Hey, did you hear about the postman who planned an overseas trip with his wife? He proudly announced to his friends that he was going to Spain.
His friend Bill asked, "So will you visit Parcelona?"
The postman rolled his eyes, shook his head, and ignored the comment.
The next day Bill was telling his neighbor about the pun. Bill related how the postman didn't appreciate the joke. The neighbor understood how there might be lack of enthusiasm over the humor: "You know, Bill, the thing about jokes is ... it's all in the delivery."
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
A Granddaughter
I was so proud whenever my grandma would introduce me to people as "My Only Granddaughter."
That's really just stupid. Why be proud of that?
And yet, I was.
When my sister was born, that was nifty enough that I didn't pine over the loss of my "Only" status. But even today, I remember the way Nanna would stand tall and throw her shoulders back a bit and smile over the words, "My only granddaughter."
Rachel called today after her ultrasound. I have another granddaughter. Woo hoo! It thrills the heart. (Although, as Rachel and Matt said, we'd be just as thrilled to hear that it's a boy.)
Somehow that made me think of Nanna. And it made me realize that Matthias is "My Only Grandson." At least for a while.
That's really just stupid. Why be proud of that?
And yet, I was.
When my sister was born, that was nifty enough that I didn't pine over the loss of my "Only" status. But even today, I remember the way Nanna would stand tall and throw her shoulders back a bit and smile over the words, "My only granddaughter."
Rachel called today after her ultrasound. I have another granddaughter. Woo hoo! It thrills the heart. (Although, as Rachel and Matt said, we'd be just as thrilled to hear that it's a boy.)
Somehow that made me think of Nanna. And it made me realize that Matthias is "My Only Grandson." At least for a while.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Jimmy and Shakespeare and APT
Four years have passed since Gary and I headed into the city to see In Acting Shakespeare. It seems like just the other day. The show made a huge impression on me. (Recent runs of IAS have been nowhere near here. If it ever comes back to this area, I sure hope we hear about it and can snag some tickets.)
Tonight I watched Ian McKellen's Acting Shakespeare, upon which Jimmy DeVita's show is based. There were fabulous sections that caused thrills to run up and down my spine. But you know what? Shhhh -- don't tell anybody I said this: Jimmy's show was even better than Sir Ian's.
Jimmy's play discussed education.
And fatherhood.
And family.
And hard work.
And art.
And how amazing words can be.
With no pontification.
It was all in a riveting story, full of laughs and even a few tears.
He tells of his youth and his blue-collar jobs. He tells about dropping out of college. Twice. And how he finally ended up on a college fieldtrip where he saw Ian McKellen Acting Shakespeare ... and how he was transfixed by the play. He too wanted to be able to affect people that way!
But when he finally convinced his dad to come see one of his performances, his father didn't like it. Why? Same reason I hated Shakespeare. (Honestly, it's same reason I still hate a whole lot of presentations of Shakespearean plays.) Too often, a Shakespeare play makes you feel dumb. Dumb dumb dumb. You don't understand the words. Therefore you don't follow the plot and you don't get the jokes. And you certainly don't get the play's commentary on power or forgiveness or mercy or grudges.
As Jimmy explained in In Acting Shakespeare, the Bard's plays shouldn't make you feel small. They should make you feel BIG and grand and full. If they make you feel small, there's something wrong with how the play is being presented.
Jim DeVita began to learn how to converse with the words of Shakespeare. In the play he talked about coming to APT. Jimmy's not the only one at APT who handles the Shakespearean language as if he were conversing. Most of the actors and actresses do. Every now and then you run across an intern who doesn't get it yet, and that person sticks out like a sore thumb. At APT they tell the story in such a way that you follow it all: the story, the jibes and barbs and witty insults, the silly love triangles, and maybe even The Moral Of The Story. You don't go to APT so that you can pretend to be part of the [ahem] cultural elite that watches Shakespeare to show off what a Smarty you are. You go to APT to be entertained and to laugh and maybe even to have your heart-strings tugged, because that's what Shakespeare was all about -- entertaining the masses. And at APT, they work hard to make sure everybody finds delight in the shows.
Friday, March 13, 2015
If You Measure It ...
"If you measure something, it will get better."
That is the premise behind a new program "offered" by our health insurance. (And by "offered," I mean that we get to pay $1000 more on our health insurance premiums next year if we don't participate. No. Wait. I take that back. We don't pay more if we aren't following this new program. We pay less if we are following the program. What? You don't see a difference? Neither do I. But I'm guessing there's a legal technicality that matters in how it's phrased.)
