Shellseeking from the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast

Catching up...

2011-09-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

OK, I have been severely chastised for not keeping this site up better. Once I signed on to FaceBook and got connected to so many old friends, I have not taken the time to do all I was doing in the past. It has been a busy, busy year for all of us in Henley Harbor here on the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.

1. "Winds over Bolivar," my book about Hurricane Ike's impact on our beloved Bolivar Peninsula, was delivered on my birthday and it hit the road running. We have now conducted more than two dozen book signing events and we are have just placed our seventh order for printed books here at our house. Ted has done a wonderful job of getting them into many stores locally on the peninsula and in Galveston, for which we are grateful. If you have not ordered your copy, you can do so today by simply clicking on Amazon.com

2. Steven began his junior year of high school this year. Where could this time have gone? He and the band he formed when he moved to Texas from Tennessee, Seaweed, released their first CD two weeks ago after winning several local contests. They are very pleased with the response and how their musical careers are going.

3. Nikki, my youngest child, married Clint Jones on July 2, 2011, at his parents' camp in East Texas and she is happier than I have ever seen her to be. They fish (and catch some really good ones) often, and soon it will be hunting season. They live in Mauriceville, which is much nearer to me.

4. DeAnna, my oldest, still works for the airlines and she is active in the church Brent pastored here in Texas. DeAnna sings and teaches a high school girls' class and mothers Callie Grace, my soon to be 13-years-old granddaughter. Jeff continues his work at Motiva.

5. Brent and Valerie moved to Florida where Brent pastors a wonderful church there. They have four children: Quinn, Collin, Madeline, and Grant.

6. Ted has been quite ill for the past two weeks and this comes as a shock to all of us. He had never been hospitalized as a patient until this experience. He has been diagnosed with Sciatica in his hip, leg, and calf and two medicines he was given for that conflicted in a man his age and caused his bladder and kidneys to completely shut down. He was rushed back to the ER and had a procedure and now faces prostate surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

7. If all is well, we'll be heading to Georgia in early October for four different reunions, all at Unicoi State Park. The Forrest Hills Baptist Church Reunion will be October 1 in the Dogwood Banquet Room and we are excited about seeing old friends. We will host three family gatherings during the week, one for my Cole/Cannon/Long side of the family, one for the Stancil girls, including the ones from South Carolina, and one for friends, before my big Clarkston High School Class Reunion on October 7, 8, and 9. Good friends, good food, good fun and great fellowship.

8. A near hurricane seems to be brewing with one more forming behind this one, so pray we get lots of rain, but no real storm here on the coast.

9. I've been busy as a beaver and have a new book coming out in late September, "Morning Glories," also published by Amazon. This book has been in my heart and soul for many years and is a collection of quotes, inspirational pieces, articles I've written for the newspaper, Scripture, illustrations, and just fun, fun stuff. The reader can go through one a day for all 365 days of the year (and yes, there's an extra one for Leap Year) or read it straight through. I chose the name based on my memory of my Mama Cole's beautiful blue/lavender morning glories at the old white farm house in Georgia where I spent the first years of my life.

10. Much love to each of you and if you are on FaceBook, send me a friend request so we can keep up better with each other. If you are not on FaceBook, consider joining. It took a full year for DeAnna to convince me I should have a page there and I now love it since I have re-connected with so many old friends, family members and church family across the world.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Sorry - You must go to the Amazon site to get the page to open for you to read inside. Won't do it on this site.

Hot here in Texas

2010-08-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Today on August 4, 2010, here in Texas, we are told to protect all human and pet life and be careful to stay properly hydrated. It is to be somewhere in the triple digets this afternoon and I believe every word I hear about it. When I left the office to go to the post office, my car was so hot, I could barely touch the steering wheel or the seats.

One of my friends who is somewhat of a comedian said, "Last time she checked, it was hotter than the hinges of hell's doors." Don't want to ever know about that heat...

Lots of exciting things going on right now...

Brendan, Nikki's youngest son, is visiting for two weeks and we are so happy to have him here with us. He flew in on Saturday and we picked him up at Hobby. He will be here through the 24th. He and PaPa Ted have gone to the skateboard park today and to get haircuts.

Working every hour I am off on the new book, "Wind Over Bolivar," and it is coming along great now. Should be out by Thanksgiving if we can stay on course.

Also working on two reunions - one for my CHS graduating class - the big 50th - to be held at Lake Lanier Island Resort on October 1, 2, and 3, 2010. We are so excited to see everyone and we have four lake houses reserved plus rooms at the lodge. Butch and the Buckheads will play music of our era and it should be a lot of fun.

The second reunion is one that a dear old friend of mine, Jackie Vickery, and I have put together for old friends of Forrest Hills Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. We have tried to reach out to all those who might want to attend. That one is October 9, from 1-3, 2010, at the beautiful Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville. We have reserved the Gwinnett County Senior Citizens Center for this event and are urging all of our old and dear friends to come on out and join us for the fun afternoon.

And, Nehemiah's Vision, where I serve as Site Director for Galveston County, is gearing up for a huge building project. It is anticipated that we will employ 80 people in the construction industry in conjunction with Texas Workforce. Interviewing, handling orientation, getting drug screening, and assignments to job sites will be hectic for a while, but will yield some wonderful results for the people of the area. We are so excited to see the hope of our people getting back into permanent housing after almost two years of waiting.

Steven will begin 10th grade in a few more days - Goodness, where did this summer go? I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by lately. My mother will be dead two years on August 26, and Hurricane Ike hit the peninsula on September 13, 2008. WOW!

Take care until the next page turns,

Brenda

Busy, busy, busy

2010-07-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I have started back to work, yet again, after retiring three different times. I had been talking with James Hall, Executive Director of Nehemiah's Vision, for about four months, here on the Bolivar Peninsula, concerning this position and praying about it with Ted and Steven. The home office located in Vidor, Texas, but we expect to keep the Galveston County office up and running for some three years. James is from Georgia originally, too, and last worked there for Through the Bible Ministries, where my nephew worked for a long time.

Nehemiah's Vision is a faith-based, non-profit organization that was initially begun by a group of Christian builders in the Beaumont and Southeast Texas area shortly after Hurricane Rita. They wanted to help in the disaster and recovery effort, but could not be away from their own businesses for long periods of time. They incorporated and employeed crew chiefs and builders and enlisted the aid of volunteers from across America to come into a disaster area and help to rebuild homes and clear debris.

Their efforts have been blessed of God and many people who literally have fallen through the cracks were helped to get back into suitable living quarters. The volunteers are simply wonderful people who also have a desire to help where needed most. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them when they have come to Bolivar.

The organization needed someone who could help to write, do some marketing, publicity, case management, go out and meet the people, administer grants, keep records, and coordinate building efforts among many properties at one time. Living here on the peninsula and losing all we had to Hurricane Ike fitted me well to the task and I came on board full time on June 16.

It is so exciting to see a homeowner receive the keys to their newly refurbished home and know that they will no longer have to worry about where they'll be sleeping. God is good to this ministry.

I am also extrememly excited to be working on my class reunion planned for October 1, 2, and 3, at Lake Lanier Islands and Resort near Atlanta, Georgia. Many of my classmates from Clarkston High School's Class of 1960 (yes, I wrote that!) are going to be on hand and we have a fun weekend planned.

Following that weekend and while I am still in my home state of Georgia, several friends and I are planning a reunion of some of the old church family from Forrest Hills Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. More details to be forthcoming on this adventure. We are hoping for October 9 for this event.

Take care until the next page turns,
Brenda

Here we go again...

2010-06-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family members:

Life is so good and so much of an adventure if we simply let it be...

I have begun yet another new and excellent adventure in my life, and thus far, I am enjoying it very much.

Nehemiah's Vision is a non-profit, faith-based ministry operating here in Southeast Texas. Their mission and goal is to go into an area following a disaster regarding hurricane, tornado, fire, flood, or other, and help the people rebuild their lives and their homes. The ministry was created by a group of Christian builders in Southeast Texas following the devastation left in our area by Hurricane Rita. Since that time, it has grown and expanded and has several full time staff members.

James Hall serves as the executive director of the ministry, and guess what? He is from Georgia where he was on the staff of Through the Bible Ministries where my nephew worked. Jim asked me to come on board and help in the area of writing, publications, advertising, marketing and supervision of construction details in Galveston County. and particularly the Bolivar Peninsula, and work with his crews and the outstanding volunteer groups that come to us from across the state and around the country. Every person I have met on the staff of Nehemiah's Vision thus far is dedicated to his or her work, cares about the people they help, and are very diligent workers. Some homes are repaired through grant funding, while others are paid for by the homeowner. In some cases, it is strictly a volunteer effort.

Today, we have people working at 14 different sites across the peninsula doing debris removal, painting, sheetrocking, plumbing, roofing, wiring, putting down carpet, and many other tasks. I work closely with Thomas Raley, our building superintendent here on the peninsula, and thus far, we are doing great. Thomas likes it when I cook dinner and share with him. His home is over an over away and he often stays on the peninsula for four or five days straight. He is especially fond of Georgia recipe homemade chicken and dumplings and strawberry cobbler...

In my spare time, I keep up with my writing for three newspapers, the Yahoo Internet Group, Bolivar BLUE, work in my church, volunteer on the peninsula as needed, and am now busily planning our big 50th Anniversary of our High School Graduation from Clarkston High School in the Atlanta area. We will be meeting on October 1, 2, and 3 at Lake Lanier Islands and we are hearing from so many old and dear friends. We are very excited! And, Ted and I fish when we can get the boat in the water...

Steven completed ninth grade and is going to church camp next week at the East Texas Baptist Encampment in Newton, Texas. Many of his close friends are going on this exciting journey with him and I'm praying that God does a wonderful work in the hearts of all attendees. Summer camp can be a wonderful time for the Lord to work in a different environment and many of these boys and girls have lived on the peninsula following Ike and have adjusted to things being different in their young lives. Please pray for the workers and counselors, speakers, musicians, cooks, and managers during these exciting weeks of ministry.

Steven is also still very involved in his music and his little band, Seaweed, has been given several opportunities to play in the area. They opened our 25th Annual Crab Fest on Bolivar, played at a big Memorial Day gig at Laguna Harbor, and have done other smaller events. I had rather these kids be involved in making music than wondering around looking for something to do.

All of our grandchildren are growing so quickly now that it is somewhat frightening. Ted and I are well and happy here on the Gulf and feel that our lives are being used to help others.

God bless, and let's keep our eyes and ears open to those who need our help, love, and encouragement.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

The power of the tongue

2010-04-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Words Fitly Spoken…

The power of the tongue

By Brenda Cannon Henley

Senior Correspondent to The Examiner

Man, words are powerful things. They can bring joy, pain, laughter, tears, fun, sadness, comfort, unhappiness, and they can ruin a person’s reputation with just a few of them hurriedly strung together and shared. Words can also be uplifting, edifying, teaching, complementing, and godly, according to Scripture. A friend’s words are pleasant, but an enemy’s word can cut to the heart and soul of a person.

The tongue and its power is discussed broadly in the small Book of James. In only five chapters, we are given more truth than we can probably handle.

The Book of James was written in A. D. 45 to Christian Jews scattered from Jerusalem. The author was not the brother of John, according to scholars who know a lot more than I do about the matter. It was instead “James, the Lord’s brother,” according to Galatians 1:19 and mentioned again in Matthew 13:55, along with Jonas, Simon, and Judas or Jude who wrote the Book of Jude. James presided over the council at Jerusalem, according to Acts 15:2, 13-21.

The Book of James includes themes of faith versus works, the sin of the tongue, and healing in answer to prayer. A brief outline of the book could include: Chapter 1, 2 — Faith tested and proved by tribulation. 3 — The evil of an uncontrolled tongue. 4 — The rich are warned. 5 — Affliction, patience, payer of faith for healing. Wow, that’s a lot to cover in five short chapters.

I particularly like the passage in Chapter 2 where we learn we are not to have respect of persons because they are wealthy, wear bright, colorful clothing, or can help us. We are warned about becoming judges of one another and ignoring the less fortunate among us.

James 3:3 tells us that men put bits in the horses mouth to tame them and that ships are guided by small rudders, and yet, our tongues are very small parts of our bodies that can cause great disturbances. We learn that the tongue is like a fire and an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing and that should not be so. “Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”

Verse 16 teaches, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Our busy tongues fan the flames of gossip, cheap slander, untruths, and hurt. Chapter 4 teaches a vital truth to real Christianity. “Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw to you.” If we are diligently attempting in our daily walk to draw nigh unto God, we will have to be busy guarding those wagging tongues and keeping those “potty mouths” silent.

Going back to Chapter 1 of the Book of James, again we read in Verses 5 and 6, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth (does not scold one for asking) not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not vacillating). For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

In Sunday school classes the world over, pre-school boys and girls are taught to sing, “Oh, be careful, little mouth, what you say. Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see. Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go. Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do.” Might not be a bad song for all of us to sing again and mean it from the depths of our hearts.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788 or at brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com.

Bio sketch: Brenda Cannon Henley is semi-retired from The Examiner and makes her home on the Bolivar Peninsula on the beautiful Southeast Texas Gulf Coast. She has enjoyed a long career in writing and has many awards and testimonies to her professional career. Read more at Henley’s blog spot at brendacannonhenley.blogspot.com. If your church is having a planned event or special speaker, please let Henley know and she will cover as many as time permits.

2010-04-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Dancing with the stars...literally
By Brenda Cannon Henley
Senior Correspondent to The Examiner

This week's column is dedicated to the memory of Torchy Salter whose favorite parting to all was, "Wishing you the moon and stars." She's enjoying them now for herself.

Buzz Aldrin, famed space pioneer, is best perhaps known to this generation as a beginning contestant on this year's Dancing with the Stars TV show. At 80 years of age, this true-to-life legend is a role model for seniors to get out there and do it...and enjoy doing it.

Our school children know that forty years ago two human beings changed history on July 20, 1969 by walking on the surface of the moon. But what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more amazing, if only because so few people know about it.

Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months after his return, he wrote about it in Guidepost magazine. Others have told the story since that time, but it is still significant for all Christians to remember that this legend of our time thought it important to do.

Aldrin was a dedicated elder at a Presbyterian church in Texas during this period in his life, and knowing that he would soon be doing something unprecedented in human history, he felt he should mark the occasion somehow, and he asked his minister to help him. And so the minister consecrated a communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. Buzz Aldrin took them with him out of the earth's orbit and on to the surface of the moon.

He and Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement:

"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He then ended radio communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and he took communion. Here is his own account of what happened:

"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.

"Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.

"I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmastime. I agreed reluctantly."

Aldrin said that he ate the tiny host and swallowed the wine. "I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements."

And of course, it's interesting to think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon and Who, in the immortal words of Dante, is Himself the "love that moves the sun and other stars."

The Bible teaches us in Luke 22:19, "As oft as you do this, you do it in remembrance of Me." What a place to remember the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788 or at brendacannohenley@yahoo.com.

Well, hello out there...

2010-03-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

OK, Millie, I apologize again for being absent from this blog, but with FaceBook, email, Bolivar Blue, and the like, and living in a

whirlwind, I just forget from time to time. FaceBook is the main stream it seems right now with all of my friends and believe me, I have been busy.

Things are really looking up on the Bolivar Peninsula. As I type, I can hear hammers and saws and other re-building and repair noises in the background. A group of 110 kids and adults are at the church next door. This volunteer group is with Nehemiah's Vision, an international group that has wonderful people go to help folks wherever there is a need or where a disaster has struck. They do their labor on a volunteer basis and these folks are kind-hearted and caring as they paint, nail, sweep, put up heavy sheetrock, clear debris and do whatever is most needed.

My cousin, Dr. Alan Baughcum, was here in February with a large group from the Belmont, Massachusetts Religious Council, where he pastors. Ted and I had the joy of spending with these 39 volunteers who gave up spring break to come and work here. I spoke to the group on Sunday night giving them a firsthand report of what it is like to have your home and all that you own destroyed by a major hurricane. Sweet, sweet people with big hearts.

Steven is still making his music and takes advanced drum lessons in Port Neches weekly and plays with his band, Seaweed, here locally for the residents and friends who come in to visit. He will be completing ninth grade at High Island High School in just a few weeks and is looking for a summer job (that he thinks he wants).

Take care and be safe until the next page turns,

Brenda

(Pictured above are my cousin, Dr. Alan Baughcum, and his volunteer group from Belmont, Massachusetts on Crystal Beach in Texas.)

Happy New Year from the Bolivar Peninsula of Texas

2010-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

Ted and I trust that each of you had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year.

May God bless you in 2010 with health, happiness, enough income, something profitable and fun to do, and family members and friends to surround you and share your joys and trials.

Our weather is cool here on the peninsula and we heard last night that the forecasters are predicting the possibility of snow showers on Wednesday for us folks in Southeast Texas. How could that be? We are excited, of course, at the prospect and the kids think it is great.

For those of you who are keeping up, Ted and I, like so many of our neighbors and friends on Bolivar, are still waiting on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to settle on our claim so that we can begin to rebuild our home and our lives. God has blessed our family with a nice leased home in Crystal Beach, and we realize we are so much more fortunate than many who cannot get back to the peninsula because of not having a home. It is been a long nearly 16 months now to wait this out, but we are trying to be patient. We, like most, have filed lawsuits now to try to get our money that is fairly owed to us.

Another body (or the remains of a body) was positively identified on Friday. It was Harry Bingham, 61, of Crystal beach, and his daughter in New Jersey has now been told. The Laura Recovery Center in Houston confirmed that DNA evidence made the news official and even though Harry's body had been discovered on September 8, 2009, near Smith Point, it took this long to get the confirmation. For many families, Hurricane Ike is still very close to the heart and not over by a long shot although it is considered "old news" to many now.

I have personally asked God to help me be more gracious to all I meet, keep my mouth shut more often, and to try to help those I meet along the way with a genuine and sincere spirit.

Steven has enjoyed his break from school and will go back on Monday. His band, Seaweed, played on New Year's Eve, after much practice here in our home. He loves music and is doing well on both guitar and drums. Callie Grace is also a budding musician and is now back home in Texas after a visit to Georgia over Christmas. Both Brent and Nikki now live in or near St. Petersburg, Florida, very near the Gulf. Brent pastors the Community Bible Baptist Church and Nikki begins a new job on Monday. Please pray for both of them and their families. Brendan is a fine young man and growing like a weed.

May God bless you until the next page turns,

Brenda

"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear..."

2009-12-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

...couldn't be happening on Bolivar Peninsula lately.

Never have I ever seen such thick fog as last night riding the ferry home from Galveston. Literally could not see one car length ahead of me.

I've heard that old expression all my life, "It's like driving in pea soup," and I have now experienced it for myself. Without the white line on the right side of the road, I couldn't have known I was in the right place from the ferry landing to the house.

Wrapping Christmas gifts and listening to Christmas music. Does it get any better than this during this happy time of the year? Just received a basket of Christmas cards from friends and the older I get, the more I appreciate and enjoy them. Now, to display them somewhere in the house properly so all can enjoy them with me.

Merry Christmas, everyone, until the next page turns...

Happy Birthday to Me...

2009-12-13T15:02:00.001-08:00

OK, OK, so I know that the traditional "Happy Birthday to You" is not thought of as a Christmas song, but it should be since we celebrate the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this case, the Happy Birthday song was sung a bit early last night as four beach neighbors celebrated our December birthdays together in the lovely home of Warren and Pam Adams.

Terri Ward, a special friend to Steven, Warren Adams (host), myself, and Michael Likos, all share December birthdays just a few days apart, so last year, shortly after Hurricane Ike, we started a good tradition of planning our own birthday party since they are so hard to come by in the busy month of December. Everyone is tired of shopping, going to parties, and they have little money to spend on birthday gifts. It comes with being a December child, though unfair.

We had such fun with the birthday honorees, and Jim and Cindy Srader, Ted Henley, Pam Adams, Michael and Laurie Likos, and John and Joni Harding, all good friends. Mike and Yvonne VanZandt were to join the group, but Yvonne got sick on Saturday during the day. Randy Ward was also unable to attend this year due to medical testing at the hospital.

The group enjoyed wonderful food with Warren doing prime rib for everyone on his fabulous new grill. The Adams also learned during the party that they had won first place for Christmas decorations on the entire Bolivar Peninsula so our congratulations to them for that achievement. Gifts, good food, fellowship, and fun was shared, as well as the four birthday honorees feeling very special. Can't wait until next year's traditional gathering.

Until the next page turns...

Warren also played for us his favorite Christmas song, "Christmas in Dixie."

The Candy Man Can...

2009-12-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

I know we are supposed to lead off our blogs with lines or titles of Christmas songs, but after seeing a very good live presentation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory last night in Galveston, I've been singing "The Candy Man Can" all day long.

Christmas time is a good time for the candy man, I think, too.

Merry Christmas to all until the next page turns...off to a Christmas party in Shoreacres (near Houston) tonight. Good wishes to all...Cold and dreary outside at the beach, but still nice.

I think Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

2009-12-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

I realize some of you don't believe in Santa and don't want your kids to think he is real, but I, for one, still believe he is coming to see me.

Can't give that up!

I'm enjoying getting ready for his visit and trust he makes to the beach where we have sand instead of the traditional snow.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day...Until the next page turns.

Ginger, I received a wonderful surprise gift in the mail yesterday afternoon. One of my favorite movies of all time and a nice, warm, beautifully colored throw to wrap up in to watch it here at the house. However, I have been creative and designed the throw to wear as a big scarf/wrap with an outfit tomorrow night to a huge Christmas party in Houston. It matched my outfit perfectly and I started out teasing about doing it, but goodness sake, it works! Thank you so much!

I promise, Daina, I've kept the December challenge

2009-12-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

I just forgot and wrote it on my Yahoo Internet Site, Bolivar BLUE and several of the members there are doing it with me. I know I did "Silver Bells" on Monday and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" yesterday and today I wrote "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" in my status.

