I began writing this blog a year ago on October 1st. I wasn't sure if I could keep this up on a daily basis, yet have found it to be an amazing opportunity for study and reflection.
Last October I chose 31 of my favorite Psalms to look at and write about. I will look at another 31 Psalms this October.
I'm thrilled that so many of you continue to read along with me.
If you know someone who would enjoy this, please invite them to join me. Give them my email address (nammynools (@) cox (.) net) and I will get them on the daily email list. Otherwise, they can check out the blog online.
If you find that you are receiving too much email from me, please don't hesitate to ask me to remove you from the list. I take no offense, life happens too quickly these days and emails can have a tendency to drown us.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
50 Years of Learning
Well, this is just freakin' weird. I turned 50 today and I'm not yet sure what to do with that! When my father turned 50, he was old. My mother didn't make it to 50. I don't feel old. In fact, right now I feel better than I have in years! So ... today has been weird.
What have I learned in the last 50 years? A lot. The problem is, I don't seem to actually apply all of that learning on a consistent basis. You'd think that the wisdom of these ages would cause me to be more self-confident, less judgmental, more positive, less gossip-filled, (you get the idea). And yet, I seem to be the same girl that is filled with fears and insanity that I was as a child.
So, what have I learned?
I've learned ...
...a lot about what I like and dislike. It's time for me to step forward and enjoy the things that I like and discard the others.
...that material items will drag me down. Stuff is in my way constantly. I spent a lot of years collecting the junk that I just want to be rid of at this point.
...that I love technology. I love physics and math. I love being a geek / a nerd ... whatever you want to call it. I don't have the experience and education needed to actually succeed at all of those things, but that doesn't mean I can't love it!
...that I love being around creative, brilliant people. If we hang around together, trust me, you are one of those people and if I've lost track of you and we ever did hang around together, trust me, you are one of those people. When I was younger, I never really paid attention to the fact that I was drawn to that, but wow I really am.
...that love is easy to give. Easier than most people allow it to be. There is nothing better than actually saying the words 'I love you' to people who surround me. I mean it - every time I say it. Love is everything - the essence of every relationship. We withhold those words too often.
...that it is better to walk away from an argument than to fight for my rights or my opinion. I'd rather have a relationship than be right.
...that sometimes things in the past will mess you up and you may never, ever get past them. But, I've also learned that if they stay hidden and silent, you will get eaten up by them.
...that people who walked in and out of your life over the years never really leave your heart. Relationships are so important and I should never have released some of them without more of a fight.
...that change is better than stasis. Change always brings growth. And I'm never going to be too old to embrace change in my life.
...that I was much too young at the age of 17 to make life decisions for career, family, etc. What in the world was I thinking? In fact, I don't know if I'm really old enough now to be making these decisions.
...that money makes life easier in some cases, but causes us to obsess about things we shouldn't waste our time thinking about. It's really not worth it. Big houses, fancy cars, expensive items replace relationships. I'd rather live in a cabin in the woods (oh yah ... I'm loving it) than a mansion on the hill so that I can spend money on my friends and family rather than on stuff.
...that nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus Christ. I have been through so much in these last 50 years and there were times that I openly worried about losing my faith because of the extreme intensity of the crisis. But, even through ups and downs in my relationship with God, I still can't imagine being anywhere but in His arms when all is said and done.
...the greatest blessings in my life are people.
What have I learned in the last 50 years? A lot. The problem is, I don't seem to actually apply all of that learning on a consistent basis. You'd think that the wisdom of these ages would cause me to be more self-confident, less judgmental, more positive, less gossip-filled, (you get the idea). And yet, I seem to be the same girl that is filled with fears and insanity that I was as a child.
So, what have I learned?
I've learned ...
...a lot about what I like and dislike. It's time for me to step forward and enjoy the things that I like and discard the others.
...that material items will drag me down. Stuff is in my way constantly. I spent a lot of years collecting the junk that I just want to be rid of at this point.
...that I love technology. I love physics and math. I love being a geek / a nerd ... whatever you want to call it. I don't have the experience and education needed to actually succeed at all of those things, but that doesn't mean I can't love it!
...that I love being around creative, brilliant people. If we hang around together, trust me, you are one of those people and if I've lost track of you and we ever did hang around together, trust me, you are one of those people. When I was younger, I never really paid attention to the fact that I was drawn to that, but wow I really am.
...that love is easy to give. Easier than most people allow it to be. There is nothing better than actually saying the words 'I love you' to people who surround me. I mean it - every time I say it. Love is everything - the essence of every relationship. We withhold those words too often.
...that it is better to walk away from an argument than to fight for my rights or my opinion. I'd rather have a relationship than be right.
...that sometimes things in the past will mess you up and you may never, ever get past them. But, I've also learned that if they stay hidden and silent, you will get eaten up by them.
...that people who walked in and out of your life over the years never really leave your heart. Relationships are so important and I should never have released some of them without more of a fight.
...that change is better than stasis. Change always brings growth. And I'm never going to be too old to embrace change in my life.
...that I was much too young at the age of 17 to make life decisions for career, family, etc. What in the world was I thinking? In fact, I don't know if I'm really old enough now to be making these decisions.
...that money makes life easier in some cases, but causes us to obsess about things we shouldn't waste our time thinking about. It's really not worth it. Big houses, fancy cars, expensive items replace relationships. I'd rather live in a cabin in the woods (oh yah ... I'm loving it) than a mansion on the hill so that I can spend money on my friends and family rather than on stuff.
...that nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus Christ. I have been through so much in these last 50 years and there were times that I openly worried about losing my faith because of the extreme intensity of the crisis. But, even through ups and downs in my relationship with God, I still can't imagine being anywhere but in His arms when all is said and done.
...the greatest blessings in my life are people.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Bits of Life
Well, I got the information back from my professor today on the first paper I handed in. APA standards. Blech. I have to figure out how the University of Phoenix expects papers to be formatted. Fortunately there is an add-on for MS Word that will assist me in this and the more I read, the more I understand. But ... blech. And I did not get it right on the first paper.
However, out of 200 points, I managed to get 190. He was generous with my lack of APA knowledge. I doubt that I get that grace on this next paper.
Comparative Religion is an interesting topic for me and for many of the other students in the class. We have a desperate desire to avoid sounding bigoted, but many of the class members are quite obviously Christians and we find ourselves trying our best to be open minded about beliefs in other cultures and religions.
The paper I am working on right now is on the Sacred Elements of Hinduism. Now, this is a fascinating religion. There are many gods and goddesses and many different ways to worship and actually be part of Hinduism. We see much of it in the Western world. In fact, there are Hindu temples going up all around us. One is being built on Hwy 17 in Iowa and I drive past it every time I head to the cabin. I really need to stop in and see what's up.
So, I'll turn in the paper on Tuesday or Wednesday and panic for another week regarding the grade. Yup, I'm that person.
Jim & Janet, Jacob and Carol got back from the cabin this afternoon after another period of construction. There are now walls around the shower. Awesome! Little by little we will get the cabin to a new state of perfection. Something that will last for the next 40 years. And one of these days I will actually have internet in there. When that happens, don't think for a minute that it will be easy to drag me back to civilization. A shower AND the internet. Really, what more could a girl ask for? Well, maybe better heating and air conditioning ... but ... ok.
However, out of 200 points, I managed to get 190. He was generous with my lack of APA knowledge. I doubt that I get that grace on this next paper.
Comparative Religion is an interesting topic for me and for many of the other students in the class. We have a desperate desire to avoid sounding bigoted, but many of the class members are quite obviously Christians and we find ourselves trying our best to be open minded about beliefs in other cultures and religions.
The paper I am working on right now is on the Sacred Elements of Hinduism. Now, this is a fascinating religion. There are many gods and goddesses and many different ways to worship and actually be part of Hinduism. We see much of it in the Western world. In fact, there are Hindu temples going up all around us. One is being built on Hwy 17 in Iowa and I drive past it every time I head to the cabin. I really need to stop in and see what's up.
So, I'll turn in the paper on Tuesday or Wednesday and panic for another week regarding the grade. Yup, I'm that person.
