A Sunday, November 29, 2009

Good Morning! Notice Anything New?
I keep changing the template on our blog, but haven't heard anything from anyone. I'm always trying to improve the newsblog so it's easier to read and just trying to assure we have a blog that's not just a plain jane publication. I really would like for it to look nice....Hope you like the new looks I've been giving it.

Just another thought.......if you are in touch with any former Greenviewanites or even current ones, could you make sure you give them the site address so they can also read the blog. If all of us pass the site address on to two people, our numbers will grow immensely. On behalf of the newsblog, I have donated a gift basket to be auctioned off next week at the Mason City Nursing Home bizarre. It has our newsblog site address on the basket, so hopefully we will find a few new readers. The more the merrier!

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November Has Been Alzheimer's Month.

This passing month has been Alzheimer's month. For those people who have a loved one who might have or had this horrible disease, you are aware of how desvastating this disease can be. None of us like to think this disease exists in our community, but it is more widespread than one thinks. Many people suffer from this disease many years before they know they have it or anyone else knows they have it. When the final stages appear, then the community begins to realize that persons have Alzheimer's. The biggest thing to remember is that memory loss, which disrupts daily life, is not old age. It may be a sign of Alzheimer's Disease.

If you know someone with this disease, please be kind and understanding. Remember that the affected person actually cannot remember things or persons or names. It's not that they don't want to, they just can't. There is a chance of recognition if you talk to the person long enough. That person might have a flicker of recognition .... then in a moment it's gone and it is depressing when that moment no longer exists.

Alzheimer's Disease is progressive and it is fatal....the seventh leading cause of death in the USA. There is no cure at this time. Without the support of each of us, there may never be a cure. When you can, donate to the Alzheimer's Association. You really don't want to be the person it affects. I know because I have a loved one who has it. Someday one of your loved ones, you or I may be affected. Nothing to be ashamed of, but it could be a fact of life as long as a cure has not been found. Give generously....Consider it the gift of life.

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Famous Birthdays.

Howie Mandel - 1955 (Deal or No Deal)

C. S. Lewis - 1898 (author)

Louisa May Alcott - 1832 (author of Little Women)

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Bible Week Comes To An End.
Today marks the end of Bible Week. Each year, Christians enjoy Bible Week during the week of Thanksgiving, from the Sunday before to the Sunday after. Studying and reading the Bible is something each Christian has the choice to participate in. Celebrate your right to enjoy Christianity or any other religion. In America we have that choice. It's called Freedom.

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November has almost passed us by. Enjoy this poem.

November comes

And November goes

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And the earth sinks to rest

Until next spring.

~~Clyde Watson

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There's No Place Like Home.

Happy Day.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Time Is Flying....Can't Catch Up With Time!
My personal feeling is that the days before Christmas are flying by. There are cards to write to persons far away, candy and cookies to make, Christmas tree to decorate, presents to organize/wrap (just a few), menu to plan, find an angel on the angel tree, go out to eat....etc, etc. And only 28 days counting today.

Of course for several years I've thought time sure flies by as you age. Of course I'm not really getting old....I'm getting better.....but that's my opinion. But I really do need a new mirror as the old mirror seems to distort things....it shows wrinkles and sags....I think that means the mirror is spoiled....they get that way don't they???? Maybe Santa will stick one in with my lumps of coal this year. Because I've definitely been a bad girl...according to some people that is.

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Senior Citizen Christmas Luncheon....All Seniors

The Ladies AMVETS Auxiliary will host the annual Christmas luncheon for senior citizens on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the community building at 11:30. Call the community building and leave a message 968-5323 or call Dorothea Bless or Bev Riedle. Today, Saturday, is the last day to make reservations. All senior citizens are invited. Ham loaf, au gratin potatoes, green beans, rolls and pie. Happy Eating!

"Athens In The Country" Craft Festival is Today.

Annual Masons Brunch Is December 6. 9am to 1pm.

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Mason City Nursing Home Bizarre

The activities department of the Mason City Nursing Home will be holding a bizzare Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the coming week. There will be gift baskets and other items sold in a silent auction as well as new and next to new items to purchase. Be sure to visit.

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Famous Birthdays.

Anna Nicole Smith - 1967

Gary Hart - 1936 (former US senator and a presidential candidate)

Hope Lange - 1933 (actress)

Happy Birthday if it's your day too!

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Quote Of The Day

Lost Time Is Never Found Again

Have A Good Day All.....

Black Friday/Day After Thanksgiving, 11-27-09

Are You Shopping ~~~ Have You Been Shopping Today?
My answer to this question is ..... absolutely not! I might go to Walmart later today to fill a prescription, but that's the extent of my shopping. I'm a lucky person these days. My kids/grandkids said "GIFT CARDS" please. I said "YIPPEEKIYAY". They get what they want....I get to avoid the hassle of shopping.

