Don't worry! That's just me keeping an eye out for Sally and the gopher! They both like to sneak into my garden when I'm not looking and chew things up!
These are a few of my favorite things!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Some Favorite Things
I would like to share with you some of the flowers that grew in my garden this year! Maybe they can help chase away the onset of the winter blues...
Don't worry! That's just me keeping an eye out for Sally and the gopher! They both like to sneak into my garden when I'm not looking and chew things up!
Don't worry! That's just me keeping an eye out for Sally and the gopher! They both like to sneak into my garden when I'm not looking and chew things up!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
What do you do in the summer time?
Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green? Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by? Is that what you do? So do I!
Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green? Do you swim in a pool, to keep your self cool, or swing in a tree up high? Is that what you do? So do I!
Oh what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green? Do you stand in muddy water because its too hotter, or eat lunch in the middle of a canal? Is that what you do? So do cows and horses....
As a delivery driver, I got to see some hilarious things. I think these two pictures are a couple of the funniest sites I happened upon out on the road. And trust me, the two different days I took these pictures, the temperature was in the 90's closing in on 100 degrees. The sun just blazed down from the clear blue sky baking everything. Fortunately for these two creatures, they had enough sense to take advantage of the cool water.
ANIMALS DO THE DARNEDEST THINGS!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oh, the Joy of On-Call
ON-CALL. I absolutely LOATHE giving up my weekend to work, but when the paycheck comes I don't mind so much anymore. Thus goes my relationship with on-call -- LOVE the extra money, DETEST having to work for it.
I spent last weekend working on-call. Friday night and Saturday went okay. When Sunday morning arrived, I looked out the window to see gray clouds and rain drizzling down. Wonderful, I thought.
To make my day even worse, my first page of the day was for a hospital bed delivery out to the middle of nowwhere. Rain steadily falling down. Long drive. Heavy equipment.
Once there, the bed didn't want to cooperate with me, so it took some time (not to mention nearly dropping it off the side of the patio) to get it into the house. By the time I was finished with the setup, I was frazzled and wet.
On my way home, through the rain, I couldn't imagine my day getting any better... I know what your thinking -- this is supposed to be a joyful blog...
I was driving through farm country (close to the middle of nowhere) when I passed a small corral that contained one of the cutest little animals in the whole wide world! I stood on my brakes and flipped the van around to have another look. This is what I saw:
Out standing dejectedly in the cold rain was the cutest little white donkey! He was standing next to his momma with his big floppy ears hanging down. He looked so forlorn. I hopped out of my van into the rain and walked over to the fence to have a better look and take pictures.
When I caught his attention, his ears perked up, but he wasn't too sure about me. His parents came over to investigate, so if he wanted to stay by his momma he had to come over too. He was so cute with his shy curiosity and oversized ears.
This cute little baby just made my day!!! How many of you can say that a cute little white ass turned your day around for the better? OH, WHAT JOY HIDES UNDER GRAY RAINY CLOUDS!!!
HEEEE-HAWWW!!!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
JOURNAL OF JOY
I have been thinking about what I could put on my blog. Life has been a little slow lately, and I wanted to get back into sharing my thoughts again. Then I remembered about a year ago I started a "Journal of Joy". I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my joy. I hope it brings a little into your life as well.
June 16th, 2009
Today I met a man who was married at age 17 and his wife was 15. They have been married for 73 years. How wonderful that must be!
I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance", and a beautiful couple danced a modified waltz to Enya's song, "Dreams Are More Precious." They danced so beautifully - full of meaning, heart and soul. I love watching dancers that can portray their emotions through their movements.
The words to Enya's song are as follows:
Come! See! High above.
Come! See! High in the heavens.
A new star shining bright
Out of darkness comes a light.
Come! Hear! Midnight chimes.
Come! Hear! Bells that are ringing.
And from a distant shore
Sounds of a Journey
Echo on.
This is the night, they say,
Everyone wants a dream.
This is the night, they say,
Nothing is as it seems.
Come! Sleep! Close your eyes.
Come! Sleep! Give me your sorrow.
And I'll keep watch for you
Until the dawn is breaking through
Until the morning wakens you
Come! Dream! Through the night.
Come! Dream! and then tomorrow
You'll see, your heart will know
Dreams are more precious than gold
This song is on Enya's Christmas album, which I love! I love the meaning in this song.
Afterward, I was watching Oprah, and they showed several children who have already faced life's threatening trials in their young lives. One was about a baby who only lived 99 days. The parents knew the baby would not live very long, so they documented the joy of having Eliot each of those 99 days.
I liked the idea of documenting the joy each day brings. I want to share with you the little joys I experience throughout my life that would usually go unnoticed. Today is the beginning of a joy filled blog!
OH HAPPY DAY!!!
June 16th, 2009
Today I met a man who was married at age 17 and his wife was 15. They have been married for 73 years. How wonderful that must be!