Jim & Janet, Jacob and Carol got back from the cabin this afternoon after another period of construction. There are now walls around the shower. Awesome! Little by little we will get the cabin to a new state of perfection. Something that will last for the next 40 years. And one of these days I will actually have internet in there. When that happens, don't think for a minute that it will be easy to drag me back to civilization. A shower AND the internet. Really, what more could a girl ask for? Well, maybe better heating and air conditioning ... but ... ok.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Astronomy dork wannabe
I have always loved the night sky, but I have also been wholly intimidated by those that know it so well. So, learning about the stars was one of those things I put off until I had plenty of time to absorb all of the knowledge I wanted to ensure that I had. I can find the Dippers and some of the other constellations if pushed, but I really don't have much information to share about the glories of the galaxy. However, I am an addict for deep space photos and anything that NASA wants to share with me.
One of the things that I waited and waited and waited for was enough money to purchase a telescope so that I could see beyond what the naked eye can view.
Amazon sent a coupon to me for a telescope and when I clicked through to the product, discovered a simple item that was inexpensive and with their discount found that I could purchase it for $29.95. Now, this telescope is no big deal and I'm not going to discover any comets or asteroids plummeting towards earth. I'm not going to change the world of astronomy or anything like that. I decided, however, that if I was every going to do this, now was the time, this was the telescope and I was going to sit in the meadow at Bell's Dell in the middle of the night and look at the stars.
The package just showed up at my front door and I am leaving this afternoon for the cabin. You have to believe that when it gets dark tonight, I will be taking my Jeep down to the meadow (I need a flat surface) and spending time with my telescope.
I can hardly wait. In fact, I got a little teary-eyed when I opened the package. This is just one of the portions of God's creations that I haven't taken the time to explore and I'm really excited! My brother says he has a nice telescope that hasn't gotten too much use. Huh ... he has a very nice backyard to look at the night sky. It's dark where he lives when the lights go out at night. So, who knows what information I'll have when next we chat. Maybe nothing ... maybe I'm just going to enjoy fields of stars and the beauty of the planets.
Maybe someday I'll be an astronomy dork ... instead of just a dork wannabe!
One of the things that I waited and waited and waited for was enough money to purchase a telescope so that I could see beyond what the naked eye can view.
Amazon sent a coupon to me for a telescope and when I clicked through to the product, discovered a simple item that was inexpensive and with their discount found that I could purchase it for $29.95. Now, this telescope is no big deal and I'm not going to discover any comets or asteroids plummeting towards earth. I'm not going to change the world of astronomy or anything like that. I decided, however, that if I was every going to do this, now was the time, this was the telescope and I was going to sit in the meadow at Bell's Dell in the middle of the night and look at the stars.
The package just showed up at my front door and I am leaving this afternoon for the cabin. You have to believe that when it gets dark tonight, I will be taking my Jeep down to the meadow (I need a flat surface) and spending time with my telescope.
I can hardly wait. In fact, I got a little teary-eyed when I opened the package. This is just one of the portions of God's creations that I haven't taken the time to explore and I'm really excited! My brother says he has a nice telescope that hasn't gotten too much use. Huh ... he has a very nice backyard to look at the night sky. It's dark where he lives when the lights go out at night. So, who knows what information I'll have when next we chat. Maybe nothing ... maybe I'm just going to enjoy fields of stars and the beauty of the planets.
Maybe someday I'll be an astronomy dork ... instead of just a dork wannabe!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
When in doubt ... learn
Ok, I'm taking another class - Comparative Religions. This is online through the University of Phoenix. It began last Tuesday and is only a 5 week class, but I will get three undergraduate credits for it.
This terrifies me. The Greek course is still in process. I keep waiting for the professor to post more information so I can progress. He's gotten caught up in a lot of projects. I'm totally giving him the benefit of the doubt. I'm trying to not be annoyed by the whole thing. Sigh.
But, this Comparative Religions course is freaking me out in a big way. You see ... I don't fail. However, I haven't taken a course for credit in 30 years. I have been doing a lot of learning over those 30 years, but no one has judged my knowledge or forced me to get approval for what feedback I give on my learning.
I wrote a paper this weekend, turned it in (early of course, because I am that person) and then went into full-blown meltdown. The teacher posted his grading rubric on Monday (the day the paper was due) and for a subjective paper (What is Your Personal Belief System), he was looking for references with citations. Really? I'm a (nearly) 50 year old, well-read, intelligent woman who has written this paper based on her own authority and her own knowledge.
So ... full-blown panicked meltdown began occurring inside my soul. Now, if this were a full-semester course, I wouldn't worry so much. I always expect the first couple of assignments to be my chance to test the waters with a professor. I figure out what he/she is looking for and then adjust my assignments accordingly. With a 5 week class, I do not have time to be playing those games.
I was more than a little annoyed that this grading rubric didn't show up the day the course started, so I'm holding my breath. If things go badly in this course, I'll probably make a little noise. If all goes well, I'm not stupid enough to muddy the waters. I'll let you know!
ANYWAY, I'm in the middle of learning a lot about indigenous religions, now into Hinduism and soon into Buddhism. The learning is rapid and a lot of fun! There is so much that I'm absorbing from all of this.
The disgusting thing is that my freaky husband already has this information in his head. Drives me batty. How can I tell him something interesting that I'm learning if he already knows it? Sigh ... oh well.
This terrifies me. The Greek course is still in process. I keep waiting for the professor to post more information so I can progress. He's gotten caught up in a lot of projects. I'm totally giving him the benefit of the doubt. I'm trying to not be annoyed by the whole thing. Sigh.
But, this Comparative Religions course is freaking me out in a big way. You see ... I don't fail. However, I haven't taken a course for credit in 30 years. I have been doing a lot of learning over those 30 years, but no one has judged my knowledge or forced me to get approval for what feedback I give on my learning.
I wrote a paper this weekend, turned it in (early of course, because I am that person) and then went into full-blown meltdown. The teacher posted his grading rubric on Monday (the day the paper was due) and for a subjective paper (What is Your Personal Belief System), he was looking for references with citations. Really? I'm a (nearly) 50 year old, well-read, intelligent woman who has written this paper based on her own authority and her own knowledge.
So ... full-blown panicked meltdown began occurring inside my soul. Now, if this were a full-semester course, I wouldn't worry so much. I always expect the first couple of assignments to be my chance to test the waters with a professor. I figure out what he/she is looking for and then adjust my assignments accordingly. With a 5 week class, I do not have time to be playing those games.
I was more than a little annoyed that this grading rubric didn't show up the day the course started, so I'm holding my breath. If things go badly in this course, I'll probably make a little noise. If all goes well, I'm not stupid enough to muddy the waters. I'll let you know!
ANYWAY, I'm in the middle of learning a lot about indigenous religions, now into Hinduism and soon into Buddhism. The learning is rapid and a lot of fun! There is so much that I'm absorbing from all of this.
The disgusting thing is that my freaky husband already has this information in his head. Drives me batty. How can I tell him something interesting that I'm learning if he already knows it? Sigh ... oh well.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Self-Discovery?
Ok, I'm thankful to all of my friends for not harassing me about my lack of posting to this blog. Either that or I'm annoyed at you all because you didn't miss me. (really, just kidding there - don't respond)
This has been an interesting summer. I'm not sure that I am fully ready to publicly talk about all that has been happening in my life, I tend to do that after I've finished a project, not while I'm in the middle of it. However, in order to get the words to begin flowing from my fingers again, I have to start somewhere. This is my home for that, so it's time.
Last April, I was confronted with myself. I gave myself four months to figure it out. Because, you see, next Tuesday is one of those birthdays that freaks me out. I was fine on my 40th birthday, but when I turned 41, I fell apart. The next years weren't a big deal, but I felt time slipping past me and knew that I was steadily losing my chance at grabbing the desires and my passions. I didn't know what to do about it. I had begun to shed some of the extraneous garbage in my life, a business that was dragging me down, a few of the bits of saved 'junk' in my house, but I was nowhere near being the person that I could be.
At the end of March, beginning of April, I was SLAMMED with the realization that I had allowed myself to become a person who accepted the status quo in my own life while expecting great things of everyone else. It was ok for me to rot away, but I wouldn't accept that in anyone else. I encouraged my friends and acquaintances to do big things, dream big dreams, but I didn't believe that I could actually accomplish anything more personally.
I looked back on the 30 years since leaving high school and saw failure after failure. I saw that I had accepted a life that manipulated me into being mundane. There were a few escapes, but that's all they were. I was dying and didn't believe that I would ever be able to do anything but that.