I'm glad I only need to buy gift cards, but I will admit that I kind of feel left out because I don't get to shop. I used to like to shop for gifts, picking out what I thought was just the right gift. Then came Christmas morning, and the kids were old enough to say "ick" or "why'd you get me this?" .... so then it became a hassle to shop. I had reached the point where my tastes were not necessarily someone else's taste. My "oldness" hadn't kept up with the tastes of the younger crowd, and hadn't kept up with fads. I know that it hurt to hear the kids say "ick" or question why I had bought this or that....but I really did try. And I spent a lot of money too.....a lot more than what I will be spending now. But I think the kids/grandkids are dumb.....they should have let me shop....and spend lots of money on them....then taken the stuff back and either got the money back or a store credit and bought what they want. This year when I get the gift cards, they will all get one certain amount and it's not the same amount I used to spend. Had I still had the job of shopping for the perfect gift, I probably would have overspent if I finally found that perfect gift and even if it was more than I actually wanted to spend, I probably would have bought it.......YAY I have now found a way to save money....buy gift cards!

I sure hope your shopping excursions bring fruition. If you were one of the early birds out shopping this morning, I hope you found what you wanted and your cart was full. Now you can sit back and eat leftovers....turkey, potato pancakes, and pie....don't forget the whip cream....you deserve it!

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Today Is A Plumber's Busiest Day.

I read on the internet that the day after Thanksgiving is a plumber's busiest day. I can agree that it probably is just that after experiencing a stopped up sink yesterday. As careful as I was, a bunch of junk went down the drain. It was probably grease, turkey ick, butter, flour......egads, I forgot that flour and water makes paste. That noodle bowl had lots of flour stuck to the sides. And, I'm sure the drain probably already had junk in there, building up from the last time I cleaned the drain.

I'm thankful that I always have baking soda and vinegar on the pantry shelves. A couple of big doses of both had that sink working better than it had for a while. Goodbye grease, turkey ick, butter and flour paste....gone forever. Thank goodness I didn't have to call a plumber. Can you imagine the cost on Thanksgiving Day....especially since a plumber would have to travel a ways to get to good old Greenview.....I don't think we have a plumber here. But I think my septic is probably nearing it's capacity. Shucks......

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Famous Birthdays November 27.

Caroline Kennedy - 1957 (JFK's daughter)

Jimi Hendrix - 1942 (musician, singer)

Eddie Rabbit - 1941 (country singer)

Robin Givens - 1964 (actress)

Buffalo Bob (Smith) - 1917 (an oldtime TV host - Howdy Doody was one show)

If it's your special day, Happy Birthday!

Quote For The Day

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.

~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until Another Time....

Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, 2009

TOMORROW IS THE DAY

ONLY A FEW HOURS LEFT

IS YOUR TURKEY THAWED?

DID YOU BUY ENOUGH POTATOES?

DID YOU BUY COOL WHIP?

TOMORROW'S THE DAY.

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Thanksgiving morning and all through the house,

Creatures are stirring, even the mouse.

The oven is blasting its heat at the meat,

Mama's making desserts ever so neat.

Wake up sleepyhead and come join the bunch

We're watching and smelling good things for lunch.

So come gather round the table so big,

And eat all you want of turkey, beef and pig.

And after the dinner, we'll play some cards,

Or watch football, especially the guards.

Never believe that I don't care,

It's Thanksgiving time and we all will share.

Since tomorrow is my day to cook, I'm not sure if I will be able to post tomorrow. I wrote the above silly poem to wish you a good day. I sincerely hope that you and your family have a grand holiday. I'm thankful that I am able to write this blog for you and all the Greenviewanites from the past and current. If I don't talk to you tomorrow, I want you to know that you will be in my prayers. Bless you and keep you. When I say my prayers tomorrow this is what I will say for you all....

Dear Lord,

Bless This Bunch

As They Munch Their Lunch.

Have a Good Day.

Tuesday Before Thanksgiving..November 24, 2009

The Story Of How Thanksgiving Came About.
Most of us will joyfully celebrate the coming Thanksgiving Day with our family, and will give thanks for all of the blessings which have been bestowed upon our lives. People all over America, will gather to eat a huge calorie laden meal, then will sit back and either watch a movie or will watch football. The morning will be spent watching the Macy's parade while cooking the beautiful turkey and all of the dishes to compliment the big bird.

We have celebrated this same festival of thanks all of our lives because we were taught that a day was set aside for us to give thanks while eating a big turkey. But do most people know how and why Thanksgiving was started? The details are probably not known by the majority of Americans. So, today I decided to tell the story of the beginning of Thanksgiving and how it came about. Sit back and enjoy the story.

Thanksgiving's Story

On September 6, 1620 the Pilgrims left Plymouth, England, bound for the New World. But where was that New World? These Pilgrams sought freedom, both civil and religious liberty. There were 102 passengers aboard the ship. Most Americans don't realize that this holiday also directly relates to the Pilgrims' religion, and the freedom to choose their own religion. For many years prior to making their journey, these Puritans and Separists, who made up the body we know as the Pilgrims, had questioned the beliefs of the Church of England. Originally they escaped to Holland to gain more religious freedom. But wanting total freedom and a better way of life, they sought a way to travel to the New World in hopes of the better life. They landed on Plymouth Rock which still stands as our link to the Pilgrims.