OK, OK, so I'm in...

Others if you want to get in on the challenge, write something every day from now until December 20 using a line, title, thought from a Christmas carol, song, play, or writing. It is fun!

I've had some good ones on the group site including a clever one using "Go Tell It On the Mountain." To join or see Bolivar BLUE, simply go to Yahoo Internet Groups and type in Bolivar BLUE (spelled like this) and I'll approve you for membership. The BLUE is an acronym for Beach Lovers United Effectively.

Until the next page turns...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2009-12-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

Today is December 4, and we are getting snow in Southeast Texas. This is the earliest date recorded. We got flurries last year on December 10 and it was beautiful in Galveston. We all rushed out to take photographs.

There is just something pretty spectacular about snow falling against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico.

We have a winter weather advisory and the snow is predicted to start at noon and last into the evening. Of course, our temps will warm up and it will be all gone, but it is fun right now and our folks are filled with anticipation. School and some offices have been dismissed for fear of icy roads.

I know our friends in Michigan (Jack and Laura Rounds) are laughing mightily at our excitement over snow when they have something like 7-8 inches and it will stay on the ground there until spring most likely. But for Southeast Texans, it is a novel thing.

Ted's niece has challenged everyone who blogs to begin on Monday, December 7 and go through December 20, using a line or the title of a Christmas carol or snow in their blog header. I said I would participate, so I'll try to be faithful.

Merry Christmas everyone,

Brenda

Until the next page turns...

Able to get a lot done today...

2009-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

This week feels long already and tomorrow is only Thursday. I keep thinking it should be Friday or maybe even Saturday. We are planning on celebrating DeAnna's birthday on Monday, Labor Day, here at the beach. She truly inherited the love of water from me and she gets out here as often as she can. Happy Birthday to my oldest child, DeAnna Stancil Davis.

Steven stayed at school to play his drums for the city wide pep rally in preparation for the first football game of the season at Ball High School. He was excited to be asked to join the band for this occasion even though he has not been attending the before-school and after-school practices. Transportation back and forth to his new school on Galveston Island is a bit of a problem and no matter how you plan it, takes about three hours to get in the Bolivar-Galveston ferry line, ride the ferry over, do whatever you have to do on the island, and do the reverse to get home. I left here tonight at 6:10 and we got home a little after 9:30 pm, which makes for a very long school day. His bus picks him up at 5:45 am, when it is totally pitch black dark outside.

Thus far, he is doing well in his busy ninth grade classes and I am in communication with each of his teachers by way of email. Boy, things have changed a lot since my children went to school! He's carrying a heavy load of classes in the Advanced Placement program. All he wants to do when he gets in the door in the late afternoon is eat and get a bath, chill out for a short while, and head to bed. He is also involved in the Junior ROTC program, which is somewhat tough I hear.

Joni Harding, a friend of mine here on the peninsula, and I are volunteering tomorrow at the Children's Center, also in Galveston, for a mutual friend, Terri Ward. She directs the Children's Center and Safe Place on the island and is in need of some help regarding a project. Joni and I are honored to be asked to help there.

I've been working all day on the Hurricane Ike Memorial and Anniversary Service/Celebration, planned for September 12, on the beach nearest Coconuts, beginning at 7 pm. We plan to honor the ten known dead from Ike and the four still unaccounted for in a solemn service with tea lights and sending a live floral wreath out to sea in their memory. An old ship's bell that survived the storm will be rung after each name is read. We will also hear from some Bolivar Peninsula residents, property owners, vacationeers, and some of our talented musicians.

The general public is invited to join us and participate and we are hearing that many are planning to do just that. It has been the most unusual year of our lives I think. My mother was dead one year on her birthday, August 26, and Hurricane Ike hit our beloved peninsula and destroyed our home on September 12 and 13 of last year. We are still waiting on TWIA to pay our insurance claim so we can rebuild or buy a new home. Thanks be to God, we are in a nice leased property now and are quite comfortable.

My old and dear friend, Betty Cargal Nance, told me about her sister-in-law's gratitude journal, and I want to begin one of my own. Every day my heart is touched with some small thing (and sometimes, large ones, too) and I want to remember those things in the future. We get so wrapped up in living that we forget to enjoy the ride from time to time. I think for me to list those things I am most grateful for will help to keep me focused and my eyes on the prize. Living where I do in my dream world of the ocean and beaches, I see things every day that are special and deeply meaningful to me.

If you were writing in your gratitude journal today, what would you list? We have so much to be grateful for each day, don't we?

I am excited that Ginger (Bragg) Doster and Millie (Jones) Pincus, two of my oldest and dearest friends, are coming in mid-September to stay a week or so with Ted, Steven, and I here at the beach house. I guarantee there'll be a lot of front deck sitting, sand and surf watching, telling of old tales, playing of board games, cooking and eating, and good memories being made. And, then, in late October, we are heading to Atlanta for another reunion of sorts with the Carpenters and the Rounds, more old and dear friends. Jack and John came to us at Forrest Hills Baptist Church from Bob Jones University when they were young college students. Both have now matured, married, had families, and still communicate with each other often. It will be the first time we've all been together in quite some time and we look forward to hitting some of the old haunts in the Big "A" Town, eating at the Varsity, climbing Stone Mountain, visiting old friends and catching up.

God is good ... all of the time.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Today is the anniversary of Elvis' death...

2009-08-16T15:30:00.001-07:00

OK, I know it is corny, but today is the anniversary of Elvis' death, and I don't feel so good myself.

It has been a trying week for many reasons. DeAnna and Callie Grace came to the beach for the weekend and we had such fun, so it ended well. Ted and I took DeAnna out on the boat into the bay and on the Intracoastal Waterway for fishing on Friday and she caught lots of "stuff," some of it wild, and some of it good. On Friday, we went out again to the deeper, more beautiful water of the open Gulf out beyond the North Jetties. I caught a shark right off the bat and she was impressed. We had fun and then came back and took Steven and Callie Grace to the beach at our house to join some of my dear friends, John and Joni Harding and their grandchildren for a time of playing in the sand and surf.

The reason I can always remember when Elvis died is that the anniversary is on the 16th, one day before my son's birthday on the 17th of August. I was in the kitchen icing his birthday cake when Teresa, my beloved sister in law, called to break the news. I told her that what she said wasn't funny and a bad joke, and she said, "Oh, Brenda, he really is dead. I'm not joking. Go turn on the TV." And I did and he had! I couldn't believe it. That man could sing and he will always represent a part of my growing up years. There's lots more to tell, but I won't take the time to do that now. Happy Birthday, Brent.

When Brent moved to Florida to pastor Community Bible Baptist Church, he made a joke about hurricanes following him. Everyone laughed. There's three building right now and two are heading for central Florida — Not so funny! He and his family (and us eventually) have experienced way too many hurricanes here on the Texas coast and the church (Val Verde Baptist) had storm damage at least three times from weather related issues while he was there.

Ana, Bill, and Claudette are concerns right now for all of us. We have been told to batten down the hatches, but it mostly is going to be rain — they think! We pray!

Had some experiences this week that I would have liked to have avoided seeing. Hurting people do hurtful things, and they seem to do it simply as a matter of their own existence.There is nothing uglier to me than a bitter, rude, embolden, older woman who speaks out of the meaningless heart she has emptied years ago. When you have no joy in your own life (for whatever reason) because of your past actions, alcohol, drugs (prescription and other), lack of close family, not getting along with neighbors, and jealousy and envy, there is a tendency to lash out and hurt those who are more successful and certainly more happy. I saw that demonstrated twice this week by two different women who had no cause to be concerned about issues they chose to tackle. You almost want to hold a life mirror up to their faces and demand that they stop and take a hard look at themselves, but of course, that would not be acceptable.

May God help them. Dr. John R. Rice used to say often that "bitterness and envy eats up the vessel it is stored in...and quickly at that." Dr. B. R. Lakin shared with us "If they're kicking you in the rear, you've still got the lead, so keep on going."

Ted and I ask you to join us in prayer for his only sister, Martha Ladd, of Beaumont, Texas. She underwent open heart surgery in Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, on Wednesday, August 12. She has had some complications and needs our prayers. These complications involve her heart, kidneys, lungs, being disoriented, and a staph colony. She is at this writing in an isolation ICU. Her husband and children are there with her and they all need our prayers.

May God bless all coastal residents during hurricane season — 2009 — and Happy Birthday, Brent!

Morning from the Marsh on Bolivar...

2009-07-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

OK, Millie, so I've been slack about writing on my blog. Forgive me again. I'll do better, I promise.

Life is too fast these days and moving much too quickly for me to stay on top of all my doings. Summer is running across the pages of the calendar and I don't get everything done I want to accomplish in any given day.

Still writing for The Beach Triton and two stories due today to beat deadline for printing. Have the ideas now and will get that done asap. Jan, hold up the presses, please. I'll get right on the stories and get them in to you by close of business today.

Rather bad news at the eye doctor day before yesterday. Been having some bad headaches and Ted made an appointment and insisted I keep it. Left eye has lost ground over the years and the surgery I had on it in fourth grade was unsuccessful, which we already knew. New news was that perhaps treatment could have helped saved some of the sight in it. Was diagnosed as "legally blind" in that eye with only 20/200 vision and eligible for some help and an extra tax exemption. Good right eye that has always had 20/20 vision now reduced to 20/70 (not good) and is tiring because of doing all the work for two eyes. The doctor explained that the brain sends out the signals for the eyes to see. Left eye won't so strain goes to right eye thus causing the headaches.

Got new, much more powerful glasses and a big black pirate eye patch for the left eye to help reduce the stress by having it try to work. Moral to friends and family – keep those eye doctor appointments and listen to what he or she says. Great fun for friends with eye patch jokes...My Mom...the Pirate, Captain Wig Eye (courtesy of Brent), Aaaarggggg (in many different versions), Captain MaMa of the Seven Seas, and so forth. Creative friends and family of mine...

Decided I am way tired of being without my faithful dog, Anchor, and found one available from the same kennel where my original one was born and reared in Waverly, Tennessee. Ordered a direct descendant of Anchor from Kodiak, a pure bred Siberian Samoyed, and Steve, my son in law, will pick up and bring him down around the first of August. Attaching a pic of the quite beautiful and charming "Mr. Green," his unofficial name in the kennel, along with his brother. Kennel owner puts colored collars on new puppies to help tell them apart and owners choose "real" names when they are picked up or delivered. There's nothing quite like a Samoyed ball of fur that grows into a wonderful family pet that is not dirty and does not shed. Read up on the breed and you will love "the smiling dogs," too.

(Mr. Green is the sleepy looking pal on the left looking at the picture. His brother is on the right and more awake looking).

We've found a much larger and more comfortable home here on the Gulf to have until we can build again. Marsh cabin is nice enough, and we appreciate the use of it, but small for the three of us. Plans are to relocate by the first of the month with everyone's blessing. Will miss my view of the marsh and all of its inhabitants, but will still be on the gorgeous Gulf. Thank God for good people who care. We need room for family and friends to come and visit and for us to have enough space to do our own things such as reading and games.

Steven begins high school in late August and we are gearing up for that. Today, Ted has Steven and his good friend, Diego, studying the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. Ever the educator, he doesn't want them to get out of practice during the summer months. Steven is enrolled in the AP or Fast Track program for college and will carry a full load, plus his music, in a few weeks now.

For now, we are enjoying the beach and the lazy, hazy days of summer.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

If you have had a change in your address since last Christmas (and many have), please send me a quick email giving me that change along with a current telephone number.

brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com. Thanks so much. Ours remains Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650. New home phone is (409) 684-7285.

Great fun and two big events...

2009-06-05T12:02:00.001-07:00

Two important events have taken place in our lives in just a few days. My Aunt Anna Lee celebrated her 90th birthday and we happily made the trip to Georgia to surprise her and she was indeed! We were so happy to have a part in her wonderful birthday party and hundreds of friends (literally) came by to say best wishes. Her daughter, Ann, did a wonderful job in planning and conducting this gathering, along with the help of her friends. Our thanks for a wonderful afternoon of fellowship with old and dear friends and family.

Upon our return to Texas, our grandson, Steven Alan Brown graduated from Crenshaw Middle School on the Bolivar Peninsula. We have come to call his class "the come back kids" because all of them have struggled in one way or another to come back to school and to the Peninsula following Hurricane Ike. It was a special evening in their honor.

Steven was presented the Presidential Award for English and Language Arts and we are so very proud of him and his accomplishments this year. He is off to high school next year — where did these years go?

A favorite writing of mine seems to fit both occasions because Aunt Anna has always been important in my life and I appreciate her unconditional love, guidance, spiritual character, and kindness given so freely to me. Ted and I hope to offer Steven the same qualities and remain important to his young life.

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove; however, the world will be different because I was important in the life of a child."

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

(First photo is Steven and Kevin, a classmate, awaiting their turn to receive the all-important diploma and second is Steven and friends at the graduation party following the actual ceremony. The third is Steven in bright red cap and gown, fourth is processional, fifth is PaPa Ted, Steven, and Brenda and sixth is Brenda, Cousin Ann, and Aunt Anna at 90th birthday celebration in the Atlanta, Georgia area).

Safe back in the Country of Texas...

2009-06-03T06:35:00.001-07:00

Ted and I had a wonderful trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and remembered again why we like the area since the beaches and communities were quite beautiful. The beach was clean and as white as sugar sand and the water a gorgeous blue/green. We enjoyed fresh seafood and ate in some of our favorite haunts while there including The Shrimp Basket and Lambert's Throwed Rolls. Did a little shopping and made our way on to the busy Atlanta area.

Our trip took us on to the beautiful home of my lifetime friend, Millie Jones Pincus, in Lawrenceville, where we have our own floor in her great house. My other "best friend" since third grade of school, Ginger Bragg Doster, came over and joined us at Millie's where we had fun and enjoyed being together again after all these years. We always have so much to remember and talk about and it takes a while to get caught up on all current events in our lives. The weekend flew by way too fast to suit any of us.

We three also spent time on planning the 50th Class Reunion for the Clarkston High School Class of 1960. Where has this time gone? We were able to make contact with more than a baker's dozen of our classmates to get the big ball rolling. My, how we miss our old friend, John (Tommy) Barnes when we start on a new gathering.

We are meeting on October 1, 2, and 3 of 2010 in the Atlanta area and are excited about seeing all of our old friends. Please help us get this word out to our friends and classmates.

The reason for our trip to Atlanta was to share in the wonderful surprise celebration of my precious Aunt Anna Lee's 90th birthday. She was overwhelmed with hundreds of dear friends and family members who came by to say Happy Birthday to her and to share in her wonderfully kind life. Aunt Anna's daughter, Ann Lee, had done a great job of inviting and planning the event. Aunt Anna will never forget it and neither will we!

Aunt Anna still lived at home at my Mama Cole's house when I was born and she has also been "my other mother." Ann, my cousin, has never been able to figure out why I was able to be in her mom and dad's wedding pictures when she wasn't. Not sure that she has ever forgiven me for that...

We thank the Lord for traveling mercy and for seeing that we arrived back home in Texas safely. So good to share time with old friends and family.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend to All

2009-05-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Internet sites, which are usually so active, are fairly quiet because most of our family and friends are heading out for a long Memorial Day weekend. Traffic has picked up considerably here on Bolivar Peninsula, and even though thundershowers are predicted, the enthusiasm for seeing friends, eating good food, playing in the water, boating, fishing, and just hanging in does not seem to be affected.

As we enjoy our time together, let us be reminded of why we celebrate this particular holiday. For some families, my own included, it is one of the most special we have. My dad was killed in WWII on New Georgia Island when I was six months old. I never saw him.

I did have two photographs of him until Ike and I was given all of his medals, including the Purple Heart, but those are now lost to Ike, so I literally have nothing except memories.

I was born on my dad and mom's third wedding anniversary and my folks had "liked each other" and "courted" since third grade of school.

My mom was ill equipped to face a world without him and all of our lives were greatly impacted by his wartime death. She never got over it until the day she died last August. Many families fight the old wars every day of their lives. Some of us think of a little white cross on some faraway island that we've never seen in person.

That's all we have.

Thursday Morning, May 21, from the Marsh on Bolivar

2009-05-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family: This is a very exciting day at our house because tonight is the much planned and anticipated Crenshaw Bulldog Annual Talent Show and Steven and many of his new friends will be performing. We have also enlisted some "professional" folks to help round out the program from our area. Kat, one of Steven's guitar teachers from Galveston Island, will be joining him on "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and Michael Stewart, another of his guitar teachers, along with local favorite Bucky Faggard, will be singing and playing. We also have Zak Perry of the Zak Perry Band out of Austin and Galveston and he will be doing two songs for the group.

Zak is something of a local success and has several recordings and a busy playing schedule to his credit. Kevin Bowling, associate minister and youth director, at Val Verde Baptist Church in Groves, will also be singing and Kevin is always a delight to every audience.

These kids have worked very hard on the program and are looking forward to performing tonight for family members and the community. I've dubbed them the true "come back kids," because so many of them have fought various battles and won since Hurricane Ike des

troyed their home and much of their life. Many still live with relatives or neighbors just to get to be in school and for that, I say, we should tip our hats. We have a wonderful program and look forward to the entire night. It's been a lot of fun helping to organize this event and we are so thrilled with the over $800 we raised to fund the eighth grade lock in and graduation ceremony, which is right around the corner.

My new little business has taken off like wildfire, too. I bought a Miche Bag type of franchise and have filled over $1,000 worth of orders in just a few days. The purses are now being advertised on TV and I had a lady stop me in the store yesterday. She grabbed my arm, and said, "Is that one of those purses I saw on TV, where you just pop the shell off and put another one on." I said, "Yes, it is, but I did not know they were being advertised on TV." She told me they were, took my shell off and put it back on, and ordered three bags and seven shells on the spot. I never said a word about her buying anything from me! Can't beat that!

The concept was invented by a woman named Michelle who spilled sugary coffee on her favorite fabric bag. She thought as she tried to wipe off the spill, "I wish I could just keep the bag intact and put on a new cover." She worked on her idea and together with a friend, designed the first Miche Bag. We have the basic bag in black or brown, different handles to suit your style and over 40 colorful and attractive magnetized shells. You can change your complete bag in less than three seconds and be on your way. If you are interested in knowing more or ordering a Miche Bag, just email me at brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com. You can also go to the Miche Bag Official Web Site and see color and design and tell me what you want. Glad to ship or deliver in the area. This is not a pryamid or enlistment scheme. Just fine looking, classy, fun bags for women on the go. You'll want several shells to enhance your outfits, I promise. My phone just rang with a big order - one mom, daughter in law, and two daughters!

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Friday, May 8, 2009 from the beautiful marsh on the Bolivar Peninsula...

2009-05-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

Mothers have vast amounts of space inside their hearts and minds where they keep and ponder all of the events of a lifetime. Not only are their memories, joys, sadnesses, achievements, failures, successes, and goals harbored there, but much of the lives of their children and grandchildren also find a quiet and lasting berth. Some of us are blessed with "forever memories" that time and nature cannot take away.

Ted often says I have the memory of an elephant, and I'm not always sure that is a complement. It can be both — a blessing and a curse.

(Photograph - Brenda Cannon Henley and Ginger Bragg Doster on the old wooden dock at Pine Lake in 1959 - Forever Friends)

One remembers the "what might have beens had times been different," "the things I would have changed," "the hurts and pains of disagreements and sadness and loss," but God in His infinite wisdom balances all of these hidden thoughts with "the absolute wonder of life," "the new discoveries," "the blessed friends of a lifetime," "our families and those close enough to be if born in the same line," and "the hopes for the future."

I recently had the occasion to hear a song sung by Kenny Chesney, "A lot of things different." This song was a favorite of a dear friend from my childhood who went Home much too soon, John Barnes. He and his wife Kitty stayed in mine and Ted's home while he was undergoing serious cancer treatment at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. We drove them around Houston, to the beach, to fly kites in the salty air, and to share the last food that they enjoyed so much. John and I never dated. We were neighbors in Pine Lake and went to Clarkston High School together. But, we were the best of friends. John always felt he had to take care of Ginger and myself and we spent many long hours hanging out and growing up. In our later years, we became even closer working on our high school graduation reunion and traveling together. John was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend and he was loyal and faithful to those he loved. He could be a demonic bear to those he didn't, but that was part of his great charm.

He was a very successful businessman and politician and a hard worker for his family and community. John had many honors come his way and he is lovingly remembered for the good he did.

John got to MD Anderson a little too late with way too much cancer and we lost him. John is one of those secret treasures I hold in my heart. Not a day goes by that I don't think of something "Tommy" said to me or some advice he gave me. (Note - We all called him "Tommy" in school and pretty much throughout his life, but the US Air Force and his strong wife Kitty changed it to John and we all tried to adjust, but failed). As Ted wheeled his chair into the Hobby Airport on that last visit, Tommy and I held hands and said little. What was there to be said when we both knew it was almost over? I leaned down and hugged him really tightly and he whispered some parting advice in my ear. Tears glistened in his eyes and rolled unashamedly down my cheeks in the busy airport as I gave him my word on what he had asked.

Not many days later, Ginger Bragg Doster, Millie Jones Pincus, and I drove to his beloved Florida home and met Sandy Martin Teal, Dianna Buder Suratt, and others, and buried Tommy in the sandy soil he had come to love. He had left strict instructions that "we girls" were to be treated as immediate family and sit in places of honor at all the services. I thought again of the song by Chesney, "I would have done a lot of things different." In the verses, the writer thinks back over his life and wishes had had made different choices. He would have gone to see Elvis the last time he came to town (Teresa and I did that at the Omni in Atlanta against all church rules and regulations), he would have spent more time with family and loved ones, he would have hugged his brother before he left for war, and it ends with, "If I had known that dance would have been our last one, I would have made the band play on and on and on...I would have done lots of things differently."

