Murdock Muse March-April 2003 - Part 2


THINGS I WRITE ABOUT AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING
Christel Michelle Murdock

The things I think of to write about at 1:00 in the morning, with an inability to sleep... forgive me if this doesn't make sense :-D

So, lately, as I return home to San Diego and spend more time with my family, I think about my name a lot... this might seem odd, but it is because my Mom and Grandma call me Chris (which I am trying to discourage)... and everyone makes such a big deal out of my "unique" name, and mispronounces it, etc...

Those things I don't think about at school... My friends know who I am, know how to say my name.. and when someone mispronounces it, they are the first to speak up, which I wholly appreciate.

In all my thoughts about such a seemingly small subject, I had a rememberence of when I was much younger, and everyone called me Chris or Christie... I had no idea that my name was actually Christel. So, as I remember it, my Mom and I were signing up for kindergarten, and I saw something that looked different on my application, and I asked "what does that say, Mommy?" She smiled down at me and said, "that's your name, Christel." I gasped in awe of the beautiful, unique name that was solely mine, and I repeated, just to make sure, "that's my name??" She nodded and I jumped excitedly, saying, "I want to be called that; have them call me that!" And from then on, I knew who I was.... I was (am) Christel Michelle Murdock.

Since then, I have always wanted people to call me Christel, rather than be a common Christie, or masculine Chris... And there was even a time when the principal called me Crystal (::gag::) during a high school assembly, and to my amazement, I swear nearly the whole school corrected him out loud... So, even though some might toss me among the common Crystals, I am a unique gem.. a Christel.. named for my Great Grandmother whom everyone told me was a great woman... someone I can aspire to be...

Thank goodness... Mom and Dad nixed calling me "Candi."


FINISHER-UPPERS AND ARE-NOTS
Nancy Murdock

The April 2003 issue of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine has an article by Helen Kelley called "The High-Powered Finisher-Upper." She describes herself as definitely a finisher-upper. She never starts another quilt until the current one is finished - completely! The reason for my exclamation point there is that I can't imagine forcing myself into that mode. Up to that point, I was snickering at her description of her husband (an Are-Not), in which I could clearly see my spouse of 52 years.

Until recently, I thought of myself as a person who finished what she started. I considered the recent descent into certain unfinished business as the erosion of old age on my mental faculties and muscles. I always finish my projects at work. I have rearranged my extensive fabric collection at least twice. I have walls filled with finished paintings, and cupboard shelves stuffed with whichever of my completed clay projects survived the move to MD. I enjoy receiving a jigsaw puzzle of 500 pieces each Christmas, and I always leave it up in the living room until it's finished. I've written seven volumes of my memoirs and edited a cookbook for readers of the Murdock Muse, our family newsletter. With Bob's help, I've edited and published the Muse on a regular basis since I started it in January 1991. So how could I be a non-finisher?

However, after reading Helen's article, I realized that as soon as I became a quilter, I moved into Helen's category of Are-Nots. As I was taking a quilting class for the better part of a year, I was also making quilts for babies and weddings, and Christmas quilts for all our grandchildren. It's true that I usually did them one at a time (except for the year we gave the Christmas quilts), but it may have set the stage for later decisions. So perhaps quilting was the catalyst for my deterioration.

But then I looked back farther and recalled how many times I had purchased fabric for clothing projects and either laid it in the drawer or cut out and partially completed it, and then laid it to rest. So was it only one or another form of sewing that placed me in this category?

It strikes at the very heart of my self-image to realize that I don't have to look too deeply to find other examples of projects begun while other projects were in progress, projects begun in the design phase in my head but never put on paper or other media, and projects begun but never finished.

If we look only at my fabric collection, it is glaringly obvious that I couldn't possibly complete all of the projects I've dreamed of as I plunked down my credit card in the fabric shop. I subscribe to a watercolor painting magazine, although my last watercolor project has been hanging on the wall for at least seven years. The front hall closet contains six photocopy paper boxes filled with photos that I need to organize into photo albums. I put the last of the Christmas wrapping materials into the storage closet this morning, March 1. One reason for leaving them out was that it took me until the end of January to finish giving the presents, and I was afraid I'd find more still lurking in dark corners. I greatly fear that this is not ALL a result of my 71st birthday!

So here I am, with at least ten unfinished quilting projects in the guest room (counting the blocks I've won at guild drawings), and who knows how many other projects that appear at the top of my list and then get so low down the page that they can't be seen. What should I do? Helen suggests that it's amazing that Finisher-Uppers and Are-Nots can even coexist in the same quilt guild. Should I resign from Faithful Circle Quilters? No, where else can I applaud when someone shows a project begun eight years before and finally finished? The important thing is the final result, not how long it took, isn't it?