I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance", and a beautiful couple danced a modified waltz to Enya's song, "Dreams Are More Precious." They danced so beautifully - full of meaning, heart and soul. I love watching dancers that can portray their emotions through their movements.
The words to Enya's song are as follows:
Come! See! High above.
Come! See! High in the heavens.
A new star shining bright
Out of darkness comes a light.
Come! Hear! Midnight chimes.
Come! Hear! Bells that are ringing.
And from a distant shore
Sounds of a Journey
Echo on.
This is the night, they say,
Everyone wants a dream.
This is the night, they say,
Nothing is as it seems.
Come! Sleep! Close your eyes.
Come! Sleep! Give me your sorrow.
And I'll keep watch for you
Until the dawn is breaking through
Until the morning wakens you
Come! Dream! Through the night.
Come! Dream! and then tomorrow
You'll see, your heart will know
Dreams are more precious than gold
This song is on Enya's Christmas album, which I love! I love the meaning in this song.
Afterward, I was watching Oprah, and they showed several children who have already faced life's threatening trials in their young lives. One was about a baby who only lived 99 days. The parents knew the baby would not live very long, so they documented the joy of having Eliot each of those 99 days.
I liked the idea of documenting the joy each day brings. I want to share with you the little joys I experience throughout my life that would usually go unnoticed. Today is the beginning of a joy filled blog!
OH HAPPY DAY!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Olympic Lesson #7
This will be my final Olympic lesson, although there is so much more to be learned from all those amazing athletes. For some, this may also be one of the most important lessons. I dedicate this blog to the Vancouver Olympic Planning Committee.
I'm sure Vancouver started planning their opening ceremony even before it was announced they would be the host city. Over four years of preparation to make sure everything would be perfect. Every detail checked and re-checked and then checked again. I can't imagine the magnitude of stress the committee felt.
The opening ceremonies were phenomenal. My favorite part was when the whales swam across the arena and mist blew into the air as if they were surfacing for breath. That was AWESOME! The whole show was magical. It couldn't have been more perfect, until... it was time for the torch. Four holes opened in the floor, but only three pilars rose up. Something went wrong with the fourth pilar so it never appeared. That was the only flaw in the enthralling performance.
During the two weeks of competition, the Committee could have let the mistake slip into oblivion. However, when it came time for the closing ceremonies, a clown came out of the hole in the floor where the fourth pilar lay dormant. He grabbed two plugs and hooked them together. Sparks flew, and the fourth pilar came up. They had turned the flub into a comical moment for all the world to laugh.
What a perfect ending to a wonderful story. What a perfect lesson for me to learn. We will all make mistakes throughout our lives. We get upset, we cry, we pull our hair out, we yell, we scream, etc. What we really should be doing is gleaning the lessons we can learn from the mistake and then laugh at how silly it all is in the bigger scheme of things.
Congratulations Vancouver Olympic Planning Committee for putting together a wonderful two weeks!!! You deserve a gold medal for all your hard work! And thank you for not taking yourselves too seriously! We all need to laugh a little more!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
I'm sure Vancouver started planning their opening ceremony even before it was announced they would be the host city. Over four years of preparation to make sure everything would be perfect. Every detail checked and re-checked and then checked again. I can't imagine the magnitude of stress the committee felt.
The opening ceremonies were phenomenal. My favorite part was when the whales swam across the arena and mist blew into the air as if they were surfacing for breath. That was AWESOME! The whole show was magical. It couldn't have been more perfect, until... it was time for the torch. Four holes opened in the floor, but only three pilars rose up. Something went wrong with the fourth pilar so it never appeared. That was the only flaw in the enthralling performance.
During the two weeks of competition, the Committee could have let the mistake slip into oblivion. However, when it came time for the closing ceremonies, a clown came out of the hole in the floor where the fourth pilar lay dormant. He grabbed two plugs and hooked them together. Sparks flew, and the fourth pilar came up. They had turned the flub into a comical moment for all the world to laugh.
What a perfect ending to a wonderful story. What a perfect lesson for me to learn. We will all make mistakes throughout our lives. We get upset, we cry, we pull our hair out, we yell, we scream, etc. What we really should be doing is gleaning the lessons we can learn from the mistake and then laugh at how silly it all is in the bigger scheme of things.
Congratulations Vancouver Olympic Planning Committee for putting together a wonderful two weeks!!! You deserve a gold medal for all your hard work! And thank you for not taking yourselves too seriously! We all need to laugh a little more!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Olympic Lesson #6
Living in the Treasure Valley, the local news media mainly focused on the Olympic athletes that had roots here in Idaho. Each night we heard updates on how Jeret "Speedy" Peterson was doing. Little by little, his story came to light.
