Maybe it's the math geek in me. The part of the story (Gen 18) I always noticed was the countdown. 50? 45? 40? 30? 20? 10?
I never noticed in verse 19 what the Lord was pondering about Abraham's status: "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
The Lord loves us. And we teach others about His love and mercy, so they too can hang onto that righteousness He gives. And the Lord needs to make sure we know (verse 17) about His punishment of sin so that we do not waver in trusting His goodness. What we see and experience must never be allowed to override in our hearts the sweet promises He has made.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Fussing about Ordination Being Called a Sacrament
Crab, crab, crab. "It's Catholic to call ordination a sacrament." (Wait. Did you read that last sentence correctly? "Catholic" has to be spoken with a scrunched-up nose and have a definite tone-of-insult.)
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church teaches some things about ordination that aren't scriptural. It almost seems to me it's like magic: the priest is given "indelible character" that makes him (in his own person!) able to do things laymen cannot.
But what if "ordination" is "being put under orders" -- and those orders are the commands of Christ to baptize and to preach and to forgive and to administer the Supper and to judge doctrine? If the pastor's power is entirely in the Word of God, and if those actions are a means through which God gives grace (not particularly to the ordinand alone but to the man's whole congregation), then why would anyone object to a high view of ordination??
The Confessions themselves say:
So, what's the problem? Consider it a sacrament (without consenting to the errors of Rome). Or consider it not-a-sacrament (without consenting to the errors of the Anabaptists ... a far more prevalent problem in today's society). But why should it be an issue?
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church teaches some things about ordination that aren't scriptural. It almost seems to me it's like magic: the priest is given "indelible character" that makes him (in his own person!) able to do things laymen cannot.
But what if "ordination" is "being put under orders" -- and those orders are the commands of Christ to baptize and to preach and to forgive and to administer the Supper and to judge doctrine? If the pastor's power is entirely in the Word of God, and if those actions are a means through which God gives grace (not particularly to the ordinand alone but to the man's whole congregation), then why would anyone object to a high view of ordination??
The Confessions themselves say:
If ordination be understood as applying to the ministry of the Word, we are not unwilling to call ordination a sacrament. For the ministry of the Word has God's command and glorious promises -- "The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one that believes" (Rom 1:16). Likewise, Is 55:11 -- "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please." If ordination be understood in this way, neither will we refuse to call the imposition of hands a sacrament. For the Church has the command to appoint ministers, which should be most pleasing to us, because we know that God approves this ministry, and is present in the ministry. (Apology XIII:11-12)
So, what's the problem? Consider it a sacrament (without consenting to the errors of Rome). Or consider it not-a-sacrament (without consenting to the errors of the Anabaptists ... a far more prevalent problem in today's society). But why should it be an issue?
Monday, July 29, 2013
Fathers in Luke 11
Look at all the fathers in Sunday's [three-year] Gospel (Luke 11:1-13).
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Then comes the parable of the friend at midnight. Did you notice that the neighbor (the one who doesn't want to get out of bed to hand over the bread) is a father? He's in bed with his children. He's unwilling to grant the unreasonable request of the dude next door, and we always think he's a selfish grump. But maybe he's just trying to take care of his children. (Every mama knows what it's like to have the babies awakened by noisy neighbors. Yeah . . . you know what I'm talkin' about. We can understand the fellow-with-the-bread having loads of love for his kids ... and no heart for the guy who's pounding on the door and disturbing the munchkins.)
Then comes the example of the human kids asking their human dads for something necessary, and how daddies take care of their kids instead of hurting them.
Then comes a heavenly Father who gives the Holy Spirit.
Dads.
Dads.
Dads.
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Then comes the parable of the friend at midnight. Did you notice that the neighbor (the one who doesn't want to get out of bed to hand over the bread) is a father? He's in bed with his children. He's unwilling to grant the unreasonable request of the dude next door, and we always think he's a selfish grump. But maybe he's just trying to take care of his children. (Every mama knows what it's like to have the babies awakened by noisy neighbors. Yeah . . . you know what I'm talkin' about. We can understand the fellow-with-the-bread having loads of love for his kids ... and no heart for the guy who's pounding on the door and disturbing the munchkins.)
