Out of the loop day!

I am out of the loop day!  I am working on a fund- raising project idea that has huge potential for all of my clients!  But first I have to do the research and I'm covered up with books and information!

Debbie is coming to do my hair, then I have conference with Jeff Long here at the house!  Matt Porter and I leave at two for a dinner and reception for Jean Carnahan in St Louis so I don't have much time to do research!  But I will ponder on the ride and through the speech!  And often, I pick up something or some idea that was worth the trip!  I am hoping this BSC plan has transferral potential for University athletics which I meet with on Tuesday!  Marcie at Mo Delta is waiting for me to get back with her!   Wow!  Not enough time and not enough help!

Dentist Day

I am petrified of dentists but I go faithfully.  I have a new dentist but in the two years I have been going I have not had a cavity until now!  Yesterday I went, and before I went under with nitrous, I told him that if he hurt me he would be dead meat if I could feel or remember it!  My voice carries downtown and when I left the office everyone was laughing because they heard me say it!  Suffice it to say that he is still alive!  And so am I!  In fact, I'm going back for some cosmetic work and whitening work!

Talked to Julia Warren and she wants to go to st Louis so badly but she says no one wants to go but she wants to talk to the people who came!  I am already thinking how to get her there!  She needs highs in her life and she lives for them!

Went out with Angelina last night and told her she was getting Daddy's scholarship next year!  She sobbed in My Daddy's and then they had me call their mother in Sri Lanka and she sobbed too!  Her brother, Aron, goes here too and they are so fine!

Me and the Police Department

No I have not committed a crime but I met up with the head of St Louis Police Academy, Lt Dan Coll, yesterday in Ste Genevieve and talked about May 6!  He told me some wonderful stories about Jim and said that we will be surprised about the crowd of people who are coming in and they are getting more emails every day!   I told him that Julia and Betty and I would speak on behalf of the family!  (Actually I have not asked Julia yet if she wants to speak and I told him that).  However, I did say that she was in wheel chair and Dan said that was no problem even though there is no elevator.  He said he had plenty of recruits who knew how to carry her and her wheelchair up to the ceremony!  

Kfvs and Southeast Missourian are both getting live feeds and video and Kfvs will interview the three sisters when we come home!  (Kathy at Kfvs). This is a big deal to the Police Dept and to the Cooper family!

Sunday, Fun Day!

I lived through it and everything went well!  I officiated at Marilyn Greable and then had a luncheon for the family at my house. When everyone left, I headed for the chapel services for the students here from Nepal and I was last speaker!  I sang "Go Rise High on the Mountain" at both services!  Over half of the students from Nepal came to the service and they ate food and played games until about 8.  It was a long day but I was sorely needed!

A long day ahead

Here is my schedule for the day:

9:30. meet the Greable family at Ford and Sons Funeral Home so they can view body.

10:00. service starts at Mausaleum at memorial park doing the sermon and then singing Go Rest on that Mountain!

11:00 leave the church and head for house where all will gather for lunch,

2: oo head for Baptist Student Center and get read for prayer service for Nepal students.  Set up chairs and help get meal ready!

5:30. Lead prayer service with Dr Gentry!  I will close the service with words, prayer and song!

Who knows what time I will get home!  I am blessed to be a part of it all!

Earthquake comes in Nepal

Just when you think you can do no more, something happens that you cannot refuse!  I help feed the International Students every Sunday Night for the A. B. Cooper Ministries and many of our students are from Nepal and are devastated by the news of the earthquake!   No I can't say no to being at the prayer service on Sunday night to help support them with our love and prayers. 

I will close the service singing Go Ret High on that Mountain and teaching it to them and raising funds for the Red Cross!

Saturday - give me a few more hours in this day!

It is 8:43!  Trudy Lee has already been by to pick up her practice tape to sing "Go rest high on that Mountain" with me tomorrow at Marilynn's funeral!  I hope I can sing anything after doing the service! Pull up the song by Vince Gill!  It is wonderful and I hope we can pull it off!

When I do funerals I spend hours writing the sermon!  I want it to be something that helps the family!  Doc Ford talks to me every day because Gene cries all the time and just says, "Call Janie"!  I had to call them yesterday and tell them her name was misspelled , two and in Marilynn, so they had to reprint all the funeral cards!  

After that we are doing lunch for everyone that comes at my house!  I hired Chartwells to cater that!  Heather is here cleaning the house!  I can't lift anything in rainy weather or I'll be suffering with my back!

No private conversation

I told Dr. Jim McGill of Chemistry that I would take him out for coffee since he was named Professor of the Year by the Greeks and we went this morning!  He is from Anniston and he loves the students! 

He is learning that you will be interrupted if you go with me!  John Haney retired from physical plant came in and John Lohr came in- he is the manager of the Rhodes on Sprigg where we went!