He lost his sister in a car accident. His parents divorced. As a youth Jeret demonstrated an amazing talent for Aerial skiing. In fact, at the age of 16 he made the U.S. Ski Team. He participated in the 2002 Olympics. He watched as his roommate commited suicide. He was the favorite to win Gold at the 2006 Winter Games, but fell short. This failure (the seeming proverbial "straw") sent him into a self-destructive tailspin that nearly had him take his own life.
Somewhere in all the turmoil he was going through, he found his ray of hope and hasn't let go of it since. Now he has earned himself a Silver Medal, and he has his eyes set on Gold the next time around.
If you find yourself, as Rascal Flats sings,"in a place so dark, you couldn't feel the light" I hope you will remember Speedy Peterson. I know I will! No matter what you are going through in life, you CAN make it through to find something wonderful waiting for you.
As a wise mother once told her son, "Come what may, and love it!" Keep that hope in your heart that there is a reason for your trials, lessons to be learned, and blessing to be had.
Congratulations, Jeret Peterson, on making it through the darkness and finding that SILVER lining!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
He lost his sister in a car accident. His parents divorced. As a youth Jeret demonstrated an amazing talent for Aerial skiing. In fact, at the age of 16 he made the U.S. Ski Team. He participated in the 2002 Olympics. He watched as his roommate commited suicide. He was the favorite to win Gold at the 2006 Winter Games, but fell short. This failure (the seeming proverbial "straw") sent him into a self-destructive tailspin that nearly had him take his own life.
Somewhere in all the turmoil he was going through, he found his ray of hope and hasn't let go of it since. Now he has earned himself a Silver Medal, and he has his eyes set on Gold the next time around.
If you find yourself, as Rascal Flats sings,"in a place so dark, you couldn't feel the light" I hope you will remember Speedy Peterson. I know I will! No matter what you are going through in life, you CAN make it through to find something wonderful waiting for you.
As a wise mother once told her son, "Come what may, and love it!" Keep that hope in your heart that there is a reason for your trials, lessons to be learned, and blessing to be had.
Congratulations, Jeret Peterson, on making it through the darkness and finding that SILVER lining!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Olympic Lesson #5
Throughout our lives we are all faced with challenges and triumphs that stir strong emotions within us. What do we do with those emotions? As for me, its like playing Pound-a-Mole at the carnival. Any time an emotions pops up I hammer it back down into its little hole. Why? Simple embarrassment.
Julia Mancuso was more lenient with her emotions during the Winter Games. When she won her silver medal in the Downhill, she danced on the podium with a tiara and and big smile. When her excellent slalom start was halted by her teammates crash, she broke down in tears of frustration. She had to vent a little and then she refocused.
Emotions are a part of all of us. If you watch children, their emotions run free. They may have some untimely outbursts, but afterward they are liberated to carry on with their lives. As adults we've learned to squelch our emotions. We bottle them, put a cork on them, and let them age. It seems, though, that the aging process only serves to make them more volatile. Then, like nitroglycerin, with the slightest jostle there comes a massive explosion.
Julia may have received some flac for her outburst, but sometimes you just need to cry. Like all natural things, emotions should be set free and not kept caged up. It may not be pretty, but we can feel so much better afterward.
Thank you, Julia Mancuso, for showing your human side. It IS okay to cry. Congratulations on your two well deserved silver medals!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Julia Mancuso was more lenient with her emotions during the Winter Games. When she won her silver medal in the Downhill, she danced on the podium with a tiara and and big smile. When her excellent slalom start was halted by her teammates crash, she broke down in tears of frustration. She had to vent a little and then she refocused.
Emotions are a part of all of us. If you watch children, their emotions run free. They may have some untimely outbursts, but afterward they are liberated to carry on with their lives. As adults we've learned to squelch our emotions. We bottle them, put a cork on them, and let them age. It seems, though, that the aging process only serves to make them more volatile. Then, like nitroglycerin, with the slightest jostle there comes a massive explosion.
Julia may have received some flac for her outburst, but sometimes you just need to cry. Like all natural things, emotions should be set free and not kept caged up. It may not be pretty, but we can feel so much better afterward.
Thank you, Julia Mancuso, for showing your human side. It IS okay to cry. Congratulations on your two well deserved silver medals!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Olympic Lesson #4
I don't know about you, but I was pretty excited that the U.S. and Canada hockey teams were playing for the Gold Medal. Although, after the first two goals by Canada, I got discouraged and turned off the television. When I returned to watch the highlights I couldn't beleive that the Americans had tied the score and the game had gone into overtime. What a nail-biter!
Then... I watched the Canadians score the winning goal. The U.S. goalie was down on his knees when the puck slipped passed him. In wretched despair he fell to his face on the ice. I can imagine the defeated thoughts that poured into his mind at that moment.
Afterward, a reporter managed to pull the goalie aside for an interview. You could tell he didn't want to answer any questions. His eyes were glazed over and he didn't smile once. It was hard to watch. I really felt sorry for him.