One cannot get caught up in the "I would haves" of life, but I'm convinced that it is OK to remember people, places, events, good times and sad times, and then move on back into the present. All of these memories can be a healthy part of what mothers put inside their hearts and minds and ponder with such clarity that at times if you listen closely, you can hear the music, smell the flowers, touch the gifts and see the smiles of old friends and family members.

I am so enjoying FaceBook after my daughter DeAnna made me join. I am in contact with so many of the dear friends of life that I have had for years and I get suck a kick out of turning on the computer, reading what they wrote, seeing their accomplishments and their activities, meeting their families, sharing in their joys (and their sorrows at times) and entertaining this feeling of reconnecting. If you are not on FaceBook, join today. I can't find much wrong about it.

Betty Pennell, my sister in law, Teresa Fowler Stancil, Joy Rice Martin, Betty Owens Moseley, Debbie Eads, old friends in the media, distant family members, John and Lydia Carpenter, college kids we helped back in the day, Jack Rounds, Dixie King, church family from years ago, Sandy Bagley, Amy Bagley, and my list goes on and on. Each of you hold a treasured place in my memory bank and you've had an impact on my life. For this, I thank you. Be safe and stay well.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Sunday afternoon from the marsh...

2009-05-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Nearing 5,000 visitors to the blog site gave me the inspiration to post a baker's dozen of new photos to help bring everyone up to date on our doings. I am amazed at just how many old friends tell me that they are reading the blog and will I please try to keep it more up to date?

I will, I promise!

Things are just almost always in high gear around here with educating a busy and happy 14-year-old and getting settled into the leased cabin where we'll be for a year while Ted builds our home back, getting ready for fishing season (yea) and doing the ordinary of cooking, cleaning, transporting, paying bills, and the like. And, oh, yes, we do try to have a little fun from time to time, too. Just now, Steven and Ted are visiting Rusty and Becky Cluck and their family before they head back to Zavalia and Austin. Steven has so many new friends here and he keeps us on our toes getting him back and forth. I don't know which will be worse - driving him all over and picking him up - or knowing he soon will be old enough to drive himself.

Lots of exciting plans in the works right about now and there's talk of a brand new newspaper coming to our Peninsula - the Bolivar Peninsula Examiner, which I've agreed to write and edit. More about that a little later. Right now, I'm busy writing for The Beach Triton and will keep on doing that. Be sure to get and read this month's edition of that fun paper if you can.

Don't forget, next Sunday is Mother's Day, some women's favorite holiday. If your mom is no longer living, choose another good woman and honor her in some fashion on this Mother's Day. It will be good for both of you and bring lots of happiness. Life is short - use it wisely.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Enjoy the new blog photos.

Saturday, May 2, 2009, from the cabin on the marsh...

2009-05-02T12:33:00.001-07:00

Beautiful day here on Bolivar on the beaches and on the marsh. Hazy white clouds, gentle breezes, water lapping playfully along the shore and birds flying in the air. Fishing must be good, too, because the North Jetty has lots of fish feeders on it today. Some seem to be catching some fish and all appear to be having fun.

Ted says we are going to be "catchermen" and not just "fishermen." He just about has our boat repaired from the storm and after removing a big piece of metal that was lodged in the hull, I think it is about sea worthy again.

Lots going on with the end of school nearing so rapidly. The kids finished their TAKS testing last week and one could hear a collective sigh of relief from both teachers and students. We were all very pleased to learn that Steven is doing well. He scored the highest grade in his class for English (makes MaMa proud). He got a 99.49 out of a possible 100 points and he pulled in at 155 on his book reading theme project. Yea for him! He will graduate from eighth grade and be officially ready for high school next school term. We hear Brendan is making good grades, too, at his new school near Nashville. We hope to see him during the summer months for his regular vacation at the beach.

Brent preached his last sermon at Val Verde here in Texas last Sunday and will soon be on his way to Community Baptist Church in lovely St. Petersburg, Florida. Valerie and the kids will join him around June 1 when school is out. Both he and Valerie and Quinn, their oldest, has been very ill this week with a strain of the flu, not diagnosed as swine flue. We're having an onset of the swine flu here in the area and many of our school systems are closed down because of it. Folks are very sick when they get it despite news reports saying it is mild. We are all trying to be very careful and DeAnna is being given medication at her job because of working with incoming passengers. She is still very sad about Brent moving to Florida and taking his children with him. She thinks they won't have any "fun" in their lives without her!

Speaking of fun, I'm having so much fun on FaceBook after DeAnna made me join. I've heard from so many of my old and dear friends that it is amazing. Ron and Brenda English and John and Betty Pace (and others) and I have been catching up this week on the years that have passed. I love communicating with John and Lydia Carpenter and so many more that I've found through this means. Betty Pennell, an old friend from Forrest Hills, found me, as well as so many more. Heard from Betty Owens Mosley this week, too.

Take care and happy week before Mother's Day, and until the next page turns,

Brenda

Sunday evening from the beautiful marsh of the Gulf Coast...

2009-04-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been so negligent in writing, but my, we have been busy around these parts. Steven, my 14-year-old grandson, is settling in just fine here with us, and he is doing well at school at Crenshaw on the Peninsula. His progress report shows that he is making good grades, so we are thankful for that. He has had two big projects to complete because he is nearing the end of the eighth grade. One was on a book he had to read, "Witness," by Karen Hesse about prejudice and ill will. The other was on Robert E. Lee and we were able to find and use photos of the famous general on Stone Mountain to add a personal touch.

The school has a big talent show coming up on May 21 and Steven will participate in that. He is doing well with his guitar lessons and takes weekly from Michael Stewart here on the Peninsula. Michael is originally from West Virginia and is a very talented musician. He also continues to play his drums and takes band at school.

We celebrated his big 14th birthday with several activities in his honor; cupcakes at school for his classmates, a chocolate birthday cake cut at the home of Terri and Randy Ward, his good friends and the owners of the two big dogs Steven bathes and cares for at their home. And, then last night (Saturday), we had five couples over that have been especially kind to Steven in some way. Dana and Tim Turner from Beaumont came out. They have property here on the Peninsula and are now set up in their travel trailer on their lot. The Turners bought Steven a wonderful acoustic guitar that he loves. Becky and Rusty Cluck, our dear friends and neighbors here on the Peninsula, were also on hand, and they gave Steven a flash drive for his computer. He loved that! Michael, his music teacher, and his wife, GinGee, attended and gave him money for whatever he wanted or needed.

Terry and Randy came to join us, too, and Terri found Steven two fabulous t-shirts (Rolling Stones and Rock) and an amp he needed for his guitar, so all in all, he had a wonderful birthday. Ted and I gave him a new leather guitar case, got Direct TV and Internet hooked up at the new house and some smaller gifts. His dad sent him a beautiful card with money inside. Yea! He said he loved getting "stuff" for his birthday. Each adult gave him one comment or piece of advice for his young life and that was a special time for everyone present.

Living on the marsh is different than living on the beach, but just as nice in a different way. The wildlife and birds are amazing. And the beach is just down the way a bit in walking distance, so we have the best of both worlds. We met our next door neighbors, Dewey and Daisy Jones, originally from Houston, and they are a very neat couple.

We are presently working on the Crenshaw Bulldog Talent Show for May 21 at the school and helping getting out promo material for the 24th Annual Crab Fest and Stingaree Music Festival to take place on Bolivar, May 29-31. And, Steven will have a real graduation ceremony complete with cap and gown at the end of May.

Ted and I are fine and stay busy all of the time. We each serve on several different rebuilding Bolivar committees. Ted is on Housing with the Bolivar BLUEprint Committee and I serve on Human Resources, and both are active and interesting. The Yahoo Group Internet site, Bolivar BLUE, which I formed shortly after the storm is very active also and we've made tons of new friends there. Still no major payments from Texas Windstorm and so we all continue to wait to rebuild our homes.

Take care and stay safe. We are hearing today much about the swine flu and see on TV that Mexico City is shut down for all practical purposes. There are cases in Texas, but so far, we are all well and safe here on Bolivar.

Life on the marsh in Southeast Texas

2009-04-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Steven, my oldest grandson, Ted, and I are getting accustomed to living a varied life right on the marshland on the Gulf of Mexico. I never knew the different wildlife and birds that call this part of Texas home. One can stand or sit on our long deck any time of the day or night and be entertained as if you are watching a televised program on National Geographic or one of the programs similar to that. The birds are amazing in their color, flight patterns, habits and how they eat from what Mother Nature has provided for them.

We moved back to the Peninsula after having lived in a beautiful condo in Galveston for several months since the storm. Because of having to ride the ferry back and forth, and waiting in the always long lines, much of the workday was spent in transportation and we needed to get back on Bolivar to seriously begin the building process. Our seven lots are cleared and cleaned of all debris (except Ted's boat collection) and we are ready to begin.

We have been busy getting settled into new quarters, cleaning, decorating and putting things away. It's beginning to look like home now.

We attended a huge panel discussion yesterday sponsored by The Public Adjusters for our Bolivar Peninsula residents to learn more about how we can continue to fight against the injustices being meted out by Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. No one here on the entire Peninsula has been paid fairly that we know of anyway. Most are being offered the 11.2 percent settlement we were presented with, which is nothing like what we are owed. The battle continues!

Steven Alan Brown, soon to be 14, came to live with Ted and I a week ago from his home in Tennessee. It appears that his mom (my youngest daughter, Nikki) and my son in law (Steve Brown) are getting a divorce and breaking up their beautiful home nestled in the pretty pastureland of Tennessee just under the Kentucky border. Divorce is always hardest on the children and Steven and Brendan are no exception.

Steven has adapted well to life in Southeast Texas and my friends have been wonderful to surround him with lots of love and attention. He had his first week in eighth grade at our new Crenshaw School and did very well. He made 110 on his weekly spelling test by getting all of those hard words correctly and a bonus word. He was thrilled as was I! He is also continuing to take guitar lessons here on the Peninsula and enjoys that music. One of my friends brought him a new iPod and complete set up yesterday to the gathering, plus $100 of iTunes gift cards and he was absolutely delighted. He was also given a $25 gift card by another friend for helping with the gathering.

Ted can teach Steven a lot about "man stuff," and the two will no doubt fish, build, repair, tinker and oh, did I mention eat? He and I have always had a special connection and nothing has ever broken that.

Please pray for my children that God's will can be done and that Brendan will fare well during all of this. He is getting to visit his dad this weekend in Georgia and he was excited about that trip.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring to each of you, dear family and friends.

Settled into a leased cottage on the marsh on the Gulf

2009-04-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Ted and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary yesterday amidst moving yet again. We have been able to secure a nice little cottage located in our community on the marshland and Gulf. We are much closer to the water than we were in our home that Ike took out (yes, Ginger and Millie, I do know that hurricane season is coming again in June and I have been reading the predictions for this year). It is amazing to stand on our long deck and watch a myriad of birds taking off and nesting in the tall spring grass of the marsh.

We leased the cottage from Victor Emmanuel of Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours. Victor bought the cottage some years ago because of its location on the water and he is kind to allow us to lease it for a full year. Again, we know we are better off than many of our dear friends who still have no home to call their own.

We are continuing the battle with Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and they have not paid what they should to us or anyone else. Our protest in Austin on March 13, the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ike, was effective and we got their attention, which was our goal. The claims adjusters began calling on Saturday morning offering some of our folks a slight increase, but still not nearly what they should be paying.

We have engaged the services of a highly sought after public adjusting firm out of Florida, The Public Adjusters, and signed on with Chip Merlin of the Merlin Law Group, also out of Florida, to pursue our case should it go on to litigation. We feel we honestly have no other options and think that these professionals may have a better chance than we, as individuals, would ever have against the system we are facing. I am very impressed with Chip's record and he is representing us personally because of the Yahoo Group, BolivarBLUE, and the number of contacts we have by way of that means.

BLUE continues to grow and provide important information to our members. We are having a large meeting on Saturday where we will meet members of the adjusting team, weather experts, engineers who have been on Bolivar, and many other professionals engaged in this major recovery effort.

Steven, my oldest grandson, son of Steve and Nikki in Tennessee, has come to live with Ted and me here in Texas. He is a fine boy, very intelligent, and enjoying going to school at the brand new campus on the beach. He has completed his first three days successfully and came home with a 110 on his very difficult spelling test today. He will be going into ninth grade next year and we are very proud of him. We trust Brendan, the youngest, will come for much of the summer here with us as well. Ted is a wonderful teacher, instructor, and pal to these boys.

My son, Brent Stancil, resigned Val Verde Baptist Church in Groves where he has pastored faithfully for some 12 years. He will be moving to Saint Petersburg, Florida, where he will pastor the Community Baptist Church there. His last Sunday in Texas will be April 26th. It is a sad move for DeAnna, who has been thoroughly involved with the church since her move to Texas. I do trust that all of my good friends there in Florida will visit his new church and help to welcome him to The Sunshine State. Val Verde has not called a new pastor, and the search committee is busily trying to determine God's will for this good group of folks who love the Lord and each other.

Sorry I have been so negligent in keeping up the blog site, but with the Yahoo Group and everything else I am involved in, I have very little time. I am including a photo taken at the big protest in Austin on a cold, rainy, windy Texas day. I had the opportunity or challenge to question Jim Oliver, the director of Texas Windstorm Insurance Association for quite a while on the wet parking lot. We did not get satisfactory responses needless to say.

Sunday Morning Coming Down on the Bolivar Peninsula

2009-03-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

We woke up early here on the Bolivar Peninsula on this fine Sunday morning in beautiful March, even with the time change arriving during the hours we slept. Looking out the windows of our newly repaired RV, we can see things we've never seen before from our property. I can see many cars coming off the ferry from the Galveston area and old Fort Travis shines proudly now that crews have cleared debris and growth from in front of the massive bunkers that have protected many soldiers and civilians since its construction. The North Jetty is adorned with its fishermen and women, and even some smaller tykes. From time to time, one or the other of them appears to catch a fish or a crab.

I can also still see great piles of debris, parts of fallen in houses, abandoned vehicles, lawn mowers, boats (did I mention boats?), pieces of trailers to move those boats, blown sand piles, heavy equipment, tools of various degrees and flying American and Texan flags. Bolivar, for all of the hard work by so many, still resembles a war zone where much combat took place. It is discouraging at times and heartening at other times. Clean up is dirty work and our beloved Peninsula will remain in this stage for a long time to come. The cleared areas, for whatever reason that they have been worked, are encouraging and new growth is appearing here and there.

Many of our people cannot come home because many of them have no home left to come to. Most are in a battle for their life against the huge Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and we've found that this sad group is not playing by the rules. More than 100 (at this point) of our friends, neighbors and family members are protesting their action (or lack of) in Austin in front of TWIA's offices on Friday, March 13, the exact anniversary of the day our lives changed so drastically. Many have come home — sort of, anyway — to RVs, fifth wheels, and partially repaired properties. We laughingly call ourselves "slabbers" the name TWIA dubbed us early on after the storm. Many others we know simply cannot face coming here to the Peninsula where they believe their dreams of a lifetime died violently six months ago. One of our neighbors has never been back and her husband says she cannot come back. She has developed a raging fear of the water, a fear of diseases she surmises are here, and a fear of losing her life, as at least four of our immediate neighbors did.

For me, personally, once I see the Gulf, with her lazy waves rolling in, or even on a windy day, when the waves beat their way to the shoreline, hear the cry of the gulls, watch the ships come and go, and see little children playing in the sand, I remember vividly why I nailed my mast to the staff here in this place and why I will fight to the bitter end to have my life continue where I choose to live. Bolivar Peninsula is for me the very closest place I've found to the heart of God and what I most imagine Heaven to be like. Until I change locations, love me, but don't worry about me. I am a survivor. I have good friends and a husband who are also survivors. We will be back strong, vibrant, happy, peaceful and content, and, hey, you can come see us on vacation or any time you get an off day from your work. We'd love to have you — as long as you behave yourselves, don't dirty up our beaches, treat the land and water respectively, and join us in our effort to get fair treatment at the hand of our insurance companies. We need your support and involvement as this battle continues.

Tennessee visit coming to an end

2009-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

As plans now stand, I am leaving for the return trip to Texas in the early morning. Ted and I have much to accomplish there toward the rebuilding effort of our home which was lost to Hurricane Ike back in September. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association offered us less than 9 percent of our total insured value, the same as they have our friends and neighbors, and it is a joke. We, of course, declined and are continuing to battle for our rightful payment.

Our Yahoo Internet Group, BolivarBLUE, which I founded shortly after the hurricane, has organized a protest demonstration in front of the big TWIA building in Austin, on Friday, March 13, for those who are dissatisfied with the association's practices. Several dozen folks are joining us there and our media coverage has just gotten underway. It is shameful that this huge association of insurance companies has banded together to beat lawful policy holders out of what is due them for their homes.

It is very simple. We struggled to buy and pay for hurricane insurance for our homes. We had a hurricane. TWIA will not pay our policy values. They have engaged in some unsavory practices, including, but not limited to, hooking up with engineering firms that are not on the ethical side to try to prove that water came before the wind. If you look up the definition of a hurricane, you will note it is a wind-driven event. Six months is long enough to wait and be patient, while many of the Bolivar Peninsula residents are virtually homeless. And, for the record, FEMA is largely a joke, too.

DeAnna and Callie flew into Nashville and DeAnna and Nikki and I drove to Atlanta on Sunday in a terrible snow, sleet and ice storm to bury my nephew John Paul Richardson who was found dead in bed on Thursday. Cause of death has not been determined, but he did have sleep apnea and they believe that played a role. Our sympathy goes out to Jean Richardson, his mom, Joe Richardson, his father, Misty, his sister, and handsome David, his brother, and to Willie Stancil, his grandmother who loved him greatly. How sad to bury a child or brother.

Please continue to pray for the residents of the Bolivar Peninsula who were so affected by Hurricane Ike and its aftermath. Our battle has been underway for six months now and we are tired, but not discouraged.

I am uploading a photo DeAnna sent me last night of Mother (Flo Davis) and myself taken at my retirement party last January. Mother died on August 26, 2008 on her 87th birthday after suffering a stroke caused by a cancerous brain tumor.

Having fun on the Tennessee Farm...

2009-02-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

My sister in law, Teresa Fowler Stancil, drove up from the Atlanta, Georgia area to the Nashville, Tennessee farm of my daughter and son in law, Steve and Nikki Brown, to spend the weekend with us. We've had such fun playing "farmers,"and feeding the various animals who call this home. We went to WalMart (everyone goes to town on Saturday here) and we bought fresh carrots for the horses, made big milk bottles for the baby calves, and bought cream cheese and olives for the people.

Coming home, we hurried to the barn to feed the calves before dark. As Teresa was feeding Rusty, the largest of the five horses, he decided he liked her finger as well as the crunchy carrot she was holding for him. The baby calves, born December 23, were Christmas gifts to Steve, Nikki, Steven and Brendan and have been the source of much fun and learning for the entire family. Nikki often calls Texas to tell PaPa Ted that she thinks of him warmly every morning at 5:30 AM when she marches out to the barn in the cold to bottle feed the babies. They are growing quickly now and Truffles, Steven's calf, is the largest by far. Oreo and Beau are keeping up and they can empty the giant bottles in only seconds now. They have also adapted well to the sweet feed provided for them and are now eating some hay to supplement the milk diet.

We've played Scrabble, bowled on the Wii game, cooked and eaten great food, made music with the boys, and in general, enjoyed ourselves immensely. Steven and Teresa both play guitar and Steven also plays drums, so it has been an eventful, fun-filled weekend we will long remember. We also got in a bit of shopping and discussed all of the recent books we have read as well as escorting Steven and his little friend, Callie, and Ryan and Nikki, on a double date to Hendersonville for a Valentine movie. Teresa and I chose to see Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

There's nothing like enjoying the simple things of life and being around those you love. DeAnna and Melissa, you've missed a hoot of a time! Had you been able to see Teresa when the horse chomped on her finger while the calves were butting her, you would have convulsed in laughter.

PaPa Ted was so right in suggesting the calves as Christmas gifts. They've been great hits!

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Another spectacular event -Valentine Gathering for BolivarBLUE

2009-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

Property owners and residents of the Bolivar Peninsula were treated to a wonderful afternoon event at Coconuts, a really good restaurant now open, on Saturday, February 7. BolivarBLUE, a Yahoo Internet Group I founded shortly after Hurricane Ike ravaged our shores, hosted the celebration for some very hard working and tired folks. Everyone had a ball and many got to reconnect with old and dear friends while many others made new friends and met neighbors on the Peninsula.

A lifelong friend of mine in the Atlanta area, Pam Hicks Gresham, could not see how our women folks were making it after having lost their jewelry to the storm so she organized a collection to replace some of it among her family and friends and church members. Pam's idea soon spread and we had jewelry coming from many places. Each piece was bagged and sealed and the women were invited to come and choose. What fun they had opening their bags and seeing new and interesting sparkling things to be treasured.

Another friend on the site and a tireless worker on the Peninsula, wanted to share her very large collection of cook books with ladies who had lost theirs. Edith Watson with the help of Dianne Ledet, founder of the Bolivar Peninsula Yahoo Group, brought over 1,000 volumes and shared with our guests. Another donation came from Meredith Hamilton who gave 100 copies of the Winnie Rice Festival cook books, which were big hits, too.

We also were joined by more than two dozen vendors and service providers offering help to the residents. All in all, it was a wonderful day on the beach for all concerned.

If you are interested in keeping up with happenings on the Bolivar Peninsula, you are welcome to go to Yahoo Groups and type in BolivarBLUE (spelled in this fashion) and we'll gladly welcome you. The "BLUE" is an acronym for Beach Lovers United Effectively and we're having such fun with this crew. Ted is a tireless advocate for recruiting new members and tells everyone he meets about the site.

Our thanks to Rusty and Becky Cluck who took charge of our decorations and did a masterful job, to Randy and Terri Ward who always work, to Edith Watson and Dianne Ledet, and to many others who contributed.