Marilyn Greable obituary

Marilyn Greable

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Marilyn Greable

Marilyn Taylor Greable, 72, of Winnetka, Illinois, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Evanston, Illinois. She was born Sept. 28, 1942, in Bernie, Missouri, to the late Ervin and Arline Shelley Taylor. Marilyn married Gene Greable of Cape Girardeau on June 27, 1964, at Sikeston, Missouri.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years; a daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Mackey; three grandchildren, Jaxson S., Brooke and Maxwell Mackey; and a sister, Janice Rogers of Ladue, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by a son, Mark Gene Greable.
A committal service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with Jane Stacy officiating.
Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Greable funeral plans continuing

I have to get started in earnest today to complete the plans for the Marilynn Greable funeral and I am making progress!  When I came home from Jonesboro yesterday, I had two calls from Doc Ford, our funeral director, and three calls from Gene Greable, my friend and surviving spouse who lives in Winnetka, Illinois.    Worked thru those calls and made a list for Mark and Kathleen today who are both working today!

They can help me with tasks like getting the house ready for 35 people who are coming to lunch here after the funeral!  But they can't help me with the writing of the funeral sermon or help me find a way to have the Vince Gill song "go rest high on the mountain" which Gene told me last night he wanted to add to program!  I'm praying for me today!  Join me!  I need the prayers and you need the practice!

Bob Lipscomb is 99!

Bob Lipscomb, a Semo alumnus, turned 99 and wanted Trudy Lee, Freck Shivelbine and me to come down!  He was band director in Blythville for many years! It was real fun!  Even if I have many telephone calls to make tonight!

Doc Jim Tribute

All family members are invited to the Doc Jim Tribute to be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 10:30 am at the St Louis Police Academy!  The idea for this event came from the Chief of Police at O'Fallon,Roy Joachimstaler, whose life was saved by "Doc Jim"!  Others to be invited (and consider this to be your invitation ) are policemen Jim took care of and tributes by family members of deceased policemen!

I met Roy after Jims death when he asked his cousin, Dr. Fred Saalfeld, a Semo alumnus, if he would bring him down and introduce us.  This was the beginning of our continued friendship!  He was not able to be present at Julia's birthday party to make the announcement because no chief was allowed to leave the city in the Ferguson  problems!   Betty hates the picture I used as well as some other people but I chose the best one I had so I would not ruin Roy's surprise!  I can change the picture if someone has a better choice!  This is Roy and his fellow officersTribute;  I am grateful for his remembering!

Charleston concert

Mark took me down to Charleston for the concert yesterday and it was great!  Jerry Ford and five pianists;  Betty Hearnes, Bev Reese, Dede Ellis Reed, Meekee graham, Kerry Davis and soon to be Dr DePriest!  I sat with Pam and Doris Maxwell and Judy Smith and it was a great concert!  I don't know how Betty puts this together year after year!

Adam is out of surgery!

Minus a gall bladder!

Adam is in surgery now!

Just went back to have his gall bladder removed!

Adam and Ron Duff

Sending pic of Adam Dyer!  Spoke to him yesterday and he said that they were bringing in red jello and would I call the doctor and get him some scalloped potatoes! Then Sara called back later and said they were not certain it was gallbladder and they were doing another surgery today.   They found out he had been eating a Bluebell ice cream that had  been recalled and they were checking also for listeria infection!

Went to two parties yesterday so I was out among. Them!  Jim, Ron Duff says hi and wishes you well!

Update on Adam Dyer

Just talked to Sara and to a groggy Adam and the endoscopy is over!  Good news is that everything checks out but the bad news is he still has the pain!  The gastro man is talking to the surgeon to see if they agree on removing the gallbladder!  Adam was chowing down on red jello since he has not had a bite in three days!  He wanted me to make the doctors bring him some scalloped potatoes!

Adam Dyer condition

Just heard from Sara and she and Dan are in Houston!  Adam is still in testing but she says they want something done this afternoon!

Historical nights!

I go to every historical event around because I am on every board!  Even gave my papers to Kent Library and have my own section!  But I was a history major in college and I loved Harold Dugger as a teacher.  So last night I went up to the campus for the Dugger Dinner and Lecture and I enjoyed the speaker and the company!  Two of my alumni friends were there, both circuit judges, Tim Patterson and Dennis Kehm!  The student in the pic, Zack Roberts, was so cute!  I asked him if he was a history major and he said, "I'm a freshman, I came for the extra credit!"  I love students!

I also visited with Dr Adam Criblez, director of Regional History Center, who published my book on Alumni Merit Award Recipients!  And Dr. Laurie Hamblin who wanted to know about Jim Stacy!

Adam needs to have gall bladder surgery

Sara and Dan are flying down to Houston for the surgery.  I don't know when it will be but I am glad they will be there!

Adam Dyer is in hospital

Went to emergency room last night!  Passed out cold!  Sara called this morning!  She had talked to Mark Stacy.  Pray for him that his tests are okay!

Tax Day and Dentist Checkup Day!

