A Word from God’s Waiting Room

The comic strip, ZITS, is one of my favorites.  I read it every day it appears.  Recently, Jeremy’s dad said he was thinking about starting a blog.  Of course, the know-it-all Jeremy told his out-dated dad that no body did blogs anymore.  Blogs were out, Vblogs were in (as in video blogs).  Dad then ended the conversation by saying “Stop the internet, I want to get off.”

Folks, don’t look for a vblog from God’s Waiting Room.  It just isn’t going to happen.  If I every get blogs figured out, I doubt I’ll remember what a vblog is.  I agree, Stop the Internet, I want to get off.  Love to all.

Virginia and I were looking forward to this week, we had scheduled a trip to Hatfields and McCoys, Pio’ restaurant and to hear J R sing at Harrah’s Casino.  We enjoyed the southern cooking at the Hatfields and McCoys on Monday night.  A band play there each Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. but since we got there at about 4:00 (you know about senior citizens eating early don’t you?), we finished and boarded the bus for our return trip prior to 6:00 p.m.  Well, we probably missed the CW and perhaps Blue grass music but we weren’t too disappointed.

On Wednesday, Parkside, was to take all their volunteers (that included us) to Pio’s for what we had heard was excellent Italian food.  The bus came.  Building 3 and Building 1 almost filled the bus and when Building 2 residents came straggling out it was soon evident that there was not going to be enough room.  So the Activity Director ran and got her car and took four with her.  The bus driver tried to put the bus into drive and lo and behold he couldn’t.  Something was wrong.  We unloaded and we missed out on our planned lunch. 

For number three, Virginia and I planned to go (on the now repaired bus) to Harrah’s Casino.  NO, not to gamble.  But to eat and to hear J R sing in a contest.  We went to the VOO DOO lounge, sat and visited and finally the drink orders were served and waited quite awhile for the food to arrive.   The lounge must have had 12-15 TV’s broadcasting the Cardinal-Pirates game. We left Parkside about 6:30 by the time we were eating it was nearing 8:30 (remember now, seniors don’t like to eat late–it affects their sleeping and sometimes, other bodily functions, furthermore, the Cardinals were losing). At about 9:00 the contest began and wouldn’t you know it J R was next to last of about 15 singers.  By this time, we were already worn out–the seats were hard, the crowd was unruly, the music was so loud it hurt our ears (we had forgot to take ear plugs), and of course, the singers had to sing louder than the music.  The MC acted not to our liking (he didn’t speak distinctly and tried to be funny–he wasn’t). So, our thinking right now is that we are not likley to return for other contests he may be invited to sing.

Who is J R?  Well, he a big dude, an African-American who drives our bus.  He is quite a character–has something going on all the time.  To him, I am Louie (I’ve graduated from ‘young man’ to Louie); Virginia is Virginia.  He sings well.  We enjoyed hearing him.  The judges however, gave his a 5 and two 6’s out of 10s, so he may or may not be invited back for the next contest.

You know, the best thing about this week here in God’s Waiting Room was having Andrew, Karen and Khai come over on Tuesday evening for Lasagna and some computer tutoring.  That was most enjoyable  and we didn’t have to board a bus, sit on a hard seat, or wait for the music to begain.  Life is simple and we have fun here in God’s Waiting Room.  We just have to keep remembering He is in control.

Now if you think this post is about dancing or favorite rock and roll music, look further.  Neither Virginia nor I have moral or emotional issues with the above.  But, in this case we are talking about rocking as in CHAIRS. 

Before we left Macomb, we determined that due to the size of our new living space, we would need two comfortable chairs.  Not any chairs, mind you, but those that would rock.  And that wasn’t enough, we wanted them to recline and swivel.  So that’s what we have, two EZ chairs–ones that you can take a nap in.  But you know what’s fun?  You get a few Oreo cookies, a glass of milk and get seated in your favorite EZ rocker.  Well, there’s at least one thing lacking (may be two things).  Whether you need it or not, a cat that jumps up into you lap for some chin rubs and loving petting can help you forget some aches or concerns.  Another thing you lack while enjoying our cookies and milk is that magic little device called a TV remote control.  Ah, the good life.  But then….

You know, rocking the cares away while absorbed by a cat’s purring or a program (perhaps a re-run) on TV, or taking a nap, can be pleasurable.  The time spent there takes your mind off things you have thought about doing but don’t seem to get around to doing them.  Rockin probably keeps you from writing a letter or sending an email to a friend or a loved one.  It may keep you from praying for person having physical or spiritual issues. It may also keep you from updating your memoirs, sorting and mounting pictures in your album, and perhaps learning to use a new software program.  So, we conclude that rockin’ chairs are sure comfortable but we are aware that too much time there may be detrimental.  Did you know that by taking a nap in your recliner, you can get a back ache?

Here in God’s Waiting Room, we have a lot of time–to rock, to think, to participate in activities.  We try to keep busy enough that we don’t spend too much time thinking negative thoughts accompanying old age, infirmatives and bodily functions!  Cheers, we’re rockin’.  Love to all who venture to read these posts.  All comments are treasured.   

