keep my eyes on the road due to my "Tree Admiring, Shrub Gawking, Foliage Observing" driving!

I thought many internal "Oohs and Aahs" and even shrieked some outloud....all to myself, while meandering through winding roads.

When I left to go on errands today I even took my camera with me. I realized immediately, though, I wasn't going to be able to stop and take pictures.

I would've been stopping every few feet, rolling down my car windows, taking pictures of gorgeous trees in people's yards....and would've probably had the police called on me! I'm going to have The Ronald drive me and see how that works. ☺ 

So..when I got back home this afternoon, it was time for Vern's walk. We try to go on one every single day. He gives me the incentive to do it even when I don't really want to, because he just loves it! AND, an added side benefit to that is....it certainly has helped with my weight loss. I've lost between twelve and fourteen pounds, depending on how well I eat any certain day! I plan to lose at least eight more.

Vern snoozing last Saturday evening, after a hard day....consisting of one walk and lots of rest!

Anyway, while on our walk today, I picked up a few lovely leaves to share with y'all. These were right in my neighborhood which is just breathtaking.

While stooping down to pick these up, a flood of school day memories hit me: Walking home from fifth grade, shuffling through the fallen leaves carrying an armful of books, seeing a pile of burning leaves at the edge of the street, hearing the crackling noise and inhaling that intoxicating aroma, reliving the two-sentence conversation I had with the current boy of my dreams....Ahh, it seems like yesterday.

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ---Carol Bishop Hipps