Up close and personal

For Christmas, I got a zoom lens for my Canon Rebel camera. I was thrilled. I received gift money, and saved up additional funds, to buy the lens, which I have dreamed of since 2006. I was happy with my camera but wished I could capture more close-up moments when traveling around Indiana and beyond. I'm a "Sunday" driver, but that's a whole 'nother story.

This photo of two doves taken in February is the product of my first real photo session with my lens. It means a lot to me because of the different textures, the beauty of the birds and the fact that I took it (it's not blurry, the birds are both facing the right way, etc.) It's amazing to me that something I see with my eyes, then take a picture of with my camera, translates into something that becomes beautiful and treasured, by me, and hopefully by a few other people. I hope you enjoy these love birds, who appear to be waiting for some sign of spring. I know in February, I could relate to that hope for warmth and sun and green. Happy spring!

Happy Mother's Day!

My husband, Joe's, mother and father came up to visit us today, on Mother's Day. They just entered their 80s but you wouldn't know it - Bernie still mows the yards at their rental properties and they both are avid golfers. Dorothy attends church regularly and helps distribute the Eucharist to nursing homes.

Dorothy is pictured above with Oliver,
our 9-year-old Manx kitty.
© Photo by Diane Weidenbenner

Joe and I don't have children but Dorothy has "adopted" our kitties and dog, Hershey, as her grandpets. She's Grandma Dots.

Dorothy was a district sales manager for Avon for 31 years and retired some time ago. She was a model business woman back in the day when women usually stayed home and raised kids. Dorothy and Bernie raised three boys and a girl, all while Dorothy worked for Avon and Bernie ran a successful tractor dealership. In her tenure with Avon, Dorothy received a new car every two years and won a white mink stole, which she gave to one of her Avon ladies. Her region was ranked in the top 10% for U.S. sales due to Dorothy and her team of representatives (she lives in Jasper, Ind.)

It's a rare opportunity that we don't run into someone, or see a woman in a photograph, that Dorothy doesn't recognize as one of "her" Avon reps. During our visit, Dorothy shared her photo album from the year that she won a trip to Hawaii and the stole. The photos were professionally taken and arranged in a beautiful album that was given to Dorothy after the awards event.

Although she's retired, I can certainly see why she was successful. No one can say "no" to Dorothy. This is a woman who makes yummy chicken noodle soup or chili and gives you a container-full, when she visits or you visit her. If try to decline, Dorothy finds a way to put the food into your car before you leave. She's subtle and persistent - two great qualities of a successful salesperson. And, she does it all while smiling and hugging you. Those Avon customers never knew what hit them! She has passed her sales acumen on to her daughter, Lisa, who has a successful career at a software solutions company.

I enjoy hearing her stories. It was an important time in her life and it's nice that she is willing to share it with us. She's thoughtful and kind. She loves Bernie, still, and I can tell that they've grown together (instead of apart) during their marriage. She encourages me to be the best wife to her son that I can be. Joe has received a lot of good qualities from both his mom and dad, and when I spend time with them, it reminds me of all of his strong, wonderful qualities. Mother's Day is about appreciating all the "mother" figures that God brings into our lives. Today and always I'm grateful for my mom, my grandmother and Dorothy, who has opened her heart to me as her son's wife and daughter-in-law.

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Beauty, in the eye of the beholder

We've had plenty of rain this spring and with the moisture comes gorgeous green grass and foliage ... and dandelions. My friend and I talked about these hearty weeds recently, and how prevalent they are. No one plants dandelions and yet they grow, spread, blow beyond the borders of the yard and fluorish. I haven't found Dandelion Food at my local greenhouse. And, I won't be asking the master gardeners what pesticides are recommended to ward off buggy predators, for dandelions.

Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

There are plants that I want to grow in our yard and flower beds. My husband and I have worked for years to get a rose garden started and this will be the second year that we will have enough flowers to decorate beyond the flower bed (into vases to be enjoyed indoors). We also have a transplanted peony bush that seems to be holding its as well as a hydrangea that either will or will not bloom. (It's only bloomed one year since my husband and I moved to Indiana eight years ago - the year my mom died. I'm convinced that God encouraged it to bloom to encourage me that there is life after death and that other such miracles can occur.)

We don't like to use weed killers on our lawn because we use well water and we back up to a creek. We're not big fans of having these toxic ingredients leaching into our groundwater and we don't want to poison our entertaining wildlife surrounding our house.

My friend, Sandy, and I discussed how dandelions are deemed a weed by those of us who don't want them in our yards. The only difference sometimes between a weed and a prized plant is the classification that we give them.

