Sick-day negotiations between union members and their employer were at an impasse. The union denied that their workers were flagrantly abusing the sick-leave provisions set out by their contract.
One morning at the bargaining table, the company's chief negotiator held aloft the morning edition of the newspaper. "This man," he announced, "called in sick yesterday!"
There, on the sports page, was a photo of the supposedly ill employee. The news article reported that he had just won a local golf tournament with an excellent score.
A union negotiator broke the silence in the room.
"Wow!" he said. "Just think what kind of score he could have had if he hadn't been sick!"
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World
We're all very familiar with the Palm Sunday epistle. Jesus emptied Himself. He took on human flesh to save us. He suffered the death of the cross. Therefore the Father has exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.
Therefore?
Wait a second here.
Now, this is how I tend to look at time. Jesus left His heavenly throne. Then we have Christmas, which is, y'know, when we hear that this little boy was named Jesus. Then we have the little boy grow up, being called Jesus all the while. Then He is put on trial, beaten, mocked, crucified, dies, is buried. Then He's raised and ascends. He had the name "Jesus" from the time He was 8 days old.
So what is this "therefore"?
God gave Him the name Jesus because He emptied Himself and was incarnate and died to redeem us.
This doesn't make any sense whatsoever if we're constrained by time. Either Jesus got His name after He died, or else He got it when He was still in diapers (and Paul is in error here as He writes to the Philippians).
The Lord's gracious redemption of His sinful people is not constrained by time. It's too big. Too great. Too ... eternal. Too ... uh ... foundational to the structure of the entire world.
Mary and Joseph were told to name Him "Jesus" because of what He did [not "would do"] on the cross. That's just kind of mind-boggling.
Therefore?
Wait a second here.
Now, this is how I tend to look at time. Jesus left His heavenly throne. Then we have Christmas, which is, y'know, when we hear that this little boy was named Jesus. Then we have the little boy grow up, being called Jesus all the while. Then He is put on trial, beaten, mocked, crucified, dies, is buried. Then He's raised and ascends. He had the name "Jesus" from the time He was 8 days old.
So what is this "therefore"?
God gave Him the name Jesus because He emptied Himself and was incarnate and died to redeem us.
This doesn't make any sense whatsoever if we're constrained by time. Either Jesus got His name after He died, or else He got it when He was still in diapers (and Paul is in error here as He writes to the Philippians).
The Lord's gracious redemption of His sinful people is not constrained by time. It's too big. Too great. Too ... eternal. Too ... uh ... foundational to the structure of the entire world.
Mary and Joseph were told to name Him "Jesus" because of what He did [not "would do"] on the cross. That's just kind of mind-boggling.
Today's Laugh
Oh, this is so mean. I shouldn't have laughed. But I did!
You're sitting in your riverfront office one day, when you see a lawyer and an IRS agent drowning. You can only save one of them. Do you (a) read the paper, or (b) go to lunch?
You're sitting in your riverfront office one day, when you see a lawyer and an IRS agent drowning. You can only save one of them. Do you (a) read the paper, or (b) go to lunch?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Singular or Plural?
Have you ever noticed how many times in the Bible a plural pronoun is attached to a singular noun?
It says "our mind." Not "our minds."
It says "their heart." Not "their hearts."
It says "our life." Not "our lives."
Some "translations" are not really translations, and they [cough] "fix" these so-called grammar mistakes in the original language. That's naughty. There's a reason our Bibles ought to keep these mixed-number passages that would drive an English teacher batty.
We are a reflection of the Trinity who is a community of loving persons in the one Godhead. We in the Church are joined together to be one body of Christ. We are of one mind. We have one life.
It rejoices the heart to come across these little tidbits in the psalms and the epistles. Just the inconspicuous little lack-of-an-S on a noun ... and it quietly points to how we are all joined to Christ in one mystical union.
It says "our mind." Not "our minds."
It says "their heart." Not "their hearts."
It says "our life." Not "our lives."
Some "translations" are not really translations, and they [cough] "fix" these so-called grammar mistakes in the original language. That's naughty. There's a reason our Bibles ought to keep these mixed-number passages that would drive an English teacher batty.
We are a reflection of the Trinity who is a community of loving persons in the one Godhead. We in the Church are joined together to be one body of Christ. We are of one mind. We have one life.
It rejoices the heart to come across these little tidbits in the psalms and the epistles. Just the inconspicuous little lack-of-an-S on a noun ... and it quietly points to how we are all joined to Christ in one mystical union.
Today's Laugh
A man is waiting for wife to give birth. The doctor comes in and informs the dad that his son was born without torso, arms or legs. The son is just a head! But the dad loves his son and raises him as well as he can, with love and compassion. After 21 years, the son is old enough for his first drink. Dad takes him to the bar and tearfully tells the son he is proud of him.
Dad orders up the biggest, strongest drink for his boy. With all the bar patrons looking on curiously and the bartender shaking his head in disbelief, the boy takes his first sip of alcohol. Swoooop! A torso pops out!
The bar is dead silent; then bursts into a whoop of joy. The father, shocked, begs his son to drink again. The patrons chant, "Take another drink"! The bartender still shakes his head in dismay.
Swoooop! Two arms pops out. The bar goes wild. The father, crying and wailing, begs his son to drink again. The patrons chant, "Take another drink"! The bartender ignores the whole affair. By now the boy is getting tipsy, and with his new hands he reaches down, grabs his drink and guzzles the last of it. Swoooop! Two legs pop out.
The bar is in chaos. The father falls to his knees and tearfully thanks God. The boy stands up on his new legs and stumbles to the left ... then to the right ... right through the front door, into the street, where a truck runs over him and kills him instantly.
The bar falls silent. The father moans in grief. The bartender sighs and says, "That boy should have quit while he was a head."
Dad orders up the biggest, strongest drink for his boy. With all the bar patrons looking on curiously and the bartender shaking his head in disbelief, the boy takes his first sip of alcohol. Swoooop! A torso pops out!
The bar is dead silent; then bursts into a whoop of joy. The father, shocked, begs his son to drink again. The patrons chant, "Take another drink"! The bartender still shakes his head in dismay.
Swoooop! Two arms pops out. The bar goes wild. The father, crying and wailing, begs his son to drink again. The patrons chant, "Take another drink"! The bartender ignores the whole affair. By now the boy is getting tipsy, and with his new hands he reaches down, grabs his drink and guzzles the last of it. Swoooop! Two legs pop out.
The bar is in chaos. The father falls to his knees and tearfully thanks God. The boy stands up on his new legs and stumbles to the left ... then to the right ... right through the front door, into the street, where a truck runs over him and kills him instantly.
The bar falls silent. The father moans in grief. The bartender sighs and says, "That boy should have quit while he was a head."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Shame
The Gadarene demoniac in Sunday's gospel (Luke 8) lived among the graves and ran around naked. He had no shame over it, either.
When Adam sinned and realized he was naked, he hid himself.
On the whole, shame is a bad thing. It is evidence that we have sinned. We pray that God would guard and keep us so that we may not be misled into false belief, despair, and other great shame or vice. And yet, shame over sin is at least a little evidence that the person is aware of God's word and is at least a little grieved over having sinned. When there is no shame over sin, when sin runs amok and is celebrated and reveled in, then it's very likely that faith has been entirely squelched.
When Adam sinned and realized he was naked, he hid himself.
On the whole, shame is a bad thing. It is evidence that we have sinned. We pray that God would guard and keep us so that we may not be misled into false belief, despair, and other great shame or vice. And yet, shame over sin is at least a little evidence that the person is aware of God's word and is at least a little grieved over having sinned. When there is no shame over sin, when sin runs amok and is celebrated and reveled in, then it's very likely that faith has been entirely squelched.
Devotions at Dinner?
Question: Has your family ever figured out a time to have family prayer that's not at meal-time?
I realized recently that we are not having prayers as often as we did. Neither are we eating together as a family so much. If I'm busy and supper is "wing it, guys!" then we don't have devotions. If the kitchen table is littered with schoolwork or a sewing project, even if I cook a Real Meal, we eat in the living room and do not follow-up with prayers.
When we used to have morning devotions and evening devotions, morning prayers were after breakfast and at the start of our homeschooling day, and evening prayers were after supper but before the first kid's bedtime. Once upon a longer time ago, when there were only two kids in the house and thus some cohesiveness to Bedtime, Bible stories and hymns were at bedtime.
Regular family meal-times don't guarantee that we will get out our Bibles and hymnals and pray together. But lack of family meal-time almost certainly guarantees that we won't pray together.
I wonder if recognizing this trend will make it easier for me to focus on getting a Real Meal ready each day, and put on the table instead of plunking ourselves on the couch or the floor or wherever.
So when does your family have prayers together? Are we the only ones who need to eat together before we pray together?
I realized recently that we are not having prayers as often as we did. Neither are we eating together as a family so much. If I'm busy and supper is "wing it, guys!" then we don't have devotions. If the kitchen table is littered with schoolwork or a sewing project, even if I cook a Real Meal, we eat in the living room and do not follow-up with prayers.
When we used to have morning devotions and evening devotions, morning prayers were after breakfast and at the start of our homeschooling day, and evening prayers were after supper but before the first kid's bedtime. Once upon a longer time ago, when there were only two kids in the house and thus some cohesiveness to Bedtime, Bible stories and hymns were at bedtime.
Regular family meal-times don't guarantee that we will get out our Bibles and hymnals and pray together. But lack of family meal-time almost certainly guarantees that we won't pray together.
I wonder if recognizing this trend will make it easier for me to focus on getting a Real Meal ready each day, and put on the table instead of plunking ourselves on the couch or the floor or wherever.
So when does your family have prayers together? Are we the only ones who need to eat together before we pray together?
Today's Laugh
A student called up his mom one evening from his college and asked her for some money because he was broke.
His mother said, "Sure, sweetie. I will send you some money. You also left your economics book here when you visited two weeks ago. Do you want me to send that up too?"
"Uhh, oh, yeah, okay," responded the kid.
So his mom wrapped the book along with the checks up in a package, kissed Dad goodbye, and went to the post office to mail the money and the book. When she gets back, Dad asked, "Well, how much did you give the boy this time?"
"Oh, I wrote two checks: one for $20, and the other for $1000."
"That's $1020!!!" yelled Dad. "Are you going crazy???"
"Don't worry, hon," Mom said, kissing Dad on the on top of his bald head. "I taped the $20 check to the cover of his book, but I put the $1000 one somewhere between the pages in chapter 15!"
His mother said, "Sure, sweetie. I will send you some money. You also left your economics book here when you visited two weeks ago. Do you want me to send that up too?"
"Uhh, oh, yeah, okay," responded the kid.
So his mom wrapped the book along with the checks up in a package, kissed Dad goodbye, and went to the post office to mail the money and the book. When she gets back, Dad asked, "Well, how much did you give the boy this time?"
"Oh, I wrote two checks: one for $20, and the other for $1000."
"That's $1020!!!" yelled Dad. "Are you going crazy???"
"Don't worry, hon," Mom said, kissing Dad on the on top of his bald head. "I taped the $20 check to the cover of his book, but I put the $1000 one somewhere between the pages in chapter 15!"
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Imposing
On Paul's orientation day at college, we happened to be chatting in the cafeteria with one of the women on staff. Turned out Patti was the school counselor, and she was missing a family wedding in LaCrosse because Freshman Orientation is something she just could not miss. I was driving right past LaCrosse on my way home, so Patti asked if she could have a ride. It was such a pleasant ride to chat with her and get to know her. And because my car was going in that direction (and she was not shy to ask for a ride) she could attend the reception with her family.
Last week at symposium, Patti's son-in-law and I were talking. I mentioned this story and how much it had impressed me and how friendly she was. David said that, yes, his wife was just like her mom: they both will ask things that other people might be afraid to ask, but it's so refreshing that they don't pussy-foot around.
The next day, a few of us from church were munching on our brown-bag lunches while all the other symposium attendees went out to restaurants. We were talking and eating and laughing when Craig walked into the room and approached our table. He asked, "Mind if I join you?" knowing that of course we wouldn't mind. I don't know his family as well as I'd like to (they're really nice!), so it was super to have him with us.
The next day, somebody needed a ride back to the hotel after the barbecue at the park. As we drove him there, he asked where we live. "Just a couple of miles from church." John asked, "Then what are you doing coming all the way over here to drive me back to the hotel? I thought this would be on your way." No, it wasn't on our way. But there was nobody left at the park going in that direction, so we took him. It was no big deal; it was a pleasant chance to visit with him a bit more.
