Thanksgiving

I got up this morning feeling OK, but not “normal”. My gut was growling and my throat was a little ticklish. I wondered if I was coming down with something after this holiday period when I rubbed shoulders with lots of people I don’t normally see very often. Turns out I feel fine now. Maybe it was just something I ate that didn’t quite agree with me and wanted me and my gut wanted me to know it wasn’t happy.
But as I was sitting this morning before church, thinking about my situation, I heard the furnace come on. I didn’t think much about it except to think that I was glad I didn’t have to head out back to the woodpile in this wind and cold to fetch wood for the stove or fireplace…especially feeling the way I was at the time.
A few minutes later, I went into the bathroom and had the occasion to run the water there. Again, I thought that I sure was glad I didn’t have to go out to the well and lower a bucket or pump the pump jack, or walk a mile or so to the nearest stream and carry water back to the house. The thought came to me again regarding hot water. I was glad I didn’t have to heat water over the stove or fireplace to get hot water for a bath.
Then I thought, “How did people survive in the olden days when they got the flu or a serious illness, and didn’t have automatic furnaces, running water, or hot water, or had animals that needed tending to?” Can you imagine yourself with a bad case of the stomach flu and having to chop wood, pump water, or milk the cow anyway? People in those days didn’t always have other family members to help, and had no way to contact someone else (neighbor or friend) to come help them.
And I can certainly imagine someone living by himself who gets really sick, cannot do those daily things that meant survival, and died of cold or dehydration. People of not many generations ago had to do things every day to assure survival for that day.
Nowadays, we don’t have to worry that much about it. The furnace will cycle on and off without our constant attention. The water faucet will run without our having to make it do so. Our waste will be flushed down the sewer and out of sight and mind. And we probably have enough food in the house to last for many, many days. If all else fails, we can call, email, or contact someone to come help us until we can get on our feet. If we have no one else, 911 is always available.
Do we understand the blessings we enjoy and the comfort, security, and safety that comes just by having potable water come out of a faucet whenever we want it? Little House on the Prairie was a feel-good show, and in some ways we’d like to reclaim some of that innocence. But those times were also tough and hard, unforgiving and even merciless toward those who were weak, infirm, or incapacitated in some way. I don’t think we want to go back there.
You don’t have to feel guilty because you have these blessings, and you don’t have to sell everything you have and go live under a bridge somewhere. But I would ask that you stop for just a moment and look around you, and breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for those things that are so routine and part of your life; yet are so vital to your well-being and health. And then I’d like for you to consider sharing this year with some of our number who may not have running water, automatic heat, or weeks worth of groceries. You might just find that you come to appreciate these things even more.

Forever Changed

Normally this time of year, I’d blog about being thankful and the family get-togethers and the food and all the blessings we enjoy each day. And that’s all true, of course, and the traditions continue this year as they have for many years past and gone. This year, however, is a little different as far as my internal thinking process goes. Now, that may sound a little strange to some, but for some reason I seem to have to process things that are internal to me, especially as they may relate to external circumstances, and especially as they may relate to things like holidays, trips, etc.
This year, while I attend family get-togethers, listen to the wife in the kitchen, hear Christmas songs on the CD player, and put the finishing touches on the outdoor display, I am thinking especially about those I’ve had in my life that are in more trying circumstances. I think especially about some of the children I see in latchkey each day (I volunteer as a tutor in an after-school latchkey program). I think especially of those in our church who have gone through and are going through tough times right now. I think of family that are having medical issues and are having to make adjustments to their lives and living because of it. And I think especially of a pastor who was at our church when I was a teen, who now is in Via Christi with cancer and may be in his last days and weeks.
I suppose I could think about the good things that are external…good health, as far as we know, with our grandkids, our kids, and most of our family. Plenty to eat and wear, and a place for everyone to be under a roof with comfortable surroundings. Good friends and neighbors who would do for me if needed, without question. But somehow, this year, I am more contemplative, more thoughtful, more reflective.
Even as I praise my God for His wonderful love, care, and compassion, I am somewhat restive knowing that there is a lot of pain and suffering in this world, and there’s not much I can do about a lot of it. I know, I know, I can’t fix everything, but I can do something. And I’m glad that I am doing something, and am looking for more somethings that I can do. Somehow, I think I won’t have to look very long or hard before another something plops into my lap.
So, as you continue to enjoy the holidays, know that I will enjoy them too. Just be aware that there are those in the world that aren’t having the same enjoyment as you, and if you’re not doing something to help, look around a little. Something will fall into your life and you’ll be forever changed and grateful for the opportunity.