Hate them both and had to pay both today!  And go to dentist today and find out I have a cavity!  Can the day get worse?  I hope not!  Karel is out painting my grillwork, mark is out getting lunch and doing errands, Kathleen is coming at noon to clean house and get the sun porch ready for business since Gayla came yesterday and took plastic off!

New pic of Allen Fryes baby!

Knox and the Football team

I went out to eat yesterday with Mickey Neville who played football at Semo with Bill Stacy!  He praised me for all the work I did for Semo and Bill Stacy making him a success and said all of the team knew I had worked my butt off for his success and happiness!  And they were amazed at my coming out of this unscathed and in bitter!

I appreciated his words of support because it has been one tussle of betrayal after another and it continues to rock me at times!  But I say to myself that bad acts happen to all people who reach out to others!  It is like the old fellow said, "I don't know why he hates me;  I've never done anything FOR him!

Thanks Mickey for reminding me that I was not the problem!

Rip-roaring Sunday!

Yesterday I was determined to go to Malden for Steve Hoehn's birthday!  He played football when Bill Stacy coached in Malden and has been in nursing home for years!  I told the other guys that I was coming and I talked Karel Edgar, my landscaper, into taking me and said we would take a fast trip to Charleston!  We did all this and everything went terrific!  Steve knew who I was and we posed for pics with the team and his family!   And then we dashed thru Charleston and Jamee was standing out in her yard so she and Karel talked mulch!

Beat it home and Annie Finnegan and I went up to see Allen and Robin Fryes baby!  She is darling!  Tired when I got home!

National Sibling Day!

We have most everyone beat with our eight!

Cherry blossoms and new babies

Double dipping of news today!  Tina and Mark are visiting Andrea in Washington this weekend at the Cherry Blossom Festival and sent pics!  And Allen and Robin have a new baby born Friday-Talia Jennie Mae Frye!

My first wedding to officiate

Yesterday I went down to meet Lana Andrews and her fiancé Lee Piner at Cup and Cork to talk about their upcoming marriage!  She was my secretary for years and asked me to officiate!  This will be a first for me and I could not refuse!  I asked Bruce Gentry if he would team up with me so he could sign the license!  I have a seminary degree and have been ordained as a deacon but don't have a license!

We went down yesterday and Bruce knew the right questions to ask!  It is something new and while it was not on my bucket list, I will add it!

Saying goodbye and hello!

Last night I went to a party at Baptist Student Center to say goodbye to an international student who is leaving to take a job in the Kansas City area! Her name is Sowmya Rao but we call her Joy.  She is dear to me and even stayed with me at nights when I fell down the steps.  She gave a cut down speech about all of us which was great!

Then I learned that my nephew Allen Frye and his wife, Robin, had a little girl yesterday named Jennie Talia-Mae Frye!  I look forward to saying hello to her today!   And that is what life is --saying hello and goodbye!

Lectured out!

The problem in inviting some older lecturers in to speak is that sometimes they don't know when to stop especially when they have a lecture typed out single spaced and they intend to say every word and show every slide even though he was thirty minutes late starting because he could not get his act together!  

Okay, two lectures by the same man with more information than I need to know is too much!  But I went!  It didn't help that in the beginning of the second lecture I was texted some bad news and I wanted to be alone to deal with follow up and text him back with my sympathy on his mistreatment!  Excavations of the past did not seem to me to be on the same stratosphere!

What a day!

My days are packed! Yesterday Karel came to plant my flowers outside and it is gorgeous and she got my fountain going inside!  I went out to lunch at Ruby Tuesday with Betty Cox and Carol Robinson and ran into Ken Gullett from University police who I loved!

Came home and Shad Burner who was Alumni director here came by for gossip and a coke!  Then Matt Porter came by about his job and then I ate supper and watched the news!  I was tired of talking and listening!

Kim Mothershead tree

In 1996 I got my seminary degree and I looked out my window one morning and Kim Mothershead was planting a weeping cherry tree out in my front yard as a surprise for me!  Never did I think that the tree would reach epic heights and never did I think that Kim would not live to see it thrive!

But every spring I await it blooming and I think of Kim and her beauty and her love of life!  This year I put a sign up on the tree!

Joan Gohn's Birthday

Went to Joan Gohn's 68th birthday party tonight at Judy Brown's house!  She cooked it and the chicken cordon blue was wonderful!  Eight of us were there and it was a fun night!

Easter reflection

Easter is music to me!  I think of getting dressed up in new clothes and hiding eggs!  And how much I hate that hymn "low in the grave He lay!  Which we always sang!  Yesterday I talked by phone to my sister, Rose Marie, and she reminded me that Mama would never let us eat the eggs we dyed!  She thought that the dye could be poisonous and could permeate the egg!  Rosie even played the piano on the phone for me!  Then I felt the Easter come into my soul!

I went last night with my friend, Sandy Moore, the cookie lady, to Chapel at Bptist Student Center and Lydia Gentry played the violin to "Christ the Lord is risen today"!  Yes it is Easter!