Don't you hate it when you see children's feelings being hurt by mean children? I think we've all seen it, or maybe we've been the one that someone is being mean to. I've never understood why meanies get such a thrill over hurting others.
My little granddaughter posed the question last night to her mother, "Why are popular people so mean?" My daughter replied, "Maybe the greater question is, 'why are mean people popular?" The poor child is being outcast by some she'd like to be her friends. She would be a friend to all, and doesn't understand their need to ignore her or to show her unkindness in word or deed. She's too young to be able to walk away and take no stock in it. She's taught that we should all be 'sweet' to other people, to apologize when we've wronged someone, and to think before we speak. This elementary school occurance doesn't line up with what she's been taught and practices.
Another granddaughter, older and in middle school, was the most delightful, well-loved student in preschool and elementary grades. She was thoughtful and considerate, helpful and kind to everyone. When she moved to middle school, there were those who determined that she should be called names and left out of activities. At that age, most children want to be 'popular' with their peers, and she, too, had deeply hurt feelings. After two years of ill treatment, she's standing up for herself. She doesn't speak to them with unkindness, but she will not bow to them, either. One day she showed her bravery, and perhaps antagonized the situation, by sitting down for lunch at a table where she knew they always sat. One of the "meanies" told her that it was 'their' table. After looking around, she announced that she didn't see their names anywhere in the area. They said, "We've sat here since grade school". Her answer was, "Well, I'm sitting here today." When another student walked by, the "meanie" announced with sarcasm, "You might as well sit at this table. Apparently anyone can sit here!" The other student didn't sit, but my granddaughter stayed in her seat.
It's so hard for people, young and old, to be treated with such disregard. I hurt for my granddaughters, as I was one of those who received the 'not worthy' status from some kids in school. I was not athletic, so I was always chosen last for every team. I wasn't a cheerleader. I was a part of the school play, but certainly no where near the star of the show. And, I didn't care about those things, but I did care about the cliques that were very obviously avoiding anyone who wasn't in them.
It doesn't occur only in schools. It seems to be a part of every organization. I would think that by the time people grow to adulthood that they would leave that immature practice behind, but some don't. It may be that they are so self-absorbed that they can't see that a quiet person has something to offer, if asked. Maybe they just want the glory for themselves of doing it 'all' . I don't know.
I know only this, that my grandchildren are hurting and that theres's nothing we can do to help them, other than to teach them not to hurt others. It's one of those lessons that comes with the 'school of hard knocks'. It cannot be taught by others. As they live, they will need to make choices to be the kind of people they want to be. They will have to grow their own 'tough skin' and learn to let things roll off their backs. But, I also know that it's not an easy lesson to learn.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
"G" is for....
Grateful....I am honestly one of the most fortunate people I know of. While I'm sure that there are others who were born into good, solid families, I hear of so many who weren't. I was raised by loving parents with their heads screwed on straight, with old-fashioned values, and the ability to correct a child without jeopardizing the respect they deserved. The phrase, "because I'm your Mother and I said so" was heard by my teenage ears many times over when I tried to wiggle out of a negative response to one of my requests. Don't get me wrong. There was a good reason for my parents saying 'no' to some of my wants. The word that most often fits that reason is "Protection." I had pretty smart parents. They knew that what I was asking to do, in my naive youth, could bring me trouble in some way.... so they protected me from that. There were times, when I was a bit older, that I was given permission, and an opportunity to prove that I knew right from wrong. As I made the right choices, I was given more priviledges to exercise my decisions. Rarely did I go against what I was taught. For that, I'm grateful.
Grandchildren....those little people born to my children. All of my life, my greatest goal was to become a wife and mother. Grandchildren are a bonus! I'm not sure that my goals even included a thought of grandchildren way back then, but once my children began to marry, I began to dream of new family members to hold and play with and spoil. We have reached eight grand-people now. It is our desire, and yet we hold little hope, that we will have more babies to add to our numbers. We have one more child who may bless us, eventually, with his offspring, but he seems to be in not-such-a-hurry to settle down. That is fine, but I hope we'll still have energy enough to play with them by the time he enters fatherhood. Meanwhile, we enjoy those precious grade schoolers to high schoolers, and miss the baby cuddling and enjoy the sweet, innocent things they say that make us laugh.