Since they landed in the late fall, crops couldn't be grown and the harsh winter was coming. Then disease set in and people began to perish. Over half perished. These Pilgrims didn't know how to grow crops until a group of Iroquois Indians befriended the remaining pilgrims and taught them how to cultivate the ground and to grow pumpkins, corn, squarsh and beans and also taught them to fish and hunt. The folks began to thrive and the bounty of their crops and hunting grew enormously, so they decided to have a feast and invite the Indians. Indians numbered 90 and even their chief attended the feast which lasted three days, with a menu of wild roasted duck, venison, goose, corn, shellfish, clams, leeks, berries, wild plums and wine. What a festival! History is documented that this wasn't the first festival of thanks, and in fact, the first festival of thanksgiving was celebrated in 1607 in Virginia, but was referred to as Thanksgiving services. But, this Pilgrim/Indian gathering is the festival we all learned about in school and, generally is thought of as the beginning of our Thanksgiving feast day.

George Washington issued a proclamation in 1789 and the new America began celebrating a Thanksgiving on the first Thursday in November under the new constitution. But, the celebration was sporadic through the years, until Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863. This came shortly after Lincoln's countrymen had suffered through the battle of Gettysburg, in which 60,000 Americans lost their lives. Four months after the battle in July Lincoln gave his Gettyburg Address. Lincoln agonized as he had walked through the graves of these soldiers who had been killed, and, at that time he committed his life to Christ. He knew that a national day of Thanksgiving should be celebrated each year for which thanks could be given to God just as the Pilgrims gave thanks. The official Thanksgiving day of thanks began to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Lincoln's Thoughts Expressed To A Friend.

After the Battle of Gettysburg, and after Lincoln walked through the graves of the soldiers who were killed in that battle, he expressed these thoughts to a friend:

"When I left Springfield (to assume the Presidency), I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severist trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettyburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."

Abe Lincoln's proclamation was the beginning our our dedicated fourth thursday celebration. A day to give thanks for anything and everything which you hold dear in your life. May your day be bright and wonderful, and if you seek a new beginning, may that dream come true. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Quote For The Day

A man who dares waste one hour of time

has not discovered the value of life.

~~~Charles Darwin

Have a Good Day My Friends.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Sorry....I am late getting here. My house cleaning took priority today. It takes me longer than most people to clean, and it has taken almost all day. Now I am tired.

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H1N1 Shot Clinic Today.

Don't forget that today is the day any Menard County resident of any age can receive the H1N1 flu shot. the clinic will be held at Porta High School, from 4pm to 9pm. Please be aware that the full shipment of vaccine hasn't been received, so please don't be upset if they run out....there will be other flu clinics and later on (not right now) you can schedule shots at the Menard County Health Department. Remember the flu has slowed down its progression. Please carefully evaluate whether or not you should receive the vaccine. I received the shot about 2 weeks ago and I personally wasn't ill at first but later was pretty ill. Whether or not the not caused my illness is unknown, but if I had it to do over again, I might have been more cautious, checked it out more thoroughly and thought longer about getting the vaccine. Each person must make their own decision. I am simply telling you about the availability.

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Turkey Day Is Just Around The Corner.

I'm getting ready to make my noodles so I must not stay too long on the computer. If you know any jokes about Thanksgiving, please let me know in the comments section so we all can laugh.

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Quote For The Day

Thanksgiving Dinner Takes 18 Hours To

Prepare. They are consumed in 12 minutes.

Half-times takes 12 minutes.

This is not coincidence.

~~~~Erma Bombeck

Later My Friends.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Off and running this weekend.

May the day be bright for you and your family. If you are planning to hunt a turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner, may it already be cleaned and de-feathered. If you plan to hunt a turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner, call your neighbor over before you start cleaning the turkey.....then, soon after your neighbor arrives, pretend to feel ill and ask the neighbor if he/she could clean the turkey. Lay down on the couch and really try to look ill. But, stay awake so you can boss the neighbor while the cleaning is occurring. Remember to tell the neighbor the pin feathers need to come out and tell the neighbor where the tweezers are located.... and be sure to tell the neighbor the turkey will be much better if the buckshot comes out too. The turkey might have to be frozen a bit to make sure it keeps until about Tuesday when it will be safe to take the turkey out of the freezer and thaw it out. So tell the neighbor where the freezer bags are kept and be sure the neighbor can find the freezer with ease.

If you want to take a chance and have your neighbor also come over on the morning of Thanksgiving to help you cook the dang turkey, be sure to tell the neighbor this afternoon that you think you have the flu and it might last a few days and tell the neighbor you'll keep in touch in case you need more help. Be sure to call the neighbor early on Thanksgiving morning so the turkey can be put in the oven at an early time. And, to be on the safe side, you might have to show the neighbor just how ill you are, so I suggest swallowing a couple of huge glasses of prune juice early on Thanksgiving morning. It will begin to do it's job in just a few hours. Then, you can prove to the neighbor that you have indeed been quite ill or just plain full of poop....which your neighbor probably already suspects that you are full of poop.