Then comes the example of the human kids asking their human dads for something necessary, and how daddies take care of their kids instead of hurting them.
Then comes a heavenly Father who gives the Holy Spirit.
Dads.
Dads.
Dads.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
A Post about Nothing
(I didn't watch Seinfeld, but I think that's the line people used about the show.)
I found the old Playskool wooden puzzles and brought them upstairs. Zoe had a great time with them yesterday. She's just the right age for it.
Our Culligan water filters needed replacing. The salesmen think our system is obsolete and should be replaced. I think they're trying to sell something. But there's the niggling fear: what if they're right? What if I'm spending the bucks on new filters, and it turns out to be wasted because the system is too old. Why, oh why, can't I buy an appliance once and have it last my whole life long??
I was mean to the septic system today. I put bleach in the wash. Those white bath towels were looking so grungy. They're still not white-white, but they look so much better. Story is that one of my grandmas prided herself on having the brightest whitest laundry around. She would be horrified at me.
Andrew started full-time work as a CNA. He works evening shift.
I'm hungry. I am SO looking forward to Tuesday or Wednesday -- and a happier gall bladder -- so that I can have soup or burritos or lentils or a pbj or a hamburger or my favorite tilapia recipe. [drooooool....]
Poor little granddaughter. Her daddy has crud feet. And her momma and grandma and great-grandma have crud feet. Really now -- bunions already when she was two? Thanks to a generous soul at church passing along virtually new "hand-me-downs," Alia wore Birkenstocks last summer. This summer she's been aching but unable to explain why -- unable to know that this ain't how it's supposed to be, folks. But wise Katie managed to figure it out and bought special supportive shoes and inserts. (Really? Inserts for a preschooler?? Yikes!) Child is much happier!
Andrew and I have been hauling wood chips from the town's compost pile. My plan was to put down cloth in certain weedy spots and cover it with a hefty pile of wood mulch. I need to cut down on the amount of work around here, and mulch seemed like A Plan. I'm beginning to wonder, though, if the wood chips are already too composted. There seems to be a lot of dirt in with the chips. Maybe I'm just going to end up with shallow-rooted weeds.
Black raspberries came up volunteer. Yowza -- I thought red raspberries had prickly thorns. Nothing compared to these black raspberries. These delectable little guys are the kind of thing you'd want to plant around your castle, next to your moat. Yup, a fence of these canes would be some serious protection.
Met with the lawyer this week about guardianship for Maggie. After reading the paperwork, it appears that there are less drastic ways of accomplishing what we need, such as Power of Attorney paperwork. So we're looking into those matters.
If we used Divine Service 3 (aka "page 15") every Sunday for the next few years, I do not think I would get tired of the Lack Of Variety.
Things have been kind of slow at work while our road has been under construction. I'm looking forward to business picking up again soon. I hate sitting at work during those occasional 10 minutes stints without customers, knowing that there's plenty to do at home.
The other day, I saw a little girl at the grocery store that looked amazingly like Alia. When she turned around, it WAS Alia. You know what? There's something incredibly joyous about bumping into friends and family at the grocery store. Rather than leaving with my groceries, I bopped through the store again, just to grab a few minutes with Katie and the girls. These chance encounters provide a dose of happiness that is unreasonably huge. Love it love it love it!
We're trying to declutter. The weekly trash piles have been huge recently. The give-away trips to Goodwill have been more frequent. The pile in the garage for a rummage-sale is growing! "But we could use this for [fill in the blank]." NO! Fighting the urge to hoard!!
Maggie is on a Beverly Cleary jag. I'm just a tad jealous.
Someone here purchased a Wii. I have mixed feelings. The other people who live here do not have mixed feelings.
That's enough "nothing." I probably left out some major stuff from this update. But my brain is pre-occupied with my tummy ache. So this is all there is. For now.
I found the old Playskool wooden puzzles and brought them upstairs. Zoe had a great time with them yesterday. She's just the right age for it.
Our Culligan water filters needed replacing. The salesmen think our system is obsolete and should be replaced. I think they're trying to sell something. But there's the niggling fear: what if they're right? What if I'm spending the bucks on new filters, and it turns out to be wasted because the system is too old. Why, oh why, can't I buy an appliance once and have it last my whole life long??
