What's In A Name, anyway???

Blog handles are a lot like CB Radio handles. They really have nothing to do with the name of the real person. My in-laws had a CB radio for years, and when Prof was a little girl, she was "Little Princess" and liked to talk to people like "Hammer Handle" and "Mr. Lucky."
Prof blogged for years under the name, "Prof." That came from being a college professor. She picked my blog name. Jimmie Earl was what she picked. It came from a monologue she used to do about fictious Ma Peasley, who had a whole bunch of kids and took them on a train ride. Ma's oldest son was Jimmieearl. Prof used to entertain us for hours while riding in the car. She would make up different episodes of the same family. Tilly and I would be in stitches just listening to her.
Anyway, Jimmieearl stuck, so here I am.
Funny thing though, my real name is James. I have been Jimmy, Jimbo, Jim, Jamie, and last, but certainly not least, Jimmy Dick (middle name being Richard in real life) I have also been known in life as "Alferd" and I know not where that came from. Just a good friend of my mom's began calling me Alferd when I was a little kid and continued doing so until she died.

I know Mellodee, with whom I correspond with really isn't a Mellodee, but I love her blog and it's musical theme, which makes Mellodee so very appropriate as a "handle."
It would be interesting to know why Anvilcloud is Anvilcloud. To know why Maggie O is Maggie O, and why Beatrice Bear is Beatrice Bear. (And so on and so forth.)

So, you readers, I challenge you to comment here and let me know why you chose the blog name you use, if you care too. I think it would be fun!

Peace,
JE

It just keeps getting easier and "better."

As you all know, my friend Curley has taught me to crochet. It all began last March, (the one in 2011), and has continued. I started out doing very simple patterns, simple stitches, and still, it took me a while to learn those basics.
Curley has been encouraging me to try some things that are "just a little" more challenging. Today, I finished my most challenging piece to date. It's a shawl created as a gift for a friend of Prof's. It took longer than any other piece I have done. And, I must admit, by the time I got it done I was tired of the color "Honeydew."
But, here it is. Let me know what you all think! (And, no, I don't want to make that pattern again anytime soon.!)

Peace,
JE

Not Sure What to Title This Post???

I have to share this with you all. Non-believers beware, this is all about God and His infinite power.

For the last six weeks, or so, I have had a lesion on my nose. It started out small, and seem to grow and erode the skin. It bled, and and scabbed over, bled and scabbed over. I kept thinking that it would clear up, but it didn't. So last Monday I went to Doc Mc for my hurt shoulder. While there I had him look at the place on my nose. He said it was a type of skin cancer, not a serious kind, but needed to be biopsied.
I need to interject here that my son went with me to the doctor. So,when I came out of the office, I told him about the spot. (He had been "at me" to go have it checked.) He was concerned enough about me to call Pastor K from our church and asked him to put me on the church's prayer chain. This was Monday evening. I had calls from concerned friends on Tuesday. I found out the entire choir, plus several others were praying for me. I was moved, touched and thankful. I was also a little embarrassed. I am a pretty private person about things concerning myself. But, thanks to my son, my immediate situation was public knowledge.
I noticed by Wednesday, the lesion on my nose was looking better. This morning I went to the doctor for the biopsy. I told the nurse that the lesion was now gone. I also told her about the prayer chain. Before Doc Mc came in the treatment room she told him. He came in, took a look at my nose and said, "I am shaking and it's not my Parkinson's." I told him that I have always been a believer, but this really convinced me of the power of prayer. He deferred the biopsy telling me that there was nothing there to test, and the eroded place was starting to fill in.
I also have to share that this doctor is the same one I went to see just to get his opinion about ending the life-support on my wife almost 5 years ago. He gave me sage advice, but also, he got down on his knees in the treatment room with me and prayed for my wife, and for me to help me make the right decisions when the time came.
All of this has made me stop and take another look at my life. I am so thankful!!

Peace,
JE

It took a good friend to point out to me that the reason for my children's concern was that: "#1, they love me, and #2, I am the only parent they both have left. Why would I be embarrassed?" I'm not any longer.

Physical Therapy HURTS!

I now know what the phrase, "no pain, no gain," means. I have had two sessions of therapy and while I was there, it hurt. But, in the hours after, the pain lessened, and I can see a wee bit of relief. I am to go twice a week for 4 weeks, then the PT will reevaluate my situation. If I am improved, great, if not, then back to the MD for further testing.
Joe, my PT, also gave me exercises to do at home twice a day. They are simple stretching exercises. Joe also said that if it hurt to do the amount of reps he recommended, to ease off and do less. So far, I have been able to to the recommended amount. Go me!
I think the worst part is that Joe also told me to NOT sleep on my left side. This position causes the shoulder to thrust forward and pinches the joint that is inflamed. My left side is my favorite "sleep side" so that has made it hard to get comfortable when I go to bed, but I am trying to do everything Joe says, because he said that without improvement, he knows Dr Mc would recommend a MRI. Let's not even go there.
This getting old and having my body going to "pot" is frustrating. As a wise friend told me yesterday, there is no spare parts store for us, and our trade-in value is worthless. LOL! But, I still know it's better than our alternative.