Well, in my secret heart of hearts, I confess that I might actually give extra points to the person who pulled out that old project and finally finished it. I may sit in amazement at those who take on huge, difficult quilt projects and complete them between one weekly meeting and the next. I can't even relate to the ones who do a small baby quilt on a snowy day because they were off work. I can enjoy all their results and clap sincerely at the fruit of their labors, but I don't feel inspired to do the same.

However, when someone pulls off an old project, it does inspire me to go through the small stack of partially completed quilts on the guest bed. I've already finished three this year, 2003. So long live the Are-Nots! In fact, that is our only hope of finishing - to outlive the projects.


PUNCTURE
Gene Murdock

Here's a message I sent out to my sons and my boss at the Aviation Museum a few weeks ago. Combine it with the next similar message and you have my winter experience for the Muse.
*****
February 6: The day had started out so well… In spite of the unusually cold temperatures (it was about 15 degrees and falling at 8 am), I bundled up with a fairly full agenda for the day and headed out.

First west to Platte River State Park in Nebraska to get my 2003 car decal for admission to the many Nebraska State Parks that I frequent. On the way I scouted out the small towns for barbershops and cafes. I spotted an easy access barber shop in Plattsmouth, so after getting the decal I retraced my route and got a decent haircut ($12 is the basic price around here right now) in a small, one chair shop with many mounted fish and animal trophies on the walls, and a good supply of hunting, fishing and girlie magazines in the rack.

Then I headed back to Glenwood to do the post office, refuel and head up to Hitchcock County Park to get my 2003 Pottawattamie County car decal for the several parks there that I frequent in that area. From there I panned to motor up to Harlan and drop off a book for a county conservationist who was giving a lecture next week on the return of the cougar and bobcat to the area.

As I came out of the post office I glanced at my right rear tire and it looked like it was going flat. I bent over to inspect it and could actually HEAR the air escaping. At 15 degrees with a north wind I wasn’t about to change the tire myself, so I quickly drove it a few blocks down to the Dodge garage, feeling it going down as I drove.

They took me in almost immediately and "plugged" the tire, but the cut was too big for just a plug. He showed me the sharp ragged piece of metal that caused the cut and told me that all they could do was get me up and running enough to get over to the 66 gas station where they could do a more permanent repair. He charged me NOTHING for this!! (I bought the car there and take it in every 3,000 miles for maintenance.)

I went to the 66 station and told him about it. He said he could get to it at about 1:30, (it was now about 10:30), so I said fine, I’d leave it and walk the few blocks into town and the library.

I spent an hour in the library catching up on my magazines and then ventured out in the cold to find lunch. The closest thing I could think of was Breadeaux Pizza about four blocks away, so I headed there. Fortunately I had worn a jacket with a hood which I made good use of. I had never been to Braedeaux, so this was an adventure. I had the buffet and salad bar with soup and studied the menu to find that they have a much more diverse menu than Pizza Hut, with several interesting dishes that I made a mental note to try later. Then back to the library for another pile of magazines before I walked back downhill to the 66 station. The mechanic was just starting on the tire when I arrived, so I stood inside and chatted with the owner/manager. He was perfectly willing to chat all I wanted, so we discussed the crazy world of fluctuating gas prices. Right outside the window was a magnificent 1985 Buick Riviera with sun roof. I asked about it and he said it belonged to the lady who kept his books, and it had less than 95,000 miles on it! What a classic beauty!

But things went downhill. The piece of metal had caused damage to the interior of the tire to the point where he didn't feel the patch was safe to use. I asked him if he could replace the tire, and he phoned around and found one that would be available next Wednesday. After trying to get the patch on for a temporary fix, he said he would loan me a tire that was a close match to the ones I had on, but recommended that I avoid long trips and high speed roads. I said that would be no problem and he only charged me $10 for the work!!! I love these small towns!

Consequently I will not drive out to the Aviation Museum tomorrow (Friday) and will stick fairly close to home. If I go out to Council Bluffs, Rick, I’ll use L31, so that’s where to look for me.

And the conservationist will have to carry on without my great book on the magnificent cougar.


ANOTHER DOWN DAY
Gene Murdock

Here's the next message to my boss at the Aviation Museum:

February 21: Good morning, Lee Ann,

You won't believe this, but I punctured another tire yesterday, and it will be noon before the service station can get me back on the road.

This time I ran over one of those surveyor or utility company flags on the little wire poles. It was bent up just right to make a punture that slow-leaked overnight to flat. These excuses are getting so improbable that I feel like a school kid making them up for the teacher.

See you NEXT week. --Gene


UPDATE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Polly Soberg

Things have been boring as all we get is cold weather and snow. I wish I was a skiier or some other outdoor sports fan. It is snowing again today, quite hard I might add and the forecast is for snow, rain, sleet, snow again.

John and Cathy were just here and when we went to wave them off we watched Cathy wipe off some snow from the truck and end up with a little pile on her hair. Yuk! The only thing I can say positively is the snow is really pretty when it first comes down. I've taken some nice pictures with my new digital camera, but of course they're all wintery looking.