Anyway, we are supposed to rack up points. Enough points earns you the bonus money. We get points for reading their daily health tips. We get points each day for self-reporting on three health-habits. They provided us fancy high-tech pedometers, and we earn points for every 1000 steps it measures. Extra points if you have your blood-pressure tested at work at least once a month. And much more.
#1. Do we suspect that the requirements will increase quarterly or yearly? Yes, we do.
#2. There's some comfort in hearing that loads of other folks are bothered by the tracking of personal health data and are feeling that their privacy is infringed. And yet, everybody feels that the huge cost difference means we must comply.
#3. Do we think this sort of thing will become commonplace with nationalized health care? Yes, we do. Do we suspect that mere tracking of information will eventually morph into helpful suggestions of ways to improve our health? And then instructions? And then demands?
#4. The computer glitches. OH, the computer glitches! Points not being counted here. Habits not being registered there. Besides the regular computer glitches, daylight savings time threw another humongous monkey wrench into it all. This does not instill confidence in the system.
#5. And finally, the so-called axiom on which the entire program is built: "If you measure something, it will get better." Sorry. I don't buy that.
For one thing, we've seen how that works with standardized testing in school. We test more and more and more. And education has not improved.
The whole point of improvement-through-measuring is that we will be embarrassed to have "bad numbers" and will then work harder to prove that we exercised or skipped dessert or lost weight. But what the ceaseless measuring does is cause us to always be looking at ourselves and evaluating ourselves.
This is navel-gazing.
It's also stressful.
Neither of these contributes to health.
Furthermore, I noticed the effect of "if you measure it" when I first chose my health habits to track. I thought I would choose meditation as one of my options. It would be easy to [ahem] score well, seeing as how I already have established a habit (albeit a habit that is not as consistent as I'd like). But you know what? It really REALLY messed with my mind and my soul and my prayers. Just being aware that I'd have to report the number of minutes each day? [Shudder!!] It was so creepy that I quit after a day and a half, and chose myself a different health habit.
Measuring made it worse. A lot worse. Not better.
Andrew found the same thing when he had to log his food for nutrition class. Logging it changed what he ate. For the worse, not the better.
When Maggie first joined Curves, she was initially interested in weighing herself daily. Not a good plan. That's how people become overly caught up in the numbers instead of actual health and fitness. Occasional measurements are fine. But measuring too often is counterproductive.
In our society, nigh onto everybody was raised in a school system that tracked and measured every little thing. Look how people LOVE to take those little tests on Facebook that measure personality type, or which famous actress you're like, or how many of these trivia facts do you know, or which state would best suit you.
I think we've developed a mentality that takes for granted "Measuring Makes It Better." And now we're stuck with it.
That is the premise behind a new program "offered" by our health insurance. (And by "offered," I mean that we get to pay $1000 more on our health insurance premiums next year if we don't participate. No. Wait. I take that back. We don't pay more if we aren't following this new program. We pay less if we are following the program. What? You don't see a difference? Neither do I. But I'm guessing there's a legal technicality that matters in how it's phrased.)
Anyway, we are supposed to rack up points. Enough points earns you the bonus money. We get points for reading their daily health tips. We get points each day for self-reporting on three health-habits. They provided us fancy high-tech pedometers, and we earn points for every 1000 steps it measures. Extra points if you have your blood-pressure tested at work at least once a month. And much more.
#1. Do we suspect that the requirements will increase quarterly or yearly? Yes, we do.
#2. There's some comfort in hearing that loads of other folks are bothered by the tracking of personal health data and are feeling that their privacy is infringed. And yet, everybody feels that the huge cost difference means we must comply.
#3. Do we think this sort of thing will become commonplace with nationalized health care? Yes, we do. Do we suspect that mere tracking of information will eventually morph into helpful suggestions of ways to improve our health? And then instructions? And then demands?
#4. The computer glitches. OH, the computer glitches! Points not being counted here. Habits not being registered there. Besides the regular computer glitches, daylight savings time threw another humongous monkey wrench into it all. This does not instill confidence in the system.
#5. And finally, the so-called axiom on which the entire program is built: "If you measure something, it will get better." Sorry. I don't buy that.
For one thing, we've seen how that works with standardized testing in school. We test more and more and more. And education has not improved.
