Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
The Best Christmas Gift in the Old House on the Farm
The house was crowded with all of us flooding into Grandpa and Grandma’s place in that Old House on the Farm at Christmas time. I was 10 years old. At times it was too much and too many people. It was good to get away from it all. But in a small house it was hard to do that.
My favorite room was what everyone called the West Room. Situated on the West end of the house it held the two couches and a chair which were around the edge of the room. Eventually at the southwest corner of the room the television would be perched for all to see. However when this best Christmas Gift happened to me, TV was at least two years away before it would come to the Farm.
The large oil “Space Heater” was located just to left as you entered the room… that would be on the east wall of the West Room. With the only other main heat being produces by the Kitchen stove, two rooms away, the Space Heater was needed in that West Room.
Sitting on the large couch near the Space Heater was an enchanted place. The sound of the endless winter west wind howling against the old window was mixed with the pop and hiss of the Space Heater. When it went on and off with its flame inside, the metal around the Space Heater expanded and contracted to give off the noses.
Now before you entered the West Room there was the Middle Room that housed Grandma’s sewing machine, the Wall Crank Telephone, and the trap door that let you to descend to the Root Cellar below. There was also door that led to the lean-to where the Cream Separator was housed along the stuff like old clothes and parkas for the out of doors. Grandma made the guys take off their “Barn Clothes” here because of the stink. Some people called it the Mud Room.
The one special thing about the Middle Room was the long storage shelves that had the long doors covering them. In that storage area one place held all the Popular Mechanics and Mechanics illustrated magazines. They were stacked high and available to the grandkids.
I was digging through that area this particular Christmas time, looking for a possible new magazine. Instead of a PM or MI magazine I found a larger magazine that was a mixture of photos and stories. I wish that knew which magazine it was – after all these years.
As I flipped through it one picture caught my attention. There was a huge dragon with its mouth open and below its head was a pile of Gold Treasures. It was a Pirate’s stash for sure. The sub title said something about “my hair turned white overnight….”
I began to read the story slowly and then it had me. I was into it.
I walked into the West Room and found the couch behind the Space Heater, curled up and began to read the amazing story. The hero adventurer was looking for shelter from a huge storm. He rowed his small boat along the ragged cliffs until he found what seemed to be a cleft in the rock face. As he approached the area he realized that the cleft was actually an entrance to a cave. The tide was low and the opening was easy to go through… so he did.
I followed him in the boat, under the dripping rocks, turning this way and that way… with just a little light showing over our shoulders. The hero took out his lantern and lit the wick. I could smell the smoke of the burning wick as the smoke curled up to the cliff ceiling.
The story was masterfully written to say the least. And I followed every word at my own speed. It was so real… and all that the hero did came alive for me.
As his lantern’s light shone from the boat the hero could see the flash of the jewels in the one crown and then another. The Gold chains and goblets glistened in the beam from the lantern. The Treasure was so much and so brilliant that it took my breath away! There was a pile of it!
The hero climbed from his small row boat up the slope to the Gold. Amazing – simply amazing! How could he ever take anything back with him? His boat was far too small. Worse yet the tide that had been out was now coming back in and the cave entrance would be secluded again from view on the outside and inside.
It was at that moment that the hero was considering what he should do next that he heard a noise off to his left… somewhere behind the Gold Treasure… a gold cup or something moved slightly giving a rattling noise. Then another thing moved. The heroes’ footsteps and his disturbing the pile of Golden pieces had caused something to wake up.
The huge dragon’s head appeared from behind the pile and a curious eye looked at the hero. Realizing he was not alone, seeing the man, the dragon came closer and became bigger and bigger. It had found a place to hide away and also to protect the treasure… now someone had come into its lair.
The story continued with the Dragon flashing out at the hero. The hero running and hiding – here and there. At the last moment the hero made a dash to his boat and rowed frantically to the now very small opening of the cave’s entrance. The boat scrapped against the top of the entrance as the waves and water pushed into the cave. And suddenly he was clear to the outside world again. The storm raged and the light was growing dim. His lantern was inside the cave.. but he was safe. The dragon was still inside protecting its treasure from any intruder that might come again.
The hero was taken in by a stranger he met and given a warm bed much later that night. In the morning when he woke he washed his face. It was at that moment that he was shocked and couldn’t speak… his hair had turned perfectly white.
As my eyes followed each word and then came to that last part… the story ended. Nothing more. The hero was safe and his hair was now white. What next? I want more!
I looked up at the window pane that was frosted over on that west wall. I heard nothing but the wind outside and the Space Heater inside. It was still as could be in that room. But just minutes before I was terrified and could feel the water dripping in the cave, see the Gold glistening and here the dragon coming.. I felt the panic as we headed to the cave entrance. WOW! The prairie wind kept blowing forever.
This was the very first story that I read from an adult magazine. It was the first adventure that I took outside of the flat prairie and to another world.
I became a reader of anything after that wonderful experience in the West room.
For 57 years I have wondered about caves with treasures. I have thought about dragons and heroes… and row boats… and adventure. In fact it was at that moment that my imagination was set afire and stirred so deeply that I couldn’t speak for a long while. No one would understand the trip that I had taken that day so long ago.
This week I am finishing the reading a Dan Brown book. I have a Ken Follett book ready to go after that. This will be my 57th Christmas with a good story… and I love it!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Old House on the Farm – Christmas Memories
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
The Old House on the Farm – Christmas Memories
When I was a boy we lived 55 miles from the Farm in my growing up and during my school years. The Farm was at Truax, Saskatchewan and we lived in Regina. Truax was a very small town and the Farm was located 3 miles west of the town. Regina was the Capital City of Saskatchewan – the biggest place I had ever known as a boy.
