November. The month of Remembrance Day, also known as Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day, how thankful we are to live in our America, liberty, so precious a gift for each of us. It is so special that we can enjoy our liberty every day here in America and our country we have the freedom to vote to participate and free enterprise, and to worship as we are lead. We need to be reminded often of their value. And the words of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key, the price of our liberty is made quite clear, a great price was paid by our forefathers. And that price is still being paid in our country today.
Episode 34: Learning from the Birds →
This is the time of year when some folks leave the prairie winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residents there will say, “The snowbirds are coming!”
About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south in a V formation. In the spring, they fly north, and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese. We can learn about sharing leadership from the geese. When the goose in the lead gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose takes over at the point position. We can also learn from the geese, to be interdependent and take turns and doing the hard tasks in a caring and sharing way.
Episode 33: You Learn What You Live →
Recent articles have emphasized the importance of reading those bedtime stories to the children. Research and a panel of experts have found that the percentage of children whose parents read to them is far too low. Children appreciate the time we spend with them and they learn the most from the examples we give them in our daily lives. A poem by Dorothy Law Nolte shares these thoughts.
Episode 32: Black Cats →
While I sip a cup of tea on this foggy morning, I will tell you about my grandkitten who is making her home in the little home on the prairie. Some grandparents just love to tell stories about their grandchildren and I will have to admit that I enjoy doing it too for my recreation, but this morning I will share with you my thoughts about my little grandkitten.
Episode 31: Sweetest Day →
Last week we had a few warm days, and we really enjoyed the beautiful summer weather. I remarked to my granddaughter about the warm weather and emphasized that it was really warm.
“Grandma, what does warm mean?” “Not so hot” was my quick reply.
Apparently I was having a brain cramp. At the moment, I said it would be too difficult for her to understand Webster's dictionary, or how the dictionary got started. I remember long ago, I was told how the dictionary got started, it was one night when Mr and Mrs Webster, got into an argument, and one word led to another and his famous dictionary was compiled at the age of seventy years.
Episode 30: Independent Females →
Last week I shared thoughts by President Herbert Hoover on “What is a Boy.” When I read those thoughts to my seven-year-old grandson, he stated very emphatically, “Grandma, you still have a lot to learn yet about boys.” Lou Henry Hoover, wife of President Hoover, wrote an enlightening essay on “The Independent Girl.” This essay was perhaps written a century ago.
Episode 29: Season of Beauty →
As I write these lines, I hear reports of snow falling throughout various parts of the country. And it is not even the last day of September. Oh, well, I am sure we can expect autumn and beautiful summer weather and that favorite month of the year, October. Letters always come when I need to be inspired with the changing seasons of the year. And this one came from Esther E Young from Auburn, Maine. She shares some of her beautiful writings and has given permission to share a few with you the readers. Incidentally, she writes that she is currently busy writing Christmas thoughts already.
Episode 28: Millennials →
Recently, I attended a convention in St. Louis and while there heard an essayist speak on the year of the child. The whole year, 2001, centers on children. However, every year could be the year of the child.
Since the greatest generation is now in decline. We are depending on the millennial generation. This generation is also referred to as the Baby Boomlets. The essayist emphasized that they need meaningful youth ministry with mentors. They may become the next greatest generation. He stated that our Millennials are self reliant because their parents work and they have electronic babysitters. This generation is interested in learning about the heroes of the past. They are impressed by their deeds and by their needs. They want to hear the stories of their grandparents and value their experiences. The Boomer parents lament the fact that there are a lack of real heroes for their children.
Episode 27: Hugs for Everyone →
The Labor Day weekend provides a great holiday for families who still need a few more days vacation. September is when we start counting the days of summer we still have left. September is also the month for Grandparents Day. This past summer, the grandchildren came to vacation at the little home on the prairie.
One day I heard the older grandchildren laughing upstairs. They had found grandma's humor box. The youngest grandchild, very active two year old Trevor keeps everyone challenged. Grandma would rub his back at nap time. When he returned home from vacation, he ordered his dad, “Rub my back!” (laughter) Okay, sorry.
Episode 26: Reunions →
After reading last week's Warm Thoughts column with the winning poem on relatives, you perhaps anticipated (as I have) just what I will write about those relatives - the ones who attended the family reunion. Yes, this reunion was a real historic event as it was the 60th anniversary. Imagine 60 years having a Werner Reunion on the second Sunday of August.