Much to my surprise and relief, later that evening at the closing ceremonies, they captured that same goalie walking into the stadium laughing and chatting with his friends while recording what was happening around him. I almost didn't recognize him until the announcer pointed him out. He was a completely different person -- almost Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-ish. I was so impressed with his RESILLIANCE!
We will all, at one time or another, face failure in our lives. The hard part comes in accepting it, learning from it, moving on, and knowing it will be okay. The lesson for me to work on is -- to love myself enough to realize that no matter what happens in life, I will still be me (hopefully wiser) and that is enough.
Congratulations, Canada, for showing the world that you are still the masters of hockey! And thank you, U.S. hockey goalie, for not letting this defeat really defeat you. In such a well-played game, it's hard for me to declare a loser.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Then... I watched the Canadians score the winning goal. The U.S. goalie was down on his knees when the puck slipped passed him. In wretched despair he fell to his face on the ice. I can imagine the defeated thoughts that poured into his mind at that moment.
Afterward, a reporter managed to pull the goalie aside for an interview. You could tell he didn't want to answer any questions. His eyes were glazed over and he didn't smile once. It was hard to watch. I really felt sorry for him.
Much to my surprise and relief, later that evening at the closing ceremonies, they captured that same goalie walking into the stadium laughing and chatting with his friends while recording what was happening around him. I almost didn't recognize him until the announcer pointed him out. He was a completely different person -- almost Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-ish. I was so impressed with his RESILLIANCE!
We will all, at one time or another, face failure in our lives. The hard part comes in accepting it, learning from it, moving on, and knowing it will be okay. The lesson for me to work on is -- to love myself enough to realize that no matter what happens in life, I will still be me (hopefully wiser) and that is enough.
Congratulations, Canada, for showing the world that you are still the masters of hockey! And thank you, U.S. hockey goalie, for not letting this defeat really defeat you. In such a well-played game, it's hard for me to declare a loser.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Olympic lesson #3
This lesson is one of my favorites from the Winter Games.
I was scanning through some highlight clips of the speed skating events when I came across a picture of a German skater sprawled on her belly, arms and legs flailing a little, sliding across the finish line.
With my curiosity piqued, I clicked to watch the full video. The race was Womens Team Pursuit. It is a distance relay where three skaters on the same team skate in line and switch leads every so often. The race had been long, and I'm sure the skaters thighs and buns were burning with fatigue.
At the very end, coming down to the finish line, Anna Friesinger-Postma faltered and fell a little behind her teammates. She fought to catch up, but just before the finish line, she lost her balance and went down. Since it is the last skater's skate to cross the line that stops the clock, Anna nearly did the splits to get her foot across the line.
She put her head in her arms in defeat and pounded the ice with her fist as she continued to slide. Her body language screamed frustration at letting her team down. They had the lead, and she thought she had lost it.
When she finally lifted her head to look at the results, her anguish turned to surprise, then to relief, and finally triumph. Even though she had made a terrible error, she still managed to win.
The trials we face in life will wear us down. Our muscles -- physical or mental or spiritual-- may burn with the exertion. We may lose our balance and fall down. However, even when we are flailing on the ground, we can still be moving forward. We can still finish the race. And, maybe -- just maybe -- we might even win.
I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!
Thank you Anna for fighting to the end! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
I was scanning through some highlight clips of the speed skating events when I came across a picture of a German skater sprawled on her belly, arms and legs flailing a little, sliding across the finish line.
With my curiosity piqued, I clicked to watch the full video. The race was Womens Team Pursuit. It is a distance relay where three skaters on the same team skate in line and switch leads every so often. The race had been long, and I'm sure the skaters thighs and buns were burning with fatigue.
At the very end, coming down to the finish line, Anna Friesinger-Postma faltered and fell a little behind her teammates. She fought to catch up, but just before the finish line, she lost her balance and went down. Since it is the last skater's skate to cross the line that stops the clock, Anna nearly did the splits to get her foot across the line.
She put her head in her arms in defeat and pounded the ice with her fist as she continued to slide. Her body language screamed frustration at letting her team down. They had the lead, and she thought she had lost it.
When she finally lifted her head to look at the results, her anguish turned to surprise, then to relief, and finally triumph. Even though she had made a terrible error, she still managed to win.
The trials we face in life will wear us down. Our muscles -- physical or mental or spiritual-- may burn with the exertion. We may lose our balance and fall down. However, even when we are flailing on the ground, we can still be moving forward. We can still finish the race. And, maybe -- just maybe -- we might even win.
I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!
Thank you Anna for fighting to the end! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Olympic Lesson #2
Two words: JOANNIE ROCHETTE
I'm not sure I need to say any more. Just seeing her name conjures feelings of respect and admiration. Oh! To have such determination, grace and poise!
Her skating was a perfect venue to channel her emotions. As the announcer proclaimed, "To skate in the moment means much more than the competition." Rarely have I seen anything more beautiful that someone caught living in the moment. Magic happens in "the moment".