As this memory comes back from its hiding place of over 57 years or more… Regina is not a big city. I have since lived in cities of over 6 Million people. Regina at its very best now hovers around the 175,000 mark on good days. But in 1954 it was the Centre of My World for me, with Truax really being where the Universe had all started – the very heart of all things. Truax was the centre of everything.
It was the place that we spent all our holidays at. And it was the one special place that we all went back to at Christmas. Year after year we returned to Grandma and Grandpa’s House on the Farm.
From the age that I started to remember until about 10 years old, this Farm House was amazing to say the least. It represented all things that our family represented. And the people that came back into it at different times of their lives each brought part of the Old House’s personality. The Old House held all the memory like a treasure chest for all our family.
The Old House wasn’t big but it had been the epicenter of raising 8 children which included the oldest son who was a quadriplegic. My Grandfather had purchased two older, small houses and then joined them together to make a house for 10. But it is smaller than the home I live in today with three people making this one full!
Now you can imagine as the children started to marry and then bring home their spouses for Christmas and special celebrations, it became more crowded. And when these married ones started having kids of their own… it was very full and very fun at times. I think as the oldest Grandson (second grandchild) my memories are longer and more.
Rather than give a long list of memories in that old house I will simply say there was family that made the memories… sometimes good and sometimes not so good… not bad… just tense at times. But what would you expect in a small, old house with lots of bodies?
I write about the Old House on the Farm as the Centre of my Universe. The City we lived in was the Centre of My World – but the Farm House was where we came from.
Even today if I were able to drive out to the Old Farm and stand where the Old House used to be… I would have flash backs or memories from long ago. When I am able to be in Saskatchewan and Regina, and if we have the time, I will always drive out there to just “be there” and sense again all that took place so long ago.
It is so strange really. The House is long gone. My Uncle that had bought the farm made the decision to get rid of the old building. The raccoons and other vermin were using the old place as a sanctuary… and slowly each season they were tugging the heart out of the old place. One day with a powerful machine he dug a big hole and had his own private ceremony laying the old dead body of the Old House on the Farm to rest.
But when I heard of the Old House’s final demise… it hadn’t changed a thing. The Old House was still there in my memory… vibrant… full… smelling the same… sounding the same… and still the Centre of the Universe for me.
Memories are the Library of the Mind… a wonderful quote.
Where is your Centre of the Universe as you grew up… when your memories were being formed at that early stage of your life? Now what have done with these memories? Do you savor them or do you regret and wish that you could simply get rid of them?
This Christmas I intend to write more of them down… just so my Grandkids and the Great Grandkids will be able to know where they came from… with their roots away back there.. in an Old House on the Prairie… west of Truax and southwest of Regina… a million miles from where they live now.
Memories – a gift from God this Christmas.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
The Old House on the Farm – Christmas Memories
When I was a boy we lived 55 miles from the Farm in my growing up and during my school years. The Farm was at Truax, Saskatchewan and we lived in Regina. Truax was a very small town and the Farm was located 3 miles west of the town. Regina was the Capital City of Saskatchewan – the biggest place I had ever known as a boy.
As this memory comes back from its hiding place of over 57 years or more… Regina is not a big city. I have since lived in cities of over 6 Million people. Regina at its very best now hovers around the 175,000 mark on good days. But in 1954 it was the Centre of My World for me, with Truax really being where the Universe had all started – the very heart of all things. Truax was the centre of everything.
It was the place that we spent all our holidays at. And it was the one special place that we all went back to at Christmas. Year after year we returned to Grandma and Grandpa’s House on the Farm.
From the age that I started to remember until about 10 years old, this Farm House was amazing to say the least. It represented all things that our family represented. And the people that came back into it at different times of their lives each brought part of the Old House’s personality. The Old House held all the memory like a treasure chest for all our family.
The Old House wasn’t big but it had been the epicenter of raising 8 children which included the oldest son who was a quadriplegic. My Grandfather had purchased two older, small houses and then joined them together to make a house for 10. But it is smaller than the home I live in today with three people making this one full!
Now you can imagine as the children started to marry and then bring home their spouses for Christmas and special celebrations, it became more crowded. And when these married ones started having kids of their own… it was very full and very fun at times. I think as the oldest Grandson (second grandchild) my memories are longer and more.
Rather than give a long list of memories in that old house I will simply say there was family that made the memories… sometimes good and sometimes not so good… not bad… just tense at times. But what would you expect in a small, old house with lots of bodies?
I write about the Old House on the Farm as the Centre of my Universe. The City we lived in was the Centre of My World – but the Farm House was where we came from.
Even today if I were able to drive out to the Old Farm and stand where the Old House used to be… I would have flash backs or memories from long ago. When I am able to be in Saskatchewan and Regina, and if we have the time, I will always drive out there to just “be there” and sense again all that took place so long ago.
It is so strange really. The House is long gone. My Uncle that had bought the farm made the decision to get rid of the old building. The raccoons and other vermin were using the old place as a sanctuary… and slowly each season they were tugging the heart out of the old place. One day with a powerful machine he dug a big hole and had his own private ceremony laying the old dead body of the Old House on the Farm to rest.
But when I heard of the Old House’s final demise… it hadn’t changed a thing. The Old House was still there in my memory… vibrant… full… smelling the same… sounding the same… and still the Centre of the Universe for me.
Memories are the Library of the Mind… a wonderful quote.
Where is your Centre of the Universe as you grew up… when your memories were being formed at that early stage of your life? Now what have done with these memories? Do you savor them or do you regret and wish that you could simply get rid of them?
