Things I Love About Christmastime

Each day I remember with a smile fun times and stories from Christmas celebrations through the years. I still laugh about a friend of my parents who nailed his family's Christmas tree to the floor one night after it fell over 4 times while they were all sleeping. Obviously, it woke him up each time! We still have some small glass ornaments that we bought our first Christmas in New Haven. That's the year I broke my leg when I slipped on the icy snow. In Texas we had to put the live tree in the garage because Butch was so allergic to it. That's when we moved into "permanent" artificial land where trees were concerned. One year Butch told me he didn't think he was going to get all of the Santa gifts put together before the kids woke up. You know, that Hot Wheels track worked just as well with a "short" rather than "long" run. The kids finally told us about sneaking quietly down the stairs in Kansas, checking out the presents, coming back upstairs, and pretending still to be asleep when I got them up to go downstairs. What a treat it is to see some of the grandkids celebrate what Santa brought them! It's fun to hear those who live far away say how much they love their gifts, too. Phone calls from family bring us all closer during the holidays. The Christmas Eve Services at churches through the years bring many dear faces to mind, along with smiles and laughs and tears. The music of Christmas is always a highlight and faces and places flash through my mind as I sing carols or listen to special favorites. These memories are listed here as they come to mind. What a collage they all create!

The Flurry of Life At Christmastime

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the whole year. Not only do I love the decorating, I love being with family and friends as we celebrate the joy of the holidays. The special events at church and in the community add to the whole festive experience. It is always so much fun to wrap gifts that have been selected with particular people in mind and to anticipate their pleasure when they open the presents. The memories that come "out" with the decorations bring smiles and a flood of feelings and the re-experiencing of some special moments. The Christmas tree always warms my heart when I look at it and I do love the singing Hallmark snowmen every bit as much as the grandkids do. :-) It's a time for remembering and celebrating and sharing and rejoicing. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Poinsettias

This gorgeous flower with the myriad of reds, pinks, and whites, is such a delightful addition to a home at Christmas. It is a treat to give AND a treat to receive.

"A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

'I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes,' said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: 'Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.' She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!"

Thanksgiving Sunday

Today was the Annual Thanksgiving Celebration and Dinner at our church. The beautiful cornucopia on the altar, the traditional Thanksgiving music, the new members, and the feast we all shared at the beautiful tables in the Refectory combined for a delightful celebration that even the rain couldn't dampen. Thanks to everyone who made this happen for all of the rest of us! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Kids & Soccer

The kids' soccer season is off and running - literally & figuratively. Today two CA grandkids had their first games, while the Kansas grandkids have already been playing for a couple of weeks. I love going to one of the fields at a local park where there seem to be a gillion kids and their parents who are spread all over the place. You sit back to back with the parents/grandparents/siblings who are watching their kids on fields that are divided by a fairly narrow space. Saintly men and women who are giving their time to coach AND those who come to referee are all to be commended. The kids have such a good time and so do the parents. Our first game today was played under cloudy skies and it was COLD. We were bundled up in jackets & blankets. Then, 3 hours later, after some thundershowers, the sun came out and the next game was played under a sun where it felt a lot better to sit in the shade to watch. Zac's team gave it their best effort, but the score didn't end in their favor. Claire's team came out on the winning side. Watching all of them is a hoot! On Claire's team all of these girls = 6 blonde ponytails + 2 black-haired ones - go bobbing down the field in shorts that hang down over their socks, and with socks have been doubled over. They have boundless energy! The same was true for the boys. For the girls black & white soccer balls are passe. So, we watch pink or purple or whatever color go zooming up and down and around the field. It's all great fun to watch. It's a perfect Saturday morning for kids, parents, and grandparents!

Happy 11th Anniversary, Mark & Susan!

Eleven years ago today we were all in Lawrence for Mark's and Susan's wedding. It was exciting, fun, memorable, special, smiles all around, and hotter than heck! We partied and celebrated and laughed and cried happy tears and had a super time seeing all of their friends and visiting with Susan's family and our family, too. We've had so many good times together since then, and we look forward to many more. With the grandchildren all about the same ages - except for Sara and Luke - it's a super, busy time now when we all see each other.

But the memories of that day 11 years ago always bring smiles. Happy Anniversary, Susan and Mark. Much love from Butch and RoRo

We're Back In The Saddle Again!

School has begun in Claremont, and that means that Eric is at the high school from early morn to late afternoon. Maria has switched her 50/50 job share days, and now is teaching 1st grade on Mondays, Tuesdays, and every other Wednesday. Zac is now in the 2nd grade and Claire is a Kindergartener! Luke will be going to the Early Childhood Center Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and he will spend Tuesdays with Grandpa Butch and Grandma RoRo. These two aging phenoms will be walking Zac and Claire to school and pushing Luke in the stroller on many days.