The lesson I take from this tremendous Bronze medalist is to learn to take each moment and realize it has a purpose, good or bad. In those moments something magnificent can be found that opens our eyes to the bigger picture and changes us for good.
Thank you Joannie Rochette, and congratulations on your triumph!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!
I'm not sure I need to say any more. Just seeing her name conjures feelings of respect and admiration. Oh! To have such determination, grace and poise!
Her skating was a perfect venue to channel her emotions. As the announcer proclaimed, "To skate in the moment means much more than the competition." Rarely have I seen anything more beautiful that someone caught living in the moment. Magic happens in "the moment".
The lesson I take from this tremendous Bronze medalist is to learn to take each moment and realize it has a purpose, good or bad. In those moments something magnificent can be found that opens our eyes to the bigger picture and changes us for good.
Thank you Joannie Rochette, and congratulations on your triumph!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Olympic Lesson #1
Now that the 2010 Winter Olympics are over, I want to reflect back on lessons that I can learn from those amazing 17 days. I am a little sad that they are over. I was inspired to be faster, stronger, and to reach higher for my life-goals. Now, I must find a way to keep that flame burning inside of me.
So here is lesson #1:
Of course, it comes from Lindsey Vonn - the Olympic "cover-girl". Yes, you might be a little tired of hearing her name, but I really enjoyed watching her. She provides an excellent example of dedication, strength, fearlessness, and perseverance. I listened to one of her teammates describe her. She said that Lindsey reached a point in her career where she realized that talent could only take her so far. If she wanted to be the best she was going to have to work for it, and work HARD. Lindsey decided she wanted to do the work, and look where it got her!
Growing up I knew I had talent in a lot of areas, and that got me to a nice place without any seriously hard work. I had fun. I never realized that if I really wanted to achieve my dreams I would have to dig down deep and WORK for them. Maybe I came to this realization a little later in life, BUT at least I realize it now. I have dreams that need to be reached! I have goals to fulfill! So, let's not be afraid of the hard work it takes to find fulfillment in this life.
This amazing skier has stumbled, fallen, and completely wiped out, on several occasions. Did that stop her? NO WAY! She got right back on those skis (after a little cheese therapy) and went for it again! After the first fall, my fear usually gets the best of me, and I bow my head in defeat. Well, NOT ANY MORE!!! I want to face my challenges and scream in their face, "BRING IT ON!!!" (with respectful humility, of course).
Lindsey, thank you for showing your example of dedication and desire to achieve greatness! Congratulations on reaching one of your dreams! Thank you for inspiring me to GET TO WORK to find the greatness within myself!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
So here is lesson #1:
Of course, it comes from Lindsey Vonn - the Olympic "cover-girl". Yes, you might be a little tired of hearing her name, but I really enjoyed watching her. She provides an excellent example of dedication, strength, fearlessness, and perseverance. I listened to one of her teammates describe her. She said that Lindsey reached a point in her career where she realized that talent could only take her so far. If she wanted to be the best she was going to have to work for it, and work HARD. Lindsey decided she wanted to do the work, and look where it got her!
Growing up I knew I had talent in a lot of areas, and that got me to a nice place without any seriously hard work. I had fun. I never realized that if I really wanted to achieve my dreams I would have to dig down deep and WORK for them. Maybe I came to this realization a little later in life, BUT at least I realize it now. I have dreams that need to be reached! I have goals to fulfill! So, let's not be afraid of the hard work it takes to find fulfillment in this life.
This amazing skier has stumbled, fallen, and completely wiped out, on several occasions. Did that stop her? NO WAY! She got right back on those skis (after a little cheese therapy) and went for it again! After the first fall, my fear usually gets the best of me, and I bow my head in defeat. Well, NOT ANY MORE!!! I want to face my challenges and scream in their face, "BRING IT ON!!!" (with respectful humility, of course).
Lindsey, thank you for showing your example of dedication and desire to achieve greatness! Congratulations on reaching one of your dreams! Thank you for inspiring me to GET TO WORK to find the greatness within myself!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Two Wrongs Don't Make Right
I made the mistake of reading the news a while back... The topic: Anti-Homosexual Bill in Uganda. Let us discuss.
Of course, it's TOTALLY wrong that Uganda tried to pass this bill in the first place. That goes without saying. If you follow that line of execution logic, you eventually end with genocide.
To add to my disgust, the article posed the question, "Should homosexuals face execution?" Bill from Guildford posted: "Totally agree. Ought to be imposed in the UK too, asap. Bring back some respectable family values... Why do we have to suffer 'gay pride' festivals?"
My answer to Bill's question is: If we have to suffer bigoted idiots like you, why not?
I digress... I would like to focus on his suggestion of "family values." Remind me, what part of the execution instills family values? I can imagine a lesson of family values at Bill's home -- "Son, you should love your neighbor, unless he is different, then you must kill him."
