Where Were You on 9/11?

Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001?  No doubt, you remember exactly, don't you?


I was driving by the Pentagon.  We were leaving Arlington to return to South Carolina, after taking my six-month-old nephew, Ryan, home to his parents. We spent the night of the 10th, then got up on the 11th to drive home. We had planned to leave between 8 am and 8:30 but it was more like 8:45 when we actually left my sister’s house.

As we approached the Pentagon, I wondered aloud why there were police officers everywhere and why there were roadblocks being set up on the entrance and exit ramps. People were scrambling, rushing to close of the streets.  In fact, I said that somebody important must be coming or going or doing something.

Because we were listening to an audio book, we didn’t have the radio on. Shortly, though, the cell phone rang. That's when we learned  that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Immediately, we switched from listening to the book to listening to the radio.

We continued to drive south, trying to get news and trying to figure out what had happened. Soon, we learned of the second plane attack on the World Trade Center. And then the Pentagon crash. And then the news about the Pennsylvania crash.

These were hours of disbelief, shock, horror, confusion.  This was more than the mind could fathom.

During some stretches along I-95, it was difficult to get clear radio signals, but we picked up bits and pieces as much as possible. It became clear that the country was under attack.

We felt helpless.  Perhaps out of the helpless feeling came our desire to make a statement of sorts.  We started looking for an American flag to put on the car. We were determined to show our pride in America. At the first exit, we couldn’t find an American flag to purchase. Nor could we find one at the next exit. Or the next. In fact, it took us many stops and about 200 miles to find a flag. We bought several.

As we continued the drive, people honked and waved at the flag on the car.  Within days, in the aftermath of this tragedy, there were flags everywhere.
It many ways, it was a long drive home. My son lived in Arlington and worked at the Department of Justice in D.C. I couldn’t reach him by phone. I couldn't find anyone who knew where he was for about 48 hours.

It took a while, but a much shorter time, to reach my sister and brother-in-law also. I was anxious about family and friends in New York and in D.C.

As we’ve been reminded many times lately, it’s been ten years. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Me? You Want Me????

In most places across the US, schools are not in session.  Students are likely delighted.  Parents are thinking the break is way too long; teachers are thinking it's way to short. 

I was just reflecting on some of the things teachers are missing during this break.  For example:

Children just love show-and-tell time at school, don’t they?


Show-and-tell is an exciting time for children to share something important to them and to share a glimpse into their lives away from the classroom. It’s a time for children to gain confidence in making presentations in front of others, which is really, really important.

Years ago, I was filled with pride when Tree, my fifth-grade son, asked me if I would go with him for the class show-and-tell time!

I thought maybe the teacher had assigned students to bring their role models to class. (Okay, this was wishful thinking on my part.)

No, perhaps it was to be someone who baked cookies for them.

Or maybe, since I was serving on a local school board, it was to be someone in the public eye or someone who helped schools. Even though my mind raced with possibilities, it really didn’t matter why he wanted me to come with him to school; I was just so pleased that he asked!

As Friday, the day for this event, drew near, I casually asked my son why he had chosen me. My question to him was rather matter-of-fact, no big deal. Well, it was no big deal to him, when he casually answered, “Oh, we’re supposed to bring examples of vertebrate animals, and I thought you’d be a good example.”

A vertebrate animal?!?! Now, isn’t that special? I managed to keep a pleasant look on my face as I assured him I’d be there and that probably no one else would bring the same kind of animal as the one he was bringing to class. Ah, the sacrifices parents make!

But the best was yet to come! On Friday morning, as we readied for school, he said, “Oh, Mom; there’s just one thing. Mrs. Watkins said if the animal was large it had to be in a cage.”

A cage? Did my son think I was going to be put into a cage? I went with him that day, but as this vertebrate animal and her son walked into the classroom, we both indeed walked. I was not in a cage.

~    ~    ~    ~    ~

(During this busy time of year, I am reposting some of my favorites from time to time.)

Great Minds Think Alike - Perhaps Unfortunately

When I’ve gone out to Denver to babysit my grandson, I’ve enjoyed driving daughter Mandy’s car because it has one of those great gadgets known as a GPS.

Mandy had hers programmed so that it told me verbally and showed me on a map how to get to the nearest grocery store, to the post office, to the airport and various other places. I felt like a child with a new toy!

I decided that one day I would splurge and get one for myself.

A few weeks ago, there was a one-day “gold box” deal on amazon.com with an almost half-price sale on a particular GPS – while quantities lasted. Ah, this was my day. I clicked and ordered one. After all, who can ever find something like that for half-price, even after Christmas?

Besides the great deal, this one had a wide screen, something my old eyes could actually see!