Until a friend told me, in essence, to stop it. I was so shaken by one conversation that I began to re-examine everything that I was and everything that I believed about myself. What I discovered was that I had put my life on hold and allowed myself to be an extension of the lives around me. I might have looked like I was in charge, but I was definitely out of control of my own existence.
Four months later, I am dreaming big dreams, making big changes, finding my way back to a girl that believed she could do anything at all.
Admittedly, I'm a little more sensible than that 17 year old girl was. I probably won't become a physicist or an astronaut. But, I know that if I wanted to expend the energy and training, I could learn whatever it took to do those things.
The things that I do want to do are going to take a lot of creative energy and a lot of time. But, I'm not afraid of reaching for them now. I have to! I refuse to let the next 50 years of my life be spent waiting for someone to define my life and my ability.
Until I see a lot more positive change occur, I'm probably not going to write here about all that is happening in my life. I don't want to dream big dreams out loud, just in case they change and you all think I'm a complete flake. I am flexible. This is a journey. I'm not sure where we're (God and me) going. I trust Him and I trust that He has given me a mind, a conscience, a sense of purpose and placed His will and desire on my heart.
My goal through the month of September is to begin to write again. I don't feel like hiding any longer from the words that tell you what I'm doing.
This has been an interesting summer. I'm not sure that I am fully ready to publicly talk about all that has been happening in my life, I tend to do that after I've finished a project, not while I'm in the middle of it. However, in order to get the words to begin flowing from my fingers again, I have to start somewhere. This is my home for that, so it's time.
Last April, I was confronted with myself. I gave myself four months to figure it out. Because, you see, next Tuesday is one of those birthdays that freaks me out. I was fine on my 40th birthday, but when I turned 41, I fell apart. The next years weren't a big deal, but I felt time slipping past me and knew that I was steadily losing my chance at grabbing the desires and my passions. I didn't know what to do about it. I had begun to shed some of the extraneous garbage in my life, a business that was dragging me down, a few of the bits of saved 'junk' in my house, but I was nowhere near being the person that I could be.
At the end of March, beginning of April, I was SLAMMED with the realization that I had allowed myself to become a person who accepted the status quo in my own life while expecting great things of everyone else. It was ok for me to rot away, but I wouldn't accept that in anyone else. I encouraged my friends and acquaintances to do big things, dream big dreams, but I didn't believe that I could actually accomplish anything more personally.
I looked back on the 30 years since leaving high school and saw failure after failure. I saw that I had accepted a life that manipulated me into being mundane. There were a few escapes, but that's all they were. I was dying and didn't believe that I would ever be able to do anything but that.
Until a friend told me, in essence, to stop it. I was so shaken by one conversation that I began to re-examine everything that I was and everything that I believed about myself. What I discovered was that I had put my life on hold and allowed myself to be an extension of the lives around me. I might have looked like I was in charge, but I was definitely out of control of my own existence.
Four months later, I am dreaming big dreams, making big changes, finding my way back to a girl that believed she could do anything at all.
Admittedly, I'm a little more sensible than that 17 year old girl was. I probably won't become a physicist or an astronaut. But, I know that if I wanted to expend the energy and training, I could learn whatever it took to do those things.
The things that I do want to do are going to take a lot of creative energy and a lot of time. But, I'm not afraid of reaching for them now. I have to! I refuse to let the next 50 years of my life be spent waiting for someone to define my life and my ability.
Until I see a lot more positive change occur, I'm probably not going to write here about all that is happening in my life. I don't want to dream big dreams out loud, just in case they change and you all think I'm a complete flake. I am flexible. This is a journey. I'm not sure where we're (God and me) going. I trust Him and I trust that He has given me a mind, a conscience, a sense of purpose and placed His will and desire on my heart.
My goal through the month of September is to begin to write again. I don't feel like hiding any longer from the words that tell you what I'm doing.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
September Pour Out a Blessing blog
During the month of September, I am going to take a look at "The Word of God" and what scripture has to say about it on the Pour Out a Blessing blog. My Bible is a Thompson Chain Reference Bible and one of the treasures in it is the loving research that Dr. Frank Charles Thompson did in creating chains of information that flow through the Bible. I will be using his 'outline' for each day's lesson as I explore verses that speak to various points.
If you know someone that would like to join me on this daily journey through scripture, please invite them to either follow the blog, or email me at nammynools (at) cox (dot) net and I will put them on the daily mailing list. And remember, if these daily emails become too overwhelming, please let me know immediately and it will not offend me to take you off the list!
My greatest passion is the study of Scripture and my second greatest passion is teaching. It is such a joy for me to be able to share just a little bit of what I learn along the way as I read and study the Bible.
If you know someone that would like to join me on this daily journey through scripture, please invite them to either follow the blog, or email me at nammynools (at) cox (dot) net and I will put them on the daily mailing list. And remember, if these daily emails become too overwhelming, please let me know immediately and it will not offend me to take you off the list!
My greatest passion is the study of Scripture and my second greatest passion is teaching. It is such a joy for me to be able to share just a little bit of what I learn along the way as I read and study the Bible.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
August Pour Out a Blessing blog
I'm going to do things a little differently during the month of August on the Pour Out a Blessing blog. Rather than a specific book of the Bible or a topic, I have decided that I want to study and blog about some of my favorite passages throughout the Bible.
I will start with Genesis 1:1 and end the month in Revelation 22. That should pretty much cover the whole thing ... except for the fact that I am only choosing 31 specific passages that have intrigued me or stirred passion within me throughout my life. It's difficult for me to winnow these down, but I think that I will enjoy writing about the specific things I have chosen.
That you choose to read along with me is an honor and I appreciate that every time I write. Your faithfulness to my blog has caused me to remain faithful to reading and writing every day. I am very thankful.
If you know of someone else who would like to join me on this journey, please invite them to do so. They can get daily reminders by emailing me at nammynools (at) cox (dot) net or they can follow this blog or just pop in whenever they have time. And at any time, if you wish to be added to or removed from the email list, please just send me a quick email and I will adjust my contact list.
I will start with Genesis 1:1 and end the month in Revelation 22. That should pretty much cover the whole thing ... except for the fact that I am only choosing 31 specific passages that have intrigued me or stirred passion within me throughout my life. It's difficult for me to winnow these down, but I think that I will enjoy writing about the specific things I have chosen.
That you choose to read along with me is an honor and I appreciate that every time I write. Your faithfulness to my blog has caused me to remain faithful to reading and writing every day. I am very thankful.
If you know of someone else who would like to join me on this journey, please invite them to do so. They can get daily reminders by emailing me at nammynools (at) cox (dot) net or they can follow this blog or just pop in whenever they have time. And at any time, if you wish to be added to or removed from the email list, please just send me a quick email and I will adjust my contact list.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Iowa
I have tried to become much more alert to the things that I travel past as I go back and forth from Omaha to central Iowa. I find that I actually spend more time confused than I do enlightened, but at some point I will begin learning more and more about the cool things I see.
Yesterday, as I was traveling north on Highway 17, I saw a sign that read “Upper Midwest Manure Handlers Expo.” I was just a bit startled. Only because I’ve spent too much time living in a city!
As I glanced over to where it was being held, I saw tents going up and many, many cars, trucks and vans pulling in. Exhibitors were showing up to prepare for the event which was happening today. (I found it online, of course I did)
I need to do some more research, because information always needs to be flowing in my mind, but as I understand it, manure can be a great source of cash for hog producers (etc). And where there is cash, there is technology. All of a sudden I became fascinated. However, not enough so that I chose to pull in and wander the Expo … maybe another year.
Iowa is quietly filled with industry that reaches out to the entire globe. There is a lot here that I want to learn more about. This state holds secrets that I want to uncover. I am excited that halfway through my life, I look forward to rediscovering the state I grew up loving.
When we were young, Dad ensured that we saw some of the grand vistas of the United States during our vacations. But, he also took us around the state to see some of the wonders that could be found inside the borders. Last year I sent away for a tourist’s guide of Iowa, and as I glanced through it, the things that stuck out at me were the memories of a childhood spent discovering those places.
So far, I’ve been in a hurry to get here to the cabin and have only traveled the interstate to get here, but as time passes and I get more and more acclimated to staying here, I plan to travel the back roads that I’ve traveled throughout a lifetime, the county highways through small communities and past the beauty of rural Iowa.