Make Someone's Day

We went to Pratt today to see my cousin. She’s in her 80’s and in an adult care home. She has only a son in her close family, who does not visit her or seem to care for her. So we make the trip from Wichita, my sister and I, about once a month usually on a Saturday to see her, visit a few minutes, play and sing some hymns, and come back to Wichita.
Today we took my niece with us…a nice addition and a very welcome visitor. The folks who live at the home know us by now and several gather in the sitting room when we start to play and sing and sing along with us. We enjoy these folks and would like to visit there about once a month if we can.
We visit during travel, and usually stop in Kingman for a bite to eat at about noon. Today, we stopped at the Kingman cemetery to check on the grave site for a friend of my niece. We found it after a few minutes of looking. Getting back to Wichita about 2pm, I then put the Christmas lights up outside. That took me until about dark.
As I think back to our visit in Pratt, I am reminded that there are many, many people in facilities like that, or home bound for some reason who would love to hear from someone. You may well know someone who is shut in in some way. Maybe all you can do it phone. But probably, you could visit if you really wanted to do so. Think about it, then act. You’ll be blessed, and you’ll lift the spirits of someone who may go day after day without social contact.

That Old Feeling

A day or two ago, I decided to clean out the storage space we have in our basement…you know, the place with the pipes, electrical panels, etc. That’s the space where everyone stores Christmas decorations, old photos, boxes of assorted “stuff”, and whatever else that doesn’t otherwise have a place.
I came across a box that had cassette tapes in it. Now, I’m not that modern, as I have a cassette deck in my pickup (1998 model), and our stereo in the basement has a cassette deck in it, along with a CD player/changer. So cassettes are still fine with me. I looked through the tapes and threw away a lot of them, but came to a few that weren’t labeled and were homemade. So I put them into the player to see what they were, so I would know whether I wanted to save them or not.
One tape, when I hit the “play” button, sounded like some kind of “911” conversation. Not knowing what it was, I listened some more. Turns out it was a copy of the tape (they had tapes at that time, not e-storage) of an auto accident in Harper County that resulted in three injuries, one serious. Dispatch recorded (and still does) all conversations, radio traffic, etc. at all times, and this was a copy of about two hours of that traffic in the 911 center. I haven't a clue how or why I have the recording.
I happened to be on duty for EMS that day and took the first-out ambulance to the scene. I drove. I don’t recall who my crew mate was…probably someone who also worked at the hospital. We had a one-vehicle accident and three victims. We had plenty of help as the fire department’s Rescue Squad 3 and Engine 8 responded along with several bystanders, including an RN who was also an EMT.
We ended up calling for two more ambulances to help transport the wounded and called a helicopter to the hospital from Wichita to transport the serious victim. Everything is caught on the recording, and I can be clearly heard several times on the EMS radio frequency. Another man I worked with, now deceased, was on the second-out ambulance and can be heard as well.
The thing that struck me was how easily I was transported back some fifteen years ago to that time. Suddenly, Bill was our EMS director, I was on the ambulance, Terry was the sheriff, Pam was the nurse on duty, and Guy (the now-deceased) could be absolutely relied on, as usual, to fill any of a multitude of roles…this time as the second-out unit driver. The adrenaline started up again, just as it did those years ago. My 60-some year old body was again about 45 and more able to run, lift, and carry. And, that old feeling came back for a short time as I listened to the tape. There’s a certain feeling…some describe it as a rush; others as a satisfaction. Still others describe a sense of well-being and camaraderie that happens when diverse people with different abilities work together under pressure for the common good. Thinking I had gotten rid of it long ago, surprisingly, now I know I didn’t, and probably never will.
It was also good to hear, for the first time, the EMS director tell the 911 dispatcher at the conclusion of the incident that things went well; that he did not feel the need to personally go to the scene, and that it was handled well by competent volunteers and staff. As I was part of that staff, it made me feel good to receive validation, even at this late date, for a job where I know we had done our best.
There are things I’ve done in the past for which I wish I had tapes. I could easily have made a tape of my last DJ (disk jockey) broadcast back in 1981, but didn’t. I could have made a tape of one of my weathercasts on television during that same era, but didn’t. And until now, I had only some EMS pins, a nametag, and my old EMT state certification card to remind me of some of the best moments of my life…those times when I was able to make a difference in the life of someone else. I probably won’t play that tape more than one or two more times in my lifetime, assuming I live to a normal age. But it’s satisfying just to know it’s there, and to know also that our work then was truly appreciated by the Director.
I continue to try to make a difference in someone’s life, I think. My EMS and probably my healthcare days are over. In a way, I mourn that because I enjoyed it so. But I can help out in other ways. I don’t always succeed, and sometimes fail miserably, at least in my view. But as long as I’m given breath and life, it seems like it’s my responsibility to use what few abilities I have to help make someone’s corner of the world just a little better.