Giggles....seven year old Selah recently announced that she knows what she wants to be when she grows up.
When asked by her mother what that would be, Selah said, "a comic stripper." It sent her Mom into a fit of giggles, which her little girl didn't understand. Of course, Selah was thinking 'illustrator'....but the double intendre was not lost on her Mom!
Gardens...Thought it's more difficult these days to do what it takes to have a decent looking garden, I love to see my growing things. Most of what we plant is perennial blooming things, so there's only weeding and pruning to do. I have one more bed that I'd like to get planted, and that is a bit more work. The weeds need to be decimated, the borders set, the dirt dug (SC red cement-like clay!), and soil placed into the boundaries. Then and only then can we place the plants that patiently wait in their pots. Sometimes they've waited so long that they've sent out roots from the pots and attached themselves to the ground. Still I wonder how the little roots have the ability to penetrate that clay when even a jack hammer would have trouble!
God.... how good He is to give us such pleasures in life....giggles, gardens and grandchildren. For those and so many other things, my heart gives thanks!
Grandchildren....those little people born to my children. All of my life, my greatest goal was to become a wife and mother. Grandchildren are a bonus! I'm not sure that my goals even included a thought of grandchildren way back then, but once my children began to marry, I began to dream of new family members to hold and play with and spoil. We have reached eight grand-people now. It is our desire, and yet we hold little hope, that we will have more babies to add to our numbers. We have one more child who may bless us, eventually, with his offspring, but he seems to be in not-such-a-hurry to settle down. That is fine, but I hope we'll still have energy enough to play with them by the time he enters fatherhood. Meanwhile, we enjoy those precious grade schoolers to high schoolers, and miss the baby cuddling and enjoy the sweet, innocent things they say that make us laugh.
Giggles....seven year old Selah recently announced that she knows what she wants to be when she grows up.
When asked by her mother what that would be, Selah said, "a comic stripper." It sent her Mom into a fit of giggles, which her little girl didn't understand. Of course, Selah was thinking 'illustrator'....but the double intendre was not lost on her Mom!
Gardens...Thought it's more difficult these days to do what it takes to have a decent looking garden, I love to see my growing things. Most of what we plant is perennial blooming things, so there's only weeding and pruning to do. I have one more bed that I'd like to get planted, and that is a bit more work. The weeds need to be decimated, the borders set, the dirt dug (SC red cement-like clay!), and soil placed into the boundaries. Then and only then can we place the plants that patiently wait in their pots. Sometimes they've waited so long that they've sent out roots from the pots and attached themselves to the ground. Still I wonder how the little roots have the ability to penetrate that clay when even a jack hammer would have trouble!
God.... how good He is to give us such pleasures in life....giggles, gardens and grandchildren. For those and so many other things, my heart gives thanks!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Over the past sixty-three years since I made my entrance into this world, I've learned much from my Mother.
I thought I might share a few of those things.
1) I've learned that our views on things are often quite different, and that it's ok.
2) I've learned that I'm very stubborn, and according to Mom, that I come by it honestly.
3) I've learned to be myself, whoever that is at the moment, but in doing so, I should remember to be compassionate, kind and forgiving.
4) I've learned that nobody's perfect and that everyone has a slightly different idea of perfection.
5) I've learned many crafts...knitting, quilting, crocheting and other wonderful pastimes.
6) I've learned that you cannot make a person be who you want them to be, and to accept each one as they are.
7) I've learned that I don't know everything, and that listening to elders, especially my Mother, can be quite enlightening.
8) I've learned that I'm very fortunate to have been born into the family God gave me.
9) I've learned that I really needed that correction that my parents gave me, even though it wasn't pleasant at the time.
10) I've learned that she did so much for me as I grew up, and I've learned to appreciate that.
11) I've learned that there's no sense in complaining...you just have to change what you can and ride out the things that can't be changed.