But anyway you look at it, be sure to have a good day, and save an extra glass of prune juice for me.....because you all know that I'm full of poop.

See you later my friends. Have a good weekend.

Friday is Here...November 20, 2009

It's Here....It's Here! Friday Is Here!
For all of the clock watchers, you only have a few hours and the weekend is yours to do with whatever you want. You might be planning to have a family meal. Or, maybe see a movie. Or, maybe do your Christmas shopping. Or, just laze around, but it's almost time to clean the top of your desk for the long awaited 2 days off.

If you are one of the lucky people who doesn't have to work, by virtue of retirement, or being rich and famous or just between jobs, it's another day on the computer, gathering information, reading, and generally passing time. It's a good life, but it can become boring in my estimation. But sometimes I wonder how I ever found time to work. >>>>>giggle<<<<<<

Have a Good Friday.

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H1N1 Walk-In Clinic Scheduled.
The H1N1 shot is now available to any Menard County resident without having to meet eligibility requirements and will be free of charge. The walk-in shot clinic will be held Monday, November 23, 2009 from 4pm to 9pm at Porta High School. Please do not arrive prior to 3:45 as school is in session that day. More shipments will be received through January 2010, so if there is not enough vaccine to be given to all residents during this shot clinic, there will be more supplies of the vaccine coming and more walk-in clinics will be scheduled.

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Christmas In Greenview Is This Weekend. Maps At Casey's. Event is from 9am to 2pm.

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Greenview Senior Class Chili Supper Tonight.

The senior class is holding a Chili Supper tonight beginning at 5:30 and continues until 7pm. On the menu: Chili, hotdogs, chili dogs, nachos with cheese, carrots and celery, beverage and desserts. Help the class raise money for thier senior activites and/or trip.

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Property Changes Are In The Paper This Week.

I'm not a happy camper and I'm sure many people will be quite upset at these new assessments. And I didn't even get a notice in the mail about these assessments. If you didn't either, be sure to get a Menard County Review this week....you might be very unhappy too. Of course, any person can fight the assessment by protesting to the Menard County Board of Review. We all know that those appeals are very seldom won....who is kidding who. I personally feel that the only remedy we have is for many many residents to make appeals and fight these type of assessments. My taxes in the last 14 years have risen 135%. Ridiculous!! And I have found the tax assessor office to be very unwilling to help .... my personal opinion.

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Did You Get Your Turkey Yet???

If not, and if you still need to do your holiday meal shopping, Kent's IGA in Petersburg is offering turkeys at 19 cents a pound if you spend $50 additional in shopping. It sure doesn't take long to accumulate $50.00.

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Famous Birthdays November 20th.

Bo Derek - 1956 (you have got to be kidding....she is getting old)

Dick Smothers - 1939

Joe Biden - 1942

Richard Dawson - 1932 (Family Feud)

Robert Kennedy - 1925

If it's your birthday, have a great birthday!

