Today I made a comment on Facebook about the vote on health insurance reform. The initial Facebook writer was against the reform bill now being considered. I believe she said that today was “doomsday”, I assume in part because the bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives.
My comment was that people said the same things (doomsday) when the Voting Rights Act was voted on, when Social Security was voted on, the Civil Rights Act was voted on, etc. Her reply was to look at the state of our country today.
OK, let’s look at the state of the country. What would we be like if there was no Voting Rights Act, no Civil Rights Act, no Medicare, no Medicaid, no Food Stamp program, and no Social Security?
Can you imagine a nation where whole peoples would en masse be denied the right to vote based on the color of their skin, their nationality, or their religion? Can you further imagine lynchings, beatings, colored only restaurants, drinking fountains and seating at certain events, with other venues being off limits entirely? Can you imagine whole populations being tortured and killed because of their religious beliefs? Can you imagine people still dying shortly after age 65 because there is no health insurance for them (and private companies won’t insure them)? Can you imagine people who need kidney dialysis dying instead living productive lives because there is no one who will pay for the procedure?
Children who desperately need health and dental procedures would suffer and die instead because there is no Medicaid, no SCHIP program, and no safety net. These same children, and others like them would starve or be severely malnourished because there is no school lunch and breakfast program and no food stamps. Most of all, seniors would live for awhile in poverty and squalor only to die even at an earlier age because there is no Social Security safety net floor for them. And those who are disabled at whatever age would not have disability income protection because there would be no Social Security system to support them. Nor would they have health and rehabilitation care because there is no money for them.
Yes, I can imagine all of this. I’ve seen parts of it because I vividly remember times before the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, and Medicare and Medicaid. I remember times before the school lunch program, before SCHIP, and before Medicare covered kidney dialysis for those who couldn’t pay for it. We suffered much, died much too early, and horrendously treated those who were different than we.
The programs aren’t perfect. People take advantage of them when they aren’t qualified. They are many times politically driven. And there have been some bad decisions made by those who should have known better.
They also have extended life expectancy, created awareness that we’re all God’s children, saved lives and health, provided safety nets that no private or charitable organizations could have provided, and have helped to fulfill the constitutional obligation of government to “promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.”
It is easy, when we are a part of the white protestant Anglo culture, healthy and relatively happy, not in need or want of basic necessities, to look upon those who are not such as we and who need help in some way with an attitude that is less than accommodating and helpful. We feign an air of superiority and a thankfulness that we are not “like them”. We take pride in the fact that we’ve never been on food stamps or in the free school lunch program. And we say that we’ll never use Social Security because by the time we get to retirement, it won’t be there anyway.
I’ve been on the other side. I’ve been homeless. I’ve been without a job or health insurance. I’ve been on food stamps. I’m thrilled they were there for me and my family, and that I can help others now through not only government programs, but programs through our church and other organizations.
Because I am white Anglo, I have not been on the receiving end of a beating or lynching because of the color of my skin. Nor has any of my family. I can never say fully that I understand because I’ve not been there. I have read the book “Black Like Me” by John Howard Griffin. It is, I think, a must-read for anyone who didn’t live in that time or experience racial discrimination.
Yes, I can look at where we are as a nation and a people since the passage of many of these laws, which was fought tooth and nail by those who would maintain the status quo and continue in the illusion that all was right with the world (at least their Anglo world). Thank God there were some who were brave and bold enough to jolt the rest of us out of our holes and into the real world.
I don’t know if the health care reform bill is good for our nation or not. I do know that what we have just isn’t working for many people, and that alternatives to the current reform bill are nothing more than patches and more status quo. I guess we’ll just have to see what the state of our country is after the vote.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Memories of the Dark
When our older son was small, he had a kind of fascination with the process of sundown and the evening sky. He divided the sundown process into three pieces and named each piece.
The first was the “blue dark”. This was the time after sundown, but while the western sky was still basically blue in color. The second phase he named the “purple dark”. As you can imagine, this was the darker phase where the sky generally turns a reddish purple and it becomes somewhat difficult to see clearly. The last stage was “black dark”. This was the time when night fell.
As we drove to Sterling this evening, I was able to witness all three phases of the sundown process and recalled with some fondness the times past and gone when we would talk about the blue dark, purple dark, and black dark. The sky was especially pretty tonight with a few rather wispy clouds in the western sky and a change in colors from minute to minute.
There are many things that happen now which remind me of some time or some event past and gone. This is but one. Thankfully, we tend to recall the good things more than the bad. Happy memories.
The first was the “blue dark”. This was the time after sundown, but while the western sky was still basically blue in color. The second phase he named the “purple dark”. As you can imagine, this was the darker phase where the sky generally turns a reddish purple and it becomes somewhat difficult to see clearly. The last stage was “black dark”. This was the time when night fell.
As we drove to Sterling this evening, I was able to witness all three phases of the sundown process and recalled with some fondness the times past and gone when we would talk about the blue dark, purple dark, and black dark. The sky was especially pretty tonight with a few rather wispy clouds in the western sky and a change in colors from minute to minute.
There are many things that happen now which remind me of some time or some event past and gone. This is but one. Thankfully, we tend to recall the good things more than the bad. Happy memories.
A Little Different
This blog is a little different. But I think you need to know this. You may have heard the story; how a deputy jailer in Florida was attacked by an inmate. If so, you also heard that there were other inmates that came to his aid...not the attacking inmate, but the jailer.
Good for them. Good for them.
Even when it seems that there is no redeeming value in an individual, and even when we have judged someone by virtue of what they have done or where they are living, we find that we are many times so incorrect. Just as the Good Book says, we dare not judge others, lest we be judged with the same judgment.
If you like, you can see the newspaper account of this incident at http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/05/na-inmates-aid-deputy-under-attack/
Good for them. Good for them.
Even when it seems that there is no redeeming value in an individual, and even when we have judged someone by virtue of what they have done or where they are living, we find that we are many times so incorrect. Just as the Good Book says, we dare not judge others, lest we be judged with the same judgment.
If you like, you can see the newspaper account of this incident at http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/05/na-inmates-aid-deputy-under-attack/
Saturday, October 31, 2009
He Can Handle It
As I answer the door tonight and hand out Halloween candy to who I presume are mostly neighbor kids (although there may be some ringers in the assorted bunches of kids that come here), I was having a great time until one boy about 7 years old asked me if he could take one of each of the three kinds of candy I had on the tray. Of course, I said he could. He smiled broadly and waved and said “Thank you,” as he left the porch.
I don’t know why, but I thought as I went down the steps to the lower level of our house that this kid could well see the twenty-second century in 91 years. I then wondered, as I have at times before, just what kind of a world we are giving to him and those others like him who came to our door tonight. More important than that, I wondered what kind of a church and faith will we leave as we bow out of the picture in a comparatively few years.
I then realized that we have a whale of a lot of work to do if we are going to leave these kids with anything even resembling what we want for them. In both the secular and religious worlds, there is a lot wrong and a lot to be done. But there is a lot right with these worlds as well; it’s not all as doom and gloom as some would have us think.
I’ll not go into detail tonight regarding why I think there is hope. In any event, I’m not certain I can articulate that as I’d like. I could say something like “God is in control,” but that smacks to me like something one would say when he doesn’t know what else to say and only half believes it anyway.
Yes, of course God is in control. He always has been and evermore will be. Regardless of what it may look like from our perspective; regardless how much real pain and suffering is going on in our world sphere; regardless how we may try and fail, God has a different viewpoint and a different agenda. That’s why the Good Book says that God’s ways are not our ways. That’s why our job is to reflect the image if Jesus Christ. That’s why we are told to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
We’re not to solve all the world’s problems and we’re not to worry about those things about which we have no business worrying. We are to be salt, light, and leaven. If we just do what we’re asked to do, God indeed is in control and can handle all of the rest.
I don’t know why, but I thought as I went down the steps to the lower level of our house that this kid could well see the twenty-second century in 91 years. I then wondered, as I have at times before, just what kind of a world we are giving to him and those others like him who came to our door tonight. More important than that, I wondered what kind of a church and faith will we leave as we bow out of the picture in a comparatively few years.
I then realized that we have a whale of a lot of work to do if we are going to leave these kids with anything even resembling what we want for them. In both the secular and religious worlds, there is a lot wrong and a lot to be done. But there is a lot right with these worlds as well; it’s not all as doom and gloom as some would have us think.
I’ll not go into detail tonight regarding why I think there is hope. In any event, I’m not certain I can articulate that as I’d like. I could say something like “God is in control,” but that smacks to me like something one would say when he doesn’t know what else to say and only half believes it anyway.
Yes, of course God is in control. He always has been and evermore will be. Regardless of what it may look like from our perspective; regardless how much real pain and suffering is going on in our world sphere; regardless how we may try and fail, God has a different viewpoint and a different agenda. That’s why the Good Book says that God’s ways are not our ways. That’s why our job is to reflect the image if Jesus Christ. That’s why we are told to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
We’re not to solve all the world’s problems and we’re not to worry about those things about which we have no business worrying. We are to be salt, light, and leaven. If we just do what we’re asked to do, God indeed is in control and can handle all of the rest.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Conversational Wichitalk
I suppose I should say something about the recent effort by the Wichita Police Department to enforce some of the more routine and mundane traffic laws. There is quite a bit of comment in the public comment area of the local newspaper about it, both pro and con. It is the topic of conversation in some circles at times.
Police are observing high accident intersections and streets and are writing tickets for things such as improper turns, running through a light that is turning red, speeding, etc. Drivers many times don’t even realize they’ve done something wrong until they are pulled over and ticketed.
Of course, many think the police are ticketing people in order to generate funding for the city. Others think the police have better things to do than to worry about whether one turns into the correct lane when making a left or right turn. And some believe the police are doing exactly the right thing.
I understand that it is difficult in this age to observe every single traffic regulation and law to perfection. Sometimes the streets are constructed such that it is very unwieldy or just downright impossible to change lanes the way the law says in order to get to where one is going. However, some people just don’t have a clue.
The law has always been to make a right turn from the right hand lane into the right hand lane unless traffic signs allow something different. And left turns are to be made into the lane closest to the center line unless traffic signs allow something different. If one needs to be in another lane down the road, he is to signal and change lanes one at a time, always checking each time before changing lanes to see if traffic will allow it.
I am no fan of the Wichita Police Department. They will not generally work the smaller crimes and infractions, instead using their time to investigate and prosecute the larger crimes. I happen to think that those who are victims of the more minor crimes deserve protection and satisfaction the same as someone who is the victim of a robbery or other major crime. I also think that there is a trickle-down effect in prosecuting the smaller infractions in that if those laws are enforced, it will have the beneficial effect of lowering crimes of all kinds. If, however, the smaller infractions are allowed to slide, society pays for it in more crime and more major crime as well as paying for the effects of the minor crimes that are never solved and prosecuted.
I realize that I may be tagged for a traffic infraction in one of the enforcement efforts some day. If so, that’s OK. It’s up to me to be vigilant and watch what I’m doing when driving down the road. The stakes are very high for one who doesn’t pay attention.
Police are observing high accident intersections and streets and are writing tickets for things such as improper turns, running through a light that is turning red, speeding, etc. Drivers many times don’t even realize they’ve done something wrong until they are pulled over and ticketed.
Of course, many think the police are ticketing people in order to generate funding for the city. Others think the police have better things to do than to worry about whether one turns into the correct lane when making a left or right turn. And some believe the police are doing exactly the right thing.
I understand that it is difficult in this age to observe every single traffic regulation and law to perfection. Sometimes the streets are constructed such that it is very unwieldy or just downright impossible to change lanes the way the law says in order to get to where one is going. However, some people just don’t have a clue.
The law has always been to make a right turn from the right hand lane into the right hand lane unless traffic signs allow something different. And left turns are to be made into the lane closest to the center line unless traffic signs allow something different. If one needs to be in another lane down the road, he is to signal and change lanes one at a time, always checking each time before changing lanes to see if traffic will allow it.
I am no fan of the Wichita Police Department. They will not generally work the smaller crimes and infractions, instead using their time to investigate and prosecute the larger crimes. I happen to think that those who are victims of the more minor crimes deserve protection and satisfaction the same as someone who is the victim of a robbery or other major crime. I also think that there is a trickle-down effect in prosecuting the smaller infractions in that if those laws are enforced, it will have the beneficial effect of lowering crimes of all kinds. If, however, the smaller infractions are allowed to slide, society pays for it in more crime and more major crime as well as paying for the effects of the minor crimes that are never solved and prosecuted.
I realize that I may be tagged for a traffic infraction in one of the enforcement efforts some day. If so, that’s OK. It’s up to me to be vigilant and watch what I’m doing when driving down the road. The stakes are very high for one who doesn’t pay attention.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Some Things I've Noticed
I’ve noticed a few things over the last few days. One of them is the glorious fall foliage we’ve had (and are still having) here in the central plains states. We’ve traveled to Branson and to the Kansas City area recently, and the grasses, trees, and bushes are resplendent in colors I’ve not seen in several years. I wonder if the cooler weather we’ve had the past month or so has anything to do with that.
I’ve also noticed that people seem to be ready for Daylight Saving Time to come to an end. Even city folks seem to want to go to work when the light of day is at least beginning to break. Thankfully, the time will change this coming weekend, which is about 4 weeks too late.
I’ve noticed that families are a great invention of the Almighty. I’m not sure He could have invented anything much better than people who accept you for who and what you are…just because. I am sad for those folks who either do not have families, or have them but they don’t work like the family is supposed to work.
And I’ve noticed how much I am NOT longing for winter weather this year. Used to be in times past and gone that I actually enjoyed winter. Not so much recently, and this year it seems not at all. Does that happen as we age, or is there something about THIS year and THIS winter that is a little different?
There are tons of things that I’ve not noticed, however. Of course, I can’t say what those things are because if I haven’t noticed them, I don’t know about them. I don’t even know if that makes much sense or not, but I’m not sure I’ve made much sense all day. Oh well. Another day is tomorrow, and it will arrive all too soon.
I’ve also noticed that people seem to be ready for Daylight Saving Time to come to an end. Even city folks seem to want to go to work when the light of day is at least beginning to break. Thankfully, the time will change this coming weekend, which is about 4 weeks too late.
I’ve noticed that families are a great invention of the Almighty. I’m not sure He could have invented anything much better than people who accept you for who and what you are…just because. I am sad for those folks who either do not have families, or have them but they don’t work like the family is supposed to work.
And I’ve noticed how much I am NOT longing for winter weather this year. Used to be in times past and gone that I actually enjoyed winter. Not so much recently, and this year it seems not at all. Does that happen as we age, or is there something about THIS year and THIS winter that is a little different?
There are tons of things that I’ve not noticed, however. Of course, I can’t say what those things are because if I haven’t noticed them, I don’t know about them. I don’t even know if that makes much sense or not, but I’m not sure I’ve made much sense all day. Oh well. Another day is tomorrow, and it will arrive all too soon.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Amazing Performance
I just finished listening to the inaugural performance of the new conductor of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. It was presented on PBS tonight and I tuned in, unfortunately, late into the program. The new conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, comes from South America, a 28 year old genius in his craft.
I tuned in to the concert about midway through their last piece, Mahler’s Symphony #1. For those who may not know, this piece is very long, 45 to 55 minutes. I tuned in with about 25 minutes left in the number. Mr. Dudamel conducted this piece with no musical score in front of him. He never, it seemed, missed a cue, never missed an entrance, never missed a change in dynamics, never missed anything.