This place truly is home to me. It’s where I’ve always lived even though I resided elsewhere.
Yesterday, as I was traveling north on Highway 17, I saw a sign that read “Upper Midwest Manure Handlers Expo.” I was just a bit startled. Only because I’ve spent too much time living in a city!
As I glanced over to where it was being held, I saw tents going up and many, many cars, trucks and vans pulling in. Exhibitors were showing up to prepare for the event which was happening today. (I found it online, of course I did)
I need to do some more research, because information always needs to be flowing in my mind, but as I understand it, manure can be a great source of cash for hog producers (etc). And where there is cash, there is technology. All of a sudden I became fascinated. However, not enough so that I chose to pull in and wander the Expo … maybe another year.
Iowa is quietly filled with industry that reaches out to the entire globe. There is a lot here that I want to learn more about. This state holds secrets that I want to uncover. I am excited that halfway through my life, I look forward to rediscovering the state I grew up loving.
When we were young, Dad ensured that we saw some of the grand vistas of the United States during our vacations. But, he also took us around the state to see some of the wonders that could be found inside the borders. Last year I sent away for a tourist’s guide of Iowa, and as I glanced through it, the things that stuck out at me were the memories of a childhood spent discovering those places.
So far, I’ve been in a hurry to get here to the cabin and have only traveled the interstate to get here, but as time passes and I get more and more acclimated to staying here, I plan to travel the back roads that I’ve traveled throughout a lifetime, the county highways through small communities and past the beauty of rural Iowa.
This place truly is home to me. It’s where I’ve always lived even though I resided elsewhere.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Walk on the Moon
My love of writing comes from my mother. Forty years ago, she was on a youth group mission trip to North Dakota when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. I remember the excitement of those days, when every piece of space news was treated with incredible awe and anticipation.
When mom returned from North Dakota, she wrote these words to remember the moment.
The black night sparkles
With the brilliant gems set
In its obsidian crown.
Above, limitless
Space stretches, a challenge
To the minds of humans.
Man has conquered space.
Now he walks the moon
Amid the gems of night.
He has within him
The power and glory
Of God himself.
Man walks the moon and
Down below, night children
Stalk the ghetto streets.
Thus the paradox
Of man's infinite mind.
He may walk the moon.
But he fails to heed
The cry of anguish of
His fellow mortals.
Little lower than
The angels, the psalmist
Sings. How much lower?
So far to go to
Reach the angels, so much
Farther than the moon
Margie Greenwood
July 26, 1969
When mom returned from North Dakota, she wrote these words to remember the moment.
The black night sparkles
With the brilliant gems set
In its obsidian crown.
Above, limitless
Space stretches, a challenge
To the minds of humans.
Man has conquered space.
Now he walks the moon
Amid the gems of night.
He has within him
The power and glory
Of God himself.
Man walks the moon and
Down below, night children
Stalk the ghetto streets.
Thus the paradox
Of man's infinite mind.
He may walk the moon.
But he fails to heed
The cry of anguish of
His fellow mortals.
Little lower than
The angels, the psalmist
Sings. How much lower?
So far to go to
Reach the angels, so much
Farther than the moon
Margie Greenwood
July 26, 1969
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday Travel photos
Here are a few of the photos from yesterday's travels through Iowa. Max is still working on processing a lot of them.
First off - the three veterans from the motorcycle club around Freedom Rock, just north of Greenfield, Iowa.
The entire club. What a great shot!
Mojo Johnson, playing outside of Mr. C's bar in Woodward, Iowa.
Mojo Johnson - a one-man band.
And my favorite shot of the day - taken from the Des Moines River bridge on Hwy 210 between Woodward and Madrid. Oh my goodness! Glorious!
First off - the three veterans from the motorcycle club around Freedom Rock, just north of Greenfield, Iowa.
The entire club. What a great shot!
Mojo Johnson, playing outside of Mr. C's bar in Woodward, Iowa.
Mojo Johnson - a one-man band.
And my favorite shot of the day - taken from the Des Moines River bridge on Hwy 210 between Woodward and Madrid. Oh my goodness! Glorious!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Saturday in Iowa
Today was a beautiful day to be on the road. Max packed up his camera gear, I packed up the dog and off we went!
First stop today was Freedom Rock, a wonderful thing that is just one mile south of the Interstate at mile marker 85 on Highway 25. You can't miss it, it's immense! When we pulled in, we were alone, but within minutes another car had pulled over and then the Wind Riders, a motorcycle club out of Omaha pulled in. They encircled the rock with their bikes and I got really choked up. The imagery was glorious. As they dismounted and began walking around, Max was trying to get set up with his camera gear. They weren't in his way, he was planning to do some closeup work. But, they worried about it, so he offered to shoot a picture with all of them around the rock and send them the link to his shots. That worked out fine for all of us! Well, except for me. I got so freakin' emotional, I had to go back to the Jeep. Old age? Hormones? Or just the fact that there was a group of people including veterans coming to see a beautiful homage to our armed forces. Pretty cool.
We drove on in to the Des Moines area and I was stunned by the difference in weekend traffic vs. weekday traffic. I make this trip every week and today was pretty wild. Obviously it was the start of a week of touring. I've never seen so many immense tour buses heading west. You might say they were doing RAGBRAI, but I doubt it. However, I did see bus after bus loaded with people and bicycles heading for Council Bluffs. When we got back this evening and drove past the park filled with tents, buses and people, it was an awesome image (and one we didn't take time to shoot since we were flying by on the interstate).
But, weekend drivers are not weekday drivers. They are rude, impatient and don't know how to courteously drive the interstate. I spent more time hitting the brakes today than I ever have. There is a common courtesy to driving the interstate and it generally includes moving to the right as soon as possible. That didn't happen.
Going east - knowing I didn't have to deal with RAGBRAI traffic yet, all of a sudden at a normal construction area, I was slamming on the brakes. Slamming them! Traffic went from about 65 mph to a full stop! Much cursing and swearing came flying out of my mouth. I did have to explain to Max that in the past weeks as I have been driving back and forth across Iowa, I spend a lot of time talking to the traffic around me. There was no good reason to be at a full stop, just idiots who don't know how to maneuver on the interstate, that's all I could come up with.
We turned north on Highway 141 and I had to introduce Max to Maid-Rite. I love loose meat sandwiches. It was a good time to stop and the food was terrific. When I worked at the Tastee Freez in Sigourney in the late 70s, we had a fabulous Maidrite sandwich. Mmmmm ... good! And carb-free Max even got a Maid-Rite salad today!
The next stop was a trip to Hwy 210 between Woodward and Madrid. I had made this one day as I totally missed the Hwy 17 exit and had to do a quick jig-jog to pick it up and head on to Bell's Dell. There was an absolutely gorgeous sight on this highway. As I passed over the Des Moines River, there were open pylons, obviously from an old bridge, sitting in the river. It was very 'Lord of the Rings' looking and I knew that Max had to shoot it for me.
Before we got there, though, we stopped in Woodward to see if there was something interesting to shoot. Max found some cool old buildings, but I had heard music while waiting for him and upon investigating saw a man in his 40s playing the guitar in front of a bar. Max walked over to talk to him and found out that he is a one man band that plays in a lot of the small bars in small town Iowa. What an interesting character! And he's good! He played for us for awhile and Max shot a bunch of pictures of him. I took some video on my Blackberry, we'll see what happens with that. He was glad to talk to us about what he did and glad to pull out his instruments to give us a bit of a show. He was playing at that bar (Mr. C's in Woodward) later in the evening, so was just warming up his chops when I heard him. You can find him on MySpace - Mojo Johnson.
We finally pulled ourselves away from him and headed on down the highway to shoot the old bridge. I'm hoping Max got some great stuff there, I love the place!
Then on to Madrid, and south on 17. There's a new Hindu Temple and Cultural Center being built just off of Hwy 17. When it's a little further along, we'll go back and shoot some pictures. As we pulled into the parking lot, there was a lot of construction happening, so shots wouldn't have been great. But, I think that in the morning with the sun streaming on its eastern face, it is going to simply gleam!
