Who’s the best Pud ever? Gee, let me think! That would be, Pud, of course:) Today, Mr. Terry Christenberry turns another year young, and we’re happy to celebrate both in person, by phone, over FaceTime, and well, our handy blog.
Here’s to Terry. A wise and wonderful husband, father and step-father:
A proud and adoring grandfather:
An awesome and macho grill-master:
Pud. Have an amazing birthday today. We love you!
There are many things that are completely fabulous about living in California, and spending a Sunday afternoon listening to cajun music at Rancho Nicasio is definitely one of them! Last weekend, we had the pleasure of joining some of our favorite folks out at the ranch, listening to cajun/zydeco music out on the lawn and eating some delicious bbq. What a way to spend the day!
The two groups playing that day were Flambeau, with fiddler Tom Rigney, and Beausoleil, with fiddler Michael Doucet. Auntie tells me both of these gentlemen are two of the best, if not THE best fiddlers in the world. Lucky for me, I got to see them both for the first time on the very same stage!
It was a lovely afternoon, hopefully something we’ll get to do again in the very near future. Thank you to Auntie and Tio for extending my fabulous birthday celebration with this amazing outing! – MB:)
Okay, so my birthday wasn’t actually on a weekend, but seeing as I was born the day before a national holiday, I always count my birthday and Independence Day as my birthday “weekend.”
This year’s birthday was my first living away from Kansas City. The last two years I’ve spent my birthday focused on other things, so this year it was nice to spend the day relaxing and enjoying life. Jake had to work, but Auntie Carol and I went to lunch, did a little shopping, and went to see an ab-filled movie (I do love Channing Tatum, but could have done without the nearly X-rated content of the Magic Mike film).
Once Jake was off work, we all gathered for a birthday dinner and mini-celebration at Auntie and Tio’s house in San Rafael. Complete with what, you ask? A Tio cake, of course! That’s right folks, this year, for my first birthday as a Californian, I got my very own Tio cake. Apparently, he was nice to me for my first year. He’s been known to include things such as broccoli, electronics, and who knows what else. I got a spiced cake with licorice, and the only parts we couldn’t eat were the two mini-candle holders he used for my blue eyes.
After dinner, we watched fireworks from their deck. Then finished off the night with a game of Parcheesi. It was the perfect way to spend the day. I took this picture of the fireworks, which looks REALLY out of focus, but I thought it turned out fairly artistic.
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. It was a wonderful day. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see all of my amazing friends and family, but I miss all of you, and it was so great to hear from you. I hope you all enjoyed the 4th and are having a fabulous summer!
At 6:50 this morning I am off on a great adventure. My sister and I fly to Boston. We pick up our rental car there and have charmed three cousins to meet us in New York? In New York we plan to spend three days with cousins, searching for our roots. We have not been together as a group in more than 50 years. What a treat.
From the late 1700’s until the early 1900’s, 5 generations of our family lived in and around Norwich, Chenango County, NY. My great-grandfather, Horatio Lewis, and his brothers, Hiram and Harris, owned mills in the area. Here is a picture of their mill in Pharsalia, NY., before it was destroyed in a fire in the late 1880’s.
Tuesday morning we will drive to Norwich. Our agenda is to visit the Mt. Hope Cemetery to try to find the Lewis and Terry Family Plots, located in Section A. I thought it would be relatively simply until I learned that Section A is 10 acres. Well, we can only try! Since our family members were among the first people buried there, I am hoping we have a chance. Then on to the Guernsey Memorial Library and the Norwich Historical Society.
Wednesday we drive to Sherrill, NY, where my grandparents lived by 1912. Granddad was superintendent of silver-plating operations for Oneida Silver, back in the day when it was a power to be reckoned with in Oneida County. We plan to visit the family home on Willow Road, walk down to the school and the plant on the same road. Dad (on the right), his brother Dick (the baby) and Aunt Dot (on the left) were all raised in the house in Sherrill.
We will spend one night in rooms at the Mansion House, the home of a utopian community that eventually founded the silver company.
