Category: Family


Texas Nibbles or Trash or…

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December 31, 2015

DSC07035[Re-posted from last year at this time. This year’s observations will be in a following post.]

It began years ago with the recipe on the Chex cereal boxes. Then everyone’s grandmother added their particular additional ingredients. It took on different identities: nibbles, trash, Texas trash, and others. Cyndy’s mom’s recipe is for Texas Nibbles. Our daughter, Jennifer, fixed several different varieties: no nuts, hot, not hot, really hot – you get the idea.

But the point is that – in any variety – the mix is addicting. It is the one thing left over that you don’t have to do anything for but grab a handful. No cutting a pie, no getting a plate dirty, no digging in the refrigerator. Just grab a handful. And it’s salty.

We give containers of mix to the family for Christmas. We also usually receive a container from Jennifer. Naturally, this year was no different. But some things have changed. We still go to my parents on Christmas. But we don’t have a big meal anymore. Mom is not able to cook and serve the meal any longer. Cyndy and I take the Thanksgiving dinner to them – just dropping off food for them and visiting a short while.

On Christmas day Mom and Dad buy snack trays and deli sandwiches. Cyndy, Conner, Cameron, J.D. and myself – often in more than one car – meet Jennifer, her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Kelley, at the grandparents house. This year, Chris’ daughter, Katherine, was able to join us. Rather than have the meal (usually brunch), we go straight to the gift exchange.

Then we all get our stockings from the grandparents, snack a while, and visit. Visiting is the most important part. It is the part that does not and should not change. The people may change slightly from year to year due to life’s circumstances. But the family fellowship does not change.

Our family is one that gets what they need throughout the year. We give gifts to each other all year. Christmas is not about the gifts. It is about celebrating Christ’s birth. And it is also about family – in all it’s facets.

But the one constant between Christmas and New Year’s in our family is the presence of Texas Nibbles. The mix goes quickly around Christmas and then slows down to a steady rate of consumption. The salty after the sweet. Just grab a little and go kind of thing.

I don’t know what Cyndy and I will be watching tonight while waiting on midnight. But I can tell you what we won’t be watching – the countdowns to midnight. I can, however, tell you one thing for certain. We will be eating Texas Nibbles from the bag I have stashed.

Happy New Year! Peace be with you!

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Caroling to Sunday School Classes and Birthday Party for Jesus

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December 21, 2015

Caroling 4A week ago yesterday, I accompanied the children, and my granddaughter Kelley, as they went to the youth and adult Sunday school classes and sang Christmas carols at Christ United Methodist Church. After gathering, and coloring with crayons, the children left the gym and headed upstairs. We gathered in the hall of the youth wing above the gym. The children sang a couple of Christmas carols as the youth and leaders came out of their classrooms to listen and join along.

Then the children went to each adult Sunday school class. After entering each class they sang  one  carol and Caroling 1then filed out singing a second song. Many of the adults sang along. The glow on their faces at times rivaled that on the children’s faces. When the children had visited all of the Sunday schools, they headed for the gym. In the gym, the children sat at tables, colored pictures, and talked as the leaders served Jesus’ birthday cake to each table. They also had water or juice to drink.

As the Sunday school time came to a close and parents began picking up the children, one thing was clear. With seeing St. Nick the morning before, and putting on the Christmas Cafe musical the evening before, going caroling, and celebrating Jesus’ birthday, the children definitely had a good head start on the spirit of Christmas. Their eyes displayed the tired joy of celebration (albeit with sugar rush). And the best part of it? Christmas is yet to come!

Peace be with you.    Birthday party for Jesus

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Christmas with St. Nick

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December 18, 2015

St. Nick's entrance

St. Nick’s entrance

Every year, for a number of years now, due to the efforts of Debbie Darland, her family, and volunteers, St. Nick/Santa has arrived at Christ UMC in Farmers Branch on a Saturday in December. This year it was December 12th. As Santa was still making his way there, the morning began with a sing-a-long led by Youth Director David Magallanes with Jaime Boenig and Jack Texada.

