Saturday, August 20, 2011

A Failure to Stand

Hey, Y'all,
Well, I went to hear a "Country Strings Concert" last night at a local church and it was really good. It was mostly Bluegrass and old time gospel music. I went with some of the other seniors from my church. The temperature was still hovering around 107 when we met at our church to drive over. It was probably still around 102 when we left to come back just an hour later. 

When we got there, we saw a huge display of quilts that the ladies of the church had made to sell. They were the kind that are stitched together using threads pulled through and tied every so many inches apart. The quilts were quite beautiful.

At the door to the sanctuary there was a table set up for people to donate money to the cause for which the concert was being held. It was a benefit for the people in Joplin, Missouri following the terrible tornadoes that ripped through their city several months ago, and I think it was for one family in particular. 

We went in and sat down. There were about ten members in the band. The concert began by the playing of our National Anthem. Everyone stood up - that is - everyone but a woman in front of me. I saw her friend motion for her to stand up, but she just crossed her legs and folded her arms in front of her in a position of rebellion, and took another drink of her soft drink in the paper cup she had carried in. I sang as loudly as I could fairly close to her ear. 

Just before we sat down, I asked her if she was a United States citizen. She said yes, she was born and raised in the U.S. Then I said, "Don't you stand when the National Anthem is being played?" Her reply was, "Occasionally, if I feel like it." I know she wasn't ill. I know it is a free country, and we don't HAVE to stand when our country's anthem is being played, but she should try living in another country where they don't have the freedoms we do, and see how she likes that. I'll bet her attitude might change then. They walked out in front of us, and I know she wasn't walking like anything was hurting her. I would like to have kicked her behind for her.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the music...I knew and sang along with every song they played. I even "Yee-Hawed" once in a while after they finished some of the songs. Hope that won't keep my friends from taking me anyplace again. Ha. Of course, other people cheered and whistled as well. 

Last night, just after I went to bed, I started sneezing, and spent the night in that manner. Some time during the night, I had a nosebleed, and it stopped. Then this morning just about getting up time, it started again. Those nasal tissues are very delicate, and the kind of sneezing I do is the WHAT-CHOO kind. I have it stopped for now. It never lasts very long. I am not planning on going out any today. I think two of the grandkids will be over to mow my yard today. They are so good to do that for me! It may be Matt and Amy.

Breakfast in a little while, and then working on Teresa's quilt pieces. I have 3/8's of the squares stitched into individual squares. That means I have 150 left to do, before I do the next step in the quilt. Each square has five strips of cloth stitched together. Then each square has to have the seams pressed flat. Then each square has to be cut into the shape it will take (a six sided shape). That is only in preparation for the quilt to begin taking shape. I am hoping to have the quilts finished by Christmas. 

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now. More later. 

7 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ruby, I would've asked that woman the same question! And probably said something else as well.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Someone not standing up for the national anthem in Texas???? It's a wonder the lady didn't find herself at a necktie party. (How could someone "not feel" like standing for the anthem? The ingrate.)

Laura said...

I'm a non-confrontational person, but I would have said something too! I'm glad that you did say something and then didn't let her actions ruin the good time you had at the concert!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Like you, it shocks me to see someone not stand up for our national anthem if it appears they're able. I don't understand what folks are thinking when they behave that way.

As for quilting, Ruby, I admire anyone who's good at that. There's a big quilt show here in Northern Colorado this weekend, but I didn't go because I was working hard on my book.

Glad to hear you're doing well in spite of the Texas heat. Your temperatures have been at least 15 degrees higher than ours, and I thought it was pretty darned hot here.

Keena said...

I have Fibro and arthritis in my hips and I stand long enough for the anthem. That makes me mad as a hornet. I'm glad you said something. I hope you feel better after your sneezing fit.... Take care.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I always stand when our National Anthem is played in public, this was an insylt to her country.

Enjoy your Sunday.
Yvonne.

Cro Magnon said...

I think you should take pride in the fact that 99% of you stood for the national anthem. Back in the UK it's almost forbidden to be proud of our country, and the flying of the Union Jack is outlawed almost everywhere (it might upset the immigrants).

Maybe this is why I've spent the last 40 years living in France.