I was transfixed by the performance and wished that I had tuned in to the beginning of it. I am impressed to no end by people who have the capacity to perform in such a manner as this orchestra and its conductor did during this performance.
God gives his creation amazing ability and talent. How we use that ability and talent is up to us. We aren’t all musicians or conductors. We do all have a unique ability, however, that the Creator expects us to use to make the world a better place.
I tuned in to the concert about midway through their last piece, Mahler’s Symphony #1. For those who may not know, this piece is very long, 45 to 55 minutes. I tuned in with about 25 minutes left in the number. Mr. Dudamel conducted this piece with no musical score in front of him. He never, it seemed, missed a cue, never missed an entrance, never missed a change in dynamics, never missed anything.
I was transfixed by the performance and wished that I had tuned in to the beginning of it. I am impressed to no end by people who have the capacity to perform in such a manner as this orchestra and its conductor did during this performance.
God gives his creation amazing ability and talent. How we use that ability and talent is up to us. We aren’t all musicians or conductors. We do all have a unique ability, however, that the Creator expects us to use to make the world a better place.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
More Things to Ponder
Some things that I have become aware of that seems to be a function of maturity:
Obeying the speed limit and other traffic laws saves more money than the Geico Gecko ever dreamed of.
There are really very few things that are worth getting truly worked up over. Just about everything that happens at work is NOT worth that effort.
There is a reason why, if we married, that God asked us to marry one person of the opposite gender in a life-long commitment.
There is immense value in fostering good relationships with relatives and friends.
Living life isn’t rocket science. It is, however, hard work, common sense, and a good knowledge of one’s limitations.
There isn’t much point in trying out this new restaurant and that new eatery in a search for gastric nirvana. A truly “unique” or “great” restaurant will be a one-in-a-hundred shot. Besides, as we age, our sense of taste isn’t what it used to be.
One’s credit card and bank accounts are a lot less secure than the banks and card companies would have one believe.
There are truly decent people in the world. You’ll probably interact with several of them tomorrow and won’t know or realize just how decent they are.
Money is a tool, nothing more and nothing less.
There is a certain pride, of sorts, in being the one who younger family members come to when they want to know something about the “old days”.
There is great value in never making a purchase over the phone and never making a large purchase of any kind without thinking about it for 24 hours.
My time here is truly growing short.
Obeying the speed limit and other traffic laws saves more money than the Geico Gecko ever dreamed of.
There are really very few things that are worth getting truly worked up over. Just about everything that happens at work is NOT worth that effort.
There is a reason why, if we married, that God asked us to marry one person of the opposite gender in a life-long commitment.
There is immense value in fostering good relationships with relatives and friends.
Living life isn’t rocket science. It is, however, hard work, common sense, and a good knowledge of one’s limitations.
There isn’t much point in trying out this new restaurant and that new eatery in a search for gastric nirvana. A truly “unique” or “great” restaurant will be a one-in-a-hundred shot. Besides, as we age, our sense of taste isn’t what it used to be.
One’s credit card and bank accounts are a lot less secure than the banks and card companies would have one believe.
There are truly decent people in the world. You’ll probably interact with several of them tomorrow and won’t know or realize just how decent they are.
Money is a tool, nothing more and nothing less.
There is a certain pride, of sorts, in being the one who younger family members come to when they want to know something about the “old days”.
There is great value in never making a purchase over the phone and never making a large purchase of any kind without thinking about it for 24 hours.
My time here is truly growing short.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thoughts for Today
I suppose I should be eloquent on this my 60th birth anniversary day. I could talk about how blessed I am to be part of a great family, living in the United States, with a good and decent job and lots of friends and acquaintances. I could describe what it feels like to have a memory of radio serial programs, the development of the polio vaccine, and wire recorders and also be able to instantly communicate with someone on the other side of the globe via Internet. I might discuss my first awareness of the Cold War and the rise of the Eastern Bloc of nations, and how we never, ever thought that in our lifetimes we would see the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union…yet it has been about 20 years since that has happened. Or I could talk about the extraordinary ride I’ve had with the same incredible woman for the past 35 years and some months…a ride that probably no one who truly knew how we met would have given fifteen cents as a bet that it would last.
I won’t do any of that. Instead, I want to recommend a book to you. Yes, you heard correctly. I want to recommend a book to you. It’s an easy read, but is packed with wisdom and good sense. I read this book during our stay here at Branson, and think it can easily change how you think about your job, your relationship with others, and your outlook on life. Other than the Bible, this book has provoked more thought and introspection in me than any other. I think you’ll agree that this book is well worth the money you spend on it.
Oh, the book? The title is Lunchmeat & Life Lessons. The author is Mary B. Lucas, B.D. By the way, B.D. stands for Butcher’s Daughter. You’ll get the connection rather quickly upon reading the first few words of the book.
Mary is a Kansan, and writes with a flair for putting the obvious, yet difficult, into a form that we not only can understand, but also put into practice. And although the book at times is a little “mushy” and predictable, the lessons in it are timeless.
Why, you ask, would I recommend a book on my 60th birthday? Because when I find myself at this age, I also find myself knowing that I not only don’t know it all, but know very little; that I want to make the most of the days I have left and the wisdom in this book will help me do just that. And it might just help you a little, too, in your life and your work.
So, from one who has witnessed the delivery of five-gallon cream cans full of unpasteurized, natural cream off of the farm to the train depot for eventual delivery via a literal “milk run” train to a dairy, to who-knows who, who may read these words, I commend not only God’s words, the Bible, to you as the first and prime teacher in life-living, I also commend Lunchmeat & Life Lessons to you as one of perhaps many good supplements to that Book of books.
The woman is waiting for me to end this so we can go for a walk during the halftime of the Texas Oklahoma game. I’m off.
I won’t do any of that. Instead, I want to recommend a book to you. Yes, you heard correctly. I want to recommend a book to you. It’s an easy read, but is packed with wisdom and good sense. I read this book during our stay here at Branson, and think it can easily change how you think about your job, your relationship with others, and your outlook on life. Other than the Bible, this book has provoked more thought and introspection in me than any other. I think you’ll agree that this book is well worth the money you spend on it.
Oh, the book? The title is Lunchmeat & Life Lessons. The author is Mary B. Lucas, B.D. By the way, B.D. stands for Butcher’s Daughter. You’ll get the connection rather quickly upon reading the first few words of the book.
Mary is a Kansan, and writes with a flair for putting the obvious, yet difficult, into a form that we not only can understand, but also put into practice. And although the book at times is a little “mushy” and predictable, the lessons in it are timeless.
Why, you ask, would I recommend a book on my 60th birthday? Because when I find myself at this age, I also find myself knowing that I not only don’t know it all, but know very little; that I want to make the most of the days I have left and the wisdom in this book will help me do just that. And it might just help you a little, too, in your life and your work.
So, from one who has witnessed the delivery of five-gallon cream cans full of unpasteurized, natural cream off of the farm to the train depot for eventual delivery via a literal “milk run” train to a dairy, to who-knows who, who may read these words, I commend not only God’s words, the Bible, to you as the first and prime teacher in life-living, I also commend Lunchmeat & Life Lessons to you as one of perhaps many good supplements to that Book of books.
The woman is waiting for me to end this so we can go for a walk during the halftime of the Texas Oklahoma game. I’m off.
Friday, October 16, 2009
How Good Can It Get?
I don't often blog twice in one day. I'm not sure what is prompting me to do this now, today, as I relax in a motel room miles from home. We'll see where this goes.
We are staying in a place in the Branson area where we've stayed several times before, usually with other family. It's not an elegant place by any means, and in many respects is much like a place one might have found in times past along Route 66. Green is the color scheme for all rooms, accented by brown paneling. Some walls are paneling that is painted an off white. There is a need for shaving the bottom of our entrance door so it doesn't rub on the green carpet, as well as making repairs to the window lock (it doesn't), tightening the toilet seat, cleaning up everything in general, and making the bathroom bigger than four by five feet (literally). Feminine charm is notably absent, but the rooms and the neighborhood make for a very good “nothin' box” experience for men.
There's some pretense here. The little diner down the road talks of “elegance” in dining on the front of the menu, while on the same page stating that they open at 7:30 (ish) in the morning and close at 9 (ish) in the evening. The diner really no more than a house, it seems, converted into a restaurant of sorts where they not only sell food, but also various knick knacks, glass ware, preserves and jellies, and whatever else they can put on a wall or stuff in a corner.
A sign at our motel talks of a “convention center” that consists of a metal building out back with a bare-bones open room area of about 30 by 30, a couple of restrooms and a game room that has older games in it at a quarter a whack. My guess is that some of them don't work very well. Parking is non-existent and the path back to the building is overgrown with grass and weeds...
To each his own, I guess. We see what we'd like to see. But that's part of the charm of this place. The pretense is obvious and the expectations are minimal. So is the price. A hundred bucks and change for a four day stay isn't bad at all. And we are warm, comfortable, and have the Internet. What can go wrong? Besides, Kilarney's is just down the road a piece. How much better can life be?
We are staying in a place in the Branson area where we've stayed several times before, usually with other family. It's not an elegant place by any means, and in many respects is much like a place one might have found in times past along Route 66. Green is the color scheme for all rooms, accented by brown paneling. Some walls are paneling that is painted an off white. There is a need for shaving the bottom of our entrance door so it doesn't rub on the green carpet, as well as making repairs to the window lock (it doesn't), tightening the toilet seat, cleaning up everything in general, and making the bathroom bigger than four by five feet (literally). Feminine charm is notably absent, but the rooms and the neighborhood make for a very good “nothin' box” experience for men.
There's some pretense here. The little diner down the road talks of “elegance” in dining on the front of the menu, while on the same page stating that they open at 7:30 (ish) in the morning and close at 9 (ish) in the evening. The diner really no more than a house, it seems, converted into a restaurant of sorts where they not only sell food, but also various knick knacks, glass ware, preserves and jellies, and whatever else they can put on a wall or stuff in a corner.
A sign at our motel talks of a “convention center” that consists of a metal building out back with a bare-bones open room area of about 30 by 30, a couple of restrooms and a game room that has older games in it at a quarter a whack. My guess is that some of them don't work very well. Parking is non-existent and the path back to the building is overgrown with grass and weeds...
To each his own, I guess. We see what we'd like to see. But that's part of the charm of this place. The pretense is obvious and the expectations are minimal. So is the price. A hundred bucks and change for a four day stay isn't bad at all. And we are warm, comfortable, and have the Internet. What can go wrong? Besides, Kilarney's is just down the road a piece. How much better can life be?
Permanent Respite
It's been a week since we've seen the sun in any way other than just for a few minutes. This stretch of clouds, drizzle, and cold reminds me of times in the winter when gloom seems to descend upon the creation and there is absolutely no way out. People get edgy, the day seems shorter, and it seems the whole environment longs for the light of the sun.
There are a few things, though, to remember during times like this. The first is that just a few thousand feet above you, the sun is shining in all its splendor and the sky is as blue and clear as can be. The second is that some day the clouds will part, the sky will be blue, and the sun again will become a fixture in the daytime sky.
The third is that once that happens, we will quickly forget the gloomy days in the past and will again take for granted the provision of the “great light” that rules the day. There may even be days in the future when we will long for clouds again because the earth has become dry and needs the benefits of rain or snow.
You see, we are a very fickle part of the creation. We humans seem to never be satisfied with the way things are and long for something different. Whether it's a new experience in food, city of residence, entertainment, relationships, transportation, or religion, we seem to always be looking for that next new thing; quickly forgetting the lessons of life learned in the past regarding the new and the old.
The wise man said that there is nothing new under the sun. He's right, of course. (The actual verbiage of the wise man is, “All things are wearisome; man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:8-9) There is always the next curve in the road to navigate, the next hill to climb, the next city to conquer, the next battle to fight. But it becomes wearisome. We begin to long for a time when we no longer will have to worry ourselves about such things.
Good vacations provide us with a temporary respite from that kind of life and living. God's peace can provide us with a permanent respite, even in the here and now.
There are a few things, though, to remember during times like this. The first is that just a few thousand feet above you, the sun is shining in all its splendor and the sky is as blue and clear as can be. The second is that some day the clouds will part, the sky will be blue, and the sun again will become a fixture in the daytime sky.
The third is that once that happens, we will quickly forget the gloomy days in the past and will again take for granted the provision of the “great light” that rules the day. There may even be days in the future when we will long for clouds again because the earth has become dry and needs the benefits of rain or snow.
You see, we are a very fickle part of the creation. We humans seem to never be satisfied with the way things are and long for something different. Whether it's a new experience in food, city of residence, entertainment, relationships, transportation, or religion, we seem to always be looking for that next new thing; quickly forgetting the lessons of life learned in the past regarding the new and the old.
The wise man said that there is nothing new under the sun. He's right, of course. (The actual verbiage of the wise man is, “All things are wearisome; man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:8-9) There is always the next curve in the road to navigate, the next hill to climb, the next city to conquer, the next battle to fight. But it becomes wearisome. We begin to long for a time when we no longer will have to worry ourselves about such things.
Good vacations provide us with a temporary respite from that kind of life and living. God's peace can provide us with a permanent respite, even in the here and now.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Amazing
Wow. What an amazing experience this thing called life is. Now, I know that this statement can mean everything from brutally awful to wonderfully grand to everything in between. Let me explain myself just a little, however.
First, I must say that we both have been wondrously blessed with loving family, gainful employment, a mind that works, a body that works, and experiences in the time dimension past that have helped make us who we are today. But, I must say that even if one or more of these would not be present in our lives, the experience of life would be (or at least could be), although different, still an amazing thing.
As I stop and look at things just now, I marvel at all of the people, places, and things that have been influenced in some way by us. Our influence is still felt in a big way in some of the places where we’ve lived we did our jobs or worked with the church family there, or raised our own kids. One example of that is the assisted living that I built while working for a hospital in southern Kansas. It’s still there…still in use…and still providing services to those who need such.
Another example is the nursing home that we opened in Western Kansas when we lived out there and worked for the local hospital. It too is still open…still in use…and still providing much-needed services to the community. The fact that the hospital is even there may well be due in part to my leadership as I struggled with finances and possible financial default on the part of the hospital when I first moved there to assume the CEO position. The hospital was, to put it mildly, broke when we moved there. When we left, it had a substantial cash reserve.
And people. We’ve some life-long friendships in each community where we’ve lived. These folks have put up with me and my family and have chosen to love us and befriend us regardless of our quirks and faults. And I believe that we have influenced at least some people we’ve met to live better lives and to seek God and His will for them. I think some people were permanently changed for the better by our example and our love and concern for them. That is comforting to me.
I’m not bragging about these things. On the contrary, I am humbled that despite our failings, bad decisions, poor example, and incompetence, somehow the Creator of all managed to use our efforts to His glory and to make things, people, and places better because of our presence.
And that, dear ones, is what is so amazing about this experience.
First, I must say that we both have been wondrously blessed with loving family, gainful employment, a mind that works, a body that works, and experiences in the time dimension past that have helped make us who we are today. But, I must say that even if one or more of these would not be present in our lives, the experience of life would be (or at least could be), although different, still an amazing thing.
As I stop and look at things just now, I marvel at all of the people, places, and things that have been influenced in some way by us. Our influence is still felt in a big way in some of the places where we’ve lived we did our jobs or worked with the church family there, or raised our own kids. One example of that is the assisted living that I built while working for a hospital in southern Kansas. It’s still there…still in use…and still providing services to those who need such.