This Christmas I intend to write more of them down… just so my Grandkids and the Great Grandkids will be able to know where they came from… with their roots away back there.. in an Old House on the Prairie… west of Truax and southwest of Regina… a million miles from where they live now.
Memories – a gift from God this Christmas.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Best Memories – collected and written down
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
The Best Memories – collected and written down
“Grandpa, my coach really liked what you wrote!” Clifford said.
Now this isn’t the most exciting opening to my post today… but it may be the most important one for you!
I have been thinking of Memories over this Christmas season. I started by the quote I found a while ago, “Memories are the Library of the Mind”.
I have an idea for you for your personal Christmas Gift this year. It is the best one that you will ever receive. It is also the best one that you will be able to give your family. Are you ready for this?
Write down your memories! How ever you do it – just start doing it. And if you are doing it – keep doing it. Your family will love it when you pour out what you remember from your life.
Likely if you are reading this Blog, you understand the workings of a computer. You need to use the computer to get the thoughts, memories and all that you are into a recorded memory.
It is better to use it that way – than play Farmville or Solitaire for hours on end. If you are doing just that… imagine after you are gone your grandkids will tell their kids that, “Grandpa could play a mean game of Farmville, Solitaire and whatever on the computer… and he sent Greeting Cards to us at Christmas…!” Your grandkids will hear at that pronouncement and ask, “What is Farmville dad?”
When your Grandkids grow up they will not likely have Farmville to try to beat your score. They will want to know who you were.
I can guarantee that the kids will appreciate it. I am absolutely sure that your grandkids will love it – someday.
Now I know that some will gaff at my suggestion and claim that they could never do that kind of thing. And I know that most of my relatives of two or more generations before me believed that too. Either they had no time, or saw no reason for it to ever be done. They passed into memory of some and the rest of us just never knew them. I only know my great grandfather’s names and the little that they did to or with my own grandparents. For the most part they are not in my Memories at all.
Unless I pass on what I know my kids will never know. Unless I place my Memories out there my grandkids will never know what I felt.
Unless you do something about your life and record it somehow – you will also be a distant Memory – or no Memory at all.
Words written down are powerful.
Even pictures drawn are a powerful record of what we saw and how we saw it. Think of the drawings on the walls of caves by Cave Men of long ago!
Last night the value of my words written down came home to me with a powerful force. My words had meant something to my Grandson. WOW!
Today’s illustration…
On Monday night my Grandson Clifford called to speak with me. I was out visiting and came home late after he had gone to bed – so I didn’t call him back right away. His message seemed to be urgent. Last night I called him back.
His voice was excited as he told me of what happened at his “Football Banquet” on Monday night. The boys and their families had joined together to finalize their season with food at the Boston Pizza.
As Clifford spoke to me on the phone I smiled.
The audience was made up of the Players from the Adam Scott Lions football team along with their parents and their coaches.
Some point in the celebration evening Clifford explained, the coach rose to share some words with his team and audience that were gathered.
Clifford told me that the Coach explained he was going to read something that he had found. He explained how much he appreciated the words and the article that he was about to read to them. Then he began reading the article.
As Clifford listened to the Coach read the words he looked up in astonishment. He told me excitedly on the phone, “My coach was reading what you wrote Grandpa. I remembered that you told me that you had written about our team on your Blog!”
There were lots of other words that Clifford told me on the phone last night. And in his own special way through the words he told me how much he and his coach appreciated the words that I had written down and published for the world to read.
The fact that his coach had found something and then read it to the team made it even more important. The coach has established a relationship and respect of his team members that is simply amazing! To have his coach make the statement he did and then he read the words that were printed… was important. But to make the connection that his own Grandpa had written the words was the coolest part of the Banquet.
“Grandpa, my coach really liked what you wrote!” Clifford said over and over again.
I grinned and felt a warmth inside of me that was brand new. My Memories had made a difference. Recording what I saw and felt that tough day of the last football game – had struck a note for the Coach, for the families and the for this amazing football team – the Adam Scott Lions of 2011!
If you would like to read what the coach read for his team... check out http://murraylincoln.blogspot.com/2011/11/football-winning-even-when-you-lose.html
Thanks Coach of the Adam Scott Lions and all the assistant coaches as well. You guys have changed the course of one young man’s life (and all the rest I am sure) with the amazing work that you have done this year.
And by reading this simple Blog Posting at your special night, you encouraged this old man to keep writing. Thanks coach!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
The Best Memories – collected and written down
“Grandpa, my coach really liked what you wrote!” Clifford said.
Now this isn’t the most exciting opening to my post today… but it may be the most important one for you!
I have been thinking of Memories over this Christmas season. I started by the quote I found a while ago, “Memories are the Library of the Mind”.
I have an idea for you for your personal Christmas Gift this year. It is the best one that you will ever receive. It is also the best one that you will be able to give your family. Are you ready for this?
Write down your memories! How ever you do it – just start doing it. And if you are doing it – keep doing it. Your family will love it when you pour out what you remember from your life.
Likely if you are reading this Blog, you understand the workings of a computer. You need to use the computer to get the thoughts, memories and all that you are into a recorded memory.
It is better to use it that way – than play Farmville or Solitaire for hours on end. If you are doing just that… imagine after you are gone your grandkids will tell their kids that, “Grandpa could play a mean game of Farmville, Solitaire and whatever on the computer… and he sent Greeting Cards to us at Christmas…!” Your grandkids will hear at that pronouncement and ask, “What is Farmville dad?”
When your Grandkids grow up they will not likely have Farmville to try to beat your score. They will want to know who you were.