I was mean to the septic system today. I put bleach in the wash. Those white bath towels were looking so grungy. They're still not white-white, but they look so much better. Story is that one of my grandmas prided herself on having the brightest whitest laundry around. She would be horrified at me.
Andrew started full-time work as a CNA. He works evening shift.
I'm hungry. I am SO looking forward to Tuesday or Wednesday -- and a happier gall bladder -- so that I can have soup or burritos or lentils or a pbj or a hamburger or my favorite tilapia recipe. [drooooool....]
Poor little granddaughter. Her daddy has crud feet. And her momma and grandma and great-grandma have crud feet. Really now -- bunions already when she was two? Thanks to a generous soul at church passing along virtually new "hand-me-downs," Alia wore Birkenstocks last summer. This summer she's been aching but unable to explain why -- unable to know that this ain't how it's supposed to be, folks. But wise Katie managed to figure it out and bought special supportive shoes and inserts. (Really? Inserts for a preschooler?? Yikes!) Child is much happier!
Andrew and I have been hauling wood chips from the town's compost pile. My plan was to put down cloth in certain weedy spots and cover it with a hefty pile of wood mulch. I need to cut down on the amount of work around here, and mulch seemed like A Plan. I'm beginning to wonder, though, if the wood chips are already too composted. There seems to be a lot of dirt in with the chips. Maybe I'm just going to end up with shallow-rooted weeds.
Black raspberries came up volunteer. Yowza -- I thought red raspberries had prickly thorns. Nothing compared to these black raspberries. These delectable little guys are the kind of thing you'd want to plant around your castle, next to your moat. Yup, a fence of these canes would be some serious protection.
Met with the lawyer this week about guardianship for Maggie. After reading the paperwork, it appears that there are less drastic ways of accomplishing what we need, such as Power of Attorney paperwork. So we're looking into those matters.
If we used Divine Service 3 (aka "page 15") every Sunday for the next few years, I do not think I would get tired of the Lack Of Variety.
Things have been kind of slow at work while our road has been under construction. I'm looking forward to business picking up again soon. I hate sitting at work during those occasional 10 minutes stints without customers, knowing that there's plenty to do at home.
The other day, I saw a little girl at the grocery store that looked amazingly like Alia. When she turned around, it WAS Alia. You know what? There's something incredibly joyous about bumping into friends and family at the grocery store. Rather than leaving with my groceries, I bopped through the store again, just to grab a few minutes with Katie and the girls. These chance encounters provide a dose of happiness that is unreasonably huge. Love it love it love it!
We're trying to declutter. The weekly trash piles have been huge recently. The give-away trips to Goodwill have been more frequent. The pile in the garage for a rummage-sale is growing! "But we could use this for [fill in the blank]." NO! Fighting the urge to hoard!!
Maggie is on a Beverly Cleary jag. I'm just a tad jealous.
Someone here purchased a Wii. I have mixed feelings. The other people who live here do not have mixed feelings.
That's enough "nothing." I probably left out some major stuff from this update. But my brain is pre-occupied with my tummy ache. So this is all there is. For now.
Used Furniture
A lovely little consignment store recently opened in Sussex. Framed art. Furniture. China. A few books and rugs and other items. Good prices. More expensive furniture than Goodwill, but it seems to be in better condition.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Gall Bladder
(Notes to remind myself. Nobody else will want to bother reading.)
Low-fat vegan diet for several days: no caffeine, no sugar, no gluten, no alcohol. Raw fruits and veggies as much as possible. Lots of cukes, beets, tomato, lemon juice. Rice salad works well.
Day before and morning of cleanse:
No fat. No, really -- NO fat: olives, avocado, coconut milk, nuts, crackers.
Day starting the cleanse:
2:00 p.m. -- begin fast. Drink plenty of water because of the salt later. Unsweetened herbal mint tea is okay too.