Another example is the nursing home that we opened in Western Kansas when we lived out there and worked for the local hospital. It too is still open…still in use…and still providing much-needed services to the community. The fact that the hospital is even there may well be due in part to my leadership as I struggled with finances and possible financial default on the part of the hospital when I first moved there to assume the CEO position. The hospital was, to put it mildly, broke when we moved there. When we left, it had a substantial cash reserve.
And people. We’ve some life-long friendships in each community where we’ve lived. These folks have put up with me and my family and have chosen to love us and befriend us regardless of our quirks and faults. And I believe that we have influenced at least some people we’ve met to live better lives and to seek God and His will for them. I think some people were permanently changed for the better by our example and our love and concern for them. That is comforting to me.
I’m not bragging about these things. On the contrary, I am humbled that despite our failings, bad decisions, poor example, and incompetence, somehow the Creator of all managed to use our efforts to His glory and to make things, people, and places better because of our presence.
And that, dear ones, is what is so amazing about this experience.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Why Did I Start This?
I’m not sure why I opened the word processor. I know I felt like writing something in the blog, but I’m not sure what. It’s a quiet evening here, with the wife gone to a meeting and I’m watching M.A.S.H. reruns.
I enjoy those shows, even though I’ve seen them many, many times. There’s something about those shows that I can connect with, having myself worked EMS as well as having worked in a hospital setting for many years. Many have been the times I’ve been in the middle of some kind of emergency situation, either rendering aid of some kind or supporting those who were. Life and death situations were not that unusual for me to observe and be a part of, and I am grateful for the whole hospital/EMS experience.
Even now, though the emergent situations are far fewer in my present setting, I enjoy seeing people go through therapy and improving their ability to stand, walk, eat, and get along in the world in general. Although I am not a therapist, I believe what I do provides much of the underpinning for those who work directly with residents. And at times, I interact and work with residents as they have need for my services.
I still haven’t a clue what prompted me to write this evening. I’ve had a lot on my mind…everything from the wife being gone to our church’s missions effort in Guyana (One of our members makes several trips a year there and works with an ongoing mission effort there…he and I visited this evening about that effort). The weather is turning wet and colder (there was frost on a lot of outdoor things this morning), and it’s the time of the year when things wind down and people begin to hunker down getting ready for the winter weather ahead. Thankfully, most of us have warm places to stay out of the weather and wind. We have enough to eat and wear and we have clean water. We are most blessed.
I enjoy those shows, even though I’ve seen them many, many times. There’s something about those shows that I can connect with, having myself worked EMS as well as having worked in a hospital setting for many years. Many have been the times I’ve been in the middle of some kind of emergency situation, either rendering aid of some kind or supporting those who were. Life and death situations were not that unusual for me to observe and be a part of, and I am grateful for the whole hospital/EMS experience.
Even now, though the emergent situations are far fewer in my present setting, I enjoy seeing people go through therapy and improving their ability to stand, walk, eat, and get along in the world in general. Although I am not a therapist, I believe what I do provides much of the underpinning for those who work directly with residents. And at times, I interact and work with residents as they have need for my services.
I still haven’t a clue what prompted me to write this evening. I’ve had a lot on my mind…everything from the wife being gone to our church’s missions effort in Guyana (One of our members makes several trips a year there and works with an ongoing mission effort there…he and I visited this evening about that effort). The weather is turning wet and colder (there was frost on a lot of outdoor things this morning), and it’s the time of the year when things wind down and people begin to hunker down getting ready for the winter weather ahead. Thankfully, most of us have warm places to stay out of the weather and wind. We have enough to eat and wear and we have clean water. We are most blessed.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Only In A Small Town
I went in to the nearest branch of the banking institution where we have our checking and savings accounts today. It was payday and I was depositing our checks into the account before the overdrafts started. As I walked into the lobby, a couple of the women at desks greeted me and asked me how my day was going. Somewhat surprised, I responded that things were going well. I then went over to them and told them that I don’t often get that kind of greeting in Wichita in a business of any kind, let alone a bank.
As I got up to the teller window, the teller greeted me by name and made small talk. Continuing to be a little surprised, I finished there and left.
Now, we have been going to this same branch for about a year and a half, and I’m in there probably two or three times a month. So it’s not like I’m a stranger there. Even so, in this community, that touch of personalization goes a long way and is unusual enough that it gets attention.
I will never bank at a place again as we did twenty years ago in the small community where we raised our boys. I’ll never forget one day going to the drive-up teller, handing her a deposit, telling her that I didn’t have a deposit slip. She got her “generic” deposit slip and without looking at anything else, said to me, “Your account number is 255 36 228, isn’t it?”
About as surprised then as I was just today when a couple of the women greeted me at the branch bank, I confirmed the number and the transaction was complete. As I drove away, I thought to myself, “Only in a small town.”
As I got up to the teller window, the teller greeted me by name and made small talk. Continuing to be a little surprised, I finished there and left.
Now, we have been going to this same branch for about a year and a half, and I’m in there probably two or three times a month. So it’s not like I’m a stranger there. Even so, in this community, that touch of personalization goes a long way and is unusual enough that it gets attention.
I will never bank at a place again as we did twenty years ago in the small community where we raised our boys. I’ll never forget one day going to the drive-up teller, handing her a deposit, telling her that I didn’t have a deposit slip. She got her “generic” deposit slip and without looking at anything else, said to me, “Your account number is 255 36 228, isn’t it?”
About as surprised then as I was just today when a couple of the women greeted me at the branch bank, I confirmed the number and the transaction was complete. As I drove away, I thought to myself, “Only in a small town.”
Sunday, October 04, 2009
A DIfferent Perspective
When someone dies, I often hear phrases that infer or even state that God somehow took this person from us. Often, I will also hear something to the effect that we can’t understand it all now, but will some day. Many times those words are uttered as an attempt to comfort, but they are little comfort to me…please don’t use them when you visit with me about someone who as died. Let me offer a perspective on this that may be a little different than what you are used to hearing.
John says that in the Word of God (the second eternal person of the Trinity, the Logos, whom we know as Jesus Christ) was life (John 1:4). John records Jesus as saying that he (Jesus) is “the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He also says that Jesus said that he was “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).
Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything about Jesus Christ being or representing death. In fact, the Bible places the responsibility for death at the feet of Satan (Hebrews 2:14). So, with that in mind, let’s pursue this a little farther down the road.
I believe that God somehow allows death and destruction in His creation without compromising his holiness, goodness, or purity. I don’t know how that works, but by faith I understand that to be true. I do not believe, however, that God necessarily likes death. Nor do I believe that God somehow enjoys death or participates in the death and decay that goes on in His creation.
Paul says in Romans 8 that the whole creation groans, anxiously awaiting and longing for release from the bondage of decay (verses 18 to 24). We too groan and long for that same release and the redemption of our bodies, Paul says. Who provides that release? God does. How can God at once embrace death and decay while also embracing life and freedom?
Could it be that one reason that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus in John chapter 11 was that He was troubled by the death that he saw there and the effects that death had on the creation and on His people? Could it be that when John says twice in that account that Jesus was “deeply moved and troubled”, it wasn’t because He had come too late to heal Lazarus, or that He was touched (mourning) that Lazarus was dead (because He knew that in just a few short moments, Lazarus would come out of the tomb and be alive again), but rather that He was truly troubled and distressed at the havoc and pain that death causes His creation. Remember, the One who at that moment was upholding all creation by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3) and was the source of life itself was also seeing firsthand what death and decay were doing to His creation and what death was doing to the human beings whom He loved and would shortly die for.
I think God is deeply moved by death. I think death is abhorrent and repulsive to God. I think death represents and is everything that God is not. I cannot imagine this God using death in such a way that He gains any pleasure or contentment from it. I can only imagine a God that one day will, after the history of the creation has run its course, not only defeat death, but will eliminate death entirely, finally, and completely.
John says that in the Word of God (the second eternal person of the Trinity, the Logos, whom we know as Jesus Christ) was life (John 1:4). John records Jesus as saying that he (Jesus) is “the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He also says that Jesus said that he was “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).
Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything about Jesus Christ being or representing death. In fact, the Bible places the responsibility for death at the feet of Satan (Hebrews 2:14). So, with that in mind, let’s pursue this a little farther down the road.
I believe that God somehow allows death and destruction in His creation without compromising his holiness, goodness, or purity. I don’t know how that works, but by faith I understand that to be true. I do not believe, however, that God necessarily likes death. Nor do I believe that God somehow enjoys death or participates in the death and decay that goes on in His creation.
Paul says in Romans 8 that the whole creation groans, anxiously awaiting and longing for release from the bondage of decay (verses 18 to 24). We too groan and long for that same release and the redemption of our bodies, Paul says. Who provides that release? God does. How can God at once embrace death and decay while also embracing life and freedom?
Could it be that one reason that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus in John chapter 11 was that He was troubled by the death that he saw there and the effects that death had on the creation and on His people? Could it be that when John says twice in that account that Jesus was “deeply moved and troubled”, it wasn’t because He had come too late to heal Lazarus, or that He was touched (mourning) that Lazarus was dead (because He knew that in just a few short moments, Lazarus would come out of the tomb and be alive again), but rather that He was truly troubled and distressed at the havoc and pain that death causes His creation. Remember, the One who at that moment was upholding all creation by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3) and was the source of life itself was also seeing firsthand what death and decay were doing to His creation and what death was doing to the human beings whom He loved and would shortly die for.
I think God is deeply moved by death. I think death is abhorrent and repulsive to God. I think death represents and is everything that God is not. I cannot imagine this God using death in such a way that He gains any pleasure or contentment from it. I can only imagine a God that one day will, after the history of the creation has run its course, not only defeat death, but will eliminate death entirely, finally, and completely.
Off to visit
Yesterday, my brother, sister and I went to Hesston to visit some relatives on our mother’s side of the family. We went because Sis had ordered some pens that our uncle makes out of various kinds of wood. While there, other family members came to their house and we had a very pleasant visit for a good share of the afternoon. I have a few observations about the day and the visit that I’d like to put “on paper”, so to speak.
The weather this time of year is just delightful. It’s pleasantly cool, yet sunny and warmish if one is inclined to spend time in a sunbeam. The smells of fall are unique and so are the sights. It is all too quickly over come November.
While beautiful, fall is also the reminder that winter isn’t far away. Everything readies for the coming onslaught of cold, wind, and sometimes nasty precipitation. Some things don’t survive the winter…some by design and some because of weakness, old age, or other malady. And that applies to people as well as plants and critters.
While visiting with the relations, I was reminded that all of us in that room have far fewer autumns ahead of us than we’ve already experienced. And while none of us knows just how many seasonal changes we have ahead of us, we do know that our time here is limited. It makes me think yet again about whether or not I’m prepared for that time.
Our past helps make us who we are today. Blood heritage is important, but so too is the heritage that comes from both knowing and hearing about those who came before us…those who had no comprehension of an Internet or a cell phone…those who loved and mentored us and served as examples of what an individual human being could and should be at his or her core. These are the people; they and their stories are the “stuff” of which we are made today. They helped mold and shape us, and we owe them a debt we’ll never repay.
The place where my uncle and aunt live seems to be a wonderful place to spend one’s remaining months and years. My brother, sister and I have talked about whether that would be a good place for us when the time comes. I would think I could do that. Whether or not they could live that close to me (or I to them) may be another matter.
Days like yesterday have immense value, even though it seems like we sometimes don’t accomplish much of any importance. Value doesn’t always equate with importance, and sometimes what seems to be relatively unimportant ends up, in the final analysis, to be of great significance and meaning. I am blessed to have made the trip.
The weather this time of year is just delightful. It’s pleasantly cool, yet sunny and warmish if one is inclined to spend time in a sunbeam. The smells of fall are unique and so are the sights. It is all too quickly over come November.
While beautiful, fall is also the reminder that winter isn’t far away. Everything readies for the coming onslaught of cold, wind, and sometimes nasty precipitation. Some things don’t survive the winter…some by design and some because of weakness, old age, or other malady. And that applies to people as well as plants and critters.
While visiting with the relations, I was reminded that all of us in that room have far fewer autumns ahead of us than we’ve already experienced. And while none of us knows just how many seasonal changes we have ahead of us, we do know that our time here is limited. It makes me think yet again about whether or not I’m prepared for that time.
Our past helps make us who we are today. Blood heritage is important, but so too is the heritage that comes from both knowing and hearing about those who came before us…those who had no comprehension of an Internet or a cell phone…those who loved and mentored us and served as examples of what an individual human being could and should be at his or her core. These are the people; they and their stories are the “stuff” of which we are made today. They helped mold and shape us, and we owe them a debt we’ll never repay.
The place where my uncle and aunt live seems to be a wonderful place to spend one’s remaining months and years. My brother, sister and I have talked about whether that would be a good place for us when the time comes. I would think I could do that. Whether or not they could live that close to me (or I to them) may be another matter.
Days like yesterday have immense value, even though it seems like we sometimes don’t accomplish much of any importance. Value doesn’t always equate with importance, and sometimes what seems to be relatively unimportant ends up, in the final analysis, to be of great significance and meaning. I am blessed to have made the trip.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The Rings
Did you know that although the rings of Saturn extend outward over 85,000 miles from the planet in various configurations, the average thickness of the rings is only about 30 feet? I don’t know about you, but that is a rather amazing bit of information regarding a part of our solar system.
We cannot see the rings with unaided eyes, but can easily discern them with a small telescope or good binoculars. The larger telescopes give an even better view. Right now the rings are at equinox, or are edge-on toward the earth and are virtually invisible to us. If I remember correctly, that happens about every 15 years or so.
The rings are composed, I read, of primarily water ice with a smattering of mineral matter scattered among the ice chunks. They are a very complex system with moons orbiting within them, disturbing them with their gravitational fields. They change appearance and also in distance from the planet. And I read that some of the moons and their gravitational influences seem to help hold the rings together. I suspect that if we could somehow hover over them and watch them in some kind of accelerated time mode, we would be mesmerized by the intricate dance maneuvers they perform as they orbit the planet along with their moons.
One question I’ve had for a long time is why the rings? I know that as one who believes that our continuum was created by God, I could just say that was the way He wanted to do it. And that would be sufficient for me. However, I enjoy thinking about why God might have chosen to do what He did. Did he do it for the sheer joy of doing it? Did He do it primarily so we could some day see it and wonder? Did He do it because those rings somehow have something to do with our existence? Or was there another reason?
And the time frame astounds me. I am a creationist who believes in an old earth and an old universe. I believe the universe is what it appears to be…massively old (this is not the place to debate that statement). I know there aren’t many of us old earth creationists. It seems that the two main camps are either young earth creationists or old earth evolutionists. I don’t think either are correct. One of these times, I may explain why I think that.
The rings were there long before mankind. And they may well be there long after mankind no longer exists. Were they created for us? Dare we be so bold as to suggest we are that important in the great scheme of things? I leave those questions for you.
I also know that these questions don’t really have answers we can articulate, at least in this life. But one has to admit that as unusual (and even strange) as many of the features of space are, these things tend to pique the interest of more than just a few of us.
Tens of thousands of miles wide, but only thirty feet thick. Interesting, to say the least.
We cannot see the rings with unaided eyes, but can easily discern them with a small telescope or good binoculars. The larger telescopes give an even better view. Right now the rings are at equinox, or are edge-on toward the earth and are virtually invisible to us. If I remember correctly, that happens about every 15 years or so.