Why is it so hard for us to live and let live without inciting violence? To me, family values denote kindness and respect. If we want family values, maybe we should stop de-valuing others who are different.
We may all look different, think different, and even act different, BUT we are all human beings. We all want to find joy in life. We all want to be accepted for who we are. We all want to live free.
To Bill, I say - I love you, but your wrong. Now go and be happy and allow others to find some happiness as well in their own way.
I will step off my soap box now, and finish watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games -- one of those special places where differences are seemingly forgotten for a moment...
Of course, it's TOTALLY wrong that Uganda tried to pass this bill in the first place. That goes without saying. If you follow that line of execution logic, you eventually end with genocide.
To add to my disgust, the article posed the question, "Should homosexuals face execution?" Bill from Guildford posted: "Totally agree. Ought to be imposed in the UK too, asap. Bring back some respectable family values... Why do we have to suffer 'gay pride' festivals?"
My answer to Bill's question is: If we have to suffer bigoted idiots like you, why not?
I digress... I would like to focus on his suggestion of "family values." Remind me, what part of the execution instills family values? I can imagine a lesson of family values at Bill's home -- "Son, you should love your neighbor, unless he is different, then you must kill him."
Why is it so hard for us to live and let live without inciting violence? To me, family values denote kindness and respect. If we want family values, maybe we should stop de-valuing others who are different.
We may all look different, think different, and even act different, BUT we are all human beings. We all want to find joy in life. We all want to be accepted for who we are. We all want to live free.
To Bill, I say - I love you, but your wrong. Now go and be happy and allow others to find some happiness as well in their own way.
I will step off my soap box now, and finish watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games -- one of those special places where differences are seemingly forgotten for a moment...
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Audible Emotion
I love the emotions that surface by listening to music. Certain words paired with certain musical notes can make you laugh, cry, rage, or relax. Why is it so powerful?
Just the other day, I cried over a song. The song was by a band name "Plumb" - the title, "In My Arms". The music is about a mother telling her child that no matter what life throws at him, he could always find safety in her arms.
I hadn't thought of my mom for a little while. She passed away thirteen years ago. Before that time, I knew I could always turn to my mom in times of need. When she died, I thought someone had played a cruel joke on me. For twenty years she had protected me from life's storms. Suddenly, she was gone and I was left exposed.
I understand now, what I thought was a cruel joke, was actually one of life's lessons I needed to learn. I now see my father offering me the same shelter. I never saw it before. He was "The Man" of the house who made the money and enforced the rules.
Now I realize he too had always been there offering comfort and safety in his own quiet, loving way. My relationship with him has grown and strengthened so much over the passing years. I know now that I can always turn to him any time and feel his love.
My wonderful father has given me insight to who God is. He gives me instructions on what is right and lays out the right path to take. However, when I stray from that path, He patiently waits with open arms for me to return.
And to think, all this stemmed from listening to a song...
I love you, Dad!!!
Just the other day, I cried over a song. The song was by a band name "Plumb" - the title, "In My Arms". The music is about a mother telling her child that no matter what life throws at him, he could always find safety in her arms.
I hadn't thought of my mom for a little while. She passed away thirteen years ago. Before that time, I knew I could always turn to my mom in times of need. When she died, I thought someone had played a cruel joke on me. For twenty years she had protected me from life's storms. Suddenly, she was gone and I was left exposed.
I understand now, what I thought was a cruel joke, was actually one of life's lessons I needed to learn. I now see my father offering me the same shelter. I never saw it before. He was "The Man" of the house who made the money and enforced the rules.
Now I realize he too had always been there offering comfort and safety in his own quiet, loving way. My relationship with him has grown and strengthened so much over the passing years. I know now that I can always turn to him any time and feel his love.
My wonderful father has given me insight to who God is. He gives me instructions on what is right and lays out the right path to take. However, when I stray from that path, He patiently waits with open arms for me to return.
And to think, all this stemmed from listening to a song...
I love you, Dad!!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Cubicle Revealed
In my readings, I am learning about becoming a better writer. One of the suggested activities was to take a look around my house or office space, describe what I saw, and then write what these things say about the type of person I am. I chose my cubicle. My room was too messy to describe...
Here is a list of personal items in my cubicle: two small plants, a Northwest Nazarene University mug, a Magic 8 Ball, family pictures, the Olympic motto, and a pen drawing of my hand. The rest is all work related items. My cubicle is a pretty good size, and yes, I do have a lot of empty space in it. So, what does all this say about me?
Here is my answer (an maybe you have a few insights you would like to add). My plants give me a small reminder of the beauty that lies outside of work. I loved being a delivery driver just for the fact of all the wonderful natural things I saw. Besides, these plants are ALIVE! For some reason, that brings me peace.