So, here's the thing:
Why am I so afraid of "imposing"? I don't see any of these situations as impositions. Not at all. I'm happy to have other people join the gang! But when I'm the one wanting to approach a group of people eating lunch, or when I'm the one asking for a favor, I feel like a big fat wart or leech. This is dumb. If I was delighted to be with Patti and Craig and John in these stories from last week, then mightn't other people have the same sort of delights?
Last week at symposium, Patti's son-in-law and I were talking. I mentioned this story and how much it had impressed me and how friendly she was. David said that, yes, his wife was just like her mom: they both will ask things that other people might be afraid to ask, but it's so refreshing that they don't pussy-foot around.
The next day, a few of us from church were munching on our brown-bag lunches while all the other symposium attendees went out to restaurants. We were talking and eating and laughing when Craig walked into the room and approached our table. He asked, "Mind if I join you?" knowing that of course we wouldn't mind. I don't know his family as well as I'd like to (they're really nice!), so it was super to have him with us.
The next day, somebody needed a ride back to the hotel after the barbecue at the park. As we drove him there, he asked where we live. "Just a couple of miles from church." John asked, "Then what are you doing coming all the way over here to drive me back to the hotel? I thought this would be on your way." No, it wasn't on our way. But there was nobody left at the park going in that direction, so we took him. It was no big deal; it was a pleasant chance to visit with him a bit more.
So, here's the thing:
Why am I so afraid of "imposing"? I don't see any of these situations as impositions. Not at all. I'm happy to have other people join the gang! But when I'm the one wanting to approach a group of people eating lunch, or when I'm the one asking for a favor, I feel like a big fat wart or leech. This is dumb. If I was delighted to be with Patti and Craig and John in these stories from last week, then mightn't other people have the same sort of delights?
Jogging
I haven't exercised at all since last August. But my leg problem is clearing up, and I have inserts in my shoes to deal with the foot pain. Once I got to the point that I could walk around the house without wincing, I figured I should get walking outside, with a little speed and effort invested. So I started "jogging" again on May 27. I've been a good girl. I've only skipped days when I was occupied at church all morning or traveling to/from vacation.
I hate jogging. I have been spending the whole time giving myself speeches: "One more step. Remember to breathe. Keep going. Don't stop. Breathe, you idiot! One more step. And another step. You can do it. No, I can't! YES, you can, you wimp! Breathe!"
As I dragged myself through those 10-minute stints of excruciating exercise (which y'all would laugh at because it was such weak-hearted exercise!) I kept telling myself that I just needed to get through the first month. It would all be much easier after a month.
Well, I noticed last week that exercising isn't quite as detestable as it was 3-4 weeks ago. And today I finally reached the point where I could think about something other than "Just keep going!" So hooray! Now I'm looking forward to eventually reaping some of the benefits of this self-inflicted punishment.
I hate jogging. I have been spending the whole time giving myself speeches: "One more step. Remember to breathe. Keep going. Don't stop. Breathe, you idiot! One more step. And another step. You can do it. No, I can't! YES, you can, you wimp! Breathe!"
As I dragged myself through those 10-minute stints of excruciating exercise (which y'all would laugh at because it was such weak-hearted exercise!) I kept telling myself that I just needed to get through the first month. It would all be much easier after a month.
Well, I noticed last week that exercising isn't quite as detestable as it was 3-4 weeks ago. And today I finally reached the point where I could think about something other than "Just keep going!" So hooray! Now I'm looking forward to eventually reaping some of the benefits of this self-inflicted punishment.
Today's Laugh
It is a fact that baseball players, especially catchers, started using metal cups --and later hard plastic-- in the 19th century. They did not use hard helmets until about WWII. They must have finally realized that your head is also important to protect.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Nutrition-Nazi Bakes for the Neighbor
A very large dead branch came down out of the crab-apple tree shortly before vacation. We haven't gotten around to dealing with it yet. I did mention to Andrew once that we (read: he) should trim the twigs and begin sawing the branch into logs. But we (read: he, to escape my nagging) hadn't gotten to it yet.
Our neighbor Doug was outside today, trimming trees. Taking down branches. Chopping them up with a chainsaw. Wow..... Do you know how much faster chainsaws are than handsaws? Let me tell you, it is a LOT faster!
I was trying to get up my nerve to go over there and propose a barter: a couple of loaves of hotfresh bread in trade for his taking a few minutes with his chainsaw to turn that branch into a few fireplace-sized pieces. But before I did, he came over and offered! (Isn't that must mega-sweet?!?)
After picking up the logs, I told Doug of my ponderings 20 minutes earlier. He said I didn't have to do that, it was no problem, and all those nice neighborly things. I asked him whether I should make white or whole-wheat if I were to make them some bread anyhow. He said white.
So it's rising.
It looks funny. It's all .... well .... WHITE.
I feel like I'm giving him something that will hurt him. He does something so nice and I turn around and give him WHITE bread. I feel like a bad person.
(Wow, this really makes me realize what nutso I am.)
Our neighbor Doug was outside today, trimming trees. Taking down branches. Chopping them up with a chainsaw. Wow..... Do you know how much faster chainsaws are than handsaws? Let me tell you, it is a LOT faster!
I was trying to get up my nerve to go over there and propose a barter: a couple of loaves of hotfresh bread in trade for his taking a few minutes with his chainsaw to turn that branch into a few fireplace-sized pieces. But before I did, he came over and offered! (Isn't that must mega-sweet?!?)
After picking up the logs, I told Doug of my ponderings 20 minutes earlier. He said I didn't have to do that, it was no problem, and all those nice neighborly things. I asked him whether I should make white or whole-wheat if I were to make them some bread anyhow. He said white.
So it's rising.
It looks funny. It's all .... well .... WHITE.
I feel like I'm giving him something that will hurt him. He does something so nice and I turn around and give him WHITE bread. I feel like a bad person.
(Wow, this really makes me realize what nutso I am.)
Thinking about a Job
I keep checking the want ads, just in case something perfect shows up. And wow! Did I see a nifty-looking job this weekend! Now I need to decide whether to apply.
The job is to run the program that provides history fieldtrips to schoolkids. It would involve teaching in a "1917 schoolhouse" and also taking the kids to a 1860s museum a short walk away from the schoolhouse. Can you say "mega-fun"???
The upsides are that it sounds tremendously interesting to teach grade-school kids about living history. And that it's got lots of variety in the job (including planning the program, billing, communicating with the teachers who will be bringing their classes, and the actual teaching days).
It's a half-hour from home. Not exactly as close as I'd hoped to be for a job. But not too bad.
The downside is the amount of responsibility and time required. It's half-time, which is more than I'd want to put in for Andrew's last year (aka, catch-up and finish-it-off year) of homeschooling. And it involves marketing the program, talking it up in the community, finding schools to participate, enlisting volunteers, writing for grants to keep the program up and running, and otherwise promoting it. I'm not much for selling things, but as Gary said, maybe this is not pushing the program so much as letting people know it's there and the benefits of participating.
Yesterday afternoon, I was all gun-ho to fill out an application and go apply in person right away. But after I discovered the job description online (that is, the marketing aspects of the job) now I have a lot more to consider. It sure sounds like this would be the ideal job for me in so many ways! But am I ready to take on this much responsibility already, or do I need to wait another year when I'm down to homeschooling only one?
The job is to run the program that provides history fieldtrips to schoolkids. It would involve teaching in a "1917 schoolhouse" and also taking the kids to a 1860s museum a short walk away from the schoolhouse. Can you say "mega-fun"???
The upsides are that it sounds tremendously interesting to teach grade-school kids about living history. And that it's got lots of variety in the job (including planning the program, billing, communicating with the teachers who will be bringing their classes, and the actual teaching days).
It's a half-hour from home. Not exactly as close as I'd hoped to be for a job. But not too bad.
The downside is the amount of responsibility and time required. It's half-time, which is more than I'd want to put in for Andrew's last year (aka, catch-up and finish-it-off year) of homeschooling. And it involves marketing the program, talking it up in the community, finding schools to participate, enlisting volunteers, writing for grants to keep the program up and running, and otherwise promoting it. I'm not much for selling things, but as Gary said, maybe this is not pushing the program so much as letting people know it's there and the benefits of participating.
Yesterday afternoon, I was all gun-ho to fill out an application and go apply in person right away. But after I discovered the job description online (that is, the marketing aspects of the job) now I have a lot more to consider. It sure sounds like this would be the ideal job for me in so many ways! But am I ready to take on this much responsibility already, or do I need to wait another year when I'm down to homeschooling only one?
Today's Laugh
A very wealthy lawyer retreated for several weeks each year to his summer home in the backwoods of Maine. Every summer, he would invite one friend or another to stay with him there for a week or two. One summer he invited a Czechoslovakian friend to visit him. The friend, happy to get anything free from a lawyer, eagerly agreed. When the time came, they spent a wonderful time, getting up early every morning and enjoying the great outdoors.
One morning, as the lawyer and his Czechoslovakian friend were picking raspberries and blueberries for their breakfast, they were approached by two huge bears--a male and a female. The lawyer noticed them in time to run for cover. His friend, however, was not so lucky. The male bear reached him and swallowed him whole. Seeing this, the lawyer ran back to his Mercedes and raced for the nearest town to get the local sheriff. The sheriff grabbed his high-powered rifle and raced back to the berry area with the lawyer. All the while, lawyer was plagued by visions of a lawsuit from his friend's family. He just had to save his friend.
Luckily, the bears were still there. "He's in THAT one!" cried the lawyer, pointing to the male. The sheriff looked at the bears, leveled his gun, took careful aim, and shot the female. "What did you do that for?!" exclaimed the lawyer, "I said he was in the other bear!"
"Exactly," replied the sheriff. "Would you believe a lawyer who told you that the Czech was in the male?"
One morning, as the lawyer and his Czechoslovakian friend were picking raspberries and blueberries for their breakfast, they were approached by two huge bears--a male and a female. The lawyer noticed them in time to run for cover. His friend, however, was not so lucky. The male bear reached him and swallowed him whole. Seeing this, the lawyer ran back to his Mercedes and raced for the nearest town to get the local sheriff. The sheriff grabbed his high-powered rifle and raced back to the berry area with the lawyer. All the while, lawyer was plagued by visions of a lawsuit from his friend's family. He just had to save his friend.
Luckily, the bears were still there. "He's in THAT one!" cried the lawyer, pointing to the male. The sheriff looked at the bears, leveled his gun, took careful aim, and shot the female. "What did you do that for?!" exclaimed the lawyer, "I said he was in the other bear!"
"Exactly," replied the sheriff. "Would you believe a lawyer who told you that the Czech was in the male?"
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wood Smoke
Ah, the smell of neighbors' fire places!
One neighbor has a smoke-house. We seldom smell it. Smoking is usually done during the chilly months. When the luscious odors come wafting our way, the closed window panes protect us from the temptation to eat ham in copious quantities.
For years we'd had a gas grill. When it died, we replaced it with a charcoal grill. (Cheaper, doncha know?) A friend introduced Gary to natural hardwood charcoal. Christopher also introduced Gary to a chimney lighter; this saves money on lighter fluid and eliminates the chemical taste of the starter. On now, on top of this, Gary has discovered yet more good flavor: the hickory wood chunks you can soak and then toss in with the charcoal. Boy oh boy! Every time we grill, it smells wonderful around here! Even when you haul out leftover hamburgers or pork chops, the enticing aroma spreads through the kitchen.
Issue #49 of Backwoods Home had an article on how to make your own charcoal. We did that once -- by accident. A smoking log was buried under enough ash, and we thought it was out. But the next time we went out to the fire pit, we discovered some of the log had become charcoal. That was neat! But given our current location and lack of hardwood, I'm not goin' for self-reliance; we'll buy real charcoal instead of making our own. Next we're going to have to try the inexpensive brand that my aunt told me was available at Walmart.
One neighbor has a smoke-house. We seldom smell it. Smoking is usually done during the chilly months. When the luscious odors come wafting our way, the closed window panes protect us from the temptation to eat ham in copious quantities.
For years we'd had a gas grill. When it died, we replaced it with a charcoal grill. (Cheaper, doncha know?) A friend introduced Gary to natural hardwood charcoal. Christopher also introduced Gary to a chimney lighter; this saves money on lighter fluid and eliminates the chemical taste of the starter. On now, on top of this, Gary has discovered yet more good flavor: the hickory wood chunks you can soak and then toss in with the charcoal. Boy oh boy! Every time we grill, it smells wonderful around here! Even when you haul out leftover hamburgers or pork chops, the enticing aroma spreads through the kitchen.
