Category: Other Posts

A Day to Remember

With Honor and Integrity, a job well done

deborahanndykeman

Well, it has finally happened. Tonight, on my way home from work, I was pulled over by a policeman for speeding. This has certainly been an area of pride for me…never having been stopped  for anything in 35 years of driving. That doesn’t mean I haven’t deserved it in all those years, just never been caught.

police carI was in an area that I am usually very careful in. I was thinking of other things as we all do when we drive. I happened to glance down and saw I was going a little more than I should be, you know how it creeps up on you? Just as I did that, I saw the black and white SUV, sandwiched between two other cars. I glanced at my speed again and corrected it, not really thinking of it again until I heard the siren. My first thought was how I was going to pull over for the emergency vehicle on the rather unsafe road. Then I saw the lights of the same SUV. I knew it had finally happened.

police

I slowed down and pulled over as soon as I could, and pushed the ‘down’ button for my window. A very nice man cautiously approached my vehicle and I gave him a smile. When he said I had been going a little fast, I nodded and admitted that I had. Then he said he would need to see my license and proof of insurance. That was the bad part.

My husband has told me over and over that I shouldn’t put my purse in the trunk in case I get pulled over. He said my license needed to stay with me. What does he know? He only holds a CDL and has driven a few hundred thousand miles in his career. So, I politely told the policeman, (with a smile of course) that my purse was in the trunk. He said I could step out and get it and then he moved away from my car. I told him he could get it if he wanted to. I think of that now and shake my head. Every blonde hair on my head is standing at attention. But all I could think of was that you are not to get out of your car when stopped. He told me it was fine and he followed me to the trunk while I explained, very politely of course, that my husband had warned me to not put it there. The policeman said it was probably the safest place after all.

I went back to my car and found my insurance and registration while the policeman looked up my information. Probably pretty boring!  I talked with my eleven year old and explained why I had been stopped. When he cautiously approached my vehicle again, he gave me my license and said he was giving me a warning to slow down and drive safely and told me to have a good day. I wished him the same.

This 50th year for me has been a difficult one. I wouldn’t want to live it again. So many changes, so many hard times. Now I can add my first ‘being pulled over by a policeman’ to the list! Someday I will look back on the year and see the growth in my life and the need for the things that have happened. Right now, I just feel buried.

All that said…I thought I would be in a panic when I was pulled over. Probably cry out of sheer terror, not trying to save myself from a ticket as I’ve heard women admit to. But I was strangely calm, panic free and just waiting to see what was in store. Thank you God, for your peace!

What stands out in my mind from this newest experience is the job these men and women do on a daily basis. That is why I wanted to write and share this post. As the policeman approached my car, he was cautious, almost hesitant and I felt badly for that. I would not want to be that person walking up to the vehicle. You would not know what to expect. Today, it was an older woman caught daydreaming. Tomorrow it could be a criminal or someone on drugs that pulls out a gun. We live in a scary, angry world.

police badge

I have two son-in-laws that happen to be brothers that would like to be policeman. I keep telling them they are crazy. But I also admire them and those that do have this job. It needs to be done and it needs to be done with honor and integrity on their part, respect on ours. So, this is a big thank you to all those out there doing this job everyday. And a ‘thank you’ to the one that stopped me tonight and reminded me very nicely of what my responsibility was. I pray you have a good day also.

Gardening

I wish these for you…

deborahanndykeman

I wanted to talk a little bit about the header, (I think that’s what it is called), I put on here the other day. First of all, my eyes track to the cranky kitty each time I look at this photo. No, this is not our cat but a friend of our cat. They sit, a careful distance from one another and visit each day. I think the cat is a stray and our cat, Cassie, seems to attract many of them. It’s that or the bird feeder in our yard with 100 birds surrounding it each morning!

Our son took this picture of our side yard. This is part of our view out our back door. Those are olive bushes I planted a few years ago to block the view of the neighbors. I have a small pond I built out of limestone to the left of the picture. I usually have a trickle of water and goldfish in it, but not this summer. This summer it’s doing a great job of growing moss and holding wet leaves.

To the right of this picture is a fireplace I built out of the bricks that were part of the two chimneys in our attic. When we replaced our roof a couple summers ago, we took out the chimneys before they fell through the ceiling. I thought the fireplace was a great reminder of their use at one time. We haven’t used the fireplace very much. Just a few times to roast hot dogs and s’mores. Usually it’s too hot out to enjoy the fire and then too cold. It’s hard to sit outside in the snow when your back door beckons just a few feet away.

I also have a climbing rose on an arbor in this same area. Roses border the sidewalk. I love roses, the sweetest smelling ones. There is just something old-fashioned and pleasant that assails your senses as you pass by.