The whole point of improvement-through-measuring is that we will be embarrassed to have "bad numbers" and will then work harder to prove that we exercised or skipped dessert or lost weight. But what the ceaseless measuring does is cause us to always be looking at ourselves and evaluating ourselves.
This is navel-gazing.
It's also stressful.
Neither of these contributes to health.
Furthermore, I noticed the effect of "if you measure it" when I first chose my health habits to track. I thought I would choose meditation as one of my options. It would be easy to [ahem] score well, seeing as how I already have established a habit (albeit a habit that is not as consistent as I'd like). But you know what? It really REALLY messed with my mind and my soul and my prayers. Just being aware that I'd have to report the number of minutes each day? [Shudder!!] It was so creepy that I quit after a day and a half, and chose myself a different health habit.
Measuring made it worse. A lot worse. Not better.
Andrew found the same thing when he had to log his food for nutrition class. Logging it changed what he ate. For the worse, not the better.
When Maggie first joined Curves, she was initially interested in weighing herself daily. Not a good plan. That's how people become overly caught up in the numbers instead of actual health and fitness. Occasional measurements are fine. But measuring too often is counterproductive.
In our society, nigh onto everybody was raised in a school system that tracked and measured every little thing. Look how people LOVE to take those little tests on Facebook that measure personality type, or which famous actress you're like, or how many of these trivia facts do you know, or which state would best suit you.
I think we've developed a mentality that takes for granted "Measuring Makes It Better." And now we're stuck with it.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Lock & Lock
When my aunt gave me some "Lock & Lock" I thought it was just another plastic storage container. What was she so hyped about anyway?
I used them and found out.
The cracker container really works to keep crackers as fresh as when you opened them -- even for months.
If you store wet things (chili or soup) they will not spill, even if stored on their side or upside down.
Raisins and prunes will stay soft and fresh-as-new in the small containers.
These things are fantastic! For most of my leftover containers, I don't need something this high-quality. But when I do, these are perfect. I'm hoping that some of those other brands (with the same kind of seal) work just as well.
[The only warning my aunt gave me was to make sure I never put anything in the microwave with the lid on. She said it will seal the lid to the container. If I need the lid while nuking, I turn the lid upside down to avoid any possibility of sealing. I even take care not to close a container if the food in it is still slightly warm.]
I used them and found out.
The cracker container really works to keep crackers as fresh as when you opened them -- even for months.
If you store wet things (chili or soup) they will not spill, even if stored on their side or upside down.
Raisins and prunes will stay soft and fresh-as-new in the small containers.
These things are fantastic! For most of my leftover containers, I don't need something this high-quality. But when I do, these are perfect. I'm hoping that some of those other brands (with the same kind of seal) work just as well.
[The only warning my aunt gave me was to make sure I never put anything in the microwave with the lid on. She said it will seal the lid to the container. If I need the lid while nuking, I turn the lid upside down to avoid any possibility of sealing. I even take care not to close a container if the food in it is still slightly warm.]
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
instruments of torture
A crucifix.
The cross was not only an instrument of death.
It was also an instrument of torture.
And we choose to hang a depiction of this torture-device on the walls of our homes and our churches.
Non-Christians think it's really weird. WHY would you do that? How could you wish to see that?
For example, David Denby wrote a review of Mel Gibson's Passion (in the March 2004 New Yorker) wherein he expresses horror over the torture, the scourging, the crushing, the nails, the blood.
Yes, the crucifix shows an instrument of torture.
But it shows me that it was MY torture that was due to me, and I don't have to endure it because Someone else did.
If you don't believe that, no wonder it seems weird to glory in the cross of Jesus.
The cross was not only an instrument of death.
It was also an instrument of torture.
And we choose to hang a depiction of this torture-device on the walls of our homes and our churches.
Non-Christians think it's really weird. WHY would you do that? How could you wish to see that?
For example, David Denby wrote a review of Mel Gibson's Passion (in the March 2004 New Yorker) wherein he expresses horror over the torture, the scourging, the crushing, the nails, the blood.
Yes, the crucifix shows an instrument of torture.
But it shows me that it was MY torture that was due to me, and I don't have to endure it because Someone else did.
If you don't believe that, no wonder it seems weird to glory in the cross of Jesus.
"The message of the cross is foolishness
to those who are perishing, but to us who
are being saved it is the power of God....
The things which are despised, God has
chosen" (1 Cor 1).