After the sing-a-long, Debbie announced that Mrs. Claus was sick and would not read the Christmas story this year. And since Santa was “still stuck in traffic,” Katheryn Taylor would read to the children. Which she did, quite well. Since she helps with the children on a regular basis, they were very receptive to her.

Then Santa arrived, preceded by a penguin. Why the penguin led him in is still a mystery. Since Mrs. Claus was ill did a penguin fill in? Why wasn’t an elf taking her place? Do people prefer penguins over elves? And why make us choose between elves and penguins anyway?

Regardless of the penguin/elf debate, Santa took his seat and began to call the children to him. Which Jamie Boenig, David Magallanes, Jack Texadasounds like someone else we know who is associated with Christmas. The children wanted to see Santa Claus. But they also spent time at the manger scene to the right of the stage, looking at baby Jesus.

A list was posted of the order in which the children would be called to see Santa. The families who were further down the list went to get breakfast so they could eat before their child/children’s names were called. Those at the first of the list would eat after talking to Santa and having their picture taken. Members of the Pathfinders Sunday school class cheerfully cooked and served the breakfast.

Rachel Meier and Carly ImthurnSanta finally made his way through all the children and headed on to the next stop. The youth helped to clean up the gym and the Pathfinders class cleaned the kitchen. The children headed home with their parents. Some of the children would be asleep before too long. But all left excited and happy. Thanks to Debbie Darland and family, the youth, Pathfinders class, and all other volunteers not named here for another successful Breakfast with St. Nick, with 80 children this year.

Peace be with you.

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Waiting on Anyone Who Walks Through the Door

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December 12, 2015

Misty and Buddy Misty and Buddy, waiting for the next person that comes through the door. Whoever it is, they plan to be first to know.

Misty and Buddy 2 Buddy’s ear picks up the signal of a photo opportunity.

Misty and Buddy 3
And the photo opportunity. Meanwhile, Misty, whose eye is actually open, gave a look that said, “Let the little prick do it, I’m too old to give a damn.”

Peace be with you.

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Another Entry in the Small World Category

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December 11, 2015

Marie, D.B. (Daniel), and Mary Lou

Marie, D.B. (Daniel), and Mary Lou

I stopped at Office Depot to pick up the programs for the Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest Awards Ceremony Tuesday afternoon. After getting the programs, I went to buy a bottle of water from the other clerk because I left my bottle at the house. The price tags on the different waters were not clear. I took a couple of different waters to the counter and ask what the prices were. He checked and I put the one back I didn’t want.

When I handed him my card, he looked at the name.

“Daniel Roark, I knew a Daniel Roark once.”

“Well, we’re probably related.” There are a quite a few Roarks in the area and the state.

He kept running the card and finishing the transaction. His name tag said Richy, but no last name.

“That was a long time ago,” he was saying under his breath, “Levitz Furniture.” He shook his head.

I perked up. “Did you say Levitz Furniture?”

“Yes.”

“That was my uncle!”

“Really?

I nodded yes.

“What would that make him now, 100?”

“Close to.”

“Well, then.” And he shook my hand.

I smiled, and thanked him. As I was leaving, I made a mental note to call Dad. He would love the story. I knew my uncle as D. B. Roark. Which he went by, like my grandfather. Which is also why I didn’t put it together until Richy mentioned Levitz.

The huge Levitz Furniture showroom was west of I-35 just north of the Continental exit – where the SoftLayer company is now – at, approximately, 1329 N Stemmons Fwy . And, yes, it was a long time ago. I remember going there with my parents to shop for furniture one time. It was a cavernous store. I’ve never seen as many bedroom suites again in my life. They seemed to go on forever. And being a huge warehouse /showroom, the lighting was not all that bright.

That was one of the few times I saw D. B. before I was in high school. D. B. was an entrepreneur of sorts. Until I was in high school, there were periods when we didn’t talk about D.B. and Mary Lou. Particularly when we were at Aunt Marie’s or Aunt Juanita’s houses. Mom just told me not to ask. Then, in high school, they started coming to family events again. Which they continued to do.