None of this may seem very amazing to all of you. But it is to me. When we moved into this house almost 11 years ago, that entire area was a driveway. With the help of my son, we transformed it into a pleasant place to relax, and someday, I WILL sit at the bistro table and sip my coffee, listening to the birds and the trickle of the pond as a flash of orange passes in the dark water. These are the moments that make life something to look forward to and relish in. The times when your thoughts are at peace and your body rests. I wish these for you too.

A Day to Remember

I am officially a published author!

deborahanndykeman

white 450x450

View my book here:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/574005

Thank you to Julia Ryan for the beautiful cover and to my daughter Britta Ann for all her help with the technical stuff.  I’m excited to start this new journey in my life and would like you to share it with me.

Just For Fun!

Treasured Moments

deborahanndykeman

River Forest Stream in Summer Have you ever meandered along a meadow brook like the one pictured here? The trees would clasp their branches over your head, sheltering you from the noon day sun. You could rest beside the slow-moving water, your back against the trunk of an arching tree. Maybe take off your shoes and dip a toe in the cool water before ‘going all the way’ and standing barefoot, the clear water rippling against your ankles. You could lean your head back and close your eyes, listening to the gentle gurgle of the stream, the birds singing in the shade of the trees. A breeze would whisper through the green corridor and you could sigh with contentment and peace.

Mountain StreamOr maybe you’ve hiked along a mountain trail, climbing over the occasional rocks until the rush of water grew louder in the trees. You pressed on, following the sound until you brushed past the edge of the woods and stood at the brink of all that roaring water tumbling over the smooth rocks. You could breathe deeply of the wet earth and pine trees in the spring sunshine. All that water would beckon you to cool your tired feet. A boulder beside the stream would be your chair as you slid your toes into the frigid, sharp depths. Tiny stabs against your skin as you adjusted to the spring flow.

What about the night air, crickets chirping to one another? Fireflies flicker in the dark trees, tiny lanterns spaced in the meadow. The silvery light of the moon stretches across the navy surface of the water, pulling your gaze to the heavens above. What sweet peace fills your soul as you revel in all that has been created. These are the treasured moments. The ones that come far and too few between. Remember to enjoy them this summer, either alone or with those that are special to you. I know I will be looking for some!Mountain Stream at night

Marriage

The wife I want to be when I grow up…

deborahanndykeman

CinderellaIt may start out with Cinderella. A little girl wants to wear the frilly, flowing gown and the sparkly, glass slippers. And, “Oh yeah, I need a Prince to go with that pretty dress!” The husband of her dreams is actually an accessory.

Summer SceneI moved on to the cottage perched daintily in a grassy meadow, pink flowers sprinkled here and there, a rose covered white picket fence guarding the little house. I would have lots and lots of children skipping through the meadow, laughing and playing together in utter enjoyment of one another’s company. I don’t know where they all slept in that tiny house, but dreams don’t make sense a lot of the time. A husband and father…he was around…somewhere.

As I grew older, I thought more about the kind of husband I actually wanted to be married to. Of course he would have to be handsome and love me immensely. Yes, I would love him and I still wanted the little cottage and a couple of children. They would still frolic in the meadow, loving one another and never arguing. I don’t know why I thought this, I grew up the oldest of four. But again, dreams seldom make sense.

Thankfully, by the time I was old enough to marry I was thinking more about the attributes of a husband. I wanted him to be patient and kind, hard-working and willing to support a family. (Remember, I was down to two children by this time, not a tough job.) I wanted him to love the Lord as I did and live his life for Him. Of course I still hoped he would be handsome and funny and love me forever. I still wanted the rose covered picket fence and adorable house.

And what kind of wife was I going to be? I knew I could cook and clean and again, I was the oldest of four and had babysat…A LOT before I married. I could do all the everyday tasks of general survival and I was and am still pretty good at them. But what kind of wife am I?

Do I lift my husband up in prayer each day? Do I support him in his endeavors as he always has mine? Do I give him a smile even when I don’t wish to, a stroke of his back when I know he’s down? Do I prepare a special meal for him just because he means so much to me and I want to show him I care…even when my day has been lousy? Do I love him and stick with him even when there are times when I want to run from all the responsibilities of being a wife and mother?

Honestly…I can answer ‘no’ to each question above.

The wife I want to be when I grow up…is no longer a dream. I can make it my reality, my life. Not through my own strength, but God is there, showing me the way. The wife I want to be is loving and kind. Giving that pat and smile even when I don’t ‘feel’ like it. Being by my husband’s side even when I want to run. There is no honor or beauty in ‘having our own way’ or expressing our ‘rights’.

I am fortunate and blessed. My husband shows me daily how to be loving and kind. He always has been there for me, even when I haven’t deserved it or earned it. No, it’s not a special day for us…not an anniversary of any kind. But it is another day we have to be together and share our lives. God has blessed us abundantly over the past 30 years. And He is still working on me to become the wife I want to be when I grow up.