The first day we all hit the sidewalk for the trek to school, and it was already super hot. Butch took Zac to his classroom, and Luke and I took Claire to her room. She has the same super teacher that Zac had. How nice! Claire, of course, could not eat breakfast because she was so excited and anxious about this new experience. When we got to school and I asked if she had any questions, she replied that she wanted to know what she was supposed to do if her tooth came out on the playground at recess? Zac, in a very matter of fact manner, informed her that the teacher would take her to the office and they would take care of her. Claire seemed satisfied with that answer.

There were only about 200 million parents and grandparents at school to see their "preciousnesses" go in their classrooms for the first day. As Luke and I checked out Claire's classroom, I noticed that one mother was videotaping and taking still shots at the same time. That's quite a feat! Butch reported that when the teacher told the 2nd graders to select the seat where they wished to sit, Zac went right over to the grouping of desks near the teacher's desk, sat down, put his books in his desk, and turned down offers from friends to move to other locations in the room.

Yes, Butch and I answered Maria's quick call at recess to see how things had gone. Butch made a solo run in the afternoon to pick Zac and Claire up, while I stayed with a sleeping Luke. It wasn't long before two smiling, happy kids came in the door with ice cream from 21 Choices. Grandpa Butch is a good man! :-) All reports were good and everyone - both children and adults - were happy campers! Life is good indeed!

Dining Out With Friends

To me one of life's biggest treats is dining out with friends. It's fun to relax in a special place that we've chosen and enjoy good conversation over/around/above good food. In the deepest sense, the food doesn't matter. What is important is the connection and the caring and the genuine desire to spend time together. Today I'm getting to experience that twice. How spectacular!

Happy 49th Anniversary, Butch!

On August 18th we will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary. We will also celebrate the fact that we have known each other since the 5th grade. To share almost all your life with someone is special indeed. We'll look at pictures of when we got married, we've already talked to Mark, we'll spend time with Maria and Eric and the kids, we'll do something just for the two of us, and we'll smile when we think of all of the fantastic times. We'll hold close in our hearts those who aren't here to share this special day with us. Happy anniversary, Butch! I love you "all the much."

In Celebration of Claire

Today would have been Claire's 44th birthday. In this picture from childhood friend Jenny that she posted a while ago on Facebook, Claire is the one sitting on the basketball.

First thing this morning we got an email from Wendy. That really touched our hearts. Then we found that Wendy had posted on Facebook, and the responses from other friends were heart-warming and simply beautiful. We miss Claire and all of the love and gifts that she shared with all of us. We celebrate the fact that in a most meaningful way she lives on not only in our hearts and minds, but also in the lives of the girls who are named after her. It means so much to be in touch with all of these Claire's either directly or through their families.

This afternoon we saw the youngest Claire - our granddaughter - who came over with her family to swim and have dinner. Yes, she had on a princess dress. I hope that sometime she'll have a chance to wear one to Kindergarten this year. Princesses seem to bloom where ever they're planted.

Fun Family Celebration in Dallas

The celebration in Dallas was just that - a spectacular time for family and friends to gather to celebrate Shelly's and James's 1st Wedding Anniversary & to meet Owen, Ben, and Henry. We all loved being together - all of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins - plus friends from childhood and all through our lives. Mary and her family and friends planned wonderful opportunities for all of us to visit with each other. The smiles were nonstop as were the conversations. Yes, this is a super hot summer in Dallas, but the excitement of getting to see each other far overcame that. We laughed, we danced, we talked, we smiled, we took lots of pictures, and we celebrated all the love and caring shared among friends and family. Thanks to Mary & to everyone who came together to make this a once-in-a-lifetime, oh-so-memorable experience. Fantastic!

Father's Day 2011

Father's Day this year for the California Hendersons was centered around a first trip for all of us to Peterson's Auto Museum in LA. Since both Butch and Eric, Maria's husband, are "car nuts," it just seemed to be THE thing to do for Father's Day. After taking a quick look around, we had a delicious lunch at Johnny Rocket's which is located inside the Museum. What a perfect place for a burger! Then we went back for more. Butch and I found a 1959 Cadillac convertible like the one that we drove off in after our wedding reception. We also saw a 1939 Packard that looked so much like the one that Butch restored - color, details, etc. The kids loved seeing all of the cars and especially enjoyed the floor with activities just for kids. We got home in time for the kids to "swim" in the spa and then to all enjoy dinner on the patio. Butch, Eric, and Luke took a spin in the Model A. They headed home and we had a good visit with Mark who had celebrated with his family, Susan's parents, and Susan's sister and her family. What a special day for them to all be together. Father's Day was indeed super all the way around!