The rings are composed, I read, of primarily water ice with a smattering of mineral matter scattered among the ice chunks. They are a very complex system with moons orbiting within them, disturbing them with their gravitational fields. They change appearance and also in distance from the planet. And I read that some of the moons and their gravitational influences seem to help hold the rings together. I suspect that if we could somehow hover over them and watch them in some kind of accelerated time mode, we would be mesmerized by the intricate dance maneuvers they perform as they orbit the planet along with their moons.
One question I’ve had for a long time is why the rings? I know that as one who believes that our continuum was created by God, I could just say that was the way He wanted to do it. And that would be sufficient for me. However, I enjoy thinking about why God might have chosen to do what He did. Did he do it for the sheer joy of doing it? Did He do it primarily so we could some day see it and wonder? Did He do it because those rings somehow have something to do with our existence? Or was there another reason?
And the time frame astounds me. I am a creationist who believes in an old earth and an old universe. I believe the universe is what it appears to be…massively old (this is not the place to debate that statement). I know there aren’t many of us old earth creationists. It seems that the two main camps are either young earth creationists or old earth evolutionists. I don’t think either are correct. One of these times, I may explain why I think that.
The rings were there long before mankind. And they may well be there long after mankind no longer exists. Were they created for us? Dare we be so bold as to suggest we are that important in the great scheme of things? I leave those questions for you.
I also know that these questions don’t really have answers we can articulate, at least in this life. But one has to admit that as unusual (and even strange) as many of the features of space are, these things tend to pique the interest of more than just a few of us.
Tens of thousands of miles wide, but only thirty feet thick. Interesting, to say the least.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thinking About Music
I was on my way over to small group meeting this evening in the pickup. The wife was at work and had the car. I popped in a cassette tape (it’s a 1998 pickup…it has a cassette in it) of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing various songs, religious, secular, and patriotic. I haven’t heard that tape for awhile and really enjoyed it. And it got me to wondering just what kinds of music I like and why.
I like things like the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. I like the more modern religious songs that we sing at church. I also like many of the classical compositions, both familiar and unfamiliar. And I like a rather eclectic assortment of music from classic rock to southern gospel, and even some jazz and country.
I think mostly I like music when the performers are good at their craft. I mean truly good. There’s a difference, I think, in being popular and being good at what one does. Some of the best performances have come from people who are virtual unknowns (remember Susan Boyle?).
The Beatles are a classic example of popularity overriding, sometimes, the performance. Because it was the Beatles, the song was an automatic hit, regardless of the quality of the performance. Additionally, the Beatles couldn’t sing. They could write and play music with the best, but their singing talents were sadly lacking, in my opinion.
I hope I always will be able to hear well enough that I can enjoy good music. And I hope that should the time come when I can’t do for myself, those caring for me will play music such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or the Statler Brothers, or Karen Carpenter, Sandi Patty, Bette Midler, the Gaither Vocal Band, Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk (yes, even him), the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the bands of the Armed Services, and others who truly display the best.
I like things like the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. I like the more modern religious songs that we sing at church. I also like many of the classical compositions, both familiar and unfamiliar. And I like a rather eclectic assortment of music from classic rock to southern gospel, and even some jazz and country.
I think mostly I like music when the performers are good at their craft. I mean truly good. There’s a difference, I think, in being popular and being good at what one does. Some of the best performances have come from people who are virtual unknowns (remember Susan Boyle?).
The Beatles are a classic example of popularity overriding, sometimes, the performance. Because it was the Beatles, the song was an automatic hit, regardless of the quality of the performance. Additionally, the Beatles couldn’t sing. They could write and play music with the best, but their singing talents were sadly lacking, in my opinion.
I hope I always will be able to hear well enough that I can enjoy good music. And I hope that should the time come when I can’t do for myself, those caring for me will play music such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or the Statler Brothers, or Karen Carpenter, Sandi Patty, Bette Midler, the Gaither Vocal Band, Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk (yes, even him), the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the bands of the Armed Services, and others who truly display the best.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Musings From the Back Porch
I'm sitting on the porch swing in the back yard while our small pond is refilling. I drained it, or at least most of it in order to put in clean water from our well before winter sets in. I do that a couple times a year.
I also had a couple of ulterior motives. I knew there was a water snake in the pond and thought that if I disturbed it enough, the snake would appear and I could catch it and dispose of it. I also am wondering if any of the algae eaters I put in there this spring have survived.
As for the snake, if you saw my Facebook, you know I got the snake. He was sunning himself on the lily pad and I got the rake and tried to hook him and get him out of the pond. That didn't work and he went down to the depths. In a few minutes, though, he got out on a rock that had been exposed by the declining water table in the pond and started sunning himself. I took that opportunity to put the rake on him to hold him, then grabbed his tail and flung him into the yard. He wasn't long for this world as I stepped on him and did him in with a shovel.
As for the algae eaters, I still haven't seen them, although I don't drain about 18 inches of water from the bottom of the pond, as I don't remove the fish. I will rely on the relatively clear water that replaces the old to see if they might be around somewhere.
The weather is great this afternoon, and after a night when I was called three times by work about something or other, and when the wife was called at least a couple of times by work (she's on nursing call this weekend), and after having to go into work twice this morning, I'm enjoying what's left of the day.
The hummingbirds have left, but there are some butterflies here that are fluttering around, along with some dragonflies. The neighborhood is quiet, and there are a few walkers on the trail in the park behind our house. The breeze is pleasant, although I suspect it will cool off some tonight.
I'm amazed at the diversity of life in our back yard in the city, even though I know it borders on a wooded area. I'm hearing what I think is an owl of some kind off in the distance, and even with a bright red helicopter flying overhead, I can appreciate other critters (yes, even snakes) that are close by.
The one thing I'd really like to hear is a great horned owl. I haven't heard one yet here, but would think they are around. I remember years ago as I lay in bed at home hearing the horned owl in the hackberry tree just outside my bedroom, or more distantly as he sat on top of a grain bin at the grain elevator just across the way. There was something at once soothing and haunting about hearing him, even on some of the coldest nights.
It's funny how sounds, whether recalled from memory or heard again, bring back all sorts of memories. I recall when I was a child at home that one of the windows in my bedroom would rattle a certain way when the train was switching cars at night on the other end of our small town. There was something about the deep-throated vibrations of the engine that was in tune with a spring on the inside of one of the windows that made the spring vibrate against the side of the window.
Years later, when we bought the house from my folks estate and lived there ourselves, that same window did the same thing on certain nights when sounds carried a distance and everything was just right. Sometimes I couldn't hear the train engine, but knew one was working because of the vibration of the window. Several times, I would go outside to listen and sure enough heard the engine.
The owl was also there, up in the hackberry tree looking over his territory and hooting. The grain elevator had long since been torn down, replaced by a hardware/lumber store.
We no longer own the house. The hackberry tree is gone and others now live where we grew up. I wonder if the window vibrates for them just as it did for us all those years. And I wonder if it does, if they have a clue that it's been doing that for at least 50 years. Actually, it may not vibrate at the noise of a train locomotive anymore because the railroad has pulled up the switching yard. They now just go through town at 70 miles an hour on a double track that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many, many things now are memories only. So be it.
I also had a couple of ulterior motives. I knew there was a water snake in the pond and thought that if I disturbed it enough, the snake would appear and I could catch it and dispose of it. I also am wondering if any of the algae eaters I put in there this spring have survived.
As for the snake, if you saw my Facebook, you know I got the snake. He was sunning himself on the lily pad and I got the rake and tried to hook him and get him out of the pond. That didn't work and he went down to the depths. In a few minutes, though, he got out on a rock that had been exposed by the declining water table in the pond and started sunning himself. I took that opportunity to put the rake on him to hold him, then grabbed his tail and flung him into the yard. He wasn't long for this world as I stepped on him and did him in with a shovel.
As for the algae eaters, I still haven't seen them, although I don't drain about 18 inches of water from the bottom of the pond, as I don't remove the fish. I will rely on the relatively clear water that replaces the old to see if they might be around somewhere.
The weather is great this afternoon, and after a night when I was called three times by work about something or other, and when the wife was called at least a couple of times by work (she's on nursing call this weekend), and after having to go into work twice this morning, I'm enjoying what's left of the day.
The hummingbirds have left, but there are some butterflies here that are fluttering around, along with some dragonflies. The neighborhood is quiet, and there are a few walkers on the trail in the park behind our house. The breeze is pleasant, although I suspect it will cool off some tonight.
I'm amazed at the diversity of life in our back yard in the city, even though I know it borders on a wooded area. I'm hearing what I think is an owl of some kind off in the distance, and even with a bright red helicopter flying overhead, I can appreciate other critters (yes, even snakes) that are close by.
The one thing I'd really like to hear is a great horned owl. I haven't heard one yet here, but would think they are around. I remember years ago as I lay in bed at home hearing the horned owl in the hackberry tree just outside my bedroom, or more distantly as he sat on top of a grain bin at the grain elevator just across the way. There was something at once soothing and haunting about hearing him, even on some of the coldest nights.
It's funny how sounds, whether recalled from memory or heard again, bring back all sorts of memories. I recall when I was a child at home that one of the windows in my bedroom would rattle a certain way when the train was switching cars at night on the other end of our small town. There was something about the deep-throated vibrations of the engine that was in tune with a spring on the inside of one of the windows that made the spring vibrate against the side of the window.
Years later, when we bought the house from my folks estate and lived there ourselves, that same window did the same thing on certain nights when sounds carried a distance and everything was just right. Sometimes I couldn't hear the train engine, but knew one was working because of the vibration of the window. Several times, I would go outside to listen and sure enough heard the engine.
The owl was also there, up in the hackberry tree looking over his territory and hooting. The grain elevator had long since been torn down, replaced by a hardware/lumber store.
We no longer own the house. The hackberry tree is gone and others now live where we grew up. I wonder if the window vibrates for them just as it did for us all those years. And I wonder if it does, if they have a clue that it's been doing that for at least 50 years. Actually, it may not vibrate at the noise of a train locomotive anymore because the railroad has pulled up the switching yard. They now just go through town at 70 miles an hour on a double track that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many, many things now are memories only. So be it.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Can I Say I'm Impressed?
I don’t often think highly of people (or businesses) who make it their business to sell me something. I’ve thought for many years now that if I want something, I’ll go somewhere and buy it. Telling me I need this or that, whether through an ad or by the way a store is arranged just doesn’t do much for me.
So it has been with the new Dillon’s Marketplace stores that have been popping up here in the Wichita area. For those who may not know, Dillon’s is a subset of the Kroger company. They have food markets all over, and recently have begun to sell other things in their Marketplace stores. They now sell furniture and a wide variety of home needs.
I’m working in Derby for several days helping the new nursing facility there pass the inspections. Yesterday, I needed a three ring binder and some file folders. I was going to go to the Wal Mart down the street, but stopped at the Dillon’s Marketplace instead.
I must say I was impressed. Not only did I find my binder and folders, I also found a 25 foot tape measure, a digital thermometer, a three ring hole punch, and a couple of other items that I needed, but expected to have to go somewhere else to purchase. The store is bright and cheery, I could find people to help me find things (one walked with me all the way to the opposite side of the store to help me find a thermometer), and I didn’t see anyone in a sagging, torn, dirty tank top and shorts.
Now, I don’t always appreciate Dillon’s. The Dillon’s we normally shop at doesn’t have the smaller jars of instant coffee, and I also can’t find a few other things that I wish they’d have. The store is sometimes too big for what little I want to buy, and I have to park a half mile away when I get there. But this marketplace was just the right thing at just the right time in the right place for what I needed at the time.
So it has been with the new Dillon’s Marketplace stores that have been popping up here in the Wichita area. For those who may not know, Dillon’s is a subset of the Kroger company. They have food markets all over, and recently have begun to sell other things in their Marketplace stores. They now sell furniture and a wide variety of home needs.
I’m working in Derby for several days helping the new nursing facility there pass the inspections. Yesterday, I needed a three ring binder and some file folders. I was going to go to the Wal Mart down the street, but stopped at the Dillon’s Marketplace instead.
I must say I was impressed. Not only did I find my binder and folders, I also found a 25 foot tape measure, a digital thermometer, a three ring hole punch, and a couple of other items that I needed, but expected to have to go somewhere else to purchase. The store is bright and cheery, I could find people to help me find things (one walked with me all the way to the opposite side of the store to help me find a thermometer), and I didn’t see anyone in a sagging, torn, dirty tank top and shorts.
Now, I don’t always appreciate Dillon’s. The Dillon’s we normally shop at doesn’t have the smaller jars of instant coffee, and I also can’t find a few other things that I wish they’d have. The store is sometimes too big for what little I want to buy, and I have to park a half mile away when I get there. But this marketplace was just the right thing at just the right time in the right place for what I needed at the time.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
More Outdoor Observations
Speaking of spiders, this is the sixth straight night that another Charlotte has built (or rather rebuilt) her web in front by the garage door just under the outdoor light. Since I keep those lights on all night, she’s found a great place as the light attracts all kinds of flying bugs. Sometimes she re-spins just the circular part of the web. Once or twice, she’s torn down the whole thing and started over. She’s been moving ever closer to the light and the wall of the house in the last few days. I don’t know if that means anything or not.
Another light has attracted one or more preying mantises (walking sticks). They too are feasting on those insects that are unfortunate enough to get too close. These small animals are indeed marvelous creatures of God.
All too soon, this time of year will be over and it will be too cold for these marvels of nature. They’ll die, but will leave their legacy in the form of eggs deposited somewhere…on a leaf, in the ground, on the side of the light, or somewhere else. Those eggs will endure the winter, and then hatch when it warms up next spring. The cycle will then repeat itself as it has for countless eons past.
One might think it difficult to find much nature in a city. And to an extent, that is correct. This environment is more “sterile” than, say, the Flint Hills or the badlands of Western Kansas. But if one looks just a little, there is plenty happening right outside the door that continues to make the Creator apparent to all who will see.
Another light has attracted one or more preying mantises (walking sticks). They too are feasting on those insects that are unfortunate enough to get too close. These small animals are indeed marvelous creatures of God.
All too soon, this time of year will be over and it will be too cold for these marvels of nature. They’ll die, but will leave their legacy in the form of eggs deposited somewhere…on a leaf, in the ground, on the side of the light, or somewhere else. Those eggs will endure the winter, and then hatch when it warms up next spring. The cycle will then repeat itself as it has for countless eons past.
One might think it difficult to find much nature in a city. And to an extent, that is correct. This environment is more “sterile” than, say, the Flint Hills or the badlands of Western Kansas. But if one looks just a little, there is plenty happening right outside the door that continues to make the Creator apparent to all who will see.
Continued Amazement
I went out in the back yard last night after it got mostly dark. I just wanted to take a brief look around for no particular reason. Going over to our small goldfish pond, I noticed something reflecting some light just above the water. An orb spider had made a web just above the water of the pond and was in the middle of it waiting for an insect to catch itself on the sticky webbing.
Now, this may not seem like so much of a big deal, and you know that I am fond of orb spiders this time of the year. I’ve even been known to not drive into the garage for several days because a spider had made her web of “doom” across the opening and I didn’t want to disturb her (the feminine is used in deference to “Charlotte’s Web”) in her business.
This web, however, was horizontal…parallel to the water in the pond, and just a few inches above it. It also stretched across the entire width of the pond, which at that point was six feet or more. I’ve never seen such a thing. Most spiders build their webs vertically and perpendicular to the ground. Not this one.
That brings me back to the wonderment of just how this spider accomplished this task. One of the supporting brace webs was even anchored on a water plant in the middle of the water.