Issue #49 of Backwoods Home had an article on how to make your own charcoal. We did that once -- by accident. A smoking log was buried under enough ash, and we thought it was out. But the next time we went out to the fire pit, we discovered some of the log had become charcoal. That was neat! But given our current location and lack of hardwood, I'm not goin' for self-reliance; we'll buy real charcoal instead of making our own. Next we're going to have to try the inexpensive brand that my aunt told me was available at Walmart.
Today's Laugh
Martin had just received his brand new drivers license. The family troops out to the driveway and climbs in the car, where he is going to take them for a ride for the first time. Dad immediately heads for the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver.
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply. "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply. "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Keeping Kids Safe
My son-in-law pointed me to an article by "America's Worst Mom."
She writes: We have to be less afraid of nature and more willing to embrace the idea that some rashes and bites are a fair price to pay in exchange for appreciating the wonder of a cool-looking rock or an unforgettable fern.
I have long said that it is SAFER for a kid to break his leg falling off the 8'-high slide (which no longer exists) than it is for him to stay locked up "safely" in his living room playing video games and watching television. Our society's desire to protect children actually does untold damage to a child's curiosity, intelligence, self-determination, and ability to grow up into a functional adult.
I'm plenty scared. The fearmongers all around me and the fearmongers in the media have affected me. And yet, in comparison to many moms around me, I'm the loosey-goosey "bad mom" that lets my kids do all sorts of wild and outlandish things. Helping cook (at the stove) when they're 1. Using the stove on their own when they're 5 or 6; chopping veggies with a sharp knife at the same age. Climbing ladders and high trees. Walking alone to a friend's house a half-mile away at age 7. At age 16, going to live for a few months with people that we met on the internet.
Check out Free Range Kids. What if enough of us spoke up (not officially, not on the FRK blog, but just to the folks around us)? What if the fearmongers lost some of their choke-hold on society?
She writes: We have to be less afraid of nature and more willing to embrace the idea that some rashes and bites are a fair price to pay in exchange for appreciating the wonder of a cool-looking rock or an unforgettable fern.
I have long said that it is SAFER for a kid to break his leg falling off the 8'-high slide (which no longer exists) than it is for him to stay locked up "safely" in his living room playing video games and watching television. Our society's desire to protect children actually does untold damage to a child's curiosity, intelligence, self-determination, and ability to grow up into a functional adult.
I'm plenty scared. The fearmongers all around me and the fearmongers in the media have affected me. And yet, in comparison to many moms around me, I'm the loosey-goosey "bad mom" that lets my kids do all sorts of wild and outlandish things. Helping cook (at the stove) when they're 1. Using the stove on their own when they're 5 or 6; chopping veggies with a sharp knife at the same age. Climbing ladders and high trees. Walking alone to a friend's house a half-mile away at age 7. At age 16, going to live for a few months with people that we met on the internet.
Check out Free Range Kids. What if enough of us spoke up (not officially, not on the FRK blog, but just to the folks around us)? What if the fearmongers lost some of their choke-hold on society?
Today's Laugh
The trucker knew the upcoming bridge was low, but the detour would be long and he thought he could make it through. Unfortunately, he managed to wedge his truck and load under the bridge. The state cop came out and said, "Got stuck there a little bit, huh?"
The quick-thinking truck driver said, "No, I was just delivering a bridge and ran out of gas."
The quick-thinking truck driver said, "No, I was just delivering a bridge and ran out of gas."
Friday, June 18, 2010
Nevertheless
Our story on Sunday was about Josiah and the recovery of the Torah and the celebration of the Passover (2 Kings 22). Josiah tore down the places of worship for the Baals and Ashtoreths. He got rid of the mediums and spiritists. He restored the temple and the feasts to Yahweh.
Nevertheless ...
Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. And the Lord said, "I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, 'My name shall be there.'" (2 Kings 23:26-27)
Whaddya mean, "Nevertheless"?? The people returned to the Lord their God. They repented. They celebrated the Passover as it hadn't been celebrated before. But God is still ticked? What's up with that? He will still pour out His wrath. He's still getting rid of them.
What about forgiveness? What about grace? What about mercy?
I did not like that "Nevertheless"!
But here's what Pastor said. Judah, the temple, Israel -- they are types of Christ. They show us who God is and what He's like and what He does.
The people repented. But God couldn't just say, "Ah, okay. No biggie. I won't be mad any more. We'll just forget about it." No. His anger at sin is real. Sin must be atoned for; it cannot merely be set aside. So, nevertheless,
It pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
The fierceness of His wrath was poured out upon His Son --the true Judah-- because of all the ways we provoked Him with our unbelief and our idolatry.
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that justice gave.
God had promised that Jerusalem, that the temple, that the Holy of Holies, would be the place of His saving presence. And yet He promises here in 2 Kings that He will cast off this place. How can both be true?
Mark the Sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
'Tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed.
Nevertheless ...
Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. And the Lord said, "I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, 'My name shall be there.'" (2 Kings 23:26-27)
Whaddya mean, "Nevertheless"?? The people returned to the Lord their God. They repented. They celebrated the Passover as it hadn't been celebrated before. But God is still ticked? What's up with that? He will still pour out His wrath. He's still getting rid of them.
What about forgiveness? What about grace? What about mercy?
I did not like that "Nevertheless"!
But here's what Pastor said. Judah, the temple, Israel -- they are types of Christ. They show us who God is and what He's like and what He does.
The people repented. But God couldn't just say, "Ah, okay. No biggie. I won't be mad any more. We'll just forget about it." No. His anger at sin is real. Sin must be atoned for; it cannot merely be set aside. So, nevertheless,
It pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
The fierceness of His wrath was poured out upon His Son --the true Judah-- because of all the ways we provoked Him with our unbelief and our idolatry.
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that justice gave.
God had promised that Jerusalem, that the temple, that the Holy of Holies, would be the place of His saving presence. And yet He promises here in 2 Kings that He will cast off this place. How can both be true?
Mark the Sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
'Tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed.
Today's Laugh
I personally do not blame Congress. If I had $600 or $800 billion in my pocket, I'd probably be irresponsible too.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Entrepreneurship
I've been considering taking a class at the local tech school on running a small business. I have several ideas, and I could begin to implement one or more of them easily enough -- were it not for government regulations out the wazoo. Hence the class. Not to learn about running a business, but about staying out of trouble with the government bureaucrats as I operate a business.
So yesterday I'm bouncing around the website for our tech school's Small Business Center and the links they have to the Small Business Administration. This is scary. The laws. The regulations. The need for insurance. The need for permits. The need for licenses. The taxes. The laws, the laws, the laws.
I burst out laughing at the claims that the government wants to provide incentives to small business owners, that they want to encourage entrepreneurs who will be creating new jobs.
They must not have taken a look at their own website.
There is nothing there but discouragement! The risks of starting a business are great enough without the government being the primary foe of the new business.
So yesterday I'm bouncing around the website for our tech school's Small Business Center and the links they have to the Small Business Administration. This is scary. The laws. The regulations. The need for insurance. The need for permits. The need for licenses. The taxes. The laws, the laws, the laws.
I burst out laughing at the claims that the government wants to provide incentives to small business owners, that they want to encourage entrepreneurs who will be creating new jobs.
They must not have taken a look at their own website.
There is nothing there but discouragement! The risks of starting a business are great enough without the government being the primary foe of the new business.
Need More School?
Oh no!
Test scores are falling!
American children score near the bottom of the heap in _________!
Drop-out rates are climbing!
The sky is falling!
I know. Here's what we'll do. We're obviously not teaching them enough. So longer school days! More school days! Start 'em at 5 instead of 6! No, wait -- start the kids at 4 instead of 5. No wait -- maybe they should start at age 3...
Barbara writes briefly about the news of what happened in some school districts where they decided to have four-day weeks instead of five-day weeks.
Homeschoolers are not surprised.
Test scores are falling!
American children score near the bottom of the heap in _________!
Drop-out rates are climbing!
The sky is falling!
I know. Here's what we'll do. We're obviously not teaching them enough. So longer school days! More school days! Start 'em at 5 instead of 6! No, wait -- start the kids at 4 instead of 5. No wait -- maybe they should start at age 3...
Barbara writes briefly about the news of what happened in some school districts where they decided to have four-day weeks instead of five-day weeks.
Homeschoolers are not surprised.
Today's Laugh
A farmer saw a huge campaign bus go by his corn field. Just as it went out of sight, he heard a huge crash and the bus hit a big oak tree. The farmer dashed down to the carnage and figured he would clean up the site. He buried all the dead politicians in a big hole beside the road.
When the bus failed to show up at its destination, a state police officer followed the bus's route. Subsequently the officer found the bus and the gravesite.
The farmer ambled out and told the officer how he heard the crash and thought it would be helpful to bury all the dead politicians. The state patrolman asked in astonishment, "Were they all dead? Everyone was dead??"
The farmer assured him, "Yeah, there were a lot of dead ones. There were also a few that claimed they were not dead, but you know how politicians lie."
When the bus failed to show up at its destination, a state police officer followed the bus's route. Subsequently the officer found the bus and the gravesite.
The farmer ambled out and told the officer how he heard the crash and thought it would be helpful to bury all the dead politicians. The state patrolman asked in astonishment, "Were they all dead? Everyone was dead??"
The farmer assured him, "Yeah, there were a lot of dead ones. There were also a few that claimed they were not dead, but you know how politicians lie."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Work: Paid or Unpaid
In the midst of some study on the Seventh Commandment ("You shall not steal") I ran across Paul's admonition in 2 Thessalonians 3 --
If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
The commentary on this verse reminds us that generosity and charity is good. It is, however, not a good thing for Christians to give material goods to those who are impenitently slothful.
And that's where it stings.
I don't want to get a job. I don't want my daughters to have to get jobs when they are mommies, either. How can I obtain paid employment when I know it would mean abdicating so many of my responsibilities, leaving undone so much of the work that I now do (cooking, gardening, housework, homeschooling, volunteering, and more)?
I can tell myself with all reasonable logic that I do work. Friends and family try to assure me that I am not lazy. But there's that verse: "if you will not work, you shall not eat."
Boy, women's lib sure has re-focused our idea of work. We say that women should be free to choose a career instead of staying home with the family. But after 40+ years of women's lib, we all know that a woman who's not earning a paycheck isn't really working.
The consumerism of our country adds to this. The only work that counts is work that earns a paycheck. All the other women earn paychecks, and somehow they manage to get their laundry done and toss some supper on the table. You know the lines: "They've got their priorities straight. What's the matter with you stay-at-home moms that you put such a high priority on home-making? You can manage without."
How do we know when to set aside the work God has given us to do, and trade it in for work which pulls in a paycheck? Is it mistrust of God to quit the unpaid work you've been doing (the duties to which God has called you in your vocation) so as to earn an income, or is it laziness to continue to do the work that doesn't garner any cash?
If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
The commentary on this verse reminds us that generosity and charity is good. It is, however, not a good thing for Christians to give material goods to those who are impenitently slothful.
And that's where it stings.
I don't want to get a job. I don't want my daughters to have to get jobs when they are mommies, either. How can I obtain paid employment when I know it would mean abdicating so many of my responsibilities, leaving undone so much of the work that I now do (cooking, gardening, housework, homeschooling, volunteering, and more)?
I can tell myself with all reasonable logic that I do work. Friends and family try to assure me that I am not lazy. But there's that verse: "if you will not work, you shall not eat."
Boy, women's lib sure has re-focused our idea of work. We say that women should be free to choose a career instead of staying home with the family. But after 40+ years of women's lib, we all know that a woman who's not earning a paycheck isn't really working.
The consumerism of our country adds to this. The only work that counts is work that earns a paycheck. All the other women earn paychecks, and somehow they manage to get their laundry done and toss some supper on the table. You know the lines: "They've got their priorities straight. What's the matter with you stay-at-home moms that you put such a high priority on home-making? You can manage without."
How do we know when to set aside the work God has given us to do, and trade it in for work which pulls in a paycheck? Is it mistrust of God to quit the unpaid work you've been doing (the duties to which God has called you in your vocation) so as to earn an income, or is it laziness to continue to do the work that doesn't garner any cash?