A Special Time

Yesterday, we had the first of several sermons on thanksgiving and giving thanks. The sermon was not a sermon; rather, it was the preacher sitting on the platform with a couple from our church who had been through a healthcare issue this past year and have so far come out on the other side.
At one point, Vernon was given a 2% chance of survival and had received something like six surgeries in about as many days. He’s been fighting cancer. He’s had most of his digestive system removed and has suffered mightily from the chemo and radiation. Yet he survives. He and his wife sat down with our preacher and talked about that time and about the things that happened, things they thought, things that have changed for them.
Without hesitation and many times through the interview, they talked about the power of prayer and the effect that prayer, encouragement, and support from the congregation had on them and their family. They are a changed family, and have changed for the better, even though Vernon walks slowly and with a cane, and is still in rehab.
They are a thankful family, and seem to appreciate every day as a gift from God. The world looks different now, and things taken for granted are given new meaning and purpose. It’s a whole new day.
I don’t know about you. I don’t know if you’ve been through the fires of trial and trouble or not. Nor do I know how you reacted or how you would react should something like that happen to you. I would hope, however, that you would rejoice with thanksgiving regardless of the circumstance because you know you are a child of the living God and that you know that regardless of the outcome, you will never be forsaken by Him, nor will you be forgotten or tossed aside.
Should God give me the breath of life these next several weeks, this promises to be a wonderful time of the year, and an even more wonderful opportunity to give thanks and rejoice in my salvation and deliverance. To God alone be the glory!

Here and There

Things I’ve experienced recently:

Driving along McLean Blvd. along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, I noticed an older man in the riverbed, sitting on a lawn chair, with a fishing line thrown into the stream portion of the river. They’ve lowered the river’s water level in order to work on a bridge, so there are portions of the normally covered riverbed that are dry. Whether he caught anything or not was probably not his biggest issue. I rather imagine he was thoroughly enjoying the experience.
I went to a new supermarket a few days ago (Wal Mart Neighborhood Market). When I checked out, I had about a dozen items, so went to the self-checkout. I got through about three items when the checkout machine told me I had an “unknown item” in the bagging area and refused to continue. A woman came by and reset the machine. I continued and got a couple more items scanned when the machine did the same thing. This time, no one came by and I had no way to call anyone over. I threw everything I had checked out back into the cart, backed out, and went to a checkout with a person manning it. I looked at the non-working checkout as I left the store. On the screen was, “Please wait for a manager.” I didn’t bother.
At a local store today, as I completed my purchases, both clerks I dealt with said, “Thank You,” after we completed our business. My, that was refreshing…sure beats a, “There ya’ go,” or the “stare” which says, “You can leave now.” What ever happened to, “Thank you, we appreciate your business?”
The Texas Roadhouse was giving veterans a break on the noon meal today. At 11am, the line went out the door, down the sidewalk, and around the back of the building. At 12:30 it was shorter, but still out the door and down the walk. Good for Texas Roadhouse and all the others who provided some kind of “kindness” for veterans today.
I recently saw a dog being walked by a man who had his canine friend on what must have been a 40 foot leash. The dog was happy to have that much room to run around in, but I wonder what the man would do when he came near someone else.
In going to a large supermarket (Dillons) a few days ago to get a large can of ground decaf coffee, I discovered that they had none. And there was no place on the shelf for any. Dillons has lots of “stuff”, but not that much “variety” in some departments unless you’re wanting sushi, organic soy milk, or tomatoes that bounce on the floor when dropped. There are several other items Dillons does not carry, which other stores do have. I guess I’ll go to the other stores.
How difficult is it to look and see what direction everyone is walking on the walking track at the “Y”, then walk in the same direction? Besides, there is a sign on the wall that has arrows which point the right way to walk. Sheesh.
I woke up this morning, was able to get out of bed, and have enjoyed the day relatively pain free and comfortable. Thank you, Lord.

One thing in this very uncertain world that is not at all uncertain is the following: Public school certainly is not the way it used to be.
I signed up to volunteer at a local public school in a lower-middle class neighborhood in Wichita. Our church partners with this school in many ways, and volunteering there is one of those ways. I was placed in the afternoon latchkey program as a tutor for any students that needed help with homework.
I knew from having family who works and has worked in the school system that things are different. And they indeed are different. My teachers of years ago wouldn’t have a clue what to do and how to teach today. Mrs. Pearl, Mrs. Drouhard, Mr. Mayberry, and all the others would have a difficult time recognizing the school of today.
When I went to school, not that many years ago:

• There was no latchkey program. We were all sent home after school and a parent or older sibling was expected to be there.
• Teachers did not hand students off to parents at the end of the day to be certain that no one “unseemly” picked up the student. We were just all sent out the door and left to fend for ourselves, so to speak.
• We had no prepared lunches. Those who ate lunch at school brought their own.
• We did not eat snacks, except for milk in Kindergarten.
• Those who ate lunches when I was in school prayed, “God is great; God is good. Let us thank Him for this food. Amen.”
• Students didn’t ask “Why?” when asked to do something by a teacher. To do so would result in an immediate punishment, followed by added unpleasantness at home that evening.
• Students didn’t have to have a “pass” to go to the bathroom when I went to school. We just went down the hall.
• When I was in school, the school doors were not locked with only one entrance open. All doors were unlocked (except those few that specifically were fire escape doors).
• When I attended school, parents or other adults could come in the building any time. They did not have to stop by the office first and register.
• Teachers ran their classrooms without much “help” from the office, administration, or “downtown” many years ago. They often had upwards of 30 kids in their classes, and managed to teach even at that. A para was unheard-of.

No, I don’t want to go back to the “good old days”. There’s much to be said for computers in the classroom, brightly-lit and pleasant rooms, and today’s teachers are some of the best. However, I wonder if there is any way we could take some of the best of the past that may still be useful and apply it today. Wouldn’t that be a novel idea!

Interesting Things

I’ve come across some interesting (at least to me) facts about the universe in which we live. I’ve compiled several having to do with space and the elements. I’ve tried to verify the truth of what I’ve presented, not relying on Wikipedia as a sole source (although I’ve credited Wikipedia a time or two). I’ve not sourced all of what follows, as some are compilations from several sources.

Enjoy.

How much plutonium in the Fat Man bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki was converted into energy? About a gram, or a piece of plutonium about 1/3 the size of a penny, says Wikipedia.

How much hydrogen does the sun burn? According to NASA, about 600 million tons a second. Of that, 596 million tons of helium is produced, leaving 4 million tons a second that is converted to energy.

According to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, there are over 10 million distinct compounds of carbon, more than any other element.

Argon, on the other hand, along with several other gasses, is quite inert, not reacting with any other known substances and having no compounds.

A parsec is an astronomical unit of distance equal to about 19 trillion miles (3.26 lightyears). Wikipedia.

Helium is the only substance known that cannot be in solid form. Liquid helium cannot be made cold enough to solidify.

Under standard conditions, Lithium is considered to be the lightest metallic element, and is one of only two that can float on water.

When the moon is directly overhead, a person weighs slightly less on earth than when the moon is elsewhere, due to the gravitational “tug” of the moon on the human body. Moral: Always weigh yourself with an overhead moon.

Astatine is the rarest of the naturally-occurring elements, with only about an ounce naturally occurring in the entirety of the earth’s crust at any given time. It is continuously formed by the decay of heavier elements and itself decays into lighter elements, having a half-life of a little over 8 hours.

According to Roger Penrose, English physicist and Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, the total number of atoms in the known universe is about 10 80 (10 to the 80th power).

According to the Astrophysical Journal, about 65 billion neutrinos pass through a square centimeter of space on the surface of the earth every second. Most of these particles are generated by the sun.

The coldest place in the universe is on Earth. In Wolfgang Ketterle’s lab in Massachusetts (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). 0.000000000001 degrees Kelvin.

In 1999, NASA estimated that it would cost 62.5 trillion dollars to produce one gram (about .03 ounce) of anti-matter hydrogen, making it the most costly substance known at the time.

Osmium is generally considered to be the heaviest metallic element with a density about twice that of lead.

Light coming from the sun is actually about 30,000 years old. It takes that long for it to work its way from the core, where it is formed, to the surface.

One teaspoon of matter from a neutron star would weigh more on earth than the entire human population together.

Make a Difference

We had Halloween yesterday, and today is November 1. The days, it seems, just seem to be hurtling by, and with them go the last vestiges of summer warmth and color. The leaves are coming down in torrents and the out-of-doors is becoming more drab and gray. It’s time to earnestly plan for long winter nights, indoor activities, and the cold that bites.
It’s also time to remember that there will be some for whom the long winter nights are exercises in survival; that there will be no indoor activities except what can be accomplished inside a cardboard box or dumpster, and that the cold does more than bite. I am becoming more and more convinced that there is something to this “politically conservative-socially liberal” philosophy that we are hearing more and more about as the months and years go by. I don’t know if I can classify myself in that “box”, or if I want to classify myself as anything. And that is not the topic of this blog. It is, however, a sort of paradox to see such opposite terms said about one individual and tends to mess up our neat labels we put on folks.
I would ask, though, regardless of any labeling or self-assessments that may be yours politically or socially, that you consider this year how you might be able to make a difference somehow, somewhere, in some way. You won’t be able to fix the world. You may not be able to do much more than donate a coat or a few dollars to the homeless shelter. But you can, if you yourself can look forward to a roof, warm room, and clean food and toilet facilities, make someone’s struggle to survive this winter a little easier.