Quote of The Day

The moment someone says to me, "This is very

risky", is the moment it

becomes attractive to me.

~~~ Kate Capshaw

So Long For A While Mes Amis/Friends

Wishful Wednesday November 18, 2009

Today Is Wishful Wednesday.
With the time to be thankful and, Thanksgiving just around the corner, I decided that today will be Greenviewanites' wishful Wednesday. It's not often that we can make wishes without being considered greedy, but on this blog, being wishful is not greedy, it is simply the thing we are going to do today so we can all be the happy folk we were meant to be. I seem to be praying for lots of things all the time. And I never stop hoping for good days and good thoughts and glorious beginnings and endings. But I never seem to make wishes for things that I want...either material things or abstract things. So today is my day to do that wishing and it's also your day. You can write your wishes down as I will be doing, or you can just think about your wishes silently. Feel free to use the comment section to write down your wishes. No one will think anything about it....but some might copy some of your good wishes.

So here I go. My list of wishes is for the world to see. It's ok to laugh....I might even laugh at some of yours. >>>>>giggle<<<<<<

Wishes Of A Greenviewanite

I wish for a person to clean my house every week.

I wish for a $100,000 check to come in the mail (didn't want to get too greedy).

I wish Richard Gere would come to my house so I could gaze adoringly at him.

I wish for Greenview to have 2500 people so we maybe could get a Dollar General store.

I wish to win the BIG Lottery.

I wish for good health and a new heart.

I wish for Lasik eye surgery.

I wish to win the BIG lottery.

I wish I had a cool country western voice so I could make big money singing for a living.

I wish for all of my readers to have great and wonderful holidays.

I wish I knew how many people read my blog each day.

I wish that I didn't have to get old.

I wish my body and joint aches were with someone else and not me.

I wish that I won't get a common cold this year.

I wish to win the BIG lottery.

I wish the rain would stop so I can pull my garden tractor out of the mud.

I wish I could get a facelift...especially my saggy jowls.

I wish I would find a Genie in a bottle, could rub it and get three real wishes which would come true.

I wish I was skinny or maybe liposuction.

I wish I had more hair on top of my head.

I wish I had a new brown Mustang convertible, just like the one I saw a couple of days ago.

I wish I had a new MKX Lincoln SUV just like the one I saw a couple of days ago.

I wish someone would pay my automobile insurance for 5 years.

I wish these wishes would come true!

See, that wasn't so bad. I'm sure I could have listed about another 20 or 30 pages of wishes, but I really don't want to seem greedy and take up all of the room. It's now your turn! I want you to do this....it seems not a lot of you did the Rainstop Stomp yesterday since it's still raining, so I really want you to do the wishes today. YAY.

And could you please do the Rainstop Stomp this morning. Stand up....pat your head...rub your tummy and stomp your feet for 20 seconds. And if you want to make wine, put some grapes in a tub,step in and do the Rainstop Stomp for many minutes, but be sure to wash your feet....icky tasting if you don't.

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What Are You Having For Dinner Tonight?

I get so tired of coming up with ideas on what to cook for dinner. Last night we had Ground Chuck burgers, with Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Mozzarelli Cheese mixed in...no gravy and green beans. For dessert, I made huge Oatmeal Muffins. I never fry my burgers, but instead use my George Foreman grill. Since those grills came out, I have worn out three of them. I always have at least two George Foreman grills in the pantry in case another one goes kaput. They are expensive to buy but I find them at garage sales and most look they have never been used. I guess some people don't like them, but I sure do.

Another thing I like is my Panini Grill. My kids got me one for mother's day a couple of years ago.....the grilled sandwiches are out of this world. I'm always coming up with new things to put between two slices of thick bakery bread....brush it with a bit of olive oil and slap it on the Panini Grill. OH YUM!

Tonight I am having boneless pork chops, pounded out thin (using a metal meat tenderizer mallet) then floured and browned in a small amount of olive oil. The meat becomes so tender when it's pounded with the meat mallet. The rest of the meal is still a mystery, but I will think of something to have to compliment the meat. Hope your dinner tonight is a great one....maybe steaks on the grill....maybe a ham sandwich....maybe breakfast for dinner. It doesn't matter what it is, I'm sure it will be good if you are a Greenviewanite.....because I think all of us are good cooks. YIPPEE.

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November 18 Birthdays.

George Gallup - 1901 (founder of Gallop poll)

Warren Moon - 1956 (Hall of Fame Quarterback)

Kevin Nealon - 1953 (Saturday Night Live actor/comedian)

If today is your birthday, Happy Birthday.

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Things About The November 18 Date.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus founded what is known as Puerto Rico.

It's the 322nd day of the year, with 43 more days remaining in the calendar year.

In 1978, the cult leader Jim Jones, led 900 people to their death in the Jonestown massacre.

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Quote For The Day

And in the end it's not the years

in your life that count,

It's the life in your years.

~~ Abe Lincoln

Arrivederci!

Tis Twrainy Out Tuesday - November 17, 2009

Hello World....Just Floating In From Greenview.
Yes, it's still raining here. We checked the rain gauge at about 4 am today and only had a little over an inch and a quarter, but that was after I dumped out 1.5 inches yesterday morning. Geeze! Our garden tractor is stuck in our slough and the water is over the deck. Dang it....we couldn't get the 4 wheel drive down there to pull it out. I just hope it doesn't float into the creek!

We've had enough rain. Since our joint wishes, for the rain to give us Greenviewanites a break, didn't work yesterday, I think we need to all do a reverse rain dance today. So... get up from your chairs and dance the Rainstop Stomp. It's easy to do....just put one of your hands on top of your head and pat it while putting your other hand on your tummy and start rubbing it.....all at the same time.....and stomp your feet for 20 seconds. This will probably assure that you will either help our efforts to stop the rain or you might even see yourself in the mirror and see how silly you look and say to yourself "how did that crazy woman talk me into doing this stupid Rainstop Stomp". But either way, you just had fun....and that's what's counts. You can't go through life being a stick in the mud and never having fun. So if you haven't already risen from your chair to do the Rainsstop Stomp....do it now!

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Recipe From An Old Menard County Cookbook.

With Thanksgiving next week, it might be nice to have a dish of cinnamon apples to compliment your dinner. I plan to use this recipe as I know the grandkids will just love it. But I think I will cut the recipe in half and I might cut my apples in pieces and will probably leave out the food coloring.

Cinnamon Apples

2 cups sugar

2 tsp cinnamon or red hots candy

1 1/2 cups water

30 drops red food coloring

20 medium sized apples - core, pare and cut in half

Make a syrup of sugar, cinnamon, water and red food coloring. Cook apples in syrup until tender.

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November 17 Birthdays.

Imogene Coca - 1908

Alan Shephard, Jr. - 1923 (first astronaut in space in 1961)

Linda Evans - 1942 (Dynasty's Krystle Carrington character)

Sinbad - 1956 (actor/comedian)

If your birthday is today, Happy Birthday!

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Greenview News Is At A Standstill.

Until I find some more news to report on, my reserve is getting mighty low. I'm going to go to town later today to see if I can rustle up some gossip that's true instead of just gossip. Then I can report it on this blog.... Until then, I must say that's all folks!

Have A Good Day!

If a cluttered desk is the sign of a

cluttered mind,

what is the significance

of a clean desk?