I can guarantee that the kids will appreciate it. I am absolutely sure that your grandkids will love it – someday.
Now I know that some will gaff at my suggestion and claim that they could never do that kind of thing. And I know that most of my relatives of two or more generations before me believed that too. Either they had no time, or saw no reason for it to ever be done. They passed into memory of some and the rest of us just never knew them. I only know my great grandfather’s names and the little that they did to or with my own grandparents. For the most part they are not in my Memories at all.
Unless I pass on what I know my kids will never know. Unless I place my Memories out there my grandkids will never know what I felt.
Unless you do something about your life and record it somehow – you will also be a distant Memory – or no Memory at all.
Words written down are powerful.
Even pictures drawn are a powerful record of what we saw and how we saw it. Think of the drawings on the walls of caves by Cave Men of long ago!
Last night the value of my words written down came home to me with a powerful force. My words had meant something to my Grandson. WOW!
Today’s illustration…
On Monday night my Grandson Clifford called to speak with me. I was out visiting and came home late after he had gone to bed – so I didn’t call him back right away. His message seemed to be urgent. Last night I called him back.
His voice was excited as he told me of what happened at his “Football Banquet” on Monday night. The boys and their families had joined together to finalize their season with food at the Boston Pizza.
As Clifford spoke to me on the phone I smiled.
The audience was made up of the Players from the Adam Scott Lions football team along with their parents and their coaches.
Some point in the celebration evening Clifford explained, the coach rose to share some words with his team and audience that were gathered.
Clifford told me that the Coach explained he was going to read something that he had found. He explained how much he appreciated the words and the article that he was about to read to them. Then he began reading the article.
As Clifford listened to the Coach read the words he looked up in astonishment. He told me excitedly on the phone, “My coach was reading what you wrote Grandpa. I remembered that you told me that you had written about our team on your Blog!”
There were lots of other words that Clifford told me on the phone last night. And in his own special way through the words he told me how much he and his coach appreciated the words that I had written down and published for the world to read.
The fact that his coach had found something and then read it to the team made it even more important. The coach has established a relationship and respect of his team members that is simply amazing! To have his coach make the statement he did and then he read the words that were printed… was important. But to make the connection that his own Grandpa had written the words was the coolest part of the Banquet.
“Grandpa, my coach really liked what you wrote!” Clifford said over and over again.
I grinned and felt a warmth inside of me that was brand new. My Memories had made a difference. Recording what I saw and felt that tough day of the last football game – had struck a note for the Coach, for the families and the for this amazing football team – the Adam Scott Lions of 2011!
If you would like to read what the coach read for his team... check out http://murraylincoln.blogspot.com/2011/11/football-winning-even-when-you-lose.html
Thanks Coach of the Adam Scott Lions and all the assistant coaches as well. You guys have changed the course of one young man’s life (and all the rest I am sure) with the amazing work that you have done this year.
And by reading this simple Blog Posting at your special night, you encouraged this old man to keep writing. Thanks coach!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Not So Good Memories – Some Christmas Memories and Christmas Times are very hard
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Not So Good Memories – Some Christmas Memories and Christmas Times are very hard
For the past few days I have written about those warm fuzzy feelings that come from my childhood days. The times when Christmas gifts and their memory were stored deep within our minds with wonderful memories.
But Memoires are not always so good. The years that tragic things take place in our lives leave a deep memory that we would just like to erase – or never have had it happen.
It is during some of my celebration times, when we have Christmas again, that I am reminded that not everyone is celebrating in wonderful ways.
Last week (December 14, 2011) I wrote about Junior Cobb, the great wood carver that had passed away. I wrote about how his life had affected/touched mine and what I intended to do with what had happened.
Since writing about Junior Cobb I have not stopped thinking of this man and his family.
Last evening I received a response to my Blog Posting about Junior Cobb. The response was from Junior Cobb’s daughter, Kathy Ann(or KathyAnn?). And it was my great honor to have Kathy Ann to take the time and send her words my way – for all to see.
To help you understand better about this thinking of Memories… and the not so good ones… I am reposting Kathy Ann’s words to all of us. Many may not go back and look at the words at the end of the post I made.
From Kathy Ann – Junior Cobb’s daughter.. quote…
“I am Junior Cobb’s daughter. I gave up five years of my life to take care of my father and he was a great dad but within those five years he started getting worse in health problems. I was doing it because he was my dad and last year in December my dad and my boyfriend both found out they had cancer. So I was having to take care of both of them and as days went by it was getting harder on me. But I was trying my best to do what I could. Then my boyfriend passed away on May the 28 and I had put my dad in the nursing home on June 1. Then I felt bad so I decided to get him out again. But I just couldn’t do it so I had to take him back. That’s where he had passed away but anyway I just thought people should know my part of the story my email address is kathyann64@hotmail.com ”
End quote and pause… (KathyAnn – I changed it a bit with some punctuation to help other folk catch it better)
Thank you Kathy Ann for letting us not forget what has happened to you over this past year. I am hoping that you will know how much I appreciate what you did for your boyfriend and your dad. No one will ever know just what you have gone through.
Thank you for being the “Angel” that both of these men needed so much. God has truly blessed you with an ability to care.
But having said all of that, you have helped me to not forget the many that are suffering deeply this year with the loss of someone close to them.
I have a cousin that has lost her son this past few months when he committed suicide. I can’t fathom how they will face Christmas this year. There will be one empty place on the couch as they open presents. There will be one empty chair at the table where he sat as a growing boy for Christmas dinners.
I have another friend that lost his wife and still another than lost her husband. Each home has been suffering a “stillness” that is had to deal with. Each life has been turned upside down with loved one passing away.
