Showing posts with label Unique People. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unique People. Show all posts

Friday, January 15, 2016

Willie Nelson and Family Concert


Four of us went to Laughlin, Nevada to see Willie Nelson in concert on January 2nd, 2016. What a way to start the New Year!!!

The Event was excellent. Promptly at 8:00 p.m., Willie took the stage and captured the audience’s awe. I thoroughly enjoyed that Willie presented himself as an eighty-two year old Willie Nelson. His face displayed no hint of attempts to reclaim youth long ago wavered.

Nelson underwent stem cell surgery a couple of months ago that was supposed to help his lungs, which were in rough shape after years of smoking cigarettes. However, there were times when it appeared the octogenarian searched for his breath. In my opinion, this only lent credence to the artist who started performing at the age of six.

Nelson’s guitar playing lays tribute to the fact that this man has never followed rule nor conventions. Watching his furrowed fingers on that fret-board, working the strings effortlessly left me with a newly enhanced respect for his skills on the guitar. A Willie Nelson song recorded in a studio does not prepare your for the mastery of his live “laid-back” style. There were times when I thought, Oh Oh – I think he is lost; only to having Willie wind that harmonious phrase masterfully back to melody.

During a set that lasted just over an hour fifteen, Willie freely mixed his own originals with a wide range of standards that touched on honky-tonk, blues, pop, and even jazz. Willie does not talk much so the event was filled with non-stop music. He opened with “Whiskey River” and end with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

The set in-between was pure mastery. While everyone in the “family” is awesome; special mention must be made to professional harmonica player Mickey Raphael and Willie’s older sister, pianist Bobbie Nelson whom he called "little sister."




If you are ever presented with the opportunity to see Willie and Family in concert; I would highly recommend it!!! 



Us having fun!!!  Willie Nelson & Family 01/02/2016



* This concert was held at the Edgewater E Center. The chairs were very uncomfortable and the audience packed like sardines . . . . . it was still worth the price of admission.


**The iconic Texan is a living legend in country music, and the creative genius behind historic recordings like Crazy, Hello Walls, Red Headed Stranger and Stardust. His career has spanned six decades. His catalog boasts more than 200 albums. Willie Nelson's earned every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed a person in his profession. He has also amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist.  Willie Nelson is a legend, unique and was on Oma’s bucket list!

Friday, December 25, 2015

The Little Drummer Boy

Post by Bob Butcher


“The Little Drummer Boy” is a popular Christmas song written in 1941. It was originally known as “Carol of the Drum” and is based on a traditional Czech carol. Although there isn’t any reference to a drummer boy in the Christmas story in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2, the point of the carol goes straight to the heart of the meaning of worship. The carol describes how a boy is summoned by the Magi to the scene of Christ’s birth.

Unlike the wise men, however, the drummer has no gift—so he gives what he has. He plays his drum, saying, “I played my best for Him.”

This echoes the worship Jesus described when He told of the widow and her two coins: “ ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’ ” (Luke 21:3-4).

God is worthy of our all. All the drummer boy had was his drum and all the poor widow had were her two coins, but the God they worshiped was worthy of their all. He is worthy of our all as well, having given His all for us.

One of my favorite daily devotional writers, Bill Crowder, wrote this and It struck home in my heart so big today. It really speaks to who I am. There are so many things I messed up in my past that only Christ can overcome and forgive. You add that past which I bring to the simple ministry lifestyle Kathy and I have chosen to live today in comparison to most people, and there is little we have to offer back to worship the Lord except the love and care we have for others through our YWAM ministry, our local church, and our NASCAR Racing Family.

It's why we do what we do for all these years in YWAM, MRO / NASCAR, and our local church. We can only bring our best like the Little Drummer Boy and the poor widow did. But that is why we love Christmas so much. God is worthy of our all. So today if you are like Kathy and me remember that "your little is a lot when you give your all." Merry Christmas everyone!

About Bob Butcher

On race day, Bob Butcher and other MRO chaplains perform a short church service for drivers, their families, crew members and anybody else with a garage pass. He is Pastor/Chaplain at Beyond Checkered Flags Ministries (Self Employed), Pastor / Chaplain at NASCAR and Pastor / Chaplain at Motor Racing Outreach Association. Bob and his wife Kathy have been married since 1980.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (12)

Part 12 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
July 25, 2014




A patient at a psychiatric clinic killed his case worker at point blank range and then turned his gun on his doctor, Lee Silverman, striking him several times. Before the gunman could leave the office and continue his rampage, Dr. Silverman drew his own concealed handgun and pumped three rounds into the gunman’s torso, mortally wounding him. Police and hospital staff hail Dr. Silverman as a hero and credit him with saving dozens of lives.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (11)

Part 11 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Cache Valley Hospital
May 16, 2014

 


Armed with two handguns, a man entered the Cache Valley Hospital emergency room and began making demands. After demanding to see a doctor, he racked the slide on one of his handguns and told hospital employees “someone is going to die today”. 