6:00 -- first potion (3/4 cup water or apple juice with 1 Tbsp epsom salts)
8:00 -- second epsom-salt potion; prepare another potion for morning and put by bed
9:15 or 9:30 -- get ready for bed, pj's and brush teeth
9:45 -- mix 3/4 cup olive oil with juice of 3 lemons or 2 grapefruit (1/2 or 3/4 cup juice); shake well in jar until thin and frothy; go to the bathroom
10:00 -- drink the "salad-dressing" potion; it may help to use a straw or to chase sips with honey; drink it quickly (within 5-10 minutes); immediately go to bed; do not clean up the kitchen; lie down on the right side in the fetal position and stay still for at least 20 minutes; okay to get up overnight to use bathroom if necessary
Day ending the cleanse:
6:00 a.m. or later -- another dose of epsom salts; go back to bed
8:00 (or 2 hours later) -- another dose of epsom salts (may skip if stomach is too nauseous), then relax for another two hours
10:00 (or after 2 or 3 trips to toilet) -- may begin juice
10:30 or 11:00 -- may have some fruit
12:00 -- may begin eating light food
supper -- simple and easily digestible food
Organic better.
Freshly juiced juices better than purchased.
Low-fat vegan diet for several days: no caffeine, no sugar, no gluten, no alcohol. Raw fruits and veggies as much as possible. Lots of cukes, beets, tomato, lemon juice. Rice salad works well.
Day before and morning of cleanse:
No fat. No, really -- NO fat: olives, avocado, coconut milk, nuts, crackers.
Day starting the cleanse:
2:00 p.m. -- begin fast. Drink plenty of water because of the salt later. Unsweetened herbal mint tea is okay too.
6:00 -- first potion (3/4 cup water or apple juice with 1 Tbsp epsom salts)
8:00 -- second epsom-salt potion; prepare another potion for morning and put by bed
9:15 or 9:30 -- get ready for bed, pj's and brush teeth
9:45 -- mix 3/4 cup olive oil with juice of 3 lemons or 2 grapefruit (1/2 or 3/4 cup juice); shake well in jar until thin and frothy; go to the bathroom
10:00 -- drink the "salad-dressing" potion; it may help to use a straw or to chase sips with honey; drink it quickly (within 5-10 minutes); immediately go to bed; do not clean up the kitchen; lie down on the right side in the fetal position and stay still for at least 20 minutes; okay to get up overnight to use bathroom if necessary
Day ending the cleanse:
6:00 a.m. or later -- another dose of epsom salts; go back to bed
8:00 (or 2 hours later) -- another dose of epsom salts (may skip if stomach is too nauseous), then relax for another two hours
10:00 (or after 2 or 3 trips to toilet) -- may begin juice
10:30 or 11:00 -- may have some fruit
12:00 -- may begin eating light food
supper -- simple and easily digestible food
Organic better.
Freshly juiced juices better than purchased.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Decorating Opinions?
Unlike me, some of you have, well, y'know, taste. And some of you enjoy looking at decorating magazines. So I'd like to ask for input.If these are my [ahem] outdated kitchen cabinets,
and if I have no intention of updating them,
and if I'd like a lighter kitchen,
1: What's trendy is irrelevant. If I accomplish this project within five years, I'll be patting myself on the back for speediness.
2: If the cupboard doors were white or some other near-white color and the cupboards themselves remained dark, would the outline of the dark wood look super-tacky, or elegant, or some blah-in-between?
Unripe Avocado
Again? We cut into an avocado, expecting to add deliciousness to a sandwich, and it wasn't ripe enough. Let's get real -- it wasn't ripe at all. When it happened last month, I chafed at putting a whole avocado into the garbage. So when it happened again this month, I didn't want to waste another one. Time to start a google-hunt.
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
"Luther on Vocation"
Wingren's book isn't what I expected. Loads of people had recommended it as a fabulous book about vocation. There are definitely good parts, but overall I'm not as impressed as I thought I'd be.
From the title, I'd expected the book to be virtually all Luther. It's not. It's Gustaf Wingren, and he is explaining his take on Luther's take on vocation. He also disputes other authors' take on Luther's take on vocation.
I also noticed the use of the word "vocation." There is some disagreement among us about whether vocation is law or gospel or both or whatever. And as I've been reading Wingren, I think part of the reason for this disagreement can be attributed to his book. He keeps using the word vocation and "interpreting Luther" as it were ... but he substitutes the word vocation when Luther's word in that particular quote was station or office.
