Thatcher Magazine - July 2010

FAMILY HISTORY:
It was that time of year when mosquitoes were a nuisance in the old Illinois area where we grew up. There are some people who attract those blood-suckers by the drove. Our dad, Clarence E. Thatcher Sr., was one of those preferred blood donors. On those occasions when one, just one, mosquito found its way into our house, it zoomed in on Dad. One mosquito was bad enough, but our dad, being a gardener, was a primary target of mosquitoes from miles around as he tried to enjoy evenings puttering in his gardens.
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Over the years, Dad tried every known remedy. Our mother was always alert to anything new on the market. And so, she loved telling her story of purchasing the latest product for dad. It was, apparently, a cream or gel that was applied diretly to the skin. Dad tried it out. He applied it to his arms, legs, ankles, chest, back, neck and face. Returning after a few hours of weeding, pruning and watering, he told Mudge (he always called mother Mudge), "That new mosquito repellant did a good job. I didn't get bit anywhere I smeared it - so those buggers bit me in my britches!"
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FAMILY NEWSLETTER:
THATCHER FAMILY REUNION TIME
Marjorie has made regular trips to Buffalo to help Roy get the farm ready for the onslaught of Thatchers this August 7-8. I am hoping the temperatures are a bit lower than the 100 we experienced in Arkansas and Missouri the last few weeks. I'm sure you Chicagoland folks are hoping to avoid another downpouring of rain after the drenching of July 23rd and 24th . That must have been a doozie!
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I'll look forward to seeing you'all at the farm.

THE SISTERS:
This year, Marjorie produced he Family History News solo. As in all the years before, we are looking forward to seeing it and reading it.... Thanks Marjorie!
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Since Nancy hasn't had anything published this year, she gave up her position as president of the TwinLakesWriters after four years, although staying involved. She has been reading and pounding the keyboard, continuing a monthly column (formerly 'President Page' now 'Nancy's Page' on www.twinlakeswriters.org) and this BLOG. Art classes, Toastmasters Int'l., a website and new blog are in the consider process - only time will tell.
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INSPIRATION:
Give yourself a pat on the back!
You deserve one - for so many reasons;
For doing so much for so many -
without realizing how important that is.
You make an ordinary day special just by being a part of it.
And that's something to feel great about!
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There is no limit to the number of hearts that hold you dear.
Every day is a new day.
Appreciate yourself.
Let joy catch up with you.
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The BLOG:
Family members are welcome to contribute to this blog by accessing the editor through either 'comment' space on this blogsite or by emailing nktcerny@suddenlink.net or phoning (870)425-8264. You can use snail mail if you prefer. To date, I know only how to manage transcribed print information (no pictures, cut-paste, sophisticated presentations).
OK. I'M JUST SITTING HERE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU...Nancy ty Te

Celebrating the 4th

FAMILY NEWSLETTER
-I didn't hear from anyone, so I don't have much to share...

I hope you'all enjoyed Independence Day 2010.
- Carol and I, as well as Colleen and her family, attended the Red, White and Bue firewords display held at our college campus. It was spectacular once again. It is still amazing that the small towns surrounding us can put on these huge events - especially patriotic events like this fireworks show.
- It was while we waited for the fireworks to begin that we got a call from Aunt Diane informing us that Clarence's brother Ed has died peacefully June 25th. He was the last of the siblings.
- I talked with Bruce last week and he told me about the unfortunate event he exerienced just as he and Shirley were about to take a leisurely tour to see springtime near the Canadian border and to visit friends. He'll have to tell you his story when we meet up with him at the 2010 Thatcher Family Reunion.
- Carol and Nancy joined Cheryree in Kansas City for the weekend.
- Marjorie's son Roy with Kathy spent their weekend together in Bolivar.
-I had guests in for buffet and a game of dominoes. No barbeque this 4th (I don't have one - and wouldn't know how to cook on one...)
-That's the news from this BLOGGER. I'm back to trying to write stories for money (magazines) or money (competitions). So far my wrotom income in 2010 is $00.00.

Dont forget to send my your Family History, news for the Family Newsetter, Stories to Share, Thoughts of Inspiration, or other interesting stuff to include in your Thatchermagazine BLOG.

I'LL BE LOOKING T SEE YOU AT THE THATCHER FAMILY REUNION, AUGUST 7-8.

Inspiration

THOUGHTS TO INSPIRE YOU
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I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
-- Thomas Jefferson

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How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flown.
How did it get so late so soon?
-- Dr. Seuss

~ Correction ~

BLOG, Remembering Jennie, March 2010, Thatcher Magazine:
- Jennie was born in 1837. She died in her 87th year; 1923 at age 86 years, 7 months and 16 days. I apologize for the (dyslexic) number switch appearing on the original BLOG (and for not yet knowing how to correct and edit text...embarrassing!). Nancy y Te \

Things Your Cell Phone Can Do

The following is information issued from police Detective Ross to his fellow offiers:

5 THINGS A CELL PHONE COULD DO
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FIRST: Emergancy 112
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.
If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network, dial 112 and
the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you.
ALSO: this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
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SECOND: Keys locked in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry?
If you lock your keys in the car and the spare is at home, call someone at home from your cellphone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. (Officer Parks tried it and it worked fine.)
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THIRD: Hidden battery power.
Your cell battery is very low? To activate reserve power, press the keys *3370#.
Your cellphone will restart with this reserve and show 50% increase in battery.
This reserve will get charged the next time you charge your cell phone.

FOURTH: Disable your stolen mobile phone.
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the folowing digits on your phone: *#06#.
A 15-digit code will appear on the screen.
This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
If your phone is stolen, call your service provider and give them this code. They will then
be able to block your handset - even if the ehief changes the SIM card.

FIFTH: Free Drectory Service for Cells
To avoid $1. and $1.75 charges for 411 information calls, simply dial (800)FREE411,
or (800)373-3411 without incurring any charge at all.
Suggestion: program this into your cell phone now.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends. (Thanks to your local police officers.)

STORIES TO SHARE - from Sandy of Virginia

Thank You for Being in my Life
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People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
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When someone is in your life for REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance
and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at any inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realze is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
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Some people come into your life or a SEASON because your turn has come
to share, grow and learn.
They bring you an experience of peace and make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
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LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and
put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
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Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a REASON, a SEASON or a LIFETIME.
--author unknown

Flag Day 2010

Mountain Home, Arkansas, has given us a beautiful day to show off our American flags and remind us once again of the value of freedom. Nancy y Te

Freedom is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze
A young Marine saluted it, and then
he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought, how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how may times
that taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, Freedom isn't free!

---unknown author