Author: delilalumbardy@gmail.com

Dad has been gone now for almost a year and a half. Mom is living at the assisted living facility. The ranch house where they resided for fifty years sits by itself at the end of the road. It’s a lonely existence for a house that used to welcome the comings and goings of three children, their  parents, and at least one dog at all times. How many times a day did that old screen door squeak as one of us kids ran outside for who knows what? It might have been to hold the gate while Dad drove the tractor through, or to grab the “white clothes” off the line as Mom had ordered – someone was coming up the lane!  Maybe we just wanted to go for a horseback ride, or needed to gather the eggs before it got dark.

Now that house doesn’t even see Tiffany – the mail lady who delivers that route three days a week.  There’s no one to deliver to anymore at HC 65, Box 303. The melancholy house at the end of the trail must surely be envious of the good ole days.

This month has been different though. Us three siblings returned and filled the house again with chatter. This time, it is to clean out the belongings that have accumulated over fifty years. Not much had been disposed of in the past. Kitchen Klatter and Workbasket magazines from the 60’s (and even older) were uncovered. Wooden pickup sticks and metal jacks were found in the back corners of cupboards. In a crammed drawer, I found a yellowed postcard of sorts addressed to me from someone visiting Yellowstone Park. It has a small wooden bear attached to it and although I cannot find a date on it, it traveled for three cents. An old view finder  as well as Mom’s first cake decorator were both found in their original boxes; each complete with instructions. And so many pictures, pictures, pictures!

We learn things about our siblings and our parents when we are tending to this task. I did not know my father kept a version of a diary for at least the last 11 years of his life. He would write his entries in one of those calendar books he  got at a bull sale or as a Christmas give-away gift from the bank. Some of his entries were only one word, such as “blizzard” but then followed the next day with two words –  “getting serious.” Then there were days that required more words. August 22, 2006 had the following entry: Bad day, tractor trouble, sink trouble, Taylor’s dog ran over. Doctor’s appointments, important cattle details, and rainfall measurements dotted the pages throughout the books. Dad never learned to keep records on the computer, but as we found out – he did keep records.

Even though the task of cleaning out your parent’s home can be an exhausting and daunting experience, blessings are found along the way. The biggest blessing is yet to come. That lonely house at the end of the road is soon to be filled again with little footsteps and eager voices as my niece and her family move in. Tiffany will again be seen delivering the mail to HC 65, Box 303. The green stucco house will no longer have a need to be envious of the good ole days.

 

The first book signing of “Bound by Secrecy” is now in the past. It was held at the Ainsworth NE Public Library and although the streets were slick and the weather a bit “iffy” it was quite a success. Thank-you to everyone that came out to support me.

I had no idea how many books to take to this first signing in my small hometown of 1800 people. I decided it would be much easier to deal with too many books than not enough and finally decided on twice the amount that I had first considered taking. By the time the weekend was over, I was eight books short of what I needed. Wow…do I LOVE this problem! More books are on order and I will play catch up when I return to the Sandhills in February.

Gail Irwin, the library director, had arranged the book signing area around the fireplace. What a cozy spot! Cookies, coffee, and ice tea were available for those that wanted to sit and chat at the fireside, and many did.

My mother, that resides down the street at the Cottonwood Villa Assisted Living Facility, joined me at the table. Mother’s never quit being their child’s biggest supporter – seven books were sold to folks at the Cottonwood Villa because of Mom’s involvement. (Hopefully, she didn’t nag.)

The folks that came in to buy a book, ranged from 12 years of age to 90 years of age. Turk, the ninety year young fellow came back twice, the first time purchasing two books, and then returning to buy yet another one. I was elated to see the various ages of the folks that bought one.  I have felt the book is suited for everyone that’s old enough to read it. There were different reasons folks gave for buying the book – some knew me, some thought the story line sounded intriguing, some bought it because it was set in the Sandhills where they live, and one bought it because she shared the same name as the main character.

For me, the biggest payback of writing, is knowing that others are enjoying the book. My second book has been started – it will be a continuation of the Sandhills Saga. I have picked out one of the characters from “Bound by Secrecy” to be the protagonist in the second book. Although Laurel will be in the book, she won’t be the main character this time. For those that have already read “Bound by Secrecy” I would love to hear who you think would make a good protagonist for the second book. I’m not far enough along that I couldn’t change my mind.

Until next week, if you keep on readin’, I’ll keep on writin’.

 

We can look around and see many marvels in creation, but, as a flower lover,  I think one of the most fabulous ones is the Soldenelle flower. (Scientific name Soldenella alpina.)  I have only seen pictures and read about it, but if I ever do see one I will salute it.

What looks like a little fragile flower turns into a picture of strength and determination. In order to survive, it performs several amazing acts. Growing on the cold mountainsides of European mountains is only the beginning. During the Soldenelle blooming season, the mountainsides are still  covered with patches of crusty snow laced with icy borders. By God’s design, when most of the ground is still unthawed, this flower finds its way through the most difficult conditions to grace the mountainside with a carpet of white to purple blooms.

If we were to back up six or seven months, we would see the  leaves of the Soldenelle plant spread out flat against the mountainside, absorbing every bit of the summer rays the sun would give them. This amazing plant then keeps this heat stored in its roots throughout the winter.