Vocation is from the Latin for "calling." As in, "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, ...." Vocation is the call to live by faith in whatever station or office God has placed you. Yeah, so, when Wingren flip-flops "vocation" and "station" (and when we then do the same thing) discussions are muddied and convoluted.
And then there's the section on prayer. Wingren points out that we shouldn't be praying for things God has promised through means. In other words, I can't sit on the couch and eat bonbons and watch Oprah, and then complain at 7:00 because God didn't give us supper. God gave me a grocery store and money, and a garden and a knife and an oven, and that is how He gives us supper. But then Wingren goes on to suggest that God will be hacked off at us if we pray for things and haven't done everything in our power to bring Whatever-We-Prayed-For into being. According to that, I guess I'd never pray because I could never do enough to provide for myself. Furthermore, he makes it sound like prayer is a last resort: when there's nothing left for you to do to solve the situation, that's when you can pray for help. I just have to keep reminding myself that Wingren is trying to argue against prayer-as-a-magic-wand.
From the title, I'd expected the book to be virtually all Luther. It's not. It's Gustaf Wingren, and he is explaining his take on Luther's take on vocation. He also disputes other authors' take on Luther's take on vocation.
I also noticed the use of the word "vocation." There is some disagreement among us about whether vocation is law or gospel or both or whatever. And as I've been reading Wingren, I think part of the reason for this disagreement can be attributed to his book. He keeps using the word vocation and "interpreting Luther" as it were ... but he substitutes the word vocation when Luther's word in that particular quote was station or office.
Vocation is from the Latin for "calling." As in, "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, ...." Vocation is the call to live by faith in whatever station or office God has placed you. Yeah, so, when Wingren flip-flops "vocation" and "station" (and when we then do the same thing) discussions are muddied and convoluted.
And then there's the section on prayer. Wingren points out that we shouldn't be praying for things God has promised through means. In other words, I can't sit on the couch and eat bonbons and watch Oprah, and then complain at 7:00 because God didn't give us supper. God gave me a grocery store and money, and a garden and a knife and an oven, and that is how He gives us supper. But then Wingren goes on to suggest that God will be hacked off at us if we pray for things and haven't done everything in our power to bring Whatever-We-Prayed-For into being. According to that, I guess I'd never pray because I could never do enough to provide for myself. Furthermore, he makes it sound like prayer is a last resort: when there's nothing left for you to do to solve the situation, that's when you can pray for help. I just have to keep reminding myself that Wingren is trying to argue against prayer-as-a-magic-wand.
Good aspects of the book coming up in another post...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
But They're WRONG
Jews have no dealing with Samaritans (John 4).
The Samaritan (yeah, you know, the good Samaritan, the one in the parable) was somebody the beaten-up Jew considered an enemy (Luke 10).
But let's think about it: It was not okay for the Samaritans to worship someplace besides Jerusalem. It was wrong for Jereboam (that long-ago king) to have set up a church that wasn't the temple in Jerusalem. So the Jews were right to insist that worship belonged only where God had instituted it.
What was wrong was hating the errant Samaritans for their error. "They screwed up. FINE. Just leave them to their badness. FINE."
Nope. Not fine.
"... Love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be."
The Samaritan (yeah, you know, the good Samaritan, the one in the parable) was somebody the beaten-up Jew considered an enemy (Luke 10).
But let's think about it: It was not okay for the Samaritans to worship someplace besides Jerusalem. It was wrong for Jereboam (that long-ago king) to have set up a church that wasn't the temple in Jerusalem. So the Jews were right to insist that worship belonged only where God had instituted it.
What was wrong was hating the errant Samaritans for their error. "They screwed up. FINE. Just leave them to their badness. FINE."
Nope. Not fine.
"... Love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be."
Serendipitously, this same topic
came up on another blog this week.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Lawyer's Version of Law
When the lawyer wanted to trap Jesus in His words (prior to the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10), Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
Of course, the lawyer answered with a synopsis of the Rules. And sure enough, that is in the law.
But what else is in "the law," the Torah?
What if Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" and the answer was something like, "The Lord shall provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering" (Gen 22)? Or "Stand still, and see the salvation which the Lord your God will accomplish for you this day" (Ex 14)?
