Celebration Magazine Blog
#CelebratingLifeAfter60

by Katie Butler Johnson I had dinner with the King of England! Well, that’s really stretching it a bit. He wasn’t technically “King” at the time - just heir apparent - Prince Charles Mountbatten-Windsor. When Prince Charles crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Dallas to present Ross Perot with the Winston Churchill Award at a formal dinner in the Chantilly Ballroom of the Anatole Hotel on February 18th 1986, my husband and I were there, dressed to the nines and seated at tabl

by Shanon Weaver Ask Joel Lanoux a question…and settle in. His answers arrive with detours, punch lines, and Carol—his wife of 66 years—laughing nearby. But beneath the stories is the sharp memory of a lawyer and federal investigator who learned his cases cold. During the biggest trial of his career, a newspaper reporter gave him a fitting nickname: “Mr. Cool.” Joel’s story began in a tiny Louisiana community along the Mississippi River, about 40 miles north of New Orleans. H

by Jill Rumbley-Beam Music has been the soundtrack of my life, and over the years, I have been fortunate enough to attend concerts featuring some of the greatest artists and bands in music history. From powerful rock anthems of Journey, Boston, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Chicago, New Kids on the Block, and Styx to the unforgettable performances of Tom Jones, Janet Jackson, Dunn, Michael Jackson, the Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, Three Dog Night, Bread, Geor

by Dave Friant Okay. Been putting it off for too long. DP’s theme of sentiments from bygone years for this issue was spot on with recollections of some wonderful times. A romp thru yesteryear. It provided the motivation to tap a few keys and do some reminiscing about a special friend. Sharing for the readership the qualities he brings to the table and the essentials that continue to hold this special bond together is a privilege. It serves as a lift for me to do so as the mon

by Shanon Weaver So when she says, “To me, my life isn’t that interesting,” one has to wonder what qualifies. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1944, Barbara moved to Lansing, Michigan, at 11. After her mother died during her senior year, she moved to El Paso to live with her brother, who was stationed at Fort Bliss. There, she met her first husband. They married, had three children, and divorced after 16 years. In 1981, Barbara married Roy Barton, a military man. A yea

by Phyliis Jenkins I was all set to write about rotary phones, television antennas, typewriters, and all the other things many of us grew up with before technology took over our lives. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that’s not what I miss most. As I reflected on the past, I found myself thinking less about the things we used and more about the people who shaped us, the lessons we learned, and the memories that still live in our hearts. So, allow me to ta

By Kathleen Crowley Rosie, our beloved 12-year-old cat, was gone. She had been missing for weeks, and it was certain that she was gone for good. Her unexpected escape outdoors was the final straw for 10-year-old Jake, my youngest son. Through his sobs it became clear that his grief was a result of more than just the disappearance of a dear pet. “Daddy is gone now that you are divorced. My brother Sam has gone to college. We don’t have a family anymore.” His sense of loss and

by Dr. Brian Nwannunu, Orthopedic Surgeon Many people spend too much time waiting—for motivation, for the right moment, or for things to get easier. But real change usually begins when a person decides to do something, even if it is small. Whether it means exercising, working toward a goal, or pushing through fear, putting your body in motion is often the first step toward improving your life. A regular day may be spent sitting in class, at work, or at home. Because of that,

by Patty Clark At 73, I am often mistaken as an adult. Society collectively decides that I’m elderly based on the wrinkles, the sensible shoes, and the multiple tissue packs I carry around in my purse as if they’re quietly breeding. From this evidence alone, people assume I possess wisdom and a refined sense of responsibility. There’s no denying I now hold menus at arm’s length, then closer, then farther away again like I’m trying to establish radio contact with shrimp scampi

by Lillie Miller As you travel along U.S. Highway 75 today, you are following a transportation corridor that has shaped North Texas for more than 150 years. Long before there was a highway, the Houston and Texas Central Railway (H&TC) crossed the same landscape, linking communities and opening the door to unprecedented growth. In fact, North Central Expressway got its name from "The Central" (the nickname commonly used for the Houston and Texas Central Railway) after the high