When spring comes and the earth begins to wake up, the Soldenelle knows its nap is over too. It’s time to sprout, and the warmth that’s been stored in its roots all winter moves upward, forming a small dome in the snow and ice. The head of the emerging sprout will fit perfectly into the protective dome. Amazingly, the sprout emerges unscathed and now the flower can start forming within the walls of the dome’s protection. Soon, large patches of flowers will claim their rights on the glimmering, white mountainside.

What an example of strength this little flower is as it faces life under these difficult conditions. Instead of looking to others that can often disappoint us,  we aught to look around us – at God’s creation for our inspiration. How many of these wondrous living things has He given us to inspire and encourage us – yet we barely notice? If something in God’s creation gives you special inspiration or encouragement, please share and let us all be blessed.

Whatever difficulty we are facing today – whether it be financial instability, relationship difficulties, unemployment, addictions, grief, health issues, or any number of obstacles – let’s remember what this little flower is trying to teach us. Let’s push forth with determination and be the best we can be. It could be that we just might become a blessing to someone else along the way – just as the flower is to those that gaze upon the Alps in spring.

 

First to address old business: Thanks to those that offered their input on last weeks blog. 100% of the three persons taking part said they would go to the hairdresser that charged $12.50 for a haircut and one of you guessed that I chose the same option. And I did. When I found the shop, it had a dual entryway – turn right and you entered the tattoo shop, turn left and you entered Eddie’s Hair Country. I was a bit nervous.  Although quite roomy, the business reminded me more of a barber shop than a salon – a place men probably wouldn’t mind coming to for a cheap haircut, but I wasn’t thinking I would recommend it to my girlfriends that frequented the $30.00 salons.  I hoped Eddie cleaned his tools between clients.  The first surprise I encountered was that the “lady with the raspy voice” was a man. Makes sense I suppose with a name like Eddie. I liked Eddie. I imagine he was close to 70 years old. When I asked, he filled me in on his hairdressing history. He  did hair in California for forty years and then moved back to the Black Hills where he grew up. His grandfather, a hairdresser as well,  was influential in encouraging Eddie to go into the same line of work. When I found out one of his grandfather’s clients was Elizabeth Taylor, I relaxed a bit. While Eddie clipped and cut, he threw out words like weight line, dry cut versa wet cut, wedge styles, etc. I began to think Eddie knew what he was talking about. To make a long story short – several $30.00 salon friends complimented me on my cute haircut. That takes care of it for me – I’ll be seeing more of Eddie.

Onto new business: This week I read a story I’d like to share. I have no idea who wrote it but it goes like this: A king went to his garden one morning only to find everything withered and dying. He asked the oak tree that stood near the gate what the trouble was. The oak said it was tired of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine tree. The pine was troubled because it could not bear grapes like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and produce fruit as large as peaches. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac.

Everything in the garden was troubled until the king came upon a violet. The violet was bright and happy. The king said, “Violet, I’m glad to find one brave little flower in the midst of all this discouragement. You don’t seem to be the least disheartened.”

“No, I’m not,” said the violet. “I know I’m small, yet I thought if you wanted an oak or a pine or a peach tree or even a lilac, you would have planted one. Since I knew you wanted a violet, I’m determined to be the best little violet I can be.”

I liked this story because it says to me that some of us are oaks, some are pines, some are grapevines, some peaches, some geraniums, and some violets. But we can all make our mark in the world. Each one of us is special and designed for a purpose. Not one of us was created without a purpose. The violets of the world can make a difference in someone’s life, just as this violet did in the king’s life. This week let’s be a violet – determined to fulfill our purpose and to be comfortable in our own skin doing it.

Until next week, may God’s peace be with you.

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions and can often keep us from trying new things. I am going to relate a story that I believe a lot of women might relate to. Let’s make this fun and see what you would  have done if faced with the same choices I had this week.

Imagine that you just moved to a new town – you consider it too far to go back to your former hairdresser. You are on a quest to find a new one. You ask the neighborhood women ( of those whose hairstyles you like) where they go. You jot down some names and numbers. You take them home and start googling all the names on the piece of paper. The price for a haircut is anywhere from $10.00 – $12.00 more than you gave “back home” and you thought that was bad enough. You consider driving the two hours back home to your “old” hairdresser that does a good job and knows your hair.
On a whim, you decide to google “hairdressers in my area” and you find one that gives women’s haircuts for $12.50. This is $5.50 cents cheaper than even your former hairdresser charged, and half the price of any of the other shops around your current area. That almost seems too good to be true and even a little scary. Maybe a lot scary. But not scary enough you don’t call. A raspy polite voice answers. “Sure, we can get you in today.” Again – a little scary. You thought about driving by this shop, but it’s 10 miles up the road and you’ve got other engagements for the day. You run your hands through your shaggy do and sure wish you could get it cut. You make up some excuse so you can think about it for a few minutes.

Now, here’s the fun part. Choose from one of the three options and post your answer. Just say 1,2, or 3 if you like. And if you want you can guess what I chose. I will tell you next week. Here are your three choices:

1. Make an appointment with the neighbor’s recommended hairdresser and get in in two days for a $30.00 cut.
2. Call and make an appointment with your former hairdresser for four days out.
3. Call back the raspy voice and make an appointment to get in that afternoon for a $12.50 haircut.

Wishing you all a blessed week.