Mixed with the wonderful memories of Christmases past and all the boyhood dreams are the memories of the great loss as well.
Today I was thinking of my own brother Glen Lincoln. Glen passed away 17 years ago now… just after Christmas time. He also was carving wood when he died.
His wife, my sister-in-law, Heather has lived on and raised two great kids. Woody is in college now and his sister is just beginning her next years after high school graduation. I am proud of them all. But I have not forgotten what happened and am saddened as the Memory comes floating to the surface.
Heather, if you read this, we think of you often and love you very much! And kids… your uncle loves you a whole bunch. Living so far away from each other makes it impossible to do much “Uncling”… but I remember you often.
All my boyhood stories include Glen. We did so much together and they are all Memories that I cherish deeply.
Oh boy… when the Memories flood up to the surface… sometimes a lump comes into my throat…
KathyAnn we are thinking of you today. You are not forgotten. Bless you richly!
Not so good memories mixed with the wonderful ones… is called Life.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Not So Good Memories – Some Christmas Memories and Christmas Times are very hard
For the past few days I have written about those warm fuzzy feelings that come from my childhood days. The times when Christmas gifts and their memory were stored deep within our minds with wonderful memories.
But Memoires are not always so good. The years that tragic things take place in our lives leave a deep memory that we would just like to erase – or never have had it happen.
It is during some of my celebration times, when we have Christmas again, that I am reminded that not everyone is celebrating in wonderful ways.
Last week (December 14, 2011) I wrote about Junior Cobb, the great wood carver that had passed away. I wrote about how his life had affected/touched mine and what I intended to do with what had happened.
Since writing about Junior Cobb I have not stopped thinking of this man and his family.
Last evening I received a response to my Blog Posting about Junior Cobb. The response was from Junior Cobb’s daughter, Kathy Ann(or KathyAnn?). And it was my great honor to have Kathy Ann to take the time and send her words my way – for all to see.
To help you understand better about this thinking of Memories… and the not so good ones… I am reposting Kathy Ann’s words to all of us. Many may not go back and look at the words at the end of the post I made.
From Kathy Ann – Junior Cobb’s daughter.. quote…
“I am Junior Cobb’s daughter. I gave up five years of my life to take care of my father and he was a great dad but within those five years he started getting worse in health problems. I was doing it because he was my dad and last year in December my dad and my boyfriend both found out they had cancer. So I was having to take care of both of them and as days went by it was getting harder on me. But I was trying my best to do what I could. Then my boyfriend passed away on May the 28 and I had put my dad in the nursing home on June 1. Then I felt bad so I decided to get him out again. But I just couldn’t do it so I had to take him back. That’s where he had passed away but anyway I just thought people should know my part of the story my email address is kathyann64@hotmail.com ”
End quote and pause… (KathyAnn – I changed it a bit with some punctuation to help other folk catch it better)
Thank you Kathy Ann for letting us not forget what has happened to you over this past year. I am hoping that you will know how much I appreciate what you did for your boyfriend and your dad. No one will ever know just what you have gone through.
Thank you for being the “Angel” that both of these men needed so much. God has truly blessed you with an ability to care.
But having said all of that, you have helped me to not forget the many that are suffering deeply this year with the loss of someone close to them.
I have a cousin that has lost her son this past few months when he committed suicide. I can’t fathom how they will face Christmas this year. There will be one empty place on the couch as they open presents. There will be one empty chair at the table where he sat as a growing boy for Christmas dinners.
I have another friend that lost his wife and still another than lost her husband. Each home has been suffering a “stillness” that is had to deal with. Each life has been turned upside down with loved one passing away.
Mixed with the wonderful memories of Christmases past and all the boyhood dreams are the memories of the great loss as well.
Today I was thinking of my own brother Glen Lincoln. Glen passed away 17 years ago now… just after Christmas time. He also was carving wood when he died.
His wife, my sister-in-law, Heather has lived on and raised two great kids. Woody is in college now and his sister is just beginning her next years after high school graduation. I am proud of them all. But I have not forgotten what happened and am saddened as the Memory comes floating to the surface.
Heather, if you read this, we think of you often and love you very much! And kids… your uncle loves you a whole bunch. Living so far away from each other makes it impossible to do much “Uncling”… but I remember you often.
All my boyhood stories include Glen. We did so much together and they are all Memories that I cherish deeply.
Oh boy… when the Memories flood up to the surface… sometimes a lump comes into my throat…
KathyAnn we are thinking of you today. You are not forgotten. Bless you richly!
Not so good memories mixed with the wonderful ones… is called Life.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Monday, December 19, 2011
What was Your Best Christmas Gift and Why?
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
What was Your Best Christmas Gift and Why?
Over the years you have received a lot of gifts I am sure. Some you can remember and others you will not.
May I ask you which one stands out in your mind as being the best? What age were you when you received it? Can you smell it after all these years? What was the colour? What sound did it make? How did it feel against your cheek when you hugged it?
Wham. Bam. Wow! The memory came back and the item came back to your mind – even though you have not thought of that one for years!
I remember sitting on a couch when I was about 12 years old. We were watching the black and white TV. I was holding my brand new Hockey Stick that my sister had given me. With Dad’s help she had chosen to give my brother and me the new sticks.
I held the stick close to me and leaned my face on it. The smell was of new electrical tape, the cloth kind, that was wrapped around the stick to help protect it and help you make better shots. The hard wood of the stick had a smooth polish on it – the right from the factory smell guaranteeing that it was brand new. Wow what a rush!
Our gifts had all been opened that morning and we were waiting to go out later and play hockey on the outdoor ice rink at the end of the street.