The Palm Sunday Gospel
The first time I saw it, I didn't like it. Chairs lined up in the chancel. Kids helping with the reading of the Gospel.
But it didn't take long for me to change my mind.
We're used to the Christmas pageant, where the kids help tell the story of Christmas. Why not do something similar for Holy Week?
The Gospel reading for Palm Sunday is long -- the entire Passion account according to Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Here we have a tradition of the story being read in different voices. Pastor is the narrator. One boy reads the words of Jesus. Other boys take the parts of Pilate, Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, etc. Girls speak the sentences of servants, crowds, or groups. There are no costumes; the kids simply wear their choir robes (cassock and surplice). There is no "acting out"; they just sit in their seats, and rise when it's their turn to speak. There is none of that "Oh, isn't he cute?!" that you so often hear with regard to Sunday School Christmas programs.
Benefit 1: It's easier to stay tuned in for the reading, without the mind wandering, because the voices change.
Benefit 2: Easier on Pastor's voice, with a week of many sermons coming up.
Benefit 3: The kids learn the story well. No, seriously, I mean, really!! The story is ingrained in them! Pastor works with the kids (approx ages 10-14) for a couple of weeks ahead of time so that they speak clearly, no mumbling, no stumbling over words, no improper inflection to mislead. They practice; they talk about what's being said and why; they discuss doctrine; they understand the importance of presenting God's word to the congregation. And they learn story and remember it.
But it didn't take long for me to change my mind.
We're used to the Christmas pageant, where the kids help tell the story of Christmas. Why not do something similar for Holy Week?
The Gospel reading for Palm Sunday is long -- the entire Passion account according to Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Here we have a tradition of the story being read in different voices. Pastor is the narrator. One boy reads the words of Jesus. Other boys take the parts of Pilate, Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, etc. Girls speak the sentences of servants, crowds, or groups. There are no costumes; the kids simply wear their choir robes (cassock and surplice). There is no "acting out"; they just sit in their seats, and rise when it's their turn to speak. There is none of that "Oh, isn't he cute?!" that you so often hear with regard to Sunday School Christmas programs.
Benefit 1: It's easier to stay tuned in for the reading, without the mind wandering, because the voices change.
Benefit 2: Easier on Pastor's voice, with a week of many sermons coming up.
Benefit 3: The kids learn the story well. No, seriously, I mean, really!! The story is ingrained in them! Pastor works with the kids (approx ages 10-14) for a couple of weeks ahead of time so that they speak clearly, no mumbling, no stumbling over words, no improper inflection to mislead. They practice; they talk about what's being said and why; they discuss doctrine; they understand the importance of presenting God's word to the congregation. And they learn story and remember it.
Monday, March 09, 2015
Don't Let the Facts Get in the Way
Property tax bill lower? A lot lower? That seems to be a common theme around these parts recently.
Why? One of the reasons is that the state kicked in funding for the tech schools (known in some other states as junior colleges), partially for property-tax relief and partially to help train skilled employees to companies who need them.
I found myself in a conversation with someone who was thrilled about his lower taxes. When he discovered the cause for his much-lower property taxes, he responded, "So this is because of GovernorWalker?" "Well, yes, I guess it is." From the way he asked the question, I thought he was pleased.
But he wasn't. He hates Walker. He disagrees strongly with some of the governor's decisions and leadership. His response? "I'll just pretend I didn't hear that."
Why? One of the reasons is that the state kicked in funding for the tech schools (known in some other states as junior colleges), partially for property-tax relief and partially to help train skilled employees to companies who need them.
I found myself in a conversation with someone who was thrilled about his lower taxes. When he discovered the cause for his much-lower property taxes, he responded, "So this is because of GovernorWalker?" "Well, yes, I guess it is." From the way he asked the question, I thought he was pleased.
But he wasn't. He hates Walker. He disagrees strongly with some of the governor's decisions and leadership. His response? "I'll just pretend I didn't hear that."
Sunday, March 08, 2015
Daniel Notes
Nebuchadnezzar's vision in Daniel 2: The statue of the man had a gold head, silver chest, and so forth, down to feet made of iron and clay. And it was destroyed by ... a stone. People with various views of millenialism make quite the to-do over the different kingdoms and who they are and what the end will mean. But the "stone" is Christ. (See Psalm 118, Matt 21:42, Matt 16:18, and Psalm 91.) Christ's kingdom is weird: it is not "of this world" (John 18:36). The king's dream was about "the latter days" which is not a futuristic event but is rather the last twenty centuries (Dan 2:28 and Acts 2:17).
