Thursday, August 31, 2023

Tuesdays With Pappo

August 31, 2023



Look who drove us to lunch this Thursday??!!! 95 years old.....and we didn't hit a single thing! But we did make a quick stop at the barber shop....seeing as he was starting to look like a "beatnik" ...



beatnik | ˈbētnik |
NOUN
a young person in the 1950s and early 1960s with long hair and belonging to a subculture associated with the beat generation

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Tuesdays With Pappo.....On Thursday

 



Awwww....Tuesdays With Pappo.....on Thursday again!!!!

Today my Sister and I sandwiched Dad between us and squeezed real hard until we got this quirky "Ok-Ok....I-Love-Ya'll" smile on his face! It's always fun forcing things out of him!!


And today.....we splurged and drove right on past Braums to Cotton Patch for a bite to eat! After we solved all the problems of living in an Independent Living Center....i.e., "I don't know why all those old people don't want to do anything here!" or "I just want to learn how to sew so I can take up my trousers....but all they want to do is knit!" issues, we grabbed the ticket, which he promptly wrote a kind note to our waitress Zoe on, and headed back to his home where the people are "just too old" (Quick Reminder: He's 95).



These Thursdays with Pappo have been healing for Liz. Being the typical baby of the family, I haven't always gotten along with Dad......but these days of hearing him talk about learning to play hymns on the keyboard or sew up his "britches" or fixing other people's walkers or even how much the ladies like the "kiss on the head", have been highlights of my week that I greatly look forward to.

Dad and I have finally found our "footing" (and I don't mean the web toes footing I inherited from him!).

He's a good man.....and ya, I kinda love him!



The Day The Grasshopper Went To Church


The Day The Grasshopper Went To Church


So there's this song I heard yesterday thanks to our good friend Blair Jones called, "The Mississippi Squirrel Revival". It's sung by funny guy Ray Stevens and goes a little something like this:

"The day the squirrel went berserk
In the First Self-Righteous Church
In that sleepy little town of Pascagoula (Pascagoula)
It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival
They were jumpin' pews and shouting "Hallelujah!"

Yesterday.....my deepest fear was met "head" on!

While sitting in the full-to-capacity pews of First McKinney Church, smack dab in the middle of the sermon, I feel something hit the side of my head. My hand immediately went up to see what it was and I could "feel" what felt like a large bug in my hair. I swatted it away, not knowing whether it was actually a bug or a toddlers pacifier that hit me in the head.

A few minutes go by when I see the man on my right leaning forward whispering something to the young woman in front of him. She immediately gasps and starts to grab the back of her head....but not before he grabbed the back of her head and proceeded to remove a large bug from her hair. The entire pew gasped.....and it was then, that I realized it was the same dang bug that smacked me upside the head a few minutes earlier.

So what does this have to do with my deepest fears?

It - Was - A - GRASSHOPPER.

If you know me, you KNOW this is INDEED my biggest fear. I will kill snakes....I will fight hornets...I will shoot armadillos....but do not let a grasshopper come within 30 feet of me. It's called Orthopterophobia (I Googled it years ago!!) and its REAL!

Of all the cars sitting in a parking lot, they pick MY windshield to sit themselves down on.....its MY helmet that millions of them attach themselves to while on a motorcycle in Wyoming....and of all 750 people occupying space in the pews of First McKinney, they pick MY head to land on.

Some serious "revival" broke out in the First McKinney Church 5th pew from the back yesterday. And I think I know why.....

Satan arrived.

(Revised Version of Song)

"The day the grasshopper went berserk
In the First McKinney Baptist Church
In that sleepy little town of McKinney
It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival
They were jumpin' pews and shouting "Hallelujah!"

Friday, July 21, 2023

Tuesdays With Pappo

 Tuesdays With Pappo.....on Thursday!!






SURPRISE passenger in my seat as we headed to Keene to see Pappo yesterday!!!

My handsome nephew Lance!




He had built a much needed shelf for Pappo to put on top of his workbench and decided to take the day off and head west with me to install it. Dad was surprised.....Liz had someone to talk to....and new shelf is installed!!

Have I mentioned I used to babysit him when he was a baby?? (Lance...not Pappo) LOL.





Monday, July 3, 2023

The Snake In The Backyard


The Snake In The Backyard

By China Anne McClain


The “Snake Analogy” is a story between two best friends who are painting in the house. When one of them becomes exhausted and needs some fresh air, she grabs her dog and goes outside to the backyard. As soon as she opens the door and exits, she discovers a gigantic snake in the grass. Without saying a word to her best friend, she hurriedly grabs the puppy and runs back inside. When she returns, her best friend suggests, “Oh, you’re back. Let me go out to the backyard for some fresh air as well.