~~~Laurence J. Peter

:>)

A Very Rainy Monday ~~ November 16, 2009

Everyone Who Is Sick Of Rain, Raise Your Hand!
For those Greenviewanites who no longer live here, it's raining again, and rain is forecasted for every day this week although Wednesday says 50% chance of rain. I bet that it will rain.

Crops were really progessing these past several days and now it appears that the unharvested fields around Greenview are in the minority rather than the previous majority of fields from about 10 days ago. Lots of farmers were working well into the evening hours.....wanting to get the crops out. It appears now that Christmas may come and go with crops still in the fields.

Let's hope for a bit more dry weather around Greenview. Ok all Greenviewanites .....
let's all hope and wish for a rain break for a while. Count to three and make your wish.

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Christmas In Greenview Is This Coming Weekend.

Plan to visit the vendors who will be making their wares available at various sites. Maps will be available at Casey's and don't forget that vendors will also be at the golf course. The Greenview United Church will be serving a soup and sandwich luncheon.

The festival runs from 9 am to 2 pm all around town. And as a reminder, Athens In The Country is on November 28.

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Some Other Fun Things Going On:

Shopping Trip Sponsored By National Bank.

The Observer indicates the National Bank of Petersburg is sponsoring a shopping bus trip to Woodfield Mall on November 21. Call to see if reservations are available.

Shopping Trip Sponsored By Athens State Bank.

A bus trip to the St. Louis Westfield Mall. Leaves Athens at 7:30am and returns about 10pm on December 5. Call Carol at 487-7766 for costs, details and reservations.

Petersburg Fireman Chili and Soup Dinner.

The Ptersburg Fireman are hosting a Chili and Soup Dinner which will benefit St. Judes in Nicholas Bennett's name. Nicholas continues his battle with Leukemia. Serving Chili, Soup, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese, Desserts ~~~ suggested donation $5.00 with free refills on Soup and Chili. Petersburg Firehouse, 5th & Taylor, from 11am to 2 pm & from 5pm to 7pm. Open your hearts for this child.

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November 16 Birthdays.

Burgess Meredith - 1908 (The Penguin in Batman)

Oksana Baiul - 1977 (Ukrainian skater who won Olympic gold in 1994)

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday.