Of course, the lawyer answered with a synopsis of the Rules. And sure enough, that is in the law.
But what else is in "the law," the Torah?
What if Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" and the answer was something like, "The Lord shall provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering" (Gen 22)? Or "Stand still, and see the salvation which the Lord your God will accomplish for you this day" (Ex 14)?
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Good Samaritan
We self-righteous humans are prone to thinking the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) is all about what we should DO.
I find it interesting that the very next verses in Luke are the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is fretting because there's too much to DO, and Mary isn't DOing. She's sitting there, soaking up Jesus' preaching.
I'm supposin' that these are not two disconnected stories. The events at Lazarus's house shed more light on the parable.
Yup.
I find it interesting that the very next verses in Luke are the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is fretting because there's too much to DO, and Mary isn't DOing. She's sitting there, soaking up Jesus' preaching.
I'm supposin' that these are not two disconnected stories. The events at Lazarus's house shed more light on the parable.
Yup.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Patient Angels
The angels must have been affected by our sin.
I never thought of it before.
They're created beings. The whole creation groans, awaiting the redemption of the sons of God. The angels fight in the spiritual dimension ("wield God's word, a weapon glorious...") to guard us from demonic forces.
Angels too, like the bunnies and the rocks and trees, will rejoice when Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth, and man is freed, and sin's effects are no more.
I never thought of it before.
They're created beings. The whole creation groans, awaiting the redemption of the sons of God. The angels fight in the spiritual dimension ("wield God's word, a weapon glorious...") to guard us from demonic forces.
Angels too, like the bunnies and the rocks and trees, will rejoice when Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth, and man is freed, and sin's effects are no more.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Hand-Me-Down Treasures
Once upon a time, I felt greedy and guilty when people would hand over STUFF when we happened to mention we needed something like it. Our parents were not the only culprits, but were the most frequent givers. "Wait, I wasn't asking for yours! I was just noticing that it's something I need to obtain somewhere." And yet, "No, it's fine. Here, take it. Really!"
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
Monday, July 08, 2013
Music Appreciation
A lot of us middle-aged people learned about classical music more from Bugs Bunny than we did from school. Even without formal and systematic instruction, though, the simple exposure to music made those pieces seem comfortingly familiar when we bumped into them again. (Of course, we may imagine Elmer Fudd or Wile E Coyote when we hear certain pieces of music, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.)
I love what the headmaster of our church's school is doing with the kids. Simple simple simple. But an idea I wish I'd known about earlier. She has an assortment of great music pieces. I forget how many -- maybe 100 to 200? One piece per week. Play it every day.
That's it. There isn't necessarily any study of the composer's life, or his other music, or anything. There could be. But the point is simply for the kids to HEAR these pieces over and over. So it takes 3-5 minutes a day. It requires little prep from the teacher. But it does a lot to expose the kids to all sorts of important pieces of music.
And the kids seem to enjoy it even without Bugs and the Taz.
I love what the headmaster of our church's school is doing with the kids. Simple simple simple. But an idea I wish I'd known about earlier. She has an assortment of great music pieces. I forget how many -- maybe 100 to 200? One piece per week. Play it every day.
That's it. There isn't necessarily any study of the composer's life, or his other music, or anything. There could be. But the point is simply for the kids to HEAR these pieces over and over. So it takes 3-5 minutes a day. It requires little prep from the teacher. But it does a lot to expose the kids to all sorts of important pieces of music.
And the kids seem to enjoy it even without Bugs and the Taz.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Purge Mode
Too. Much. Stuff.
Although there are plenty of more pressing tasks on the to-do list, I am distracted by my desire to de-clutter. The yard needs to be simplified so there's less weeding and work out there. But mostly I want to thin what's in cupboards, bookshelves, closets, and storage areas. Flea market at church is in six weeks; hopefully I'll have a good pile for Maggie to hawk while I'm at work that day.
So it was timely to read an article on what clutter does to the mind. [Hat tip: Cheryl.] It helps me recognize why it's so hard to declutter; there is a neurological response in the brain which registers pain when getting rid of an object to which you are attached. The article also shows that there really is stress and problems-with-focus from having too much clutter; it's not just silly me feeling overwhelmed.