In the midst of indulging my family history adventures I hope to catch up on years of missed time with my cousins. Hopefully, we will see some wonderful places, share great memories and return home refreshed and armed with photographs for new posts.
Terry and I are pretty independent souls. Our work lives keep us busy during the day and our clubs, committees and boards take much of our spare time. But Fridays after work and Sunday mornings are our time. Virtually every Sunday morning you will find us in the car with our dog, Casey, with a destination in mind, preferably pet friendly. We combine breakfast with a drive through an area of the Kansas City metropolitan area that remains unexplored or, in this case, under-explored. This morning was no exception.
It is hot here. But Casey would not understand if we don’t include him in the morning explorations. That significantly limits the restaurants where we can eat to those that are dog friendly. He knows, really knows, the rhythm of our lives and which day of the week is for the three of us. Today Terry selected a restaurant on the North edge of the Crossroads District of Kansas City. I walked just a block to photograph this view of Kauffman, Webster House and the Bartle Hall pylons. 
Y & J’s Snack Shop is eclectic to say the least. Obviously a haunt for both young city dwellers and middle age professionals , I had never noticed it until this morning. But it was inexpensive, the food was good, and Casey was content. The staff even provided water for pets. 
The aesthetics of the so-called “snack bar” were minimalist at best. Tiny, with a kitchen smaller than my own, the cook served such standards as bacon and egg sandwiches, coffee and a variety of breads. The decor was not even shabby-chic, it was just shabby. The door was covered with stickers of various sorts. The tables and chairs were plastic and metal. Nothing really matched. But the environment was casual and accepting. Obviously, many patrons were regulars and felt right at home. Even for first timers it was a happy place to spend some time. 
We wandered the block or so surrounding Y & J’S, and were surprised by the variety of retail stores, coffee shops, businesses and an urban garden, all sharing adjoining spaces. I can’t even tell you the address, because street signs were few and far between. But one business had prominently displaced its address as 1818 something. It was a true urban experience made more satisfying because we know it is part of the rebirth of our central city.
Sanjay Gupta’s book Chasing Life, published in 2007, presents a compelling picture of the ways in which each of us can improve the quality of our lives by diet, significant exercise and other healthy life choices. Gupta’s focus is on “extending our healthy and active lives longer” while compressing the death process. He reminds us that chasing life means lowering our risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. He also guides us toward health habits that reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Much of the information in his book is information we really already know, even if we try to ignore it: a diet of junk food reduces the quality, if not the length, of our lives. Life decisions such as failing to wear seat belts and bicycle/motorcycle helmets increases the likelihood of serious injury and death. Tobacco kills. And we have all heard the statistics on obesity.
But if you go beyond the extremely obvious to the merely obvious, he has more to say. Meeting our daily requirement of vitamins, like vitamins A and C, magnesium, fiber C, really is essential. Fish is far healthier for us than beef. Supplements are not all created equal. Grain, is a great source of fiber. I love granola because it is high in fiber and includes healthy grains, nuts and olive oil. Meg likes to add dried fruit.
Not so obvious is that long-term reduction of our calorie intake, even if we are not overweight, has significant health benefits. It can extend our productive lives–helping us to avoid significant disease. In addition, regular exercise, walking, jogging, bicycling and stretching, is essential to remaining in good shape. Physical fitness increases our life spans, and at least as important, helps us to become biologically “younger” and happier.
There is so much more information included in Dr. Gupta’s book about aging and health. He even includes a section on the impact of happiness in encouraging long and healthy lives. I encourage you to study his book and adopt the life style he espouses. In keeping with healthy living, take a walk, play tennis, golf, or be like Meg and run miles every day.
Our family didn’t need Dr. Gupta to tell us about health. Our dad is the most health conscious person I know. He spent the last 97 years of his life avoiding alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, limiting his sugar, eating a healthy diet, , and exercising daily. At age 95, he was invited to throw the first pitch at a Kansas City Royal’s game.x He practiced his pitch before the big day and even got the ball to the plate, if not over it. Quite a testament for living a healthy life. Gee dad. Dr. Gupta would be proud of you.
