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Girl Talk
On being Neenah
ARTESIA - You might have noticed that there was a beautiful baby girl born April Fool's Day who shares my name.
That's more than just a coincidence - she's my granddaughter! My third, to be exact! I distinctly remember telling my
son and his wife many, many years ago that they should WAIT to have kids - I was much too young, much too
irresponsible and MUCH too cute to be somebody's grandmother!!!
Well, I'm not as young now, I'm a little more responsible and I'm STILL exceedingly cute! But being a grandmother is a
whole different thing than I had originally imagined! First of all, the girls call me "Neenah" which does not conjure up
the image of a soft, slow, round... (oh wait... I AM soft, slow and round!!) matron baking cookies and talking about the
"old days" when milk came from cows and you made your own butter. Actually, my grandmothers weren't quite that
stereotypical, either and my mother is definitely the coolest granny EVER!
So, as I had the opportunity to ooohh and aaahhh over the precious little (if 9 pounds can be considered little!) bundle
of joy my handsome son and his gorgeous wife produced, I also had the opportunity to think and reflect on days gone
by. Would I want to be the one facing 2:00 a.m. feedings and diapers again? No way, Jose!!!! I'm glad it's them! And I
get all the benefits of being a grandmother - shopping for neat little outfits, searching for the perfect bedtime story (cuz
I'm the "book" Neenah) or just cuddling the sweetness until she cries or does something unpleasant - then I can give
her back to mom & dad!
So despite my initial fears on being a grandmother, frankly, it's the bomb!! Pretty babies all in a row to love and spoil -
how could I have ever been so silly as to think I would succumb to the stigma of being an old, grumpy granny? So far,
it's been fabulous! I'm looking forward to all the fun things ahead as Rainee grows into a little person - I wonder how
much like her sisters she will be and how much different - what characteristics will she have that remind me of her
dad or her uncles? Such a wondrous adventure.
The only negative in this whole scenario - I have to sleep with somebody's grandpa!!! ewwwwwwww!!!
Need something to do?
ARTESIA - How often do you hear that there's nothing to do in Artesia? If you're not already involved in your church or
school activities, it seems that there is, in fact, nothing to do. With a little effort and creative thinking, however, there
are so many things to do in Artesia and Eddy County that no one should ever be bored.
Board members usually are volunteers, appointed for a specific length of time, subject to repeat terms and the work
may make the difference in the success or lack thereof of an organization.
Habitat for Humanity is a good example. The Artesia Arts Council and Community Theatre, Grammy's House, the
Artesia Literacy Council and Artesia Clean and Beautiful all have volunteer boards. They also welcome willing
workers of all ages for any number of tasks.
There are seven, count 'em, folks! SEVEN volunteer fire departments in Northern Eddy County - Artesia, Atoka,
Cottonwood, Hope, Loco Hills, Riverside, Sun Country - all of whom work with and support the Artesia Fire
Department, all of whom are composed of volunteers age 18 and above.
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) program offers a wealth of opportunities for older (55 or better)
Artesians who have a wealth of experience to offer. Meals on Wheels also depends on volunteers.
Generally, volunteers are welcome at libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, animal shelters, schools, day care
programs (for preschool children as well as elderly adults), sports programs, national & state parks, and law
enforcement agencies.
Maybe an established local program isn't your bag, baby. Other state or national organizations might be a good place
to find information to start a local program or find your own passion and give of your time and talent to help a cause
important to you.
Each agency may have different requirements, needs or restrictions. For contact information or ideas, search the
Internet (Goodsearch.com is recommended) or email sylviah@artesianm.com. But please, don't tell me there's
NOTHING to do!
Phones in church - sent to my email
A man in Topeka , Kansas decided to write a book about
churches around the country. He started by flying to San
Francisco and started working east from there.
Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs
and making notes.
He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and
was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $ 10,000 a
minute"
Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the
sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in
fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the price he can
talk directly to GOD.
The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As
he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Dallas, St.
Louis, Chicago , Milwaukee , and around the United States ,
he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same
answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in New Mexico , upon entering a church
in Albuquerque , behold - he saw the usual golden
telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents."
Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have
been in cities all across the country and in each church I
have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a
direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the
other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign
reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"
The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in New
Mexico now ..... You're in God's Country, It's a local call"
Just for funny - not a true story...
A woman was walking down the street when she was
confronted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking
homeless woman who asked her for a couple of dollars for
dinner. The woman took out her bill fold, extracted ten
dollars and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy
some chocolate with it instead of dinner?"
"No, I had to stop chocolate years ago," the homeless
woman replied.
"Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?" the
woman asked.
"No, I don't waste time shopping," the homeless woman
said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."
"Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?"
the woman asked.
"Are you NUTS!" replied the homeless woman. "I haven't
had my hair done in 20 years!"
"Well," said the woman, "I'm not going to give you the
money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my
hubby and myself tonight."
The homeless woman was astounded."Won't your hubby
be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I
probably smell pretty disgusting."