When we went to Levitz that day, the first salesman we ran into went to tell D. B. we were there. While D. B. was showing us furniture, we met a few more employees. I was just following my Dad, Mom, and D. B. around, not at all interested. I was a teenage boy and it was furniture, for God’s sake. Nothing in the experience led me to believe, or even imagine, that 40+ years later I would run into a Levitz ex-employee at an Office Depot in Addison.

Even better, what are the odds that Richy was one of the employees I met that day?

Peace be with you.

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Aunt Marie’s 95th Birthday Party

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December 4, 2015

seated l-r: Kelley, Marie, Martha, and Mom, standing (in green), Cyndy

seated l-r: Kelley, Marie, Martha, and Mom, standing (in green), Cyndy

A while back, I wrote about my family having to move my Aunt Marie to assisted living and my receiving her Hammond organ that she and I would play when I was in high school. Her birthday party on Sunday, November 29, was the first time I had seen Marie since she moved into Brookdale. My parents, daughter, Jennifer, and granddaughter, Kelley, met us there. Dad met Cyndy and I in the lobby and took us back.

When we approached the door to the wing, I looked up at the sign at the side of the door. It said, “Memory Care Neighborhood.” That was the first time I had seen the phrase and I thought it was perfect. And that was before I entered the neighborhood.

In my experience with senior living centers – which increases with the passing of time – in each area, there is one employee that the residents cling to, as it were. In the memory care neighborhood, it was Barbara. When she first began working there, she wore red shoes all the time. When she was not there, the residents would ask where the lady with the red shoes was.

There is a reason for that. She was the “mayor” of the neighborhood. She helped our

l-r: Mom, Barbara, Jennifer, and Kelley

l-r: Mom, Barbara, Jennifer, and Kelley

family get situated with Marie in a room where we could converse. Marie insisted that her best friend, Martha, be there. Marie seemed to be more grounded when Martha was with her. Martha is her constant anchor to the present. Regardless of how her memory might fail her, Martha was there. And if Martha was there, all was right with the world.

While we were talking to Marie, I was still unsure what to say. I kept constant eye contact, but we had little interaction. However, our eyes said plenty. There were flashes where I had no doubt she knew who I was (my red hair helped – she always liked my hair. It’s as long now as it was then, but not quite as red. When she would see me on holidays during high school and after, she would feel my hair after we hugged.).

Dad and Jennifer

Dad and Jennifer

Then there were times when her mind would drift. But Martha was there, so it was okay. Marie was happier than I have seen her for years, particularly since my uncle Pick passed away. This was the deliriously happy with life Marie that used to skip church and take Dennis and I to Six Flags – riding all the rides with us. The Marie that listened and watched carefully when I played my songs on family occasions.

After Jennifer and Kelley helped Barbara and the staff divvy up the cake for everyone in the neighborhood, we went into the dining room. Dad helped scoop the ice cream to go with the cake. Jennifer helped serve. We all had a nice visit and party. Our family interacted with several residents. Of course the writer in me didn’t miss much.

Cyndy and I hugged Marie good-bye, as did the rest of the family, and we left after thanking Barbara for her help and dedication to the residents. She said that was where God led her to be. We told her that her dedication illustrated her faith.

Marie had a wonderful birthday – with family, if only briefly in recognition. She was with her best friend, Martha, and her neighbors. Barbara was there to take care of her. And God will take care of the rest.

Peace be with you.

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Colby Morgan and Janet Gordon Wedding

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November 19, 2015

12265942_1130941813597375_3354839115745609285_oI attended Colby and Janet’s wedding this past Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Sweet Basil Restaurant at Midway and Trinity Mills. Colby plays bass with me and I went to high school with Janet. If you have never been to a musician’s wedding, it is an interesting experience (not odd, just interesting). Particularly, at an Italian Restaurant. The ceremony, of course, did not begin at 5:30, but no one really expected it to.

