Halloween --another day for bloodwork and candy!

I am headed to the lab this morning to have my blood work redone.   Sure, on Halloween!   I hope they give out candy but I only like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.    But anyway, it's Halloween, raining like sixty, Cardinals lost the World Series and I'm wondering if I really do have ice in my veins.
 

Annie is getting all dressed up.  She has someplace to go!  But the witch does not!!!!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Tom Harte stories

Yesterday I ate lunch with Tom Harte of Speech Dept and we laughed and laughed at each other and cut each other down!  He said, for instance:  "I really love your hair!   Can you do something with your face?"   Few would say something like that but I love it!

We are pals!  He takes up for me when no one is threatening me!  I like his cooking and his love for music and his doing the radio show every day!  I like his wit and his élan!  He makes me happy!

Getting down to basics

Fun time is not over!  Part of task of life is making fun time a daily reality!  I learned that early in life because I wanted to see my dad drop his cares and laugh!  Now I want to hear people around me laugh!  

I talked to all my kids yesterday and heard them laugh!  I hope they heard me laugh back!  The days are too short to do less!

Costa Rica Company

Last night I went to the Rev. A. B. Cooper room at Baptist Student Center for dinner including the students and professors from the Costa Rica delegation.   I took the left-over food I had from my party and we had an old fashioned "Covered dish".   Daddy would have loved it.   Big crowd of people    I loved it because so many people asked about Daddy.

Bill and I did our dating at the BSU so that was a memory also.   Host families were there  --so many of them I knew.   I remember when I went to Malaysia and I had a host family.   I was dead when I got home but so glad I went.

Daddy, you live on!

Catherine's birthday today!

It's all quiet here on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.   Jim and Laurie just pulled out going back to Madison and the stream of people from my party and party mess is cleaned up.   I am at peace --but with aching bones.  Before I completely die on the couch, I want to remember Catherine Wave Brown Bird's birthday today!   Daddy called her "Korea";  I called her "Catherina Bambina".   We kidded her about bearing the moniker of her aunt Wave.  Wave and Atlantic, great names for Aunts.  

Julie Hearnes, Catherine, and Mark Stacy were born about the same time and they were a triumvirate.  Julie was Queen, of course, and Catherine and Mark were "slaves in waiting".   And they all played the role they assigned to themselves.   Sometimes, when he was around, they allowed Bailey Jordan to enter their regal world but he was a "short-termer" because he was not a permanent fixture in the slave galley.

So happy birthday, Catherine!  And thanks for the memories of yesterday!

Birthday For Pam

Today is a memorable day in the Cooper family! Seventy years ago Julia and Joker had a baby, Pam Warren Crawford! No baby came home to more love! All of the aunts and uncles held her gingerly! I was five but Mama let me hold her! What a joy she is to me and I tell her that every time I see her! Love that girl!

Homecoming Day,2013

Jay Wolz reminded the Breakfast audience today that forty years ago, my first year as alumni director , that the parade was rained out!   Nothing rained on the parade today! 

The people were warm and so was the spirit!  Steve Schnieder paid a wonderful tribute to me when he said "she taught the students what fun was".  I will settle for that!

Ran into Bill and Shirley Virdon, former Cardinal and Pirate and Hearnes supporter!

Memories of Jim Cooper

I went out to dinner last night with Fred and Liz Saalfeld who will receive the Distinguished Service Award from the University on Saturday!  Their cousins, Roy and Sue Joachimstaler, wanted to thank me  for the outstanding medical work of my brother, Dr James Cooper!  

Roy, seated next to me, is Chief of Police at OFallon, Missouri!  Jim was his doctor since he started and saved his life!   What a wonderful tribute!

Cochrans cancel their visit to Cape.

I have just learned that the Cochrans have cancelled their visit to Cape and have no plans to come.

Alton Bray has a birthday tomorrow!

Alton Bray has a birthday tomorrow!   When I think of Academic Hall and the Registrar's Office, I think of Alton Bray!  I did a television interview this week on Academic and I talked about being hired as Director of Alumni Services by President Scully in l973.   On my "end" of Academic Hall were Alton Bray, Registrar, and Lyman Evans, Admissions.  Next to the President's Office was the Treasurer's Office, Mr. Jack Wimp.   I knew all three of them because we went to First Baptist Church but I had never worked with them before.

Here, I was --with three of the greatest guys who have ever been associated with the University.  They loved the University with their souls and they were all above reproach in every way.  I have seen them all "get stern" when it was called for and I have seen them all throw back their heads and holler laughing.   I don't know if they learned anything from me but I learned plenty from each of them about standing firm and standing straight and doing your job every day without asking for pity, or whining, or sticking a knife in an associate's back.

