Side Trip

Friday – August 22, 2008

Side Trip – Riverbend – Cincinnati, Ohio

Here we go – on the road again. This time we took a side trip to Cincinnati before heading north to David and Jeni’s in Hillsdale, Michigan. I know what most of you are thinking – they’re finally going to a Reds’ baseball game – wrong! Right now with them getting rid of Ken Griffey, Jr. and Adam Dunn, who they have playing now is anyone’s guess – but there is always next year!

Okay, if we didn’t go to see the Reds, or to King’s Island then why go to Cincinnati? We went to be part of the 6,000 plus fans of Bob Dylan to watch this icon from the music world. Bob Dylan has been one of Bill’s favorite singer/writer since the 60’s. To tell you the truth, I had no clue as to who Bob Dylan was when Bill and I first got married. I was country when country wasn’t cool! (Sounds like a line from a Barbara Mandrel song.) According to the experts in the field of music (and Bill), Bob Dylan is one of the best artist and has been for over 40 years. As far as his singing goes, well, some may say that he can’t “sing a lick”! He actually sounded good during this concert. I was disappointed in that he didn’t sing “Froggy Went a Courtin’!” Another song he didn’t sing was “Blowin’ in the Wind” which is one I’m sure we all have heard at sometime during our life. It wasn’t until recently that I found out he wrote that song – but we all probably remember that Peter, Paul, and Mary sang this song and it was a number one hit!

Now some of these 6,000 were dressed as if they were still in the 60’s!!! We saw a wide display of dress. Men and women in their 60’s (grandparents no less) were in outfits that had to have come off a rack from a dressing studio marked for the 60’s. Men with long hair which had turned gray and women with outfits that was indescribable. I can’t even imagine my parents or grandparents going to a concert dressing as these people did! These folks came to have a good time – and a good time did they have. We stood for the entire concert – and some of these folks swayed, jumped, and moved with the music for the entire two hours. Every now and then we got a whiff of “natural herbs”!

Bob Dylan played the keyboard for all the songs and at times he brought out his harmonica to play. Apparently his harmonica is like a signature piece for him. We had a side view of him the entire evening with an occasional straight on look and a smile on his face. His left side must be his best profile because that was what the audience saw. They turned the lights down after every song – some of his band would change instruments – we counted at least 15 different string instruments on the stage before the concert started. He had a five person band and they were fantastic. From our seats (Row 2; seats 5 and 6; center stage) we could see all that was taking place on the stage – with the lights on or off. We could even feel the cool mist they created by using dry ice and water. It was a humid evening and the performers all wore a dark suit with a hat. Sweat was rolling off them as if someone had poured a glass of water over their heads!

Dylan started the concert off by singing “Cat’s in the Well,” “The Times are a Changin’,” with “I Believe in You,” and “Like a Rolling Stone” toward the end of the set list. Bill had been looking at previous set lists posted on the internet to see if he could figure out what we might hear. He was so sure we would get to hear “Blowin’ in the Wind”, but alas, we did not! The one song that seemed to be a really big hit with the crowd was when he started singing “Just Like a Woman.” This song I did recognize because Bill does on occasion allow me to listen to his music when in the car – captivated audience! I change the wording to “Just Like a MAN!”
One last note about the concert deals with our departure from the concert sight towards our car. Bill had ordered “Bob Dylan” shirts for us to wear to the concert. Little did I know that when you wore a tied-dyed shirt you were considered a “head.” Clueless me had to ask Bill what the man who had sold us a couple of posters meant when he said, “Hey man, your are heads just like me!” Okay, I have a head; Bill has a head; and this guy had a head – so what’s the deal. Bill told me that was slang for someone who smoked pot during the 60’s. Well, that certainly was not me!!!! Bill said he may have looked the part in the 60’s but that wasn’t him either!!!! I’m not sure I will wear that shirt out of the house! I liked the color of my shirt, sooooooo we’ll see if I do wear it away from the house!

This was a very good concert which was given good reviews by the Cincinnati papers. Bob Dylan truly put on a great concert. The pictures I am going to post were pictures I had to sneak and take. The security man would come by and say “no picture” and shake his finger as saying “no, no” at anyone trying to take a picture! Thus this is the reason most of the pictures are blurry – I was trying to hurry and moved before I should have! The quality of the pictures are not the best, but we know what they represent – a good evening in Cincinnati listening to a great concert and with the best company possible –each other!