In verse 2:28, Daniel reports that God has revealed the meaning of the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. He doesn't say that God revealed to him the meaning of the dream ... because Daniel is nothing in himself. He is only the instrument that God uses to speak to others.
Nebuchadnezzar's faith: It always seemed to me as if Nebuchadnezzar must have believed in the Lord, but I could never point to anything definitive. But after listening to the class discussion recently, I am more convinced. In chapter 3, Neb realizes that the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saved them. So he declares, "Hey, everybody! Worship that God, or I'll have you chopped to pieces." Um... yeah ... faith doesn't exactly come about by threat of force. But after Neb's little crazy-escapade, he begins his proclamation with "Peace to you" and all honor going to the Lord and none to himself. He says the Lord gave him back his kingdom and his majesty; Neb didn't get it back for himself but received it. And the last we hear from him is praise to Yahweh, in words that sound similar to the Magnificat.
In verse 2:28, Daniel reports that God has revealed the meaning of the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. He doesn't say that God revealed to him the meaning of the dream ... because Daniel is nothing in himself. He is only the instrument that God uses to speak to others.
Nebuchadnezzar's faith: It always seemed to me as if Nebuchadnezzar must have believed in the Lord, but I could never point to anything definitive. But after listening to the class discussion recently, I am more convinced. In chapter 3, Neb realizes that the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saved them. So he declares, "Hey, everybody! Worship that God, or I'll have you chopped to pieces." Um... yeah ... faith doesn't exactly come about by threat of force. But after Neb's little crazy-escapade, he begins his proclamation with "Peace to you" and all honor going to the Lord and none to himself. He says the Lord gave him back his kingdom and his majesty; Neb didn't get it back for himself but received it. And the last we hear from him is praise to Yahweh, in words that sound similar to the Magnificat.
Saturday, March 07, 2015
eShakti
I'm done. We haven't been fully satisfied with anything we've ordered from eShakti.
First dress (for Maggie) -- Too narrow in the shoulders. Cannot be worn at all.
Second dress (for me) -- Fits okay but not quite right. Definitely wearable and attractive. But really should have a couple of alterations.
Third dress (for Maggie) -- After a long wait, they notified us that they were out of that particular fabric. They credited us for the dress.
Fourth dress (for Maggie) to replace the third which never came -- We paid for a customized (more modest) neckline than the standard one, but the dress arrived very lowcut, with virtually no cloth in the shoulders. That results in an ill fit, so that even with a scarf or a tube-top for modesty, the dress falls off her shoulders. After three weeks of calling, leaving messages, waiting for responses and not getting them, I finally heard back. They say the dress is exactly what I ordered.
I quit. If I return the dress at this point, my refund will be too small to purchase another dress without handing over yet more money. No use trying.
I thought, with eShakti, I had found a solution to the problem of sewing for Maggie. Supposedly they have all the information already gathered to customize a dress to a person's measurements. I thought I would no longer have to create a pattern, sew a mock-up, adjust and build a new pattern, sew another mock-up, and then readjust the pattern before sewing the real dress. Nope. Back to the hard way.
First dress (for Maggie) -- Too narrow in the shoulders. Cannot be worn at all.
Second dress (for me) -- Fits okay but not quite right. Definitely wearable and attractive. But really should have a couple of alterations.
Third dress (for Maggie) -- After a long wait, they notified us that they were out of that particular fabric. They credited us for the dress.
Fourth dress (for Maggie) to replace the third which never came -- We paid for a customized (more modest) neckline than the standard one, but the dress arrived very lowcut, with virtually no cloth in the shoulders. That results in an ill fit, so that even with a scarf or a tube-top for modesty, the dress falls off her shoulders. After three weeks of calling, leaving messages, waiting for responses and not getting them, I finally heard back. They say the dress is exactly what I ordered.
I quit. If I return the dress at this point, my refund will be too small to purchase another dress without handing over yet more money. No use trying.
I thought, with eShakti, I had found a solution to the problem of sewing for Maggie. Supposedly they have all the information already gathered to customize a dress to a person's measurements. I thought I would no longer have to create a pattern, sew a mock-up, adjust and build a new pattern, sew another mock-up, and then readjust the pattern before sewing the real dress. Nope. Back to the hard way.