Alton, have a happy birthday!  And remember the wonderful days of Academic....again!

Homecoming and Gone Girl are in the Air!

Gone Girl is really gone today.  All the stars (including Ben Afleck) have left and the mounds of technical equipment.   We are getting ready for Homecoming.  My party for retired faculty is really catching on and I am hearing from everyone.   I am glad I decided to do this.

And yes, Jerry Waddle, retired faculty, got his pic with Ben, the Man.  And I did not!

Arrangements for death of Chris Seyer

The town is upset about the death of Chris Seyer --who was only 45 years of age.  Worked at University for years and then switched to Ford and Sons last year.   He was rabid Semo Fan and Cardinals fan.  I need to get into getting ready for Jim and Laurie to come home this weekend, clean my house and yard for my my Saturday party and get ready to go to PEO today.   But I keep thinking about Chris and his family.

So Laurie and  Jim, I will have you covered by the time you get here on Friday!

Sad day on campus!

Sad day on campus with the death of Chris Seyer  --48 years old.   Had been experiencing some pain but was under doctor's care.  Found him in shower dead after going to Cardinals game Friday night!

RIP!

Adam Dyer's birthday today!

Adam Dyer's birthday is today!  My first grandchild!   And born with a gigantic heart and a spirit of competition as well as a well-calculated mind to fix and undo and understand everything.   His grin and hearty laugh filled every room and still does.

So, Adam, enjoy the day and watch television all day or face no challenges today.   Just enjoy each moment and know that you have a grandmother who thinks of you every time I turn on my new sink in the kitchen.  Your presence still invades my world!  Love, Mamaw

Today is Susan's birthday!

I'm not telling how many birthdays she has had --it's not the number that counts.   I am just telling how special she is and was to us.  In a big family,like ours, it is easy to surmise that people get lost in the shuffle.  That is not our family.  Every person has a place and no one else can take that person's place.  That won't change while Betty, Julia, Janie, Jennie or Rose Marie live.

Susan spent more time at our house than any other grandchild and she assimilated more of who we really were as a family.   Daddy called her "Mouse" to her mother's consternation but he paid no attention to the consternation.  She was "Mouse" to him.   Mama was her calm center and where she ran for comfort and concern.   She remained a protegee in the "Cooper Ballet Company" with few solos -- Jim had all the solos and we did the clapping for the Maestro!   Rose Marie played the piano.  This was for the Sunday night performance at 5:00  (after Mama and Daddy left for church).    Yes, Mouse was the only grandchild who ever participated in the ballet company.  Now that is an honor that is hard to define!  By the way of remembering, Susan could run on her toes.   I will never forget Jim making me try to do the same thing!

So Susan, have a great day!   And why do you have a dog up for your symbol on Facebook!  Your dog bit you in the nose and Mama and Velna had a nervous caniption!   Enjoy!

The days at Malden

I went out to lunch yesterday with Steve McPheeters, bank executive here!   He lived in our neighborhood when bill coached football there!  We lived there four years And it was heaven!  Poor as church mice!    Steve always says all the little boys thought I was beautiful and they all had crushes on me!

Regardless, I would take nothing for those days and friendships!  I can't even start naming all our friends from those days but it is a gift from God!   So Steve and I went out to eat and the love and memories flowed!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

No Miracles Needed

I am not seeking miracles today!   I can't think of any that would change a situation for me.   I'm in a good place.   I didn't ask to be old but I am old and it's not half-bad.   Especially if you consider the alternative.   I went out to eat with Jane Stephens yesterday and we talked about the crap we have dealt with, both personally and professionally.  And we liked where we were and are.  Then we discarded all the past and talked about the mess in Washington and the likelihood of a third party system.  Even the Whig Party and it was good while it lasted!   I liked politics better when a candidate had a word to give and you could stand on it.   It is Jerry Bryan's birthday today --and it made me remember how much fun we had on the campaign trail and Governor's Office.

That was a miracle  -- Warren being Governor.   So was Bill Stacy being President.   But the miracles that stay with you are the children of this union!   The fact that I have six children that are doing well is enough miracle for anyone!  Certainly me!   And then to get grandchildren!  Wow!  How Miracle can you get!

Is the church relevant for me today?

I went out to lunch with Joe and Linda Dirden yesterday (pictured).  They were in my Sunday School department for years at Lst Baptist when I never missed!   Now I never go and Joe mentioned that they would love for me to come anytime!