The just ended show, “The Biggest Loser,” was one that Virginia and I watched regularly.  How amazing it was that all the contestants lost a considerable amount of weight.  The rules of the game they were playing changed several times, but in the end, only one contestant won the big prize.  We cheered when Bernie won $100,000 and we were a bit sad that Roger did not win the grand prize (no we aren’t predjudiced against the women contestants–in fact, we had decided that if the finals came down to the two women, our choice was for Kelly, the nurse). 

Here in God’s Waiting Room, we have both lost a bit of weight since we came in mid-October.  However, the biggest loser is Virginia (yes, we’re still talking about weight).  She is now hovering around the 143 1/2 mark on the scales, so at some point in time, we’re gonna’ have to go shopping for some better fitting clothes.  It would have been better if Helena (our female Siamese cat) had been the biggest loser.  Despite our efforts to cut down on her food, she continues to maintain her weight; she’s not picky, she’ll eat her favorite and then finish up what McKinley has left in his bowl. 

One of the things we like about living here in God’s Waiting Room is the Christian atmosphere.  We have prayer at meetings, we have gospel singers come once a month, we have a Chaplain, a retired miniter conducts a Bible Study and on other occasions, Christ is honored. 

The way we see it is that those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are the biggest losers.  Thankfully, most of the people we associate with here are not the biggest losers.  That may not say much for reaching out to lost souls, but it does help us stay focused. 

We’d love to hear from you.  Our love is sent to you.  L & V

There are many activities we enjoy here in God’s Waiting Room.  Last Wednesday afternoon, Bill and Bill came to entertain us.  B & B are a couple of gray-haired entertainers in the their early seventies.  One of the B’s was quite an accomplished pianist; the other B played the clarinet and the sax.  Both B’s sang (I’d give them a grade of B on their singing).  Apparently, they were entertainers for many years and now pick up a gig or two when they can.  Their banter kept us laughing and their music kept our toes a tapping.  They were good.  Now, as I am sure you’d expect, they played music of the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  Bill Number 1–that’s the pianist had his fingers flying all over the keyboard; his rendition of the song the Andrews Sisters in the 40s made famous:  Boogie Woogie Boy from Company B.  Well, that might not be the correct title, but those words were in the song.  When one looked around the room, it was easy to tell most were keeping time with the beat. And, B#2 used his clarinet to do a great job on Hogie Carmichael’s Star Dust.

Wow, what fun we have in God’s Waiting Room.  We’re doing o.k.  We’d love to hear from you.  L & V

You may think it strange but I don’t even know Leona!  Then, you might ask, “Why are you writing about her?”  Strange things happen in God’s Waiting Room.  On Monday while working my 2-5 shift at the Scoop, a woman, I’d guess her to middle age, walked rather briskly into our ice cream store.  No one else was there at the time. She walked right up to me, almost out of breath, and said, “Leona really appreciates what you did for her.”  She talked rather quickly, not leaving me a chance to get a word in.  She continued, “We got her back in her apartment and she is doing better now.  I just wanted you to know and thank you for how you helped her.”  She promptly turned around and walked rather briskly out the door. 

Not once, did she take a breath and give me a chance to make an inquiry about Leona or what it was that she thought I might have done in her behalf.  And, I’m at a loss of any good deed I may have rendered for a Leona or a Mary or an Opal.  Now, I’m thinking either I have been an ‘angel’ unaware or the middle age people are about as strange as some of the other people–old people,  here in God’s Waiting Room.  Go figure.   

You’d think that after teaching students about computers for years; how to use them, how they enhance our lives through writing, etc., I would have no difficulty with using  one.  Wrong.  It seems with every new generation of computers or software, I get further behind.  Of course, getting older with memory slippage doesn’t help either.  Recently, a new notebook (laptop) came to our home, this one without a mouse.  To move around on the desktop, one rubs a finger across a small pad and hopefully the cursor stays there until one can click on the chosen item. I have never seen so many different screens and colors pop up, one on top of another; all without my knowledge of having done anything to make this happen.  And, the cursor just drops off the screen, so it seems.  Also the keyboard is different than the one I had lovingly grown accustomed.  Will I ever get this new device or my finger movements under control?  Time will tell.  Needless to say, I wouldn’t have gotten this far, had it not been for a most helpful grandson, Andrew, and his expert knowledge and years of hands-on experience.  Unfortunately, Andrew cannot babysit me through my learning phase.  So, Iive started a list of things I don’t understand for the next time he comes. 

God was watching over me the other day when I was spending a considerable amount of time with this new toy.  An article appeared in the St Louis Post Dispatch which I read and subsequently contemplated.  The main point was that when one spends an inordinate time on a computer, it may affect the marriage.  Well, I believe in marriage and I perceived that He must be speaking to me.  So, now I try to do most of my computer enhancement skills while Virginia is watching Dr. Phil and Oprah, or while she is taking a nap. 

Here in God’s waiting room, there is time for most everything we want and can do.  That’s nice.  In fact, I’ve interrupted this post twice; once to take a phone call and once for taking a walk with Virginia and the cats.  Other than my learning frustrations, we’re both doing fine and enjoying life in God’s Waiting Room.  Hey, I’m gonna’ conquer this new gadget–I’ve got the time to master it.  Our love and blessings to you.