Today's Laugh
George delivers wine to liquor stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. Yesterday he pulled up to the loading dock at the grocery store, right next to the bakery truck. The delivery man was poking around in the back of the truck, setting aside some boxes to be hoisted onto the dolly. By the time George had made his deliveries and returned to his truck, the bakery fellow was perched on the edge of the truck bed, thinking about climbing out of the back of his truck and meandering indoors with the first part of his delivery.
George asks, "So, are you going to get off your buns, or sit around and loaf all day?"
George asks, "So, are you going to get off your buns, or sit around and loaf all day?"
And after I related the tale last night at supper,
witty Maggie pipes up with, "And the bakery
guy responds, 'Oh, quit your whining.'"
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
Thank You for Taking Your Kid to Church
You didn't do it to make me happy. You don't even know me.
You did it because you love Jesus.
And because you love your kid.
But here's the thing. You took your children to church, even when they were little and it was hard. You taught them Bible verses and the catechism and hymns. Now your child is all grown up. He moved away from home.
This Sunday somebody's child and her husband were visiting our church. After communing, she returned to her pew, singing the hymn, even without her hymnal.
Or there was the time somebody else's child showed up at our church. He showed up every Sunday, driving an hour to get here. He knows the liturgy. He knows the hymns. He wants to join the congregation. People wonder, "Where did he come from?" as if it's not quite normal to find 20-somethings rejoicing to come for worship, and having learned those precious words by heart.
Hey, maybe it's not normal. But it is good.
And it is encouraging to us old folks.
You did it because you love Jesus.
And because you love your kid.
But here's the thing. You took your children to church, even when they were little and it was hard. You taught them Bible verses and the catechism and hymns. Now your child is all grown up. He moved away from home.
This Sunday somebody's child and her husband were visiting our church. After communing, she returned to her pew, singing the hymn, even without her hymnal.
Or there was the time somebody else's child showed up at our church. He showed up every Sunday, driving an hour to get here. He knows the liturgy. He knows the hymns. He wants to join the congregation. People wonder, "Where did he come from?" as if it's not quite normal to find 20-somethings rejoicing to come for worship, and having learned those precious words by heart.
Hey, maybe it's not normal. But it is good.
And it is encouraging to us old folks.
Psalm 78: Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Matthew 16: I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Wild Swans
Wild Swans. By Jung Chang.
Biographies of three women (grandma, mom, and daughter) in 20th-century China.
Thoughts:
Foot-binding? Never realized how torturous and painful it would have been. I just thought it was about keeping women's feet "small" -- not deformed-small, as in smaller-than-a-1-yr-old's.
Communism wasn't the real problem. The big problem was Mao's hunger for power and his vengeful spirit.
Some people think anarchy is okay because it's a way to get rid of the entrenched power/authority that is being misused. But anarchy is destructive to a vast degree. Furthermore, powerseekers will fill the void. Reading this book showed me that even bad government is better than no government.
Introversion was a bad bad thing in China. If you wanted a little solitude, most people interpreted that as cutting yourself off from the masses and thinking you were better than others. It must be unbearable to know that your need for a little peace and quiet means people see you as arrogant and aloof.
I knew almost nothing about China or Chinese history. Until a few weeks ago, I'd never heard of the Cultural Revolution: wreck buildings, ruin libraries, overthrow religion, destroy stuff. And now, this week's news tells us of a similar destruction in Mosul.
Biographies of three women (grandma, mom, and daughter) in 20th-century China.
Thoughts:
Foot-binding? Never realized how torturous and painful it would have been. I just thought it was about keeping women's feet "small" -- not deformed-small, as in smaller-than-a-1-yr-old's.
Communism wasn't the real problem. The big problem was Mao's hunger for power and his vengeful spirit.
Some people think anarchy is okay because it's a way to get rid of the entrenched power/authority that is being misused. But anarchy is destructive to a vast degree. Furthermore, powerseekers will fill the void. Reading this book showed me that even bad government is better than no government.
Introversion was a bad bad thing in China. If you wanted a little solitude, most people interpreted that as cutting yourself off from the masses and thinking you were better than others. It must be unbearable to know that your need for a little peace and quiet means people see you as arrogant and aloof.
I knew almost nothing about China or Chinese history. Until a few weeks ago, I'd never heard of the Cultural Revolution: wreck buildings, ruin libraries, overthrow religion, destroy stuff. And now, this week's news tells us of a similar destruction in Mosul.