Bear in mind, though, that, while I like gadgets, I am not technologically inclined. I was able to use the GPS but didn’t know everything about programming it. So, I e-mailed Mandy, told her I gotten one but would need her help when they were in town for Christmas. This was her response:

“Well, I don't want to help you. I want to punch you in the face. We all went in together to get you a nice GPS for Christmas. I hope you like it, because now you are going to have two!”

She later e-mailed again, saying she didn’t really want to punch me in the face, although I knew she did. She and the others (Tiffany, Tree and Adam) were disappointed – and I was heart-broken that I had ruined their wonderful surprise.

I offered to return mine, but she said later they had come up with an alternative.

And that’s how it came to be that this grandma is now the owner of an iPod nano.

What I’ve figured out thus far is fun!

~                             ~                              ~                               ~

I Am SO Thankful: For These and So Much More!

    

I am thankful. Not just today but every day.

For three fantastic children who are wonderful adults - Tiffany, Tree and Mandy shown here just after Mandy's marriage to Adam.

For a fabulous mom and for memories of a fabulous dad.

For two sisters (Christy & Lorri) and two brothers (Rod & Shawn) I wouldn’t trade for anything (most days.)

For a great son-in-law, Adam Brantley.

For an adorable grandson, Harrison Cothran Brantley.

For remarkable friends, both old and new.

For a warm and caring church family.






For 60 good years of life.

For God-given talents and abilities.

For health.

For a wonderful extended family.

For a sense of humor.

For our military who serve us.

For law enforcement and firefighters who protect us.

For educators who touch and help shape the future.

For the power of prayer and faith.

For the freedoms we enjoy in our country and for the hope those freedoms will be around for a long time.

For volunteers who give so much of themselves in so many ways.

For the beauty of nature - colorful rainbows, glorious sunshine, majestic mountains, rolling oceans, chirping birds, laughing children, refreshing rain, seasonal changes and so much more.

And, this year in particular, I am thankful for the time I had with Carroll a/k/a “The Dawg.”

As odd as it may sound and as much as I would like for him to still be here with me, I am thankful for the way in which he left us – a peaceful death; opportunities to say good-bye to family and friends; no lingering, on-going suffering. I am thankful I was with him and in his arms as he took his last breath. What a blessing!

May you enjoy counting your blessings today - and every day!
~                ~               ~                   ~                  ~                 ~                    ~                       ~

PH: ORANGE - in Sports, Recreation, Nature and Even Politics???

What fun I had with this week's Photo Hunt theme.  It's orange.  What in the world would I find that was orange?

As it turns out, there's a whole lot of orange around us.  And I even came across a picture that's over 25 years old that has orange in it. 

Sometimes there's orange in beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 

Do you see the orange halo around this Summerville street lamp?

I just happened to see an orange bike in a local parking lot.

Heavy machinery might be orange, like these two pieces of equipment at a local rental place.

The name of my blog might be "EX Marks the Spot" but, in these next three pictures, orange marks the spot - or spots - for work to be done.  Orange paint, orange flags, orange signs.

Okay, here's the really old photo - over 25 years old.  Tree, my son (now an attorney in DC who will kill me if he sees this photo) is wearing an orange life jacket.  Behind him are nephews Ross and Rodney (partially hidden) and daughter Tiffany.  Yep, they'll ALL kill me!

Yes, I'm being grandma again.  Orange gave me the opportunity to share another picture of grandson Harrison.

Quite a few sports teams have orange as one of their colors.

In South Carolina, orange means the Clemson Tigers.  Their blood runs orange.

And speaking of South Carolina, here's a picture from The State newspaper of Mark Sanford, our "Luv Guv."  If you're not from South Carolina, "orange" you glad he's not your governor?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see other Photo Hunt participants and their orange posts, click here.     

Have You Seen Elvis???

Sunday will be the anniversary of Elvis' death.

And that reminded me of an incident from the past.

Years ago, after the ex and I split up, I was bedless for a while. He got the bedroom set because his parents had given it to us.

I could do without a bed but not without a refrigerator, for example. I slept on a pallet on the floor, and this actually helped my back. (I’ve had two back surgeries.)

This was fine, no real problems.
Until one night.
My son, Tree, came to the bedroom and asked, “Mom, have you seen Elvis?”

What had he just asked me? Did he really say Elvis???
“Tree, Elvis has been dead for years!”

Somewhat frantic, he said, “No, Mom, I’m talking about Jon’s Elvis.”
I had absolutely no idea what or who he was in such a dither about. I knew who Jon was; I thought I knew who Elvis was – with an emphasis on “was.”

As it turns out, Tree was babysitting Jon’s pet hamster while Jon and his family were vacationing. Elvis was the hamster and he had gotten out of his cage and out of Tree’s grasp as well.

There was a critter loose in our house and I had been sleeping on the floor! That isn’t the kind of thing that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Fuzzy? Well, maybe so. Warm? No way!