We started home and managed to get caught in hideous (I'm not kidding here) traffic on the interstate around the construction sites. Completely unexpected. Again, we were at least 8 miles from the construction slowdown when all of a sudden I was screaming my brakes because all traffic was coming down from 75 mph to a full stop again. I ended up on the shoulder, not because I was going to hit someone, but the poor woman behind me had very little control of her brakes and needed a few extra feet to stop. I knew that with my Jeep I could crawl out of the median and she would never be able to do that. Fortunately, there were no crazy crashes with that insanity, but there were a bunch of people riding the shoulders to get their rigs stopped.
After stop and go traffic, we pulled off at Adair for gas and a break and then I headed north to Highway 44 to go across the state. I doubt that I went any faster than the people on the interstate, but my patience wasn't boiling out of the car at the insanity of the travel and we saw more of the beauty of the day.
So ... we're home and Max is processing his photos. I will post a link here later for them and maybe even just post a picture blog with a few of my favorites.
First stop today was Freedom Rock, a wonderful thing that is just one mile south of the Interstate at mile marker 85 on Highway 25. You can't miss it, it's immense! When we pulled in, we were alone, but within minutes another car had pulled over and then the Wind Riders, a motorcycle club out of Omaha pulled in. They encircled the rock with their bikes and I got really choked up. The imagery was glorious. As they dismounted and began walking around, Max was trying to get set up with his camera gear. They weren't in his way, he was planning to do some closeup work. But, they worried about it, so he offered to shoot a picture with all of them around the rock and send them the link to his shots. That worked out fine for all of us! Well, except for me. I got so freakin' emotional, I had to go back to the Jeep. Old age? Hormones? Or just the fact that there was a group of people including veterans coming to see a beautiful homage to our armed forces. Pretty cool.
We drove on in to the Des Moines area and I was stunned by the difference in weekend traffic vs. weekday traffic. I make this trip every week and today was pretty wild. Obviously it was the start of a week of touring. I've never seen so many immense tour buses heading west. You might say they were doing RAGBRAI, but I doubt it. However, I did see bus after bus loaded with people and bicycles heading for Council Bluffs. When we got back this evening and drove past the park filled with tents, buses and people, it was an awesome image (and one we didn't take time to shoot since we were flying by on the interstate).
But, weekend drivers are not weekday drivers. They are rude, impatient and don't know how to courteously drive the interstate. I spent more time hitting the brakes today than I ever have. There is a common courtesy to driving the interstate and it generally includes moving to the right as soon as possible. That didn't happen.
Going east - knowing I didn't have to deal with RAGBRAI traffic yet, all of a sudden at a normal construction area, I was slamming on the brakes. Slamming them! Traffic went from about 65 mph to a full stop! Much cursing and swearing came flying out of my mouth. I did have to explain to Max that in the past weeks as I have been driving back and forth across Iowa, I spend a lot of time talking to the traffic around me. There was no good reason to be at a full stop, just idiots who don't know how to maneuver on the interstate, that's all I could come up with.
We turned north on Highway 141 and I had to introduce Max to Maid-Rite. I love loose meat sandwiches. It was a good time to stop and the food was terrific. When I worked at the Tastee Freez in Sigourney in the late 70s, we had a fabulous Maidrite sandwich. Mmmmm ... good! And carb-free Max even got a Maid-Rite salad today!
The next stop was a trip to Hwy 210 between Woodward and Madrid. I had made this one day as I totally missed the Hwy 17 exit and had to do a quick jig-jog to pick it up and head on to Bell's Dell. There was an absolutely gorgeous sight on this highway. As I passed over the Des Moines River, there were open pylons, obviously from an old bridge, sitting in the river. It was very 'Lord of the Rings' looking and I knew that Max had to shoot it for me.
Before we got there, though, we stopped in Woodward to see if there was something interesting to shoot. Max found some cool old buildings, but I had heard music while waiting for him and upon investigating saw a man in his 40s playing the guitar in front of a bar. Max walked over to talk to him and found out that he is a one man band that plays in a lot of the small bars in small town Iowa. What an interesting character! And he's good! He played for us for awhile and Max shot a bunch of pictures of him. I took some video on my Blackberry, we'll see what happens with that. He was glad to talk to us about what he did and glad to pull out his instruments to give us a bit of a show. He was playing at that bar (Mr. C's in Woodward) later in the evening, so was just warming up his chops when I heard him. You can find him on MySpace - Mojo Johnson.
We finally pulled ourselves away from him and headed on down the highway to shoot the old bridge. I'm hoping Max got some great stuff there, I love the place!
Then on to Madrid, and south on 17. There's a new Hindu Temple and Cultural Center being built just off of Hwy 17. When it's a little further along, we'll go back and shoot some pictures. As we pulled into the parking lot, there was a lot of construction happening, so shots wouldn't have been great. But, I think that in the morning with the sun streaming on its eastern face, it is going to simply gleam!
We started home and managed to get caught in hideous (I'm not kidding here) traffic on the interstate around the construction sites. Completely unexpected. Again, we were at least 8 miles from the construction slowdown when all of a sudden I was screaming my brakes because all traffic was coming down from 75 mph to a full stop again. I ended up on the shoulder, not because I was going to hit someone, but the poor woman behind me had very little control of her brakes and needed a few extra feet to stop. I knew that with my Jeep I could crawl out of the median and she would never be able to do that. Fortunately, there were no crazy crashes with that insanity, but there were a bunch of people riding the shoulders to get their rigs stopped.
After stop and go traffic, we pulled off at Adair for gas and a break and then I headed north to Highway 44 to go across the state. I doubt that I went any faster than the people on the interstate, but my patience wasn't boiling out of the car at the insanity of the travel and we saw more of the beauty of the day.
So ... we're home and Max is processing his photos. I will post a link here later for them and maybe even just post a picture blog with a few of my favorites.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday afternoon randomness
I've been wandering around the net for a few days looking at random things and have these items to share with you.
There are a lot of things that scare the ever-living hell out of me. THIS would be one of them. I was not at all happy with the idea of the 'bird's-eye view' of the Grand Canyon and I can't imagine that I would be any happier with walking out onto a glass-enclosed deck in the upper levels of the Sears Tower. NOT happening! I'm pretty sure I would fall into a heap and have to be dragged away because none of my limbs would continue to operate.
My friend, April Kelly, has written a book on Gratitude Leadership. She was interviewed on WGN in Chicago the other day and it was a fabulous interview! I'm a little proud of her! Yes, it is very important to say Thank You, even when you are the boss! It's amazing what those two little words can inspire in an employee.
I think the bane of my existence while working at Faith-Westwood was meetings. Oh my goodness, but they could make a meeting last forever and turn it into a moment in hell. I'd never seen anything like it, but I'm also certain that we weren't alone in the preponderance of stupid meetings. So, if you would like to set a Meeting Cost Ticker to run on your laptop at the beginning of your next meeting, you might inspire them to cut things short before they reach the cost of the national debt.
The Codex Sinaiticus was completed last Monday and came fully online. It was discovered in 1844, and is the oldest Greek translation of the Scriptures. It has been spread out across the world since that point. Now, finally, scholars have access to all of the leaves of parchment. This is an incredible feat and very exciting to me. Oh my goodness, how cool the internet it!
I have always loved model trains. We were never in a position to actually start building a set, well, actually my brother made a stab at it at one point, but it never got to a point that he felt like it was worth his time and effort. The father of one of my high school boyfriends had a wonderful model train setup in their basement. I took Matthew to one in Golden, Colorado several times when he was really young. But, THIS one is just cool! Oh, I love this stuff.
That's enough for now. Yup, the internet makes me happy.
There are a lot of things that scare the ever-living hell out of me. THIS would be one of them. I was not at all happy with the idea of the 'bird's-eye view' of the Grand Canyon and I can't imagine that I would be any happier with walking out onto a glass-enclosed deck in the upper levels of the Sears Tower. NOT happening! I'm pretty sure I would fall into a heap and have to be dragged away because none of my limbs would continue to operate.
My friend, April Kelly, has written a book on Gratitude Leadership. She was interviewed on WGN in Chicago the other day and it was a fabulous interview! I'm a little proud of her! Yes, it is very important to say Thank You, even when you are the boss! It's amazing what those two little words can inspire in an employee.
I think the bane of my existence while working at Faith-Westwood was meetings. Oh my goodness, but they could make a meeting last forever and turn it into a moment in hell. I'd never seen anything like it, but I'm also certain that we weren't alone in the preponderance of stupid meetings. So, if you would like to set a Meeting Cost Ticker to run on your laptop at the beginning of your next meeting, you might inspire them to cut things short before they reach the cost of the national debt.
