Now that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are memories for 2017, I wish to turn the tables a bit and acknowledge those of us who are not Mothers or Fathers. Sometimes society seems to ostracize those of us who are childless – excluding us from certain conversations or activities involving children. Well, as the Indian prayer goes: “Help me never to judge another until I have walked a mile in his moccasins.” Recently, during a Town Board meeting of all things, a comment was made implying that I could not vote impartially because of my lack of family. As if having – or not having – children was a prerequisite for common sense and an indicator of my personal compassion and motivation.
The last time I checked, no one has been in my moccasins but me! If someone had been, they would have known that I am childless because of two miscarriages. Not abortions, mind you, but miscarriages. In other words, God did not choose me to be a parent.
On October 1, 1991 while on one of my mission trips to Haiti, being childless was a burden I was carrying. At least until the Lord directed me to Isaiah 54:1 which states “Sing, O barren women, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. It was on that church bus in the middle of Haiti surrounded by the poverty and devastation that is life there that I realized that God has given me children – although they may not be my biological offspring, I can still love, nurture and help educate those of others.
Before I climb down from my soapbox, I have a prayer request: on Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, please include in your thoughts and prayers those parents who have lost their beloved children. I have one friend in mind who struggles daily with the suicide of a precious daughter. These holidays are so very painful to those parents mourning the loss of their cherished babies.
Nine of us Red HOT Hatters ventured to Seymour IN last Wednesday and had a wonderful luncheon at Batar’s Cafe. The food was tremendous and I’m still drooling over the orange lemonade and the raspberry chocolate cake. In addition to their restaurant, there is a retail area and a Sweet Shop. Our girls ate, shopped and then roamed the gardens. Organizing the trip was Joyce Johnson’s idea and very grateful that she did so were: Charlene Goff, Jan Bixler, Dottie Keeton, Mary Christiani, Stasia Wiseman, Peggy Higgins, Mika King and Kay Cook.
Attention: Bobbi Scott! Bobbi and anyone else interested in becoming a Red HOT Hatter, you are welcome to join us!! Part of all of our Red Hat meetings is a voluntary gift exchange. Gifts should be wrapped or bagged and be valued at approximately $10-$20 and can run the whole gamut of serious and silly to curious or bizarre. Although we have been affiliated with the Red Hat Society since March 19, 2012, our only three requirements for membership are: 1) enjoy a good meal, 2) have fun and 3) make new friends! Hats are optional. Some of us wear ribbons, bows or flowers in our hair and others go all out with wide brimmed hats with feathers and even ball caps with sequins. Not even everyone wears red and purple. If you are 50 years young or older, you are welcome to come and join in our festivities. If you are under 50, you are welcome to come as a designated “Pink Hat” with all of the same privileges. We normally meet once a month, either on a Monday or Wednesday at 11am. If you are interested or have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Kay Cook at 812-594-2281. We would love to have you join us – with or without a red hat!
Our next Red HOT Hatters meetings are scheduled as follows:
Wed., July 12 11AM Roxano’s, Vevay
Mon., Aug. 15 11AM Crossroads, Versailles
Wed., Sept. 13 ‘Beef N Boards’ Dinner Theater, Indianapolis
This will be the second year for the Red HOT Hatters to attend the “Beef N Boards Dinner Theater” and this time to see the musical production of West Side Story on Wednesday, September 13 for the 1pm matinée. The play will cost a total of $34.00 each and includes the buffet before as well as the production. Taxes and gratuities included. This will be an all day affair as the doors open at 11am, the buffet runs from 11:30am to 12:30pm with the production beginning at 1pm. There will be carpooling again this year and we will probably leave Vevay around 8:45 am. Everyone is invited! This event is open to the public! Husbands, boyfriends, etc. included! Call Kay Cook at 812-594-2281 for any additional information.
Saturday, Jan Bixler and Kay Cook ‘woman’ed the Red HOT Hatters booth in front of the Courthouse in Vevay. Thank you Ann Farnsley for putting us on your map! All monies will be donated to the Antoinette “Toni” Kniola Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation. Leftover goodies will be included in the Bargain Alley planned for Patriot on Friday, June 23 9am- 4pm and Saturday, June 24 9am to noon.
The Red HOT Hatters were set up beside David and Connie Christman Saturday so to no surprise, his parents Ron and Phyllis Christman dropped by for a visit. And I got to meet Dixie! Phyllis received Dixie for her birthday earlier in the month and she is the tiniest little pooch you have ever seen! Spunky, too! Good to meet some more of the family!
In the “Lessons Learned” category this week, not all lost dogs stay lost! Just ask Janice Hazeldean! Her little pooch Banjo came up missing from the Family Dollar in East Enterprise June 4. Her birthday was June 9 – still no Banjo. Fast forward to June 16 and Red Hog Pike and Jan found her missing critter! So happy for them both!
“Lesson Learned #2”: Plug in the window air conditioner before you spend two hours putting it in and find out it’s bite the dust over the winter!
This month’s Bargain Alley is planned for Patriot on Friday, June 23 9am – 4pm and Saturday, June 24 9am to noon. We utilize the alley that runs beside the Patriot Baptist Church. ALL are welcome to set up, buy, trade and sell! Multi-family event!
Thursday was a busy day for me as I staked out the Book Sale at the library and attended the County GOP meeting that night. I bought tons of books at the Library and hated to leave so many behind. Such bargains! As a participant in the Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, I am continuing to contribute one sentence from each book I read during this time (June 5 until July 15) and place it in a box at the Library. Everyone’s sentences are then to be submitted to the Writing Club who will make it into a story! How fun! And it’s free! Any book counts!
My favorite place to read now is my back yard, at night, under the blooming Mimosa tree and downwind of the Easter lilies. Heaven! I have tiger lilies that are eye level for me. The Two Terrible Twin Tomcats are celebrating their first birthday this week and love to share Mom’s nights out in the yard. Joining our little nighttime excursions is recently adopted Yoda, the 22 pound white Japanese Chin that I have been fostering since last year. He’s sporting a summer cut and seems to love it. His long full coat was just too much in this heat. Of course he very strongly resembles a polar bear cub now.
If you have a t-shirt from the Switzerland County Shelter Shuffle, check out the center of the first line of Platinum Level Sponsors! It’s the Red HOT Hatters, of course!
Red HOT Hatter June Lack is currently a patient of The Waters in Rising Sun and can have visitors. She will be celebrating her 82nd Birthday on Saturday, June 24. Cards are welcome and can be sent to her at JUNE LACK, 11317 Scotts Ridge, Rising Sun, IN 47040.
Prayers are still needed for Bill Levell and now Sharon, too, Wayne Dawson (Sandy’s husband), Tony Christiani and Ron Moenter.
No recipe this week, its to hot to cook!!
You may contact me several ways: by leaving a note of message inside the cat mailbox in front of 1995 Front Street in Patriot, or by calling my home at (812)594-2281 OR dropping me a note at P.O. Box #01, Patriot, IN 47038. In addition, contact Kay E. Cook on Facebook or online at PatriotNews1995@gmail.com. If you have anything for me to include in this article, please send it to me. Information can be received any day of the week but normally my deadline is Sunday at noon for that week’s issue of the paper. Any news received later will appear in the following week’s article. If you need something in on a particular date be sure and give it to me early. Thank you for sending me what you do every week – I couldn’t do this without you!