12) I've learned that as she ages, she needs me more ...and that it's an honor to be able to help her.
13) I've learned that love grows with time...both her love for me and mine for her.
14) I've learned that I've learned much from my Mother...and that no matter how old I get...that I still need her.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!
I thought I might share a few of those things.
1) I've learned that our views on things are often quite different, and that it's ok.
2) I've learned that I'm very stubborn, and according to Mom, that I come by it honestly.
3) I've learned to be myself, whoever that is at the moment, but in doing so, I should remember to be compassionate, kind and forgiving.
4) I've learned that nobody's perfect and that everyone has a slightly different idea of perfection.
5) I've learned many crafts...knitting, quilting, crocheting and other wonderful pastimes.
6) I've learned that you cannot make a person be who you want them to be, and to accept each one as they are.
7) I've learned that I don't know everything, and that listening to elders, especially my Mother, can be quite enlightening.
8) I've learned that I'm very fortunate to have been born into the family God gave me.
9) I've learned that I really needed that correction that my parents gave me, even though it wasn't pleasant at the time.
10) I've learned that she did so much for me as I grew up, and I've learned to appreciate that.
11) I've learned that there's no sense in complaining...you just have to change what you can and ride out the things that can't be changed.
12) I've learned that as she ages, she needs me more ...and that it's an honor to be able to help her.
13) I've learned that love grows with time...both her love for me and mine for her.
14) I've learned that I've learned much from my Mother...and that no matter how old I get...that I still need her.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Another New Look...
I'm having a grand time with these blog decorations! I think I've found one that I can live with for a few minutes. But then...we'll see! Again, thank you, Aunt Amelia's Attic for giving me some instruction on this. Without her, I'd still be looking 'blah'.
I've been exploring 'free blog designs' and finding many. I'm saving the sites, so beware, there will probably be lots of blog wardrobe changes in the future.
And speaking of wardrobe changes, around the time of the Royal Wedding, I wrote an entry about hats. Yesterday, after my short cut, I went through my hat box, and I tried them all on. Since I feel now that my head is too small in proportion to my body, I think I shall add a chapeau on Sunday. I've an assortment of them, including two 'dressy' ones and many more casual straw ones. I'll pair them up with proper outfits, and perhaps I'll feel a little more 'balanced.' Or, because noone else wears hats very often, I may feel even more conspicuous.
Isn't it amazing how terribly prone to vainity we are? We discover it when we are faced with something about our looks that we can't easily accept. Some of us wear make up to cover age spots or freckles, or just because we think we look better with a layer of something over our own skin. Some of us color our hair when the first sign of gray appears. We step on the scale and it shows numbers that are 'too high' according to our thinking, and so we decide to change that by dieting and/or exercising. If we are dissatisfied with our wardrobe, we go shopping and we change it. We make changes because we like changes, even if we think we don't.
It is the same with our homes. We want them to be comfortable, to look cozy and welcoming. We want them to be up-to-date in colors and furnishings. In our yards, we plant our gardens, which change on their own, according to the seasons and growth patterns of the flowers and bushes we put in.
Certain changes come with life and others are made by our decisions. Attitude adjustments, live-changing decisions, physical re-do's or redecorating...none is a bad idea in my opinion. What do you think, dear readers?
I've been exploring 'free blog designs' and finding many. I'm saving the sites, so beware, there will probably be lots of blog wardrobe changes in the future.
And speaking of wardrobe changes, around the time of the Royal Wedding, I wrote an entry about hats. Yesterday, after my short cut, I went through my hat box, and I tried them all on. Since I feel now that my head is too small in proportion to my body, I think I shall add a chapeau on Sunday. I've an assortment of them, including two 'dressy' ones and many more casual straw ones. I'll pair them up with proper outfits, and perhaps I'll feel a little more 'balanced.' Or, because noone else wears hats very often, I may feel even more conspicuous.