Today's Laugh
A woman went to the clinic for a problem. After a look at her health history and a discussion of the symptoms of her health problem, the doctor told her, "I think you're pregnant."
The horrified woman ran from the examination room screaming. She was stopped by a senior doctor who asked her what was wrong.
"That young doctor hardly even examined me and then told me I was pregnant. I am 67 years old! I can't be pregnant," she said.
The senior doctor quickly consulted with the young doctor about his horrendous diagnosis. The young doctor interjected, "Are her hiccups gone?"
The horrified woman ran from the examination room screaming. She was stopped by a senior doctor who asked her what was wrong.
"That young doctor hardly even examined me and then told me I was pregnant. I am 67 years old! I can't be pregnant," she said.
The senior doctor quickly consulted with the young doctor about his horrendous diagnosis. The young doctor interjected, "Are her hiccups gone?"
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
In Vigil
At anniversary time, we often recall the details of that day. For example, the oncology nurses who brought us trays of food. On the day that Dad died, we were sitting in his room at the hospital. We weren't leaving. The nurses would come in and check, "How are you doing? Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for Hank or for you?" Nope. We were okay. But we didn't leave the room to go to the cafeteria. The nurses noticed. After a while, one of those sweet women came in with a tray of tea, water, cookies, and fresh fruit. Later in the afternoon, seeing that we still weren't leaving Dad's bedside, they came back with another tray containing light lunch foods.
On that last day, I remember thinking that I would not be able to explain to someone who asked, "WHY do you sit there? What sense does it make? What does it accomplish?" And yet, there was nothing else to do. Something deep inside us compelled us to be there, even if human reason said it was pointless.
Yesterday we attended Betty's funeral. In the sermon, Pastor mentioned how the family had lovingly and tenderly cared for Betty during those last days when her health took such a turn for the worse, how they had been with her at the end. He spoke of how it is a Christian thing to keep vigil at the bedside of a dying loved one. He spoke of the women at the foot of Jesus' cross. He spoke of standing beside those who suffer to share in their sufferings and to support them in the small way that we can. But mostly he spoke of a Savior who shared in our sufferings and stood beside us, taking our punishment upon Himself.
Oh. So that explains the compulsion to be there with your loved one. Oh.
On that last day, I remember thinking that I would not be able to explain to someone who asked, "WHY do you sit there? What sense does it make? What does it accomplish?" And yet, there was nothing else to do. Something deep inside us compelled us to be there, even if human reason said it was pointless.
Yesterday we attended Betty's funeral. In the sermon, Pastor mentioned how the family had lovingly and tenderly cared for Betty during those last days when her health took such a turn for the worse, how they had been with her at the end. He spoke of how it is a Christian thing to keep vigil at the bedside of a dying loved one. He spoke of the women at the foot of Jesus' cross. He spoke of standing beside those who suffer to share in their sufferings and to support them in the small way that we can. But mostly he spoke of a Savior who shared in our sufferings and stood beside us, taking our punishment upon Himself.
Oh. So that explains the compulsion to be there with your loved one. Oh.
Lessons for a New Gardener with Strawberries
They say you learn from your mistakes. Okay, here's what I've learned this year so far.
1. Strawberries need straw. Too many strawberries are being lost to their contact with the soil. Next year I must apply mulch of some sort in April.
2. Strawberries need air. I thought I thinned the berries. I just hate ripping out plants and pruning trees and thinning canes. Thinking back to how big (not!) the strawberry plants grew during their first summer (last year), I didn't realize they would grow so full and lush this year. Suffice it to say, I need to yank out a LOT more plants next May and leave plenty of space in the rows so that the plants don't overcrowd each other, which reduces fresh air and encourages rot.
Now, this is not to say that my strawberry patch is doing poorly. But oh, next year I want it to be so much better!
1. Strawberries need straw. Too many strawberries are being lost to their contact with the soil. Next year I must apply mulch of some sort in April.
2. Strawberries need air. I thought I thinned the berries. I just hate ripping out plants and pruning trees and thinning canes. Thinking back to how big (not!) the strawberry plants grew during their first summer (last year), I didn't realize they would grow so full and lush this year. Suffice it to say, I need to yank out a LOT more plants next May and leave plenty of space in the rows so that the plants don't overcrowd each other, which reduces fresh air and encourages rot.
Now, this is not to say that my strawberry patch is doing poorly. But oh, next year I want it to be so much better!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Agreeable to Change
Last week was a family reunion. Katie and Nathan and Alia traveled from Texas to attend. Occasionally (but rarely) Alia was a bit out of sorts. For the most part, though, it was a grand time for her. Plenty of people around to entertain her, to take her to the playground, to take her to the pool, to take her for a walk, to play chase or to rough-house. Sometimes it was hard for her to get to sleep in a strange bed. Sometimes she was over-tired and didn't want to come in from playing to nap. But overall, she adjusted really well.Especially when you consider that a 1-yr-old doesn't really understand the concept of "vacation." She left her home. She left her kitties. She left her toys. She was dragged out of bed at an unreasonably early hour, locked up in a car seat for the whole day, didn't know hardly any of the people she was thrown together with for the week, ... and it was okay! Not only okay, but good!
Now, how many of us would react that way?
We want to know what's going on. We want to know what's coming next. We're often discombobulated when we lose the stability of what's around us.
I would see Alia prancing around confidently and recall the movie Life Is Beautiful. Granted, Alia had fun stuff like swimming and slides and swings and cousins. But you know how kids can be about their routine. It struck me that our attitude was "Isn't this great?!?" And so Alia enjoyed the adventure even though it would have been easy enough to a kid to be cranky in the situation. She had her parents with her; her needs were met; what she had [to all appearances] lost (such as toys and pets) was not important enough to deter her from the things she gained.If only I could trust my heavenly Father when big changes (and even losses) come. If only I could, like Alia, just go with whatever comes rollin' along through life and accept it with joy.
Storing Kombucha Mushrooms
Before we left on vacation, I made three batches of kombucha to brew while we were gone. I could come home, refill the empties we drank on vacation, and start brewing again. I went to grab a mushroom today for the first new batch and discovered ... [gasp] ... no starter. And even a few dried-up mushrooms.
Apparently those mushrooms were hungry. So here's the deal: if you're planning to leave your mushrooms untended for a week, give them each at least 12-16 ounces of starter tea to keep them fed and moist until you return.
Apparently those mushrooms were hungry. So here's the deal: if you're planning to leave your mushrooms untended for a week, give them each at least 12-16 ounces of starter tea to keep them fed and moist until you return.
Frugal on the Soap
I took a bar of home-made soap with us on vacation last week. It got used up! In one week! It never does that at home.
The shower stall was arranged such that the built-in soap dish was right where the water hits. (Now who would build it like that? Somebody with lots of stock in Dial and Safeguard?)
At home we have soap dishes that attach to the wall with suction cups. (Something on the order of this thing.) I can sure tell a difference in how fast the soap disappears at home, depending on where the dish is placed on the wall of the shower.
Maybe I need to start carrying a dish with me when I leave home, and not just my own soap.
The shower stall was arranged such that the built-in soap dish was right where the water hits. (Now who would build it like that? Somebody with lots of stock in Dial and Safeguard?)
At home we have soap dishes that attach to the wall with suction cups. (Something on the order of this thing.) I can sure tell a difference in how fast the soap disappears at home, depending on where the dish is placed on the wall of the shower.
Maybe I need to start carrying a dish with me when I leave home, and not just my own soap.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Compost
If you've been composting --especially after the first year when you've had the chance to use that lovely black dirt-- but extenuating circumstances mean that you cannot put your kitchen scraps in the compost bin for a couple of days, ...
it just about kills you to throw all those wonderful nutrients (onion peels, watermelon rinds, bread crumbs, etc) into the trash, like as if it were garbage or something!
it just about kills you to throw all those wonderful nutrients (onion peels, watermelon rinds, bread crumbs, etc) into the trash, like as if it were garbage or something!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
An Overfull Key-Ring
We have had to replace a couple of ignition cylinders on our cars. It's not cheap. Worse yet, it becomes darned inconvenient in figuring out which key opens the car door, which key opens the car trunk, and which key turns on the engine.
The mechanic recently pointed out something to me. He said our key-rings are often so full of keys that the weight wears out our ignition cylinders too fast. The key is not sitting in the ignition completely straight because all those other keys are pulling down on one end of the car key. And then there's the exaggerated bounciness that results from the clump of weight's motion as we are going around corners or over not-quite-smooth roads. The mechanic said that keeping your key-ring small and light (or keeping your car keys on a separate key ring) should prevent your need for new ignition cylinders.
Wow! A small life-style change to gain a big savings later!
The mechanic recently pointed out something to me. He said our key-rings are often so full of keys that the weight wears out our ignition cylinders too fast. The key is not sitting in the ignition completely straight because all those other keys are pulling down on one end of the car key. And then there's the exaggerated bounciness that results from the clump of weight's motion as we are going around corners or over not-quite-smooth roads. The mechanic said that keeping your key-ring small and light (or keeping your car keys on a separate key ring) should prevent your need for new ignition cylinders.
Wow! A small life-style change to gain a big savings later!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Leap Year
Cute movie! It's a romantic comedy that follows a typical story-line of how being together creates affection and love. (This frequently prods Gary into commenting on the harm that comes from men and women in the same workplace, spending all day together instead of with their spouses. And these kinds of story-lines frequently prod me into commenting about why/how arranged marriages actually worked.)
But anyway, the reason I mention this movie is because, when it was over, Andrew said, "That was a really clean movie!" And when I thought back, I realized how right he was. Clean, funny, and good. "Leap Year" would be one I'd recommend to my mom ... assuming she could get a copy with closed-captioning. (With the Irish accents in the movie, sometimes I missed dialogue.)
But anyway, the reason I mention this movie is because, when it was over, Andrew said, "That was a really clean movie!" And when I thought back, I realized how right he was. Clean, funny, and good. "Leap Year" would be one I'd recommend to my mom ... assuming she could get a copy with closed-captioning. (With the Irish accents in the movie, sometimes I missed dialogue.)
Friday, June 04, 2010
Would Not Hear the Prophets
Our chapel stories this week have been about Stephen. In his final sermon, Stephen told about when Moses attempted to break up the fight between two Hebrew men, trying to reconcile them.
But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" (Acts 7:27)
Pastor pointed out how they "pushed him away." God sends a redeemer, a prophet, a reconciler, a savior. And how did they respond? They pushed him away.
But God didn't renege on the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses still brought them out of slavery. In the wilderness, the children of Israel continued to push Moses away. Still the Lord stayed faithful to them for the sake of His promise. Then came the time of the judges. Then their desire for a king. And all the while, the people pushed away the prophets God sent.
But still He sent His Son. "Surely they will respect My Son" (Matthew 21:37).
Or not.
But still He remains faithful.
PS: It is really interesting to listen to that sermon while you're thinking about it from Paul's perspective. After all, Paul was there. A ring-leader. A murderer. Saul of Tarsus heard Stephen's sermon and hated it. But he was the one who was the eye-witness, the one who told the story to Luke to record. Amazing to listen to this sermon through Paul's eyes, seeing how some of what he wrote to the Corinthians he first heard from Stephen in this sermon! God's word will not return to Him void but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.
But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" (Acts 7:27)
Pastor pointed out how they "pushed him away." God sends a redeemer, a prophet, a reconciler, a savior. And how did they respond? They pushed him away.
But God didn't renege on the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses still brought them out of slavery. In the wilderness, the children of Israel continued to push Moses away. Still the Lord stayed faithful to them for the sake of His promise. Then came the time of the judges. Then their desire for a king. And all the while, the people pushed away the prophets God sent.
But still He sent His Son. "Surely they will respect My Son" (Matthew 21:37).
Or not.
But still He remains faithful.
PS: It is really interesting to listen to that sermon while you're thinking about it from Paul's perspective. After all, Paul was there. A ring-leader. A murderer. Saul of Tarsus heard Stephen's sermon and hated it. But he was the one who was the eye-witness, the one who told the story to Luke to record. Amazing to listen to this sermon through Paul's eyes, seeing how some of what he wrote to the Corinthians he first heard from Stephen in this sermon! God's word will not return to Him void but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Beautiful Bowlfuls
Nearly a gallon.
And I only worked my way through 2/3 of the patch today.
And this is just the start!
Woo hooo!