I think this also explains one of the reasons vacation can be so relaxing. If you're away from home there is usually less clutter. The place you're staying probably has less stuff in the kitchen; you have fewer clothes to choose from; while you're away, housekeeping projects are not piled up demanding your attention. For me, the escape-from-clutter is probably the most relaxing part of any vacation trip.
Conundrum of the month: it's so much work to de-clutter. And it clutters the brain to make de-cluttering decisions. Uh ... no pain, no gain???
Although there are plenty of more pressing tasks on the to-do list, I am distracted by my desire to de-clutter. The yard needs to be simplified so there's less weeding and work out there. But mostly I want to thin what's in cupboards, bookshelves, closets, and storage areas. Flea market at church is in six weeks; hopefully I'll have a good pile for Maggie to hawk while I'm at work that day.
So it was timely to read an article on what clutter does to the mind. [Hat tip: Cheryl.] It helps me recognize why it's so hard to declutter; there is a neurological response in the brain which registers pain when getting rid of an object to which you are attached. The article also shows that there really is stress and problems-with-focus from having too much clutter; it's not just silly me feeling overwhelmed.
I think this also explains one of the reasons vacation can be so relaxing. If you're away from home there is usually less clutter. The place you're staying probably has less stuff in the kitchen; you have fewer clothes to choose from; while you're away, housekeeping projects are not piled up demanding your attention. For me, the escape-from-clutter is probably the most relaxing part of any vacation trip.
Conundrum of the month: it's so much work to de-clutter. And it clutters the brain to make de-cluttering decisions. Uh ... no pain, no gain???
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Skits in Church
So I don't like skits during church. But is that just my preference, whereas somebody else has a different preference?
I figured it out. It's not just me and my old-fashioned hang-ups.
Skits are pretending.
They're not real. People are acting. Actors pretend to be who they're not. They say lines written for them instead of engaging in real-life, from-the-heart conversation.
What happens during church must be REAL. It must be true and honest and live dialogue between God and man.
No show.
No pretend.
Genuine speech. Speech that accomplishes a transaction.
I figured it out. It's not just me and my old-fashioned hang-ups.
They're not real. People are acting. Actors pretend to be who they're not. They say lines written for them instead of engaging in real-life, from-the-heart conversation.
What happens during church must be REAL. It must be true and honest and live dialogue between God and man.
No show.
No pretend.
Genuine speech. Speech that accomplishes a transaction.
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Business-World Apologies
You've heard non-apology "apologies": "If anyone was offended by what happened, then I want you all to know that was never the intention, and this has been over-exaggerated."
Somehow, being in the Church, I always figured that apologizing meant that a person was taking the blame: "My fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault."
And then you get out in the world.
Something came through at work recently. We weren't exactly told to read it. But it was made available, just like other materials, and proposed as suggested reading that would help us deal with customers. The title was "Help Your Employees Learn to Apologize." I was stunned. An apology is NOT "accepting blame." An apology IS "acknowledging the client's feelings."
So when I'm in a store and they're apologizing to me, it's not my imagination that I sense they're not really apologizing.
Somehow, being in the Church, I always figured that apologizing meant that a person was taking the blame: "My fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault."
And then you get out in the world.
Something came through at work recently. We weren't exactly told to read it. But it was made available, just like other materials, and proposed as suggested reading that would help us deal with customers. The title was "Help Your Employees Learn to Apologize." I was stunned. An apology is NOT "accepting blame." An apology IS "acknowledging the client's feelings."
So when I'm in a store and they're apologizing to me, it's not my imagination that I sense they're not really apologizing.
At least there are some places that
consider an apology something more
than mere empathy.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Post-Modernism
[Yawn ...]
Folks talk about post-modernism, and I tune out. Despite hearing people talk about it ad nauseum and what it means for society and for the Church, I just do not understand. I tend to hear "blah blah blah" when I should be listening.
So when Jonathan Fisk was presenting at the CCA symposium last month, I was shocked to hear a brief explanation that even A Bear Of Very Little Brain can understand.