Isn't it amazing how terribly prone to vainity we are? We discover it when we are faced with something about our looks that we can't easily accept. Some of us wear make up to cover age spots or freckles, or just because we think we look better with a layer of something over our own skin. Some of us color our hair when the first sign of gray appears. We step on the scale and it shows numbers that are 'too high' according to our thinking, and so we decide to change that by dieting and/or exercising. If we are dissatisfied with our wardrobe, we go shopping and we change it. We make changes because we like changes, even if we think we don't.
It is the same with our homes. We want them to be comfortable, to look cozy and welcoming. We want them to be up-to-date in colors and furnishings. In our yards, we plant our gardens, which change on their own, according to the seasons and growth patterns of the flowers and bushes we put in.
Certain changes come with life and others are made by our decisions. Attitude adjustments, live-changing decisions, physical re-do's or redecorating...none is a bad idea in my opinion. What do you think, dear readers?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
I'M BAAAACK...
It's taken a few days, but I've finally wandered through the rough and ragged paths of technology, jumped through the hoops of Blogger, climbed the mountains of despair, and come out the other side. No longer am I locked out of my Blog, nor am I told that my password is incorrect. Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I thought I was going to have to create an entirely new blog journal using a different and unfamiliar new site. Thankfully, not!
That being said, my entries today will be more random thoughts. There's probably something swimming through my mind that would be worthy of tapping out with my dancing fingers on the keyboard, but for the life of me, I'm not able to withdraw it. So, if you will, humor me and be patient!
Yesterday Mike and I helped my friend, Sue, get to the hairdresser. Sue had slipped a few weeks ago, while having a pleasant afternoon of hiking through the woods and having a picnic with her daughter and her children. When her foot slipped in the leaves, her ankle turned hard and she broke 3 bones in her lower leg. Sue's daughter-the-nurse, and her 14 yr old granddaughter had to drag her back up the slope on their picnic tablecloth, accomplishing the feat in an hour's time. Suffice it to say, that now that she's home, her leg is braced and she's unable to put weight on it. She's got a walker and a wheelchair, and she's allowed to drive, but she can't navigate the exit and entrance to her house without help. There are four steps up and down. Anyway, we were able to get her 'prettified' so that she could have her photo taken for the church directory. She was happy, and is quite cheerful and determined not to let her limitations slow her down much.
For the last few weeks, I've been very aware that my hair was 'too long.' Of course, if Aunt Sis was here, she'd tell me that it looked nice, and that just when it 'starts to look nice, you chop it off.'
Well, it was too long...for me! So, I went this morning to "Cutting Loose" and one of the lovely ladies there cut it. No longer is it too long....far from it! It's now 'too short'....waaaaaaaaaaay too short! But, no use crying of clipped curls. They will grow back, in their time, which will be within weeks. Until then, I'll be pleased that it will not get messed up by the wind or rainy weather. The only thing that will bother it is sleeping on it, but that's easy too. When I wake up looking like a cockatiel, I'll go 'soak my head' and brush it into place. Tada! Wash and wear hair!
I started a diet the other day...calorie counting. I'm not good at diets...because all I think about is food. You have to be aware of everything that goes into your mouth when you're trying to lose weight, and I probably can lose more without being on a diet, because I don't constantly think about food! So far, I'm doing pretty well in my choices, and though today was difficult as I was craving chocolate, I did not give in. I've measured portions, checked them against the calorie list, written down everything, and surprisingly, I'm not hungry. Yay for me....so far. I have no grand illusions that I'll ever be very slim...I do, after all, have 'chubby genes', but I can get into the habit of eating more healthy choices and portions.
Though I could go on about nothing for hours, I'll wind this up, and hope for better things from inside my naked head tomorrow! Be well, sleep well...and pleasant dreams, my friends.
That being said, my entries today will be more random thoughts. There's probably something swimming through my mind that would be worthy of tapping out with my dancing fingers on the keyboard, but for the life of me, I'm not able to withdraw it. So, if you will, humor me and be patient!