While we waited, we mingled. Most of the conversation – other than the usual small talk in a room where not everyone knows everyone else – centered around our latest projects and recent and upcoming gigs. Then there was the musical small talk. I’ve never looked at a wedding as a networking opportunity, but in this instance, it came about naturally.

When the ceremony was about to begin, Colby and the groomsmen, along with Jimmy Wallace – who was 12027192_1130941793597377_1622934888352586682_o presiding over the wedding – stood at the “front” of the room. Janet’s bridesmaids – her sisters, Lisa and Dawn (who was in my class in high school), walked up the aisle separately. Then Janet walked up the aisle.

In the wedding picture is, from left to right: Rockin’ Robert T. Tomberlin, Jim Webb, Jimmy Wallace, Colby Morgan, Janet, Lisa, and Dawn Gordon. Jimmy did a fine job of presiding over the ceremony. The verses were both fitting and appropriate, as were the few jokes, and spontaneous comments from the audience. It certainly qualified as a beautiful wedding.

J.W. Hammett, Janet, and Colby Morgan. I took this with J.W.'s camera.

J.W. Hammett, Janet, and Colby Morgan. I took this with J.W.’s camera.

Most of the people stayed for dinner. Jimmy had to leave to do something before the Stratoblasters show at Tolbert’s Restaurant in Grapevine that night. One of the waiters seemed to get confused, so it took a bit longer to get served the entree after the salad or soup. The food, however, was very good.

I ate some of the dinner and then asked for a container and my dessert to go. I needed to deliver my granddaughter, Kelley’s, birthday present. From the amount of to go containers being passed out, I would shortly be followed by others. I gave my congratulations (again), my hugs, and good-byes, and headed out. Of course it was raining again when I stepped outside.

But the rain couldn’t dampen the occasion. It was a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends – old and new – to celebrate a coming together of two souls in love. Congratulations Colby and Janet!

Peace be with you.

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Small World, Schlotzsky’s, and Poor David’s Pub

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November 11, 2015

[Possible bonus points: 10]

On Monday nights, I usually play at Mr. Troll’s open mic at Poor David’s Pub. It’s the best listening room in town and Carlos Sanchez is the best sound man in town. Troll also let’s me talk about the Dallas Songwriters Association before my set. But the point is that I stop by Schlotzsky’s on the way because dinner usually isn’t ready when I leave. I go the location on Midway, just south of Spring Valley, before getting on the tollway.

I walked into Schlotzsky’s and stood back looking at the menu. The young man that has helped me out for the past several weeks (and seems like he’ll be there a while, unlike some) told the girl behind the cash register to treat me right because I was one of his best customers. She smiled, and he added that I would tell him if she didn’t treat me well. By this time, I was smiling, too.

I looked at the menu while she stood, patiently waiting. I considered having salad and perhaps soup as a pick two deal. Then I smiled and shook my head.

“I’ll just go for the same old thing. I thought about having a salad, but I have a show tonight and it’s hard to eat salad.”

“Show? What do you do?” she asked as she rang up my sandwich and chips.

“I’m a singer/songwriter.”

“Oh, really? Where do you play?”

“Well, I’m playing at an open mic at Poor David’s Pub tonight, but I play places around here quite a bit.”

While we were talking, I reached into my pocket for a business card.

“I have a friend,” she was saying, “he plays music and he moved…”

She stopped as she looked at my card. She looked at me kind of puzzled.

“Do you have a son?”

“Yes,” I answered, not bothering to add that I have three sons.

“Conner?”

“Yes, I’m Conner’s father.”

“Conner, that just moved to California?”

“Yes.”

“We’re Facebook friends. We have been since early in high school.”

“Tell him you saw me.”

“I will,” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Martha.”

“Dan.”

I waited for my sandwich, left, and headed for the tollway.

You get the 10 bonus points if you figured out that Conner was the friend she was about to tell me about when she read my card.

Peace be with you.