Friday, February 27, 2015
"Because You're Feeble"
I took something to work today, something that is a little heavy and a little clumsy-to-carry. One of my co-workers said, "Don't you carry that upstairs!" I asked why not. "Because you're ... well ... feeble." I laughed. I carried it upstairs. But the comment touched my heart.
I guess I put on a good front as far as healing. Friends see me go to church. They know I go to work. Apparently I look "good as new." But I'm not. I'm limited. I must rest. It's easy for me to overdo and then end up with repercussions. Sometimes I am frustrated by offers of "help" to accomplish something, when the Real Help would be a simple acceptance of my "No, I cannot do that." I have to beat myself up quite enough to say no to commitments (work or fun!); when people question my "no" it's so much harder to stick to my guns about what's necessary for my health.
So it's all warm-&-fuzzy when people at work make allowances, when they occasionally offer to let me do some sit-down work while they stand and wait on customers, when they try to intercept me before I do something that they think might be too much for me. Mushy though it be, these simple acts make my heart swell with joy and thankfulness!
I guess I put on a good front as far as healing. Friends see me go to church. They know I go to work. Apparently I look "good as new." But I'm not. I'm limited. I must rest. It's easy for me to overdo and then end up with repercussions. Sometimes I am frustrated by offers of "help" to accomplish something, when the Real Help would be a simple acceptance of my "No, I cannot do that." I have to beat myself up quite enough to say no to commitments (work or fun!); when people question my "no" it's so much harder to stick to my guns about what's necessary for my health.
So it's all warm-&-fuzzy when people at work make allowances, when they occasionally offer to let me do some sit-down work while they stand and wait on customers, when they try to intercept me before I do something that they think might be too much for me. Mushy though it be, these simple acts make my heart swell with joy and thankfulness!
Doctors and therapists said to give myself at
least a year before I could even begin to expect
be back-to-normal. And it hasn't been a year yet.
Besides, as I learned in September, it's important
to allow for "margin." If I hover Just This Side of
"too much," one mishap shoves me over the edge.
And that results in pain and illness that I really
don't want to deal with.
Reading Challenge 2015
How to Respond to Eastern Religions -- finished Jan 7
Crunchy Cons, by Dreher -- finished Jan 13
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Wild Swans, by Chang -- finished Feb 25
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, by Forde
Holy Housewifery -- finished Jan 17
Flatland
Pioneer Girl (biography of Laura)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Karon
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Re-reads:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Hammer of God
With Maggie:
Anne of Ingleside -- finished Jan 16
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
Penderwicks -- finished Feb 24
Carry On, Mr Bowditch
On to Oregon
Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules Every Christian Ought to Break
Swallows and Amazon series
or Little House series (again)
or Little Britches series
or Five Little Peppers
Crunchy Cons, by Dreher -- finished Jan 13
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Wild Swans, by Chang -- finished Feb 25
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, by Forde
Holy Housewifery -- finished Jan 17
Flatland
Pioneer Girl (biography of Laura)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Karon
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Re-reads:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Hammer of God
With Maggie:
Anne of Ingleside -- finished Jan 16
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
Penderwicks -- finished Feb 24
Carry On, Mr Bowditch
On to Oregon
Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules Every Christian Ought to Break
Swallows and Amazon series
or Little House series (again)
or Little Britches series
or Five Little Peppers
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Jesus' Works in Psalm 115
Those idols in Psalm 115? They have eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear, mouths that do not speak, noses that do not smell, hands that do not handle, and feet that do not walk. "Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them."
I find it fascinating that the Gospels mention Jesus' healing-miracles for every single one of those body-parts.* He healed cripples and made them to walk. He gave hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. He loosed tongues. He got into trouble with the Pharisees for fixing the fellow's withered hand that Sabbath day in the synagogue.
It's almost as if the Man of Faith, who never had an idol in all His life, can even undo the idolatry that is part of our sinful nature.
I find it fascinating that the Gospels mention Jesus' healing-miracles for every single one of those body-parts.* He healed cripples and made them to walk. He gave hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. He loosed tongues. He got into trouble with the Pharisees for fixing the fellow's withered hand that Sabbath day in the synagogue.
It's almost as if the Man of Faith, who never had an idol in all His life, can even undo the idolatry that is part of our sinful nature.
* Footnote -- Except for noses. That's
not explicitly mentioned in the Gospels.