The Codex Sinaiticus was completed last Monday and came fully online. It was discovered in 1844, and is the oldest Greek translation of the Scriptures. It has been spread out across the world since that point. Now, finally, scholars have access to all of the leaves of parchment. This is an incredible feat and very exciting to me. Oh my goodness, how cool the internet it!
I have always loved model trains. We were never in a position to actually start building a set, well, actually my brother made a stab at it at one point, but it never got to a point that he felt like it was worth his time and effort. The father of one of my high school boyfriends had a wonderful model train setup in their basement. I took Matthew to one in Golden, Colorado several times when he was really young. But, THIS one is just cool! Oh, I love this stuff.
That's enough for now. Yup, the internet makes me happy.
Covered in 'em
Ok, really? This is nuts.
It's after midnight and I may finally be able to fall asleep. But, only because I am so coated in Solarcaine with AloeExtra that my pores no longer breathe!
My sister, Carol had a birthday party at her house Saturday night. Most of us (ok, pretty much all of us) were outside in her backyard. Freshly mown that afternoon. Carol asked me in the middle of the afternoon if she should fog it. I poohpoohed the idea. We'll be fine. HAHAHAHA!! Bite me, will you! Well, actually they did.
I am literally covered in chigger bites. I haven't had them this bad since I was in ... well, since at least the 1970s. These things itch and itch and itch and before I know it there are bites popping out all over everywhere on my body. At first, I just thought I had a few mosquito bites. Those are pretty tolerable and easy to deal with. But, this? This is nuts!
And oh yes, there will be scars. Guaranteed. The thing is - at my age? I don't give a hoot in hell. If a scar is required to itch the scratch away, fine!
I had sprayed Solarcaine earlier - but, then discovered the gel ... much better.
So, Carol ... next time don't bother asking ... just fog the damned place. We'll all be a lot happier and I won't be wide awake after midnight because my itches need to be scratched!
It's after midnight and I may finally be able to fall asleep. But, only because I am so coated in Solarcaine with AloeExtra that my pores no longer breathe!
My sister, Carol had a birthday party at her house Saturday night. Most of us (ok, pretty much all of us) were outside in her backyard. Freshly mown that afternoon. Carol asked me in the middle of the afternoon if she should fog it. I poohpoohed the idea. We'll be fine. HAHAHAHA!! Bite me, will you! Well, actually they did.
I am literally covered in chigger bites. I haven't had them this bad since I was in ... well, since at least the 1970s. These things itch and itch and itch and before I know it there are bites popping out all over everywhere on my body. At first, I just thought I had a few mosquito bites. Those are pretty tolerable and easy to deal with. But, this? This is nuts!
And oh yes, there will be scars. Guaranteed. The thing is - at my age? I don't give a hoot in hell. If a scar is required to itch the scratch away, fine!
I had sprayed Solarcaine earlier - but, then discovered the gel ... much better.
So, Carol ... next time don't bother asking ... just fog the damned place. We'll all be a lot happier and I won't be wide awake after midnight because my itches need to be scratched!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Complete Insanity
I pretty much had a meltdown day. The worst thing was, I saw it coming and could do nothing about it. I did try to keep it from as many people as possible, because sharing my insanity actually only propagates it and doesn't correct it. I knew that my hormones were heading out of control and I knew that I wouldn't be able to manage them.
So, I simply fell apart. I cried and cried and made weird stuff up in my head. I believed the worst about myself and every single one of my friends and family. I kept telling myself, "this is not real, it's only hormones," but even knowing the truth of the situation could not keep the insane thoughts at bay.
Fortunately, for me, all of this insanity is temporary. I can't imagine being a young mother with a newborn child and having a long term bout of post partum depression. The insanity that I was dealing with today could have easily driven me over the edge. Even knowing what I was dealing with, I had to do everything in my power to stop myself from making very poor decisions based on my emotions. If I had to deal with this day after day, hour after hour, for a longer period of time, I would quickly become unable to discern between insanity and reality.
And then, I felt the hormones stabilize and I was able to function again.
I am generally a very pragmatic, level headed person. To lose myself to emotional upheaval is tantamount to plunging headfirst into a rushing river. I do not like to accept that in myself. But at some point, I simply can't change what it is.
I did post on Facebook that I needed to be placed into a padded cell with narcotics. While that is funny, the main thing that needs to happen when I get like this is that I am separated from anyone I love. I will say terrible, terrible things if given the chance. Things that I can't take back. I'm filled with self-pity and ignore everything that is happening around me, focusing only on myself. Oh, that disgusts me!
Padded cell, narcotics to help me sleep through it until I regain sanity. Makes sense to me! Maybe we should just do that for me for the next few years - maybe I'll finally get through this hormonal fluctuation and fully be in menopause. There, that's a great idea!
So, I simply fell apart. I cried and cried and made weird stuff up in my head. I believed the worst about myself and every single one of my friends and family. I kept telling myself, "this is not real, it's only hormones," but even knowing the truth of the situation could not keep the insane thoughts at bay.
Fortunately, for me, all of this insanity is temporary. I can't imagine being a young mother with a newborn child and having a long term bout of post partum depression. The insanity that I was dealing with today could have easily driven me over the edge. Even knowing what I was dealing with, I had to do everything in my power to stop myself from making very poor decisions based on my emotions. If I had to deal with this day after day, hour after hour, for a longer period of time, I would quickly become unable to discern between insanity and reality.
And then, I felt the hormones stabilize and I was able to function again.
I am generally a very pragmatic, level headed person. To lose myself to emotional upheaval is tantamount to plunging headfirst into a rushing river. I do not like to accept that in myself. But at some point, I simply can't change what it is.
I did post on Facebook that I needed to be placed into a padded cell with narcotics. While that is funny, the main thing that needs to happen when I get like this is that I am separated from anyone I love. I will say terrible, terrible things if given the chance. Things that I can't take back. I'm filled with self-pity and ignore everything that is happening around me, focusing only on myself. Oh, that disgusts me!
Padded cell, narcotics to help me sleep through it until I regain sanity. Makes sense to me! Maybe we should just do that for me for the next few years - maybe I'll finally get through this hormonal fluctuation and fully be in menopause. There, that's a great idea!
Old Friends - New Information
My interaction with technology is a curious thing. For the most part, I accept and embrace it. Then, there's this entirely different part of me that is stunned by the changes that technology has wrought in my life.
When I got married in 1994, the internet was just beginning to be introduced to the general public. Those of us that had played on various networks (CompUServe, GEnie, early AOL, etc.) had been communicating across the miles for a lot of years. I started in 1987. In fact, I can still put my hand on the reference guide from GEnie 1987.
But, I think the most amazing thing is the acceptance of these very radical changes into our lives in a short period of time. Even simple things ... like power windows and locks in my car. It just doesn't feel like it has been all that long since we actually had to manually lock our car doors or roll the windows up and down. A compass and outside thermometer right there in my vehicle? Well, that's just weird! Cell phones don't show up in a lot of the novels I'm reading and it always startles me, because I know that the plot of the book could be totally transformed with one quick cell call. But, for books written in the 90s, they weren't commonly used and the poor victim is stuck on the side of the road with no assistance coming.
Now I'm on Facebook. I've found an incredible number of old friends. It's been overwhelming to me, sometimes a little emotional, sometimes very exciting.
When we were growing up, we spent 4-6 years in a community and then moved away. Because Dad wanted the next pastor to be able to integrate himself fully into the life of the church, we were expected to leave our friends behind and make new friends as quickly as possible. All communication was cut off pretty quickly.
That training in my early years followed me through the rest of my life. I don't think I realized it until just this year as I was finding friends again. I've managed to maintain connections to a very few friends from my past, but it is very few. There were people that I had shared deep connections with during the time we were together, but when I moved away, I allowed those connections to sever or simply wither away because all I knew how to do was move on and start over.
Though it was generally quite innocent on my part, I had probably hurt some of these people with my seeming callous behavior. I simply didn't know how to do this any differently.
As I reconnect with some of these people, I know that I am going to have to re-build trust. They may never trust me again with a friendship and I understand that. Right now I'm just glad to know they are alive and happy.