Evening with Author Mitch Albom - Fantastic

2009-02-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

Many hours of hard work came to a culmination last Thursday evening, February 5, in Beaumont, Texas at the beautiful Julie Rogers Theatre when best selling author Mitch Albom came to speak. His appearance in Southeast Texas was hosted by the Todd Christopher Legacy of Love Cancer Foundation, of which I was honored to have been named publicist. It was an astonishing evening for everyone concerned.

More than 1,300 people filled the seats of the Julie Rogers and Albom did not disappoint a single one of them when he spoke about his old college professor Morrie. You may remember that he hit the best seller lists with his sensational book, "Tuesdays with Morrie," followed by "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," and his latest, "For One More Day." Albom is also an acclaimed ESPN sportscaster and appears weekly on the Sports Reporters Show on ESPN. He is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, among his many other talents.

I had the privilege of being his private host for the evening's event and was so pleased to see that Mitch is pretty much a "regular guy" when he first arrived in the green room before speaking to the waiting audience. We talked about the local area, people likely to be in the audience and his new book on faith coming out in September. From the minute he took the podium, he had the audience in his grip. I watched and listened from the shadows of the stage curtains. When he finished his speech, something very interesting happened. The audience stood to is collective feet and did not move nor make a sound.

Ted was in the audience and he was very impressed. He said he'd never seen anything quite like it. No one wanted to move or leave. They simply stood in a reverent attendance. Finally, as one, they begin to clap and clap and clap. Mitch had agreed to sign copies of his latest book and I had the joy of again being with him during this lengthy process. He literally met hundreds of folks, spoke with them and graciously signed their books.

It is so nice to be able to report when a well known guest makes an appearance where folks have worked hard to prepare for them that they are far more than was expected. In this case, Mitch Albom went above and beyond what folks thought he might be. He is one of the better speakers I've ever heard and Ted agrees. He makes his audience seriously think about what he has said. The topic was "For One More Day," and making our lives count.

WOW!

If you ever get the opportunity to hear him, go, whatever it takes. And, buy his books, too!

Making a difference...one person at a time...

2009-01-27T10:57:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite little stories of recent years is the one about the young man walking along on a deserted beach on a windy, blustery day. An embittered older gentleman was standing above him on a bluff observing the young man stopping often, picking up something, and seemingly tossing whatever it was back into the surf.

Finally the older man couldn't stand it any longer, so he walked down and blocked the young man's way. He then saw thousands of starfish stranded on the beach from the recent high tide. "Don't you know that you can't save all of these starfish?" he asked the younger man. "You're just wasting your time here. Go on and do something that matters to the world." The young man smiled back and continued to toss the starfish back into the water. "What I'm doing sure makes a difference to that one starfish I just tossed back into the water."

I firmly believe that's the attitude Christians must have about their work in this world. We may not be able to change every bad situation or help every person with which we come into contact, but we can certainly work to be a blessing and help to one person at a time. Who knows what an encouraging smile, a friendly hello, an invitation for a quick meal, or something more substantial might do to change a life? Kindness doesn't always win, but I had much rather be found on the side of erring toward goodness than evil.

I read a story this week that focused my mind on the coming Super Bowl. I have checked several references to be certain that the facts are straight and it is a wonderfully heart-warming reflection on one man changing the world for one family. Normally, when I don't have a favorite team playing, the Super Bowl isn't all that thrilling, but I've decided this week that I'm cheering for the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback, Kurt Warner. My choice has little to do with football or his skill in the game, but I like his attitude about life.

I read that Kurt Warner worked as a bag boy for a local grocery store. One day he was called up front to help bag groceries and when he looked at the young lady running the register, he was shocked by her beauty. He waited around the store entrance a few days later hoping to run into her again. Sure enough, she clocked out and came out the door. He asked if he could take her home. She said no.

A day or two later, he waited and asked again if he could drive her home. Again, she said no. Finally he got up the nerve to ask her out on a real date. She said, "I'd like to go out with you, but I think you should know that I am divorced and have two children." Warner simply smiled and said, "No problem. I'll get a sitter." The night of the date arrived and the sitter didn't. Brenda (just happens we share the same name) called and said, "We can't go out. The sitter did not show." Warner said it didn't matter and suggested that they take the kids with them. Brenda objected and told him that her son had been in an accident when he was young and required special care. Warner again said that it didn't matter. The couple went out and took the kids with them. Brenda (now Warner) said that she was truly amazed at how good Kurt was with her children, and especially her son. When he had to go to the bathroom, Kurt took him and never complained once.

Later in an interview, Brenda is quoted as saying, "He fell in love with the children first and with me later." Some time later, the two married and Warner has enjoyed a wonderful ride into his new position as quarterback of the Super Bowl team, the Arizona Cardinals. They now have seven children, the two from Brenda's first marriage and five of their own.

To me, this is a thrilling example of one man making a change in another's life.

I can't help but root for the good guy to win on Sunday afternoon while the world watches.

Bolivar BLUE Valentine Gathering on February 7th

2009-01-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine Day to family and friends and a

special reminder to all of the members of

Bolivar BLUE, Bolivar Peninsula residents,

renters, property owners, and friends...

You are cordially invited to attend a Valentine

Gathering beginning at 2, at Coconuts on Highway 87 on the Peninsula. We will enjoy a time of fellowship together with both old and new friends, some great door prizes and some surprise gifts from folks around the country.

The meal is to be purchased from Coconuts - Dutch treat, so you'll eat what you want.

Let Tward1216@yahoo.com or myself, brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com know that you plan to be attendance for this special event.

Following the Valentine Gathering, representatives will be on hand to answer questions about housing needs for Bolivar residents. This part of the program will begin at 4 and only those that are interested are asked to stay.

Until the next page turns, and Happy Valentine to all,

Brenda

Sorry I've been so negligent...

2009-01-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends and Family Members...Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," and "For One More Day" is coming to speak in Beaumont on February 5. He is pictured on the right. More details in post.

Life has been on the very fast track for the past few weeks and we haven't stopped to catch our breath it seems. We stayed in Nashville with the kids for a week and bought new calves for Steve, Nikki, Steven and Brendan for Christmas as well as a few other things we had taken up for surprises. Nikki said every morning around five when she goes out to feed them their big bottles, she thinks of Ted very warmly. But, truthfully, they love the big babies and are having fun with them. Steven's calf, Truffles, is the largest and will bring the most money when it is sold.

From Nashville, we went on to Amarillo, Ted's home town, and visited there for a week and then returned to Galveston Island where we continue our long, long battle with FEMA, Texas Windstorm Insurance and trying to get electricity turned on and the beginnings of a house started. We do have water! And, I mean the kind that comes in a pipe and not by way of a storm. Texas Windstorm continues to delay and everyone is getting angry over the four-month long battle. They are now saying that the study group of experts that they commissioned could not come to an agreement about what happened and it will now be the end of February before we are told whether they are going to pay or not. So unfair after we, like our friends, paid those insurance payments faithfully to them. We just want to resume our life on the beach.

Pam Hicks Gresham, a dear friend in Atlanta, has come up with an idea for all the ladies of Bolivar. She just could not understand how we were making it without our "things," so she organized a group of family and friends to collect gently used and new jewelry and is sending it to the women of the Peninsula who lost everything. My sister, Paula, also got involved and told the folks in her office who also wanted to share. Martha, my sister in law, told another sister in law who got involved and then a daughter in Dallas told her church, so we are having jewelry sent from various places.

We are organizing a February outing to disburse these lovely gifts of caring from many different places. I think our ladies will love it! And, our sincere appreciation to all those who have participated. The boxes can be shipped to Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650.

I have also been very involved in the publicity for the Todd Christopher Legacy of Love Cancer Foundation. The group has a huge event planned for Thursday evening, February 5, at the Julie Rogers Theatre in Beaumont, where Mitch Albom will speak. Mitch wrote the very successful book, "Tuesdays with Morrie," featured on the Oprah Book Club, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," and his latest best seller, "For One More Day." I have been named publicist for this group and have been busy designing ads, fliers and personal appearances for the committee members. We are doing radio, television and much print media. It is a wonderful opportunity for the folks in Southeast Texas to meet and hear Mitch Albom, who is also a sportscaster for ESPN and an excellent speaker and radio personality. Tickets are available by calling (409) 962-7866.

I continue to work daily with the Bolivar BLUE Yahoo Group members. This is a group I founded shortly after Hurricane Ike hit our area. To join this group and to keep up with what is going on here, simply go to Yahoo Groups and click on Bolivar BLUE and you will be directed to the site. The BLUE is an acronym for Beach Lovers United Effectively, an idea I came up with around 3 a.m. one day shortly after the storm hit. Ted and I have made some wonderful new friends in this group and have had many questions answered.

Have lots of new pictures to post and will just as soon as I can grab a minute. Note to the lady who wrote me about the painting of bluebonnets done by Flo Davis in the 80s. I don't think that was my mother, but I would love to know more about the painting. My husband loves bluebonnets and has many pictures of them he has taken. I have not been able to get back to you from the posting on the guest book. So sorry. I have tried.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

If you want to write to me, please use brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com.

Christmas Eve 2008

2008-12-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Family and Friends,

(Pic at right is Duke Holiday, the Brown family's new English Bulldog that came as a surprise gift to Steve from Nikki and the boys for his Christmas gift this year.)

I am writing from the home of my daughter, Nikki, and husband, Steve, in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Ted and I have been here since Sunday visiting with our grandsons, Steven, now 13, and Brendan, now 11. Both boys have big Christmas plans, wishes and dreams. It has been my Christmas joy to be with them and sit and visit, hear about what's going on in their lives and hear their dreams of the future. Steven is in 8th grade and Brendan in 6th grade. It seems impossible that they should be this grown up already.

It has been very cold, windy and a heavy, driving rain fell off and on today. Steve has built a big, blazing fire in the stone fireplace and Nikki and I made rich chocolate fudge together from an old family recipe after dinner. Tomorrow we have a honey baked ham, homemade potato salad, a good casserole, hot rolls, and a chocolate cake, among other goodies to call our Christmas dinner. We have played games and have a couple of good championships going on!

I know, deep within my heart, that we are blessed. Being with family and dear friends is my fondest wish for Christmas and I celebrated my 66th birthday yesterday amid much festivities and planned activities here. When I awoke yesterday morning, there were seven envelopes taped to my door, each with a different greeting and specific instructions about when to open them. I celebrated all day and opened other gifts in the evening. We also got to take part in a small "Christmas miracle" for a young man in the area. He is a good teenager, who works hard to help his folks and he is getting a bright red pickup truck unbeknown to him for Christmas. His face will be one to see in the morning when he wakes up and goes outside.

I wish for each of you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Blessed New Year. For those who have lost loved ones this year, may your hearts find peace and rest and may 2009 bring renewed joy. We, like so many of our dear friends, are waiting to hear from Texas Windstorm Insurance as to whether the rebuilding cost of our home will be covered. If so, we have a busy year ahead of us rebuilding and getting settled back into our home on the beach in Port Bolivar. Hurricane Ike took a lot of things from us, but he did not take our hope and our inner joy. We still know that God is good and that He has a plan for our lives, as He does for yours.

Merry Christmas, until the next page turns,

Brenda

Psalm 37:4

Monday, December 15, 2008 from Galveston Island

2008-12-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hello family and friends,

We, like almost everyone we know, are trying to finish up our Christmas shopping and sending since so many of our family members and friends live in different places. Poor Ted has been to our local post office three times already and I believe that with today's shipments, we are finished getting our Christmas cheer into the mail. May God bless each of you during these happy holidays.

We had snow in Galveston last week. On Wednesday night, the large flakes started falling early in the evening and it was so beautiful coming down between our condo and the dark water of the Gulf. Beaumont and some parts of Houston had up to three inches, which is just downright rare here in these parts.

Four or five of our Yahoo Group BolivarBLUE have December birthdays so we are throwing a big birthday party for Max Watson, Warren Adams, Terri Ward and myself on Saturday night to celebrate birthdays, not Christmas. Jay Cowart, a former neighbor on the Peninsula, has just written to say his birthday is December 24th, his mom's December 23rd, and his son's December 26th. My good friend, Ginger Bragg Doster, in Atlanta, celebrates on December 26th, so Happy Birthday to all of the December babies. My baby daughter, Nicole, celebrated on December 2nd as well.

We've had some more disturbing news from Texas Windstorm Insurance. The Agency had promised us "slabbers" that we would have a definite answer by the end of the year as to whether they were or were not going to pay on our claims for windstorm coverage on our homes. They announced last week that the study group they had hired to determine this issue could not reach an agreement and that it would like be the end of January now before they would be able to make their decision known to homeowners. It is so unfair and it seems so long to wait. It has been over three months now since Hurricane Ike hit and it will be more than four months before they rule. They have successfully evaded the 30-day rule for payment of claims by sending each of us certified letters (at $5.32 a pop) asking for something more. When you call to see what more they want, you are told, "Oh, not to worry. Your file is complete. We do not need anything else." But with the letter, they have complied with their responsibility to respond. It is an awful problem and one that takes the patience of Job. So, please keep on praying for our situation.

Pam Hicks Gresham, a dear, old friend from Georgia, came up with a wonderful holiday plan for the ladies of Bolivar Peninsula who lost so much to the storm. She has organized among her relatives and friends a collection of good, used, and some new jewelry, and is sharing those gifts with the ladies of the Peninsula. Right after the first of the year, we are planning a get together where these gifts will be distributed to anyone from the Peninsula who wishes to participate. If you'd like to have a part in this collection, please contact Pam at pamgresham@comcast.net and let her know your desires. Pam wrote to say she doesn't see how we ladies get along without our "things." Some days, she is more right than others!

As for now, Ted and I plan to travel to the Nashville area to be with Steve and Nikki and the boys, Steven and Brendan, for Christmas. We plan to buy the boys each a young calf to tend and to grow. We think it will help teach responsibility and it will also gain them some money toward college costs if we can keep this idea going for the balance of their high school years. We will also visit with Christine and David, Ted's daughter and husband, while there.

From Nashville, we'll head to Amarillo. Ted must check on some rental property there and we will see Darrell, his son, and Michelle, his daughter in law, and their children, David and Rebecca, as well as visit with Nelda and George, Rick and Dutch, and others on this leg of the holiday trip. Pray for us as we travel, please.

Take care and may God grant you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Happy Birthday, Nikki, my youngest daughter...Updates

2008-12-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

Things are settling down into some sort of routine here now, although it is new and different for Ted and myself. We are living in a nice condo, The Dawn, at 7000 Seawall Blvd., on Galveston Island, just across the bay from the Bolivar Peninsula, where we call home. We are still waiting, as our most of our friends and neighbors, on Texas Windstorm Insurance to decide whether or not they will be paying the value of our hard-earned policies.

Tuesday, Dec. 2 was Elena Nicole's (Nikki) birthday and she celebrated with her immediate family and friends at her home in the Nashville area after having to attend the funeral of a friend's grandmother in the afternoon. She was grieving over turning 32 years old. I can barely remember 32, but I do remember balking a bit at the decades' birthdays. Her sister, DeAnna and I both sent flower arrangements and will take gifts when we go nearer Christmas, but there's really nothing like being with a person on his or her birthday. I kind of dread Nikki's birthday some years because mine follows exactly three weeks to the day on the 23rd. When either DeAnna, Brent or Nikki talk about how old they are getting to be, I ask, "What about me? How do you think your age makes me feel?" Truthfully, I feel great and I realize that I have some wonderful blessings in my life. Happy Birthday, Nikki!

On Saturday, Nov. 29, BolivarBLUE, a Yahoo Internet Group that I founded, hosted a Thanksgiving Celebration for those on the Peninsula who were not going to be able to travel this year. We originally planned for about 30 to 40 people, but the word got out and we ended up with some 135 people at the gathering. It was wonderful! We had to move the location to Coconuts, a nearly-ready-t0-open business housing four different entities on Bolivar, and it was certainly a good thing we did move the gathering. It was overflowing.

Brent, (Dr. John Stancil), my son, who pastors Val Verde Baptist Church in Groves, in cooperation with Greg Rife, director of Restore Ministries, brought down two huge trailers of good canned food and bottled water and distributed it to the residents of Bolivar. The water was a big blessing as it is very difficult to obtain on the Peninsula just now. Everyone seemed grateful for the food and for the attention, and it was really a great day for all of us. Our sincere thanks to all who participated to make the day so special. There are 26 pictures of the event on the BolivarBLUE Group site.

Should any of you who read the blog wish to check out the Yahoo Group site, just go to Yahoo Groups and click on BolivarBLUE. The BLUE is an acronym for Beach Lovers United Effectively and we are having fun with this group as well as exchanging valuable information with each other about Hurricane Ike, Galveston County and the huge task of rebuilding our lives. Please continue to pray that we will get a good word from our insurance claims. So many are waiting on that to happen to continue to make plans to rebuild.

We had our septic system inspected yesterday, which is the very first step on the long road back to living on the Peninsula. It passed, which is great news to us. Now, we can file with the County, get a permit and get our electricity hooked to a new temporary pole. It is really starting over from square one right now.

A dear friend of mine called from Beaumont and said the three magic words that I find difficult to resist. She said, "I need you." And then, she added the question, "Can you and Ted drive into Beaumont this morning?" We did and I met with a board of trustees concerning a new Foundation being formed in memory of Todd Christopher, a local businessman who lost his battle with cancer at only age 57. I am going to be serving as the publicist for this outstanding group of people.

We also met Martha, Ted's sister, for an early dinner before returning to the Island. How exciting! I just found out that my sister-in-law, Connie Davis, just joined BolivarBLUE so she can keep up with what's going on in our lives here in Texas. That's the beauty of blogs and groups — They help to keep folks connected even with miles between them.

The Foundation is hosting "An Evening of Hope," featuring Mitch Albom, the very successful author who wrote "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "For One More Day," his latest effort. There will be a book signing, his speech to the crowd, and a dessert and champagne reception following the event. I actually had to start working really hard again this morning, but it is fun, too.

Two exciting things happened today: I received my new Storm Blackberry phone/thing in the FEDEX delivery and DeAnna is furious with me because I got one before she did. I don't know anything about it yet except how to answer it when it rings and how to place a call. They tell me I will love it when I get the hang of it all. Second thing is that the editor of the Galveston Daily News, the oldest newspaper in Texas, called me and is running a piece I did this weekend. So that is rather exciting in itself.

Please continue praying for the Peninsula residents who are facing rebuilding after the devastation of Ike. When Brent and DeAnna, and others from the church group, drove down the main highway on the Peninsula, they were aghast at the debris and destruction they saw. It is difficult to describe until you see it in person.

Oh, one other bit of really exciting news...One of my oldest and dearest friends in Georgia has had an idea that is just fabulous. Pam Hicks Gresham just can't understand how women can function without their "things," and she has questioned me about the losses we have had. She had an idea of collecting gently used jewelry from her family, friends and church members and sending it to the women of the Bolivar Peninsula around the holidays as a personal expression of her care and concern about our lives. Pam is an organizer and the idea took root and she is busy about making it happen. If you want to have a part in this in any way, contact Pam Hicks Gresham at pamgresham@comcast.net. She'd love to hear from you and I think her idea will bring a really bright spot to lots of ladies who lost everything they had. (The pic is the view out my bedroom window here at the condo - looking at the Gulf).

Until the next page turns, Merry Christmas,

Brenda

Found this in my front yard while cleaning up...

2008-11-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

Ted had me turn the bone into the Medical Examiner's office on Galveston Island since they are handling the missing from the Peninsula.

After two days, the sheriff's office personnel called me and said the bone was likely a "femur from a human, probably male, and was 'fresh' and that it probably came from an Ike victim.

The week I found the bone, fishermen found two bodies on our jetties that you can see from our house. So sad. My heart breaks for the families.

Saturday Night from Galveston Island

2008-11-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hello All - I owe everyone an apology and to Millie, especially, since she has let me know that she checks this site twice a day to see if I have caught it up to date. I do apologize, but I have been very busy and hard at work with one of the new group sites for Bolivar residents and friends. It has caught on like wildfire and there is so much information being exchanged and folks helped that I can't help but be involved. My sister-in-law, Martha, designed it and four other folks and myself serve as moderators.

If any of you, family and friends, are interested in being a part, simply go to BolivarBLUE@yahoogroups.com and ask to join. You can post directly onto the site and it is wonderful!

Ann, since this is a day of catching up, Ted was able to duplicate the video we played at Mother's funeral for you today. I will put it in the mail on Monday and sorry it has taken so long. I could not get my computer to burn the CD, but Ted bought a new one to replace his lost in the storm and he did that for me today to send on to you. If anyone else in the family wants one, just let me know and Ted will burn it for me.

To bring you up to date, Ted and I are living in a nice apartment on the seawall on Galveston Island still waiting, as our most of our friends, for Texas Windstorm Insurance to pay off on our policy. We have received a letter stating that our claim, along with hundreds of others, has been sent to a study group made up of university professors and weather professionals to determine if wind or water took our house down. We also were advised to wait on removing the broken slabs and pilings since the agency is now sending out a structural engineer to look at the site before this decision is made.

We did go into Beaumont yesterday for me to cover the National Adoption Day story (since I have done it for some five years now) and then we went to look at modular constructed, hurricane resistant houses built for coastal living. We found three we liked a lot, and one we liked better than anything else. It has about 2,000 square feet, nine foot ceilings throughout, beautiful appliances and counter tops and nice sized rooms. The manufacturer is in Eatonton, Georgia, and the home cannot be distinguished from any stick built home we visited. I really like the colors, the design and the fact that the house is constructed to resist winds of over 100 mph.

If we choose this house, Ted will build a large deck around it and supervises the installation of the necessary pilings. For now, it looks as though we will spend Christmas in the leased apartment, but thank God, we have a clean bed and nice kitchen and bath, plus I can see the Gulf waves rolling in. If things go well, we plan to go to Nikki's to be with the boys for Christmas. That is usually what I want most for Christmas. Steve and Nikki and the boys cannot travel this year because Steve's dog, Duchess, is expecting puppies on my birthday. What a present, huh?