An Exemplary Principal Retires!

Today Ley Yeager bid farewell to students, families, & friends whose connections with him spanned some 20 years as Principal of Vista del Valle School in Claremont. What a man! The tributes, the entertainment, the gifts, the lunch, the celebration all added up to a great sendoff for a "one of a kind" gift to students, their families, and the school staff. In this picture that I "borrowed" from CVR (one of the most talented & creative amateur photographers I've ever known), Ley is looking at a drawing of the mural that the staff and friends have commissioned for him. As the staff - both past & present - stand on the stage, Ley sees it for the first time. There have been several very special principals with whom I've been associated through my life. How nice it was to celebrate with one of them today. Vaya con Dios, Ley. You are a spectacular person.

One Egg Has Hatched & Baby Has "Flown the Coop"!

One of the two eggs in the doves' nest hatched and the cutest little darker brown dove, about the size of a sparrow, would peek his/her head out next to Mom. Sometimes he was there by himself, but usually Mom was right beside him. I don't know about the other egg (Eric, son-in-law who teaches high school science, said it probably wasn't fertile), but I could only see this one baby. Mom was certainly faithful in her duties. It was fascinating that instinct kept her dedicated to the task at hand.

Yesterday afternoon when I took the 3 Tucker grandkids into our bedroom to see the baby, we evidently alarmed them both, and they flew off. We were shocked, but I was so pleased that the baby could fly and didn't just nosedive down to the patio. We went outside and checked all around the yard. Mom and Dad Dove were looking, too. We really checked everywhere. Finally, sadly, we all gave up.

Then this morning I looked out the window and spotted Mom & Dad on the fence in the side yard. I was pleased to see them together, and figured that the baby must be nearby. After telling Butch about seeing the pair, I checked back out the window and there was the baby with Mom & Dad. I was so excited and pleased that the baby had not been some cat's dinner/breakfast. I ran to get my camera and shot this photo through the window screen. Isn't "our" baby beautiful? Now I just hope that he/she grows up to be a big, beautiful dove.

Groupon

I think Groupon is a good deal! Once you join - and it's free to do so - you receive offers each day for something in your area, and you can take advantage of them or not. There is a time limit in which to buy, and that is stated clearly on the screen. Once you indicate that you want to buy, you pay by credit card and then print out your receipt. I LOVE the ones that I've gotten. This weekend we got some great plants & super potting soil at Armstrong's with a Groupon coupon. My coupon cost $25 for $50 worth of products. Can't beat that! With offerings from restaurants, bakeries, spas, family adventures, beauty treatments of all kinds, hamburgers, exercising, etc., there are so many fun things from which to choose. I'm saving a cupcake one for a special event with the family.

Amgen Has Come & Gone! What a day!

This is Tom Danielson of Team Garmin-Cervelo(USA) and he is currently in 4th place. Our son Mark asked if I would get his autograph if possible. So, I asked and he nicely agreed to sign one of the AMGEN posters for me. It was amazing to be so "up close and personal" as the riders gathered for the beginning of the race, along with all of the cars that carry their extra gear and replacement bikes & parts. The day was beautiful and the start of the race was exciting. Butch, Zac, Luke, & I had walked down to the village to watch the festivities around the beginning of the race. It's amazing how fast both the riders and the cars move in such close proximity to each other. I saw a tire changed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Watching the race later on TV as they wound their way up Baldy Road and then through the hills around the area, ultimately finishing the race high on Mt. Baldy, was fascinating and the end to a delightful day.

AMGEN Comes to Claremont

The excitement is building in Claremont as the city prepares for the AMGEN Tour of California to make its stop here on Saturday. The racers begin downtown, circle through the downtown area of Claremont a couple of times and then head over to Mt. Baldy Road for a super steep and winding climb, across the mountains to Glendora, around that area and through Glendora, back up the mountains, and then over to finish at Mt. Baldy. This leg has been touted as THE most difficult part of the whole event. A lot of people have been working hard to make sure that all goes well here. They are anticipating a huge crowd for the race. We'll be there in our AMGEN shirts to cheer them on their way.

Report on the Doves

Today "Dad" was sitting on the nest. He is more beautifully marked and bigger than "Mom." The squirrels have discovered the seeds that we put out for the doves. That was no surprise. When we first put them out, the bluejays were there to have first pick of the assorted grains. This picture is of the "Mom." It's dark, but I think if you click on it, you can see her alert "eye" as she watches for anyone who might disturb her nest.