But Jesus did heal lepers, and it's likely
that such healing fixed rotted noses.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Avoiding the Caffeine and Sugar
Doctor told me that I could cut down on a repeat-infection by staying away from coffee, tea, and sugar. Boo. Hiss.
I know some of y'all like your coffee black, the way grown-ups drink it. But I sure do like mine with sugar. I'm wussy. Oh, and the tea: Mississippi sweet-tea is too much like Kool-aid for my tastes. But I sho'nuf do like me some sugar in my tea. BUT my mommy told me once-upon-a-time that three weeks straight with NO SUGAR in your coffee will teach you to like it black. She and Dad toughed it out. And they never wanted to go back to sweetened coffee. (Or so they said. Maybe they fibbed?)
Well, I made it for more than three weeks with no sweetener in my beverages. Not even stevia or honey. So I can do it. I don't want to do it. I want sugar. Still. Months later.
What I discovered, however, is that hot water works for me on par with unsweetened tea and coffee. Plus, if I want to ratchet-up the flavor of plain old hot water, a little lemon juice or cranberry juice or orange or lime is wunderbar. Better than unsweetened tea or coffee.
But
still not as good as tea and coffee with sugar.
I know some of y'all like your coffee black, the way grown-ups drink it. But I sure do like mine with sugar. I'm wussy. Oh, and the tea: Mississippi sweet-tea is too much like Kool-aid for my tastes. But I sho'nuf do like me some sugar in my tea. BUT my mommy told me once-upon-a-time that three weeks straight with NO SUGAR in your coffee will teach you to like it black. She and Dad toughed it out. And they never wanted to go back to sweetened coffee. (Or so they said. Maybe they fibbed?)
Well, I made it for more than three weeks with no sweetener in my beverages. Not even stevia or honey. So I can do it. I don't want to do it. I want sugar. Still. Months later.
What I discovered, however, is that hot water works for me on par with unsweetened tea and coffee. Plus, if I want to ratchet-up the flavor of plain old hot water, a little lemon juice or cranberry juice or orange or lime is wunderbar. Better than unsweetened tea or coffee.
But
still not as good as tea and coffee with sugar.
Where Was Jesus Baptized?
The Israelites entered the Promised Land when they crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 3). This is not only a historical, geographical fact, it's also a picture/foreshadowing of Christians crossing into heaven after a pilgrimage through the wilderness of life.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. I always thought that was because [duh] the Jordan River just happened to be the one that was available for John the Baptist. A simple fact of geography and nothing more.
But it IS more. We are joined to Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6). In His baptism, He takes our sin upon Himself and gives us His righteousness. This is our entry into the promised land. Baptism is when the Father says also to us, "This one is My beloved son."
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.
A simple fact of geography.
And a big, sweet, beautiful theological truth
of what has been
and of what is yet to come.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. I always thought that was because [duh] the Jordan River just happened to be the one that was available for John the Baptist. A simple fact of geography and nothing more.
But it IS more. We are joined to Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6). In His baptism, He takes our sin upon Himself and gives us His righteousness. This is our entry into the promised land. Baptism is when the Father says also to us, "This one is My beloved son."
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.
A simple fact of geography.
And a big, sweet, beautiful theological truth
of what has been
and of what is yet to come.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Hooray for Antibiotics!
That said, doctors and modern medicine can do aMAZing things!! If it weren't for her surgeons, Maggie wouldn't be alive. If it weren't for my surgeons last spring, I wouldn't be walking, talking, driving, and going to work any more. And just this past week, a granddaughter ended up in the hospital. From a splinter. A lousy little splinter that appeared to been removed easily and cleaned up just fine at the time. A century ago, kiddo may have died from that splinter and ensuing infection and how it was trying to spread. But in 2015, it's [cough] "no big deal." A bit o' minor surgery to clean the wound. Antibiotics pumped straight into her blood. Just one night as an in-patient. And thus Jesus cures her!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Ash Wednesday
This morning after chapel, last year's palms (from Palm Sunday) were burned to ashes (for the imposition of ashes later today). There is a rite that goes with this; it's not in the hymnal so I can't find the exact words. But there's something in there about how ashes show the frailty of our bodies. "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness like the flowers of the field. The grass withers; the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it. The people are grass. The grass withers...." (Isaiah 40)
Boy, that hits you different after you spent last Eastertide in ICU. Frail bodies, indeed!
Boy, that hits you different after you spent last Eastertide in ICU. Frail bodies, indeed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