After that, I slept on the sofa. To this day, I’m convinced that the children kept other critters in the house from time to time without my knowledge and, thank goodness, without incident.




Flickr photo by violinsoldier.

Family, Friends and Facebook

Why am I on Facebook?

Well, I’m not certain about the “why” but I enjoy it.

This started about three years ago when I was in law school. I resisted for a while, thinking it was only for teens and the young 20-somethings.

Soon, though, I joined in. We set up study groups that way. This was our only serious use, however -- if I remember correctly.

Since then, the “face” of Facebook has changed. There are loads of people around my age. I’ve found long-lost friends from high school, from my hometown and more. It’s enjoyable to hear from them and to exchange news and pictures. People I knew as teenagers are now grandparents.

There are word games that I use for what I hope is “Alzheimer’s or dementia prevention.”

My Facebook “friends” are of all different ages, all walks of life and from just about everywhere.

Both of my daughters are Facebook friends.

Not my son, though.

I’ve sent a request on more than one occasion.

He refuses to befriend me. He says I’m too old for Facebook.

I'll bet he'd be surprised to learn there are people even older than I am on Facebook. Actually, he'd probably be shocked to find out there are people older than I am still LIVING!!!

No iPod in Austria

Three years ago this month, I was getting ready to live in a dorm for almost six weeks. At the age of 56! In Austria.

I was to study International Commercial Arbitration at Johannes Kepler Universitat in Linz, Austria.

No, this wasn’t an Elderhostel group.

We were law students from Georgia State University, Charleston School of Law, Rutgers University, Mercer University, the University of South Carolina and Seattle University School of Law.

There were over 50 of us and 95% were in their 20s. I was the oldest in the group, without any doubt or question.

In advance of our trip, we each received a list of suggested items to take with us. One was an iPod.


I mentioned that list to my son, Tree.


He said, “Mom, do NOT buy an iPod. Do NOT. You are too old for an iPod. You would look silly with an iPod.”

Okay, so I’m out of the tune with the modern world. I did not get an iPod.


Ah, the realities of life brought to us by our children.

(These are pictures of Tree when he graduated from George Washington School of Law.)

Photo Hunt: WALKING

The theme for this week's Photo Hunt in blogland is WALKING.

Have you ever seen a cow walking upright? Here's one. Okay, so he's the Chick-fil-A cow, not a real cow.


Someone has been walking in the sand on the beach.




One person walking was The Dawg, but I don't think those are his footprints.

Humans aren't the only ones walking on the beach.

Members of our church choir are walking in the Palm Sunday procession.

Family members participated in the Autism Awareness Walk last fall. Here (standing - just before walking) are Mandy, Lorri, Tree, Mom, Lisa and Nancy.

Lots of people from South Carolina and North Carolina were walking for autism awareness.

To see more participants in Photo Hunt, click here.

Some Show 'n Tell

Years ago, I was filled with pride when Tree, my fifth-grade son, asked me if I would go with him for the class show-and-tell time.

I thought maybe the teacher had assigned students to bring their role models to class.

No, perhaps it was to be someone who baked cookies for them.

Or maybe, since I was serving on a local school board, it was to be someone in the public eye or someone who helped schools.

Even though my mind raced with possibilities, it really didn’t matter why he wanted me to come with him to school; I was just so pleased that he asked!

As Friday, the day for this event, drew near, I casually asked my son why he had chosen me. My question to him was rather matter-of-fact, no big deal.

Well, it was no big deal to him, when he casually answered, “Oh, we’re supposed to bring examples of vertebrate animals, and I thought you’d be a good example.”

A vertebrate animal.

Now, isn’t that special?

I managed to keep a pleasant look on my face as I assured him I’d be there and that probably no one else would bring the same kind of animal as he was bringing to class.

Ah, the sacrifices parents make!

But the best was yet to come! On Friday morning, as we readied for school, he said, “Oh, Mom; there’s just one thing. Mrs. Watkins said if the animal was large it had to be in a cage.”

A cage? Did my son think I was going to be put into a cage?

I went with him that day, but as this vertebrate animal and her son walked into the classroom, we both indeed walked. I was not in a cage.

* * * *

Copyright 2008 Sherry Shealy Martschink

(Since April marks the one year anniversary of this blog, I'm occasionally doing a few re-posts from the blog's beginnings. This is one of those.)

Photo Hunt: Thankful -- for "F" Words?

The word for this week's Photo Hunt in blogland is "thankful."

I am thankful for much, but especially for the "F" words: Family, Friends and Faith.

Most of the family, Christmas 2008.

Mandy, Adam, Tree & Tiffany - on vacation.

(two daughters, one son, one son-in-law.)

More pictures of family and friends at the bottom of the blog page in a slideshow.

Click here to find more participants in Photo Hunt.