She says nothing, and the snake bites her best friend when she walks into the yard. “A snake has bitten me, help please,” her friend yells and limps back into the house. She approaches her and says, “Oh, I saw the snake, sorry I didn’t warn you!” The one who has been bitten by the snake looks at the other in disbelief, saying, “Are you really my friend, do you even love me?!?”


“Why Spread The Gospel?”


After telling the story, China compared it to why followers of Jesus are passionate about sharing the Gospel.


“It’s because we love you. I am not forcing you and forcing it down your throat. I’m just warning you of the dangers,” she said.


She further talked about how it didn’t make sense if she didn’t warn people about the snake in the backyard. She “loves and cares for people “that’s why she spreads the Gospel.


“I know God is real, whether people believe it or not,” China added.


Don’t worry, China. We believe you!

https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonbrown22/video/6983795302146903301?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7250077455939372590

By Liz Etheridge Sekerke

This is the best analogy I've ever heard on why it's hard for us, as Christians, to not warn others about that dang snake in our backyard.

I killed many snakes while living at the lake. Was I scared? Yep. But I was MORE afraid of not seeing them.....not recognizing them as they blended in with my landscape....and worrying about my family accidentally stepping on one because they weren't looking for it. I would never think of not warning those that visited of the possibility of clever lethal snakes in our backyard. They were there. They were ALWAYS there.

Satan is that snake, friends. He is clever....he blends in with your life....and he wants nothing more than to bite you, hurt you and eventually kill you. He is the most dangerous thing you could get bit by.

Be aware he exists everywhere....in your school.....in your job.....in your family....and in your friends.....and his only job is to kill you.

And that's why I warn you....not because I want to preach to you....but because I love you.




Thursday, May 18, 2023

THURSDAYS WITH PAPPO

 THURSDAYS WITH PAPPO

LizEtheridgeSekerke




As is true with most every Thursday with Pappo, yesterday was interesting and tons of FUN.



This handsome 95 year-old and his youngest 60-something daughter headed to their main hangout.....Braums Ice Cream in Cleburne.


The handcuffs I brought him last month are still dangling from his walker handle and his neighbor ladies are still using them on him every chance they get. Who knew $5 handcuffs would be such a hit!

And you'll be happy to know he has been learning how to embroidery, yes....embroidering his initials on everything...thanks to his granddaughter, Jacque. She has him all set up with his own sewing kit, hoops and thread. The Sewing Group at his Independent Living Center tell him he's the ONE and ONLY man ever to join the sewing group. That got a smile on his face.....



Oh ya, he's also trying to learn how to play the piano! He has received his first Piano By Pictures books and has his very own account set up online to learn how to play "hymns" via iPad. No Moonlight Sonata for this man....nope....he wants Amazing Grace!



And as we walked back into his new home, who do I run into but a girlfriend from high school....VGA.....Donna Durichek! Goodness!! I won't even tell you how many years ago high school was, but it's over 40 and under 50. Turns out, her Dad lives three doors down from Pappo!! Geez....what a small world we live in!



As we said goodbye till next week, he kissed my hand, lovingly looked into my eyes and said, "Can you bring me a short extension cord next week?"

P.S.

They canceled Bingo last week.....

Sunday, May 14, 2023

The Gift Of A Mom - Mothers Day 2023

 MOTHERS DAY

LizEtheridgeSekerke




Mary stood at the foot of the cross her young Son was dying on……

Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her.

So He said to His mother,

“Woman, here is your son."

Then He said to the disciple,

“Here is your mother."

From that moment, the disciple accepted her as his own MOTHER."
John 19:25-27

I love that even in His darkest moment, Jesus made sure His Mom was taken care of after He was gone. He knew that an arrow was piercing her own soul as much as it was His side, so He gifted His Mom to John, the disciple He loved and trusted.

My mom died two weeks before Mothers Day 11 years ago. I dreaded going through that weekend without her.....I was childless and now I was motherless. But then I received a call. A call from a lady named Pam in Winnsboro, Texas.......a lady I had met over the years as I delivered Meals on Wheels to her own elderly mother......and Pam offered to share her mother with me that weekend.

And so she did.

She invited me to Sunday lunch with the whole family......to celebrate this lady she called Mom and I called Jewel. She gifted me with love.....this sweet daughter gifted me her Mom.