by Dr. Schuyler Peterson A few months ago, when the warning light glowed on my dash, I decided to check the level of the transmission fluid in my new car. I had my toolbox, a roll of paper towels, a YouTube video pulled up on my phone, and just enough know-how to be dangerous. The oil dipstick is the easy one. But the transmission dipstick? Locked. As in, there was a literal lock on it. No key. Just a plastic shackle and the smug audacity of foreign design. Apparently, the ma

by Dave Friant It’s in the top tier of what elevates the pulse rates of sports fans. Athletic contests with outcomes up for grabs. Good ol’ barnburners. Either as a participant, an in-person onlooker at an event, or viewer of an ESPN sports presentation while relaxing in a comfortable recliner, it’s my bet that 90% or so of y’all have experience in such activities. Preparation is essential. These toss-up finishes have the potential of messing with your psyche and physic

by Mary Frances Hansen Grandparents play such an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. Grandparents are often seen as stress buffers, family watchdogs, arbitrators, and supporters. “Grandparents are a family's greatest treasures, the founders of loving legacy, the greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strongest foundation.” (Unknown) Research suggests that children find unique acceptan

by Kim Marvel My mom referred to herself as a “happy hooker.” That phrase raised eyebrows in mixed company until she explained that she hooked rugs and wall-hangings. Hooking wall-hangings was a focus of her creative talents during her middle-adult years when my grandmother lived in our home. In addition to providing a creative outlet, it helped Mom pass the time when she sat through long afternoons with her frail, visually-impaired mother. Mom’s hooked products were not the

by Judy Allen, Master Gardener We know a lot about how to protect ourselves during the heat. We use sunscreen; wear the correct clothing; monitor our sun exposure, and most importantly stay hydrated. Unfortunately, some plants need protection just like we do. They can’t move into the shade and grab a drink when the need arises. The good news is, we can choose plants that not only survive the Texas heat but thrive here. By following these guidelines, you can improve your ga

by Shanon Weaver There was a time when the future came with chrome trim. It hovered feet above the ground, made a humming sound, and required no effort from us. We would zip to work in flying cars, return to spotless homes maintained by cheerful robot maids, and conduct important business through enormous television screens. The future was sleek, automatic, and apparently just around the corner. Meanwhile, back in the actual world, the phone book sat beneath the kitchen telep

by Dan Price A good story should be embellished. Trust me… that’s how a mid-level story transforms into a good story in the first place. Make the fish you caught a little bigger. The jump shot you took goes from the 3-point line with two minutes left to a one-handed half-court throw with seconds on the clock, leading the home team to victory. And, like in every pet story, the dog or cat in question is always, without a doubt, “the cutest thing you’ve ever seen”. Oh, and mak

by Tommy D There was a time when the answer to “What’s for dinner?” was very likely waiting in a rectangular glass dish. t the center of the family table sat the casserole, bubbling at the edges beneath a roof of crushed potato chips, breadcrumbs, or crispy onions. It might contain noodles, rice, tuna, chicken, ground beef, or whatever needed using before Friday. Add condensed soup, and leftovers suddenly had a title. Practical, dependable, and rarely photogenic, the cassero

by Amy Holloway The Artemis II moon mission has me thinking about exploration – that desire “to boldly go,” whether it’s by rocket, covered wagon, or hiking worn trails through a mountainside. For my husband and me, nothing satisfies our wanderlust more than packing up the pickup truck and heading west from Georgia, with bird dogs in tow. Our destination may be the midwestern plains for wild bird hunting in the fall or further west to Colorado to reunite with family. But we a

by Dan Price In the 1980’s, in the prime of my childhood, there were a few absolutes that I could always count on: Diff’rent Strokes was hilarious, the Texas Rangers were going to tank the season, and my grandparents were going to send me $20 and an inappropriate card for my birthday. And Grandma would take me to the mall when she visited even though she never drove a car and Grandpa would take us all over Los Angeles to sight see, even though he couldn’t see at all. They we