I am proud of my education that only took me 33 years to complete. I think it has also instilled in me a desire to continue learning. I feel dead when I'm not learning something new. To go along with that, my Magic 8 Ball shows a desire for answers. I want to know, and sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to ask for help when I don't know the answer. I think the Olympic Motto also fits into this group. The motto stands for always striving to be the best you can.
My family is a VERY important aspect of my life. They bring such joy and happiness to me. More importantly, they love me no matter what I do. I have countless memories of family reunions, camping trips, game nights, dinners, and just being a family. WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!! How did I get so lucky??? I love them SO much!
The pen drawing demonstrates the beauty that can be found within me. I cannot own this talent, because I feel it comes from God. Through art I feel a little divinity working its way through me and gives me a sense of something greater. For this reason, I love to draw.
Finally, I will focus on the empty space in my cubicle. What does that say about me? I don't like clutter? I have emptiness inside me? I'm a blank page? Or, am I afraid to display what is truly there? I would have to answer yes to all these questions. I like to keep things as simple as possible. Complications have a tendency to bring chaos. I flounder in chaos.
As for the emptiness, don't we all have a little dead space inside us? Mine comes from past mistakes, lost opportunities, and events that were beyond my control. I keep it around for a reason. Emptiness can be a very good teacher. Yes, it does make me sad, however, it has also helped me to become more understanding and a little more patient.
Fear has always held me back from my true desires. When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut or an oceanographer. Then I was introduced to Calculus and Physics. SCARY! My fear of failing those two subjects kept me from my dreams of walking in space or diving in the deep blue sea. My fears can be so paralyzing.
As true as these answers may be to the question of empty space, I would rather see that empty space as future potential. I am taking baby steps to overcome my fears. I am working to fill that emptiness with understanding and love. I am working to bring out what lies cowering in the shadows of my soul.
The one thing I have learned through all my triumphs and failures is to KEEP ON STRIVING. I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - "Never give up! Never surrender!" That is my motto. I may fall down. I may take a few steps backward. BUT, I will keep on trying.
Here is a list of personal items in my cubicle: two small plants, a Northwest Nazarene University mug, a Magic 8 Ball, family pictures, the Olympic motto, and a pen drawing of my hand. The rest is all work related items. My cubicle is a pretty good size, and yes, I do have a lot of empty space in it. So, what does all this say about me?
Here is my answer (an maybe you have a few insights you would like to add). My plants give me a small reminder of the beauty that lies outside of work. I loved being a delivery driver just for the fact of all the wonderful natural things I saw. Besides, these plants are ALIVE! For some reason, that brings me peace.
I am proud of my education that only took me 33 years to complete. I think it has also instilled in me a desire to continue learning. I feel dead when I'm not learning something new. To go along with that, my Magic 8 Ball shows a desire for answers. I want to know, and sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to ask for help when I don't know the answer. I think the Olympic Motto also fits into this group. The motto stands for always striving to be the best you can.
My family is a VERY important aspect of my life. They bring such joy and happiness to me. More importantly, they love me no matter what I do. I have countless memories of family reunions, camping trips, game nights, dinners, and just being a family. WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!! How did I get so lucky??? I love them SO much!
The pen drawing demonstrates the beauty that can be found within me. I cannot own this talent, because I feel it comes from God. Through art I feel a little divinity working its way through me and gives me a sense of something greater. For this reason, I love to draw.
Finally, I will focus on the empty space in my cubicle. What does that say about me? I don't like clutter? I have emptiness inside me? I'm a blank page? Or, am I afraid to display what is truly there? I would have to answer yes to all these questions. I like to keep things as simple as possible. Complications have a tendency to bring chaos. I flounder in chaos.
As for the emptiness, don't we all have a little dead space inside us? Mine comes from past mistakes, lost opportunities, and events that were beyond my control. I keep it around for a reason. Emptiness can be a very good teacher. Yes, it does make me sad, however, it has also helped me to become more understanding and a little more patient.
Fear has always held me back from my true desires. When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut or an oceanographer. Then I was introduced to Calculus and Physics. SCARY! My fear of failing those two subjects kept me from my dreams of walking in space or diving in the deep blue sea. My fears can be so paralyzing.
As true as these answers may be to the question of empty space, I would rather see that empty space as future potential. I am taking baby steps to overcome my fears. I am working to fill that emptiness with understanding and love. I am working to bring out what lies cowering in the shadows of my soul.
The one thing I have learned through all my triumphs and failures is to KEEP ON STRIVING. I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - "Never give up! Never surrender!" That is my motto. I may fall down. I may take a few steps backward. BUT, I will keep on trying.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Why Wander
Even though I have spent all but one year of my life in Idaho, I have always felt the urge to wander off. I'm not sure why. Even as a youngster, when our family would go on our summer camping trip I would have to wander off to explore my surroundings. Excitment can lie in the tiniest details.
