On Remebering Stuff

For Dad (and all of us to a certain extent) memory is an issue. It’s always interesting to notice what he remembers. He may not remember, really, what happened from one day to the next but sometimes something will trigger a memory. For example, it’s Christmas season now so there’s lots of seasonal music playing—lots of references to “joy.” Dad heard “joy” and said “joy, joy. . . Joy Baker. Joy, June, Jeff Baker and Jeff Baker Jr.” and off we went into a series of stories about good friends from our days in Ventura, CA. You know? I haven’t thought about the Bakers in years.

A more recent memory has to do with Jim and Rachel Wisehart. Jim and Rachel have been attending lots of weddings lately. Apparently, Jim created an elaborate structure in the back of his truck (a wooden frame of sorts) that would allow the entire wedding party to climb into the truck bed (wearing formals) and be transported from the church to the reception hall. This is a vivid memory for Dad and he tells the story in great detail.

Yesterday we went to the Christmas parade in Springfield. This evoked memories of Dad’s marching days in Fort Worth. He thinks they positioned the trombones in the front of the band. Christmas lights remind him—again of Fort Worth, TX—when they used to drive around to see Christmas decorations. I chimed in with my own memory of “Candy Cane Lane” in Ventura but that one didn’t scan. Oh well. I could tell you more stories but that’s about all I can remember right now.

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Dixie's "Arrangement"

Our dog’s name is Dixie. We have an arrangement. She stays outside during the day and sleeps in the back hall during the night.

Poppy and Dixie have another arrangement.

Eggnog Shakes!

My Fair Lady

I meant to post these photos earlier--Dad arrived just in time to catch Stan in his high school's version of My Fair Lady. Stan played the part of Freddie--the love sick bachelor who sings "On the Street Where You Live" (among other things--tenors are always in demand). There is a dramatic strain running through the Maxsons that can be traced as far back as Papa (Jim Maxson's father) or further. Until a cure can be found, it will continue to pop up from time to time.

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First Sunday of Advent

It was a cold weekend in Springfield. Lots of snow and ice. As you know, from the earlier photo, Dad and I spent some time on Saturday shoveling snow.

We had a good Sunday of worship and music. Our son Stan is quite musical so Dad got to see his grandson play French horn in a brass ensemble in the atrium between services. Later, Stan played in a bell choir during the worship service. I played for communion later in the service. I think Dad enjoyed his time in church.

After church we went out for Mexican food and got home to relax for a little while. In the afternoon, Kitti took the kids sledding and I took Dad to Drury for Vespers—mass choir with string quartet, harp, and brass choir. It’s the big event for our concert choir. It was well attended in spite of the weather. Then back to church for choir rehearsal. Dad enjoyed some time in the church library while we rehearsed.

Today is quite cold and everyone has left for school. Dad will be home with Dixie. I think that Dad’s time in our house must be like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. It’s either all on or all off. Dad is enjoying the blog. I printed off Charlie's post--he's read it several times.

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Snow Day

If you follow your weather news you know that Missouri got a bit of winter weather--enough to consitute a snow day! Here's the "before picture". My camera froze up before I could get the "after" picture but you can assume that it looked great when we were through.

Navy Pilot

Thought I'd add this picture of Dad next to the Waco, Navy Trainer. His time in the service fell somewhere in the middle of his college career at Wheaton College, IL. He spent some time training in St. Louis and Texas A&M. Later he served as an air traffic controler on Guam before returning to finish his college degree.