While a security guard tried to keep the gunman’s focus on him, two corrections officers who happened to be at the hospital on an unrelated matter engaged from another direction. The gunman was shot three times and no other people were harmed.

Monday, December 14, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (10)

Part 10 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Austin, Texas Construction Site
April 30, 2014

 


An irate former employee came to a construction site and opened fire on his co-workers. The site’s foreman, a Concealed Handgun License holder, drew his firearm and opened fire. Both men were wounded in the exchange of gunfire but the foreman’s actions ended the attack and no one else was wounded.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (9)

Part 9 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *

Mystic Strip Club
January 11, 2014

 


After being refused entry to the strip club for belligerent behavior and racist comments earlier in the night, the shooter returned carrying a handgun and wearing a Halloween mask. As soon as he entered the club, he opened fire, striking bouncer Brian Rizzo, a patron, and a waitress. Another bouncer, Jonathan Baer drew his concealed handgun and shot the shooter, killing him.

Following the attack Baer posted to Facebook: “I did what I felt was right to stop the shooter…I carry every day, and will continue to, and will so with the hope that I will NEVER have to pull it out again.”

Saturday, December 12, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (8)

Part 8 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Clackamas Town Center Mall
Dec. 11, 2012

 


Two people were killed and a third was seriously wounded at Clackamas Town Center near Portland, Oregon when a rifle-toting gunman opened fire in in the busy food court. 

Nick Meli, a shopper in the mall, drew a personally owned firearm on the gunman, who immediately retreated to a service corridor and killed himself. Meli did not fire his weapon for fear of striking bystanders yet authorities say his actions caused the gunman to cease his attack and end his own life.

Friday, December 11, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (7)

Part 7 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Freewill Baptist Church
March 25, 2012




Aaron Guyton was inside the recreation building of his grandfather’s church when he saw the shooter, a member of the congregation, pulling a shotgun from his vehicle. 

Guyton leapt into action, locking the doors to the church where services were going on. The shooter kicked in the door and pointed the shotgun at Rev. Henry Guyton and several parishioners. Drawing his concealed handgun, the younger Guyton held the shooter at gunpoint while two members of the church took him to the ground. Rev. Guyton then took the shotgun from his hand.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (6)

Part 6 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *

Sullivan Central High School
August 30, 2010

 


When a 62-year-old man armed with two handguns forced his way into Sullivan Central High School in Tennessee, he was immediately engaged by School Resource Officer Carolyn Gudger. Gudger put her body between the gunman and a student and started what would turn out to be a more than 10 minute gun-to-gun encounter. 

Gudger used the time to slowly move the man to a less crowded part of the school. When other officers arrived on the scene, a brief gun battle erupted ending with the gunman mortally wounded.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (5)

Part 5 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


New York Mills AT&T Store
May 27, 2010

 


A 79-year-old man entered an AT&T store in New York Mills, New York carrying a .357 magnum revolver in his hand and a list of employees he planned to kill in his pocket. Hearing the hand cannon go off, Donald J. Moore drew his own personal weapon and killed the gunman before he could complete his plan. One employee was wounded in the shooting.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Creative Critters Christmas

by Don McDaniel

 

So Love Each Other And Be Of Good Cheer


We're Just 3 Ole Dawgs
Whose Problems Are Few
And Eatin An Sleepin Is About All We Do
We Wag When We're Happy
And Pant When We're Hot
We Mind When We're Told To
But Would Prefer To Just Not

We're Sending This Greeting
No Rhyme Or No Reason
Guess It's Because Of The Holiday Season

So Love Each Other And Be Of Good Cheer
Merry Christmas To All And A Blessed New Year

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (4)

Part 4 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


New Life Church
Dec. 9, 2007

 


Two parishioners were killed and 3 wounded when a gunman toting a Bushmaster AR-15 opened fire at New Hope Church. Hearing the rifle fire, Jeanne Assam grabbed her personal concealed carry firearm and confronted the gunman from a distance of 20 yards. According to 5280 Magazine:

She fires five quick shots. Murray falls backward. Assam moves to the middle of the corridor and rushes forward. She’s a few dozen feet from Murray now, exposed in the middle of the hallway. “Drop your weapon, or I will kill you!” she yells. Murray sits up to face her. He’s still holding the rifle. Boom-boom-boom. Bullets rip past her and pepper a wall. While Murray shoots, Assam fires three times.