If I were really to think about dandelions, I could like them. In fact, if I think about it, dandelions could be considered the perfect perennial. The bright yellow flowers are a nice pick-me-up among the other green landscape. They are hearty and survive almost anything. You can start out with just a few and in no time, you have an entire yard-full. And, when they go to seed, they are an amazing natural beauty up close, as the individual seedlings form an intricate web of life, which is soft to the touch and which will blow into a hundred pieces if disturbed.

Upon further research, I found that dandelions have a multitude of health benefits. There are also several recipes I've heard of, using the dandelion plant. There is dandelion salad, which is a tasty, nutritional dish that you can add tomato and red onion to, along with hot bacon dressing. You can also make dandelion wine and tea.

I've come to appreciate dandelions and all the benefits that they can bring to our lives. I haven't made a salad or tea yet from the bounty in my front yard but I'm tempted. For now, I'll just enjoy their beautiful flowers and courageous ability to multiply. It's not like they are going anywhere soon.

"Z"zzzzz's

We live in Terre Haute, Ind., with a population estimate (as of 2011) of 60,961 (okay, I have to ask - where did they get the "1" from?) It's a fairly small town compared to my birthplace of Denver, Colo. (estimate of 619,968). It's amazing to me the number of sounds that we had to get used to, after moving here. Especially at night. When you're trying to sleep.

Photo thanks to en.gtwallpaper.com

First, there are a lot of trains going through Terre Haute. I can't emphasize "a lot" enough! There are trains coming and going. There are trains stopped, slowly moving forward or slowly moving backward. After awhile, the sounds of trains lull you to sleep. I was convinced that when we got our puppy, who is now 3 years old, his nighttime potty schedule was on the train schedule. He would wake me with a cold nose under the armpit at 11:52, then at 2:56, then 6:21 ... you get the picture. Every time I took him out back to do his business, I heard a train racing through town.

Second, we hear wildlife, such as the male fox's "vixen scream" which is usually used during mating season and answered by the fox's mate. We also hear the chirping sounds of raccoons and various noises from frogs, bugs and neighborhood dogs and cats. It's a variable orchestra of sounds. I remember hearing the fox for the first time and thinking that some poor animal was in terrible pain. Hard to get to sleep when it sounds lik it's right outside our bedroom window.

Third, thunder and lightening from spring and fall storms can either keep us from our "zzzzz's" or wake us up with a start. The "light shows" can be impressive also, even with our lined curtains and drawn blinds. You know it's bad when the dog climbs in between you and your spouse, in bed. It's also important to stay awake, during the heavy downpours, to see if our area or one that we'll be taking to work the next morning, will be flooded.

Fourth, we're right next to a firehouse so we hear (almost) every emergency vehicle leave the building at amazing speeds, sirens blaring. Having the firehouse so close-by was actually a blessing when some neighborhood children set the field on fire next to our house. Their quick response time was appreciated.

I've begun wearing at least one earplug when I go to sleep, to help balance out the nature sounds. I don't hear the trains unless I'm outside with the dog. And, we've come to appreciate the fox family that lives in our heavily tree-lined, backyard creek and dense bushes. We especially enjoy seeing the little foxes each spring and watching them chase each other in the backyard. Guess that vixen screaming is good for something, if it helps with the wildlife hookups.

"Y"ou said it!

Thanks to yorkshire_rose via Fanpop.com for photo.

In my recent research on the Internet, I found the most wonderful resource. It's called idioms.yourdictionary.com. It's a website where you can find the origin or meaning of those catch phrases that we bandy about like sailors.

Here are a few examples:

Piece of cake - I use this phrase to mean that something is easy to do or take care of. According to my newfound genius website, this "expression originated in the Royal Air Force in the late 1930s for an easy mission, and the precise reference is as mysterious as that of the simile easy as pie." I think it means that eating your dessert is easy. The phrase "easy as a spear of asparagus" would not have the same zing to it, would it?

Spill the beans - It means to disclose a secret or prematurely divulge information. It seems to have originated from the saying to "spill blood" meaning destruction or ruination and was first recorded in 1919 as "spill the beans." I researched this further because the website didn't have as much on this idiom and my curiosity was piqued. Seems that in ancient Greece, members applying for secret societies were voted upon by having existing members drop either a white bean (for "yes") or a black bean (for "no") into a jar. If the jar was accidentally knocked over (or spilled), the vote was revealed prematurely.

Letting the cat out of the bag - I thought this had a similar meaning to "spill the beans" until I did my homework. This expression is from the mid-1700s, when dishonest merchants substituted a cat for a valuable pig, which is only discovered when the buy gets home and opens the bag. It's come to mean sharing a secret out of turn but it could mean something a bit more devious.

What are some common idioms that you use in everyday language? Why not look them up and post their true meaning in the comments section?