I was editing some material on the First Article of the Creed the other day -- about how it is only through God's mercy in Christ's atonement that we can enjoy any of the good gifts God gives. And I'm thinkin', in the strawberry patch this afternoon, if God can give strawberries this abundantly, and if strawberries ain't nothin' compared to being with Him in heaven, then it's pretty hard to wrap your mind around how bountiful are His blessings! I'm just pretty excited about strawberries!
And I only worked my way through 2/3 of the patch today.
And this is just the start!Woo hooo!
I was editing some material on the First Article of the Creed the other day -- about how it is only through God's mercy in Christ's atonement that we can enjoy any of the good gifts God gives. And I'm thinkin', in the strawberry patch this afternoon, if God can give strawberries this abundantly, and if strawberries ain't nothin' compared to being with Him in heaven, then it's pretty hard to wrap your mind around how bountiful are His blessings! I'm just pretty excited about strawberries!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Garden Report
Ate one strawberry yesterday. Gary picked four this morning. Looks like they'll be starting in heavy by the end of the week. Gary and I dug out walking space in the strawberry bed. A week or two ago it looked like there was plenty of space for your feet and your bottom while picking. But boy, the plants have really bushed out. Note for next year: much much bigger foot paths in the bed.
Just beginning to see some flowers on the raspberries.
Not one cilantro seed has germinated, neither the rows I planted mid-April or mid-May. I'm buying a fresher pack of seeds and trying again.
Planted cucumbers, green beans, hubbard squash, and carrots yesterday.
How hard should it be to turn on the sprinkler? C'mon. It's a sprinkler, for cryin' out loud. It's not rocket science. How come it can take me an hour to get that blasted thing turned on and working? Last week I gave up and bought a new one. While at the hardware store, I saw the same brand I bought late last summer (the one that's driving me bonkers). It has a life-time guarantee. So I thought I'd check with the company about replacing it. But first, I tried running the old sprinkler again. It ran perfectly. And again a couple of days later, it ran without a hitch. I returned the unused new one to the store. The next day, the sprinkler-with-a-demon decided to pull its stunts again. I cried. (PS: I finally threw it down in frustration, hoping that a good whack might knock something loose. Guess what? It did. I finally got the plants and seeds wet.)
Question: have y'all found hoeing to be as effective as yanking out the weeds by the roots? I think it's good to pull out the weeds. But if I can't keep up, better to hoe than to let the boogers keep growing, right? If I hoe, do I have to tackle the weeds two or three times as often as if I yank 'em out by the roots? Or does hoeing kill 'em good-&-dead?
Just beginning to see some flowers on the raspberries.
Not one cilantro seed has germinated, neither the rows I planted mid-April or mid-May. I'm buying a fresher pack of seeds and trying again.
Planted cucumbers, green beans, hubbard squash, and carrots yesterday.
How hard should it be to turn on the sprinkler? C'mon. It's a sprinkler, for cryin' out loud. It's not rocket science. How come it can take me an hour to get that blasted thing turned on and working? Last week I gave up and bought a new one. While at the hardware store, I saw the same brand I bought late last summer (the one that's driving me bonkers). It has a life-time guarantee. So I thought I'd check with the company about replacing it. But first, I tried running the old sprinkler again. It ran perfectly. And again a couple of days later, it ran without a hitch. I returned the unused new one to the store. The next day, the sprinkler-with-a-demon decided to pull its stunts again. I cried. (PS: I finally threw it down in frustration, hoping that a good whack might knock something loose. Guess what? It did. I finally got the plants and seeds wet.)
Question: have y'all found hoeing to be as effective as yanking out the weeds by the roots? I think it's good to pull out the weeds. But if I can't keep up, better to hoe than to let the boogers keep growing, right? If I hoe, do I have to tackle the weeds two or three times as often as if I yank 'em out by the roots? Or does hoeing kill 'em good-&-dead?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Graduation
Matt's graduation from med school was last Friday. Nobody from our family was able to go except me. It was enjoyable to be there with Rachel, saving seats for Matt's family, chatting and waiting with her during the hour before the ceremony.
Rachel said half the graduating class were girls. The class who graduated 50 years ago was honored at last week's ceremony; the names were listed in the program; only three girls were in that class.
The introductory speaker was ... uh ... well ... stunning. He was a white guy (and I am assuming, a rich white guy), and nearly half his speech was about the unfair advantages that rich white guys have. He talked about how wretched our health care system is, and the disparity of care available to those of different races and economic levels. The second big chunk of his speech was about the genome project, and how that will allow health care to be personalized in never-before-conceived ways. Yes, it's expensive. But yowza, it's going to provide awesome care for those who can pay. What a great thing, he exuded. The conclusion of his speech was trying to make sense out of those two entirely contradictory points. He asked if we will ensure an end to the disparity, and begin to provide all our best medical care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay? Or will we use these wonderful new scientific advances only for those who have the financial resources to access such high levels of medical care? And his answer was, "We will do both."
Huh?
If that speech weren't for-real, it would be amusing.
Here's a picture of the stage. I was impressed by all the plants. A variety of greenery was scattered across the front of the stage, down on the floor in front of the stage, at the stairs, across the back of the stage. I wondered if they purchased them or rented them. So beautiful, but so much expense for a brief two hours. (And this attitude is why I'm not in charge of decorating ANYthing!!)
The main speaker for the graduation was a Canadian professor who specializes in the history of medicine. He was delightful! He had serious things to say, but sprinkled throughout with non-distracting light-heartedness and jokes. He seemed very genuine and not preachy. He began with the statement that it's fashionable to complain our health-care system. He admitted that there are some problems, but that the graduates could come to Canada and work in their system for a while, discovering both the benefits and flaws of that system. He said all health-care systems will have their positives and negatives. But what we need to focus on is how well-trained our doctors are, and how much suffering in the world has been alleviated in the last century. He said we can complain about who pays and how much, but we seldom reflect on just how healthy we are. We take for granted that we have antibiotics to easily cure things that used to be deadly. People who get cancer often survive it. Women don't routinely die from child-bearing. Broken bones and ankles seldom leave people lame. We can cure some deafness. Dr Bliss reminded us that these wonders are not the sign of a "broken health care system." At one point it took a lot of restraint to keep from breaking out into applause in the middle of his speech. (Maybe I should've gone ahead...) That guy deserved a standing ovation.
All my pictures of the stage, or of Matt walking across the stage, are mega-blurry. This one (blurry though it be) isn't as bad as some of the others. This shows the members of the class taking the Hippocratic Oath. (By the way, nothing in there about refusing to administer an abortifacient, although the oath was closer to the "classic version" than the "modern version.")
The dean did not ask us to hold our applause for individual graduates. However, people were considerate for the most part: short, polite clapping from the audience for all, with a noticeably more vigorous applause from the grad's family. Only for three graduates was the family's applause and cheering so loud and long that it rudely interrupted the flow of the ceremony. (All three grads had some obvious physical traits in common.) I appreciated the lady reading the names, for she had the courtesy to wait until the wild cheering died down, so that the names of the next graduates weren't drowned out.
Being the wearer of ugly orthopedic shoes, I noticed that nearly all the females wore pretty, sexy, strappy, black shoes with heels. When shoes are the only "style" you have extending out from under your graduation gown, those strappy heels looked really nice. I felt like a frump. But I was impressed with all those gals for being able to walk smoothly across the stage in high, spike-heeled sandals, and not a one fell on her face or slipped on the stairs.
The thesis topics for the PhD's and MA's were listed in the program. One girl's thesis was on the peril of parents' imposing their religious values on their children (particularly with regard to health care). "Imposing religious values." Gee, I wonder if she came into her project biased in one direction or another?? Do ya think?
In one of the speeches, the doctor quoted Thomas Jefferson who wrote in the Declaration of Independence, "All men and women are created equal." Oh. Funny. That's not what my encyclopedia says. And that's not what's recorded in our history book. Y'know, if you want to say that "all men and women are created equal," then go ahead and say it. But don't tell us that you're quoting Jefferson as he wrote in the Declaration.
During the ceremony, they asked the spouses of the graduates to rise, and applauded them. Then they asked the same of the grads' parents. I thought that was classy.
Matt and his proud parents!
The concluding speech began with "You deserve to be happy." I was squirming a bit in my chair as the president headed off into his speech this way. But by the time he approached the end of his speech, he was explaining to the graduates that happiness can be found only in serving others, in giving, in self-sacrifice. Well, that's not such a bad way to end the ceremony after all.
Rachel said half the graduating class were girls. The class who graduated 50 years ago was honored at last week's ceremony; the names were listed in the program; only three girls were in that class.
The introductory speaker was ... uh ... well ... stunning. He was a white guy (and I am assuming, a rich white guy), and nearly half his speech was about the unfair advantages that rich white guys have. He talked about how wretched our health care system is, and the disparity of care available to those of different races and economic levels. The second big chunk of his speech was about the genome project, and how that will allow health care to be personalized in never-before-conceived ways. Yes, it's expensive. But yowza, it's going to provide awesome care for those who can pay. What a great thing, he exuded. The conclusion of his speech was trying to make sense out of those two entirely contradictory points. He asked if we will ensure an end to the disparity, and begin to provide all our best medical care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay? Or will we use these wonderful new scientific advances only for those who have the financial resources to access such high levels of medical care? And his answer was, "We will do both."
Huh?
If that speech weren't for-real, it would be amusing.
Here's a picture of the stage. I was impressed by all the plants. A variety of greenery was scattered across the front of the stage, down on the floor in front of the stage, at the stairs, across the back of the stage. I wondered if they purchased them or rented them. So beautiful, but so much expense for a brief two hours. (And this attitude is why I'm not in charge of decorating ANYthing!!)
The main speaker for the graduation was a Canadian professor who specializes in the history of medicine. He was delightful! He had serious things to say, but sprinkled throughout with non-distracting light-heartedness and jokes. He seemed very genuine and not preachy. He began with the statement that it's fashionable to complain our health-care system. He admitted that there are some problems, but that the graduates could come to Canada and work in their system for a while, discovering both the benefits and flaws of that system. He said all health-care systems will have their positives and negatives. But what we need to focus on is how well-trained our doctors are, and how much suffering in the world has been alleviated in the last century. He said we can complain about who pays and how much, but we seldom reflect on just how healthy we are. We take for granted that we have antibiotics to easily cure things that used to be deadly. People who get cancer often survive it. Women don't routinely die from child-bearing. Broken bones and ankles seldom leave people lame. We can cure some deafness. Dr Bliss reminded us that these wonders are not the sign of a "broken health care system." At one point it took a lot of restraint to keep from breaking out into applause in the middle of his speech. (Maybe I should've gone ahead...) That guy deserved a standing ovation.
All my pictures of the stage, or of Matt walking across the stage, are mega-blurry. This one (blurry though it be) isn't as bad as some of the others. This shows the members of the class taking the Hippocratic Oath. (By the way, nothing in there about refusing to administer an abortifacient, although the oath was closer to the "classic version" than the "modern version.")
The dean did not ask us to hold our applause for individual graduates. However, people were considerate for the most part: short, polite clapping from the audience for all, with a noticeably more vigorous applause from the grad's family. Only for three graduates was the family's applause and cheering so loud and long that it rudely interrupted the flow of the ceremony. (All three grads had some obvious physical traits in common.) I appreciated the lady reading the names, for she had the courtesy to wait until the wild cheering died down, so that the names of the next graduates weren't drowned out.
Being the wearer of ugly orthopedic shoes, I noticed that nearly all the females wore pretty, sexy, strappy, black shoes with heels. When shoes are the only "style" you have extending out from under your graduation gown, those strappy heels looked really nice. I felt like a frump. But I was impressed with all those gals for being able to walk smoothly across the stage in high, spike-heeled sandals, and not a one fell on her face or slipped on the stairs.
The thesis topics for the PhD's and MA's were listed in the program. One girl's thesis was on the peril of parents' imposing their religious values on their children (particularly with regard to health care). "Imposing religious values." Gee, I wonder if she came into her project biased in one direction or another?? Do ya think?
In one of the speeches, the doctor quoted Thomas Jefferson who wrote in the Declaration of Independence, "All men and women are created equal." Oh. Funny. That's not what my encyclopedia says. And that's not what's recorded in our history book. Y'know, if you want to say that "all men and women are created equal," then go ahead and say it. But don't tell us that you're quoting Jefferson as he wrote in the Declaration.
During the ceremony, they asked the spouses of the graduates to rise, and applauded them. Then they asked the same of the grads' parents. I thought that was classy.
Matt and his proud parents!