I told them truthfully that the church was not the same to me--that it seemed to major on entertaining with musical groups coming in and athletic has been speakers!  It was not what I wanted or needed to hear!   He understood and said that few churches had Sunday night services because families had their own plans!

I don't consider it a sacrilege for me not to go to church!  It's just who I am where I am today!  I hope Joe understood that I am not forgetting God by a long shot!  I walk with him in my faltering steps!

Sisters, sisters!

We used to sing a Rosemary Clooney song at home in Charleston:  "Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.  Never had to have a chaperone, no sir!  I'm there to keep my eye on her."  There was one thing I could say for sure -- we always rose to the occasion when bad happened to one of us.   I know in my own life, when I went home and was going thru a divorce, no one in my family let me down.   I think we could all say that same thing!  When I think of the things that Daddy and Momma did for each of us, when we were in trouble, or needed help emotionally or financially, I am awestruck again and again.  Or even taking care of their children so that they reach for their dreams.   We kept our eyes on each other!  I still try to do that when I can help one of my siblings over a rough course.  They were there for me!

Now Julia Edyth is coping!   She and Joker were married forever and she is coping with his death and her health problems.   I never think of Julia as coping--I think of her as acting upon her "copes".  I talked to her yesterday and we both were thrilled with Joker's service --we took pride that Bill Stacy's coming to town was a joint decision--Julia and Janie, us two, no more!  And it turned out perfect and helped her children and her family to find some happiness and joy.   Both of us wanted the entire family to remember what it was to be a family and keep our eyes on each other! 

Let's keep thinking that way.

Friends forever!

I have two "daughters" in Cape Girardeau;  Bev Hickam and Debbie Bickings!   One was my secretary and her friend was in beauty school who started doing my hair and never stopped!  The love between us had never stopped!  It is amazing!  When I need help, they are there! 

Yesterday we went to eat at 0live Garden and then drive to Cape Rock!  We laughed and laughed and it was a happy, fun day!  It always is!  No pressure on an outing. In the case of yesterday, no planning!   Just do it and expect to enjoy!  I never come home more down than when I got into the car!    Thanks for always being there, my two Cape daughters!

A Warford Wedding

Yesterday Amanda Warford got married in Florida and I have enjoyed all the pictures that have been sent on Facebook.   She was a beautiful bride and she married a handsome man.  I can tell by looking at the pics of her that she was enchanted by it all.  I appreciate her fine qualities of doing her thing and finding her own niche.  Miss Amanda Panda is now a Mrs.  I am proud of her.

That is the way life is --a time to mourn and a time to rejoice --for us it was in the same week!  Ecclesiastes wrote about the dilemma so long ago.  We take the good and the bad and make hay or make lemonade--as Lemonade Leigh does.   We choose our own focus of the moment.

Yesterday I went to New Harmburg to eat at Hilltop with Bob and Ann Gifford and we talked about the unkind circumstances that surrounded the retirements of people, and how that left all three of them (who retired in the same department) with a bad taste in their mouths.   It was because of the inaction of one person but it permeated and still does their thinking about the University.   I wish people would realize how much their acts destroy the memories for their lifetime of work!   It is so sad!  It is so infuriating!  But it happens all the time!

People who leave the University need to have the same kind of experience of a semi-wedding with people pouring out their gratitude for a job well done and wishing them well in their next phase of their career.  Even a present or two!

Cardinal Country

No, I did not stay up for the Cardinals 13 innings --not even for the lst but Clay Shelby went up, stayed for all the game and drove home!   Betty Hearnes even stayed up and is half dead this morning -- although she has to get dressed for the Mizzou game by 11:00.

It is in her blood -- she inherited it from her dad, who would dismiss church early when Cards were playing so he would not miss a minute!   I will never forget seeing how excited he was to meet Stan Musial when Warren brought him to Sikeston during the campaign and he met him!  

So I will go out to lunch with Bob and Ann Gifford.   Wonder if they are Cardinal fans and they know the name of the pitcher who brought the game home!   I won't be able to bluff how little I know about the lineup or even when they play next!

Play ball!

Last night Vicki Boren and I went to the big soirée for the SEMO basketball team and had a blast!  I saw people I had not seen in years and I worked the crowd!  It was super fund and the coach is a hoot! 17 out of 19 who have left have graduated!

I saw friends like Jim Gleason, kent Puchbauer, David Crader, on and on and I was energized by it all!  Maybe I will start going to games again !

No man (or woman) putting his hand to the plow and looking back.