Mother will soon be dead three months now and it still seems so surreal to me at times. With her sudden home going and the loss of our home and all possessions within days, that time period is blurred at best for me.

I so appreciate my dear friends and my relatives, too, who have made it a point to keep in touch with us during these days and to offer encouragement and hope.

May God bless each of you with a wonderful Thanksgiving Season and may this year's holidays be the best we've ever had together.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

And, Millie, I promise to do better about keeping up my posts. I've really been under the gun though lately. We had a very successful Meet and Greet two weeks ago for Bolivar residents and home owners and we are planning a big Thanksgiving Celebration for the Saturday after the holiday especially for those who cannot travel this year. I am also participating in a group study/focus group on the storms's advent into our lives and I'm working some, too. Plus, I moderate the new group, so I am busy.

Happy Monday Morning...

2008-11-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

Two friends of mine who normally live on Bolivar Peninsula, and I, organized a Fall Meet and Greet for the residents and friends, along with the help of my sister in law, Martha. It was held yesterday at Gregory Park on the Peninsula and we were thrilled to have more than 65 home owners and friends show up for the very slightly promoted event. And, I was surprised at where our folks are scattered after Ike.

We tried to keep the day light and enjoyed meeting each other, finding out where we lived on the Peninsula in pre-Ike days and where we now live or "stay," in many cases. All are waiting on insurance to make its statement and most fear what it will be.

There are some really good folks who simply love the beach, fishing, water sports and each other. One man, Patric Kahla, now residing in San Antonio, is from the oldest family I've found recorded history on in Peninsula heritage. His ancestors have been on Bolivar since the late 1700s and early 1800s. He brought with him yesterday a few items for us to share. His brother had been cleaning out a 125-year-old family home and found deed books, marriage licenses, plats drawn in pencil and by hand, and maps that date to before the Intracoastal Canal was ever dug. Land came in "sections" and "leagues" and I could hardly believe what it sold for in those days.

Ted and I are fine - Just find waiting is very hard work. We met with the Governor's State Manager for Emergency Disaster Relief on Friday and have another appointment with her this afternoon at 2. She's a sharp cookie, very intelligent, a go-getter, and really seems to care about the residents of Bolivar Peninsula. We're hoping to secure some immediate help for these dear folks who are hurting and have many needs. We also formed, or agreed to use, a non-profit corporation (all legal and above board) that a member of our group had to start some fund raising efforts to help meet these needs. People who have been using their own money to live in hotels/motels/apartments/condos are now running out and don't know what to do. I don't have all the details, but will post when I do. One man in our group made up a t-shirt, had them printed and sold the first batch yesterday toward this effort. And one of our volunteer fire departments received a $70,000 grant so we are on our way with some positive ideas and a bit of hope.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Happy Halloween from beautiful Galveston Island

2008-10-31T18:03:00.000-07:00

Well, well, Ted and I are back in Texas! The smell of that salt, sea air out there in the beautiful Gulf makes me feel all better somehow.

Galveston had a lot of damage and many businesses, hotels, motels and restaurants are not up and running some seven weeks after Hurricane Ike. Great piles of debris line the streets and big boats are sitting at funny angles all over the island.

We thought we had a studio apartment secured when we left Missouri to head home, but when we arrived with our confirmation number in hand, the owner/manager said that a "confirmation/number does not really mean you have a reservation and that he is in the business to make money and had to rent the studio apartment to someone else who came in first." I almost lost my usually kind spirit and I did tell him that in America (where he was busy making a fortune), a confirmation number given in good faith meant we had a room when we arrived. We had driven 11 hours with that hope in mind.

So, with that information stored away in my mind, we set out to look for housing yet again. We found a beautiful, new suite in Galveston on the Gulf and took that even though the ferry that would take us to the Peninsula is not running at this time. We spent Wednesday on the Peninsula and Ted went outward in a north western direction for one mile from our house to try to determine if we could find anything at all from the inside of the house. He found nothing. It is still amazing to me that it just vanished and I don't think I'll ever get used to it just being gone, along with all of my things of a lifetime.

They have found two more bodies near the North Jetty where we live and Ike hit Texas seven weeks ago now. It is so sad. Galveston has much to do in the way of repair work and it is a slow and tiring process.

My deepest thanks to those of you who have written to us over these weeks. Our mail had been accumulating in the new Winnie Post Office and when I went in to get it on Wednesday, we had two bags filled to the top. I found wonderfully sweet cards of sympathy concerning Mother's death, cards regarding the Hurricane and loss of our home and just sweet, funny, little notes from dear friends.

I sat and read and cried. The notes and cards touched my heart and I thank each of you for them. Please know that I have only just now received the bulk of our mail since the storm and I did not realize you had written or sent something along to us. Our address remains Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650 for those who have asked. Melissa, Regina, Michele, Crystal, and my dear cousin, Betty Glazner in Chattanooga, Ted Medlock, Ginger, Millie Pincus, dear Dallas Hill, Teresa, and Ann were among the many I heard from on Wednesday. I will get caught up with my correspondence in a few days.

We are fine and still waiting for the insurance companies to say something, as are most of our friends. Waiting is not easy, but we do it.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

The salt, sea air sure smells good tonight!

From Branson, Missouri...

2008-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been negligent in posting on this site the past few days. I just haven't had the heart to write much. We have been in a "waiting" or "holding" pattern for days now hoping to hear from one or the other of the adjustors to determine if wind or water took our home out. It's been six weeks since the storm hit and we all are simply waiting, which is difficult. We cannot make any permanent plans until we know whether Texas Windstorm insurance is going to pay for the house. We will start the rebuilding process as soon as we know.

No businesses that I know of other than Seaside Lumber and Parker Lumber are able to work at all on the Peninsula at this time and jobs are scarce where people have had to go to find temporary housing. Entire lives have been uprooted and changed and honestly, now that the newness has passed, no one seems to care very much, sad to say.

Many of our neighbors are now running out of saved money and need some help now from all of the government agencies and charitable groups that are supposed to step forward at times like this. So far The Salvation Army is the only agency that I personally know that has offered anything to the Bolivar Peninsula residents and that has come in the form of gift cards, food, clothing, and some housing arrangements. Even this is hard to accept because you have to be where they are to accept the offer and no one is living on Bolivar with a few exceptions.

We are told that FEMA is working on establishing "planned communities" of modular housing for those without homes at all, but they are not approved for the Peninsula at this time. They are approved for Jefferson, Orange and Chambers counties, and the city of Galveston. We need for Galveston County as a whole to be approved so we can go home. We could take the RV there to our property if we had water and power and were permitted to be there. Perhaps we could be of more help to others and to ourselves.

FEMA has not done for Hurricane Ike victims what it did for Katrina and Rita victims and there are no known explanations other than the one a FEMA rep gave to me early on. He said, "We are not going to be handing out money or housing like we did in Katrina because we made too many mistakes." DUH, we did not make those mistakes nor contribute to them! In fact, Texas as a whole, took literally thousands of those evacuee and cared for them as best we could, often without any appreciation being shown. If I write a little angry, it is because I am. We need to be told something constructive and given a timeline of some kind in order to plan our lives.

Entergy Texas is making progress is getting the power back on and the water department is working on getting water to the different areas. One man in my group site just reported that the ferry will open again for residents' use in about 14 days. The ferry running is huge to all of us because that is the only way to Galveston Island without driving all the way around the other end of the county, which is about a two-hour drive.

Ted and I plan to leave Branson in the morning and start toward the Peninsula. We have had a wonderful visit here and know in our hearts that we are far more blessed than many of our friends. Now that it is cooler there, we can stay in the RV at Martha's house in Beaumont for a few days until we hear more. There is also hope of getting into some type of housing while we build.

If any of you are interested and want more information about the Hurricane Ike situation, I belong to a wonderful group mostly made up of property owners and residents and everything pertaining to the Peninsula is covered on this site. It is a Yahoo group called Bolivar_Peninsula_Group, and you have to ask to join it. I have hesitated to write too much about the hurricane or the aftermath for fear of boring you guys.

Another body was found yesterday lodged against the North Jetty, which is within sight of our home. A man had been working on his father's home in Crystal Beach and decided to take a break to do some flounder fishing and snagged the body. Every time another one is found, the families of the missing get all excited and start up with the emails and phone calls. Rumor says this one is in such bad condition that they don't know if it is male or female. Imagine that being your mom or dad or child. I can't! I continue to work with these families as best I can and pass on any information that comes to my computer.

We do appreciate your words of encouragement, thoughts, and prayers, and know one day we'll be able to look back on this time in our lives and remember it not so harshly. (Pam - I don't remember if I gave you the address we are using as you asked, but it is still Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650. The mail is taken to Winnie, Texas, and we get it there from time to time.)

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Touring The Titanic Exhibit was very educational and lots of fun, too!

2008-10-20T14:29:00.001-07:00

Old dogs learning new tricks in Branson...

2008-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Ted and I begin our fourth week in Branson, Missouri while we await word from insurance adjustors, Galveston County, the water department and the electric company. This past week was a fun one since we had Steven (age 13) and Brendan (age 11) visiting all week during their annual fall break from school in Orlinda, Tennessee.

The boys have discovered a passion for skateboarding and no matter what else we did each day or evening, we still had to make time for a trip to the local park where they made several new friends, improved their skills and had the times of their young lives. They were eager to see if MaMa could ride a skateboard and finally got me to the top of one of the lower ramps to try my skill. I will not be posting the results, but it was fun!

We also took in several shows including Steven's favorite, SIX, and Brendan's choice, The Presley Family Show, which is dynamite. We also spent the better part of one day touring the fabulous Titanic exhibit, which was educational, exciting and very interesting and we caught our neighbor in the condo here, Gary Welch, in his show at Branson Mall as well as several other very good entertainers.

We left early yesterday morning and drove to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to meet Steve and Nikki and return our guests in time to be ready for school this morning back in Orlinda. The ride was through twisting and turning mountain roads and the scenery rivaled that of a colorful fall post card picture. It was supposed to be the peak of fall mountain color here in the area.

I told someone today that it is always a "blue Monday" the day the boys leave. When they're here, there is always activity, noise and the cooking of food, or the cleaning up of the kitchen.

Keep on praying, please, until we hear from our Texas Windstorm adjustor. The rulings thus far that we have heard about have not been encouraging as most have ruled that it was water that took away the homes on Bolivar Peninsula.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

The splendor of colorful fall in the mountains

2008-10-13T20:06:00.001-07:00

Fabulous fall in the Ozarks...

2008-10-13T20:03:00.001-07:00

Gorgeous Tablerock Lake in the fall. Steven and Brendan enjoy fall break in the colorful splendor.

2008-10-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

Brenda and "Elvis" (Tim Rowland) in Branson, after his show where he thrilled the crowd with his awesome voice and remarkable looks of "the King."

2008-10-13T19:56:00.001-07:00

Johnny Butler, an original member of The Platters, poses for a photograph with Brenda after their show on Saturday Evening in Branson

2008-10-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Here's Steven and Brendan with "Elvis," Tim Rowland, after his performance at Branson Mall

2008-10-13T19:51:00.001-07:00

Having fun in Branson...

2008-10-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Ted and I drove to Little Rock yesterday (Sunday) to meet Nikki (my youngest daughter) and Steve (her husband) and we picked up my two grandsons, Steven, age 13, and Brendan, age 11, for their week of Fall Break from school classes. We visited Ted's cousin, Polly, in a very nice nursing home in Little Rock before heading back to our condo in Branson.

I feel much better just being around these "babies" (they would die if they heard me call them that) who think they are grown men. They are growing up way too fast for my tastes and I do love spending time with them when I can. They had many questions about Hurricane Ike and why we are not living on the beach, but they do like Branson and the condo living lifestyle. We visited various places in Branson today and took in a wonderful tribute to Elvis done by Tim Rowland.

His show, "Spirit of Elvis," is better every time we have seen it and today it was obvious that Tim had truly captured the heart of every member of his large audience. He sang many of Elvis Presley's big hits (and looks so much like the young Elvis of our youth) and then he did quite a number of his impersonations, which he is known for nationwide.

Tim does more than 200 different impersonations and he is really good. Today, we heard Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board himself, Bobby Darin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., "Mr. Las Vegas," Neil Diamond, Rodney Dangerfield and Jimmy Stewart, among others. Personally, I could listen to "Elvis" all day and all night. He has his moves down pat and his voice is remarkably like "the king's."

Our neighbor here in the Pointe Royale Condo is Gary Welch, who also performs at Branson Mall, where Tim does his show, invited us to come and visit and we did and have been going back every chance we get. Gary spent part of his career with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass and is a very talented performer. He's an easy going, laid back, talented singer who covers several well known artists' songs. He is particularly good with the old Merle Haggard, a bit of Willie, Waylon Jennings and others the crowd quickly recognizes.

All of these entertainers perform solely for tips or gratuities and any of them could take their place proudly on any stage around this town or any other. You can catch Elvis, Gary and several others at the Branson Mall, from 9 am until 9 p.m. daily. Great family entertainment without the high ticket prices.

Speaking of tickets, Ted took me on Saturday evening to see The Platters playing at the Caravelle Theater on the strip. They were wonderful! And, they sang all of the old songs we remember them doing. In fact, Johnny Butler, one of the original Platters from my youth, is still singing with this group. I tried to determine how old he is now, but I gave up. I know he was singing with them when I was in high school, so gosh, he's got to be up there in age, but you would never know it by his performance. And, he hung around to greet every fan that wanted to say hello or ask a question. Ted arranged for me to have my photograph taken with Johnny and I will treasure that as long as "Smoke Gets in My Eyes," or "The Great Pretender" plays.

I have posted a few new photographs on my Shutterfly account, so if you'd like to see them, just email and I will forward you the link.

Until the next page turns, and may God bless you,

Brenda

This may help to answer the "where is it?" questions...

2008-10-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

A report in the Charlotte Observer (of all places) said that the Padre Island National Seashore, the world's longest undeveloped barrier island now looks as if people have been living — and dumping — on it for decades. Tons of debris swept up by Hurricane Ike last month were carried by Gulf of Mexico currents hundreds of miles from the upper Texas coast to this ordinarily pristine landscape just north of the Mexican border.

Associated Press Writer Christopher Sherman said that sections of roofs, refrigerators, loveseats, beds, TVs, hot tubs and holiday decorations litter the more than 60 miles of gently arcing sand in the national park.

One four-mile stretch of beach produced enough litter to fill 2,870 industrial size trashbags.

What is so sad, in my opinion (I write here) is that this "trash" is the fabric of people's lives — people who have been digging in the sand and muck on Bolivar Peninsula in a feeble attempt to salvage just one memo, one dish, one piece of jewelry, one family heirloom or one beach memory from the nothingness that remains up and down the 29-mile stretch of land many called home.

Ike took a lot from us and we are sorry, for so many reasons, the he chose to dump it on other beautiful Texas shores.

Bringing everyone up to date...

2008-10-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who continue to be interested, Ted and I are still waiting for news from the Texas Windstorm adjustor concerning our property on Bolivar Peninsula. We are hearing rumors that power is to be connected to some parts of the Peninsula today, October 8, 2008, but we have not been able to confirm that for certain. Most of us do not have power poles left in the ground and certainly no meters to connect to even if we get the power to our streets.

We were told yesterday that the Bolivar Peninsula Water Department is working diligently to restore water, but that it would likely be about 45 days before that could be accomplished. So, we wait.

Power and water are the first two steps necessary to allow residents to return to the Peninsula and begin the process of rebuilding homes and lives. Please continue to pray for the families of the missing.

In the meantime, here in Branson, we found a delightful used book store, a little like my favorite in Beaumont, Red B 4, and so I shopped for quite a while finding some replacement books for all those I lost. Have to be very careful with all purchases here because of taking everything back home in the car.

Weather continues to be amazing — just cool enough for a light blanket at night and very pleasant in the daytime. The trees on the mountain sides are putting on quite a show, too.

I sincerely appreciate all of the communication from family and friends scattered across the nation. Today would have been Mother and Daddy's 60th wedding anniversary. Wow, time really does fly, doesn't it?

They were married in the #10 Atlanta Georgia Fire Station by a chaplain friend of my grandfather's. Uncle Bill, Daddy's youngest brother, and I sat in the cab of a big fire truck during the ceremony and I remember thinking that it was the most exciting thing I'd ever done. In those days, the firemen still slid down shiny brass poles when the big bell was rung signaling an emergency. At the end of the ceremony, the captain rang the bell and the firemen came down for some refreshments with the family. I vividly remember that six decades later.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Copy of email I sent Ted's cousin this morning...

2008-10-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

...which will help all to understand what is going on just now with insurance and other matters on the Peninsula. Thank you for all your encouragement during these days. Ted and I are safe in Branson and are having fun just resting, enjoying the lovely condo, taking in the sights and listening to the music from time to time. The leaves are changing every day and it is fun to watch the transformation take place right before our eyes. We walked about a mile this morning, up and down the hills in our complex, (wow - we're out of shape, I fear), and then we swam laps in the big indoor pool at the clubhouse. We've met some nice retired couples traveling here for the fall color tours.

It is difficult to understand how the different insurance adjustors are coming to the results they are reaching. Some pay for all damage and loss, some are paying for porches, decks, steps and outbuildings. Others are not. Some flood has paid, but most has not. Windstorm seems to be the best option, but even their rulings are different for each homeowner and policy.

Hurricane Gustav is totally different than Ike. We hardly had any damage from Gustav — just some rain and some wind. Ike was totally different. It took everything we had — house and possessions alike. A few people have had the two storms mixed up in their thinking.

Our Windstorm adjustor went out on Saturday and we are awaiting his report to us. Homeowners pays nothing they say. FEMA has already declared the house completely gone, which was not news to us at all.

Ted and I had come to love our little beach house and intended to live out our years there on the Bolivar Peninsula. We are now waiting on water and power to be restored to the area and workers are there doing the best they can do under the circumstances. Looters are also there as well, we are being told. The 12 and 13th of the month will be one full month since Ike's visit of destruction.

The national news media does not touch what is really going on in our area, especially in the loss of lives. The New York Times did run one good story this last week on the missing people. There are continued discoveries of human remains and last week, the Houston Chronicle released a story about the cadaver dogs being brought in to help identify "hot spots" where more than one or two bodies are still located under debris. The Examiner's lead story this week, written by James Shannon, was about the loss of life and the missing.

I have been working with several families concerning the missing and it is so sad. Every time a "new" body is found or discovered, the family members get their hopes up and the phone calls and emails start all over again. Most simply want closure, as anyone can understand, to this long and difficult waiting period. I have not talked to one family member who resented their loved ones love of the beach and desire to live there. Ted and I now know that three people are presumed dead from our little street in Port Bolivar. The grandmother, mother and son, all in one family, lived together and tried to leave, but have not been heard from since the storm. The grandmother was a retired UTMB nurse and loved the beach.

The first anger I felt is when a FEMA representative told me personally that the agency would not be "handing out the $2,000 cash advances like they did with New Orleans/Katrina victims because they made so many mistakes with them." Duh! I did not make any of those mistakes — the federal government did. I was getting information for a story I was doing and asked him several more questions as well. However, I must be quick to say our FEMA inspector has been wonderful and is a nice guy. He is a retired builder from Arizona and really seems to care about the applicants he is assigned.

We will build back once we know what we have at stake and once we get permission to return to Bolivar. Worker are busy all over the Peninsula getting the power and water working again.

Take care and please do remember the families of the missing and those who are struggling to rebuild. Many were full time residents of the Peninsula and had no other home to go to after the storm. It will be years before the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island is back up and running as it once was.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Thanks, too, for telling folks about the blog. People are reading it from around the world and I've made so many new friends.

This just keeps on and on...

2008-10-05T10:45:00.001-07:00

Associated Press

11:38 AM CDT, Sunday, October 5, 2008

Two more Ike victims found on Goat Island

GALVESTON, Texas -- Two more bodies have been found close to where Hurricane Ike thundered ashore, bringing the Texas death toll to 35 and the national toll to 70.

A search-and-rescue team Saturday made the discovery in debris fields on Goat Island, located off the devastated resort area of Bolivar Peninsula. The bodies were taken to the Galveston County medical examiner's office.

Galveston County Sheriff's Office Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo said he had no other information about the victims.

More than 1 million people evacuated the Texas coast due to Ike. The storm caused flooding and deaths as far away as Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Please keep on praying for those who wait to hear about loved ones.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Sunday morning coming down in Branson...

2008-10-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

Ted and I had a great day here yesterday taking in more of the sights and sounds. Really nice people and we've met folks from all over the world touring here.

We are about to leave for a church service at Skyview Baptist, just down the road from us, but wanted to give all an update. Our Texas Windstorm adjustor went to Bolivar yesterday and called us from the site of our former home. He said his report would be completed in two to three days and that he would notify us of his opinion.

Most residents have not liked or agreed with the opinion they have received from adjustors — paid either nothing or much too little to hope of rebuilding. So, we are asking our friends (and those who read everything we post or write personally) to please keep on praying for a few more days.

Take care and have a blessed day today whatever you are doing.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Hello from Branson...

2008-10-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ted and I continue to enjoy our time in this most restful place. Each of the condos is decorated by the owner, whether it is a corporation or an individual. Ours happens to be owned by a gentleman who lives in Italy and only comes here four times each year.

Our Texas Windstorm adjustor reached us last night and he will be going to the Peninsula tomorrow for his evaluation, so this is the time to really pray in our behalf. He was pretty non-committal about what he expected to find and said he had been on the Peninsula already and that it was terrible. We are getting reports of decaying animals and also horrible flies all over the Peninsula. Even the adjustors do not want to stay any longer than necessary.

At least two more bodies have now been found and additional reports are indicating that the cadaver search dogs have indeed shown searchers that at least ten places on the Peninsula have more human bodies buried under sand and debris. We are praying for our friends there. The Examiner's lead story this week is on the missing.