The concluding speech began with "You deserve to be happy." I was squirming a bit in my chair as the president headed off into his speech this way. But by the time he approached the end of his speech, he was explaining to the graduates that happiness can be found only in serving others, in giving, in self-sacrifice. Well, that's not such a bad way to end the ceremony after all.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Motivation to Serve
It is SO much easier to do what needs to be done for the people around you when you can do it freely and cheerfully. As soon as you're being told to hurry up, or how much people are depending on you, or to do a better job, or to set aside other priorities so as to focus on this-or-that one, it can become paralyzing. That doesn't mean we shouldn't have rules or demands. But boy oh boy, I find myself much more efficient and effective, much more of benefit to my neighbor, when I'm motivated by the gospel than when I'm being cajoled by the law (with all my failures staring me in the face).
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ugly Couch
Our loveseats are in lousy condition. We bought them used about 10 years ago from our doctor's office when they closed and moved to a new building in the next village over. I hate doing schoolwork with the kids in the living room because it's so hard to get up out of the couch. (Notice I did not say "off" the couch. "Out of" is a more appropriate preposition.) We keep clearing and cluttering and re-clearing the table in the breakfast nook because it's so uncomfortable for me to sit on the couch when we do schoolwork.
When hunting for some furniture for Paul's new apartment, I stumbled across a nice little loveseat at Goodwill that sat high. I loved it, but the van was full of Paul's furniture. So I checked back the next day after we'd emptied the van. That pretty little loveseat was gone.
But it made me covet a new couch.
I've been regularly hitting Salvation Army because it's right by the dentist and the orthodontist (where we seem to be regularly these days).
This week I sat on a couch that I'd ignored on previous visits because it's so ugly*. Goodness! That couch feels nice. It sits high. It's the shape we like best. It seems in very good condition. I googled the name-brand, and it appears to be from one of those expensive, well-crafted furniture builders. And it was less than 1/4 of the price of what you can find at the cheap dept stores when the couches are on sale.
So here's the question. It's in the garage right now. It "should" be re-upholstered because it's ugly. I will not get around to re-upholstering. We could buy slip-covers, but right now all my energies are being devoted to editing, and I can't shop for slip-covers. Another possibility is that we could paint the living room. The couch would still be in a fabric I don't care for, but c'mon, a pink/blue/green couch is going to be MEGA-ugly in a living room with burgundy walls!!
If we bring that couch indoors, and if we live with its ugliness for a month, I will have no incentive to fix it. We'll just keep living with it. (I just can't care about "pretty" as a proper woman should.) So do we leave it in the garage? Or do we bring it inside so that I don't have to grunt-like-an-old-person whenever I stand up from having been sitting on the couch?
* Footnote: To be fair, I suppose this couch might look very nice in a room that had pale-rose walls, carpet and chairs and window-treatments to match the different colors in the upholstery. In my living room, however, it will be hideous.
When hunting for some furniture for Paul's new apartment, I stumbled across a nice little loveseat at Goodwill that sat high. I loved it, but the van was full of Paul's furniture. So I checked back the next day after we'd emptied the van. That pretty little loveseat was gone.
But it made me covet a new couch.
I've been regularly hitting Salvation Army because it's right by the dentist and the orthodontist (where we seem to be regularly these days).
This week I sat on a couch that I'd ignored on previous visits because it's so ugly*. Goodness! That couch feels nice. It sits high. It's the shape we like best. It seems in very good condition. I googled the name-brand, and it appears to be from one of those expensive, well-crafted furniture builders. And it was less than 1/4 of the price of what you can find at the cheap dept stores when the couches are on sale.
So here's the question. It's in the garage right now. It "should" be re-upholstered because it's ugly. I will not get around to re-upholstering. We could buy slip-covers, but right now all my energies are being devoted to editing, and I can't shop for slip-covers. Another possibility is that we could paint the living room. The couch would still be in a fabric I don't care for, but c'mon, a pink/blue/green couch is going to be MEGA-ugly in a living room with burgundy walls!!
If we bring that couch indoors, and if we live with its ugliness for a month, I will have no incentive to fix it. We'll just keep living with it. (I just can't care about "pretty" as a proper woman should.) So do we leave it in the garage? Or do we bring it inside so that I don't have to grunt-like-an-old-person whenever I stand up from having been sitting on the couch?
* Footnote: To be fair, I suppose this couch might look very nice in a room that had pale-rose walls, carpet and chairs and window-treatments to match the different colors in the upholstery. In my living room, however, it will be hideous.
Fire
The huge amounts of black smoke would've made LOST fans think the smoke monster had gotten off the island. I assumed someone was burning a tire.
It wasn't a tire. Soon I saw flames. The flames grew bigger. Does the neighbor knows what's going on? If I call 911, will they scoff at me and say, "Well, of course we know about that; it's a controled burn and everything's fine"? I checked; the fire's fuel was indeed a pile of brush that needed to be burned. But the flames were about 20' high and were way too close to the barn's roof. Just when I decided I didn't care about crying wolf and headed for the phone, I heard the sirens.
This is when the fire had died down, after the firemen had been spraying water on it for a while.
Moral of the story: I must remember that, now that we're in town, call 911 right away. There are buildings here in town, not just grass. Sometimes butting into your neighbor's business is a good thing. (That was more excitement than I wanted for the day.)
It wasn't a tire. Soon I saw flames. The flames grew bigger. Does the neighbor knows what's going on? If I call 911, will they scoff at me and say, "Well, of course we know about that; it's a controled burn and everything's fine"? I checked; the fire's fuel was indeed a pile of brush that needed to be burned. But the flames were about 20' high and were way too close to the barn's roof. Just when I decided I didn't care about crying wolf and headed for the phone, I heard the sirens.
This is when the fire had died down, after the firemen had been spraying water on it for a while.
Moral of the story: I must remember that, now that we're in town, call 911 right away. There are buildings here in town, not just grass. Sometimes butting into your neighbor's business is a good thing. (That was more excitement than I wanted for the day.)
Summer?
Drank three-and-a-half quarts of iced tea on Monday. Mmmmm. Maggie went to Leah's to swim. Monday was the hottest it's been since August 2008.
The sprinkler broke. With the heat, the berries and tomatoes are going to need water! Off to the hardware store after chapel.
It's good weather for sitting outdoors in the shade, editing. With a glass of water or iced tea nearby, of course!
The sprinkler broke. With the heat, the berries and tomatoes are going to need water! Off to the hardware store after chapel.
It's good weather for sitting outdoors in the shade, editing. With a glass of water or iced tea nearby, of course!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Garden Report
Hilled the potatoes. Even the ones that were zapped by the frost seem to be recovering nicely.
Finally pruned the apple trees. One has a reasonable amount of apples for such a tiny tree. But the other has no baby apples. Maybe next year will be better.
Cherries and strawberries are growing nicely. No flowers on the raspberries and blackberries yet.
Lilacs and tulips are done. My columbine is beautiful.
After lots of weeding on Saturday, and two hours of planting on Sunday afternoon, ten tomatoes, three sweet peppers, two hot peppers, a bunch of cilantro, and a bunch of basil are snugged away to grow grow grow.
Looks like the spinach can begin to be harvested, and the romaine needs to be thinned. Onion sets are beginning to poke through; I just put them out middle of last week.
Finally pruned the apple trees. One has a reasonable amount of apples for such a tiny tree. But the other has no baby apples. Maybe next year will be better.
Cherries and strawberries are growing nicely. No flowers on the raspberries and blackberries yet.
Lilacs and tulips are done. My columbine is beautiful.
After lots of weeding on Saturday, and two hours of planting on Sunday afternoon, ten tomatoes, three sweet peppers, two hot peppers, a bunch of cilantro, and a bunch of basil are snugged away to grow grow grow.
Looks like the spinach can begin to be harvested, and the romaine needs to be thinned. Onion sets are beginning to poke through; I just put them out middle of last week.
Monday, May 24, 2010
God the Father Almighty
God the Father. First person of the Trinity. Name for God. Cited in the Creed every day when we pray.
Our Father who art in heaven. "God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father ... so that we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father."
Now please be patient with my excitement in stating what may be obvious to everybody else, but wasn't obvious to me. The creed means "I believe in God the Daddy almighty." Or "I believe in God the papa all-powerful." Not some formal or distant or stuffy "father." But "daddy." And not only the daddy who loves us, but the daddy who is almighty, who has all power, and who will not allow anything to harm His dear children.
Our Father who art in heaven. "God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father ... so that we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father."
Now please be patient with my excitement in stating what may be obvious to everybody else, but wasn't obvious to me. The creed means "I believe in God the Daddy almighty." Or "I believe in God the papa all-powerful." Not some formal or distant or stuffy "father." But "daddy." And not only the daddy who loves us, but the daddy who is almighty, who has all power, and who will not allow anything to harm His dear children.
Choir Pictures
Oh. I found pictures of my own. The previous ones were stolen from Kathy. I just love the looks from Grace, Matthias, Joey, and Mark! But especially Grace.
And a snapshot where I steadied the camera before I pushed the button. Funny how that makes for much clearer pictures...
And a snapshot where I steadied the camera before I pushed the button. Funny how that makes for much clearer pictures...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Controled Substance
The other day I was transplanting bleeding hearts from my friend Robin. Digging up the soil a bit, eliminating dandelions and other interlopers, I noticed a familiar plant. I hadn't seen any since we left our old home. I sniffed. Sure enough... it was time to invite a kitty over.
It is such a crack-up to watch a cranky middle-aged cat roll on her back, tickled to pieces, acting decidedly undignified!
(After Athena had nibbled at the mint and had her spell of silliness, she just curled up around the catnip to blissfully hang out near it, even though I was wielding a spade a mere 4' away.)
It is such a crack-up to watch a cranky middle-aged cat roll on her back, tickled to pieces, acting decidedly undignified!
(After Athena had nibbled at the mint and had her spell of silliness, she just curled up around the catnip to blissfully hang out near it, even though I was wielding a spade a mere 4' away.)
Choir Concert
Maggie's been singing with the Academy Choir since November. It's taken a LOT of trips during the school day back and forth to church, but she has improved immensely in her singing ability. And she enjoys it!
This year, for the first time, the kids gave a concert. Here are the academy and cherub choirs.
The kids were excited to get the autograph of Paul Bouman (the composer of many of the pieces they sang this year).
Many thanks to Kathy (the choir director) and the kids at school for letting Maggie be part of the group!
This year, for the first time, the kids gave a concert. Here are the academy and cherub choirs.
The kids were excited to get the autograph of Paul Bouman (the composer of many of the pieces they sang this year).
Many thanks to Kathy (the choir director) and the kids at school for letting Maggie be part of the group!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Today's Laugh
The maharajah of an Indian province issued a royal decree. He ordered that no one was to kill any wild animals while he was the country's leader. The decree was honored until there were so many Bengal tigers running loose that the people revolted and threw the maharajah from power.
This is the first known instance of the reign being called on account of the game.
This is the first known instance of the reign being called on account of the game.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Happiness
strawberry fields forever
Look at all those flowers.
And even some itty-bitty strawberries starting to form.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ball Game
A friend gave us a couple of tickets to a Brewers game recently. It was a fun, fun evening. (And it was even a good baseball game. Triple home-runs in one inning for the losing team. How's that for whacko?)
Gwyneth and Hank Aaron:
One of Gary's shirt-tail relations:
The Phillies fans who sat in front of us:
Gwyneth and Hank Aaron:
One of Gary's shirt-tail relations:
The Phillies fans who sat in front of us:
Today's Laugh
Being fond of very bad puns, and being in the midst of physics lessons where we're adding a lot of vectors, this one just tickled my funny bone:
An Indian chief had three wives, each of whom was pregnant. The first gave birth to a boy. The chief was so elated he built her a teepee made of deer hide. A few days later, the second gave birth, also to a boy. The chief was very happy. He built her a teepee made of antelope hide. The third wife gave birth a few days later, but the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two-story teepee, made out of a hippopotamus hide.
The chief then challenged the tribe to guess what had occurred. Many tried, unsuccessfully. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys. "Correct," said the chief. "How did you figure it out?"
The warrior answered, "It's elementary. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides."
An Indian chief had three wives, each of whom was pregnant. The first gave birth to a boy. The chief was so elated he built her a teepee made of deer hide. A few days later, the second gave birth, also to a boy. The chief was very happy. He built her a teepee made of antelope hide. The third wife gave birth a few days later, but the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two-story teepee, made out of a hippopotamus hide.