It was probably one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me. She knew my heart was piercing; aching to feel the touch of a wrinkled hand touching my cheek....longing to smell the Estee Lauder perfume that always arrived moments prior to Mom entering a room. She knew my heart had a crack in it.....so she handed me her heart......and her very own Mom.

The Gift of a Mom......I think God had it right creating her from the rib of man....the rib always keeps the heart safe.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

THURSDAYS WITH PAPPO

Thursdays With Pappo

LizEtheridgeSekerke 


Thursdays With Pappo......included a handshake agreement that if I purchased him a hand drill like Wayne's, he would go to Bingo with the women. Here's that conversation:

LIZ: “Hey Pappo, why don’t you play Bingo with your neighbors & friends?”

PAPPO: "Only women go to Bingo. No men ever go to Bingo here at the Independent Living Center...aka Prison".

LIZ: "Well Pappo, like you used to always tell me, pave your own path.....be a trendsetter. If you start going to Bingo, the other men will follow."

PAPPO: "When did I ever tell you that?"

LIZ: "Well, you didn't actually ever tell me that, but I knew you wished you had."

PAPPO: "I'll make a deal with you Softie (his nickname for me). You get me a drill like Wayne's and I'll go to Bingo."


LIZ: "Really?? You promise?? (head nod by Dad). I'd feel better if we shook on it.

PAPPO: "Ok"


Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Perspective-Lifters

Perspective-Lifters

LizEtheridgeSekerke



I loved the line in Jesus Calling this morning that said, “Welcome problems as perspective-lifters!" It continued.......


"The problem can be a LADDER, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My Perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble. Once your perspective has been heightened, you can look away from the problem altogether.”

It reminded me of the time I went to New Hampshire with my girlfriend Cheryl in 2019….it was Fall and we had enjoyed almost a full week of beautiful colors and Fall temperatures. We decided to take a skylift up a mountain as we were leaving New Hampshire headed to Boston. The beauty (Pic #1) from down below on the highway was nice and had become the norm for the week, but the beauty from high above on the top of the mountain (Pic #2) was spectacular. Perspective. That’s why I can’t wait to get to Heaven and be a drone. Seeing everything with different eyes….high above….it looks so magical from up there. But truth is, it’s no less beautiful down below…our eyes have just become so accustomed to that view that we take it for granted.

Same view…..different perspective.

My goal today is to look at the norm with a different perspective.

Monday, April 17, 2023

Couples Adventure Challenge #9

 Couples Adventure Challenge #9......

LizEtheridgeSekerke



...is in the books!

We've been doing these crazy Adventure Challenges for over a year but, unfortunately, they had been put on “HOLD” these past few months until we unpacked the last box....hung the last chandelier....and caught our breath from a whirlwind of moving....living in hotels for 3 weeks....then moving again.

We were more than ready to scratch off our next Couples Adventure Challenge and see what we would be doing this weekend!



The Challenge was:

1) Each of you write down your ultimate date idea for the night. This is your chance to make it all about what you want.

2) Select one item from you house (keep it a secret) that you will take to a pawn shop to sell.

3) Whoever sells their item for more money gets to choose the date idea for the night.

4) Combine the money you got to pay for the date.

So as Wayne went up into the attic to search for his “secret item” to sell, I went no further than my jewelry box.

As he placed his item in the trunk, I placed mine in the backpack and Googled “Pawn Shops Near Me.” Google sent us down the road to the great town of McKinney.



Wayne walked in with a vintage manual typewriter in mint condition that had been in the family for many years. It had been used many times to type high school homework assignments and college essays. A classic. I won’t lie; my heart tugged a bit at the thought of him selling this piece of history. But that typewriter had been moved 8x over the years and needed a good home.  
My “secret” item was a diamond tennis bracelet I had been given years ago that I wasn’t sure 
was even real.

Turns out, the pawn shop doesn’t buy vintage typewriters and my diamond tennis bracelet was, indeed, real. SCORE!!  
Liz won!!!

So we walked out with a cool $380 to go on our Adventure Date with!

And where had I chosen as my ultimate date?? None other than.......Putt Putt Golf and Dinner. We’re simple people, folks....it doesn’t take much to have a good time with this guy.

We headed to an indoor Putt Putt called Puttery at Grandscape not far from our house and let the fun begin!

We discovered our level of expertise at Putt Putt was exactly the same.....sketchy at best.

Wayne found he golfed better when putting backwards.....


And we took the ski lift from hole to hole.....


And ended the date with a nice dinner on a rooftop cafe and a free concert in the park.


Life with this guy just keeps getting better and better....