The woman replied, "That's okay. It's important for him to
see what a woman looks like after she has given up
shopping, hair appointments, and chocolate."
THE EDITOR'S PICKS
Touristy things are usually not on my agenda. However, last
week while in Clovis on city business, we had the
opportunity to tour the Norman Petty Recording Studio,
home of the Norman Petty Trio/Combo and a major factor in
the short but vibrant career of rock 'n' roll legend, Buddy
Holly.
Growing up in Clovis, I have probably passed the studio
thousands of times, but other than an elementary school
field trip (which I cannot honestly say I remember), I have
never visited there, despite the fact that I am a musician,
that I knew a little of the history (i.e., that Buddy Holly records
there), that I am a fan of Holly's music, as well as of Roy
Orbison and Waylon Jennings, who also recorded there.
Kenneth Broad of Portales worked with Petty and continued
after Petty died in 1984. At that time, he agreed to assist
Petty's widow, Vi, for one year. Nearly a quarter of a century
later, Broad is still devoted to the studio, conducting tours
(by appointment - see web link above), maintaining the
facility and bringing his personal anecdotes and memories
to life.
In addition to a display of Petty's records and sheet music,
the studio boasts the original microphones, sound
equipment and instruments used to create the sounds of
legends.
So, should you find yourself with plans to head to Clovis,
whether to shop at Joe's Boot Shop or attend an event at the
Community College, plan ahead and call Ken at
505.356.6422 and visit the studio.
Did you know that Norman Petty was co-writer on several of
Holly's big hits? I didn't! and you probably didn't know that I
was almost named Peggy Sue!
Gunther's Edelweiss
From time to time, we venture out of town usually on
business, occasionally for pleasure. Like many families,
our OOT rule is to find some place to eat that is not a
franchise we have at home. For Artesians, this is usually
not too difficult! A couple of years back, we happened to be
in El Paso and saw a quaint little restaurant called
Gunther's Edelweiss. We decided to try it and were
absolutely delighted!! At that time, they had a polka band
that played on Saturday night - now they have a DJ who
specializes in polka, German & party music. But the fun
was just the beginning... the ambiance is charming, the
food was wonderful and contrary to the reviews I've read, the
prices were not that bad! The service, however, was
fabulous! Our server was the same one we had the first
time we visited and it is likely she has been there several
years. Gunther's mother is a regular, as are an adorable
little couple with whom we have visited every time we've
been. Fred is 88 and Louise is 92, but that doesn't keep
them from showing up every Saturday night, barring other
social appointments, and taking their place on the small
floor to dance.
It's definitely an experience in family dining, with authentic
German food (not cuisine - we are talking FOOD here!),
rousing polkas sung in German, The Burger Dance, The
Chicken Dance and even Schnappi for the kids! We had
different schnitzels (I had Southwest last time, which seems
a little odd, but an interesting use of green chiles in German
food), a couple of imported beers (we stayed at the Motel 6
and walked over), shared a dessert and left a 30%
(well-deserved) tip - right around $60.00 for two. Skip the
dessert, stay with the tea and don't overtip, you're looking at
less than $20.00 a person. You will NOT go away hungry.
Anyway, you can google Gunther's Edelweiss to read other
reviews - they do not have their own website that I could
find- and consider dropping in the next time you're in El
Paso!
Gunther's Edelweiss Restaurant
11055 Gateway West
El Paso, TX 79935
Phone (915) 592-1084
Hours of Operation:
Mon Closed, Tue-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 12noon-9pm
AutoZone
To make a long story short (which I rarely do), not being
young, cute, little and blonde, I felt a bit stranded in trying to
unlock the locking gas cap on my son's car, and no one
came to my rescue. Being used to being left to my own
devices and resources, I went to the AutoZone on North
Main Street, hoping that someone there could take the
blasted thing off of the car and sell me a new, non-locking
gas cap. Jeremy Valenzuela was very understanding
(i.e., he did not laugh at me) but was unable to get the damn
thing off either! His manager, a pleasant young woman
whose name, regrettably, I did not get, came out and fiddled
with it a few minutes, figured it out and taught both Jeremy
and me how to unlock and remove it! I did not buy a new
gas cap... but I certainly plan to take my future automotive
parts business to AutoZone. Customer service is
something I have long believed is an art and should be the
usual rather than the exception. However, in many cases, it
has fallen by the wayside. For me, in a moment of distress,
that "extra mile" (which I believe is SOP for the Artesia store)
will, in the long run, garner them much more than the sale
of a gas cap.
Thanks, AutoZone, for not leaving me stranded, and for
being the first Editor's Pick.
GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush
your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always
catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge..mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its
ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber,
not the toy.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can
get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do
while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from
a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody
bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes
alone.
SUCCESS:
At age 4 success is . ... . not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 17 success is . ... having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is . ... having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . having friends.
At age 80 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
Pass this on to someone who could use a laugh.
Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way;
BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.
Have a wonderful day with many *smiles* !
Take the time to live!!! Life is too short; dance naked!
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