The chief then challenged the tribe to guess what had occurred. Many tried, unsuccessfully. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys. "Correct," said the chief. "How did you figure it out?"
The warrior answered, "It's elementary. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Goal Achieved
No doubt, some of my friends will be disappointed in my rejoicing. But here goes anyway...
I have been trying to gain control over my computer addiction. I'm trying to limit my time on Facebook and email discussion-boards. I'm even blogging less -- which drives me a bit batty when my fingers are itchin' to type and empty out my brain into my pensieve.
It so happens that one of the email lists in which I participate has counters of people's posts. When the group started, I was one of the top posters. Last August, in a fit of "I must cut back on my computer time," I determined that I would work my way off the Top Ten Contributors list. That list was a visible and objective way to measure how much time I spend playing online. Within a month or two, I was no longer listed on the Monthly Top Ten List. It has taken since August, but today somebody else finally bumped me off the All-Time Top Ten list. Success! (At least for a day or so.)
I have been trying to gain control over my computer addiction. I'm trying to limit my time on Facebook and email discussion-boards. I'm even blogging less -- which drives me a bit batty when my fingers are itchin' to type and empty out my brain into my pensieve.
It so happens that one of the email lists in which I participate has counters of people's posts. When the group started, I was one of the top posters. Last August, in a fit of "I must cut back on my computer time," I determined that I would work my way off the Top Ten Contributors list. That list was a visible and objective way to measure how much time I spend playing online. Within a month or two, I was no longer listed on the Monthly Top Ten List. It has taken since August, but today somebody else finally bumped me off the All-Time Top Ten list. Success! (At least for a day or so.)
Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes,
that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Doesn't that just go so nicely with the story of the Emmaus disciples? They were blind to Jesus' presence. But His preaching on the Old Testament showed them how the scriptures were all about His suffering and death, and then they saw wondrous things [that is, Jesus] in the law.
that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Doesn't that just go so nicely with the story of the Emmaus disciples? They were blind to Jesus' presence. But His preaching on the Old Testament showed them how the scriptures were all about His suffering and death, and then they saw wondrous things [that is, Jesus] in the law.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Today's Laugh
Q: How do you confuse a French soldier?
A: Give him a rifle and ask him to shoot it.
- - - - - - - -
Q: Why don't Master Card and Visa work well in France?
A: They don't know how to say "CHARGE!"
A: Give him a rifle and ask him to shoot it.
- - - - - - - -
Q: Why don't Master Card and Visa work well in France?
A: They don't know how to say "CHARGE!"
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Group Activities
When my friend Susan comes to visit, she always plays piano and we sing a few hymns together. I love that!
Rumor has it that kickball is frequently played at confirmation or graduation parties for some of our friends.
Rachel's in-laws often play football when the family gathers for celebrations and holidays. They camp together. They foam-sword fight. They DO things.
When I was little, I remember card tables all around my grandparents' house whenever we visited Dad's side of the family. The kids played their own pretend games or board games or played out in the barn. But the grown-ups played euchre.
But my mom's side of the family talked. I don't remember games very often. We'd sometimes go for walks down to the creek. I remember snapping beans and shelling peas while we talked. I remember playing with kittens while we talked. But the activity-of-choice was usually talking.
When we have company, I never think to bring out the Dominoes or Cranium. I seldom have the presence of mind to set up croquet or ladderball or haul out the Belegarth weapons. We just talk. Now, I have no problem with "just talking." But it crosses my mind that other people may find this boring. With a family reunion coming up, we've all been told that we are free to suggest activities or plan an evening's events. But I have no ideas. My version of entertainment is that we sit and talk.
Okay, so I'm boring. So sue me. No, don't sue me. Give me ideas. What do you do with your families?
Rumor has it that kickball is frequently played at confirmation or graduation parties for some of our friends.
Rachel's in-laws often play football when the family gathers for celebrations and holidays. They camp together. They foam-sword fight. They DO things.
When I was little, I remember card tables all around my grandparents' house whenever we visited Dad's side of the family. The kids played their own pretend games or board games or played out in the barn. But the grown-ups played euchre.
But my mom's side of the family talked. I don't remember games very often. We'd sometimes go for walks down to the creek. I remember snapping beans and shelling peas while we talked. I remember playing with kittens while we talked. But the activity-of-choice was usually talking.
When we have company, I never think to bring out the Dominoes or Cranium. I seldom have the presence of mind to set up croquet or ladderball or haul out the Belegarth weapons. We just talk. Now, I have no problem with "just talking." But it crosses my mind that other people may find this boring. With a family reunion coming up, we've all been told that we are free to suggest activities or plan an evening's events. But I have no ideas. My version of entertainment is that we sit and talk.
Okay, so I'm boring. So sue me. No, don't sue me. Give me ideas. What do you do with your families?
Paul Was Innocent
At the end of Paul's third missionary journey, he knew he was going to face problems when he returned to Jerusalem. Chains and tribulation awaited him. He would end up in Rome. In various ways, the Holy Spirit kept telling him that trouble lay ahead.
So anyway, Paul gives his all-night-long sermon where the poor guy fell asleep and fell out of the window but was raised back to life. Traveling back to Judea on the next leg of the trip, Paul decides to skip Ephesus. (My theory is that he didn't have the time nor the emotional energy to interact with all the people there who loved him so dearly and would want to hear him preach.) But he stops near Ephesus, over in Miletus. He has all the pastors in Ephesus come to him so that he can bid his farewells to them and send them back to their people encouraged in the Word. That day Paul tells the pastors what's awaiting him. He says his good-byes. And he makes this curious statement:
I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20)
Paul murdered people. He had spent his younger days hunting down Christians, rounding them up for trial and even execution. Paul had overseen the murder of Stephen.
As Paul bids farewell to his beloved brothers and sons in the faith, he takes care to tell them that he is not afraid of what's coming for he is innocent of the blood of all men. What Paul had done of his own volition, the sins he had committed against Christians, the offenses he had committed against the Lord -- of all these things he is innocent. The "whole counsel of God" declares things about the sinner --for the sake of Jesus-- that are contrary to what we have observed according to the law, what we earn according to merit.
It is truly something to wonder at.
The sinless Son of God must die in sadness.
The sinful child of man may live in gladness.
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted --
God is committed. (TLH 143)
So anyway, Paul gives his all-night-long sermon where the poor guy fell asleep and fell out of the window but was raised back to life. Traveling back to Judea on the next leg of the trip, Paul decides to skip Ephesus. (My theory is that he didn't have the time nor the emotional energy to interact with all the people there who loved him so dearly and would want to hear him preach.) But he stops near Ephesus, over in Miletus. He has all the pastors in Ephesus come to him so that he can bid his farewells to them and send them back to their people encouraged in the Word. That day Paul tells the pastors what's awaiting him. He says his good-byes. And he makes this curious statement:
I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20)
Paul murdered people. He had spent his younger days hunting down Christians, rounding them up for trial and even execution. Paul had overseen the murder of Stephen.
As Paul bids farewell to his beloved brothers and sons in the faith, he takes care to tell them that he is not afraid of what's coming for he is innocent of the blood of all men. What Paul had done of his own volition, the sins he had committed against Christians, the offenses he had committed against the Lord -- of all these things he is innocent. The "whole counsel of God" declares things about the sinner --for the sake of Jesus-- that are contrary to what we have observed according to the law, what we earn according to merit.
It is truly something to wonder at.
The sinless Son of God must die in sadness.
The sinful child of man may live in gladness.
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted --
God is committed. (TLH 143)
Don't Be Pegged as a Homeschooler
My kids never got the speech from their dad or me that they needed to "measure up" because they were the pastor's kids. I did care, however, how their behavior reflected on homeschoolers. If we were out in the middle of a weekday, were they being polite and not overly rambunctious? They certainly didn't have to be perfect, but I didn't want them to give people reason to bad-mouth homeschoolers.
I screwed that up the other day.
I was in a group of people I didn't know. We were to introduce ourselves and briefly give people an idea who we were. Well, name and city and "stay-at-home mom of six, still homeschooling the two youngest" seemed to be the best 5-second summation of my identity. Even though there was one other stay-at-home mom, everybody else identified herself by her job (or former job).
And then the discussions commenced. My viewpoint was entirely unlike everyone else's. Entirely! I was the one with the conservative, small-govt viewpoints to the extent that the other women couldn't even understand what I was talking about. And one of the overriding thoughts in my mind was, "They think homeschoolers are so off-the-wall that they shouldn't be allowed to influence children. Next time, keep your fat mouth shut, Susan, and don't let anybody know you're a homeschooler."
I screwed that up the other day.
I was in a group of people I didn't know. We were to introduce ourselves and briefly give people an idea who we were. Well, name and city and "stay-at-home mom of six, still homeschooling the two youngest" seemed to be the best 5-second summation of my identity. Even though there was one other stay-at-home mom, everybody else identified herself by her job (or former job).
And then the discussions commenced. My viewpoint was entirely unlike everyone else's. Entirely! I was the one with the conservative, small-govt viewpoints to the extent that the other women couldn't even understand what I was talking about. And one of the overriding thoughts in my mind was, "They think homeschoolers are so off-the-wall that they shouldn't be allowed to influence children. Next time, keep your fat mouth shut, Susan, and don't let anybody know you're a homeschooler."
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Hot Peppers
What is it that makes male-type persons feel more manly when they consume more Scoville heat units than the next guy???
Whatever makes a man take pride in his courage and toughness when he's got tears running down his cheeks from the heat of a Habanero?
I just don't get it.
Whatever makes a man take pride in his courage and toughness when he's got tears running down his cheeks from the heat of a Habanero?
I just don't get it.
Call Day
The majority of my readers probably already know about last month's Call Day. It's when the graduating seminarians to receive their placements. There weren't as many congregations requesting pastors as there were men available. More than one-third of the graduates at Fort Wayne are still wondering where they'll go. Or if they'll go.
Had my son not changed his mind about attending seminary in the final months before college graduation, this would have been his Call Day.
I understand all too well what Pr Curtis says about the reality behind the so-called clergy shortage, and his exhortation for men to have a back-up plan for employment if they desire the office of pastor.
I was surprised to see that Gary's former congregation received a convertible vicar. (That's a man who does his vicarage, kind of an internship-year, and then stays in the same place and becomes their pastor.) For decades the congregation has struggled to pay a pastor. Two and a half years ago, the situation grew much worse. Yet here they are, asking for a full-time vicar/pastor again. They received word on Call Day that, yes, they'll be sent a full-time man.
Matt Harrison preached at the seminary shortly after Call Day. His sermon was excellent. The one thing that made me a little uneasy was the seeming message that these uncalled seminarians will receive calls eventually. I kept wondering about those who don't. Or who do, but end up losing their congregations within a year or two. The Luther quote which Pr Harrison posted that week makes a lovely companion to the sermon.
Had my son not changed his mind about attending seminary in the final months before college graduation, this would have been his Call Day.
I understand all too well what Pr Curtis says about the reality behind the so-called clergy shortage, and his exhortation for men to have a back-up plan for employment if they desire the office of pastor.
I was surprised to see that Gary's former congregation received a convertible vicar. (That's a man who does his vicarage, kind of an internship-year, and then stays in the same place and becomes their pastor.) For decades the congregation has struggled to pay a pastor. Two and a half years ago, the situation grew much worse. Yet here they are, asking for a full-time vicar/pastor again. They received word on Call Day that, yes, they'll be sent a full-time man.
Matt Harrison preached at the seminary shortly after Call Day. His sermon was excellent. The one thing that made me a little uneasy was the seeming message that these uncalled seminarians will receive calls eventually. I kept wondering about those who don't. Or who do, but end up losing their congregations within a year or two. The Luther quote which Pr Harrison posted that week makes a lovely companion to the sermon.
Today's Laugh
Pat: Hey, Chris! How's your new pet fish doing? You told me he was really something special.
Chris: To tell you the truth, I'm really disappointed in him. The guy who sold him to me said I could teach him to sing like a bird.
Pat: You bought a fish because you thought you could teach him to sing like a bird? I can’t believe it!
Chris: Well, yeah. After all, he's a parrot fish.
Pat: I hate to tell you this, Chris. You might be able to teach a parrot bird to sing, but you're never going to get anywhere with a parrot fish.
Chris: That's what you think! He can sing all right. The thing is, he keeps singing off-key. It's driving me crazy. Do you know how hard it is to tuna fish?
Chris: To tell you the truth, I'm really disappointed in him. The guy who sold him to me said I could teach him to sing like a bird.