Through the haze of gun smoke, Assam sees the man struggling on the floor. He props his head against a wall. Her weapon is up, trained on the man. She sees his hands moving near his shoulder. He’s trying to pull the pin on a grenade. He’s going to kill everyone around here, Assam thinks. She instinctively steps back and fires two more shots.

Monday, December 7, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (3)

Part 3 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *

Appalachian School of Law
Jan. 16, 2002

 



A 43-year-old former student armed with a .380 handgun killed Dean Anthony Sutin and Professor Thomas Blackwell with point blank shots and went on to kill fellow student Angela Dales as well as wounding three others before being confronted at gunpoint by law students Tracy Bridges, a county sheriff’s deputy, and Mikael Gross, a police officer, after retrieving their personal handguns from their vehicles. The gunman was then apprehended by other students.

Gross and Bridges lost valuable response time accessing their handguns because of the law school’s standing as a gun-free zone.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns (2)

Part 2 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings. They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Parker Middle School
April 24, 1998


Parker Middle School

A 14-year-old student showed up to his middle school dance carrying a .25-caliber pistol. He opened fire inside the dance, killing one teacher and wounding another as well as two students. The rampage ended when James Strand, owner of the banquet hall the dance was happening in, grabbed his personal shotgun and confronted the 14-year-old killer. Strand held the teen at gunpoint for 11 minutes before finally getting him to drop the weapon and lie on the ground and searching him for additional weapons.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

12 Times Mass Shootings Were Stopped by Good Guys With Guns

Part 1 of 12


As Oma is a Southern Californian, the massacre in San Bernardino last week hit close to home. It is so sad but a reality of everyday life in America. However, Oma maintains the philosophy that guns do not kill people . . . . . . . people kill people. Put a gun in the middle of the room and if no one touches it, no want gets hurt.

Oma will not shy away from teaching her grandchildren about weapons. Emphasis must be place on helping our younger generation learn how to deal with others and to remain aware of their surroundings.  They are the only one who can keep themselves safe.

Rather than write about the two shooters who I have chosen to leave nameless; Oma wishes to honor the fourteen who died and twenty-one injured by re-posting a Controversial Times article written by Hunter Roosevelt on June 23, 2015 about the heros were seldom hear about; people who use their guns to stop violence.

* * * * * * * *


Pearl High School
Oct. 1, 1997




Luke Woodham fatally stabbed his mother at home before opening fire at his high school, killing two students and injuring seven others. The attack was stopped when Assistant Principal Joel Myrick retrieved his .45 caliber handgun from his truck and confronted Woodham, detaining him until authorities could arrive.

Myrick’s action stopped Woodham from going across the street to the middle school as he had planned.

Note that the People Magazine cover displays a photo of the shooter . . . . Not the hero!


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

We Reap What We Sow

by Ben Stein



Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year, which prompted Ben Stein, to say, on CBS Sunday Morning:

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a nativity scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (Regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.

She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?


Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what a bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Benjamin Jeremy "Ben" Stein is an American writer, lawyer, actor, and commentator on political and economic issues. He attained early success as a speechwriter for American presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Catherine Shelton
Loving devotedly Caring Deeply

A couple of months ago, we attended the funeral of the mother of a longtime friend. We did not know "YiaYia*” well; just a handful of encounters during the years. Nevertheless, we quickly recognized her as a classy lady whose kindness shone like a bright crisp morning sun.

Catherine Shelton graced the earth for eighty-six years at the time of her passing.

November 25, 1927 -September 7, 2014

Loving devotedly
Caring Deeply
Living Life in the most
Beautiful way
A life that will never be
Forgotten.

YiaYia was a beautiful lady inside and out. She touched lives in a way that made each and every person she came in contact with feel as though they were the most important person on earth. Oma and Opa experienced this first-hand at our initial introduction.

This matriarch lived life in the most beautiful way and was one of the most gracious ladies you could ever meet...she loved to entertain and was an amazing cook. She did everything with flair all her own. Always the caregiver, she was generous to a fault...she helped everyone, and even at the end she wanted to know what she could do for everyone.

Catherine was everyone's friend...she never met a stranger, never passed by anyone without a cheerful hello and a beautiful smile, and she cooed over any child she saw. While her greatest passion, family, was clear, we never realized that her close second was dance.