A word for all who read this – do what you can with those you love today, because tomorrow may be too late. Tell them you love them every day! Enjoy each other’s company. Never say or do things that causes hurt feelings and then not apologize. Try to be mindful of others feelings and way of thinking – just because you don’t think the same as they do does not always mean they are wrong and you are right! These is not just for husband and wives, but include your children, grandchildren, extended family members, neighbors, and friends. We love you all!!!!! And yes, for all who have lost a loved one and you are wondering if they truly knew how much they were loved – I believe with all my heart – they know!!!!!!

A Simple Prayer Just for You

I received an e-mail that had this prayer and would like to share it with all of you because it says it all!

Father,
God bless all my friends and loved ones in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

My prayer:

Father,
I would also like to say thank You for all that YOU have done and given us, for without You, we are nothing. You do know our every need and will always be there for us - thank you for sending your son - Jesus Christ - to save us from our sins. Please be with those who are grieving that they may feel that peace and calm that their loved ones are with You. Help us all to be more understanding of our family, friends, and neighbors. We are a vessel that can be a witness for you and the power of your love, forgiveness, and understanding. Help us to remember that "love is patient and love is kind." Please be with all who may be in harm's way. You know who they are and where they are every moment. Please remember those not feeling well for whatever the reason. Comfort them and guide them to a healthier feeling. Help us to erase all hurt feelings and feel the joy when we forgive as You have forgiven us. You are truly a wonderful, caring, forgiving, and loving God. We ask that you guide and protect us all as we go about another day. In your loving name. Amen.

We're back

Just a quick note to let all who read this that Bill and I are back from a nice visit with David, Jeni, and Molly. While there, Jeni became an "aunt" again. Her sister Ruthie had Riley James around 2:00 this morning. Mother, Baby, and the rest of the family are doing well. All are anxious to have their turn to hold him. We are all thankful all are doing well.
Once we have rested, we will share some notes on what we have been doing since last week; where we have been; and even share some pictures! We did have a side trip to Cincinnati - not a Reds game but to see Bob Dylan in concert. More on that will come later!
We pray that all who read this blog are doing well. Until later - All our love and prayers.

Toby

Tuesday - August 19, 2008

Bill and I took Toby in for a check-up today. Bless his heart - he is in pain from arthritis in his hips, back, elbows, and knees - just like a person. We were told he was very tolerant of the pain, and that he was more than likely in pain all the time. We had noticed his hesitancy in jumping up and down off the couch, chair, bed, etc. Dr. Brown said this was probably because of his pain. We have “puppy pills” that have been prescribed to give him when needed. Apparently he needs them more often than we thought. New schedule has us giving him ¼ pill daily for a week - then we start him on ½ pill. This will give us an idea as to which one really helps him and gives him relief from the pain more consistently.

Those of you who are family and friends know that we love Toby very much and he a very important member of our family. Yes, he is “just a dog”, but he has been our friend and baby for almost twelve years. He has given us unconditional love with only a pat, a walk, a new bone, or a treat being his reward. He is a happy “baby.”

He is also going blind. His right eye has very little vision due to a skin graft he had to have about three summers ago. His left eye has a cataract coming on it (actually the right eye has one coming on as well). We are using an eye drop in his left eye to help keep the cataract from completely taking away all of his sight! We try to keep the path clear for him and not change the placement of anything - he is so familiar with the house. When something has been placed in the floor and he happens to catch glimpse of it - he is startled, almost afraid. He jumps back, sniffs, and decides if he needs to turn around and go back in the opposite direction.

Toby is our little buddy who likes a lap; to go outside and then back inside a dozen times a day; and to stretch out beside his “mommy” to take a nap! (Dad’s CPAP machine and/or snoring makes toooo much noise!)

Hope you enjoy these pictures of our “baby.”

The pictures with Toby wearing the cone was when he had the skin graft placed over his right eyeball. He was so pitiful looking. we had to feed him in the beginning until we found the right kind of bowl and taught him how to work that cone around it. Bill even held his chew bone so he could take a few chews - that cone was in the way. He wore it for about three months - gave the eye time to heal - he wanted to rub it and scratch at it!