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The Surprise in the Shower

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November 5, 2015

BuddyOur oldest son, Conner, before he moved to California, was visiting with his band at the home of a band member’s sister. Her boyfriend had a puppy in the backyard – about ten weeks old. He was tethered by a short chain. His food and water bowls were overrun with ants. He was malnourished and you could see his bones through his skin. Conner told them he was taking the dog, who we now call Buddy.

I came home from a songwriter’s conference in Austin and opened the door to three dogs rather than the customary two – Misty and Lyra. We named him Buddy a few days later. After a couple of months of regular meals, exercise, and attention, he was almost twice the size he was before. His bones were no longer visible. He was happy having two older dogs to play with, before Conner took Lyra to California.

Buddy is the youngest puppy we have ever had. He is the only dog we could actually take places, like J. D.’s baseball games. He is like a shepherd/terrier mix and he doesn’t shed. But when we would take him to baseball games, he would play in his water dish. Invariably, he would dump the water out and lay in it. Cyndy would put more water in his dish and the process would start over.

He would also spill the water bowl on the back porch and play in the small plastic pool we had in the backyard (until he destroyed it). So we knew he liked water, we just were never sure to what extent. Neither Cyndy nor myself has ever had a dog that liked water. Except for rainy days, it wasn’t of major concern.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the shower in our bedroom upstairs. I was getting ready to wash my hair when I backed up and felt something move. I looked behind me and Buddy was in the tub with me, lapping up water. I hadn’t seen that one coming. I got him out, hoping he wouldn’t get too much of the carpet wet. Then I finished my shower.

It hasn’t occurred again – so far – but that doesn’t mean I don’t watch out for him. He can’t get up on mine and Cyndy’s bed, but he can get into a slippery tub. Go figure. He’s in that phase now where he is growing all the time, but still thinks he’s a little puppy.

Misty is eight years old (our years). She tolerates him. I think sometimes she enjoys his trying to annoy her. And they like to play tug of war. In some ways it seems like Buddy is “keeping Misty young” – to a degree.

Best of all, though, Buddy is content and happy. At least as long as he gets to lick everything. That’s how he says hi and shows affection. Your pants, shoe, belt, shirt, any exposed skin, whatever – as long as he licks you. There are times when he suddenly runs around the house from person to person, all excited, jumping and licking. The look on his face seems to me to say:

“A house to explore, a big backyard to dig in, a pal to play with, and people to pet me and that I can lick – this is freakin’ cool!”

Peace be with you.

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The Hammond Organ

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September 30, 2015

Hammond Organ

Cyndy and I went over to my Aunt Marie’s house a couple of weeks ago to help Dad take care of her possessions. Dad told us that anything we wanted for sentimental reasons and were going to keep, we could have. There was nothing I could think of that I actually wanted. I knew there were a few types of things I would like to keep just because they were hers. But I knew I would “know it when I see it.”

After my father first told me we were going to have to move Marie to an assisted living facility, I began thinking about the past – see previous post. When I was in junior high (not middle school – just saying) and high school, we would alternate between our house, Marie and Pick’s, or Jack and Juanita’s. When we were at Marie and Pick’s, it wasn’t long before I would start messing with her organ. She would come over and sit by me and help me play something that didn’t sound like zoo animals on the warpath.

But I thought the organ was really cool. The adults would be having a conversation that I was not invited to join. I would just sit at the organ and move the slides around and step on the pedals like I knew what I was doing. When Marie had the chance, she would slide onto the bench beside me and teach me a little something about playing the organ – before having to return to hostess duties.

Cyndy and I arrived at Marie’s where Dad was working to clear things out. We walked around the house. Some of the kitchen stuff we wanted. I spent time putting aside things we can sell online and make money for ourselves and the estate. Marie had so much that it was a little overwhelming.

I walked into another room and was rendered speechless. Against the wall was Marie’s Hammond organ.

“I’ll be damned,” I said out loud to myself, “she still has it.”

The organ is now in our living room. It needs a serious “tune-up,” as it were. I look forward to being able to play the organ (a little). Until then, I look forward to seeing her and playing my songs for her again – even though she may not recognize me.

Peace be with you.

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