One of Daddy's favorite verses in the Bible was "No man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God."  Taking it as Daddy did, that man was a poor plower!   He concentrated on the wrong things.   In the last two days since the funeral, I am that poor plower, trying to manage the actions of another person and lining up people to intercede so that old wounds would not be opened.  My sister, Julia, told me yesterday, "Let them do what they may;  it won't change how we feel about anything."  

So plow in the dirt ahead.   I will keep my eye on the future and  let those who want to put their own spin on things, spin ahead.   I will not be looking back....well, yes, I will --but only to remember and move ahead.  I have fields to plow!

The Devil be damned!

I had a hard day of dealing with myself yesterday --one of the hardest in years.   But, in the end, I have overcome it and I mean it.  The Bible says "Overcome evil with good".   And the Devil has a continuous fight on his hands but I don't intend to lose...not an inch.   I have come too far to drift back into the world of hate and so have the rest of us.   So do your worse, and every day I win, the world will know you didn't keep me down!  My neck is now so strong that it is easy to raise above the venom of hate and anger.  I will hold my head high and walk thru this.   For this, too, shall pass!

In my life, when I got too many blessings, the devil would show up and knock my knees out from under me and I foolishly thought that I had it coming in some way.   Other people might say there is no real devil;  one day they will meet him and they will know differently.    At Joker's funeral, I was so elated about the service, Bill coming to help us all, the family making some peace steps and remembering who we are and were, and how blessed we have been and are.  I sat with Susan and I wanted to go over and just take her in my arms and tell her non-stop how much she means to me  --"Mousie", as Daddy called her!   Pam and Jamee could hardly contain themselves about everything --nor could Leigh....or Mark or Britt or Brad.   Family wraps itself around you and you can''t get out of the drapery.   I have missed the hold of that drapery.

I even had the pleasure of a man coming up in line who I had worked with before and he told me that he wanted to tell me first, that our mutual friend had died and the University would get about four million dollars.  But, because he wanted to tell me first, none of the University knew.  That might not mean much to anyone else but hell's Bells, I am a fund-raiser.  And it meant something to call the office and give them that bit of unexpected news.  And Jim Kellett, I think, saying:  "You can raise big money at a funeral for your relatives."

But then the ball dropped the next day with a thud which took into the night for me to grapple with.   I learned thate there was someone out there who had written a book on a vanity press who was planning to come in and have a big autograph party.   My friend who called me said that I had suffered too much and come too far and then, this would drudge it all up again, and I would  be forced to remember and live through the pain.   All day long, I was in a state of emotional panic.   I went through all kinds of tests at the hospital (because it was already scheduled) and then I went by the Mortuary to see Shelby Shell and express my sympathy to these wonderful alumni friends (because they were always there for me).   And I came home and I dealt with this.   During the night I got out of bed and announced to the room that NO book, remark, bad memory or vanity press could change where I am as an individual, family member or friend.   I am like my mother:   You mess with me and you will hurt yourself.   I'm done with this matter!

The Family Ties which bind us....

Bobby Hearnes sent out some pictures today which I loved of the Hearnes family and I looked and pondered one of them.   It was of Mamaw and Boy Hearnes and their children, in-laws, and grandchildren.  First I looked at Betty and Warren and then Lynn and Leigh and I thought of the ties which have long bound us together.

Then I looked at the other "in-laws" and thought of their ties:  The Hequembourgs, the Moxleys, (The Fanchers did not live around here), The Coopers, on and on, it could go.  And it does!   We feel a kinship with the other families which expands the ties.   It is a good thing to remember and treasure!

Too much to comprehend at the moment!

I have thought all I could today and done all I could do.  I need to sit back and relax tonight.  Joker's funeral, Bill Stacy's eulogy, seeing family,  news from Harlan,  coming home, going to Garbg ers, two girls with surgical procedures today, going to Vogelsang visitation with Jane and Tom.   I can't take any thing  else in today.  Tomorrow is another day!

Peace, it's a good thing!