The Nesting Doves

While this is not a picture of the dove that is sitting in the nest that she and her "chunky monkey" mate built in a large basket of tuberous begonias that we have hanging right outside our bedroom window, it looks like a "twin" to "Mom." We check her out each time we walk through the bedroom, and we've tried to put food where she can get to it. (The bluejays were thrilled by that "easy" food resource, too.) The doves have been sitting on the nest for about 3 days now, so I figure that we've got 1 1/2 weeks to go. I so hope that the cats don't get the babies. These parents have chosen their spot well. I think it's one of the few places that the wandering neighborhood cats can't reach. Thank goodness for that! Our neighborhood cat population is down due to the coyotes, but there are still a few that are let out in the mornings to "cat around." When I went to take her picture through the window, I scared her off. So, I took out the small ladder and got an actual shot of the nest with the two beautiful eggs! I'll keep you posted on our brood.

Thanks Be for the People Who Grace My Life

At a meeting this morning, I looked around and realized how many wonderful people grace my life. This group was representative of the people I see regularly in a variety of situations and organization meetings who give so generously of their gifts and talents to enrich the lives of others. Both men and women spend time working to care for, to create services for, to provide events & activities for, to build facilities for, to develop programs for, and to help produce FUN for a wide variety of people. They enrich the lives of others in ways that say: "This is for YOU because YOU matter!"

Graduation at the Colleges

The Flower Vendors fresco by Alfredo Ramos Martinez.

The Claremont Colleges

This weekend is graduation at all of the colleges. So, the community will be hopping with friends, family, alums, & guests who will be in town for the celebrations. The various colleges and grad schools coordinate their Commencements with each other, so that you can generally make it to more than one, if you wish.








Since the events are held outside either in the open or under tented structures, you can also see what's going on. It's an exciting time. Here's wishing all of the graduates all the best in their future endeavors.

Words of Wisdom

Today my favorite man in the whole world shared with me this bit of wisdom when I asked him about what looked like some really red bug bites on his leg. He looked at them, rubbed them, and said: "If it doesn't itch or hurt, I ignore it." Hmmm. Perhaps those are good words to live by.

Flowers in May

Several years ago some loving friends gifted us with this gorgeous amaryllis. It was in magnificent bloom and it graced us with its beauty for several weeks. We enjoyed it and missed it when it finally ended its blooming season. But we left the pot right where it was. The next year we were thrilled when we saw the new shoot coming out and then once again we were treated to glorious blooms. This has now happened for at least 5 years, and it warms our hearts and brings smiles to our faces when we see its beauty each day. We also feel a special connection to our caring friends whose gift truly "keeps on giving" in the very best sense of that phrase. Thanks, Mel and Beth.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

There may be a better dessert, snack, "life saver," delicious treat, or darn good cookie than a chocolate chip cookie, but I quite frankly don't know what it would be. I LOVE chocolate chip cookies!!! My friends Donna and Robin are THE premiere chocolate chip cookie makers, and their cookies are melt-in-your-mouth "scrump-dilly-icious!" Did I have 2 for Mother's Day? Yes, indeed!

My Two Favorite Moms In The Whole World!

These two spectacular young women are the fantastic moms of our grandchildren. They are super wives, super professionals in their jobs, super daughter/daughter-in-law, and loving, caring, involved, complex, intelligent young women. We are richly blessed! Happy Mother's Day, Maria & Susan. We love you "all the much!"

The Treat That Is The LA Philharmonic

Tonight we attended a concert by the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall. Gustavo Dudamel led the orchestra in glorious pieces by Brahms - "Academic Festival Overture" and "Symphony No.1." The audience gave the orchestra and Dudamel an enthusiastic and long standing ovation. In between the two works by Brahms, the violin soloist, Leonidas Kavakos, demonstrated his considerable talent in a complicated piece that many would describe as "notes in search of a melody." But the night belonged to the orchestra's superb playing under the baton of their inspiring conductor. They were both spectacular! We had all of this plus a delightful evening with good friends both long-time and newly met. Unbeatable!

Easter With the Hendersons & Tuckers

On Easter Sunday we all went to church and then we all came to our house for a family meal. It was a treat to have Grandmother Millie Tucker and Sara (for a while) both with us. The cousins had so much fun together, and the girls all looked beautiful in their dressy dresses. The Easter bunny came and put eggs all over the front yard for all of the cousins to find. The adults had a great visit while all of the children entertained each other. It was the perfect celebration of a special day.