Today in Layne History

Sunday - August 17, 2007

4) Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7) It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.
8) Love never fails. . . . . . . . . .
13) . . . faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8; 13

This passage has always been special to us. I was at a Woman’s retreat at Parchment Valley near Ripley, WV when these verses were one of the topics discussed. This really tells us what love is all about - especially in our everyday lives. A little over a week ago this passage was discussed again - at John’s funeral. I did not know this was one of his favorite. We (the boys and I) grew up believing these things about love by watching our parents as living examples. Several years ago I even wrote a poem to Mom and Dad based on this scripture. I may share it with you all at a later date. Today is very special in the Layne family - it is the date our parents - Elmer J Layne and Relma Irene Whitman became husband and wife - 62 years ago today!! When Dad passed away on December 2, 2005, he and Mom had been married a little over 59 years. Mom always said - “to the same man!” We had a gathering of family and friends for their 50th anniversary. I asked Dad and Mom what they wanted - a nice dinner out at a restaurant or a gathering of family and friends at the house. He chose the house; Mom kind of liked the idea of eating out - all who know and love her knows she loves eating out!!

I would like to share a little family trivia with you about that day and the years leading up to their wedding as told by Dad and Mom through the years.

To begin with, Mom and Dad had known one another for years - her foster sister married Dad’s oldest brother (Aunt Junia and Uncle Son). Dad said they knew each other since he was in diapers - not really sure about that, but we always took Dad at his word! :):) As the years passed by and he would be visiting his older brother, Dad always said Mom would climb up in a pear tree at the corner of the porch where she grew up and watch for him!:):):) He also said she would whistle at him! Needless to say, Mom always said that didn’t happen!!!! Knowing Dad, he might have stretched the truth just a tad bit!

Dad also said the reason they ended up getting married was because after coming home from the war; losing his foot; and not able to run - Mom was able to catch him! Mom would always huff when this story was told! Again, Dad loved stretching the truth. What they both agreed to was that they knew each other for a long time!

When they decided to get married they went to the Logan County Court House to apply for their marriage license. Mom worked at the court house and could have gotten the license that day instead of waiting the mandatory three day wait. They chose not to take advantage of her position at the court house. Mom loves telling the story about when they were completing the paper work. The girl who was waiting on them asked Dad what the “J” stood for in his name. Without blinking an eye and with a straight face, Dad responded “Jesus” and never told the poor girl differently. His middle names is actually James!

On August 17, 1946, Mom and Dad were married. She said she wore a blue dress and a niece and her beau (who ended up becoming her husband) stood with them as their witnesses. They have been married about 60 years - Ruth and Claude Stinson. Ruth is the oldest daughter of Dad’s oldest brother and Mom’s foster sister. It was a long time before I figured out who was really Mom’s sisters and who were her foster sisters. We called them all “Aunt!”

Mom’s biological siblings included two sisters (Aunt Agnes and Aunt Olive) and three brothers (Uncle Tab, Uncle Tommy, and Uncle Bunk). Her foster family (all of whom were actually her first cousins) included one brother (Donald) and ten sisters (Nancy, Lilly, Junia, Florence, Vivian, Lucy, Keller, Ella, Frankie, and Ruby). Donald and Nancy died before we were born - but all the others we knew!

Dad’s siblings were not as complicated in figuring out who was who. He had three brothers (Uncle Son, Uncle Pak, and Uncle Pete). He also had three sisters (Aunt Hammy, Aunt Oma, and Aunt Dean).

I could have written their “official” names down, but we called them by the names I posted - a lot of nick names for most of them. Dad’s nickname was “Buck,” and Mom’s was “Pud.”
Through the years, Mom and Dad’s family grew by four - William A. Layne (September 2, 1947); John P Layne and Phyllis S Layne (January 22, 1950); and Michael D Layne (May 17, 1952). We all have great memories. Their love was patient and kind - sometimes it may not have been as patient as we would have liked because that’s when we would get in trouble! (I always said it was the boys fault - I was always as guilty but I’m not owning up to that with them around!)

This posting is to let Mom (and Dad) know how much they are loved and how much we appreciate what they did for us. The pictures I’m posting will take you through the years with Mom and Dad.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
“Ditto” John!

Relma Irene Whitman(Mom) and Elmer J Layne(Dad)

Mom and Dad (early 1940's)

Mom's siblings, their spouses and her father - Allen Whitman; Dad, his siblings, and parents - William J Layne and Virginia Belle(Davidson) Layne

Mom and Dad (1946); Mom and Dad (1988)

Mom and Dad: 1970 and 1971

Mom and Dad: 1970 (?) and then after 1991 (Dad's wearing suspenders - after open heart surgery)

Mom and Dad: 1991 and about 1996

Mom and Dad: 1969 and 1996 (and their crew of four!)