Peace,

JE

Off to see the Wizard!

By wizard, I mean my family doc. Yesterday I didn't feel up to par, so I went to see the family doc. I have been suffering from some sort of malady to my left shoulder. He called it bursitis, and now I am going to endure some physical therapy. It is a result of a fall I took almost 5 years ago, and am still suffering the results. It affects the shoulder joint as well as the muscles surrounding it. Then, I found out that a small lesion on my nose might be a common kind of skin cancer, and am having a biopsy on Friday morning. Doc Mc said that it is so common that they don't even report this kind. And, I also have been having trouble sleeping, so he gave me some wonder drug that I am to take a half of a tablet at bedtime. Well, I took one last night, and slept like a baby. It also is helping the "internal tremor" that I have had off and on for years.
Now, it sounds like I am falling apart at the seams, doesn't it? Is this just another sign that I am growing older? Probably, but I plan to take steps to see that my overall health stays on an even keel or perhaps improves. Maybe a little more exercise. Maybe better eating habits. And, definitely getting a better night's sleep. Less stress would help, but I haven't seemed to cure that one yet.
This afternoon I will have that first PT session. We'll see how that goes. Right now, just the thought of it is making me nervous and is worrisome. Like anything new, the anticipation is much worse that the actual happening. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Peace,
JE

A Very Good Book!

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Rose Burns: The year is 1906 in the deep South. Told from a 14 year-old's perspective, this novel is a good read. It tells of life in a small town, family relationships, and how society dictated life at that time. It is full of wit and wisdom, humor and a smattering of sadness, too. As I read this, I thought, "this stuff probably really happened." Enjoy!

Peace,
JE

At the Zoo

My last few posts have been serious. Today, it's all about my grandchildren. They took a trip to the zoo! I didn't go, but maybe next time I will.

Driving Miss Whomever!

There's a big "to-do" going on in Northern Indiana right now. It seems that some people are disturbed that in Amish territory, children as young as 10 years old are driving their buggies on the roadways. A local Ft. Wayne TV channel did a survey yesterday wanting to know if we think there should be an age limit, just like driving a car. Something like 63% of the people who responded said "yes" and 37% said "no". I say, "come on people, get a grip." The Amish were here long before the advent of the automobile. The highways and county roads in the area are all well marked for buggy travel. The Amish have already conceded to having those huge orange triangles on the back of their vehicles. Let's leave them alone and just slow down when traveling through the areas where they are. Are we in such a hurry that we need to tromp on someone elses religious beliefs?
As far as an age limit goes, these kids have been taught how to handle horses since early childhood. I have seen young boys in the fields working right along with their older siblings and fathers. They know what they are doing.
Seeing how the Amish live gives me a renewed spirit about not only my own faith, but America. It takes me back to a gentler time when we weren't in such a hurry. When family was important. Why do we think we can interfere in their lives when they do nothing to interfere in ours? They only add to our society by being good citizens and good workers.
Let's take a step back, take a good look at this again. When Moses said, "Let my people go," maybe he was speaking into the future, too.

Peace,
JE

"Things My Mother Taught Me."

A friend sent this to me. It was too good to not share. My mom taught me some of the same things, just in a much kinder way!


1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTION-ISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA ..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !"

Only you folks my age understand these profound statements!!!
But, there is one missing from this list~~My personal all time favorite!!

My mother taught me about CHOICE.
"Do you want me to stop this car?"

The Law has Long Arms

I sat in court yesterday as a supporter of the defendant. He is caught up in a mess; yes of his own doing, but he is also being railroaded. He, being of age, was "caught with his pants down" so to speak, with a girl who was underage. They were both in agreement with this arrangement, so there was no forced act. They really didn't accomplish the act at all. But, the parents of said girl, pressed the issue so now my friend is being tried as a sex offender by the State. This is ridiculous! Yes, he should have known better; yes there are laws. But, and there is always a but, should he be labelled as a sex offender for life just because both of their hormones were raging.
I have known this kid and his parents for several years. The kid is ornery. There's no doubt about it. But, he graduated from HS with good grades, and he has a full time job making excellent money. Because of this stigma that might become attached to him, what will it do to his chances to succeed further?
I am not saying he should go unpunished. I think the law needs to be changed. I was young once and know how those urges react within a guy's body. I also know there are gals out there who think it's okay. But I don't think they should have to be ruined for life by some asinine law. Save that law for the real child molesters that actually prey on the young. Makes me mad to think this happens. Enough said.