About 7 or 8 years before that at another Christmas I remember opening that one heavy package that was wrapped with the bright coloured paper. There inside was that amazing wine coloured Jaguar car. It was made of metal and the steering wheel moved back and forth making the front wheels steer. The rubber tires had that fresh rubber smell and the paint on the body was cool against my cheek as I held it close.
These two old but still new memories came back today as I looked through my old Library of my Mind. It took just moments to retrieve them as I thought about the two old and very small houses that our family lived in at the time.
The shiny new linoleum on the floor glistened as my brother and I slid across it with our news socks we got from Grandma. It was like skating inside with no ice. Mom had polished the floor to protect it…. What fun!
Yesterday afternoon in the Mall we sat eating our food. I looked up and saw a funny looking old guy with a scraggly beard. His clothes were kind of old and he was alone. There didn’t seem to be anyone with him.
His face is now stored in my Memory forever.
There was a young lady across the way from where we were sitting. She was with her husband and baby. She nodded and smiled. Last time I saw her she was about to get married and there was no baby planned yet. That was a few years ago now. But we still recognized each other.
As I roll on and on with the memories I am thinking that this year’s best gift is the ability to remember and have such a rich Library in my Mind. The ability to draw out the right book at the right time is a little slower now but the oldest books with all that they have in them are the best. They come easiest and are the richest.
The computer game I played two days ago isn’t there the same. The Password for my computer programs are only brought back by opening the file that I stored them in. That stuff just became part of my life in the last few years.
The hockey stick and the wine coloured Jaguar were there first. And they are the best ever!
Memories so rich and full. I love them and need to sense them over and over again.
How about you?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
What was Your Best Christmas Gift and Why?
Over the years you have received a lot of gifts I am sure. Some you can remember and others you will not.
May I ask you which one stands out in your mind as being the best? What age were you when you received it? Can you smell it after all these years? What was the colour? What sound did it make? How did it feel against your cheek when you hugged it?
Wham. Bam. Wow! The memory came back and the item came back to your mind – even though you have not thought of that one for years!
I remember sitting on a couch when I was about 12 years old. We were watching the black and white TV. I was holding my brand new Hockey Stick that my sister had given me. With Dad’s help she had chosen to give my brother and me the new sticks.
I held the stick close to me and leaned my face on it. The smell was of new electrical tape, the cloth kind, that was wrapped around the stick to help protect it and help you make better shots. The hard wood of the stick had a smooth polish on it – the right from the factory smell guaranteeing that it was brand new. Wow what a rush!
Our gifts had all been opened that morning and we were waiting to go out later and play hockey on the outdoor ice rink at the end of the street.
About 7 or 8 years before that at another Christmas I remember opening that one heavy package that was wrapped with the bright coloured paper. There inside was that amazing wine coloured Jaguar car. It was made of metal and the steering wheel moved back and forth making the front wheels steer. The rubber tires had that fresh rubber smell and the paint on the body was cool against my cheek as I held it close.
These two old but still new memories came back today as I looked through my old Library of my Mind. It took just moments to retrieve them as I thought about the two old and very small houses that our family lived in at the time.
The shiny new linoleum on the floor glistened as my brother and I slid across it with our news socks we got from Grandma. It was like skating inside with no ice. Mom had polished the floor to protect it…. What fun!
Yesterday afternoon in the Mall we sat eating our food. I looked up and saw a funny looking old guy with a scraggly beard. His clothes were kind of old and he was alone. There didn’t seem to be anyone with him.
His face is now stored in my Memory forever.
There was a young lady across the way from where we were sitting. She was with her husband and baby. She nodded and smiled. Last time I saw her she was about to get married and there was no baby planned yet. That was a few years ago now. But we still recognized each other.
As I roll on and on with the memories I am thinking that this year’s best gift is the ability to remember and have such a rich Library in my Mind. The ability to draw out the right book at the right time is a little slower now but the oldest books with all that they have in them are the best. They come easiest and are the richest.
The computer game I played two days ago isn’t there the same. The Password for my computer programs are only brought back by opening the file that I stored them in. That stuff just became part of my life in the last few years.
The hockey stick and the wine coloured Jaguar were there first. And they are the best ever!
Memories so rich and full. I love them and need to sense them over and over again.
How about you?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Sunday, December 18, 2011
“Memory is the library of the mind.”
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
“Memory is the library of the mind.”
“Memory is the library of the mind.” ~ Francis Fauvel-gourand
I came across this amazing quote in the last little while and have been thinking about it lots. This is especially true with Christmas 2011 just days away. In one week’s time we will be making memories for this year – and they will be added to the Library of our minds.
My wife has been placing the Christmas Tree Ornaments on our tree again. Every once in a while we have looked over the special ones that we have added over the years. Each year we have added more. The Tree becomes a Library all of its own with each tree decoration with great memories.
On top of our tree we do not have the traditional Angel mounted. Our Angel is the next row down. The top has a flickering bulb that is part of the Birthday Candle that tops our tree for over FORTY YEARS! When our girls were very young we started decorating our tree as if it were a Birthday Cake for Jesus. Everything on our Christmas all these years has focused our kids and our grandkids attention on the fact that we celebrate a special season where we remember Christ’s birth.
This tree is covered with memories from all the places and all the ages we have lived together. It is a Memory Tree as well as being a Birthday Tree.
The celebration of Christmas has certainly changed for me over the years. As a boy it was different for me. We didn’t have all the toys that the kids get today.
I can remember that we would get maybe one toy car or something like that. But as time went by Dad and Mom had more money and salaries were perhaps increased a little each year. Christmas grew into more.