The completed web didn’t sag, even with the weight of the spider and some insects that had already met their fate. The spider seemed unconcerned that a thousand gallons or more of water were just below her and continued her business.
I’ve watched these spiders as they put at least parts of their webs together. I evermore continue to be fascinated and humbled by this handiwork of God’s creation. Soli Deo Gloria
Now, this may not seem like so much of a big deal, and you know that I am fond of orb spiders this time of the year. I’ve even been known to not drive into the garage for several days because a spider had made her web of “doom” across the opening and I didn’t want to disturb her (the feminine is used in deference to “Charlotte’s Web”) in her business.
This web, however, was horizontal…parallel to the water in the pond, and just a few inches above it. It also stretched across the entire width of the pond, which at that point was six feet or more. I’ve never seen such a thing. Most spiders build their webs vertically and perpendicular to the ground. Not this one.
That brings me back to the wonderment of just how this spider accomplished this task. One of the supporting brace webs was even anchored on a water plant in the middle of the water.
The completed web didn’t sag, even with the weight of the spider and some insects that had already met their fate. The spider seemed unconcerned that a thousand gallons or more of water were just below her and continued her business.
I’ve watched these spiders as they put at least parts of their webs together. I evermore continue to be fascinated and humbled by this handiwork of God’s creation. Soli Deo Gloria
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Some Observations
Some Saturday observations after spending most of the day either traveling to and from Lawrence or attending the KU/Duke game.
Fifty thousand (give or take a few) people is a lot of people to all be crammed into the KU football stadium. It was obvious where the student section was; they were crammed in more than the other folks.
Some bathrooms still have the troughs in which to relieve oneself.
You can get decent food at a KU football game. You can’t get a decent place to park, however, that’s within a mile of the stadium unless you pay big-time for the privilege..
Home out on the back patio is s a world away from a major college football game.
How do football players possibly remember all the plays?
Why do car light bulbs burn out at what seems to be the most inopportune time? Is there an “opportune” time?
I know someone at work will call me wanting me to come in and do something when I’m hundreds of miles away (and I’m not on call).
The grass in the Flint Hills remained lush all summer. Cattle look better there than they have in awhile, I think.
Some kids still have fun outdoors doing the most simple things…swing, tree-climbing, etc.
I wonder if any other toll road has a “Cattle Pens” exit that literally goes to cattle pens out on the open range.
Why would anyone wear hot pink heels (3 inch or more) to a football game?
People leaving the bathroom still don’t wash their hands.
Lawrence, Kansas on game day is a zoo.
Most people will engage in at least brief pleasant interaction if you just try a little.
How did we ever get along before cell phones?
Why doesn’t TV show more of the field during televised football games? I think it’s fun to watch the defensive backfield move and develop as the play develops.
I missed my Raisin Bran this morning (had a bowl this evening).
Being with a beloved spouse all day, whether or not a lot of verbal communication is going on, is one of the most comforting and relaxing things on earth.
I wonder how many people at the game were, deep inside, terrified of their own mortality and what might happen to them when they died?
Fifty thousand (give or take a few) people is a lot of people to all be crammed into the KU football stadium. It was obvious where the student section was; they were crammed in more than the other folks.
Some bathrooms still have the troughs in which to relieve oneself.
You can get decent food at a KU football game. You can’t get a decent place to park, however, that’s within a mile of the stadium unless you pay big-time for the privilege..
Home out on the back patio is s a world away from a major college football game.
How do football players possibly remember all the plays?
Why do car light bulbs burn out at what seems to be the most inopportune time? Is there an “opportune” time?
I know someone at work will call me wanting me to come in and do something when I’m hundreds of miles away (and I’m not on call).
The grass in the Flint Hills remained lush all summer. Cattle look better there than they have in awhile, I think.
Some kids still have fun outdoors doing the most simple things…swing, tree-climbing, etc.
I wonder if any other toll road has a “Cattle Pens” exit that literally goes to cattle pens out on the open range.
Why would anyone wear hot pink heels (3 inch or more) to a football game?
People leaving the bathroom still don’t wash their hands.
Lawrence, Kansas on game day is a zoo.
Most people will engage in at least brief pleasant interaction if you just try a little.
How did we ever get along before cell phones?
Why doesn’t TV show more of the field during televised football games? I think it’s fun to watch the defensive backfield move and develop as the play develops.
I missed my Raisin Bran this morning (had a bowl this evening).
Being with a beloved spouse all day, whether or not a lot of verbal communication is going on, is one of the most comforting and relaxing things on earth.
I wonder how many people at the game were, deep inside, terrified of their own mortality and what might happen to them when they died?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
She's Gone
“A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys…” And not so the human beings that bring dragons to life in music. Mary Travers of Peter, Paul, and Mary has lost her battle with illness and has passed from this life.’
For those of us who grew up in the sixties and listened to the LP records and the eight-track cassettes of Peter, Paul, and Mary, this is the passing of an age and a realization that we indeed are becoming more fragile and ever closer to that time when we too will pass from this life. We have also lost someone who, even though we personally knew her not, has by her death left an empty space in our hearts and minds that won’t be filled.
Ms. Travers was larger than life. Peter, Paul, and Mary were the voice of many of us who had something to say, but didn’t quite know what words to use or how best to tell the message. Many of us weren’t even sure what it was we wanted to say. We just knew that things weren’t how they should be, and hoped that someone somewhere would know what to do. Peter, Paul, and Mary knew what to do and what to say and how to say it in such a way that people not only listened, but acted upon what they heard.
And although Ms. Travers' voice wasn't like that of Karen Carpenter or Sandi Patty, she had absolute control over it and could lend her trademark sound to one of many genres of music and have it sound as it was supposed to sound.
I am one of literally millions of people in my age group who are actively mourning Mary’s passing and the silencing of a two and a half octave (or more) voice that spoke for us all.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.
Blowin in the Wind
Written by Bob Dylan
For those of us who grew up in the sixties and listened to the LP records and the eight-track cassettes of Peter, Paul, and Mary, this is the passing of an age and a realization that we indeed are becoming more fragile and ever closer to that time when we too will pass from this life. We have also lost someone who, even though we personally knew her not, has by her death left an empty space in our hearts and minds that won’t be filled.
Ms. Travers was larger than life. Peter, Paul, and Mary were the voice of many of us who had something to say, but didn’t quite know what words to use or how best to tell the message. Many of us weren’t even sure what it was we wanted to say. We just knew that things weren’t how they should be, and hoped that someone somewhere would know what to do. Peter, Paul, and Mary knew what to do and what to say and how to say it in such a way that people not only listened, but acted upon what they heard.
And although Ms. Travers' voice wasn't like that of Karen Carpenter or Sandi Patty, she had absolute control over it and could lend her trademark sound to one of many genres of music and have it sound as it was supposed to sound.
I am one of literally millions of people in my age group who are actively mourning Mary’s passing and the silencing of a two and a half octave (or more) voice that spoke for us all.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.
Blowin in the Wind
Written by Bob Dylan
Saturday, September 12, 2009
I Can't Stand It (Again)
Speaking of CNN and reporting of news, did you hear about the misinformation that was spread about the Coast Guard firing on a boat while President Obama was at a 9-11 remembrance? Come to find out the Coast Guard was performing a routine training, and CNN mistook the words “bang, bang, bang” and other statements on their scanners that were tuned to Coast Guard radio frequencies for an attack on a boat.
When it was all over, the “news” organizations were stumbling all over themselves justifying their utter lack of journalistic work (they didn’t check out anything…they instead wanted to be the first to go on the air with the misinformation). They made up information as they went and even had the nerve to disclaim responsibility.
The ignoramuses that went with the story haven’t a clue what journalism and true news-gathering and reporting really is, let alone how to deal with the broadcasting of misinformation. Can you imagine Walter Cronkite or Chet Huntley going on the air with this story without having checked it out thoroughly before it aired? (If you don’t know who these two true journalists were, check it out).
So now the Coast Guard is conducting an “investigation” to find out whatever they are trying to find out about the situation. CNN, Fox and others continue to say it’s not their fault, pointing their collective fingers at the Coast Guard for daring to conduct a drill at the same time the President is at some event not far away.
I can’t stand it.
When it was all over, the “news” organizations were stumbling all over themselves justifying their utter lack of journalistic work (they didn’t check out anything…they instead wanted to be the first to go on the air with the misinformation). They made up information as they went and even had the nerve to disclaim responsibility.
The ignoramuses that went with the story haven’t a clue what journalism and true news-gathering and reporting really is, let alone how to deal with the broadcasting of misinformation. Can you imagine Walter Cronkite or Chet Huntley going on the air with this story without having checked it out thoroughly before it aired? (If you don’t know who these two true journalists were, check it out).
So now the Coast Guard is conducting an “investigation” to find out whatever they are trying to find out about the situation. CNN, Fox and others continue to say it’s not their fault, pointing their collective fingers at the Coast Guard for daring to conduct a drill at the same time the President is at some event not far away.
I can’t stand it.
9-11 Revisited
I watched a two-hour special on the 9-11 disaster last night. By the way, this was the only thing I could find on all of cable TV having to do with 9-11 last night. The special was on the History Channel and was a montage of video taken on that day by both professionals and amateurs. There was no commentary…no talking heads.
I was surprised to find rather strong emotions within me as the special presentation went along. Heavens, it’s been eight years, and I didn’t have anyone I personally knew who was injured or killed in the tragedy. Yet I found myself with feelings of sadness, anger, melancholy, and grief.
What I noticed most of all, however, was the directions people were walking/running during the first minutes of the calamity. Civilians were walking or running away from the buildings; police, fire, and emergency medical responders were walking or running toward the buildings. Knowing what I now know, I know that many of those I saw in the videos going toward the buildings died when the buildings collapsed.
One man who shot some of the video says that he doesn’t watch it, mostly for the reason that he knows that many of those he caught on video are no longer living, having perished in the collapse of the buildings.
One other thing that stood out was the abject disbelief, blank looks, and far-away stares from people who were watching what happened, knowing that it was an intentional act and that people were already dead and dying. It was as if they were trying to wrap their minds around what they were seeing, not believing the reality of what is. My guess is that there weren’t many atheists in those crowds of people on that day.
Yes, many were angry with God. Many were confused. Many just hadn’t a clue what to think or believe any more. I’m sure emotions ran the gamut, as did the petitions and exclamations to the Almighty.
I believe we as a nation did not handle the response correctly. We were told to go ahead and go to work, shop and keep the economy going while the politicians handled the crisis. That was the perfect time to mobilize this nation in a way that hadn’t been done since World War II and we blew it badly. Instead, we spent our way into a recession that has resulted in people out of work, people going hungry, and people in predicaments that they have never before even thought they would be in. Our government is broke and getting broker (is that a word?). We have a much deeper hole to climb out of than we had even immediately after 9-11. I am not as optimistic as I probably should be that we will overcome this time around. I’m glad I won’t be here that much longer to see what I think will, in coming decades, be the carnage of the bad decisions made years before by both Democrat and Republican politicians who no more have a clue what it means to be leader, statesman, and unifier than the man in the moon.
I am sure, however, that CNN and Fox will be right there, whether or not they really know what happened, and tell us all what they think they heard from someone.
I can’t stand it.
I was surprised to find rather strong emotions within me as the special presentation went along. Heavens, it’s been eight years, and I didn’t have anyone I personally knew who was injured or killed in the tragedy. Yet I found myself with feelings of sadness, anger, melancholy, and grief.
What I noticed most of all, however, was the directions people were walking/running during the first minutes of the calamity. Civilians were walking or running away from the buildings; police, fire, and emergency medical responders were walking or running toward the buildings. Knowing what I now know, I know that many of those I saw in the videos going toward the buildings died when the buildings collapsed.
One man who shot some of the video says that he doesn’t watch it, mostly for the reason that he knows that many of those he caught on video are no longer living, having perished in the collapse of the buildings.
One other thing that stood out was the abject disbelief, blank looks, and far-away stares from people who were watching what happened, knowing that it was an intentional act and that people were already dead and dying. It was as if they were trying to wrap their minds around what they were seeing, not believing the reality of what is. My guess is that there weren’t many atheists in those crowds of people on that day.
Yes, many were angry with God. Many were confused. Many just hadn’t a clue what to think or believe any more. I’m sure emotions ran the gamut, as did the petitions and exclamations to the Almighty.
I believe we as a nation did not handle the response correctly. We were told to go ahead and go to work, shop and keep the economy going while the politicians handled the crisis. That was the perfect time to mobilize this nation in a way that hadn’t been done since World War II and we blew it badly. Instead, we spent our way into a recession that has resulted in people out of work, people going hungry, and people in predicaments that they have never before even thought they would be in. Our government is broke and getting broker (is that a word?). We have a much deeper hole to climb out of than we had even immediately after 9-11. I am not as optimistic as I probably should be that we will overcome this time around. I’m glad I won’t be here that much longer to see what I think will, in coming decades, be the carnage of the bad decisions made years before by both Democrat and Republican politicians who no more have a clue what it means to be leader, statesman, and unifier than the man in the moon.
I am sure, however, that CNN and Fox will be right there, whether or not they really know what happened, and tell us all what they think they heard from someone.
I can’t stand it.
Monday, September 07, 2009
I Repent
Well, I said I wouldn’t do it, but all along I knew I would. I went off and got a Facebook page yesterday. Sigh. I feel like (you ever have dreams like this?) I’m dancing naked in front of 200,000 strangers and don’t have any place to go to hide. Yes, I know, I’ll get used to it. That’s what they all say, and that’s part of the scary part of it. I don’t really WANT to get used to having everything I think and do hanging out there for all to see. I’m old enough to recall when there was no such thing as touch tone phones (you had to twirl a dial thingy around to get the right number). Big Brother didn’t know your every move, purchase, and thought. And people didn’t sell information collected by loyalty cards to others so they could convince you to buy something.
By the way, if someone has to convince you to buy something, do you really need what they’re selling?
I was amazed at the number of potential “friends” that Facebook suggested just by mining my Yahoo email address. I should have known, though, that would happen. I’m thinking about closing my account and opening another one with a different, disposable address so there would be no history. Then I could just find the “friends” that I truly wanted instead of having the stupid software suggest to me that this person or that would really like to be my friend. Sheesh.
And what is this farming business? Do people have nothing better to do than to run a virtual farm? And what is that lost sheep stuff? Why would I care whether the virtual lost sheep was ever found, or whatever it is?
I know, I know. I’m just an old curmudgeon who is still getting the hang of solitaire and how to add someone to my cell phone book. I can’t really be expected to be up and with it (that’s an old expression) at my age.
On the other hand, I do know how to use the formula function in Excel. And I know what the vast majority of the ready-made formulas mean and how they are used. I truly enjoy creating a spreadsheet that is hundreds of cells long and wide with hundreds of interlaced and dependent formulas which provide answers to previously intractable problems in a matter of microseconds.
And databases that I created in the distant past (mid-1990’s) on what is now really clunky DOS-based software provided the same medical and patient-related administrative and billing information that commercial software now provides.
So maybe I’m not quite so curmudgeonly after all. Maybe my priorities are just a little skewed. And that’s OK because it takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round…even virtual farmers!
By the way, if someone has to convince you to buy something, do you really need what they’re selling?
I was amazed at the number of potential “friends” that Facebook suggested just by mining my Yahoo email address. I should have known, though, that would happen. I’m thinking about closing my account and opening another one with a different, disposable address so there would be no history. Then I could just find the “friends” that I truly wanted instead of having the stupid software suggest to me that this person or that would really like to be my friend. Sheesh.