Yesterday Mike and I helped my friend, Sue, get to the hairdresser. Sue had slipped a few weeks ago, while having a pleasant afternoon of hiking through the woods and having a picnic with her daughter and her children. When her foot slipped in the leaves, her ankle turned hard and she broke 3 bones in her lower leg. Sue's daughter-the-nurse, and her 14 yr old granddaughter had to drag her back up the slope on their picnic tablecloth, accomplishing the feat in an hour's time. Suffice it to say, that now that she's home, her leg is braced and she's unable to put weight on it. She's got a walker and a wheelchair, and she's allowed to drive, but she can't navigate the exit and entrance to her house without help. There are four steps up and down. Anyway, we were able to get her 'prettified' so that she could have her photo taken for the church directory. She was happy, and is quite cheerful and determined not to let her limitations slow her down much.
For the last few weeks, I've been very aware that my hair was 'too long.' Of course, if Aunt Sis was here, she'd tell me that it looked nice, and that just when it 'starts to look nice, you chop it off.'
Well, it was too long...for me! So, I went this morning to "Cutting Loose" and one of the lovely ladies there cut it. No longer is it too long....far from it! It's now 'too short'....waaaaaaaaaaay too short! But, no use crying of clipped curls. They will grow back, in their time, which will be within weeks. Until then, I'll be pleased that it will not get messed up by the wind or rainy weather. The only thing that will bother it is sleeping on it, but that's easy too. When I wake up looking like a cockatiel, I'll go 'soak my head' and brush it into place. Tada! Wash and wear hair!
I started a diet the other day...calorie counting. I'm not good at diets...because all I think about is food. You have to be aware of everything that goes into your mouth when you're trying to lose weight, and I probably can lose more without being on a diet, because I don't constantly think about food! So far, I'm doing pretty well in my choices, and though today was difficult as I was craving chocolate, I did not give in. I've measured portions, checked them against the calorie list, written down everything, and surprisingly, I'm not hungry. Yay for me....so far. I have no grand illusions that I'll ever be very slim...I do, after all, have 'chubby genes', but I can get into the habit of eating more healthy choices and portions.
Though I could go on about nothing for hours, I'll wind this up, and hope for better things from inside my naked head tomorrow! Be well, sleep well...and pleasant dreams, my friends.
Monday, May 2, 2011
the Camper
As I sat on the front porch having conversation with my husband, we discussed going on a camping/bluegrass weekend at a friend's place on a mountain north of here. We both agreed that our days of tent camping are probably over, as the last time or two we did it, we weren't very comfortable. Sleeping on the ground is never the nicest accommodation, but when you're younger, you can endure anything for a night or two. At our age, now, even the idea of a tent with a queen-sized inflatable bed doesn't thrill us.
We discussed the rental of a camper trailer. Our Pastor has one that he's trying to sell, and it's much too big, as is it's price tag, for us to consider buying, but if he would like to rent it for a weekend, we'd go for that. He has rented/lent it to folks when they've needed it. It would give us a good shelter, should the weather be less than desireable, and it certainly would provide a nice sleeping arrangement. Because we like to be outside and enjoy cooking out, we'd probably used the camper only for sleeping. As we discussed all this, one thing led to another, and soon we were remembering another camper in our past.
Years ago, I heard of a pop-up tent trailer for sale on a radio show, we decided to drive to Watermill to investigate. It looked decent enough, though it was an older model. There were some minor repairs to be done that were pretty obvious, but nothing that required much cash outlay or effort. We made the deal with the owner, and off we went with our trailer, our minds buzzing with dreams for future camping trips.
Time passed, and the camper hadn't had anything done to it, but to raise it now and then to air it out. We hadn't remembered when we purchased the thing that we'd need a transfer of title of ownership, in order to get license plates for it. It took us a very long time to reach the seller, and when we did, he had no idea where the paperwork was. It wasn't road ready, so we thought that when it was, we would get some 'lost title' paperwork from the DMV, and go from there. In the meantime, we'd clean it and talk about what changes we'd make in it...such as recovering all the cushions on the seating. It was old, and though it was clean, it was that wool-like, scratchy, 70's brown plaid upholstery.
A friend came by one day, and looked it over from top to bottom, informing us that the fork from trailer to the pulling hitch had been welded in the past, and none too well. He didn't think it was good for the road.