Even as I write these words the Library in my Mind has been sizzling with activity as new and longer ago memories have come rushing to the forefront. WOW!
This is my 67 Christmas with my Mom. She is now 90 and will celebrate her 91st birthday in January. She is not as spry as she used to be… much slower and not able to move as fast. But her memories of the way it used to be and all the fun times we had within our home and family are still there. Her memories are just as clear as they were when they happened.
There are times I realize now, that I need to be recording more of what was said about those old days… as she speaks about them. But even now her voice is not able to do what she wants it to do. It is now harder to hear what she says. (Partly my own hearing – but the rest is her getting it out.)
Today I am simply relishing the wonderful library that I have stored away deep inside. But I too realize that I need to get it to paper so that the family will know what happened way back when we lived through the life we had.
Wonderful memories… simply wonderful.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
“Memory is the library of the mind.”
“Memory is the library of the mind.” ~ Francis Fauvel-gourand
I came across this amazing quote in the last little while and have been thinking about it lots. This is especially true with Christmas 2011 just days away. In one week’s time we will be making memories for this year – and they will be added to the Library of our minds.
My wife has been placing the Christmas Tree Ornaments on our tree again. Every once in a while we have looked over the special ones that we have added over the years. Each year we have added more. The Tree becomes a Library all of its own with each tree decoration with great memories.
On top of our tree we do not have the traditional Angel mounted. Our Angel is the next row down. The top has a flickering bulb that is part of the Birthday Candle that tops our tree for over FORTY YEARS! When our girls were very young we started decorating our tree as if it were a Birthday Cake for Jesus. Everything on our Christmas all these years has focused our kids and our grandkids attention on the fact that we celebrate a special season where we remember Christ’s birth.
This tree is covered with memories from all the places and all the ages we have lived together. It is a Memory Tree as well as being a Birthday Tree.
The celebration of Christmas has certainly changed for me over the years. As a boy it was different for me. We didn’t have all the toys that the kids get today.
I can remember that we would get maybe one toy car or something like that. But as time went by Dad and Mom had more money and salaries were perhaps increased a little each year. Christmas grew into more.
Even as I write these words the Library in my Mind has been sizzling with activity as new and longer ago memories have come rushing to the forefront. WOW!
This is my 67 Christmas with my Mom. She is now 90 and will celebrate her 91st birthday in January. She is not as spry as she used to be… much slower and not able to move as fast. But her memories of the way it used to be and all the fun times we had within our home and family are still there. Her memories are just as clear as they were when they happened.
There are times I realize now, that I need to be recording more of what was said about those old days… as she speaks about them. But even now her voice is not able to do what she wants it to do. It is now harder to hear what she says. (Partly my own hearing – but the rest is her getting it out.)
Today I am simply relishing the wonderful library that I have stored away deep inside. But I too realize that I need to get it to paper so that the family will know what happened way back when we lived through the life we had.
Wonderful memories… simply wonderful.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Me and My Android on board the Galaxy Ace GT5830
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Me and My Android on board the Galaxy Ace GT5830
Okay I think I am ready. I have the “Thing” in my pocket and I am ready to take the next big step.
My pocket now has an Android in it. Who would have ever guessed that I would own one let alone have it in my pocket!?
Actually it is not the kind of Android that was first shown in the Star Wars mode. It is much smaller and thus the reason for being able to pocket it.
The android is the name of the operating system that is on board my new Galaxy Ace GT5830 phone thingie.
It beeps and leaps making weird noises in my pocket. It is almost alive. Yikes!
And this little gadget is nowhere near as fancy as some others are at the store.
It all began when my other old Cell Phone suddenly sprang to life and gave me the Text Message info that we were eligible for an upgrade at a ridiculously low price. What a thing to do for me just days before Christmas. As my wife and I looked over the offer, she said, “Merry Christmas to you…!” and I knew that it was mine! Wahoo!
As I look back now and think of what we have come through to this point in life. Wow!
I remember when we rolled into the farm of my Grandparents. It wasn’t long after we arrived that the big box on the wall would come to life with the sound of the bells inside signally that someone was calling someone on the line. The sound would be in combinations of Rings… i.e. One Long and Two Short Rings, which was different from Two Long and Two Shorts… or from One Long and On Short… and which was very different from the way that my grandma would pick up the receiver and turn the crank rapidly make on very long rings to wake up or call the Central Operator into action. She then would connect the right wires and send grandma’s call to the right person she was trying to get.
Now my new telephone will reach around the world in a heartbeat. I can Text my friend in Korea in a heartbeat… and if they are out of bed they will answer in the next heartbeat.
I can Facebook them, chat with them, Tweet them with Twitter, email them and even let them know exactly which restaurant or business I am in at the very moment I touch one button… and the Android will ask me which person is with me and if I wish to tell others that we are together.
Can’t yet figure out why I would want to let all my 1000+ friends on Facebook that I am in such and such a place at that moment. The ones in Africa or Asia will be in bed when I message them. Duh!?
Another Ap lets me touch the screen and immediately it will ask me where I want to go… it finds it and then shows me how to drive there, down to the very last step of the journey.
This gadget completely destroys the idea that Men will not ask directions or look at the Map to get somewhere quickly.
I can connect to the Internet anywhere, anytime, and at the same heartbeat again. It will do this via the telephone tower located somewhere close or far… or by Wi-Fi the way that it did in McDonalds McCafe this AM… and offered me more Wi-Fi connections of close by businesses.
The Samsung Galaxy GT5830 is a blow your mind telephone and very easy to use.