Harry Warren obit

Harry Warren

Sunday, October 6, 2013

seMissourian.com

Harry Warren

CHARLESTON, Mo. ­-- Harry "Joker" Warren Jr., 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, at his residence in Charleston. He was born Oct. 29, 1922, at Brock Ranch in Oregon County, Mo., to the late Harry Warren and Eva Risner Warren. In 1928, his family moved to Blodgett, Mo., where they farmed and raised cattle. His entrepreneurship started at an early age when he raised white mice and sold them to his schoolmates. In 1940, he moved to Charleston, where he embarked on many business ventures buying and selling cattle, land, oil and even caskets. He farmed, built and ran a motel, restaurant and bar, but the love of his life was the Charleston Auction Co., which had its first sale in November 1941. At one time Charleston Auction Co. was the largest livestock auction in Missouri, averaging 1,150 head of cattle per auction and as many as 1,000 hogs. Joker was a man with vision and was the first local farmer to install modern irrigation and the first to plant potatoes in Mississippi County.
On March 13, 1943, he married Julia Cooper, who survives.
Survivors include three daughters, Pam W. Crawford and Jamee Shelby, both of Charleston, and Dr. Lisa Cooper Warren of Salem, Va.; a sister, Greta Warren Watson of Mart, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
A son, Harry Warren III; two brothers, John Warren and Bob Warren; two sisters, Ethel Duff and Charlene Merrick; and a grandson, Gregg Crawford, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Charleston. Rev. Michael Brewer, pastor of First Baptist Church, and Dr. Bill W. Stacy of Chattanooga, Tenn., will officiate.
Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Reginald Young, James Kenneth Reeves, Donny DeLine, Gregory Poyner Hall, Jerry Green and Robert Speckert.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be shared at mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Anticipation!

I am in a state of anticipation.  My kids are coming in.   So I am in my state of checking to be sure all is done, that they have a good time, that they feel happy and rested about me when they return and that we do what we are supposed to do in this chosen, anticipated time.   So I am up, after a hapless night of trying to sleep, and I am drinking coffee and making lists.

Holly and her boyfriend came by last night before they went to the dance and it was great to see them.  I like being a part of a family circle;  but a happy family circle.

So, Mark, I am waiting on you....in anticipation!   Get here!   And Bailey I am waiting on you, get here!...in anticipation.

Saturday morning early coffee

Yes, I woke up at 6:30 this morning, grabbed a cup of coffee downstairs and turned on the television to Msnbc to Up with Steve Kornacki about the shut down.   Yes, my granddaughter, Andrea, is a part of the government shut down.  It is personal!  I want a solution and I want it now!   I don't care if some people don't like President Obama.   You don't get to only follow the bidding of Presidents you like!  

It seems to me that the country is on the Humpty Dumpty wall and it could go either way.  What are the strategies:   If 25 Republicans would vote with the Democrats, John Behner, quit your bitching, bring it up and put the clean C. R. to a vote.   People need checks and more than that, the country needs to feel that someone sensible is in control.

And my granddaughter needs a paycheck.   Head Start Children need a meal and people need to be paid.
The country needs a dose of reasonable sanity.

Into each life comes joy and sorrow...

And we deal with them both.  We are dealing, as family, with the death of Joker Warren during these days and then, October 4 pops up and that is Leigh Hearnes Hammond's birthday and she likes her birthday!!!!
And we like her!!!!   So today, Leigh, in spite of everything else, it is all about you!

Your dad used to call Betty "Lemonade Lucy" because she didn't touch the hard stuff.   But I have a new name for you "Lemonade Leigh".   You take the lemons, the hard stuff, and you make lemonade and just go on --good and bad!   And you don't feel sorry for yourself and poor mouth or get angry and cut yourself off.

You are the Queen, my darling!  I am the Queen in waiting!   You make us all proud every day and we all talk about you, Lemonade Leigh, with admiration and pride and wish we were more like you.

I love you in my soul.  And so did your grandmother, May!   She is still your protector and guardian!!!

Leigh, Catherine Hammond, and Betty Hearnes --three generations at my birthday party!

A Brother-in-Law for a long season

Last night I lost my only surviving brother-in-law, Harry "Joker" Warren.  I was four years old when my sister, Julia Warren, married Joker.  He was a cattle dealer, a personality and a "dancing fool."  The world will not see his likes again.  Nor will they see his generosity?  When I was in the hospital having Mark Stacy and we had no insurance, no funds for a layette, Joker came to the hospital, whipped out his checkbook, signed his name to the check and told me to pay all the bills and get what I needed.

As I said, the world will not see his likes again!   But he was there!  And I praised God then and now!

Blood work!

So I quit putting it off and went to get bloodwork done!  I told the worker that she couldn't get blood out of a turnipped arm and she needed to take it out of my hand!  She winced and said that maybe people who didn't know what they were doing did that!  

Guess what, miss Wincer!  Maybe they knew how to get the job done!

Take that for a fact!  And open your purple eye shaded eyes!    You see where the blood flowed from?

Why I love retirement!

I love retirement and it came home to me again yesterday!  Juan Crites and I were to go to lunch and she called to say she would be late!  Then when we got there to the restaurant, they called her to come back!  I told the waitress to bag up our food and we would take it with us!

So there it was!  I love retirement!  I am not at anyone's beck and call!  Eat your heart out in jealousy, Wanda!  You will discover heaven soon!