Author Archives: madge

Life Can Turn on a Dime – Part 1

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A Car is Required

It was a warm day in early September. The sun was setting on my little yellow Toyota Corolla as I drove the winding roads through the Georgia foothills. I was an active 18 year old on my way to embrace my second year of college. My first year was full of academics, adventure and astronomy as I worked part-time assisting in the planetarium. I looked forward to the leadership conference that would be held just prior to our new year.

There was a lot on my mind…my summer was spent basking in my love of the water as a life guard and swim instructor, as well as a hostess and waitress. In my spare time I chose to goof off and party a bit instead of staying focused on God as I had been for the prior few years. I needed to go back to school. I needed a ‘reset’ and boy did I get one!

Let’s step back a few weeks – Madge wanted a car. “What 18 year-old did not need a car?”. My parents thought it would be prudent if I went back to school without a car, but I disagreed and bought the functional, not so stylish, little vehicle. Sometimes we learn our lessons the hard way. Hindsight is always 20/20 – a new journey for me, my family and friends was about to begin. My unwise decision impacted me in a huge way, but I quickly learned that our choices impact others – family members, friends and classmates.  I’m not a parent, but I truly believe that my parents suffered more than I when they faced what was about to happen.

A Loss of Control

The slightly curvy road was more than my driving experience could handle that September evening. I ventured back and forth with both hands on the steering wheel and moved at a reasonable pace as dusk set in. My eyes were a little tired and I thought about stopping for a steaming cup of coffee before I continued on the more mountainous last hour of my ride. Then my vehicle moved near the yellow lines and I jerked the wheel to the right. “Oh my!”, I thought as the wheel was pulled to the left to compensate for the overcorrection to the right…and then again…right, left, right and left…and ‘BAM!’. The car tumbled on it’s left side and slid across the road onto the embankment on the right.

“Oh xvjt! I have wrecked my car! I’ll just get out and push the car upright and be on my way even if I have to flag someone down to help. I have insurance and can get any damage fixed.”, I reasoned. Can someone say stubborn and independent? 

As I lay immobile, my legs felt like they were straight up in the air and a collection of cheap metal clothes hangers I had packed in the car with my ‘back to school’ items covered my face. I tried to move the hangers but could only turn my neck, which I did repeatedly. Note to self – when your neck is potentially damaged don’t move it. Still thinking, “I’m sure I can get help from someone and be on my way. If I need a doctor, I have my own insurance and can take care of it. Mom and Dad don’t even need to know and won’t have a chance to say we told you not to buy a car. Hmmm, let’s see, what shall I do since I obviously can’t just jump out of the car…” I shouted, “Help! Help!” what seemed to be a thousand times before realizing no one could hear my muffled voice as they drove. As minutes became hoursI knew I would likely die without help. If someone found me I was certain everything would be fine and had no fear of paralysis.

You see a little over a year before my accident my father had a collision in the blue VW bug he used to teach me to drive in the high school parking lot a couple of years earlier. His accident sent the beetle to its grave. Dad went to the emergency room, but they missed the fracture in his neck!  I distinctly recall how he suffered from extreme pain the summer before I left for my freshman year. Within a month of my departure dad refractured his neck while playing basketball and a quick trip to the ER revealed the potentially paralyzing injury. He immediately was put in traction and admitted for surgery. This operation was the same surgery I would have a year later, but I would not walk away from it like he did.

On a mountain overlook: Me and Dad and his temporary neck brace the year before I wore one.

Guess what?
Mom and Dad never said we told you so and….I wasn’t scared.  Here’s Part 2.

Scripture Memory #6

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It is the ‘Ides’ of March and the year is going by way too fast! On this sunny day when the temperatures would normally be cool and breezy we are enjoying an 80° temperatures!

Tahoe is relentlessly asking for additional playtime and affection on this warm day. He understands that rain means less outside time, cold is great but no one hangs out with him for long evening ‘kong’ play time. Sunny and warm is his happy weather! And mine too. Thank you God for shady oak trees that allow us to be productive on our iPads and laptops outside – even in reflecting sunlight!

Let’s reflect some ‘Son’ light by hiding His word in our hearts – it’s memory verse time! Come on friends, let’s do this thing together! Admittedly, the last couple of weeks have not been the most productive as far my scripture memorization goes, but I’m ready to proceed.

Big thanks to my friends June and Margot who are sounding boards and accountability partners. We look for tips and ideas to share with each other in efforts to strengthen our arsenal of memory techniques as we tackle passages.

I use alliteration, word pictures, silly songs, etc. but was stuck on a verse last week when June shared about a technique she uses. She emphasizes the first word and repeats the entire segment, then emphasizes the second and repeats and so on. Wow. Just trying something new in my methods helped me over a hump!

Here are a couple of great, albeit convicting, verses that can surely stop me in my wheelchair tire tracks in the coming weeks.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26

What methods work best for you?  Please share your successful techniques!

– Madge

Choosing Chex

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Last week when I was in Target, I picked up every kind of gluten-free Chex cereal they carried. Amazingly, the multi-grain and wheat flavors were the only ones that failed the gluten test.  Thank you General Mills!

I had never noticed the wide array of Chex® flavors that were available. This morning – Saturday morning – when Brent could make oatmeal, or buckwheat pancakes, or eggs and bacon, he chose a bowl of Chex® ! And instead of venturing out and trying the honey nut or cinnamon flavors that he had not tried yet, he stuck with the basic Rice Chex®!

No doubt, the cinnamon, chocolate or honey nut are destined for a late night snacking sensation or maybe we’ll make one of these tasty recipes we found on the Chex® website.

 Chili and Garlic Chex® Mix

4 cups Corn Chex® or Rice Chex® cereal
5 cups popped fat-free microwave popcorn
1/4 cup dry-roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal, popcorn and peanuts. Drizzle with oil; toss until evenly coated.
2. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over cereal mixture; toss until evenly coated.
3. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after each minute, until crisp. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.

Chex® Honey Nut Cherry Crunch

4 1/2 cups Honey Nut Chex® cereal
4 1/2 cups Rice Chex® cereal
2 cups whole cashews
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal and cashews.
2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and honey and salt uncovered on High about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir butter mixture. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
3. Microwave uncovered on High 4 minutes, stirring every minute. Stir in cherries and sesame seeds. Microwave an additional 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.

Brent’s Buckwheat Breakfast

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You have to love a man who cooks…and cleans and does the hundreds of things Brent does! All this work along with his high metabolism produces an ever present appetite!  A couple of Sundays ago, Brent decided to make gluten free pancakes for breakfast to have along with bacon from the whole foods applewood bacon bar.

We used a boxed mix that called for two eggs and a bit of oil, but no other liquids to make about ten small pancakes.

Notice Tahoe hopes something will drop on the floor.  It is not going to happen this pancake morning. After a quick mix….a few added blueberries, and a super quick cook time…

Voila!  An irresistible breakfast, even for me, the coffee only gal.

Afterwords Brent said he thought the gluten free buckwheat pancakes were better than any pancakes he had ever eaten and I have to admit they were very good. Afterwards, the carbohydrate high nearly put me right back in bed!

This is what I felt like doing…

Or maybe it was like something more like this….

Going gluten free may make it difficult to go out for a weekend pancake breakfast at IHOP, but you can make your own IHOP (In Home Out-of-this-world Pancakes) and you won’t have to nap in the parking lot!