Oh and by the way – I was worried about not being able to type fast enough… or to tap the right letter on the screen’s keyboard… DUH – I don’t need to do any of that now. I simply slide my finger over the keyboard, rubbing against the glass screen and stopping above the letter I want and then slide over to the next letter – never leaving the glass… and each letter I stop over appears in my text that I am writing.
But if that is too hard I can simply touch the screen and then speak… my words are typed out before my eyes – as fast as I can say them. Holey Mokey – what next!?
Now I have a great need to connect with someone. But most people my age don’t have cell phones or fancy communicators of any kind. They were scared silly when all this came into play. They do well to find the remote and operate the thing to get to their favorite TV channel!
But this cell phone is not nearly the top of the line. It is less expensive and very easy to use. Even my old friends could use this one.
This cell phone comes from a service provider that offers all the bells and whistles. We have been with this service provider for only three years. Funny thing is that the program we signed up for is not offered any longer – it is very much out of date and a new, better, improved one for a little less money was available now.
I am still trying to understand what the heck I have available in my pocket. I have no idea what the pops and snaps are coming from it every once in a while.
I thanked the young lady at the counter of the Koodo cell phone company for taking it very slowly with my wife and me. She was about 24 years old – 1/3 my age… and she spoke slowly to help me catch on. God bless this little lady – what a jewel.
Before bed time tonight I am going to get some more Aps. I think I would like to get the one that has a big smile on the screen – that looks like a great cartoon mouth… and when you speak the cartoon mouth mimics my words and mouth.
I haven’t got a clue why I might need that… except maybe to commit a crime of some sort.
This is way too much fun for a grandpa! Whoa!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Okay I think I am ready. I have the “Thing” in my pocket and I am ready to take the next big step.
My pocket now has an Android in it. Who would have ever guessed that I would own one let alone have it in my pocket!?
Actually it is not the kind of Android that was first shown in the Star Wars mode. It is much smaller and thus the reason for being able to pocket it.
The android is the name of the operating system that is on board my new Galaxy Ace GT5830 phone thingie.
It beeps and leaps making weird noises in my pocket. It is almost alive. Yikes!
And this little gadget is nowhere near as fancy as some others are at the store.
It all began when my other old Cell Phone suddenly sprang to life and gave me the Text Message info that we were eligible for an upgrade at a ridiculously low price. What a thing to do for me just days before Christmas. As my wife and I looked over the offer, she said, “Merry Christmas to you…!” and I knew that it was mine! Wahoo!
As I look back now and think of what we have come through to this point in life. Wow!
I remember when we rolled into the farm of my Grandparents. It wasn’t long after we arrived that the big box on the wall would come to life with the sound of the bells inside signally that someone was calling someone on the line. The sound would be in combinations of Rings… i.e. One Long and Two Short Rings, which was different from Two Long and Two Shorts… or from One Long and On Short… and which was very different from the way that my grandma would pick up the receiver and turn the crank rapidly make on very long rings to wake up or call the Central Operator into action. She then would connect the right wires and send grandma’s call to the right person she was trying to get.
Now my new telephone will reach around the world in a heartbeat. I can Text my friend in Korea in a heartbeat… and if they are out of bed they will answer in the next heartbeat.
I can Facebook them, chat with them, Tweet them with Twitter, email them and even let them know exactly which restaurant or business I am in at the very moment I touch one button… and the Android will ask me which person is with me and if I wish to tell others that we are together.
Can’t yet figure out why I would want to let all my 1000+ friends on Facebook that I am in such and such a place at that moment. The ones in Africa or Asia will be in bed when I message them. Duh!?
Another Ap lets me touch the screen and immediately it will ask me where I want to go… it finds it and then shows me how to drive there, down to the very last step of the journey.
This gadget completely destroys the idea that Men will not ask directions or look at the Map to get somewhere quickly.
I can connect to the Internet anywhere, anytime, and at the same heartbeat again. It will do this via the telephone tower located somewhere close or far… or by Wi-Fi the way that it did in McDonalds McCafe this AM… and offered me more Wi-Fi connections of close by businesses.
The Samsung Galaxy GT5830 is a blow your mind telephone and very easy to use.
Oh and by the way – I was worried about not being able to type fast enough… or to tap the right letter on the screen’s keyboard… DUH – I don’t need to do any of that now. I simply slide my finger over the keyboard, rubbing against the glass screen and stopping above the letter I want and then slide over to the next letter – never leaving the glass… and each letter I stop over appears in my text that I am writing.
But if that is too hard I can simply touch the screen and then speak… my words are typed out before my eyes – as fast as I can say them. Holey Mokey – what next!?
Now I have a great need to connect with someone. But most people my age don’t have cell phones or fancy communicators of any kind. They were scared silly when all this came into play. They do well to find the remote and operate the thing to get to their favorite TV channel!
But this cell phone is not nearly the top of the line. It is less expensive and very easy to use. Even my old friends could use this one.
This cell phone comes from a service provider that offers all the bells and whistles. We have been with this service provider for only three years. Funny thing is that the program we signed up for is not offered any longer – it is very much out of date and a new, better, improved one for a little less money was available now.
I am still trying to understand what the heck I have available in my pocket. I have no idea what the pops and snaps are coming from it every once in a while.
I thanked the young lady at the counter of the Koodo cell phone company for taking it very slowly with my wife and me. She was about 24 years old – 1/3 my age… and she spoke slowly to help me catch on. God bless this little lady – what a jewel.
Before bed time tonight I am going to get some more Aps. I think I would like to get the one that has a big smile on the screen – that looks like a great cartoon mouth… and when you speak the cartoon mouth mimics my words and mouth.
I haven’t got a clue why I might need that… except maybe to commit a crime of some sort.
This is way too much fun for a grandpa! Whoa!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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