For most of the rest of us, we need someone we admire to prod us along, encouraging to make healthy decisions in our lives. So, I encourage you tomorrow to take a walk or a run. As a reward for your efforts, have a healthy bowl of fruit, instead of ice cream and water instead of wine or beer. Not the way most of us spend our evenings. But a whole lot healthier.
Is this just a little too bland for your lifestyle? Do you need something more exciting than–water? How about a glass of 100 % grape juice. You can put it in your favorite wineglass and feel as festive as your friends.
Here’s to your health. Here’s to a long and happy life.
_________________________________________________________________________________xOn August 30, 2010, dad was invited to throw the first pitch at a Royal’s game. He is the oldest Eagle Scout an event honoring Eagle Scouts. He was the oldest Eagle Scout in the Kansas City area and was among those given a Kauffman lifetime achievement award. we all attribute his good health and longevity to the care with which he has lived his life.
I am grateful to the Independence Examiner for the photo of dad. He had lots of family in attendance and we have similar photos. But this one is better. I have no idea why it appears in “google” with an All-Star game logo at the bottom.
July 10, 2012: the American and National Leagues’ best players compete in the 83rd All Star Game, right here in Kansas City. If you live here, you just can’t avoid the excitement. Cowtown has always been in love with sport–and celebrations of all sorts. We also love to show off our city. The best of all worlds for us.
Kansas City is all spiffed up to look its best for the athletes, their wives, the fans and the tourists who have blessed our fair city with their presence, and their dollars. And everything is blue. Bright blue. Fountains on the Country Club Plaza, Barney Allis Plaza and at Crown Center spew out vivid blue water.
The last All Star game in Kansas City was in 1973. The National League won. 39 years later, we are ready to again host this spectacular event. In fact 3 days of special events are being scheduled throughout the Kansas City to Plaza corridor, all of the places that most symbolize our home town spirit. Well, and Kauffman Stadium, of course!
Hotels in and around Kansas City are full. Streets on the Plaza began to close by late afternoon Sunday in preparation for Tuesday’s parade. This giant baseball sits on Wornall Road, adjacent to Michael Kors, on the Plaza. It is directly on the route of the All star parade scheduled Tuesday afternoon.
Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers and Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants face each other as starting pitchers. Kansas City’s only home town player is Billy Butler. But every Royals fan will be rooting for him. Kauffman Stadium is all dressed up and ready to take center stage. There is so much energy in the air.
Kansas City takes great pride in showing off our wonderful city during the festivities. Not only are key intersections labeled with All Star regalia, even fire hydrants have been painted for the occasion, blue of course.
There are decorations on store windows, intersections and even a bit of whimsy on the lamp poles. As the day ends Monday, it is quiet on the Plaza. The entertainment tonight is at Kauffman Stadium.The game culminates tomorrow’s events.
Even the elegant Intercontinental Hotel has succumbed to baseball fever, and shares the frenzy for royal blue.
Take us out to the ballgame!
Hopefully, each of us has a charitable heart. Whether we support educational programs, the arts, disabled veterans, disaster relief, Native Americans, or (name your own favorite cause), we want our charitable moneys to be well spent. So, the question is, how do we make good decisions about our charitable contributions.
I took this photograph of my dog in an attempt at a little levity. But it is a significant matter. Charities and foundations solicit and receive millions of dollars a year from caring contributors like ourselves.
I could set up a charity, comply with the legal requirements and begin to solicit contributions for Kansas City dogs like Casey who have sustained minor injuries. I could pay myself a salary and an expense account and give nearly nothing for the care of injured animals. Would anyone contribute? I hope not, since organizations like Wayside Waifs do such a great job of caring–and finding forever homes–for dogs and cats like Casey. As evidenced by the fact that Casey is a product of that wonderful organization.