But, all of this is quite exciting. I think about (didn't experience, I'm not that old) the transformation that happened as the telegraph and later, the telephone brought to our world. People began communicating across miles and miles. Though there have been many critics of the mobile society that we have become, I am thankful for the chance to reconnect with people I thought I had lost, even if it is only in short bursts of information. That's more than I have had in 30 years with some of them and more than I probably ever would have been able to have.
Sometimes life is just fun!
When I got married in 1994, the internet was just beginning to be introduced to the general public. Those of us that had played on various networks (CompUServe, GEnie, early AOL, etc.) had been communicating across the miles for a lot of years. I started in 1987. In fact, I can still put my hand on the reference guide from GEnie 1987.
But, I think the most amazing thing is the acceptance of these very radical changes into our lives in a short period of time. Even simple things ... like power windows and locks in my car. It just doesn't feel like it has been all that long since we actually had to manually lock our car doors or roll the windows up and down. A compass and outside thermometer right there in my vehicle? Well, that's just weird! Cell phones don't show up in a lot of the novels I'm reading and it always startles me, because I know that the plot of the book could be totally transformed with one quick cell call. But, for books written in the 90s, they weren't commonly used and the poor victim is stuck on the side of the road with no assistance coming.
Now I'm on Facebook. I've found an incredible number of old friends. It's been overwhelming to me, sometimes a little emotional, sometimes very exciting.
When we were growing up, we spent 4-6 years in a community and then moved away. Because Dad wanted the next pastor to be able to integrate himself fully into the life of the church, we were expected to leave our friends behind and make new friends as quickly as possible. All communication was cut off pretty quickly.
That training in my early years followed me through the rest of my life. I don't think I realized it until just this year as I was finding friends again. I've managed to maintain connections to a very few friends from my past, but it is very few. There were people that I had shared deep connections with during the time we were together, but when I moved away, I allowed those connections to sever or simply wither away because all I knew how to do was move on and start over.
Though it was generally quite innocent on my part, I had probably hurt some of these people with my seeming callous behavior. I simply didn't know how to do this any differently.
As I reconnect with some of these people, I know that I am going to have to re-build trust. They may never trust me again with a friendship and I understand that. Right now I'm just glad to know they are alive and happy.
But, all of this is quite exciting. I think about (didn't experience, I'm not that old) the transformation that happened as the telegraph and later, the telephone brought to our world. People began communicating across miles and miles. Though there have been many critics of the mobile society that we have become, I am thankful for the chance to reconnect with people I thought I had lost, even if it is only in short bursts of information. That's more than I have had in 30 years with some of them and more than I probably ever would have been able to have.
Sometimes life is just fun!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sucker for Legos
I have always loved Legos. I don't own any of them personally, but my nephews ended up with more than they should have because I was always buying them for those boys. I love the patterns that these little blocks create and I love that you can either follow a design or make your own. I used to get lost in Legoland at Mall of America, I enjoy every single piece of Lego mania on the internet.
This is the newest: Brickworkz
This guy uses Legos to make mosaics - photographs, business displays. His stuff is phenomenal! And of course, I love it.
This site has some fabulous projects - glorious churches with incredible detail and many other things.
There will never be enough Legos for me. I have no place to put them in my life so I will thoroughly enjoy watching what others do with them. If you have a favorite site, post it ... I'll be very happy!
This is the newest: Brickworkz
This guy uses Legos to make mosaics - photographs, business displays. His stuff is phenomenal! And of course, I love it.
This site has some fabulous projects - glorious churches with incredible detail and many other things.
There will never be enough Legos for me. I have no place to put them in my life so I will thoroughly enjoy watching what others do with them. If you have a favorite site, post it ... I'll be very happy!
Not much to say, I guess
I was doing so well there for awhile. Maybe I've run out of words! Who knows.
The last few months have been wonderful. I've spent a lot of time at the cabin, I've prepared a few sermons, I've written a lot of blog posts on my other blog (Pour Out a Blessing), I've been singing with the worship team at Gretna UMC, I've rediscovered old friends and I'm working at rediscovering myself!
It's been a pretty wonderful summer so far and I see no reason it won't continue this way.
Yesterday was my sister, Carol's birthday. She bought her first house this year and finished her second year of teaching 6th grade. All I can say is - Yea Carol!
My brother has been tearing through construction at the cabin. We deconstructed a lot last year and things are starting to come back together again. It's nice to know that we are going to make this place better than it ever has been. It's just going to take some time and effort. much of the cabin was built in the 1970s and though I hate to admit that it might be old (I graduated in 1977 so be careful), there are a lot of things that need to be replaced and restored.
We bring in various people to do different types of work out there (plumbers, electricians, well diggers, etc.) and I can not believe the difference in attitude from central Iowa to Omaha. Prices are reasonable and fair, they are all gentlemen and treat me with respect, even though they are working with my brother long distance. I just have the capability to show up during the week and let them onto the property. I haven't been treated badly by any of them. That's impressive.
The first week we owned Insty-Prints, a billboard salesman was in talking to us when a customer walked in and ignored the three women owners, went straight to the salesman and tried to order printing from him. He was chagrined to say the least and pointed to us saying, "I have no idea what you're talking about, these are the owners." I get that attitude a lot from men and it's nice to not see it happening when I work with people at the cabin.
One of these days I will quit relaxing while I'm up there and take some photographs of all the work we are doing. My brother is posting some stuff on his blog (The Novel Coder). There's a lot that needs to happen to get it where we all want it to be, but it's going to be a fun summer!
The last few months have been wonderful. I've spent a lot of time at the cabin, I've prepared a few sermons, I've written a lot of blog posts on my other blog (Pour Out a Blessing), I've been singing with the worship team at Gretna UMC, I've rediscovered old friends and I'm working at rediscovering myself!
It's been a pretty wonderful summer so far and I see no reason it won't continue this way.
Yesterday was my sister, Carol's birthday. She bought her first house this year and finished her second year of teaching 6th grade. All I can say is - Yea Carol!
My brother has been tearing through construction at the cabin. We deconstructed a lot last year and things are starting to come back together again. It's nice to know that we are going to make this place better than it ever has been. It's just going to take some time and effort. much of the cabin was built in the 1970s and though I hate to admit that it might be old (I graduated in 1977 so be careful), there are a lot of things that need to be replaced and restored.
We bring in various people to do different types of work out there (plumbers, electricians, well diggers, etc.) and I can not believe the difference in attitude from central Iowa to Omaha. Prices are reasonable and fair, they are all gentlemen and treat me with respect, even though they are working with my brother long distance. I just have the capability to show up during the week and let them onto the property. I haven't been treated badly by any of them. That's impressive.
The first week we owned Insty-Prints, a billboard salesman was in talking to us when a customer walked in and ignored the three women owners, went straight to the salesman and tried to order printing from him. He was chagrined to say the least and pointed to us saying, "I have no idea what you're talking about, these are the owners." I get that attitude a lot from men and it's nice to not see it happening when I work with people at the cabin.
One of these days I will quit relaxing while I'm up there and take some photographs of all the work we are doing. My brother is posting some stuff on his blog (The Novel Coder). There's a lot that needs to happen to get it where we all want it to be, but it's going to be a fun summer!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
I'm NOT a Klutz or Amazon's Amazing Service
Ok, well, maybe I am.
Last night was a beautiful night at the cabin. Temps were gorgeous, birds were chirping, trees were swaying and making music in the breeze. Diane was reading on a bench on the screened in porch.
Sounds like a perfect time, right?
Sure ... why not. Until the moment I fell asleep with the Kindle in my hand and it fell out of my hand, hit a plastic chair and crashed to the concrete floor. Oh no! I picked up the pieces (the back fell off and the whole thing fell out of its leather case - nothing that doesn't usually come apart) and put it back together.
Hmmm, I need to restart. Well, that makes sense. Hmmm, it's not working right. Alright, I will take the battery out and do a hard re-set. I'm not an idiot (just a Klutz). Well, I tried it all evening and again this morning and nothing was going to make that thing work.
I hurried home this morning as quickly as possible and got to Amazon customer service. I admitted freely what I had done and asked if I had really and truly killed my Kindle. I was hoping that maybe there was a small rabbit they could pull out of the hat to return life to my heart and soul. But, alas, it was not to be. I'd killed it. Dead.
Before I could lament the passing of my Kindle, the customer service representative scanned my account and said, "Based on what you have here and your order history, I can offer you a replacement Kindle at 1/2 the original price."
My ears perked up and a little color returned to my cheeks. Really? Am I hearing this right?