The weather is getting a little more like fall every day and we have been able to tell the difference in the coloring of the trees as each day passes. Everyone here tells us that the first real frost will really cause a change. The Titanic Exhibit is here in town and we are considering going through the model ship tomorrow. Ted's cousin, Nelda, tells us it was worth the money and that she played the part of a young girl in steerage while George played the part of the orchestra leader when they toured a few weeks ago. Won't tell you here if either one survived the voyage (or at least the characters they played) or not, but it sounds like a lot of fun and a true lesson in history. The exhibit has the big ship and the iceberg in the water along the side of one of the main streets. Today, we went for a long drive out into the countryside and along the shores of the lake. It still amazes me to have the mountains (or big hills, anyway) leading right down to the edge of the deep blue/green lake water. Peaceful, oh so peaceful!

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Greetings from beautiful Branson, MO

2008-10-02T20:08:00.001-07:00

Ted and I are having fun here at Pointe Royale in Branson, MO. It really is a beautiful area of the country. Martha (Ted's sister) met with our FEMA representative yesterday to sign some papers in our behalf and today our Texas Windstorm adjustor/inspector called me to talk about our property. It is a long, drawn out process, but we will get through it.

Please keep on praying for a good outcome so we can get back to our lives.

We saw a wonderful family Gospel and country based show last night, and I was thrilled when one of the fabulous quartets sang "The Lighthouse," which is one of my very favorite songs in the entire world. Everyone here is kind and considerate and the place is beautiful. In fact, it is so nice, we are hopeful that some of our friends will come up for a visit while we are here.

The news from the Bolivar Peninsula continues to be sad. Yesterday, searchers found a man that we had known was missing since the day after the storm. He worked for one of the larger builders in the area and his mom had tried everything she knew to find out what had happened to him. His body was found on an island in Galveston Bay where it had washed up recently. Three people who lived on our street area also missing and their car was found filled with sand. They are assumed to be dead as well. Two other bodies for whom I do not know the identity were also found yesterday.

Today, a large search was started on the Peninsula using cadaver dogs, and they found at least ten spots where human bodies are believed to be buried under the mounds of sand and debris. The local fire department chief had been begging for major help to search and was disheartened to be put off until today. Still no word on Glennis Dunn. The Examiner did a big story on the missing as the lead for this week.

Several have asked if we have a mailing address and we do for as long as we are here. It is Unit 38-14, 158 A Pointe Royale Drive, Branson, MO 65616. You can always reach one of us on our cell phone and we are trying to keep them charged regularly.

Take care and thank you for your continued love and concern. Please do pray for the families of those who still have missing loved ones.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

The rebuilding effort on Bolivar has only just begun...

2008-09-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

This explains our plight, which is the same as hundreds of neighbors and property owners on the Peninsula. County officials are clearing debris, moving as much as they can and getting the roads cleared and open while utility companies are building power lines and checking water operations.

We cannot do anything on the Peninsula until the infrastructure is back in place and our insurance rules. FEMA is everywhere down there now and adjustors are working feverishly to get to home sites when in so many cases, nothing is left standing. Relatives and loved ones continue to look for the missing and stories surface every day concerning the finding of bodies or personal effects. Really sad and terrible things.

The issues range from coverage at all to what kind of coverage did the homeowner have in place? If insurance rules in favor of "surge," "rising," or "flood," water damaging the home, many will not be covered depending on the exact wording of the policy. One person in the field told me that many are scrambling to come up with a verifiable meaning for "surge" water that occurs prior to the hurricane making land.

Ted and I opted for a very good Texas Windstorm policy where we lived, based on information we were given from friends and insurance personnel. We also had a good homeowners' policy. However, if the adjustor rules for water, we will not be given what we need to rebuild. The FEMA representative talked to Ted again last night and said that almost every home he had investigated had been ruled "surge" water and that many policies would not have to pay a dime. In our case, he thought FEMA itself might authorize a small amount, or offer a small loan, which means we would not have near enough to rebuild our home, especially in today's market and with the economy as it stands.

We still have not been able to hear from Texas Windstorm and Ted said we are not going to give up until we do, as well as continuing to pursue our homeowner's policy.

The ruling amounts to a lot of money in our case, so you can see how much we want the adjustor to rule correctly as Ted and many others believe the wind did come first and take down our home prior to Ike ever hitting land or the water rising. Since there is no structure at all to measure a water line on, no one really knows for certain. The FEMA man said that they do know that a wall of water at least 18 feet high stood on the Peninsula for a long time. Can you imagine that? I can't.

Anyway, keep on praying, please. We need to get an answer soon and make our plans. I fully intend to rebuild my home on Bolivar where I am so happy. I know God is good and that He is always good even when I have trouble remembering that fact. Also, please join me in prayer for those dear families who live each day to hear what happened to their loved ones. More than 400, according to our sources, are still missing from the Peninsula since Ike.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

I appreciate your love, concern and support during these past difficult days. Friends are truly the angels God appoints to take care of each other during times of need, and how I thank God for each of mine. It seems that just when I have reached a very low valley, God sends someone along to give me an uplifting word or smile.

Branson is beautiful...

2008-09-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

This area is really beautiful. I cannot remember ever thinking how pretty the Ozarks were like I do now. Maybe, just maybe, I am beginning to see things more clearly through "not so tired" eyes. We are enjoying the condo, shopping for groceries and cooking, viewing the area, and we took in one really good show last night.

Hit a couple of potholes yesterday with people and things, but we are survivors, and we will survive again. (In reality, perhaps they were more like chasms, but I know in my heart that God knows what He is doing).

So many of my neighbors on the Bolivar Peninsula are hurting with their losses, deaths and heartache that I feel I shouldn't even complain. A neighbor sent me an interesting article this morning regarding "surge," "rising," and "flood" water versus wind damage to our homes. These decisions by the adjustors and the government are going to determine whether thousands of good people can rebuild their homes and lives again on the Peninsula.

Here is a link if you are interested in reading the work: http://standeyo.com/NEWS/08_USA/080918.Bolivar.wait.html

Don't want to overtax anyone with hurricane news, but the blog helps to keep from having to tell the story over and over again and yet, I can keep family and friends in the loop as it were.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Hurricane IKE Photos

2008-09-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

http://hurricaneikesept08.shutterfly.com/

Sunday Evening from beautiful Branson, MO, in the Ozarks...

2008-09-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

This place is so beautiful I really cannot describe it efficiently, and I think after getting settled in a bit — just what the doctor ordered (only in this case, it was Ted who ordered the retreat). We are in a really nice condo snuggled on the shores of Tablerock Lake with the Ozarks in the near distance. We got everything put away and drove down into Branson for a little while tonight, but decided to do the shows and shopping later. Did buy groceries and I am so excited about being able to cook in my own (well, sort of) kitchen for the time we are here.

We picked out two shows we want to see and bought tickets for Monday and Wednesday evenings. I also scouted out some shops I want to hit before leaving, too.

Stopped on the way over from Tulsa and visited with Addie Mae and Ron (Ted's cousins whom I had never met) and enjoyed our time with them.

Had a tip when I arrived and opened my computer that the authorities have found two more bodies probably from Bolivar. One cannot be identified as a man or a woman at this time.

Our new insurance adjustor called tonight shortly after we arrived and seemed very nice and professional. Martha has agreed to meet him at our site on Tuesday. The first one did not need to have someone there, but this one said he must have someone there, and Martha (Ted's sister) has known our cabin on Bolivar longer than we have, so we asked her to volunteer and she kindly did. Please pray that this man finds that "wind" and not "water" destroyed our home so that we can rebuild it as soon as possible. So many people are hurting on the Peninsula and stories continue to surface every day about new woes.

The adjustor told me tonight (off the record and not for a story) that he had never seen such devastation and that he had to leave the scene today to compose himself after watching an 76-tear-old woman digging in the sand and muck to see if she could find just one of her possessions. Her house was totally destroyed and she, too, is depending on the windstorm insurance to supply her a home to live in at the beach.

Several reports tonight have come by way of messages about looting with trucks being piled high with tools, copper wire, small crafts, appliances and everything in between. The law enforcement officers are patrolling, but they cannot be everywhere all of the time. I cannot believe unprincipled people would take advantage of folks after a disaster of this size has hit the area.

Please pray diligently about the adjustor's findings. We appreciate it very much.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Late Saturday Night from Tulsa, Oklahoma...

2008-09-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ted and I decided to "get out of Dodge for a while," as the saying goes. Between Mother's sudden illness and ultimate death, two funeral services, the trip to Georgia under a hurricane evacuation and the return trip to Texas under yet another hurricane evacuation, and the total loss of my home and possessions, as well as working with so many neighbors and friends on the Peninsula who have lost everything, too, we are simply worn out. I've been writing, but I have several more stories that need to be told. I have interviewed five people now who stayed on the Peninsula during the worst storm to hit our area since "The Great Storm of 1900."

And then comes the "fun" task of dealing with insurance and the federal government. I thought I was one tough grandma, but I have decided in the last month I am not very tough at all. Because our house is totally gone and we cannot find any piece of it anywhere other than the five broken pilings on which it sat and the crushed slab of concrete, we have nothing to show the adjustor. Our insurance agent (a very good one) on Galveston Island was also under mandatory evacuation and their offices are badly damaged even when they can safely come back. We cannot get through to any numbers we have for them.

We were told to go ahead and call Texas Windstorm, which is a "biggie" out here, and Lord knows, we've paid those premiums faithfully. Trying to do everything by the book, we did call and went through the whole story one more complete time. He said we would be assigned to an adjustor who would call in two to three days. He did call and we again related the story. He was to go to the slab tomorrow for his "investigation" (what is to investigate I ask), and again, I said, "What part of the story did you not get? There is no house. There are no possessions. If you can find it or them, we'd love for you to do so. We can't and we've tried." Ted and I spent the better part of last Sunday looking for just one thing of ours. After going over the details three different times, he again asked me how high the water mark was on my house and how much of my furniture could I reclaim and use. I held my breath until I was calm enough to speak again. I asked him if he had email and could I please send him the photographs that I personally took so he could see the damages for himself. He gave me the address and I sent them on to him marking our property and house site. I also had to do the paperwork again.

On the way here tonight, the adjustor called and said he had been taken off the Texas cases and we would be assigned a new adjustor. I asked if we had to do the info over again and he said yes. I was glad I was out of town.

Now, here's the real deal. If this adjustor rules that the water (surge, flood, rising) came in first, they, nor homeowners insurance, does not have to pay one dime. If this same man rules that wind came in first, we get paid in full for the house and for the possessions inside the house. The only thing is that now I have to list every possession that we wish to claim for their consideration and the approximate replacement cost. I can't even think about it any longer.

I asked how long we would have to wait for the ruling and he said about three weeks. Now, we cannot do anything on the Peninsula because it is still under guard, so Ted said, "Let's get out of here for a few days." We booked a nice condo in Branson, MO just to rest a bit in the edge of the foothills of the Ozarks. Ted has been several times and loves it there, so send good thoughts our way and we'll get geared up for whatever is next.

And, pray, too, please that we get a "fair" adjustor who will rule wind because that is what Ted and others who know more than I do believe it was. We can see somewhat of a northwestern path, but we have never found one thing that came from the inside of our house. It is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

The most difficult thing I've been doing is working with the lost and missing families. They have now found two bodies that we know about. One was a beautiful woman who worked for Exxon Mobile Labs. She drowned trying to flee her home and her body was just recovered Wednesday night several miles across the bay caught up in storm debris. Every time a new body is found, all of the other waiting families get their hopes up and wait and worry. There's a lengthy list on several sites of folks who have not been heard from since the storm hit the Peninsula. Laura Recovery Center out of Houston is doing a good job of helping. Glennis Dunn's pic is posted on the blog. Her son, Bill, and his five siblings, have not spoken to her or found any word about her whereabouts since Friday morning before Ike landed on Saturday morning and they fear her dead. She had a 15-year-old Great Dane and Bill believes she would not leave her dog alone to face the storm.

The Galveston County judge has said that many of the missing will possibly never be found because they likely washed out to sea or met with wildlife or fish after drowning. My heart breaks for these families who need closure of some kind.

These are good people who have worked hard all their lives and bought the beach property in many cases with an eye toward retiring and living out their lives in a beautiful environment. Please continue to pray not just for us, but for all of the Bolivar residents who are saddened and have so many decisions to make just now.

I do appreciate each of your kind emails, notes, cards and telephone calls. It has been the source of my strength. God is good and this will all be resolved soon.

Photo I took of Ted at the site of our home the first time we saw the damage of Hurricane Ike on the ground. My children said that when they saw this pic, they knew it was bad because Ted rarely ever gets discouraged about anything. He's been a rock for me and for my family during this time.

Has anyone heard from Glennis Dunn since Hurricane Ike made landfall?

2008-09-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Glennis Dunn, a Crystal Beach resident, has not been heard from since Friday before Hurricane Ike made landfall. Her children and grandchildren are very concerned and are trying various means to locate their mom and grandmom.

As we talk to various friends and neighbors from the Peninsula, mention her name and show the photographs her family has provided in a sincere effort to try to help the family.

According to Glennis' son, Bill, she was last seen on Thursday, Sept. 11 by her neighbor James. Family members spoke with her by phone on Friday morning until the telephone died. She was still in her home at this time.

"Mom was aware of the storm and planned to leave on Friday morning. Unfortunately, at that point," Bill said, "it was too late for her to leave on her own. The wind and water had started to rise."

Glennis has six children and 16 grandchildren.

She was retired and a home-maker; as well as having been a single mom, a private pilot, and an US Air Force captain's wife. For the past 10 years, she was retired and loving living in Crystal Beach with her dog, Jacque. I'm sending another picture of her favorite pastime...hope it helps to jog someone's memory about what may have happened to our loved one.

If you have any information about Glennis Dunn, please email brendacannonhenley@yahoo.com. I will pass on any information I receive directly to her family.

Bolivar Peninsula Residents' Meeting today conducted by Judge Bob Wortham

2008-09-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

The meeting in Jefferson County Judge Bob Wortham's courtroom was packed and he was very pleased with the number of interested residents, according to Lynda Kay Makin, the newly appointed Information Flow Chair. Another meeting will be held three weeks from today to continue to address issues. Announcements will be made in time for all to hear.

Wortham's opening statement was, "We are here to get from today to the future." He announced the formation of 13 committees with some chairs having been appointed and others to be chosen from those who signed up on volunteer lists made available in the meeting.

Vernon Pierce, an Entergy representative spoke and said that 98 percent of the customers who lost power from Hurricane Ike's hit had been restored and that the company was working to restore power for the other 8,700 who can take power. (I also received a direct reply from Joe Domino, Entergy Texas' president, regarding the service to Bolivar Peninsula).

Pierce said, "Entergy will not abandon these customers and our workers are doing everything in their power to get service restored." They have dedicated 200 workers to getting power to High Island as soon as possible and hope to have power in Port Bolivar within six weeks since more people are living there.

Jennifer from the water department assured everyone that the BPSUD was up and running even though 14 out of 16 employees lost their homes to the storm. A new temporary office has been located in Winnie to help serve the public. One does not need to have the water turned off and the spokesperson assured the crowd that they are not being billed for this time. Customers' first option is to do nothing until water service is restored. Second option is to call and have service disconnected realizing that fees will be applied to connect again. Any line disconnected will be plugged.

The address of the new office is 524 FM 1406 in Winnie.

Ann Willis and Butch Leger were introduced and Willis stated that the first day she believed residents could go to inspect property was this coming Friday, Sept. 26, beginning at 6 a.m. in the morning. Tetnus shots are suggested, as well as boots, gloves, water and ladders to reach homes. No one will be admitted after 2 p.m. and everyone must be out by 4 p.m. Residents must have proof of ownership and a photo identification and will cross over the Rollover Pass bridge.

Wortham asked the crowd, "Do you want to work to rebuild Bolivar? If so, find a committee and sign up letting organizers know you are available." He announced the following committees have been formed.

Information Flow (with Entergy info being routed through this committee)
Property Clean Up
Water Issues
TXDot
Galveston City (chaired by Wortham)
A new EDC
Housing
FEMA
Legislation
Insurance
Tax
Galvestion and High Island ISD

He urged residents who have not been on the Peninsula since the hurricane "to prepare themselves for the worst and be happy and surprised at the best." He further said he was overwhelmed with Channel 6 in Beaumont asked him to go see his own cabin with a news crew. He also thanked the large crowd, which filled the Jefferson County Jury Impaneling Room to overflowing, for their "civilized manner" in a "standing room only" crowd where everyone had a vested interest in the Peninsula.

Wortham also cautioned front row home owners not to plan to build within one full year (four seasons) so government agencies could assess the shore line and see where the tide lines would fall after the storm.

Roger Welch, a member of the BPSUD, assured the crowd of his belief that DPS troops were actively protecting the property there. He said there were ten cars patrolling the Peninsula today.

Residents were further urged to remain patient and calm and to realize that many people were working to secure the Peninsula and to help in the huge task that lay ahead in the rebuilding of our homes.

From Beaumont, Texas in our RV

2008-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Things are beginning to take on somewhat of a routine and we are safe in the RV in Beaumont. Ted's sister and brother in law have acreage here and we can enjoy their yard now that it is being cleaned up from Hurricane Ike.

Ted and I were allowed on Bolivar Peninsula on Sunday due to my National Press Pass and an Emergency Management hologram provided by my boss. I am a writer and I cannot describe adequately the destruction and devastation we saw on our beloved Peninsula. It is so much worse than the fly-over in the chartered plane showed. When you walk across the site that used to be your home and you can find nothing of your possessions, it is mind boggling.

There is still no water and no power and much discussion as to whether or not insurance will or will not pay off at this time. Friends report that even though they had flood insurance, as well as homeowner's and the required Texas Windstorm, at least two have been told that the policy did not cover "surge water," which is what Hurricane Ike brought in to our area. Ted believes that the windstorm will have to pay for our house because it was clear (to him, at least) that the wind came first and knocked the cabin off the pilings before the 13-15 feet wall of water hit.

I have interviewed four people now that stayed out the storm on the Peninsula and they have tales to tell. People are continually reported missing and have not been heard from since the storm. Officials stated that they might have been washed out to sea clinging to their houses or floating objects

I posted 123 photographs that I took on Sunday on the Peninsula if you'd care to see them. Please simply email and I will send you the necessary invitation to view the pics. Don't want to overload anyone's in-box with material that they don't want.

I am attaching a recent photo of "the Stancil clan" taken at Mother's memorial service in Groves. We're all there except for my precious Nikki, Steve and the boys. Included in the pic is Kelley Nolan, the young lady who helped us so much in the care of Mother.

One piece of good news...

2008-09-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

Ted and I learned yesterday that our mail was packed up prior to Ike's visit and taken to another post office about 45 miles from our home. We went there to retrieve it, but the postmaster said she had not had time to unpack the large cartons, but would try to do so by Monday afternoon.

One reason I had worried and fretted about the mail is that family members and friends had mailed checks for the education scholarship fund we established in Mother's memory and I did not know how to acknowledge the gifts or send them to the bank.

The postmaster assured me that all mail is accounted for and that took a load off of our minds. We are still to use the old address of Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650 and the post office will take care of the forwarding for some time until we all know what we can do toward rebuilding.

Ted and I are safe in our RV in Beaumont and got power late this afternoon. Yeah! We have determined that very cold showers are very quick showers! Tonight, we can have warm showers for the first time since arriving back in Southeast Texas and I can make fresh coffee in a traditional manner for my husband in the morning.

Please keep on praying for us and for our area. There are many needs and so many people without housing and other necessities of life. We were able to fly over the area in a private, charter plane day before yesterday and confirm that our house and possessions are gone. Tomorrow, if all goes well, my boss and publisher and I will visit the Peninsula by land to get our first up close and personal look. Everyone reports that it is indeed devastating.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Dealing with loss, death, tragedy and disaster in our lives

2008-09-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note - This is my current column for The Examiner, published in Beaumont, Texas.

Please forgive me if my column today is a little more personal than usual. When my editor and publisher asked me to write a story of encouragement and help for folks dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike on our area, I thought, “Sure, piece of cake. That is what I do. Been doing it for years.”

But I soon realized that I had to draw upon the deep recesses of my heart and soul to put words on paper describing the brutal truth of the matter and to express honestly the thoughts churning so vividly inside my own being. Perhaps a little background is in order here.

My mother, Flo Davis, suffered a massive stroke on Wednesday evening, August 13 after eating dinner with one of her close buddies and attending prayer meeting. She was rushed to the trauma unit of CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont and the family members and church friends began to gather for a long vigil in the surrounding waiting rooms. We were told that Mother had suffered the stroke, additional seizures and that she likely would not survive more than six or eight hours. As we stood near her bed, we watched in amazement as she fought and survived that night.

The next day our family was advised that not only had she had the massive stroke and the continued seizures, she had also had a heart attack and since she was 86 years old, there really was nothing more to be done. She had a strong living will and a DNR order on file and so we said our goodbyes in different ways and at different times. On Sunday our team of physicians came in and said that the final test had revealed a growing cancerous brain tumor, stage 4, that had likely caused the stroke and the seizures. We discussed hospice care and placed Mother into that program on Monday. She lived 13 days and nights without one drop of water and one bite of food as we watched, prayed and tried to remain strong. Watching her die was not an easy chore and she was a strong woman.

Being of sturdy stock and a compelling nature, Mother lived 19 minutes into her 87th birthday and went home to be with the Lord and her husband, mother, father and other family members and friends. I rather think she did it like she wanted to do it — making it until that birthday milestone. We planned a memorial service at my son’s church in Groves and while we were conducting that funeral, we learned we were under mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Gustav. As we left the church, workers were placing sandbags around the doors of the building.