To Curl or Not To Curl?

Just the other day, daughter Mandy said she thought her 11-month-old son would look older once he got more hair.
More hair? She’s lucky he has ANY hair, being her son.
When Mandy, my third child, was born, she was totally bald. Totally.
And she stayed that way for several months. For that reason, I usually kept her in dresses or frills so people wouldn’t call her “him.”

One afternoon, when she was about six months old, I took all three children to the fair. Tiffany was 7; Tree was 5.
After parking the van, I went around to get Mandy out of her car seat – and what a shock I had.

Brother Tree had used a thick blue marker to draw curls all over Mandy’s bald head!

He explained that he was tired a people calling his baby sister a boy and that’s why he gave her curls.

Well, these markers, you know, are supposedly permanent. It took a long time for Mandy to “shed” her curls, even with frequent washing. In the meantime, she wore bonnets to cover those thick, navy blue curls!

You Wrote WHAT????

Perhaps you’re familiar with the college application process, either for yourself or for a family member. It’s actually quite tedious and it’s not cheap.


When my son, Tree, was at that stage, he applied to several schools, even though this meant loads of paperwork.
For Tree, the process took place well over a dozen years ago. Even so, there’s one of those application forms I’ll never forget.

Now, bear in mind: the cost was $35 to $100 per submission, depending on the school, so this was serious business.


On this one particular application booklet, there were a few pages of background and rather mundane questions. Then there was a page that was almost blank. At the top were instructions to choose a topic for a one-page essay.


When Tree finished with the form, that page remained almost blank. Under the instructions, he had written the word “pickles.”
That’s all. Nothing else. Nada. Just “pickles.”

When I asked him what in the blue blazes he was doing, he explained, “Mom, it doesn’t say to write a one-page essay. It just says to choose a topic for a one-page essay.”

And that’s the way this application form - with an almost blank page - remained as he mailed it to the college admissions office.
His future, my money – and he wrote “pickles.”

Christmas, Sniffles & Puffs

Christmas was – well, it was hard to describe this year.

For one thing, I’ve been sick since the 23rd or 24th. If I had money to invest, it would be in Kleenex or one of the other brands of tissues.

Actually, the investment would probably be in the Puffs brand. That’s because my daughter has decided that her son should call me Grandma Puff. That’s a whole ‘nother story!


If had a nickel for every time I’ve coughed or sneezed, I would definitely have the money to invest in Puffs, Kleenex and lots of other things.

But Christmas was also wonderful. Daughter Tiffany came home from Nashville; son Tree was home from D.C.; daughter Mandy, her husband, Adam, and their son, Harrison, were home from Denver. Could there be anything better than having them all at home at the same time, even if for a short while only??

And on the 26th, I played with grandson Harrison while Tiffany, Tree, Mandy and Adam cooked dinner for all of us. They shopped, cooked and cleaned up afterward. What a treat! Everything was SO delicious. I'm still eating leftovers -- enjoying and remembering.


The night before – on Christmas – we were all up at Mom’s house with my two brothers and two sisters and their families. Lively and loud the whole night.



Clement Moore wrote “not a creature was stirring” about Christmas Eve; on this Christmas night, when our family was gathered, ALL of the creatures were stirring – and more. It was certainly not a "silent night."


Even though I was sick and had a splitting headache, I still enjoyed being with family. (The Dawg was sick, so he didn’t get to go to Mom’s. Or perhaps he would say he was sick, so he didn’t have to go.)


The celebration part with family is over but Christmas should never be over.
May you live Christmas all year ‘round – the way it’s meant to be!

Reindeer Games

There are reindeer in my house.
Sort of.

Years ago, my children – like all children, I imagine – would look for hidden presents before Christmas. It was never very easy to hide gifts. I believe that when a child found a gift with his or her name on it, that child would shake the gift or maybe even peek under the wrapping paper in hopes of finding out what might be in the box. The "evidence" led me to believe there had been what one might call "tampering."

So, I simply quit hiding the gifts. Instead, I put the names of various reindeer on packages. (As daughter Mandy pointed out, this was not an original idea; a long-ago neighbor did the same.) Each year, it became a game to figure out which reindeer was which person. Usually, each child was two reindeer.

This has become one of our family traditions. It just wouldn’t seem right to have gifts with the real names instead of reindeer names.

Now, the children are grown – ranging from 26 to 33 – and the family has grown to include a son-in-law and a grandchild.

They’re all living in other states, but their gifts are ready with reindeer names, awaiting their arrival home for Christmas.

Since there are more people, I’ve added Frosty and a few other names, although I haven’t yet had to use Scrooge or the Grinch, thank goodness.

Of course, there’s been another change: I’ve gotten older as well, so the biggest problem now has to do with remembering which person is which reindeer and keeping up with where I’ve hidden THAT list!