At YiaYia’s Celebration of Life at held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral,  Oma and Opa were enthralled to discover Ms. Shelton’s yesteryears of dance. Catherine loved to dance and competed in many ballroom dance competitions, often winning the coveted prize. Whenever she was at a Greek function that involved dancing, everyone always wanted her to lead, because she did it best...she could dip like no one else!

At the festal memorial, Oma heard stories regaling how YiaYia would often practice and dance with her beloved little brother.

YiaYia’s brother George, who was in attendance, grew up to become a well-respected American dancer and singer.

He is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in the film version of West Side Story as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang!


Dearest, sweet, darling, and most amazing sister Catherine. You're the Ginger Rogers of my world. I have always loved you, love you now, and will love you forever! Let's keep dancing!!! George Chakiris.

Followers of the Greek Orthodox religion believe in eternal life. Thus the church strongly emphasizes a positive outcome in death — that the deceased is alive with God. While death is the separation of the soul (the spiritual dimension of each person) from the body (the physical dimension), the physical body will be reunited with the soul at the Last Judgement.

Catherine “YiaYia” Sheldon’s giving nature and life experience knew no boundaries. Oma and Opa were honored to have enjoyed her and positively benefited from her bountiful earthly essence.


*   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *


This post is part of a series that will be dedicated to the unique people, Oma (or her alias NASCAR Race Mom) has had the honor of meeting and/or interacting with in her stimulating life’s journey.


*"YiaYia" is the Greek word for Grandmother.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Barbara - Teenaged Back-Up Singer for Buck Owens and Loretta Lynn

***Update: New Photo (Barbara is the girl on the right, sitting on the hay bale)

Bar-K image is from Dan Rather's 2014 interview with Loretta Lynn
(The Big Interview - (AXS-TV))

As the author of three busy blogs, Oma is always on the hunt for new and fresh material to share with her readers. After all, no one wants to read the same article about over-reported issues and events. However, with articles posted almost daily, the cascade of creative story lines occasionally become arid.

Unexpectedly, while on a vacation trip to Lake Tahoe with steadfast friends and mentors, Oma discovered a new theme of articles to study and produce. Human beings, by their fundamental nature of diversity, are fascinating. Their stories and life-lessons are both worth examination and publication.

On our eight-hour car ride to our Lake Tahoe resort, my friend Barbara shared the fact that she was assisting a freelance writer in his quest to learn about a “famous photo.”

Photo Buck Owens & the Bar-K Gang (with guest Loretta Lynn), KTNT-TV studios, Tacoma - 1960 Courtesy Buck Owens collection
Buck Owens & the Bar-K Gang with guest Loretta Lynn, KTNT-TV studios,
Tacoma - 1960 Courtesy Buck Owens collection


Oma learned that in 1958 a down-on-his-luck musician came to Washington in order to find steady work. That Bakersfield, California-based player was named Buck Owens. Soon after he arrived, Owens scored his own KTNT show known as the Bar-K Jamboree and formed a band called the Bar-K Gang.

At the time Barbara was just a teenager. Her best friend Carol loved to sing and Barbara often joined her in harmonizing. This collaboration lead the girls to audition for the Bar-K Jamboree show. To Barbara’s surprise, they were hired.

According to Owen’s autobiography, another Washington based singer made her TV debut on the Bar-K Jamboree Show soon after. Loretta Lynn was nervous. However, she still performed well enough to secure her first record deal when the owner of a little label signed her after seeing her on that show.

Oma was astonished to learn that the young background singer, sitting on a hay bale, in that “famous” historical photo was her friend Barbara!

Barbara married her sweetheart Chuck later that year. They went on to productive and rewarding careers as educators. My husband was the benefactor of Chuck’s (now known as Clete) irreplaceable guidance as a high school student.

When asked about her “famous” photo Barbara stated, “It was an exhilarating shock when I first viewed myself in that photo since I had not seen it before. I am looking forward to the Canadian free-lance writer’s story of this famous photo of the Bar-k Jamboree and guest (Loretta Lynn).

Although she started her career harmonizing, after her friend Carol left the group, Barbara had to nurture the confidence to sing as the lead. One of Barbara’s fondest memories is of the time when Buck Owens and Don Rich sang harmony for her as she sang “Crazy Arms.”

“How was I to know at that time that I was singing with future country music superstars.”

Oma, Barbara, and Clete during their October 2014 Tahoe Trip

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This is the first of a series that will be dedicated to the unique people, Oma (or her alias NASCAR Race Mom) has had the honor of meeting and/or interacting with in her stimulating life’s journey.