We drove on to the Atlanta area where Mother spent the majority of her life and had a second memorial service there on Sept. 3. As my husband and I were making our way home to Texas after the service and taking care of some of Mother’s business and going through personal effects, we learned that another major storm was heading for the Southeast Texas coast and that we would be under a second mandatory evacuation from our home in Port Bolivar. We were never allowed back to our property and only had with us the clothing we took for the funeral and my nephew’s wedding, which followed on September 6. Hurricane Ike slammed into the Peninsula we had come to love and called home since our marriage, and for four days and nights, we did not know if we had a home or any possessions at all. Waiting it out to confirm or deny our thoughts was a most difficult time. On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Ted and I flew in a small, chartered plane over Bolivar Peninsula and confirmed what some aerial photographs had shown us. Not one shred of our home was standing and not one piece of our belongings — a book, a piece of jewelry, dishes, photographs, wedding album, tools, lawn mower, furniture was evident. It looks as though a giant machine swept the area clean in many areas and flung the contents out to the beautiful blue-green sea.

A slight wind was blowing from the north and the seascape was picturesque. The landscape, however, was quite a different story. Homes and businesses are gone, the Rollover Ferry bridge has been destroyed except for one lane that is partially there, and the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry landings have been breached. Friends and neighbors appear to be missing and there are widespread rumors of hurtful situations. Little information has been forthcoming about when residents may be allowed back onto the Peninsula to look for any of their belongings and we wait in areas without water and power.

As I drove into my sister-in-law’s home in Bevil Oaks, I saw a big, old oak tree that the storm had taken down here. The inside was quite hollow and you could literally see through the massive trunk. I thought for a moment, “That’s how my heart feels. Hollow. Empty. Open and vulnerable. Useless.” For a woman to be without clothes, jewelry and shoes and her photographs of a lifetime is almost unthinkable, but for me, the loss of my books is cause for deep pain. My office equipment where I wrote is gone. My children’s gifts have vanished. I cried over a particular seashell that I dearly loved.

In my overwhelming grief, I began to think. “Do I believe what I have declared and taught for a lifetime? Is God really on His throne? Does He know my heart, as well as those of many of my dear friends and neighbors, hurts? Does He know what His plan is for our lives and will He be there to help guide us through it?” Thank God, I know in my heart of hearts, He does, but I found myself physically tired, discouraged and bereft.

While in Atlanta, another of my sister-in-laws asked me to go and buy a particular book and read it and then let her know what I thought. For some reason, I took the time, went to a busy Atlanta area bookstore and bought “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young. I was entranced and read every word of it in one sitting. I have now read it a second time and I do not know what you may believe about the writing, but it helped me more than I can say. I needed to be reminded of the personal relationship human beings can have with God the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I gleaned from the many writers of the past that Young quoted and found myself clinging to their words just as surely as neighbors of mine clung to pieces of wood as they floated on Ike’s raging waters.

Let me share just a few of the outstanding quotes, which have helped to hold my personal anchor in place the past few days. Mack, the central character in “The Shack” had experienced “The Great Sadness” in his life and was forced to learn to rely on his personal relationship with God. He said, “Two roads diverged in the middle of my life, I heard a wise man say. I took the road less traveled by and that’s made the difference every night and every day.” - Larry Norman with apologies to Robert Frost. In Chapter 8 of “The Shack,” Young quotes an unknown writer: “Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.” “New world — big horizon. Open your eyes and see it’s true. New world — across the frightening waves of blue.” - David Wilcox. “Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” – Albert Einstein. “Oh, my soul…be prepared for Him who knows how to ask questions.” - T. S. Eliot. And, one of my personal favorites in the book, “God is a verb,” a quote from Buckminster Fuller.

Mack had many struggles to overcome in his search for truth and in one place he was told, “You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time, you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world, but a world lives in you.” - Frederick Buechner. I am learning that this is also true of possessions and the “things” of life. You can keep them through your memories and by remembering those that gave them to you in the first place.

A. W. Tozer, one of my favorite writers of the past, is also included in “The Shack.” Here, he writes, “An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” God loves you and He loves me as if we were the only children He had. We humans tend to limit Him so much because we are human. We are reminded that “earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.”

As I walked about the branches of the dead oak tree today, I chanced to see something growing on one of the branches. I reached down and looked more closely. There I found several little healthy looking acorns resting quietly as if nothing had happened to disturb their world. They appeared to me to be at perfect peace. I picked one for myself (the tree is going to be cut up and taken away today), one for my husband and one for each of my children and grandchildren, and I put them in my pocket. As I have worked today, I am claiming a wonderful new experience called life for each of us, and the tiny acorns are my personal symbols of hope. I needed something tangible to touch and feel. Things can be replaced — people cannot. I can get new shoes, new clothing and some other books and my life will be brighter, more productive and happier than ever before, if (big if, here) I allow God to make it so.

As an added bonus, (just like God to do this for His children) as I was walking toward our RV parked in Bill and Martha’s branch littered yard, I looked for her wonderful, old gardenia bush. Much of it was crumbled in disarray from Ike’s powerful wind, but as I picked up some of the branches, I saw one beautiful, creamy white gardenia bloom nestled amidst the brokenness. I carefully and tenderly broke it off and brought it inside with me to share its fragrance and hope throughout our lives. It reminded me, as Mack learned, God is indeed still on His throne and He does care for us. (I Peter 5:7) It is up to His children to learn to trust Him completely, even when we don’t understand, and walk by faith in His ways making certain our relationships with those around us are ones He can be pleased with for all eternity. He is good and He is always God. Be encouraged.

From our RV in Beaumont, Texas

2008-09-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Ted and I returned to the Beaumont area last night to find much of the city and surrounding bergs still without electricity. Bevil Oaks, where Martha, Ted's sister, lives has no power and the Entergy Web site said that full power would be restored no later than October 6. We do have a generator built into the RV so we are better off than many of our neighbors.

My publisher kindly provided a chartered plane for Ted and I to fly over Bolivar Peninsula today to see for ourselves the damage done there by Hurricane Ike. It is almost impossible for me to describe the sights or the impact it has on one whose home was there and who has friends among the missing.

Rumors continue to fly and are being confirmed by different sources and each appears to be more horrible than the last. We do know for certain that an "order to vacate" the entire Peninsula was issued night before last and that marshall law will begin tomorrow where National Guard and other military will go door-to-door in an attempt to identify the missing and/or the dead. So many of the "old-timers" simply refused to leave their homes again. They were worried about looters and many did not really believe Ike would be that bad. It was!

I was told late this afternoon by a business owner on the Peninsula that the number of missing is now 504 and that the body count continues to climb, although all national media and even local media cannot report that. We do understand that the officials and the county leaders do not want to speculate and they say they will not have proof until the count is completed by the military. We are hearing of people that have been found dead, some floating in the still evident water. One sheriff's deputy told me last night that it is awful there and that the body count is much higher than we can imagine. He also mentioned that there is a real problem with the wildlife habitat and that it is literally turned upside down. One fear surrounding the identifying of the dead is that the alligators are coming out and eating the bodies so the urgency continues to grow daily. It has also been reported that more than 1,500 head of cattle are dead on the Peninsula and that health risks are severe in this matter.

One story surfaced today that seemed utterly impossible, but turned out to be quite true. It seems that a man living on Crystal Beach had a full-grown lion as a pet and when he was made to evacuate, he refused to leave without his lion, so he took it to shelter at the local Baptist church with at least five other individuals. The lion did just fine chained in a room until he ran out of food and some of his co-evacuees grew fearful. A vet went down today and tranquilized the large cat and they were able to get it out of the church without incident. I know this story to be true because we talked with a man who was on the plane.

Galveston Island is under mandatory evacuation after President Bush's visit there. Buses were taking some 20,000 citizens out of the city.

I do know for a fact, because we saw it with our own eyes today from the chartered plane, that there are strips of beach
front property that are stripped absolutely clean. It is as if huge bulldozers cleared the land for building. What is also incredible to observe is that there is no discernible pattern. The front row of houses might be gone, one standing in the second row and the third row completely bare. On one stretch of Crystal Beach, all of the houses were gone except for one lone sentinel standing on a point out into the Gulf. The beaches were swept clean in many areas and only a few spots of debris could be seen from our height in the surf. Water was beautiful with a slight north wind blowing.

The old Bolivar Lighthouse, that we could see out of our kitchen window, is sitting in the middle of lake now that was not there prior to the storm. It looks as though it survived another storm and is still standing tall.

When we got to the area where our house stood, there was nothing. I kept hoping to see a picture, a book, a shiny piece of jewelry, some dishes, anything at all, but I saw nothing but bare land. My little white Grand Am is sitting in the middle of a lake we never had before and we believe Ted's new lawn mower is resting beside the car. It looks as though the area were hollowed out and filled with still-standing water. Nothing else remains. In many cases you can see the concrete pads that houses were built on before Ike hit. Ted and others are convinced the high, unrelenting wind took our cabin down.

Many do not remember that we did not evacuate as such. We were in Atlanta for my Mom's funeral when the call for evacuation came. We were never allowed by law back on the Peninsula so what we own is what we had in our car for the trip to Georgia. We are more fortunate than many because Ted has the nice RV and a home in Amarillo should we want to go there. However, my life and my worldly possessions, as were many of his, were in the beach house, which was our primary residence since our marriage.

I do pretty well for long periods of time and then I remember one particular thing, a gift, a book of which I was especially fond, something I had written, a ring or a bracelet that someone gave me, my children's pictures, my wedding pictures or something else that pulls at my heart strings. Somehow in the back of my mind, I keep thinking, "We will go home soon and I will buy groceries, stock the kitchen and cook a big, good meal," and then it hits me, "Our home is gone."

God is always good and He is always God. I do not see the end picture in all of the things that have happened in our lives in the past 30 days, but I do know that He is faithful and He will not leave us, nor forsake us. Our bodies are weary, our hopes are a bit dashed and we are a bit unsettled, but we will survive and we will be happy again. We have each other, our families are safe and we are Texans! My brother-in-law, Bill Ladd, encouraged me tonight to read Psalm 71 and I have read it now several times. It seems fitting to me.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

I have new photographs and will post them as soon as I can get them on the Web.

Monday Morning from Gulf Shores, Alabama

2008-09-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

It has now been over 50 hours since Hurricane Ike made landfall on the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island and changed our lives forever. Reports are coming from all sides of danger, destruction and death. The county judge in Galveston County issued an "order to vacate" for Bolivar last night and it is now illegal for any living thing to be on the Peninsula. They say it is simply too dangerous because of the standing water, debris, loss of roadways, no water or power and no infrastructure left. The order indicates that the officials are not certain if and when the Peninsula will be rebuilt.

The judge said that 90% of everything is gone or badly damaged and some rescues by both the US Coast Guard and the Galveston County Sheriff's Department are still being done. I spoke with the Coast Guard commander this morning and he said that those who refused to leave prior to the storm were foolish and that, even now, some of the old timers, say they will not leave. They are now being arrested by law enforcement to try to save their lives. Over 3,000 people have been rescued by the Coast Guard alone including all of Galveston County and the Peninsula.

I have photographs this morning of caskets floating in Orange County due to the standing water literally popping them out of the ground. They are floating in the town itself.

The most terrible part of it all is the waiting. Ted and I do not know for certain if our land was wiped clean or if there is a slim possibility that part of the cabin might still be standing. Reports have come in both ways, but we have seen no conclusive proof of it being there. The worse thing is that no one can get in to see for certain, so we wait here in Gulf Shores. We are safe and comfortable, but it is difficult to enjoy the beauty of the area.

Thank you for your love and concern. Until the next page turns,
Brenda

With heavy heart, I write from Gulf Shores, Alabama...

2008-09-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

First photo above shows a stretch of Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula, formerly heavily populated with houses and people, now empty, swept clean by Hurricane Ike. Second is a photo of my beloved Bolivar lighthouse that I could see from my kitchen window. It is now completely surrounded by water in what was a green field. Mother especially loved seeing the beam from the Bolivar Light coming on each night as dusk gathered.

Ted and I had planned to start for Beaumont so we could be nearer to our home on Bolivar Peninsula, but were turned back by the genuine advice from several truckers we met along the way. There are places that are still under water on I-10. We had secured motel reservations for both DeAnna and Callie and ourselves in San Antonio, but were told we could not get there because I-10 was closed at the Trinity River Bridge because of water and some other areas of concern. We have since returned to our new little home, away from home, in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

All news we hear coming from Bolivar Peninsula (and it is continuing hourly by phone and computer) indicates that there is nothing left of what we knew as home. One rescued man said, "Everything on Bolivar Peninsula is gone, except for a little bit of High Island." He added, "Not only have we lost our homes, our cars, our possessions, but we have also lost our way of life as we know it as well."

Rumors are swirling and because no one can get in there to see for themselves what is true and what is not, we simply must wait. One set of arial photographs we have seen taken by a property and business owner there confirms what we feared — all is gone. He described such destruction and debris as we've only seen in horror movies and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This gentleman is a pilot and he took his own airplane up to view the damage for himself because he found what he was hearing hard to believe.

The new middle school built a few miles from our home is gone, the Crystal Beach Post Office appears to be standing, all homes are gone, cars were swept out to sea, along with belongings, furniture, memories of a lifetime and lawn mowers and tools. The wind toppled the houses off the piers or pilings and the water took the contents out to sea when the surges receded. I've never felt such emotion as when I think of a grandchild's gift to me, a particular book I treasure, papers of a lifetime, photographs, my dishes, and etc. I was doing OK for a while today until I realized my Mama Cole's Bible and her bread bowl and combs were gone, as was my good Scrabble game.

We are also hearing that the insurance companies are devious when it comes to paying off and will try to shift the causes of the disaster from one thing to the other. We've not met a FEMA person or learned of any help as of yet, but it is still so soon after Ike's pounding. The national media rarely mentions Beaumont and much less Bolivar Peninsula. They seem to be concentrating on Galveston, Houston and of all places, Surfside, with only 800 residents at the peak of summer. But, of course, no one can get on the Peninsula by boat or air and certainly not by car since all roads are still under water.

We have been told by the county officials that the ferry landings are gone and that they do not know how long it might take for them to be replaced. The road is also gone in several places with great chunks pushed around. Our faithful old lighthouse that I could see from my kitchen window stands, but in the center of a big lake of water.

Please continue to pray for us as we cannot plan to return to even Beaumont until the curfews are lifted and they have power and water. I know in my heart that God is still on His throne and is over all things, but sometimes I find myself getting discouraged. For a "keeper of things," this is challenging.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Saturday Afternoon from Gulf Shores, Alabama

2008-09-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ted has just spoken with Tony Reed, a Crystal Beach resident, (next little town to us on the Peninsula) who is an employee of Texas Parks and Recreation. He took part yesterday in a rescue of 60 people stranded at Fort Travis (immediately next to our property on Bolivar). These people are "old-timers" who vowed to ride out the storm as they have done in the past at the fort, but water came in too high, too quickly. The rescued were just above water when they got to them. Water was coming over the seawall around the fort and I know it is high since it was built to protect the military from both storm and attack. (Steven - This is the high wall you climbed at the fort next to us - Water was over that so you know how high that was/is.)

He said at that time (around 2 p.m. yesterday, Friday) he could only see about 8 houses standing around or near the fort (not a good report) and he said the water had risen to the top of the bottom floor of the little motel by the fort. Water was inside and flowing through the Mexican restaurant we like on Bolivar. Said it was rising quickly inside the building and we think it is on a slight rise. There are dozens of homes/cabins around the fort so 6-8 houses standing is not a good thing.

He said water was all over the Peninsula - roads, beaches and yards - and is still standing.

No one can get in to evaluate because of the high water and there are not many hotels/motels available from the Texas line to throughout Louisiana and Alabama where we are staying. We are staying put in Gulf Shores for tonight and tomorrow.

Take care, stay safe until the next page turns,

Brenda (or Mom)

Brenda Cannon Henley

Saturday Morning, September 13, 2008, following Ike

2008-09-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your calls and emails concerning our safety and property damage due to Mighty Ike that made landfall just east of Galveston at 2:10 a. m. this morning.

We really do not know much more than anyone else who is watching the television coverage because no one can get onto the Peninsula to evaluate the damage there. Flooding is still taking place all over the area as far as we can tell and news crews and camera men and women are not allowed to go there because of safety issues.

We've heard during the night that the entire strip of land (Bolivar Peninsula) has been under water since early yesterday and we know the TXDot ferry is not running between Galveston Island and the Peninsula. One of the news reporters on The Weather Channel has just said the entire Galveston Island is "under water," but that sounds to me like a bit of exaggeration. We do know Houston has much flooding and Beaumont and Port Arthur are still being pounded by 90-100 MPH wind. All reports indicate that the storm will hover for a while and areas upward of Beaumont can expect more wind and rain, plus the rising waters coming from all sources of water, rivers, bayous, lakes and the Gulf.

Most of the major national coverage has centered on Houston, Galveston proper and a small village, Surfside,with just under 800 people living there, where a team of reporters were set up for the duration of the storm. Galveston Island has had major damage to property and particularly the beautiful old historic district including The Strand and all along the seawall.

We've seen three pictures of scenes on Bolivar, but they were taken yesterday during the surge prior to Ike's landing. We are wondering what we own and have.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Ted and I are safe in Gulf Shores, Alabama for now

2008-09-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hello family members and friends,

Where do I begin? For a woman of words, I find that I have few to describe the last days of my life. As most of you have read or heard, Mother became ill after a prayer meeting service, was taken to the hospital where she died after a 13-day battle, and we discovered that she had a massive brain tumor that was cancerous and had already spawned a second tumor. She also suffered a heart attack and 12-14 additional seizures. She made it 19 minutes into her big 87th birthday. We held her memorial service in Groves at Brent's church and found ourself under mandatory evacuation orders with the buildings being sand-bagged during the funeral. We left immediately for Georgia for a second memorial service among family and friends of a lifetime, attended my nephew's wedding and started home to the Texas coast.

Millie Jones Pincus, my gracious friend from elementary school days, shared wonderful southern hospitality with us for our stay in Atlanta and we had time with Ginger Bragg Doster, another long-time friend, and my sister-in-law, Teresa Stancil, as well as Aunts Anna and Minnie and Uncle Donald, cousins and close friends. I also took Ted to eat at the world famous Varsity, my favorite Steak and Shake and the new, old Rio Vista in Jackson.

As we drove through Alabama, we began receiving calls from friends on Bolivar Peninsula telling us that we were under mandatory evacuation orders once again — this time from Ike, the Terrible. Not wanting to face the Houston evacuation of more than 6 million people, we dipped down to beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama, where we were able to secure a nice little hotel suite that is quite comfortable and very clean. We went to the beach yesterday only to find massive waves and much swirling and churning of the water here. Locals said the water had never been this rough, not even during Ivan, the terrible storm they remember too well. Returning this morning, we found it rougher and more turbulent and remember Gulf Shores Beach is some 250-260 miles from the actual storm in the Gulf. Gulf Shores has now had flooding of the beach road and other properties, but we are four miles inland and are safe.

Reports from home are not good. All living creatures have been evacuated off of Bolivar, according to an officer with the Galveston County Sheriff's Department, with whom I spoke this morning. When we talked around 8 a.m., she said we had water more than five or six feet deep on the highway behind our house and that it was rising rapidly. Officials are predicting that Ike will be worse than "the great storm of 1900" because of the surges, which are now predicted at over 20-25 feet. Much of Galveston Island (four miles across the bay from us) is already under water now and the seawall will not keep it back. Port Arthur and Beaumont and all of the Southeast Texas coast is in for a direct hit by the eye of the storm if it doesn't change soon. Landfall is now predicted for somewhere around 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 13. We have been led to believe to expect "complete devastation" of all we own. When we left the beach cabin for Mother's funeral, we only took with us what we felt we needed for the trip. I cannot explain my emotions, but we will survive, God willing.

I will keep the blog updated to let our family and friends know what is happening as we know. However, Ted says we will not be allowed back on the Peninsula until the water subsides, which will take several days and nights. DeAnna and Callie Grace are in Dallas with Jeff's aunt, Martha is in the Dallas area with her daughter, and Brent and family are in Louisiana at a church camp as I understand it at this time. All are accounted for and are safe for now.

Thank you for your calls, prayers, emails and kind words of encouragement. Sincerely, and until the next page turns,
Brenda

The pictures are taken at the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama, some 250-260 miles from the storm itself. It was a "majestic fury" unfurled with each wave.

John and Flo Davis Education Scholarship

2008-08-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

The children and grandchildren of John and Flo Davis have established an education scholarship fund for deserving students in memory of our parents and grandparents. Both Jay and Flo believed in the youth of our nation and have a long list of young people they have helped in various ways including monetary donations.

For these reasons, at Flo's homegoing on August 26, 2008, her 87th birthday, we have established a memorial fund in their honor with the Education First Federal Credit Union in Beaumont, Texas. Donations can be made directly to this fund at any Education First FCU office or by mailing them to the John and Flo Davis Education Scholarship, Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650.

A board of directors has been appointed and will serve as administrators of the scholarship fund. Complete disclosure of all receipts and disbursements will be made available twice yearly.

We believe that both Jay and Flo would be honored by this idea. Kelly Nolan, one of Flo's faithful caregivers and friends, will be helped immediately to continue her pursuit of a nursing degree at Lamar - Port Arthur.

Mother is home in heaven now...

2008-08-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Flo Ella C. Davis, 87, formerly of the Atlanta area, died Tuesday, August 26, 2008 in CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas after suffering a massive stroke caused by a cancerous brain tumor 13 days prior to her homecoming.

Flo was born August 26, 1921. She was the daughter of the late Marshall E. and Lena Darby Cole. Flo, a graduate of Avondale High School, married her school sweetheart, Robert Henry Cannon, who was killed in action in World War II. Her husband, John C. (Jay) Davis also preceded her in death. Flo was a tireless community volunteer and loved life and lived it well. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda Cannon and Ted Henley of Port Bolivar, Texas; Paula Davis and Eric Bonner of Monroe, Ga.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. John F. and Pat Davis of Jackson, Ga.; James L. and Connie Davis of Monroe, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; two sisters and brother-in-law, Anna Lee of Stone Mountain, Ga.; Minnie and Donald Baughcum of Conyers, Ga.; one brother-in-law, Bill Talton, wife, Dot, of Chipley, FL; one sister-in-law, Ellen Speir of Jackson, Ga.; as well as a host of friends both in Georgia and Texas.