"X"OXOXO

Sister Ann Casper (left) and Becky talking about the
Youth Art Contest and Sister Ann's remarks. She
intiated the inaugral event and fostered its
success each year. She loved the fact that youth came
out to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the Art Contest!
Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

I wish you had known my friend, Becky. She had a great sense of humor, was a wonderful writer and she never met a stranger. She passed away April 25 and will be missed by her friends and remaining family, puppy dogs and co-workers.

Here's what I learned from Becky:

1. Hawthorn Park, in Terre Haute, Ind., is a wonderful place to take your dog for a walk. It's also a great place to think when life's conundrums seem too heavy to bear. There is a great labyrinth, with rose bushes and wrought-iron framing surrounding the thought-provoking pathway. And, a bench to sit and ponder life's greatest questions.
2. It's the little things that matter. Friends are an encouragement to each other and it's often the little things that mean the most. Becky knew I was looking for an antique printer's tray and she found one at the Covered Bridge Festival and surprised me with it. She'd call when she heard a song that we both liked or when she learned a movie was playing that we both wanted to see. After she discovered YouTube, I'd get links to hilarious videos at 2 or 3 a.m. with the subject line, "I thought of you!"
3. Animals are Christ in disguise. (Matt. 25:37-40). "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ...' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Becky saw an animal (or person) in need, and she would do whatever she could to help, ensuring that they were out of danger and in caring hands.
4. Music is a type of prayer and worship. My friend, Sandy, and I went to several concerts with Becky and witnessed first-hand, her worship of God through music and lyrics that touched her heart. Lyrics were like poetry for her and music like refreshment for the soul. She communed with God through music.
5. God knows best, even when it's painful. When she first came down with cancer, I told her that I was angry at God for allowing another good friend of mine to get sick. (This was the third time a close friend had come down with cancer and it was getting old). She was concerned and said that she didn't want to be the reason that I was mad at God. Although she had cancer which was scary and the outcome was unknown, she believed that God's best would prevail. It hurt her to think that my faith would be shaken by her illness.
6. Friendships last a lifetime. When she came down with lymphoma, she began ending our conversations or get-togethers with "I love you." You don't know how much time you have with friends and family so every moment is to be treasured.
7. She challenged me to be a better person. She was a wonderful writer. She loved people based on seeing the best in them, whether or not they exhibited it. She made me laugh so hard that I cried. She was real. She loved animals with her whole heart. She would give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it, and her shoes, too. She had faith that surpassed her circumstances. She helped me see God in a new light.

Becky, I hope that I can learn and apply the lessons that you taught me. You loved without expecting anything in return. You accepted what came your way with grace and peace. I love you and look forward to seeing you again. RIP, Rebecca Gayle Igo!

"W"ild-life in Indiana

Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

I went to Rural King recently in Terre Haute, Ind., and there was a "Fish" truck on the premises, selling young fish to people who have lakes, ponds, etc. They were stocking their bodies of water with crappies, blue gill, bass and a few other types of fish that I can't remember.

In Colorado, where I'm from, it's not uncommon for the mountain lakes, ponds and streams to be stocked for the season. I have just never seen a local truck, in town, selling bags of various kinds of fish to residents. My friend and I were so astonished to see it that we had to ask the buyers a few questions. They were a bit surprised but were willing to tell us what type of fish they were getting and that they were going to stock a lake that they owned.

Okay, just to be clear ... they stocked their lake, and then they fished their lake. Seems like a sure bet to me. As you can see from the photo, they had about 10 or more bags of fish, with forced air added so the fish would survive to their destination. We want to give the fish a fighting chance, of course.

I thought about buying a bag of fish and putting them in our bathtub. It certainly would give our kitty cats something to do when I was at work all day. Probably not fair to the fish, though. My husband has been warming up the grill so I could see the teamwork of the kitties getting the fish, deboning it and taking their portion, and then handing the rest off to hubby Joe, to grill for dinner. Would this be considered take-out or delivery? Sounds like a fish story to me...

"V"ictory

Becky became "Aunt Becky" to
Hershey, who my husband and I
adopted, at a humane society
fundraiser. She loved animals!
Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

Thursday, April 25, around 11:45 p.m., my good friend lost her battle against lymphoma. She was a very special person, as most people who knew her will tell you. She was a blessing and incredible friend to me both at work and in my personal life. Her name was Becky and she was a Christian.

She'd been diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkins lymphoma in January (after successfully beating another type of lymphoma last year.) I am grateful that she is no longer sufffering, no longer in pain. I also am saddened by her absence in my life and many others who loved her very much, including her sister who had taken care of her for the past six months.

As a Christian, I intellectually know that those who believe in God and accept Christ into their lives do not die a spiritual death. John 11:25-26 states, "...I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die..." These bodies are on loan to us and as you get older, you sometimes wish you could trade them in for a newer model!