Over $300 billion dollars a years is contributed annually to U.S. charities. That is an amazing outpouring of generosity from individuals and corporations. As staggering as the amount of money, we can’t afford to have any of that money wasted. But it is likely that millions of our dollars fall through the cracks.
All of us have seen, heard or read the tragic stories of human or animal suffering accompanied by a request for money? I have received solicitations from charities enclosing pennies, dollar bills or a piece of a blanket, accompanied by a request for a contribution. More important, my 97 year old father has: over, and over, and over again. Often the same charity sends mailings on a weekly basis. Sometimes charities with different names, but the same return address, solicit contributions from unknowing but caring individuals–like my dad, who gives generously, but (sorry dad) not always cautiously. But seriously, why would any charity take my contribution and use my money to send pennies or dollars or trinkets to other potential donors?
Anderson Cooper recently did a special entitled Charity Cheats. He focused on investigations conducted through AC 360, his program, and research conducted by CNN’s Drew Griffin and David Fitzpatrick. He focused on charities and fundraising organizations that solicit and collect millions of dollars, but provide almost no funding for services. Primarily, Cooper focused on the high cost of building mailing lists, and the abuse of in-kind gifts to intended recipients of charitable dollars.
In addition to the abuses on which Anderson Cooper has focused his attention, there are also charities that pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries to key employees. A few have been targeted for having huge financial holdings, vast amounts of real estate and supporting elaborate lifestyles for their founders and employees. If these claims are true, how do we protect ourselves from the abuses addressed by Cooper, and others?
Before you open your checkbook to make a contribution to a charity about which you have little information, beware. Most organizations work hard to squeeze every penny out of the donations they receive. But a few, large and small, are very poor stewards of our money. So what to do? Find out about charities to which you wish to donate. Numerous watchdog agencies offer assistance in helping us spend our money carefully. Among them are The Philanthropic Advisory Service of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the American Institute for Philanthropy, GrantSmart, GuideStar, the National Charities Information Bureau and Charity Navigator. Their methodologies may differ, but they provide information not easily available from other sources.
For many of us, the adage to “put your money where your mouth is” may be the best advise. When we contribute our time and our money to the same organization, we significantly increase the chances that our money is well spent. When our goal is provide assistance outside of our own areas of knowledge, looking to the wisdom of experts on evaluating charities may be the best way to protect our contributions and those we seek to benefit.
The opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily represent the opinions of our families, our friends or our employers. Obviously, Anderson Cooper and the investigative reporters at CNN take seriously the issues in “Charity Cheats” and similar reports.
[1]Casey was obviously an unwilling model for my photo-shoot. Hard as I tried to get him to appear in distress, he was having none of it.
We were invited by friends to a special event at the American Restaurant in Crown Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. It is one of Kansas City’s finest restaurants.
Alas, not expecting any need or desire for a camera, it didn’t occur to me to drag along my Nikon. And I could barely squeeze a lipstick and iPhone in my fancy (meaning tiny) evening bag. I was facing the center of the restaurant. Terry was beside me and had been talking with our host. He suddenly pulled out his iPhone and took a photograph of the western sky. If Terry noticed the view, I knew I needed to turn around to see what he discovered. The sun had just set and there was still some light in the sky. But the buildings were ablaze with color. I dug out my own iPhone and took a series of photographs. Here they are.
This is the sky looking North West from Crown Center toward the Kauffman Performing Arts Center. Directly below us there was a nearly deserted street fair with a sky-walk that weaves through the center of the image.
With my iPhone camera already at work, I turned back to the center of the restaurant and refocused my attention on the pattern of lights in the ceiling.
Finally, I became that another window reflected the lights of the American Restaurant. When nearly all the residual light was gone, I took a final series of photographs.
Funny that a lot of wonderful shots are just waiting to be noticed.
Good morning, Meg. Happy July 3. Happy birthday. My wonderful daughter turns 29 years old today. She is lovely, full of spunk and energy. Meg loves taking on projects to make the world a better place and also to make her own world joyful.
[1] The Beetles
Shifting the Balance 