A memorial celebration of Flo's life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Val Verde Baptist Church in Groves with visitation with the family following the service. Dr. Brent Stancil, Flo's grandson, will officiate.

A memorial celebration of Flo's life will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Wages Funeral Home in Snellville. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 11a.m. at the funeral home. Officiating will be Dr. Alan Baughcum, Dr. John Davis and Dr. Brent Stancil.

The family is asking in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions be made to the newly established education scholarship fund in honor of Jay and Flo. All gifts should be made directly to the fund, John and Flo Davis Education Scholarship and mailed to Post Office Box 323, Port Bolivar, Texas 77650. Mother had been helping several deserving young people and we believe she would be happy to know that her work continues in this manner.

Wages Funeral Home of Snellville is in charge of arrangements.

Monday, August 25, 2008, from St. E Hospital in Beaumont

2008-08-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to each of you for your love and concern at this difficult time. Mother remains in a non-responsive condition here at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont since the massive stroke that hit on Wednesday, August 13.

We have since learned that along with the stroke, she suffered a heart attack and 12-14 ensuing seizures, all caused by a large brain tumor that no one knew she had. The tumor has been identified as a GBM, Stage 4 and has already grown a secondary tumor. The team of doctors have said that no one could have survived the impact it had on her body as all systems were shut down. Surgery or treatment was not an option even for a much younger person.

Mother had very clear instructions including a strong DNR and living will and would not want to be kept alive in this state without hope. She loved life and had lived it well and was active and busy up to the exact time the stroke happened.

We have been by her side for this 12 long days she has lived without the aid of machines or medicine except for the extreme pain caused by the tumor. She was placed into hospice care last Monday and everyone is literally amazed that she is still breathing.

The family has today created the John and Flo Davis Education Scholarship to help deserving students obtain further education. Mother was very attuned to the needs of young people having been widowed with a child to rear before she was 21 years of age. We are asking our friends and family members to donate to this scholarship, which we believe will make Daddy and Mother both very happy at the appropriate time in lieu of flowers. Further details will be forthcoming as soon as the legal paperwork and bank account has been set up.

Tomorrow is her big 87th birthday and we all know Mother loved to celebrate every occasion, so I have personally come to believe that she is hanging out waiting for the day and I would not be surprised at all if she went home a little after midnight. After all, it would be pretty cool to go home on the same day you came into the world, don't you think? Mother always liked a little excitement.

Please pray for us. It has been a difficult journey and the feeling of helplessness is overpowering at times.

We love and appreciate you.

Until the next page turns,

Brenda

Monday Morning, August 25, 2008 from St. E Hospital in Beaumont

2008-08-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Mother continues to fight her battle, but is losing ground hourly. She has been 12 days today in a severely non-responsive state from a massive stroke following prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, August 13. The stroke, heart attack, and the 12-14 seizures she suffered were all caused by a large cancerous brain tumor that no one had any idea she had. Her doctors have now told us that it is a GBM, Stage 4, very aggressive tumor that could likely not have been stopped in a much younger person. The first large tumor has also spawned a second smaller growth and no surgery could be done because of age and various complications. Every system in her once lively body were shut down by the massive stroke.

Tomorrow is her 87th birthday and she does love to celebrate any occasion, so I have personally come to believe she might be waiting for that day to come. She has been 12 days without one bite of food, not one drop of water and no one here has any idea of how she is still breathing.

She had very clear DNR instructions, a good living will and all of her family had been told numerous times she did not want to be kept alive by machines, so we have done our very best to honor her wishes. It is very difficult to stand by and watch while fighting feelings of extreme helplessness. It is hard on the children who simply feel she should be fed and given water. Her medical team has stated clearly that either would kill her immediately because her brain can no longer tell her body how to process intake, so we wait.

Thanks to each of you for your heartfelt expressions of love and support. We appreciate the food, cards, emails, calls and visits and have once again felt the value of friendship and love. Today, we have created the John and Flo Davis Education Scholarship to help deserving students obtain funding for school. Mother loved young people and was very busy helping several students at the time of her illness. We are asking that family and friends kindly help the children and grandchildren with that project in lieu of flowers now or in the coming days. More information will be posted with complete details.

Thank you for your interest and concern.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Sunday, August 24, 2008

2008-08-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

My mother, Flo Davis, continues to surprise everyone including her doctors, the hospice team and the family members, by continuing to fight for her life. This is the 11th day in CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital after we were told initially that she would not live 6-8 hours after suffering the massive stroke on Wednesday, August 13.

She has now lived 11 days without any food or one drop of water. She is only breathing and nothing else appears to be working correctly. The doctor said the stroke, caused by a large cancerous brain tumor that had been growing for quite some time, also caused a heart attack, 12-14 seizures and the complete shut-down of her body.

She is totally non-responsive and has been in hospice care since Monday. We can only wait and sit with her.

It is a very difficult situation because she was so full of life and has lived her 86 years well. She will be 87 on Tuesday, August 26 and was looking forward to a bang-up birthday celebration.

Thank you for your many calls, emails, text messages, cards and visits. One can only know how many friends he or she has at a time like this. It is very difficult for my mother's two sisters, back in Georgia, Aunt Anna and Aunt Minnie and for my brothers, John and J, L. and my sister, Paula, who are also in the Atlanta area.

Please keep on praying for each of us at this very difficult time in our lives. She is getting excellent care and was homesick for heaven since my dad died some six years ago now.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 from CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital

2008-08-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

My mom, Flo Ella Cannon Davis, had a massive stroke after prayer meeting last Wednesday and was rushed by ambulance to the trauma emergency room of St. E's here in Beaumont. We later learned that along with the major stroke, she also had a large brain tumor (cancerous) that had been growing for quite some time. She also has a secondary tumor on the brain and suffered a heart attack at the same time the tumor's growth caused the first stroke. She has now had some 12-14 seizures (again caused by the tumor) since being here.

The doctors met with us on Sunday and gave us the results of the battery of tests she has undergone and because she is 86 years of age and has multiple problems, they do not feel she can survive any surgery and they insisted that the damage from the stroke has already been done. She has not been able to eat any food or drink a drop of water for a week today. Swallowing, chewing, balance and so many other things were destroyed by the stroke. The tumor is a GBM, stage 4, very aggressive cancer.

We were moved from the 2nd floor to the 4th for comfort care. No medical procedures or programs are being administered. She had a strong living will and a clear DNR order on file. They told us on Sunday that she had about five days to live if all remains the same.

She was placed into Hospice care on Monday, but we were able to remain here in St. E's because the projected time is so short.

She is non-responsive much of the time and she sleeps many hours, but does awaken from time to time and asks for a particular person, talks about an event in her life, sees her husband who died six years ago, my grandmother and grandfather and others who were/are important in her life. Her husband and my dad for most of my life died in Hospice care and we have nothing but good things to say about it. Some of us are with her at all times.

Please pray for my mom and for my family during this time in our lives.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Coming to Atlanta...soon

2008-08-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am so excited today! Ted and I will be traveling next to the Atlanta area in early September to attend the rehearsal dinner and wedding for my nephew, Jonathan Gravitt. My sister, Paula, has kept me posted on all of the details and we can't wait to meet everyone there.

Jon is marrying Jenny Coffer of Tucker, Georgia.

Ted and I are staying with Millie Jones Pincus in her lovely home in Lawrenceville and she promises that several of my school classmates and friends will be coming over for some get togethers. We must get busy on serious planning for our big 50th class reunion in 2010.

Note to best buds...Let me know when you are free to visit.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Still have tons of photos and mementos from recent trip to West Texas, Amarillo, the High Plains and other points west as soon as I can get caught up again.

"Ginger, do you remember this?"

2008-08-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

While visiting the amazing Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, (which, by the way, is one of the finest museums I've ever visited), the grandboys discovered a section of old cars that helped to form our lives as young people.

Ginger, do you remember my fine old "Miss Tess" as I do your marvelous "Miss Maude?" It was like stepping back in time!

Enjoy the old memories and let's not forget the old paths we've trodden.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Wednesday, August 6, from the beach...

2008-08-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Family,

We arrived back at the beach from our month long visit to Amarillo and points between and Steven and Brendan had a few fine days on the beach before going home to the Nashville area.. On Friday, we drove them to Nashville where they had to begin 6th and 8th grade today. Ted and I returned to Bolivar Peninsula just in time to welcome Tropical Depression/Hurricane Edouardo, which turned out not to hit us hard this time. We had high winds of about 50-60 mph here on the beach and some rain, but nothing like the destruction caused by Rita, for which we are very happy. Thanks sincerely to each friend and family member who called or wrote to check on our welfare.

Ted and I ventured out yesterday afternoon and drove along the Peninsula and other than water gathered in some ditches, we only saw two poles down with one live wire and a few outbuildings toppled over due to the storm. The predictors were fearing a storm surge of sea water, but as far as we know, that did not happen here. The storm made landfall at High Island on our beloved Peninsula, but Port Arthur and Groves also got some wind and rain out of it, along with some power outage as well. Thank God, we missed the bad brunt of this one. Hurricane watching is the price we pay for living on the beach year round.

We have many new photographs to post and lots of reports on our travels as soon as time permits.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

My son, Dr. John Stancil (Brent) is speaking in a revival service at Rosebud Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia this week. Attached is a picture of dear old friends, Kay Hicks Daniell, DeAnna Stancil Davis, my daughter, and Pam Hicks Gresham, who were there for the services.

Fuel for the Fire for August 2008

2008-08-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Senior Correspondent for The Examiner

August 1 – “I was told I could be anything I wanted to be if I wanted it badly enough. I believed them.” - Barbara Jones Slater

August 2 – “Hard work gives life meaning.” - Oseola McCarty

August 3 – “Everyone needs to work hard at something to feel good about themselves.” - Oseola McCarty

August 4 – “Every job can be done well and every day has its own satisfactions.” Oseola McCarty

August 5 – “Average is your biggest enemy.” - Pearce “Rocky” Lane

August 6 – “If there are not great values behind great victories, the victories are pointless.” - Greg Sgrosso

August 7 – “Life is tons of discipline.” – Robert Frost

August 8 – “If a man does his very best, what else is there?’ - George Patton

August 9 – “You build a successful life a day at a time.” - Lou Holtz

August 10 – “Let perseverance by your engine and hope your fuel.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

August 11 – “As a coach I tell kids that whether you win or lose, act like a winner. Hold your head up high. Winning isn’t everything, but trying to win is everything.” – Pete Cava

August 12 – “All the acts of generosity and kindness that we extend to others eventually makes a circle and comes back to us. The Bible reminds us, ‘as we sow, so shall we reap.’” – Lucinda Williams Adams

August 13 – “If you take one step, God will take two.” - Lucinda Williams Adams

August 14 – “My words of wisdom to young people go like this: If you’re going to work at something, no matter if it’s cleaning out a trash can or running a race, do a god job. I can’t imagine doing anything and not doing my best.” – Betty Vosburgh

August 15 – “We’re never to old to learn new skills and polish the ones we have.” - Betty Vosburgh

August 16 – “My coach said, ‘Believe in yourself. Run with heart and put the rest aside.’ It’s amazing how your body responds to your thoughts.”

August 17 – “The importance of winning is not what we get from it, but what we become because of it.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

August 18 – “Champions learn how to reach down deep for that extra reserve of spirit and pride in what they are doing.” - Carlette Guidry

August 19 – “People complain all the time about how busy they are, but there is time enough for all the things that a person really wants to do.” - Oseola McCarty

August 20 – “We are responsible for the way we use our time on this earth, so I try hard to be a good steward.” - Oseola McCarty

August 21 – “Usefulness often outlasts style.” - Oseola McCarty

August 22 – “A smart person always plans for the future.” - Oseola McCarty

August 23 – “I know people who don’t know God just can’t understand that He’s real.” – Oseola McCarty

August 24 – “The greatest lesson of faith that I know is that you have to be willing to grow in grace. You have to be willing to start at the beginning and become like a little child.” – Oseola McCarty

August 25 – “You have to accept God the best way you know how and then He’ll show Himself to you. And the more you serve Him, the more able you are to serve Him.” - Oseola McCarty

August 26 – “I believe the way we live matters, not just for now but for always. There is an eternal side to every single thing we do.” – Oseola McCarty

August 27 – “My mother lived her life as an example before me and taught me the difference between right and wrong. She also taught me the consequences of misbehaving.” - Oseola McCarty

August 28 – “Most of the children we see take their habits from the mother and father.” – Oseola McCarty (What are you parenting to your children today?)

August 29 – “It is important to make special memories with the people you love most.” - Oseola McCarty

August 30 – “Teachers can give children something to hold onto or a new way of seeing the world.” – Oseola McCarty

From our Amarillo visit...

2008-07-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

We are continuing to have fun here in Amarillo and in this part of the wonderful Texas High Plains. I am constantly amazed at the new discoveries we make each day and I have added a lot of information about the rich Texas history to my reserves for future writing. I admit I am becoming addicted to the wonderful stories of western heroes, including the strong and wild frontier women, who settled here along with their men. We've seen the big buffalo, wild deer, which we petted and fed, wild turkeys, visiting a prairie dog town, guessed about which big birds were flying over us and played in the wild Canadian River as well as crossed over the Red River several times on our excursions.

I have read seven or eight books filled with Texas history and made a good study of Charles Goodnight's life story. We have also watched the entire Lonesome Dove series with the boys and several other westerns to boot. The boys are getting into the hisotry and hopefully it will whet their interest for future study.

Goodnight was very instrumental in the settling of this area including the Palo Duro Canyon where we took grandsons Steven and Brendan for three days of exploring. We stayed in the cabin on the rim of the canyon that bears Goodnight's name and learned even more about him in the High Plains Panhandle Museum, which is one of the finest in the world. There is a small Texas town named Goodnight in his honor also, which we plan to visit on our way home.

Ted's son, Darrell, took the boys climbing (I held my breath believe me) and they both slide down the wild, 360-feet high Devil's Slide several times. They also went caving (exploring the dark big holes in the sides of the canyon walls) and we saw the exciting musical "Texas" performed in the huge outdoor amphitheater. The play has been done for some 43 years and gives a good depiction of the rough and tumble Texans who settled this country. (They really do believe it is a country and not just a state, too, and if outsiders question natives, it might just turn out to be an old fashioned brawl.)

We enrolled both grandsons in the wonderful reading program provided by the Amarillo Public Libraries. For each hour of reading, they got to mark a spot on a colorful sheet to turn in each week as we checked out books and movies to enjoy — all for free, too. When we entered the library last Friday to turn in some material, Pat, the excellent teacher over the children's programs, called out to Steven, "Hey, guys, I'm glad you're here. The numbers you left were all long distance and the city frowns on us calling too many long distance numbers." Pat had helped both boys choose and check out books of interest to them.

Steven had read 25 hours and was signed up for the huge drawing for the Extreme Read Program. Pat went on to share with us that it was Steven's name that had been drawn from the basket naming him the winner. He was given a lovely package of $20 in free movie passes, a new Batman movie and a new novel to read, along with some other goodies. He is also now entered into the drawing for the end-of-year big gift certificate to Best Buy in the amount of $100. In his mind, he has spent that $100 ten different ways!

Parents - If you have not enrolled your child in your local library programs, do so right away. There is so much good and fun information there for the sharing. Amarillo's libraries are among the finest in the nation and we've truly enjoyed going several times each week. With the high costs of books and movies, it is a Godsend to parents and grandparents, as well as teachers. The friendliness of the staff goes a long way toward making for a pleasant experience.

Brendan has learned a lot about building from his Papa Ted. Together, they have constructed a new front porch on our home here in Amarillo. Brendan has learned the seriousness of welding and helped to make some joinings of heaving metal as well as learned how to operate the drill and other tools. He particularly loves to hammer (loudly) and to dig holes in this crazy dirt.

On Saturday night, we visited an old fashioned drive in movie theater and saw the fabulous Hancock and The Incredilbe Hulk, both of which were very good I thought. We also sampled the hot dogs and other treats at the concession stand.

Have lots of good photos to post when time permits, but suffice it to say, this has been a wonderful Texas size adventure for all of us. When night comes and I finally get to my bed, I am exhausted, but very happy.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Fuel for the Fire for July 2008

2008-07-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Senior Correspondent for The Examiner

July 1 – “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost pars of the belly.” (Proverbs 26:22)

July 2 – “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21)

July 3 – “Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.” (Proverbs 26:23)

July 4 – “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” (Proverbs 26:28)

July 5 – “Faith gives us an anchor in a raging sea, calm in the midst of chaos, vision to know right from wrong, and the courage to express it.”

July 6 – Together, you and God can do anything!

July 7 – “We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV)

July 8 – Take heart --- the Lord is with you.

July 9 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)

July 10 – Isn’t it wonderful to come to the realization that God’s unconditional love never changes for you and for me?

July 11 – “Your Father in Heaven knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8 NASB)

July 12 – Once in a while a person touches our lives with words and actions so special that they change us forever. Take time today to thank someone who has been a blessing to you.

July 13 – Some folks still practice the quest for personal excellence and have a sincere commitment to noble values.

July 14 – Heroes live exemplary lives to help teach us the benefits of persistence and commitment.

July 15 – Heroes personify the best of what we want to believe about ourselves and offer proof that our grandest goals are achievable.

July 16 – There is something in our spirit that longs to be elevated to new heights of purpose.

July 17 – Extraordinary achievements never fail to inspire us to raise our own sights and to color outside the lines.

July 18 – The celebration of our heroes, we discover, is ultimately the celebration of our potential.

July 19 – Wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are never alone. That is a promise from God in His Word.

July 20 – “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” - George Halas

July 21 – “A winner never stops trying.” - Tom Landry

July 22 – “I never blame fortune — there are too many complicated situations in life. But, I am absolutely merciless toward lack of effort.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald

July 23 – “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain

July 24 – “There lives in each of us a hero awaiting the call to action.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

July 25 – Every great achievement is the result of a heart on fire.

July 26 – “I’m very determined and stubborn. There’s a desire in me that makes me want to do more and more, and to do it right.” - Mary Lou Retton

July 27 – “Each of us has a fire in our heart for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit.” - Mary Lou Retton

July 28 – Scorn mediocrity in everything. Embrace excellence in all things.

July 29 – “Last, but by no means, least, courage — moral courage is the courage of one’s convictions, the courage to see things through. The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle — the roar of the crowd on one side and the voice of your conscience on the other.” – Gen. Douglas MacArthur

July 30 – Every day, try to help someone who can’t reciprocate your kindness.” - Coach John Wooden

July 31 – “We can ask for more opportunities or we can decide to make the most of those we already have. The latter course always produces results.” - Barbara Jones Slater

Writing from Amarillo, Texas...

2008-06-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

Grandsons Steven and Brendan joined Ted and myself as we drove to Amarillo on Wednesday. We picked Brendan up at the Houston airport and began our adventure stopping in Huntsville, Texas, to spend the first night. Swam for a while in the motel pool, ate a good meal, and hit the road again on Thursday, arriving here around 6 p.m.

We are having great fun and it is wonderful to see things through the eyes of the children. Have been touring the local spots, including a trip or two down the old Route 66, which runs through Amarillo. The old shops and storefronts are interesting and harbor many vintage items from the past. Everything is so "flat" here compared to Georgia and even our area of Texas.

We are heading to the Palo Duro Canyon for our big experience there on Monday, July 7. Will post new pictures from that leg of the trip.

Today we toured a great Mexican tortilla factory, saw the workers busily making the product, and ate some wonderful food. Have also taken the boys to enroll at the local city library, which is very good in this city, and checked out books and movies and signed them up for the summer programs there. Each is sporting a brand new library card of his own. We have played the Wi game and bowling is our favorite. The boys are into a heated checker game now and we play Rummy and other board games. Both boys are very good at Scrabble and we've been shopping, too. Can everyone with teens or pre-teens say "GameStop?"

Went to a wonderful smaller church in the neighborhood on Sunday, which we all enjoyed. And, we've visited with Ted's son, daughter in law and grandchildren, David and Rebecca.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda

Fuel for the Fire June 24 - 30, 2008

2008-06-24T14:39:00.001-07:00

June 24 – “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” (Acts 1:7)

June 25 – “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

June 26 – “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.” (Proverbs 26:1)

June 27 – “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” (Proverbs 26:4)

June 28 – “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” (Proverbs 26:12)

June 29 – “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful (lazy) upon his bed.” (Proverbs 26:14)

June 30 – “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20)

On the road again...making music with my friends (and having fun)

2008-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

We've had fun creating a brand new blog spot for the Clarkston High School Class of 1960 where every member of the class can post their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, helpful hints and photographs — lot of photographs, old, new and in-between.

Have heard from several member of the class over the weekend and we are beginning to gear up for the planning of our 50th class graduation in 2010. The two Millies, along with Marie, and Ginger, have formulated some good ideas and we are looking forward to some input (not to mention hard work) from others in the class.

If you'd like to visit our class blog spot, it is chsclassof1960.blogspot.com. Blogging is fun and easy and oh, so helpful. Saves writing hundreds of emails to individuals when you can post one message and all can read. Classmates, please get in the habit of checking our site every few days to see what's new or who has written.

Also, we're trusting that some updated email addresses will be sent to us so that we can include everyone in the class. Check the list we sent out to see who is not on there that should be, please.

Just in case you have forgotten, here's what Ginger Bragg Doster and I looked like in 1959 at Pine Lake where we lived and hung out most of the time.

Ted and I are traveling again. On our way to Amarillo to take Steven and Brendan to visit the area and especially Palo Duro Canyon, but I have my trusty MacBook computer with me.

Until the next page turns,
Brenda