That would be an expensive repair. It also needed two new tires, the ones that were on it were dry and flat at that point. Disappointment and sensibility put the brakes on our spending any money on it. It seemed that we'd use it just to sleep in for backyard camping. The grandkids would get a kick out of that.
Since two of our grandkids lived with us, we decided one night that we'd 'camp out'. Kimberly was about four years old then, and she was an excited little camper. It would be a great chance to find out how she'd fare in a real camping situation. Her baby sister stayed in the house with their Mom for the night. As luck would have it, a thunderstorm came through during the night, and it kept me awake for most of the time Kimberly and her Papa slept. Not just the noise kept me awake... but a cool dripping of water on my foot was like Chinese torture. In the morning, we discovered that there was another leak in the roof, just near the ceiling light. A puddle on the floor beneath the fixture proved that point.
Suffice it to say that there was little camping done, even in the backyard, using that trailer. When we moved here, we certainly weren't going to drag it with us. The fate of the trailer turned out to be the junkyard. As we remembered this time in our life, my husband pointed out that he's always having fits if he has to pay $100 a night for motels on trips, and he'd spent a whopping $300 on a camper which was slept in twice, in our driveway! We got a good laugh out of it...and I was once again reminded that it doesn't pay to be as thrifty as all that. "You get what you pay for" comes to mind, but I kept the thought to myself!
We discussed the rental of a camper trailer. Our Pastor has one that he's trying to sell, and it's much too big, as is it's price tag, for us to consider buying, but if he would like to rent it for a weekend, we'd go for that. He has rented/lent it to folks when they've needed it. It would give us a good shelter, should the weather be less than desireable, and it certainly would provide a nice sleeping arrangement. Because we like to be outside and enjoy cooking out, we'd probably used the camper only for sleeping. As we discussed all this, one thing led to another, and soon we were remembering another camper in our past.
Years ago, I heard of a pop-up tent trailer for sale on a radio show, we decided to drive to Watermill to investigate. It looked decent enough, though it was an older model. There were some minor repairs to be done that were pretty obvious, but nothing that required much cash outlay or effort. We made the deal with the owner, and off we went with our trailer, our minds buzzing with dreams for future camping trips.
Time passed, and the camper hadn't had anything done to it, but to raise it now and then to air it out. We hadn't remembered when we purchased the thing that we'd need a transfer of title of ownership, in order to get license plates for it. It took us a very long time to reach the seller, and when we did, he had no idea where the paperwork was. It wasn't road ready, so we thought that when it was, we would get some 'lost title' paperwork from the DMV, and go from there. In the meantime, we'd clean it and talk about what changes we'd make in it...such as recovering all the cushions on the seating. It was old, and though it was clean, it was that wool-like, scratchy, 70's brown plaid upholstery.
A friend came by one day, and looked it over from top to bottom, informing us that the fork from trailer to the pulling hitch had been welded in the past, and none too well. He didn't think it was good for the road.
That would be an expensive repair. It also needed two new tires, the ones that were on it were dry and flat at that point. Disappointment and sensibility put the brakes on our spending any money on it. It seemed that we'd use it just to sleep in for backyard camping. The grandkids would get a kick out of that.
Since two of our grandkids lived with us, we decided one night that we'd 'camp out'. Kimberly was about four years old then, and she was an excited little camper. It would be a great chance to find out how she'd fare in a real camping situation. Her baby sister stayed in the house with their Mom for the night. As luck would have it, a thunderstorm came through during the night, and it kept me awake for most of the time Kimberly and her Papa slept. Not just the noise kept me awake... but a cool dripping of water on my foot was like Chinese torture. In the morning, we discovered that there was another leak in the roof, just near the ceiling light. A puddle on the floor beneath the fixture proved that point.