And what is this farming business? Do people have nothing better to do than to run a virtual farm? And what is that lost sheep stuff? Why would I care whether the virtual lost sheep was ever found, or whatever it is?
I know, I know. I’m just an old curmudgeon who is still getting the hang of solitaire and how to add someone to my cell phone book. I can’t really be expected to be up and with it (that’s an old expression) at my age.
On the other hand, I do know how to use the formula function in Excel. And I know what the vast majority of the ready-made formulas mean and how they are used. I truly enjoy creating a spreadsheet that is hundreds of cells long and wide with hundreds of interlaced and dependent formulas which provide answers to previously intractable problems in a matter of microseconds.
And databases that I created in the distant past (mid-1990’s) on what is now really clunky DOS-based software provided the same medical and patient-related administrative and billing information that commercial software now provides.
So maybe I’m not quite so curmudgeonly after all. Maybe my priorities are just a little skewed. And that’s OK because it takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round…even virtual farmers!
Friday, September 04, 2009
The Passing of an Era
Erich Kunzel, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, died a few days ago (September 1). I don’t know if you know of Mr. Kunzel or the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra or not. But if you’ve never heard the music made by this man and marvelous group of musicians, you’ve missed something special in this creation of ours.
For over 30 years, Mr. Kunzel has directed the orchestra, taking pops programs and music to new heights. Begun, I think, by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra, the continuation of the mainstreaming, so to speak, of classical pops, and the growth in popularity of that kind of music is a direct result of the efforts of men and women such as Mr. Kunzel.
In case you aren’t familiar with his work, or even if you are, take a listen to the orchestra’s rendition of the theme of The Magnificent Seven. You can find it at this address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45KAjt7v4t4
Classical pops music is one of my favorite genres of music. And the Cincinnati Pops does it as well as anyone, anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Kunzel, for putting your vision, effort, and imagination to good work.Thursday, September 03, 2009
The Pale Blue Dot
I was looking at the Astronomy Picture of the Day archives. Somehow, in doing that I ended up on Wikipedia at the article on the rings of Saturn. In that article, someone filed a wondrous photo, taken by the Cassini space craft in 2006. The photo shows Saturn eclipsing the sun, with the rings in high relief. Out toward the edge of the rings is a “pale blue dot” which they tell us is Earth.
I’ve put the photo on the blog. I’ve labeled the Earth for your convenience. I’d like for you to look at the photo for a moment and think about this place we call home. Astronomer Carl Sagan coined the phrase “pale blue dot” based on a photo taken by Voyager I from about 3.7 billion miles away. You can see the photo and accompanying article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_blue_dot
Mr. Sagan believed that this photo only confirmed what he knew…that there is no God and that we are truly alone in the universe; that if we are to survive, we will have to save ourselves.Others may well look at this and other photos and believe quite the opposite…that there is a God and that we are never truly alone in the universe; that we cannot save ourselves and must rely on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for life and salvation.
I don’t know enough to know how to convince a skeptic or a non-believer to change how they view photos such as this. I’m not even sure I know enough to intelligently talk with someone who doesn’t believe in God to convince them that God does exist. What I do know is that some how, some way, there has to be an explanation for what we see and know (and all that we can’t see and don’t know) that has as its explanation something other than chance.
We’ll never really know, in the full sense of the word, which way it really is. That’s why faith is sometimes so hard. And we have it easy compared with those who have come before us who had only traditions, oral stories, and the wonder of the universe to point them to faith in God. We are indeed blessed.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Of the Father's Love Begotten
As we were driving home from Wednesday Bible classes this evening, for whatever reason I thought of a Christmas carol that I hadn’t heard in some time, but really liked. We also sang this carol when I was part of a community Christmas choir some years ago. This song has several incarnations, but is commonly believed to have been penned first by a Roman poet in the fifth century.
This has to be one of the relatively few hymns that are so good that they seem to be inspired. So much packed into so few words, and so much truth put into so few verses of song. And the beauty of the words (and later on the music) is just phenomenal.
I don’t often do this, but today would ask you to read the words of the song as it appears below (taken from the Lutheran Hymnal). If you’d like to see a choir sing the song, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGjxAqENbI and see a 1980’s performance, which is one of the better ones on YouTube.
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977
1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
This has to be one of the relatively few hymns that are so good that they seem to be inspired. So much packed into so few words, and so much truth put into so few verses of song. And the beauty of the words (and later on the music) is just phenomenal.
I don’t often do this, but today would ask you to read the words of the song as it appears below (taken from the Lutheran Hymnal). If you’d like to see a choir sing the song, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGjxAqENbI and see a 1980’s performance, which is one of the better ones on YouTube.
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977
1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Still Thinking
Our church hosted an ice cream social for the homeless in our back parking lot this evening. We are located next to the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, so this was a good place for people to gather. We had a good crowd and constant flow of people in and out.
We went to help out. I’ve not had a chance to do this kind of thing very often, and appreciated the opportunity to be part of this outing. While there, I struck up conversations with a couple of folks who came. One older man was talking cattle, which I know something of, so I started conversing with him. Now, I don’t know how much he embellishes what he says, but he says he is a descendent of one of the Miller boys who ran the old Miller Brothers 101 Ranch in northern Oklahoma. He had a clipping from a newspaper that he retrieved from his old car, and told me all about the fact that his family had been in ranching, oil, and entertaining people with a western show.I never knew anything about that, but according to this Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_Brothers_101_Ranch), what he was saying, if he was indeed related, had more truth than not. How he ended up homeless and at our ice cream social was anyone’s guess.
I talked with another man who was raised around horses, whether on a ranch or some other way, I don’t know. His woman (whether wife or not I don’t know) had just had surgery on her appendix 8 days ago. The man said they had been carnival workers, but weren’t now. Neither of them had any teeth to speak of, and they weren’t any older than about 40. It was obvious that life had been hard on them, and it showed.
The man ended our conversation by telling us that he has been blessed in life. He did equivocate just a little about his present circumstance, but didn’t retract his blessed comment. He just seemed to be more puzzled at his lot in life right now than anything else.
As these people melted back into the downtown area…some along the river, others in cars, and still others out to the streets, I had to wonder several things. Where were they going? What waited for them tonight? How is our present health care system working for them (including dental care)? Why did they end up where they are now? What else we can do that would be meaningful and pertinent for these folks? Why do I often feel like I’m not especially blessed and I have much, much more than the man did who said he has been blessed? How many church groups would invite this kind of people to their place of worship and rub shoulders with them, eat with them, and visit with them?
I’m still thinking. I may be thinking for a long time to come.
We went to help out. I’ve not had a chance to do this kind of thing very often, and appreciated the opportunity to be part of this outing. While there, I struck up conversations with a couple of folks who came. One older man was talking cattle, which I know something of, so I started conversing with him. Now, I don’t know how much he embellishes what he says, but he says he is a descendent of one of the Miller boys who ran the old Miller Brothers 101 Ranch in northern Oklahoma. He had a clipping from a newspaper that he retrieved from his old car, and told me all about the fact that his family had been in ranching, oil, and entertaining people with a western show.I never knew anything about that, but according to this Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_Brothers_101_Ranch), what he was saying, if he was indeed related, had more truth than not. How he ended up homeless and at our ice cream social was anyone’s guess.
I talked with another man who was raised around horses, whether on a ranch or some other way, I don’t know. His woman (whether wife or not I don’t know) had just had surgery on her appendix 8 days ago. The man said they had been carnival workers, but weren’t now. Neither of them had any teeth to speak of, and they weren’t any older than about 40. It was obvious that life had been hard on them, and it showed.
The man ended our conversation by telling us that he has been blessed in life. He did equivocate just a little about his present circumstance, but didn’t retract his blessed comment. He just seemed to be more puzzled at his lot in life right now than anything else.
As these people melted back into the downtown area…some along the river, others in cars, and still others out to the streets, I had to wonder several things. Where were they going? What waited for them tonight? How is our present health care system working for them (including dental care)? Why did they end up where they are now? What else we can do that would be meaningful and pertinent for these folks? Why do I often feel like I’m not especially blessed and I have much, much more than the man did who said he has been blessed? How many church groups would invite this kind of people to their place of worship and rub shoulders with them, eat with them, and visit with them?
I’m still thinking. I may be thinking for a long time to come.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Take a Cue
Well, it’s Saturday morning. About the only things I have planned today are to cut the grass, get a haircut, and work out at the Y. This evening, we will go to our nephew’s new home over by Cheney Lake and enjoy a time with the wife’s family.
Some of my readers weren’t happy with the politics of Ted Kennedy. Others may well embrace at least some of what he championed. Some of my readers may even be happy he’s no longer in the Senate, although I can’t imagine any who would wish him death by brain cancer.
Regardless of Mr. Kennedy’s politics, regardless of his personal failures, and regardless of the tragedies that struck his family, this nation has suffered loss. I don’t think it’s loss as great as some on the television would have us believe, and we will indeed go on without him. No one is indispensible.
Mr. Kennedy was one of the last of the old line politicians who talked a hard line, was eloquent in speech, and yet reached out for consensus when necessary from those he politically opposed. He could revile the political positions of his opponents with words that dug deep into the issue, yet a few minutes later would be cracking jokes and schmoozing with the same politicos he earlier was skewering. By the way, Robert Dole was also one of this club. It cuts across party lines.
We could learn from that kind of behavior. We tend to let things become very personal very quickly when someone disagrees with us. We tend to see the bad in them and want to conjure up all sorts of personal vendettas. How dare they oppose us!
What we fail to see is that it isn’t (or shouldn’t be) personal at all. Not agreeing with someone’s position on an issue, whether political, religious, or personal, does not (or should not) equate with not liking someone. To be able to have a civil discussion of whatever the issue is while maintaining a positive personal relationship is all the harder in this age of Limbaugh-esque antics and behavior. We would do well to turn off Fox News (or MSNBC) and take our civility cues from our parents and grandparents who, I hope, taught us much, much better than anything we see on the tube.
Some of my readers weren’t happy with the politics of Ted Kennedy. Others may well embrace at least some of what he championed. Some of my readers may even be happy he’s no longer in the Senate, although I can’t imagine any who would wish him death by brain cancer.
Regardless of Mr. Kennedy’s politics, regardless of his personal failures, and regardless of the tragedies that struck his family, this nation has suffered loss. I don’t think it’s loss as great as some on the television would have us believe, and we will indeed go on without him. No one is indispensible.
Mr. Kennedy was one of the last of the old line politicians who talked a hard line, was eloquent in speech, and yet reached out for consensus when necessary from those he politically opposed. He could revile the political positions of his opponents with words that dug deep into the issue, yet a few minutes later would be cracking jokes and schmoozing with the same politicos he earlier was skewering. By the way, Robert Dole was also one of this club. It cuts across party lines.
We could learn from that kind of behavior. We tend to let things become very personal very quickly when someone disagrees with us. We tend to see the bad in them and want to conjure up all sorts of personal vendettas. How dare they oppose us!
What we fail to see is that it isn’t (or shouldn’t be) personal at all. Not agreeing with someone’s position on an issue, whether political, religious, or personal, does not (or should not) equate with not liking someone. To be able to have a civil discussion of whatever the issue is while maintaining a positive personal relationship is all the harder in this age of Limbaugh-esque antics and behavior. We would do well to turn off Fox News (or MSNBC) and take our civility cues from our parents and grandparents who, I hope, taught us much, much better than anything we see on the tube.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What am I Going to Do?
A month or so ago, I heard about an explosion and fire in downtown Anthony, Kansas. It happened in an alley and caught the adjoining buildings on fire. Being old, those business buildings went up in flames rather quickly, and required the help of several neighboring fire departments to control the flames. I had hoped that only one or two businesses were affected because Anthony is near where I grew up and has at least a semblance of a downtown business district yet.
A few days ago, I was visiting with someone at the place where I work. He was telling me that virtually the whole block went up. Only the businesses on either end of the block were saved. My heart sank because one of my favorite clothing stores went up in flames since it was in that block. I checked articles on line and received confirmation that Mueller Brothers clothing store did indeed cease to exist because of the fire.
Those businesses that were lost will not be rebuilt. There’s not enough money, even with insurance, to do that. The businesses, including Mueller Brothers, did not have enough value as a business to warrant a moving or rebuilding in any event. In a small community, when something like this happens, the economy of the time is that these places just disappear.
I recall visiting Mueller Brothers as a boy. There was a certain smell that men’s clothing stores had, and Mueller Brothers had that smell. I recall being fitted for a suit by one or more really old men (at least they looked old to me). We didn’t have a lot of money, and I didn’t get to have a new suit of clothes very often. More often than not, I got hand-me-downs from my older brothers.
Later, when we moved back to that area after I was married and had a family, I started going back there, purchasing suits, shoes, socks, shirts, and whatever else I needed. The service was good, the quality was great, and I truly enjoyed the experience.
I’m still wearing dress socks I bought there in 1994. They look as good today (no kidding) as they did then. I think I could wear them until I croak. I have several shirts, socks, three or four pair of shoes, and other haberdashery that I’ve bought there.
Just a couple of months ago, my sister and I made a day trip on a Saturday down to Anthony. One of our stops was at Mueller Brothers where I bought two pair of shoes and some shirts. That same men’s store smell from 50 years ago was there…ever present. The only thing missing was the old men. Now, there was a man, his wife, and grown daughter minding the store.
And now there is no one. I’m not certain where I’m going to buy my shoes. It’s kind of like where I’m going to buy my next vehicle. I just don’t like the mega-dealers in Sedgwick County, but back home I don’t know those dealers any more, or even if anyone sells cars down there. Maybe I’ll just get my shoes re-soled and re-heeled for the next 30 years or so. They are of good enough quality that I think I might just be able to do that.
A few days ago, I was visiting with someone at the place where I work. He was telling me that virtually the whole block went up. Only the businesses on either end of the block were saved. My heart sank because one of my favorite clothing stores went up in flames since it was in that block. I checked articles on line and received confirmation that Mueller Brothers clothing store did indeed cease to exist because of the fire.
Those businesses that were lost will not be rebuilt. There’s not enough money, even with insurance, to do that. The businesses, including Mueller Brothers, did not have enough value as a business to warrant a moving or rebuilding in any event. In a small community, when something like this happens, the economy of the time is that these places just disappear.
I recall visiting Mueller Brothers as a boy. There was a certain smell that men’s clothing stores had, and Mueller Brothers had that smell. I recall being fitted for a suit by one or more really old men (at least they looked old to me). We didn’t have a lot of money, and I didn’t get to have a new suit of clothes very often. More often than not, I got hand-me-downs from my older brothers.
Later, when we moved back to that area after I was married and had a family, I started going back there, purchasing suits, shoes, socks, shirts, and whatever else I needed. The service was good, the quality was great, and I truly enjoyed the experience.
I’m still wearing dress socks I bought there in 1994. They look as good today (no kidding) as they did then. I think I could wear them until I croak. I have several shirts, socks, three or four pair of shoes, and other haberdashery that I’ve bought there.
Just a couple of months ago, my sister and I made a day trip on a Saturday down to Anthony. One of our stops was at Mueller Brothers where I bought two pair of shoes and some shirts. That same men’s store smell from 50 years ago was there…ever present. The only thing missing was the old men. Now, there was a man, his wife, and grown daughter minding the store.