Being my father's only daughter, my wandering tendencies have caused him more than just a little anxiety, I'm sure. As a teenager, after I was awarded my drivers license, I would take the car out for long drives whenever I could. I became well acquainted with the backroads of Eastern Idaho. I think I'm a wandering addict.
I blame this urge to wander on my ancestors. I mean, they did leave their homeland to wander half-way across the world to find peace and happiness. More recently, though, my grandma helped planted the wandering seed in me at an early age. Every summer, I would spend at least a week with my mother's mother, and she would take me and my brothers on long drives around the countryside. She told story after story of her life. It never got old for me. I loved it!
In college, once in a while my parents would lend me the family van to get around. I wandered off to quite a few new places including the Mud Lake snow goose migration route. Unfortunately, the snow goose migration was in the spring. In Rexburg, that means there are still snow drifts melting and muddy roads. The "family" van that is NOT four-wheel drive doesn't handle mud very well. Geese are migrating, I'm driving, mud is flying, one thing leads to another, and it takes a tractor to pull me out...
Now that I have moved away from home, I once again felt the desire to explore my new surroundings. My most memorable wandering was a four day road trip......alone..........witout telling anyone. Yes, I panicked my family to say the least, but MAN! I had a good time! My only regret was that no one was there to share in all the beautiful things I saw.
Now that I'm older and a teensy bit wiser, I only take short day trips around the area. I find myself turning more to books and my imagination to wander away. It's much safer, and people worry less about me. I am finding new and exciting places to wander off to, and I hope you will indulge me to share some of the treasures I find.
Being my father's only daughter, my wandering tendencies have caused him more than just a little anxiety, I'm sure. As a teenager, after I was awarded my drivers license, I would take the car out for long drives whenever I could. I became well acquainted with the backroads of Eastern Idaho. I think I'm a wandering addict.
I blame this urge to wander on my ancestors. I mean, they did leave their homeland to wander half-way across the world to find peace and happiness. More recently, though, my grandma helped planted the wandering seed in me at an early age. Every summer, I would spend at least a week with my mother's mother, and she would take me and my brothers on long drives around the countryside. She told story after story of her life. It never got old for me. I loved it!
In college, once in a while my parents would lend me the family van to get around. I wandered off to quite a few new places including the Mud Lake snow goose migration route. Unfortunately, the snow goose migration was in the spring. In Rexburg, that means there are still snow drifts melting and muddy roads. The "family" van that is NOT four-wheel drive doesn't handle mud very well. Geese are migrating, I'm driving, mud is flying, one thing leads to another, and it takes a tractor to pull me out...
Now that I have moved away from home, I once again felt the desire to explore my new surroundings. My most memorable wandering was a four day road trip......alone..........witout telling anyone. Yes, I panicked my family to say the least, but MAN! I had a good time! My only regret was that no one was there to share in all the beautiful things I saw.
Now that I'm older and a teensy bit wiser, I only take short day trips around the area. I find myself turning more to books and my imagination to wander away. It's much safer, and people worry less about me. I am finding new and exciting places to wander off to, and I hope you will indulge me to share some of the treasures I find.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Crime and Punishment
Whoever invented a treadmill with a TV on it deserves a place in heaven! Watching TV makes the time go by so much faster than mindlessly jogging in silence.
While jogging on the treadmill I managed to turn to the PBS World station. The show was a documentary about a small Pennsylvania town in the late 1800's that was completely destroyed when a dam broke.
One part of the show discussed certain thieves who cam through and robbed the dead bodies that had been buried in the rubble. The men of the town actually caught one of the thieves red-handed. They made him empty his pockets, and one of the items he stole was a young girl's ring that was still on her finger. He cut off the finger for the ring!
The men of the town were so infuriated that they immediately found some rope and promptly hung the man from the nearest tree branch. As the thief hung struggling for breath, the men aimed their rifles and shot at the criminal.
I can understand their anger and frustration at such a crime. However, I have to ask myself -- was this thief justly sentenced? Were the men of the town just as guilty of criminal activity? Does one wrong turn deserve another?
I ponder....
While jogging on the treadmill I managed to turn to the PBS World station. The show was a documentary about a small Pennsylvania town in the late 1800's that was completely destroyed when a dam broke.
One part of the show discussed certain thieves who cam through and robbed the dead bodies that had been buried in the rubble. The men of the town actually caught one of the thieves red-handed. They made him empty his pockets, and one of the items he stole was a young girl's ring that was still on her finger. He cut off the finger for the ring!
The men of the town were so infuriated that they immediately found some rope and promptly hung the man from the nearest tree branch. As the thief hung struggling for breath, the men aimed their rifles and shot at the criminal.
I can understand their anger and frustration at such a crime. However, I have to ask myself -- was this thief justly sentenced? Were the men of the town just as guilty of criminal activity? Does one wrong turn deserve another?
I ponder....
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