I know Becky is in a better place and that she is hopefully with her parents, her dog Buddy and all the other little lovable creatures that she rescued while on Earth. I hope for the same thing when I die.

Intellectually knowing and believing in my heart are two different things. For comfort, I turned to the Word of God for a refresher course in what lies ahead for us, so I could picture Becky in a better place, experiencing God's perfect love.

Here's where I've found hope, peace and solace these past few days:

• We have a birthday and a day that we die and God is aware of both. (Hebrews 9:27). God has given each of us a set number of days on Earth. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” says Psalm 139:16. And the well-known verse in Ecclesiastes (3:2).
• There is no "down" time. When we are not here on Earth, we are with the Lord. Jesus assured the thief on the cross that he would meet him at the moment of death (Luke 23:39-43). God promises that he will come to take us home (Psalm 23:4). "For the believer, death is the gateway into the promise of eternal life as we shed our earthly bodies to enter into the presence of God (1 Corinthians 15:50-53). My friend Becky is with God, her Creator, her Savior. I can't think of a better place that I'd rather be.
• Jesus has already prepared a place for us, with him. "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also," John 14:1-3).
• Becky is "home." This place is not our home and it's a good reminder that while we have loving companions on this journey, our eternal life will be experiencing all that love, and then some! "Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight ... I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord,” 2 Cor. 5:6-8.

My dear Becky - you made my days brighter and more lovely. I'm glad you are at peace, with God, and all those you have loved. I miss you and my heart is heavy with sadness. Until we see each other again, I will remember you fondly. Give Buddy a hug for me!

"U"p movie by Disney

2009 Walt Disney
Picture's Pixar
Productions'
publicity photo.

I recently rented the 2009 animated adventure "Up" and was incredibly moved by it (no pun intended). You see, the plot of the movie involves a 78-year-old widower named Carl Frederickson who ties thousands of helium-inflated balloons to his house in order to lift it and transport it and himself to the wilds of South America. He is (or was) a balloon salesman, so he's uniquely qualified for the task.

While there were parts of the movie that moved a bit slowly, the story line was so ingenious that it kept me focused. For a computer-animated comedy, it was for me a journey of the heart. Add to this story an 8-year-old boy named Russell, who is a wilderness explorer boy scout that visits Carl, the curmudgeon, and inadvertently tags along upon "take-off." Think Dennis the Menace airborne!

"Up" won the AFI "Movie of the Year" award and an Oscar for "Best Animated Feature Film of the Year" in 2010 for good reason. As a person who was approaching 50 when I watched the movie, it was a gentle reminder that one is never too old to follow one's dreams. It reminded me that when I was young, I didn't fear the unknown as I do now. And, that lack of fear allowed me to take chances, and have adventures, that I wouldn't attempt now. Walt Disney Pictures never fails to deliver, of course. I experienced the gammut of emotions, from light-hearted humor and heart-tugging love and loss to the end-of-movie triumph as the hero (or heros) survive another adventure along life's journey, finding hope and love where you least expect them.

If you haven't yet watched "Up," I encourage you to take a chance! It's well worth the ride.

"T"ractor

Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

Have you seen the "American Pickers" show that "follows expert antiquers as they scour the country's junkyards, basements and barns for hidded gems?" (according to History.com)

Well, my friend Sandy and I are the Indiana/Illinois Pickers. We go for country drives and we never quite know what we'll find. We have followed highways, byways, side roads and back roads in search of the unappreciated or forgotten treasures. One time we followed a dirt road right into the middle of a corn field. No, really!

Thus far, one of my favorite discoveries has been this Ford tractor. First, my dad loved the Ford brand. He always bought American cars and he could fix just about anything on them. I remember when I bought my first reliable car and it was a Honda Accord. My dad was skeptical - especially because it had 80,000 miles on it. Who buys a used car with that many miles on it? It wasn't until he got in for a test drive that he felt more comfortable with my purchase. He listened to the engine and saw how clean the interior was and felt better. I had that car until someone rear-ended it when it was unoccupied, damaging the gas tank and fuel line. It had more than 130,000 miles on it.

Second, my husband's dad used to have a Ford tractor dealership so I thought this was a cool picture to take. My goal is to give Bernie, my father-in-law, a copy of the photo sometime for posterity's sake. I thought it might stir fond memories of his business venture in Jasper, Ind. I know my husband has fond memories of his dad's shop and spending time there as a child.

It's the fond memories many times that these antiques stir in us, that make them valuable again to us. I have to admit that I'm amazed at the items that those American Pickers find, and the price at which they offer to acquire them. During one show, the TV stars ventured onto a man's property tagged with "No Trespassing" signs and were met by the owner, wielding a double-barreled shotgun. I can't say that we've ever had that experience. I'm so glad.