Suffice it to say that there was little camping done, even in the backyard, using that trailer. When we moved here, we certainly weren't going to drag it with us. The fate of the trailer turned out to be the junkyard. As we remembered this time in our life, my husband pointed out that he's always having fits if he has to pay $100 a night for motels on trips, and he'd spent a whopping $300 on a camper which was slept in twice, in our driveway! We got a good laugh out of it...and I was once again reminded that it doesn't pay to be as thrifty as all that. "You get what you pay for" comes to mind, but I kept the thought to myself!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Autographs
Have you ever collected Autographs? No, I don't mean those of classmates and family, in a book made for that purpose, thought I have two of those from my teen years. I'm thinking more of signatures from celebreties or famous people that have made their way into your presence.
When I was cleaning out a box one day, I discovered a few slips of paper which bore the names of Roy Scheider, Robert Morse, and Paul McCartney. Mr. Scheider was an actor, best known for his role in the movie "Jaws". Robert Morse is an actor who's been on Broadway, TV and in movies. Most everyone knows who Paul McCartney is, and since he is the most famous, and my favorite autograph giver, I'll share the story of how I obtained his signature.
It was 1978, I believe. I had my 4 year old, Amy, with me. Since she was the only one of my five children who were with me, I'm thinking we might have been to her eye doctor appointment. On the way home from whereever we'd been, we stopped at a department store, Woolco, in the Bridgehampton shopping center. As we approached the entrance of the store, there was a crowd of people there, and one of them told me that Paul McCartney, and his wife, Linda were in the store. I didn't believe it! They pointed out a wood-sided station wagon which was parked in the fire zone and I was told it was the singers' car.
Amy and I went into the store, and spotted Paul and Linda in the check out line, with a large orange foot locker. I took Amy's hand, and we went back outside as I told her that he was a famous singer and that we had some of his music at home. She knew who the Beatles were, even at the young age. I asked her to watch the door, and when she saw the man with the big 'orange suitcase' come out, to yell, "Hi Paul McCartney!" (oh! the things that mothers put their kids up to at times!) So, being my good little girl, she did just that when the couple came outside.
Paul decided he'd play this game with Amy. He walked toward us, in the direction of his car, as he turned his head from side to side, pretending to look for the little voice who had said his name. As he did, he said, "Paul McCart-en-eee, Paul McCart-en-eee, WHERE'S Paul McCart-en-eee?" saying it just the way Amy had. He bent down low, so he was eye to eye with Amy, as she hid behind my legs and looked over her glasses at Paul. He said, "Are youuuuuuuuu Paul McCart-en-eee?" She continued to look over her glasses at him, while she shook her head and pointed to him. He stood up, and stood in front of me smiling. I stammered, "I used to be one of your biggest fans" (meaning when he was a Beatle...I hadn't gotten into the music of his current group, "Wings".) DUH...how dumb did I look?! He grinned, understanding my nervousness, and he joked, " Used to be? USED to be?! Well, don't stop NOW!" I said something like, "of course I won't!" and he handed me his autograph! Siiiiiiigh....what a sweet memory!
I once asked Alan Alda for his signature. He was shopping in the IGA in Bridgehampton when I saw him that day. I'd let two other opportunities pass when I'd seen him earlier that year, and I wasn't going to let this one go with a try. So, when he was standing in the aisle, reading the ingredients on a box of cereal, I approached him, shyly and respectfully asked, "Excuse me, Mr. Alda, I wonder if I might have your autograph?" He looked down his nose, over his half-lensed glasses, and said, "I'm sorry, I don't give autographs, but I will shake your hand." Well, ok, I thought, I'll take what I can get. I had seen many of his movies and liked watching him on tv on "Mash" and I was somewhat disappointed that I couldn't get that little slip of paper with his name on it.
But, I also understand that these are just regular people are doing a job which makes them famous. They may want to live as normally as other people do, but they're often hounded by fans or photographers. It must get annoying at times. On the other hand, they make a good deal of money at what they do, and it is because of the fans that they are paid so well for their work. So, they must expect this following of theirs and not expect to live peacefully when they're 'big name' people.