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Quote For The Day

A single rose can be my garden ... a single friend, my world.

~~~Leo Buscaglia

Later my friends....

The Sabbath Day, Sunday, November 15, 2009

Exact Middle Of The Month.

Where did the month go? Already it is the middle day of the month, with 46 days left in this year of 2009. And, it's a Sunday, the Sabbath day of the week. Sundays are good days.

As a child, I remember my dad on Sundays. He hardly ever went to church, but he insisted that his kids go to church. But, on Sunday, he always listened to the church services on the radio and then, he would put his work clothes on and went to the basement to stoke the old coal furnace and then out the door to do the farm work. I knew when he stoked the furnace, the warm air would begin flowing through my heat register and soon I could get up to a warm room. But I never said goodbye to my dad as he left to go do the farm work. He went by himself and with no other family member. I didn't thank him for doing everything he could to raise his family. He just worked hard to do it. The thing I remember most being a child was that I was scared to death of my dad....always afraid that I would anger him, even though now that I think about it, I doubt that he would have done anything. I never got even one spanking....he only had to look at me with his staring eyes to make me know I had done something wrong.

When I first saw the following poem, I thought it described my dad exactly. It always makes me think of my dad, the farmer who plowed the earth and grew the crops with not much rest....even on Sunday. Sure he was sometimes a very critical and cranky man, with not much thought for others, but he was my dad.

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden

"Sundays too my father got up

And put his clothes on in the blueback cold,

then with cracked hands that ached,

from labor in the weekday weather made

banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.

When the rooms were warm, he'd call,

and slowly I'd rise and dress

fearing the chronic angers of that house.

Speaking indifferently to him,

who had driven out the cold

and polished my good shoes as well.

What did I know, what did I know

of love's austere and lonely offices."

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Here Are Some Things Which Happened On A November 15th In History.

~~ 1926. National Broadcasting Co (NBC) launched with a radio network of 24 stations.

~~ 1942. The American Fleet during the Naval battle of Guadalcanal, had a decisive victory over the Japanese.

~~1956. Elvis Presley's first movie, Love Me Tender, opened in New York.

~~1969. Peaceful protests against the was in Vietnam were conducted in Washington, DC and San Francisco. These attracted about half million people.

Famous Birthdays on this date:

Ed Asner - 1929 (Mary Tyler Moore Show)

Petula Clark - 1932 (Pop Singer Who Sang "Downtown")

Judge Joe Wapner - 1919 (People's Court)

Bill "C.W. McCall" Fries - 1928 (Sang Trucker's CB Song Called "Convoy")

Kevin Eubanks - 1957 ( Tonight Show's and Jay Leno Show Band Leader)

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday.

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May Your Day Be Bright And Full Of Grace

May You Be Blessed With Good Tidings

Peace And Goodwill To All

I pray for a cure for cancer and heart disease.

Amen.

Super Saturday ~~ November 14, 2009

Menard County Resident John Smoot's Car



It's Super Saturday.


I personally call all Saturdays super but for today, I'm calling this day "Super Saturday" because I woke up without bags under my eyes, the coffee tastes better than usual and we're going to go get a Thanksgiving turkey today.


A Free Thanksgiving turkey! Yes I said free, but let me explain. My husband likes to play a game to get a free turkey. Anyone who knows him, knows that he loves cars and always loves to stop at car lots and just look and drool. He doesn't even have to buy a car, but he has upon several occasions .... much to my chagrin. The game he plays around the holidays is to see how many free turkeys he can get. He doesn't count the many dollars which we spend for gas to go get his free turkeys...he just wants to play the game. This has become a joke with the kids when we go to eat the free (????) turkey. When I count up the dollars spent for gas, I could have bought at least 3 or 4 turkeys. Hubby's Folly!


Here's the game he plays. Rob Ridings in Taylorville and West Town Ford in Jacksonville give a free turkey to anyone who stops in and test drives a car. Since hubby loves cars, it's in his blood to pick out the fastest and coolest car he can. Then he test drives it to get his turkey. I'm sure there might be drool within the car since he loves to test drive cars. He gets back from the test drive,then tells the car dealer he has to talk to his wife, gets his turkey and comes to Walmart to pick me up. He arrives laughing because he's beat them at their game of drawing in customers. I have to laugh, because from my marketing days in the business world, I realize these car dealers know that in the case of almost every customer, that's what happens....they are simply waiting for the few customers out of hundreds who are really interested in buying a car.


But the ending of this story is even more funny. When my husband gets his turkey in one of the cities, he puts the bird in our ice laden cooler and we go onward to the other city. From Jacksonville to Taylorville is a long drive.....with high gas prices, it's rather silly but it's our holiday joy and game. As we get older, it's always harder to find things to do on a weekend other than going to craft shows, going to an auction or just staying home looking at four walls. So we enjoy life, go turkey hunting without a gun and smile throughout the day. The car dealer is happy that a potential customer might someday return ..... hubby is happy because he got to drive yet another fast and spirited car ..... and I'm sure happy, as I get to go shopping....my favorite pastime. Maybe you can start playing our game. Clean fun at the price of a few dollars worth of gas.

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Attention FS Propane Customers.

I learned the hard way that Roy L. is not the propane driver any longer. Jimmie Carter has returned. I didn't get any notice in the mail and didn't see anything in the paper. I called for gas in the middle of the week and am still waiting. I think I'm about out because I'm one of those customers who insists on getting a little propane rather than filling the tank.....the cost is gigantic for a big 500 gallon or 1000 gallon tank when propane runs anywhere from $2.15 to $2.60 through the year. Add that up....it's horrible! Next year our plan is to install an outside wood furnace but still hooked into the regular furnace which starts if the wood fire goes out. Since we are out in the rural area and live in the woods, the setting is perfect for an outside wood furnace. And, the wood supply never ceases around here. Consider yourself notified to obtain Jimmy Carter's number and call him rather than Roy L. when you need propane.

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Just Some Greenview History.

1969 ~~ Jim Hornback opened Jim's Coin Wash. It was located in the building which housed the former Owl Garage on Route 29. 20 general washers, 14 lb capacity; 10 dryers; and a 25 lb washer.

1970 ~~ The prized Bulldog team won first place in the District Tournament at Chandlerville.

1970 ~~ On November 20, the Masons celebrated 100 years in Greenview.

1971 ~~ The Greenview Review and the Athens Free Press merged on January 1.

1971 ~~ The Petersburg Observer began publishing the Menard County Review.

1971 ~~ Red Florence began his pastorate at the Greenview Christian Church.