I'm sure many of our extended family are watching the job market and wondering if they might be "downsized". I'm concerned as the community mental health center I work for is having huge monetary problems and have started shaving places and things and two people.I just wait for news each day as there's two of us in our office in Henniker and hope the powers to be don't think the job could be done by one. Now one and a half wouldn't be as bad as I could collect social security and get half pay.

On a brighter side, while John and Cathy were here we were trading pet stories and having a good laugh at ourselves for allowing the pets to rule. I hope Cathy will tell some of her dog stories as you know how Riley thinks he's a person!

Well Sophie, our kitty, really feels she is one of us and we of course feels she is as well. She keeps Clyde busy all day with the demands of a nice lap to lay on and an occasional trip outside. The funniest sight is watching her sit at the table with us. We have to pull out the fourth chair which she sits on and just observes us. She never touches food even if it's six inches in front of her nose. Of course she watches Carl eat as she knows at the end she will get a little meat on a plate on the floor. He nearly purees it for her as she doesn't like to have to chew. The latest thing is, when Carl brings me my coffee in bed on Sunday morning she insists on having a plate with two or three little cat treats on it. What next! We do love this little "person" kitty.

It would be nice to have a few of the musers let us in on their animal stories.


HOWLETT REUNION 2003
Cathy and Johnny Howlett

The Howlett Family Reunion will be July 5th this year, at our place in Chichester, NH. We will need guests to help out by bringing lawn chairs (we'll rent some folding chairs, but those things are so uncomfortable, and tend to sink into the ground), a salad or dessert (we'll provide the goodies for the grills and rotisserie, and some simple appetizers), and alcoholic beverage of choice (we'll provide sodas, water, tea, coffee).

As we move closer to summer we'll ask for RSVP's and info on any special accommodations folks need re: diet or physical limitations. In the meantime, like everyone else, we're counting the days until this miserable weather is history. Keep warm!


TEACHING TRAFFIC SCHOOL
Valerie Davidson

My income sources are somewhat sporadic and unpredictable and it's been a lean month--guess the teachers are too healthy. The traffic school has been throwing a little extra my way, thank goodness. That is actually more fun than one might imagine--some of my classes are for "Comedy School" and folks expect a stand-up comic. Yecch! I hate jokes! I tell them they'll get an upbeat class, which is all the advertising promises, and they leave smiling after 8 hours (!), so something's going right. There's no question that it is helping me gain teaching experience, even if it is with adults--there isn't that much difference, really. For instance, when we play the traffic sign game, with usually four groups competing, they get seriously caught up in winning! It's my way of selling them on sitting for four more hours, and it works like a charm. So far there was only one class where they moaned when I suggested a second, different game in the latter hours because we had extra time. Party poopers!


CHECKING OUT VIRUS WARNINGS AND HOAXES
Doug Howlett

I always check out virus warnings or possible hoaxes/myths (like the "Neiman-Marcus Cookie chain letter") I am forwarded before sending them on. I found that F-Secure is another good site for checking out both such contents. I checked today (Feb. 7) and the virus hoax you mention (jdbgmgr.exe) is at the top of their list of "recent hoaxes"

F-Secure : Security Information Center
 http://www.f-secure.com/virus-info/

Ed. note: The Jdbgmgr.exe file hoax was also spotted by Scott Murdock, who suggested Symantek,
and by Missi Howlett, who alerted faculty at the college where she works. (We learned about this from her sister Stephanie Wiseman, who also works at the college.) - - RDM


CATARACT SURGERY SUCCESSFUL
Margery Aukstikalnis

January 27 message: February 13th is the scheduled date for my cataract surgery, right eye. Dr (ophthalmologist) says the left eye is absolutely perfect, and because this is a "quick-growing" type cataract, he doesn't expect to see the repeat performance in the left eye. (Slow-growing almost always hits both eyes, one after the other)

Surgery will most likely be in and out same day, and will be performed at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene. Jack, of course will provide transportation and moral support.

I'm looking forward to being able to read the sheet music in the Choir. I'm having a tough time reading the music and words at the same time, right now, so am forced to memorize the words..

March 2 addendum: The surgery went very well. Although my near vision is not quite stabilized yet, I can see so much better now. Things are brighter and more colorful than before the cataract, even! Glad I got it done.


WE'RE ONLINE AT HOME!
Scott Howlett

We finally got up with times and got an email address at home rather than work only. We missed a lot of what’s going on by not seeing the news letter.

There isn’t too much new going on around here and everyone has been well. We are taking advantage of the weather and doing winter activities. Casey is taking ski lessons every Wednesday through a school program at a local ski area. Regina is a chaperone for the ski program - being from the Alps made her a good candidate for that. The kids have been tubing and skating to make the best of all the cold weather we’ve been having. Still, we are counting the weeks until spring and the warm weather comes back.

So here’s our home Email address: showlett.1@netzero.net . Please put us on the email list under this address and we hope to hear more about what's going on in the family.



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