And now there is no one. I’m not certain where I’m going to buy my shoes. It’s kind of like where I’m going to buy my next vehicle. I just don’t like the mega-dealers in Sedgwick County, but back home I don’t know those dealers any more, or even if anyone sells cars down there. Maybe I’ll just get my shoes re-soled and re-heeled for the next 30 years or so. They are of good enough quality that I think I might just be able to do that.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Making Music
As I relax this evening from a hard day’s work (Mondays always seem to be a little tougher than the rest of the week, for some reason), I put in an video of Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends. Now, I know some of you may not appreciate my choice in music, and that’s OK. I’ve several of those tapes and DVDs, and have grown to appreciate them more and more.
The videos I have are all several years old, and many of those featured in the videos are no longer living. That makes them even more special, as the talent and ability of these folks has been preserved for those like us who appreciate so much what they do to the glory of God.
I don’t know the hearts of all of these folks. There are surely some who are in the business to just make a living. Others may be in the business for what glory comes to them. But I suspect that far and away the most of the people in Mr. Gaither’s videos are there because of their desire to glorify the God of Heaven. There are different talents, different abilities, and different kinds of music in these videos, all loosely under the Southern Gospel umbrella.
I have to wonder, if God gives us all different talents and abilities, and expects us to use them to His glory, why it is that some believe that certain of those expressions of love and devotion to God are somehow sinful because of the particular talent or ability that is used. I can’t imagine a God giving someone a certain ability and talent, then forbidding him or her from using it to the glory of God and the calling of men and women to faith. God expects us to use what we’re given. Scripture is quite clear on that matter.
Regardless of how you might view that last paragraph, seeing and hearing J D Sumner and the Stamps quartet sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” is truly priceless, and all the more so since Mr. Sumner is no longer with us (even though the Stamps Quartet goes on). There are many such priceless performances by such as Hovie Lister, the Cathedrals, the Martins, the Happy Goodmans and many others. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gaither to preserve these performances.
The videos I have are all several years old, and many of those featured in the videos are no longer living. That makes them even more special, as the talent and ability of these folks has been preserved for those like us who appreciate so much what they do to the glory of God.
I don’t know the hearts of all of these folks. There are surely some who are in the business to just make a living. Others may be in the business for what glory comes to them. But I suspect that far and away the most of the people in Mr. Gaither’s videos are there because of their desire to glorify the God of Heaven. There are different talents, different abilities, and different kinds of music in these videos, all loosely under the Southern Gospel umbrella.
I have to wonder, if God gives us all different talents and abilities, and expects us to use them to His glory, why it is that some believe that certain of those expressions of love and devotion to God are somehow sinful because of the particular talent or ability that is used. I can’t imagine a God giving someone a certain ability and talent, then forbidding him or her from using it to the glory of God and the calling of men and women to faith. God expects us to use what we’re given. Scripture is quite clear on that matter.
Regardless of how you might view that last paragraph, seeing and hearing J D Sumner and the Stamps quartet sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” is truly priceless, and all the more so since Mr. Sumner is no longer with us (even though the Stamps Quartet goes on). There are many such priceless performances by such as Hovie Lister, the Cathedrals, the Martins, the Happy Goodmans and many others. I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gaither to preserve these performances.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Weekend Musings
Most weekends find me doing some soul-searching and introspection at some point during the weekend. I don’t know why, necessarily, and I don’t know what to make of it. But I find myself more and more asking questions such as “Why am I here?” I try to make sense of the beauty of the creation out my back yard and think about the amazing blessings of living here in this place at this time. I wonder what lies ahead for my wife and myself, and wonder if we really will have financial resources to retire and will God really care for us (even though it’s obvious that He has in the past and I have no reason to doubt His provision for the future).
I think about my work on the Missions committee of our church and where I need to steer the committee as its chair. I consider the interaction and fellowship we had with the church folks (or if it’s Saturday, I think with true joy about that fellowship the next day). I wonder about some of the things we did in the past and wonder how we ever made it this far. I think about our family, our boys as well as our extended family tree. In other words, over the course of a weekend, I may think “around the world” before coming to rest in the here and now on Sunday evening.
Just this evening as we were at the coffeehouse put on by our church youth, I saw some small children playing and thought of our own boys as they were that age. For just a moment, I was reliving some wondrous memories of them in their toddler years. And although those times will never come again, I think with fondness how they’ve grown and matured and have created family units of their own. The tears flow rather easily during times like this, as they are even now as I write this, thinking again about some of those times and seasons.
So, what do I make of this? Is this a sign of old age creeping up? Is it s sign that I secretly long for children again or that I wish I was 32 again? No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an acknowledgement that life is brief. It’s recognition of the incredible and astonishing blessings that have come our way in our lives here. It’s also a concession to the inexorable march of time and the promise of something much, much better than even this.
No, I don’t spend the entire weekend thus occupied. But for a few minutes each weekend, I feel like I need the grounding that this kind of mental exercise provides. I also need the strength to face the coming week and the grace to get through the days ahead. This seems to do it, and I’m grateful God has given me the intellect to not only do it, but appreciate it.
I think about my work on the Missions committee of our church and where I need to steer the committee as its chair. I consider the interaction and fellowship we had with the church folks (or if it’s Saturday, I think with true joy about that fellowship the next day). I wonder about some of the things we did in the past and wonder how we ever made it this far. I think about our family, our boys as well as our extended family tree. In other words, over the course of a weekend, I may think “around the world” before coming to rest in the here and now on Sunday evening.
Just this evening as we were at the coffeehouse put on by our church youth, I saw some small children playing and thought of our own boys as they were that age. For just a moment, I was reliving some wondrous memories of them in their toddler years. And although those times will never come again, I think with fondness how they’ve grown and matured and have created family units of their own. The tears flow rather easily during times like this, as they are even now as I write this, thinking again about some of those times and seasons.
So, what do I make of this? Is this a sign of old age creeping up? Is it s sign that I secretly long for children again or that I wish I was 32 again? No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an acknowledgement that life is brief. It’s recognition of the incredible and astonishing blessings that have come our way in our lives here. It’s also a concession to the inexorable march of time and the promise of something much, much better than even this.
No, I don’t spend the entire weekend thus occupied. But for a few minutes each weekend, I feel like I need the grounding that this kind of mental exercise provides. I also need the strength to face the coming week and the grace to get through the days ahead. This seems to do it, and I’m grateful God has given me the intellect to not only do it, but appreciate it.
What Matters Most
Normally, I write something for the blog no later than Saturday afternoon. But this weekend, it just didn’t seem like the thing to do. I don’t know why, but one sometimes just gets the notion that what has been done many times in the past just shouldn’t be done this time in this way. However, I do want to maintain the connection with you, so am writing now, on Sunday afternoon.
I noticed a couple of things worthy of my blog (if you’re a regular, you know that isn’t a very lofty goal). The first was something I saw yesterday evening as I was making my way to our son’s place where Grandma was already there watching the grandkids. I stayed behind to catch up on some work and mow the yard.
While on the way, I saw a bicycle-built-for-two and, of course, it had two riders on it. However, the bike was constructed differently than I had ever seen a tandem built before. The first seat was of regular size for regular people. The second was clearly built for the smaller among us, our children. There was a dad, I presume, and his daughter riding on this thing and having a good time, it seemed.
What struck me was that someone had the foresight to think of such a thing and either build it or have it built. There probably aren’t that many of that kind of tandem bike in the world, but what a great idea.
The second is all the talk about the economy, health care, and other assorted ills of the world and of society. Much of that talk is negative, and much of it, I think, is fed by the 24 hour so-called news channels on cable TV. I say so-called, because what they do isn’t news; it’s commentary and opinion.
I’ve written about this before, but I’ll say it again. All I have to do to get away from the negative and the bad is go out on the back patio. There, I find that fish are still swimming in our pond, trees are still growing and waving in the breeze, birds still feed at the feeders, and frogs still croak in the quiet of the evening. In other words, the bad news isn’t all there is to life, and life, indeed the creation, will go on regardless of the value of the dollar, whether a democrat or a republican is in the presidency, and whether or not Rush Limbaugh says anything stupid (a half-hearted pardon to those who listen to him).
I’m reminded of what Dr. James Dobson says at the close of his “A Father Looks Back” tape. He says something to the effect of, “When all of my life is boiled down to its basic roots, what truly matters is whether I have loved the Lord God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and whether I have loved my neighbor as myself.”
If we can continue to have that first and centered in our consciences, all of the rest will seem rather superfluous and like the “sounding gong and clanging cymbal” of I Corinthians 13.
I noticed a couple of things worthy of my blog (if you’re a regular, you know that isn’t a very lofty goal). The first was something I saw yesterday evening as I was making my way to our son’s place where Grandma was already there watching the grandkids. I stayed behind to catch up on some work and mow the yard.
While on the way, I saw a bicycle-built-for-two and, of course, it had two riders on it. However, the bike was constructed differently than I had ever seen a tandem built before. The first seat was of regular size for regular people. The second was clearly built for the smaller among us, our children. There was a dad, I presume, and his daughter riding on this thing and having a good time, it seemed.
What struck me was that someone had the foresight to think of such a thing and either build it or have it built. There probably aren’t that many of that kind of tandem bike in the world, but what a great idea.
The second is all the talk about the economy, health care, and other assorted ills of the world and of society. Much of that talk is negative, and much of it, I think, is fed by the 24 hour so-called news channels on cable TV. I say so-called, because what they do isn’t news; it’s commentary and opinion.
I’ve written about this before, but I’ll say it again. All I have to do to get away from the negative and the bad is go out on the back patio. There, I find that fish are still swimming in our pond, trees are still growing and waving in the breeze, birds still feed at the feeders, and frogs still croak in the quiet of the evening. In other words, the bad news isn’t all there is to life, and life, indeed the creation, will go on regardless of the value of the dollar, whether a democrat or a republican is in the presidency, and whether or not Rush Limbaugh says anything stupid (a half-hearted pardon to those who listen to him).
I’m reminded of what Dr. James Dobson says at the close of his “A Father Looks Back” tape. He says something to the effect of, “When all of my life is boiled down to its basic roots, what truly matters is whether I have loved the Lord God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and whether I have loved my neighbor as myself.”
If we can continue to have that first and centered in our consciences, all of the rest will seem rather superfluous and like the “sounding gong and clanging cymbal” of I Corinthians 13.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hummers (of the natural variety)
A few weeks ago, I put a hummingbird feeder on the back patio behind the dining area of our home. A couple of hummers, one male and one female, are regular visitors to the feeder, especially later in the afternoon.
I have been fascinated by these birds since I was a child, but this is, if I recall correctly, the first time I’ve been able to attract hummers with a feeder on a regular basis. I don’t know if you’ve seen hummingbirds up close, but they are well worth the work it takes to keep the feeder clean and filled.
The ruby-throated hummingbird, the only variety of hummer that consistently appears east of the Rockies, is one of the smaller of the species. Adults weigh in at about 3 to 4 grams, or about 1/8 of an ounce. Some other remarkable statistics are that their body temperature is in the 105 to 108 degree range, their eggs are about the size of peas, and their heart rate can be as high as 1,200 beats per minute in flight.
Their nests are the size of walnuts and they can briefly fly as fast as 60 miles an hour. Their normal flight speed is about half that. Their wings beat from 40 to 80 times a second and their respirations are about 250 per minute.
They are the only bird, as you know, that can hover, fly backward, forward, up, down, and even upside down (credit National Geographic Magazine). Their wings are hinged at the shoulders in such a way that they can exquisitely control their flight so that their bodies remain virtually stationary while their wings and tail furiously maintain their position. During much of their acrobatics, the wings beat opposite one-another. That is, one wing will be down while the other is up.
Many of these diminutive birds will migrate in the fall from the Gulf coast to the northern coast of South America, making the 500 mile flight over a span of 15 to 18 hours, non-stop. They then come back in February and gradually make their way up into the rest of the country during the spring and summer months.
This is probably more information than you really wanted to know about the hummer. I encourage you to view a video of hummers in flight. See it in HD and watch it full screen on YouTube. The URL is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0HqfO9d9-U&annotation_id=annotation_275200&feature=iv
I have been fascinated by these birds since I was a child, but this is, if I recall correctly, the first time I’ve been able to attract hummers with a feeder on a regular basis. I don’t know if you’ve seen hummingbirds up close, but they are well worth the work it takes to keep the feeder clean and filled.
The ruby-throated hummingbird, the only variety of hummer that consistently appears east of the Rockies, is one of the smaller of the species. Adults weigh in at about 3 to 4 grams, or about 1/8 of an ounce. Some other remarkable statistics are that their body temperature is in the 105 to 108 degree range, their eggs are about the size of peas, and their heart rate can be as high as 1,200 beats per minute in flight.
Their nests are the size of walnuts and they can briefly fly as fast as 60 miles an hour. Their normal flight speed is about half that. Their wings beat from 40 to 80 times a second and their respirations are about 250 per minute.
They are the only bird, as you know, that can hover, fly backward, forward, up, down, and even upside down (credit National Geographic Magazine). Their wings are hinged at the shoulders in such a way that they can exquisitely control their flight so that their bodies remain virtually stationary while their wings and tail furiously maintain their position. During much of their acrobatics, the wings beat opposite one-another. That is, one wing will be down while the other is up.
Many of these diminutive birds will migrate in the fall from the Gulf coast to the northern coast of South America, making the 500 mile flight over a span of 15 to 18 hours, non-stop. They then come back in February and gradually make their way up into the rest of the country during the spring and summer months.
This is probably more information than you really wanted to know about the hummer. I encourage you to view a video of hummers in flight. See it in HD and watch it full screen on YouTube. The URL is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0HqfO9d9-U&annotation_id=annotation_275200&feature=iv
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Real Issue
Hear me out. The topic of this blog is NOT health care reform, but I need to lay some background.
I’ve been watching some of the town hall meetings going on lately regarding health care. Yes, I think we need to find a way to provide at least basic care other than an emergency room. No, I’m not obsessed with it. No, I don’t have any better ideas. Yes, I have reservations about what is happening now.
The only other thing I think I’ll say about the topic is that there is so much misinformation on both sides being stated, repeated, and believed to the point that it’s virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter. Some things I do know. We already ration care, government is already up to it’s ears in health care (and has been for many years), we already have “socialized” single-payer medicine (Medicare, Medicaid, V.A.), we have, hands down, the best pre-hospital (EMS) medicine in the world, we already have a dire shortage of qualified nurses, physicians, therapists, and other professionals in many areas of the nation, etc. Both sides are to blame, if one is laying blame, for the misinformation.
Might I suggest that one reason the public in general (including me) is leery of whatever is floating out there has more to do with trust and faith in government/politicians/congress/Washington than it has to do with the topic at hand. Government politicians have, over the years, played fast and loose with the faith and trust of the American people to the point that when now they say “Trust us on health care,” we naturally turn a nose to the wind to see what smells and how bad it is. I don’t care if it’s Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, the entire establishment, it seems, has lost the faith and trust of the American people to the extent that anything coming from them is immediately suspect.
And with good reason. They dance around on the meaning of the word “is”. They parry and dodge when it comes to lobbying, money, and influence-peddling. They earmark their way to re-election. And they are masters at obfuscation and not answering a simple question.
They throw billions of borrowed dollars into this black hole or that, trying to plug a self-made recession, and without any meaningful accountability or oversight. They self-righteously condemn out of control borrowing following years of their own largess and lack of control.
The fix for health care, whatever that might be, may have to wait until the American people can see some tangible progress and some real attempt on the part of the Washington establishment to be ethical, moral, and decent in their personal and professional lives, their behavior, and their dealings with us. Until then, yelling at one-another at town hall meetings may be the best we can do.