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Holiday Market in Petersburg Today.

Be sure to stop in at Estep and Associates to shop and visit with our former resident Betty Ratliff Winchester. Today, many shops in Petersburg are running holiday specials for your buying pleasure. And if you get a chance, stop in at Potter's new store and get an old fashion drink at the fountain.

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Bee Grove School in Greenview in 2002

Indian Point School in 2004...still standing

I'm still working to find more information on the former Greenview Schools. As I find the location information, as well as other information, I will post it....so watch for it. In 1951 a person by the name of Marie Johnson purchased the Bee Grove School. Someone else told me that the older Todd children attended Bee Grove School so it must have been over towards rural northeast Athens. I'm trying to verify that.

EEECK! Friday The 13th......in November, 2009

FRIGHTENING FRIDAY!!! It's the 13th! Are You Afraid??

Do you have a fear of Friday the 13th? If you have a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th, there is a name for that....it's called Paraskevidekatriaphobia. About 21 million Americans suffer from this condition.

You might not have this condition if you don't feel the morbid, irrational fear which surrounds this condition, but you might have a healthy fear of this date. That's called a superstition. I have that. I don't like Fridays, which fall on the 13th...and I've always had that feeling that something will happen that's unlucky, or bad or just horrible. But, after all of these years, I'm still waiting and nothing has ever happened other than I got a $20.00 scratch-off lottery ticket once on a Friday the 13th. So I guess maybe it's lucky for me rather than unlucky. I still don't like black cats crossing my path and I always walk around a ladder in front of me rather than walking under it .... I plan to keep my superstition about Friday the 13th but I'm sure my superstitions won't get much worse than fearing the black cat also walking in front of me on that day.

If you're still in bed, with your head covered up and don't plan to drive today or even go to work, it's ok as there are many more people who are still in bed having the same chills and fears you're having. Each year, this is going to happen at least once a year, but the good thing is it can't happen more than three times a year.....the calendar experts guarantee it. Watch out if the first day of the month falls on Sunday, as it guarantees that the 13th will fall on a Friday. Yikes! In 2009, it happened in February, March and this month. Just so you know, here are the next 5 years with the number of Fridays the 13th you can expect: 2010 - August; 2011 - May; 2012 - January, April, July; 2013 (the unlucky year??) - September, December; 2014 - June.

My words of advice today are.....if you're suffering from paraskevidekatriaphobia, and are staying in bed all day, please be careful getting out of bed to go to the bathroom or to eat. More accidents happen at home than anywhere else. :>(

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Christmas In Greenview.

Christmas in Greenview is just about here. Be sure to mark your calendars. Plan to attend this craft and food festival around the town on November 21 from 9 am to 2 pm. A soup and sandwich luncheon will be available at the Greenview United Church. Don't forget to also visit Country Hills Golf Course where vendors will be located. I personally have a friend who makes wonderful purses who will be at the golf course. See You At the Christmas In Greenview Festival!

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Holiday Brunch Scheduled.

Greenview AF & AM #653 will host it's annual holiday brunch on Sunday, December 6th from 9 am to 1 pm at the lodge hall. Plan to attend this fine brunch hosted by the Grand Lodge of Masons located across from the west side of the Park in downtown Greenview.

H1N1 Shots.

If you meet one of the definitions of high-risk priority groups, the free shot is available by appointments only at the Menard County Health Department. Since I do meet the high risk description, I went to get mine. I got that shot on Monday of this week and I didn't have any ill effects. My arm didn't even hurt. But each person must make their own decision on whether to get this shot.

High risk priority groups: First Responders; Pregnant Woman; Household contacts/daycare providers of infants six months and younger; Six months through age 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc; Six months to age 24 years of age.

If you don't fall into these priority groups, you MUST WAIT to be scheduled for a shot. If you have a cold or a fever, you cannot receive the vaccine. Call 632-2984 to schedule an appointment if you fall into the high risk groups or to ask questions.

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Christmas Is Coming.

Counting today, you have 42 shopping days left before Christmas. I know I've been busy crocheting the popular caps and hats for my kids and grandkids. For years, no one wanted homemade crocheted items, but this year hats and scarfs are in great demand. Yarn is really much more expensive than it used to be, but if you have dusty yarn stored from years ago, get it out and do a search for "free crochet hat patterns" or scarf patterns too. I found some really cool suede yarn at Big Lots at about $3.00 per skein. It makes wonderful hats!

My old, somewhat arthritic hands are actually feeling better since I've been crocheting. YAY!

In less than 2 weeks, we will celebrate the ever wonderful Thanksgiving day. This year, I'm using several recipes which have been given to me by my wonderful friends. Yes, some of my readers are included in the "wonderful friends recipe use". I want to use their recipes because I value my friends so much....and because they are seriously good cooks let me tell you. I don't always have Thanksgiving dinner as my kids many times want to have it. But when I do have the dinner, I try to call everyone I think might not have somewhere to go for dinner. Just so they they will have a good fulfulling dinner. Sharing and caring and loving life is what Thanksgiving and Christmas are all about.

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas decorating begins at our house, although I will admit, a couple of outside wreaths went up yesterday. I just couldn't wait!! Christmas is and has always been my favorite holiday. I don't care much at all if I get any presents, but I love giving presents. I remember one year I went to the Alton Belle casino about a month before Christmas and won $400. That money wasn't something I normally would have had in my pocket so I decided to spend the whole amount on underprivileged children. When I delievered those presents, it took all I had not to cry when I entered their houses. Some didn't even have a Christmas tree and some had no furniture and the homes were cold. Yes, that was here in Greenview, but it was several years ago. After that I decided I could do a lot good by giving money to the local firemen for gifts or by buying gifts for the Angel tags on the Petefish Bank's Christmas Tree. It doesn't matter what you do or how much you spend, as someone who doesn't have much will appreciate anything you do. It is heartbreaking to think a child will do without a toy or food on the day on which Jesus was born. Do what you can this year. Donate food, money, a good used coat or time.

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Famous Birthdays Today.

Whoopi Goldberg - 1955

Robert Louis Stevenson - 1850

Happy Birthday if your birthday is today.

Quote For The Day

It's not what you look at that matters,

it's what you see.

~~Henry David Thoreau

May Your Day Be Pleasant

And Full Of Good and Lucky Things

Later My Friends....