I could barely form words as I said, "Yes, YES. YES!!!"
He wrote up the order, wrote an order for a return label for the old (dead) Kindle and as he began trying to explain how to re-download books to the Kindle, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry, it looks like you probably know what you're doing. If you have any questions, you can call us back."
So, he treated me with a little respect, took care of my needs as soon as humanly possible and did it all within a few minutes.
I guess if there is a company on the web that is going to own all of my information and probably my soul, I'll stick with the company that at least has great customer service!
Last night was a beautiful night at the cabin. Temps were gorgeous, birds were chirping, trees were swaying and making music in the breeze. Diane was reading on a bench on the screened in porch.
Sounds like a perfect time, right?
Sure ... why not. Until the moment I fell asleep with the Kindle in my hand and it fell out of my hand, hit a plastic chair and crashed to the concrete floor. Oh no! I picked up the pieces (the back fell off and the whole thing fell out of its leather case - nothing that doesn't usually come apart) and put it back together.
Hmmm, I need to restart. Well, that makes sense. Hmmm, it's not working right. Alright, I will take the battery out and do a hard re-set. I'm not an idiot (just a Klutz). Well, I tried it all evening and again this morning and nothing was going to make that thing work.
I hurried home this morning as quickly as possible and got to Amazon customer service. I admitted freely what I had done and asked if I had really and truly killed my Kindle. I was hoping that maybe there was a small rabbit they could pull out of the hat to return life to my heart and soul. But, alas, it was not to be. I'd killed it. Dead.
Before I could lament the passing of my Kindle, the customer service representative scanned my account and said, "Based on what you have here and your order history, I can offer you a replacement Kindle at 1/2 the original price."
My ears perked up and a little color returned to my cheeks. Really? Am I hearing this right?
I could barely form words as I said, "Yes, YES. YES!!!"
He wrote up the order, wrote an order for a return label for the old (dead) Kindle and as he began trying to explain how to re-download books to the Kindle, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry, it looks like you probably know what you're doing. If you have any questions, you can call us back."
So, he treated me with a little respect, took care of my needs as soon as humanly possible and did it all within a few minutes.
I guess if there is a company on the web that is going to own all of my information and probably my soul, I'll stick with the company that at least has great customer service!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Tale of a Nosy Neighbor
Max and I live in a duplex. I’ve had interesting neighbors over the years. When Carol and I lived there, we were certain that the young wife was beating her husband. He was such a nice guy and she was a shrew. There have been quiet neighbors and noisy neighbors, bu all in all, it’s not been too bad. Until now.
The worst thing is, the landlord spent 3 years fixing that side of the duplex, so it was empty and Max and I really got used to having a lot of freedom. But, last August that all changed. A woman and her daughter and maybe her son moved in. She was unfriendly to say the least. She avoided eye contact always and the few times I was able to catch her eye and say hello, she would grunt and rush to her car. Then, a man entered the picture. He just showed up one day and over the course of several months began moving stuff in.
My landlord emailed me to tell me that the woman was complaining about my dog barking. Interesting. I live right next door and she won’t speak to me first. Ok, this is not going to be easy. Max and I bought a snow blower last winter and offered to let the guy use it if he wanted. That actually wasn’t accepted with a normal amount of thanks. Another grunt. Hmmm…
Other weird things have occurred over the last months, but this past weekend began an entirely new portion of entertainment. Max and I had an old 1989 Mazda van that we’ve been trying to rid ourselves of for months. I finally called a company who would haul it away for scrap metal. On Sunday, when I drove in the alley after church, this couple and their son were outside messing around and the guy was IN my van! Hmmm…that’s weird. We’d emptied everything out, so there was no reason for him to do this.
As I exited my Jeep, he had gotten out of the van and closed the door, acting as if nothing had happened. I kind of walked towards him and he began asking questions about the van – if it ran, what the issues were. I finally told him that if he wanted to do something with that van, he needed to let me know because I had someone coming to haul it away. No, ever his helpful self, he was just being snoopy.
Monday morning, the salvage company came to haul it away. I had to go back inside to get my driver’s license to make the sale. Out came Jimi, flying up from his basement lair. He began babbling at the driver and when I came out, he was asking pointed questions about how the van worked. The driver finally called me away from him so that we could finish the transaction. No, the car isn’t drivable and these guys don’t care. Stop interfering, you weirdo.
Later on that day, Max came home, and took the laundry out of the house to the Laundromat. He’s done this every week, but it seemed important that Jimi again come flying up from his lair to accost Max and ask about our washing machine. How in the heck does he even know we have one? I’m a little creeped out by the question.
The last time I spent an extended period of time at Bell’s Dell, Jimi asked Max if our Jeep had been in the shop. Umm … no. As I left yesterday, I let the back door slam while I dragged my luggage, etc. to the Jeep. As soon as I got to the door of the Jeep, he again came flying up from the basement to watch me pack up and leave. I am pretty certain that he will ask Max where I’m going for such a long period of time. I can’t wait.
Max and I talked about it while I was on the road. Maybe he could tell Jimi that I was an undercover agent, gone for days at a time protecting the world. But, now that Max had told him that, he would actually have to kill him. We worked through a few scenarios until Max had the perfect response. “I’m sorry, Jimi, I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.” Oh yah … that’s it. I can hardly wait.
There is going to be plenty of fodder for entertainment with this strange couple living next door to us. Max and I are just going to have to work on our backstories a little bit more so that we can at least have some fun with this!
The worst thing is, the landlord spent 3 years fixing that side of the duplex, so it was empty and Max and I really got used to having a lot of freedom. But, last August that all changed. A woman and her daughter and maybe her son moved in. She was unfriendly to say the least. She avoided eye contact always and the few times I was able to catch her eye and say hello, she would grunt and rush to her car. Then, a man entered the picture. He just showed up one day and over the course of several months began moving stuff in.
My landlord emailed me to tell me that the woman was complaining about my dog barking. Interesting. I live right next door and she won’t speak to me first. Ok, this is not going to be easy. Max and I bought a snow blower last winter and offered to let the guy use it if he wanted. That actually wasn’t accepted with a normal amount of thanks. Another grunt. Hmmm…
Other weird things have occurred over the last months, but this past weekend began an entirely new portion of entertainment. Max and I had an old 1989 Mazda van that we’ve been trying to rid ourselves of for months. I finally called a company who would haul it away for scrap metal. On Sunday, when I drove in the alley after church, this couple and their son were outside messing around and the guy was IN my van! Hmmm…that’s weird. We’d emptied everything out, so there was no reason for him to do this.
As I exited my Jeep, he had gotten out of the van and closed the door, acting as if nothing had happened. I kind of walked towards him and he began asking questions about the van – if it ran, what the issues were. I finally told him that if he wanted to do something with that van, he needed to let me know because I had someone coming to haul it away. No, ever his helpful self, he was just being snoopy.
Monday morning, the salvage company came to haul it away. I had to go back inside to get my driver’s license to make the sale. Out came Jimi, flying up from his basement lair. He began babbling at the driver and when I came out, he was asking pointed questions about how the van worked. The driver finally called me away from him so that we could finish the transaction. No, the car isn’t drivable and these guys don’t care. Stop interfering, you weirdo.
Later on that day, Max came home, and took the laundry out of the house to the Laundromat. He’s done this every week, but it seemed important that Jimi again come flying up from his lair to accost Max and ask about our washing machine. How in the heck does he even know we have one? I’m a little creeped out by the question.
The last time I spent an extended period of time at Bell’s Dell, Jimi asked Max if our Jeep had been in the shop. Umm … no. As I left yesterday, I let the back door slam while I dragged my luggage, etc. to the Jeep. As soon as I got to the door of the Jeep, he again came flying up from the basement to watch me pack up and leave. I am pretty certain that he will ask Max where I’m going for such a long period of time. I can’t wait.
Max and I talked about it while I was on the road. Maybe he could tell Jimi that I was an undercover agent, gone for days at a time protecting the world. But, now that Max had told him that, he would actually have to kill him. We worked through a few scenarios until Max had the perfect response. “I’m sorry, Jimi, I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.” Oh yah … that’s it. I can hardly wait.
There is going to be plenty of fodder for entertainment with this strange couple living next door to us. Max and I are just going to have to work on our backstories a little bit more so that we can at least have some fun with this!
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