Episode 25: Family Poems →
In last week's column I mentioned that the Young Poets award winner for 1995 in Washington DC had the winning poem entitled “Relatives.” As I was planning for this column and sharing with you my thoughts on the family reunion I was planning on attending…. surprise, that winning poem arrived in the mail.
This year’s winner, by young lady age 14, is one to share in this warm thoughts column.
Episode 24: Back to School We Go →
Summertime. Good ole summertime. Here It is... August. A time to reflect on summer joys and challenges. As an early riser, I have enjoyed the rising of the sun. The peaceful mornings listening to the birds sing and as I write these lines, it is a foggy morning. A heavy dew is on the grass as one walks down the country lane. Soon school will start, and many schools throughout the country are beginning classes earlier this year. As a lifelong learner, I look forward to the school days and Golden Rule days. However, I may feel my age when grandchildren asked me Grandma, “what century were you born in?”
Episode 23: Summer Days →
As I traveled early one morning, many warm thoughts came to mind about summer days. For many people summer is their favorite time of year. July is the “get up and go” vacation time of the year. It is festival and celebration time and a long remembered holiday. The lakes and countryside, the sunrise and sunsets bring many peaceful and tranquil thoughts on warm summer days.
Episode 22: Independence Day Reflections →
Did you celebrate America's birthday? Over 200 years have past of celebrating our good old USA. Many ceremonies come to mind as we remember celebrating Independence Day. As we reflect on the month of June and Father's Day celebrations with family, my thoughts reflect on historical facts about the father of our country, George Washington. Recently, I read Washington's prayer for our country, and I would like to share his warm thoughts for America: “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the states over which you preside in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field. And Finally, that he would dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific member of mind, which were characteristics of the Divine author of our blessed religion. And without a humble imitation of His example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”
Episode 21: Fatherhood →
When you dear readers will have a quiet moment to read this week's column, Father's Day will be another memory. And again, I pay tribute to a father, my father.
It was back in the days when love and saving so many American families through the Great Depression. My father became a single parent in my preteens years because of the loss of his mate and his heroic faith carried him through difficult times. He was a single parent for me and my three siblings. Believe me, if he were still living, he will be a model and a shining Christian example for the fathers of our present generations. However, his legacy lives on.
Episode 20: The Month of Family →
From Mother's Day until Father's Day, we have had National Family Month. It has been so good to have received many special thoughts about families, the heart of every home.
From a friend in Texas came some thoughts written by Gary R. Collins, the author of many articles and books on families. He believes and keeping families strong in the midst of Earth shaking change. The following are 10 statements about families:
Episode 19: The Process of Aging →
During the month of May, many states host an annual event on the Governor's Conference on Aging. At these conferences, older Americans may learn new ways for healthy living and lifelong learning.
Sometime ago, my friend Mary shared an article entitled “Nostalgia,” which I feel may be interesting to our readers as they review the changes of the century.
Over the last 50 to 60 years, we have been witness to many changes in our lives. Here are just a few of them. We were born before cordless phones, fax machines and ice makers. Whoever heard of organ transplants or root canals? Horsepower was something to do with a horse collars. Ring the doorbell instead of blowing their horn. The Fallout problem was something kept under your hat. And when folks sat down to dinner, they counted their blessings instead of calories.
Episode 18: Happy Mother's Year →
A faithful reader of the Warm Thoughts column and a very dear friend sent an essay entitled, “Wet Oatmeal Kisses” for Mother's Day column. It is thought provoking and helps us realize how fast children grow up.
Wet Oatmeal Kisses,
The baby's teething, the children are fighting. Your husband just called and said, “eat dinner without me.” One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, “Why don't you grow up and actor age?” And they will.
Or, “You guys get outside and find yourself something to do. And don't...slam the door.” And they don't.
Episode 17: How are those New Year's Resolutions? →
It will be very interesting to know how many readers of this warm thoughts column make new year's resolutions. Have you kept those resolutions you so thoughtfully made? I can't remember when I received this gem in the mail. It was probably around Valentine's Day, a real gift for me to ponder. The article suggested that you plant your tongue firmly in cheek. And they also suggested that you make the following pledges for the year of our Lord, 2002.
Episode 16: Oh, Technology →
Have you checked your email today? When my sister who lives in Colorado got a new computer a few years ago, I asked her what she named the computer. My grandson thinks computers need a boy name. However, I know university professor who calls his computer Susie. Not sure what he named the latest computer he purchased.
Does this sound a bit strange to the faithful readers of this warm thoughts column? Do you remember when America was referred to as a “she” by former President Reagan? Ships have been known as being female, “Steady as she goes,” and, “She's sailing great captain!”