I pray the same for you.

Just For Fun!

Can you smell the flowers?

deborahanndykeman

Can you smell the flowers?For some reason I’ve been in a beach mood the past few weeks. I don’t know why. I’ve always loved water. The sound of a mountain river, flowing over smooth rocks or a meadow brook, gurgling gently in the heat of a summer day. Tall grasses growing to the water, tiny fish gathered along the edges. Lakes, pristine and clear, reflections of autumn on the surface. But the ocean really pulls me in. (Not literally of course, that would be dangerous!) I could stand on a beach, watching the waves roll in and pull the sand out for hours. Closing my eyes and hearing the rush of the waves puts me in a peaceful state of mind.

Water calms my soul. The picture I posted here really speaks to me on so many levels. I’ve also used it for my Facebook cover picture. The picture is maybe a little idealistic, more a painting really, but it makes me want to walk right into that scene. Smell the flowers blooming in the evening air, making it pungent with perfume. The little ‘ribbons’ of water would lead me to the ocean’s edge and I could stand there until dawn.

So yes, I’ve been in an ocean state of mind lately. Living in Kansas is about the furthest away I can be. Thank goodness for our local lake!

So look at the picture, really ‘step’ into it. What does it make you think of, hear and smell? Just a little bit of peace in a hectic day. I pray your day is wonderful!

A Day to Remember

Let Us Not Forget…

deborahanndykeman

So many wars, so many lives given, so many families with absent members. Let us not forget our freedom fought for at great expense. Pray for our soldiers, their families…the ones on the front lines still fighting for America and what it stands for. Remember our country, the leaders past and present that have made our nation great. Remember what our foundation is, what we stand for and most of all…remember that God IS in control. Have a happy, safe Independence Day!

Just For Fun!

Remember when…

deborahanndykeman

Cover Girl make-up was all the rage? I’m thinking of the late ’70’s. All the girls at school were wearing it. During that time there was a commercial running. I want to say the model was blonde and tossing her hair. (Aren’t blondes always tossing their hair? I have few in my house.) This little picture made me think of that and it made me smile. I wanted to share it with you and make you smile too. Thank you to my children for showing me the picture! Have a great day!

Now this makes me smile!
Now this makes me smile!
A Day to Remember

Remember Memorial Day

deborahanndykeman

Today is Memorial Day…the unofficial start to summer, picnics by the lake, grilling hamburgers and hotdogs in your backyard…the unofficial start to summer?

Remember Memorial Day…when ALL small towns had a parade, veterans marching in their uniforms, small children waving the American Flag? High school bands marched proudly, playing patriotic tunes. Remember Memorial Day?

Remember the Civil War, Flanders (October, 1914), Omaha Beach (June 6, 1944), Vietnam, Iraq (Gulf War) and the continuing battles of today. Remember the men that fought in those battles, some giving their lives for us and our freedom, so many living with the memories of those battles. That is what today is for, remembering those that have died.

PLEASE remember Memorial Day. Fly your American Flag proudly, teach your small children the significance of today. Watch a parade if you can, wear a red Poppy. If you see any of our armed forces on the street, thank them for their service…and REMEMBER.

A Day to Remember

Where are you, rotary phones and typewriters?

deborahanndykeman

Remember the days when your telephone rang and you went to a certain location in your HOME and answered it? You stood by the base in your kitchen or sat down in a comfy chair, (because you placed your telephone by a comfy chair) because you were attached to the base of your phone? How about typing? You hit the keys with force on those old typewriters…typing a letter was a workout and really did a number on your nails. There wasn’t an ‘enter’ key on those old machines. Or a ‘delete’ key. You kept bottles of white stuff around for the eventual mistake.

There are times when I really miss those days. I’ve never claimed to be any kind of a ‘tech’ person. Don’t even know or understand the lingo. But I think of myself as fairly able to get around a computer or set up a new phone, etc. Until hours like this morning. Yes hours. Hours of trying to figure out how to work this site. About the time I think I have it down, I lose something and I can’t remember how to get it back again. I guess I will have to ask my 10 year old what to do. Children today seem to be born with the ‘tech’ gene. Their little fingers know how to type and they can abbreviate before they turn a year old. I thought it was kind of neat when other kids my age spoke pig Latin when I was a child. I could say my name. Children today have a whole other language that you have to decode to have a conversation with them. If you don’t have Facebook, Twitter, etc. you can even forget the conversation!

Yes, I do miss the slower, less complicated days of technology. But I do appreciate my laptop and my cell phone in case I need it for an emergency. If I text you, you will know how much effort went into that message. So, please bear with me as I learn to use this site. Strange things may show up and you may try to ‘click’ on something and find nothing. Just give me a few days…or hours. I’ll catch up…eventually.