I’ve been watching some of the town hall meetings going on lately regarding health care. Yes, I think we need to find a way to provide at least basic care other than an emergency room. No, I’m not obsessed with it. No, I don’t have any better ideas. Yes, I have reservations about what is happening now.
The only other thing I think I’ll say about the topic is that there is so much misinformation on both sides being stated, repeated, and believed to the point that it’s virtually impossible to know the truth of the matter. Some things I do know. We already ration care, government is already up to it’s ears in health care (and has been for many years), we already have “socialized” single-payer medicine (Medicare, Medicaid, V.A.), we have, hands down, the best pre-hospital (EMS) medicine in the world, we already have a dire shortage of qualified nurses, physicians, therapists, and other professionals in many areas of the nation, etc. Both sides are to blame, if one is laying blame, for the misinformation.
Might I suggest that one reason the public in general (including me) is leery of whatever is floating out there has more to do with trust and faith in government/politicians/congress/Washington than it has to do with the topic at hand. Government politicians have, over the years, played fast and loose with the faith and trust of the American people to the point that when now they say “Trust us on health care,” we naturally turn a nose to the wind to see what smells and how bad it is. I don’t care if it’s Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, the entire establishment, it seems, has lost the faith and trust of the American people to the extent that anything coming from them is immediately suspect.
And with good reason. They dance around on the meaning of the word “is”. They parry and dodge when it comes to lobbying, money, and influence-peddling. They earmark their way to re-election. And they are masters at obfuscation and not answering a simple question.
They throw billions of borrowed dollars into this black hole or that, trying to plug a self-made recession, and without any meaningful accountability or oversight. They self-righteously condemn out of control borrowing following years of their own largess and lack of control.
The fix for health care, whatever that might be, may have to wait until the American people can see some tangible progress and some real attempt on the part of the Washington establishment to be ethical, moral, and decent in their personal and professional lives, their behavior, and their dealings with us. Until then, yelling at one-another at town hall meetings may be the best we can do.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Master At Work
Regardless of what you may think of his politics, watch sometime as President Obama works a crowd. The man is a master at going to a rope line and engaging those who are there in conversation, laughter, and hand-shaking. I don’t think I’ve seen any president that is able to work a crowd better than this man.
That ability will serve him well as he continues into his presidency. He seems able to make a connection with people in a crowd that has been sorely lacking in the last several presidents. Only Kennedy, Reagan and to a lesser extent Clinton came even close to the ability of Mr. Obama to engage the common person.
Oh, by the way, you probably won’t see Mr. Obama work a line on any of the commercial channels. You’ll have to watch one of the C-SPAN channels to see it, but it’s well worth it.
That ability will serve him well as he continues into his presidency. He seems able to make a connection with people in a crowd that has been sorely lacking in the last several presidents. Only Kennedy, Reagan and to a lesser extent Clinton came even close to the ability of Mr. Obama to engage the common person.
Oh, by the way, you probably won’t see Mr. Obama work a line on any of the commercial channels. You’ll have to watch one of the C-SPAN channels to see it, but it’s well worth it.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Friendships
My sister has been, as she says, ruminating about friendship and the differences in the concept of friendship as apprehended by men and women. She also talked of losing one of her circle of friends recently to a move out of state and how that worked for her.
I think she is correct regarding how men and women see friendships differently. I know that’s a generalization and that in real life there are exceptions.
I too think from time to time about friendships and who I could count as what sis would consider to be a close friend, or a friend in an inner circle of some kind. I don’t know that I have such a person right now here in the Wichita area. Possibly the closest might be one or two of the men from church that I see on a regular basis.
However, when I think of that circle of friends, I can think of several who, although I haven’t seen them for perhaps years, I still count as a close friend. In many respects, distance and lack of contact do not diminish that tie, and when we do see each other or visit somehow, we just sort of pick up where we left off and go on.
I can think of Steve and Chris, Troy and Richard, Ron and another Richard. I think of Vern and Earl, of Roy and Bill and another Chris, and several others whom I may not have heard from for quite some time, but I believe that both they and I have each other in the “close friends” column. My wife and family may or may not know who these people are, and that’s OK because they are part of my life and my experiences on this planet.
Is it really possible to maintain a friendship like that? I know that it is because when we do see each other it’s obvious that the tie is still there and the friendship has not diminished because of the passage of time or distance apart.
So when Sis says her hubby has no close friends, she may be correct regarding those he sees every day. However, don’t assume there are no friends in his life. If he’s like me and a lot of other men, he will have those in his background and in his past that he still counts among those who are the closest to him, and he cherishes the memories and relishes the day that he is able to make contact one more time.
I think she is correct regarding how men and women see friendships differently. I know that’s a generalization and that in real life there are exceptions.
I too think from time to time about friendships and who I could count as what sis would consider to be a close friend, or a friend in an inner circle of some kind. I don’t know that I have such a person right now here in the Wichita area. Possibly the closest might be one or two of the men from church that I see on a regular basis.
However, when I think of that circle of friends, I can think of several who, although I haven’t seen them for perhaps years, I still count as a close friend. In many respects, distance and lack of contact do not diminish that tie, and when we do see each other or visit somehow, we just sort of pick up where we left off and go on.
I can think of Steve and Chris, Troy and Richard, Ron and another Richard. I think of Vern and Earl, of Roy and Bill and another Chris, and several others whom I may not have heard from for quite some time, but I believe that both they and I have each other in the “close friends” column. My wife and family may or may not know who these people are, and that’s OK because they are part of my life and my experiences on this planet.
Is it really possible to maintain a friendship like that? I know that it is because when we do see each other it’s obvious that the tie is still there and the friendship has not diminished because of the passage of time or distance apart.
So when Sis says her hubby has no close friends, she may be correct regarding those he sees every day. However, don’t assume there are no friends in his life. If he’s like me and a lot of other men, he will have those in his background and in his past that he still counts among those who are the closest to him, and he cherishes the memories and relishes the day that he is able to make contact one more time.
Friday, August 07, 2009
The Truth
This work week seemed to go by very quickly. It seems that it was only a few hours ago that it was Monday afternoon and now suddenly it’s Friday evening. I have to wonder just how much faster time will seem to fly as I get even older. But they say that time sometimes seems to go very slowly for some of the elderly…those who are infirm or alone. I guess it just depends on one’s perspective.
Speaking of that, I read a blog a few days ago where the writer was talking about absolute truth and our inability to perceive much of it. I agree. There is absolute truth everywhere, but we have difficulty perceiving and understanding it without the biases of our life experiences, perceptions, and incomplete knowledge base. Each of us has our own reality in a very “real” sense. What is reality for me may have no basis in your life experience or knowledge base. The miracle of it all is that we get along as well as we do in spite of our biases and prejudices.
So where does that put the absolute truth of God-breathed words, as many Christians consider the Holy Bible to be? What do we do with that truth? How do we process it? How can we correctly interpret and make useful that truth given our biases, prejudices, and incomplete knowledge? How can we possibly know, as Jesus says, “The truth, and the truth shall make you free?” How can we all agree when we all have different realities to which we relate and in which we live?
I don’t honestly know the answer to this because to take this to its logical conclusion is to admit that we are hopelessly lost in a morass of human frailty and ignorance. For I suspect that we will never in this life know the pure and unvarnished truth of God and His Word, Jesus Christ. I also suspect that the grace of God is covering a whale of a lot of incomplete and inaccurate interpretation and understanding of that truth. But I also suspect that God knows all of this and makes allowances for our fallibility as well as giving us the promise that one day, we will know just as we are known (Paul in the first Corinthian letter).
Speaking of that, I read a blog a few days ago where the writer was talking about absolute truth and our inability to perceive much of it. I agree. There is absolute truth everywhere, but we have difficulty perceiving and understanding it without the biases of our life experiences, perceptions, and incomplete knowledge base. Each of us has our own reality in a very “real” sense. What is reality for me may have no basis in your life experience or knowledge base. The miracle of it all is that we get along as well as we do in spite of our biases and prejudices.
So where does that put the absolute truth of God-breathed words, as many Christians consider the Holy Bible to be? What do we do with that truth? How do we process it? How can we correctly interpret and make useful that truth given our biases, prejudices, and incomplete knowledge? How can we possibly know, as Jesus says, “The truth, and the truth shall make you free?” How can we all agree when we all have different realities to which we relate and in which we live?
I don’t honestly know the answer to this because to take this to its logical conclusion is to admit that we are hopelessly lost in a morass of human frailty and ignorance. For I suspect that we will never in this life know the pure and unvarnished truth of God and His Word, Jesus Christ. I also suspect that the grace of God is covering a whale of a lot of incomplete and inaccurate interpretation and understanding of that truth. But I also suspect that God knows all of this and makes allowances for our fallibility as well as giving us the promise that one day, we will know just as we are known (Paul in the first Corinthian letter).
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Spider Update
I told you yesterday about the orb spider that had made a web off of our front porch. I went outside this morning to retrieve the Sunday paper and looked at where the web had been. There was no trace of a web…no floating stringers, nothing.
I don’t think it was destroyed by out side “forces” as there would probably be remnants of the web somewhere around. I am told that many orb spiders spin the web for a short time only to eat it later and spin another one the next night. I don’t know if this is what happened or not, but I plan to look there tonight to see if she is there.
I don’t think it was destroyed by out side “forces” as there would probably be remnants of the web somewhere around. I am told that many orb spiders spin the web for a short time only to eat it later and spin another one the next night. I don’t know if this is what happened or not, but I plan to look there tonight to see if she is there.
Role Model
Normally, I read “Parade” magazine, which is included in our Sunday newspaper. There isn’t usually that much in there that interests me, but some of the continuing columns, etc. have value to me. This week, however, I was taken by an article about the chief of police of Washington, D.C.
Her name (yes, “her”) is Cathy Lanier and she is a great example of someone who has not only overcome her childhood and teen years (she was a pregnant high school drop-out at age 14), but has taken on the (still predominantly) male establishment with grit and toughness.
I don’t know any more about her than what is in the article (http://www.parade.com/news/2009/08/02-new-ways-to-stop-crime.html) but I always like to hear stories like this. It does my heart good to know that people can indeed rise above the circumstance of life they are in and be a good role model for others in a similar situation. I am especially pleased when women or minorities are featured in ways such as this and hope the day will come when this kind of success becomes the total norm for everyone.
Her name (yes, “her”) is Cathy Lanier and she is a great example of someone who has not only overcome her childhood and teen years (she was a pregnant high school drop-out at age 14), but has taken on the (still predominantly) male establishment with grit and toughness.
I don’t know any more about her than what is in the article (http://www.parade.com/news/2009/08/02-new-ways-to-stop-crime.html) but I always like to hear stories like this. It does my heart good to know that people can indeed rise above the circumstance of life they are in and be a good role model for others in a similar situation. I am especially pleased when women or minorities are featured in ways such as this and hope the day will come when this kind of success becomes the total norm for everyone.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Spiders and Things
Tonight I saw the first orb spider and her web outside. Is that a harbinger of the fall season to come?
I had gone out the front door to just look around about 10:15 tonight and saw right beside the outdoor light a web and large orb spider right in the middle of it. She had built in a good place as the light was on and was attracting bugs. It looked like a few had already been caught.
I am fascinated by these spiders and the engineering that they do when they build a web. They must have a sense of where they are and what is in their near environment in order to fasten the web to the right places. They must also have some sense of weather, wind, and other factors.
I’ve never seen a spider build a web. I’d love to do that. One of these days, maybe I’ll get the chance.
Otherwise, this day was a great day. The temperature was about 80 degrees and the wind was cool from the north. There were birds and dragonflies in the air and the day was one of general chores and relaxation from the harried work week just past. Those kinds of days are few and far between, it seems.
Tomorrow will be warmer, but pleasant, they say. Perhaps by evening I’ll be ready for the work week to come, but for now I’ll enjoy this evening and night.
I had gone out the front door to just look around about 10:15 tonight and saw right beside the outdoor light a web and large orb spider right in the middle of it. She had built in a good place as the light was on and was attracting bugs. It looked like a few had already been caught.
I am fascinated by these spiders and the engineering that they do when they build a web. They must have a sense of where they are and what is in their near environment in order to fasten the web to the right places. They must also have some sense of weather, wind, and other factors.
I’ve never seen a spider build a web. I’d love to do that. One of these days, maybe I’ll get the chance.
Otherwise, this day was a great day. The temperature was about 80 degrees and the wind was cool from the north. There were birds and dragonflies in the air and the day was one of general chores and relaxation from the harried work week just past. Those kinds of days are few and far between, it seems.
Tomorrow will be warmer, but pleasant, they say. Perhaps by evening I’ll be ready for the work week to come, but for now I’ll enjoy this evening and night.
Saturday Things
After a week at work that seemed to be one disaster after another, waking up today at 8:45am was almost heaven. I must have been really tired because a storm came through last night and I never heard it. Normally, I hear those things readily and wake up.
So this morning has been slow so far. I’ve made coffee, checked the rain gauge (just over an inch) and read the paper. On the agenda today is checking out a tire store for new tires for the car and let’s see…what else was there?
My sister and sister-in-law are spending their last few days on vacation before they start back with their respective school systems. One is a teacher; the other a psychologist. The teacher says she has been working to get ready for the fall for some time now, and even the psychologist has things to do over the summer break.
Although it seems that the summer break is a long time off for school employees, and although I joke with them about it from time to time, I know that when they are at work, they give 110% . in an environment and in a job that not many can do because very few have what it takes to do the job and do it right. The time off is well-earned.
It’s kind of like all of the complaints I’m hearing nowadays regarding President Obama’s frequent trips to here or there, sometimes with his family in tow. The man is the leader of the free world, for heaven’s sake. I don’t care what the person’s politics is…whatever “perks” one might receive do not adequately compensate for the stress, turmoil, responsibility, and constant living in a glass house that come with the presidency.
They earn Secret Service protection after they are no longer President. They earn generous stipends to maintain an office after leaving office. They earn the pension given to each of them. They earn the permanent respect and dignity that befalls such service.
I suppose it’s time to get up and do something, even if it’s wrong. I enjoy days like this and hope your Saturday is just as enjoyable.
So this morning has been slow so far. I’ve made coffee, checked the rain gauge (just over an inch) and read the paper. On the agenda today is checking out a tire store for new tires for the car and let’s see…what else was there?
My sister and sister-in-law are spending their last few days on vacation before they start back with their respective school systems. One is a teacher; the other a psychologist. The teacher says she has been working to get ready for the fall for some time now, and even the psychologist has things to do over the summer break.
Although it seems that the summer break is a long time off for school employees, and although I joke with them about it from time to time, I know that when they are at work, they give 110% . in an environment and in a job that not many can do because very few have what it takes to do the job and do it right. The time off is well-earned.
It’s kind of like all of the complaints I’m hearing nowadays regarding President Obama’s frequent trips to here or there, sometimes with his family in tow. The man is the leader of the free world, for heaven’s sake. I don’t care what the person’s politics is…whatever “perks” one might receive do not adequately compensate for the stress, turmoil, responsibility, and constant living in a glass house that come with the presidency.
They earn Secret Service protection after they are no longer President. They earn generous stipends to maintain an office after leaving office. They earn the pension given to each of them. They earn the permanent respect and dignity that befalls such service.
I suppose it’s time to get up and do something, even if it’s wrong. I enjoy days like this and hope your Saturday is just as enjoyable.
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