Ah well, I've not seen a famous person in many years, and even when I did while I lived in the resort area where many would vacation or reside, I left them alone. I suppose I'd outgrown the desire to collect signatures, or maybe I felt that I'd reached the ultimate in the procurring of Paul McCartney's autograph! I still treasure it, but one day it will find it's way into Amy's scrapbook with the written memory I have of that day. She knows, today, who he is, but does not remember that afternoon.
When I was cleaning out a box one day, I discovered a few slips of paper which bore the names of Roy Scheider, Robert Morse, and Paul McCartney. Mr. Scheider was an actor, best known for his role in the movie "Jaws". Robert Morse is an actor who's been on Broadway, TV and in movies. Most everyone knows who Paul McCartney is, and since he is the most famous, and my favorite autograph giver, I'll share the story of how I obtained his signature.
It was 1978, I believe. I had my 4 year old, Amy, with me. Since she was the only one of my five children who were with me, I'm thinking we might have been to her eye doctor appointment. On the way home from whereever we'd been, we stopped at a department store, Woolco, in the Bridgehampton shopping center. As we approached the entrance of the store, there was a crowd of people there, and one of them told me that Paul McCartney, and his wife, Linda were in the store. I didn't believe it! They pointed out a wood-sided station wagon which was parked in the fire zone and I was told it was the singers' car.
Amy and I went into the store, and spotted Paul and Linda in the check out line, with a large orange foot locker. I took Amy's hand, and we went back outside as I told her that he was a famous singer and that we had some of his music at home. She knew who the Beatles were, even at the young age. I asked her to watch the door, and when she saw the man with the big 'orange suitcase' come out, to yell, "Hi Paul McCartney!" (oh! the things that mothers put their kids up to at times!) So, being my good little girl, she did just that when the couple came outside.
Paul decided he'd play this game with Amy. He walked toward us, in the direction of his car, as he turned his head from side to side, pretending to look for the little voice who had said his name. As he did, he said, "Paul McCart-en-eee, Paul McCart-en-eee, WHERE'S Paul McCart-en-eee?" saying it just the way Amy had. He bent down low, so he was eye to eye with Amy, as she hid behind my legs and looked over her glasses at Paul. He said, "Are youuuuuuuuu Paul McCart-en-eee?" She continued to look over her glasses at him, while she shook her head and pointed to him. He stood up, and stood in front of me smiling. I stammered, "I used to be one of your biggest fans" (meaning when he was a Beatle...I hadn't gotten into the music of his current group, "Wings".) DUH...how dumb did I look?! He grinned, understanding my nervousness, and he joked, " Used to be? USED to be?! Well, don't stop NOW!" I said something like, "of course I won't!" and he handed me his autograph! Siiiiiiigh....what a sweet memory!
I once asked Alan Alda for his signature. He was shopping in the IGA in Bridgehampton when I saw him that day. I'd let two other opportunities pass when I'd seen him earlier that year, and I wasn't going to let this one go with a try. So, when he was standing in the aisle, reading the ingredients on a box of cereal, I approached him, shyly and respectfully asked, "Excuse me, Mr. Alda, I wonder if I might have your autograph?" He looked down his nose, over his half-lensed glasses, and said, "I'm sorry, I don't give autographs, but I will shake your hand." Well, ok, I thought, I'll take what I can get. I had seen many of his movies and liked watching him on tv on "Mash" and I was somewhat disappointed that I couldn't get that little slip of paper with his name on it.
But, I also understand that these are just regular people are doing a job which makes them famous. They may want to live as normally as other people do, but they're often hounded by fans or photographers. It must get annoying at times. On the other hand, they make a good deal of money at what they do, and it is because of the fans that they are paid so well for their work. So, they must expect this following of theirs and not expect to live peacefully when they're 'big name' people.
Ah well, I've not seen a famous person in many years, and even when I did while I lived in the resort area where many would vacation or reside, I left them alone. I suppose I'd outgrown the desire to collect signatures, or maybe I felt that I'd reached the ultimate in the procurring of Paul McCartney's autograph! I still treasure it, but one day it will find it's way into Amy's scrapbook with the written memory I have of that day. She knows, today, who he is, but does not remember that afternoon.
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