Pat: You bought a fish because you thought you could teach him to sing like a bird? I can’t believe it!
Chris: Well, yeah. After all, he's a parrot fish.
Pat: I hate to tell you this, Chris. You might be able to teach a parrot bird to sing, but you're never going to get anywhere with a parrot fish.
Chris: That's what you think! He can sing all right. The thing is, he keeps singing off-key. It's driving me crazy. Do you know how hard it is to tuna fish?
Friday, May 14, 2010
"100" -- Spring Wildflowers
Continuing from two summers ago...
85. No flowers on the MAY APPLES. I'm not sure if they haven't bloomed yet or if they're done. It's time that there should be flowers.
86. WILD GERANIUM looks so sweet and girly. (Don't get confused by all those mayapple leaves and other plants surrounding the geranium.)
87. TRILLIUM has three petals, three sepals, three leaves, and blooms about the time of the Feast of the Holy Trinity. Looks like some critter finds the points of the trillium blossoms to be very tasty; few of the flowers had their full triangular shape but looked more like dogwood petals.
85. No flowers on the MAY APPLES. I'm not sure if they haven't bloomed yet or if they're done. It's time that there should be flowers.
86. WILD GERANIUM looks so sweet and girly. (Don't get confused by all those mayapple leaves and other plants surrounding the geranium.)
87. TRILLIUM has three petals, three sepals, three leaves, and blooms about the time of the Feast of the Holy Trinity. Looks like some critter finds the points of the trillium blossoms to be very tasty; few of the flowers had their full triangular shape but looked more like dogwood petals.
Today's Laugh
If I wanted to drive a manager up the wall, I would make him responsible for the success of an organization and give him no authority. I would provide him with unclear goals, not commonly agreed upon within the organization. I would ask him to provide a service of an ill-defined nature, applying a body of knowledge (which few people understand), and staff his organization with only volunteers in addition to himself. I would expect him to work 10-12 hours per day and have his work evaluated by a committee of 300-500. I would call him a minister and make him accountable to God.
via Dr Scaer
via Dr Scaer
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Senate Race
Woo hoo and yee haw and yippety yay!!!
Somebody is running for senate! I've been on the anybody-but-Feingold bandwagon ever since he ran the first time against Kasten in 1992. It may have been hold-your-nose-and-vote. But so far, at least Feingold's opponents have been a little more in favor of smaller government and a little less in favor of abortion rights.
This year it looks like there might actually be a good candidate running. Look up Ron Johnson from Oskhosh. See what you think. I haven't found out much yet, but what I've seen gives me hope!
Somebody is running for senate! I've been on the anybody-but-Feingold bandwagon ever since he ran the first time against Kasten in 1992. It may have been hold-your-nose-and-vote. But so far, at least Feingold's opponents have been a little more in favor of smaller government and a little less in favor of abortion rights.
This year it looks like there might actually be a good candidate running. Look up Ron Johnson from Oskhosh. See what you think. I haven't found out much yet, but what I've seen gives me hope!
Forty Days Later
Ascension. Jesus ascends the throne. He goes to where His Father is. 40 days after the high holy day of Easter.
The Presentation. The Lord suddenly appears in His temple (Malachi 3). Jesus is presented to the Lord in His holy place. 40 days after the high holy day of Christmas.
I think that's cool.
The Presentation. The Lord suddenly appears in His temple (Malachi 3). Jesus is presented to the Lord in His holy place. 40 days after the high holy day of Christmas.
I think that's cool.
Ascension Collect
Our hymn of the week is "A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing." I've been missing terribly the stanza left out of LSB, verse 5 in TLH:
Oh, grant us thitherward to tend
and with unwearied hearts ascend
unto Thy kingdom's throne, where Thou,
as is our faith, art seated now. Alleluia!
Through the week we have been praying --as normal-- Sunday's collect. Last night and this morning we switched to the Ascension collect:
Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has ascended into the heavens, grant that we also in heart & mind ascend and with Him there continually dwell.
Hey!
Hey, wait a minute!
Those two are the same thing! (If you doubt whether they're the same, take a peek at the TLH version of the collect.)
No wonder I've been missing that stanza of the hymn.
Oh, grant us thitherward to tend
and with unwearied hearts ascend
unto Thy kingdom's throne, where Thou,
as is our faith, art seated now. Alleluia!
Through the week we have been praying --as normal-- Sunday's collect. Last night and this morning we switched to the Ascension collect:
Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has ascended into the heavens, grant that we also in heart & mind ascend and with Him there continually dwell.
Hey!
Hey, wait a minute!
Those two are the same thing! (If you doubt whether they're the same, take a peek at the TLH version of the collect.)
No wonder I've been missing that stanza of the hymn.
Today's Laugh
A Sunday School teacher was telling his class the story of the Prodigal Son. Wishing to emphasize the resentful attitude of the elder brother, he laid stress on this part of the parable. After describing the rejoicing of the household over the return of the wayward son, Dexter spoke of one who, in the midst of the festivities, failed to share in the jubilant spirit of the occasion. "Can anybody in the class," he asked, "tell me who this was?" One of the children had been listening sympathetically to the story. She waved her hand in the air. "I know!" she said beamingly. "It was the fatted calf."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Today's Laugh
Five cannibals were appointed as engineers in a defense company. During the welcoming ceremony, the boss said, "You're all part of our team now. You can earn good money here and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat. So please don't trouble any of the other employees." The cannibals promised.
Four weeks later the boss returned and said, "You're all working very hard, and I'm satisfied with all of you. However, one of our janitors has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to him?" The cannibals all shook their heads no.
After the boss left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which of you idiots ate the janitor?" A hand raised hesitantly, to which the leader replied, "You fool! For four weeks we've been eating Team Leaders, Supervisors, and Project Managers, and no one noticed anything. Then YOU had to go and eat the janitor!"
Four weeks later the boss returned and said, "You're all working very hard, and I'm satisfied with all of you. However, one of our janitors has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to him?" The cannibals all shook their heads no.
After the boss left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which of you idiots ate the janitor?" A hand raised hesitantly, to which the leader replied, "You fool! For four weeks we've been eating Team Leaders, Supervisors, and Project Managers, and no one noticed anything. Then YOU had to go and eat the janitor!"
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Noise in the Chimney
When we started hearing noise in the chimney today, I went to investigate. Andrew asked what I was going to do when I opened the flue and a bird or bat came flying out at me. Uh, ... scream of course.
Funny. Andrew thought screaming was a less-than-ideal response.
He got the old rabbit cage. It was just big enough to cover almost the whole opening of the fireplace. So the cage blocked the fireplace opening. The flue was opened. The bird made a break for it and landed in the trap. Rosie thought this was a highly interesting development in place of her regular nap.
Since Maggie and I are studying birds this spring, I wanted to get a good up-close look at our specimen. But when the bird appeared too panicked to worry about Rosie, we took the cage outside and removed the cover. Bye-bye birdie!
Today's Laugh
In a plane bound for New York, the flight attendant approached a blonde sitting in the first-class section and requested that she move to economy since she did not have a first-class ticket. The blonde replied, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to New York, and I'm not moving."
Not wanting to argue with a customer, the flight attendant asked the co-pilot to speak with her. He went to talk with the woman, asking her to please move out of the first-class section. Again, the blonde replied, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to New York, and I'm not moving."
The co-pilot returned to the cockpit and asked the captain what he should do. The captain said, "I'm married to a blonde, and I know how to handle this."
He went to the first-class section and whispered in the blonde's ear. She immediately jumped up and ran to the economy section mumbling to herself, "Why didn't anyone just say so?"
Surprised, the flight attendant and the co-pilot asked what he said to her that finally persuaded her to move from her seat. He said, "I told her the first-class section wasn't going to New York."
Not wanting to argue with a customer, the flight attendant asked the co-pilot to speak with her. He went to talk with the woman, asking her to please move out of the first-class section. Again, the blonde replied, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to New York, and I'm not moving."
The co-pilot returned to the cockpit and asked the captain what he should do. The captain said, "I'm married to a blonde, and I know how to handle this."
He went to the first-class section and whispered in the blonde's ear. She immediately jumped up and ran to the economy section mumbling to herself, "Why didn't anyone just say so?"
Surprised, the flight attendant and the co-pilot asked what he said to her that finally persuaded her to move from her seat. He said, "I told her the first-class section wasn't going to New York."
Monday, May 10, 2010
You Must Be Rich
Once upon a long time ago, one of the young moms at church commented about the pastors being rich. The evidence? They both had stay-at-home wives taking care of three babies/preschoolers each. No matter that we were doing without a lot of things that other people had. No matter that we cooked from scratch and drove old cars and didn't pay the day-care provider to watch the kids while we didn't work the jobs we didn't have.
Stay-at-home moms run into this attitude frequently. Usually it's no big deal, because what does it matter what other people think?
But last week I ran into a problem. We ended up with a car being repaired by someone other than our regular mechanic. I had a rough idea of what it was going to cost. When he called last week to let me know that the brakes needed work too, he told me the car would be ready Monday. So did I work first shift or second? He wanted to know what time to phone and let me know about picking up the car. I said he could call any time; I don't have a job; I stay home with the kids. Ah. Hmm.
I was not surprised when he called today and he ran into some problems that took more time and were harder to repair than he'd anticipated. So the price was a little higher. Still under the estimate he gave me on Friday. But quite a bit more than I'd been led to believe two weeks ago. Now, he may be telling the absolute truth. But my gut suspects that maybe I'm one of those idle rich folks who can afford to pay more to the working man.
As I was pondering this and my mind is reeling over what outsiders might think, I realized that homeschooling my kids has saved between $900,000 and $1,000,000 for the taxpayers. Also, I ponder jobs and how huge a salary I'm going to have to earn so as not to end up further in the hole by working than I am by staying home and being frugal. But to the neighbors, to the people around who look on unknowingly, I'm at home during the day. I must be eating bonbons and watching the boob tube while my filthy-rich husband rakes in the big bucks.
Stay-at-home moms run into this attitude frequently. Usually it's no big deal, because what does it matter what other people think?
But last week I ran into a problem. We ended up with a car being repaired by someone other than our regular mechanic. I had a rough idea of what it was going to cost. When he called last week to let me know that the brakes needed work too, he told me the car would be ready Monday. So did I work first shift or second? He wanted to know what time to phone and let me know about picking up the car. I said he could call any time; I don't have a job; I stay home with the kids. Ah. Hmm.
I was not surprised when he called today and he ran into some problems that took more time and were harder to repair than he'd anticipated. So the price was a little higher. Still under the estimate he gave me on Friday. But quite a bit more than I'd been led to believe two weeks ago. Now, he may be telling the absolute truth. But my gut suspects that maybe I'm one of those idle rich folks who can afford to pay more to the working man.
As I was pondering this and my mind is reeling over what outsiders might think, I realized that homeschooling my kids has saved between $900,000 and $1,000,000 for the taxpayers. Also, I ponder jobs and how huge a salary I'm going to have to earn so as not to end up further in the hole by working than I am by staying home and being frugal. But to the neighbors, to the people around who look on unknowingly, I'm at home during the day. I must be eating bonbons and watching the boob tube while my filthy-rich husband rakes in the big bucks.
Today's Laugh
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints, and were stuck in the thick head. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer, and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink, held it out over the beer, and started yelling, "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT!!!!"
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Today's Laugh
A woman went into her kitchen to find a burglar loaded down with a bunch of stuff he was stealing from her kitchen. Not having any kind of weapon to scare him off, she raised her hand and said "Acts 2:38," and proceeded to quote scripture.
The burglar froze in place and didn't move. The woman called 911. The police arrived and were amazed to find the burglar still frozen where he stood.
"What did you say to him that kept him from moving?" they asked the woman.
She told them that she had simply said Acts 2:38 and quoted scripture.
The police chuckled and escorted the burglar out to the patrol car. "Why did the woman's quoting scripture scare you so much?" they asked.
"Scripture?" said the burglar, "I thought she said she had an ax and two 38's!"
The burglar froze in place and didn't move. The woman called 911. The police arrived and were amazed to find the burglar still frozen where he stood.
"What did you say to him that kept him from moving?" they asked the woman.
She told them that she had simply said Acts 2:38 and quoted scripture.
The police chuckled and escorted the burglar out to the patrol car. "Why did the woman's quoting scripture scare you so much?" they asked.
"Scripture?" said the burglar, "I thought she said she had an ax and two 38's!"
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