First, Pastor Fisk explained that post-modernism is post [that is, after] the age of Reason. "Modern man" used reason and intellect and thinking. Post-modernism poo-poos reason.
And here's what that means:
1. What I feel and what I experience is what matters.
2. Therefore, there is no certainty, no objective truth, and no absolutes.
Now that I know this, I'm not completely lost! And "blah blah blah" actually contains a few words and sentences now that I can grasp!
Folks talk about post-modernism, and I tune out. Despite hearing people talk about it ad nauseum and what it means for society and for the Church, I just do not understand. I tend to hear "blah blah blah" when I should be listening.
So when Jonathan Fisk was presenting at the CCA symposium last month, I was shocked to hear a brief explanation that even A Bear Of Very Little Brain can understand.
First, Pastor Fisk explained that post-modernism is post [that is, after] the age of Reason. "Modern man" used reason and intellect and thinking. Post-modernism poo-poos reason.
And here's what that means:
1. What I feel and what I experience is what matters.
2. Therefore, there is no certainty, no objective truth, and no absolutes.
Now that I know this, I'm not completely lost! And "blah blah blah" actually contains a few words and sentences now that I can grasp!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Rainbow
Driving home from a visit to Mom, we watched the storms passing behind us or to the south of us. Certainly an interesting weather lesson! But the coolest thing was the rainbow -- the most vibrant one I'd seen in my life. And the fattest.
The evening before I'd been reading "Heaven Is for Real," and (whether it's true or not) I thought it was interesting to have read about all the colors in heaven and then to see this glorious rainbow.
 |
| (after it had already faded quite a bit) |
The evening before I'd been reading "Heaven Is for Real," and (whether it's true or not) I thought it was interesting to have read about all the colors in heaven and then to see this glorious rainbow.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Nosy Phone Calls
Maggie answers the phone, knows she can't handle whatever-it-is the stranger is saying, and passes the phone off to Mom. I pick up the receiver and say hello.
"Have I reached you today on a land line or on a cell phone?"
A confused look pops out on my face. "Why do you want to know?"
"It's the first question on our survey today."
Me: "I won't be answering that question today."
She responded firmly: "Are you on a land line or on a cell phone? It's the first question I have for you on our survey today about vaccinations in your community."
"I won't be answering that question today."
Caller: "How many children between the ages of 2 and 59 months do you have in your household?"
Me (in partial shock and partial laughter): "I won't be answering that question today."
Well, I must have sounded more snippy than I intended because her irritated response was, "You don't have to be so hostile about this."
Putting on my best effort at a pleasant voice: "I'm not being hostile. I'm just telling you that I won't be answering your questions today."
"WHY do you have to be so difficult about this?! Now, how many children between the ages of ..."
"Excuse me. I won't be answering your questions today. I'm going to hang up now. Buh-bye."
Wow.
"Have I reached you today on a land line or on a cell phone?"
A confused look pops out on my face. "Why do you want to know?"
"It's the first question on our survey today."
Me: "I won't be answering that question today."
She responded firmly: "Are you on a land line or on a cell phone? It's the first question I have for you on our survey today about vaccinations in your community."
"I won't be answering that question today."
Caller: "How many children between the ages of 2 and 59 months do you have in your household?"
Me (in partial shock and partial laughter): "I won't be answering that question today."
Well, I must have sounded more snippy than I intended because her irritated response was, "You don't have to be so hostile about this."
Putting on my best effort at a pleasant voice: "I'm not being hostile. I'm just telling you that I won't be answering your questions today."
"WHY do you have to be so difficult about this?! Now, how many children between the ages of ..."
"Excuse me. I won't be answering your questions today. I'm going to hang up now. Buh-bye."
Wow.
Mnemonic Device for the Gospel Responses
"Praise to You, O Lord"?
"Glory be to Thee, O .... Christ??? Lord??? What IS the word?"
When I was little, I could never keep it straight. And I've noticed there are lots of people who have the same problem.
The S goes in the same response. "Praise" goes with "Christ."
Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
The OR goes in the same response. "Glory" goes with "Lord."
Glory to You, O Lord.
"Glory be to Thee, O .... Christ??? Lord??? What IS the word?"
When I was little, I could never keep it straight. And I've noticed there are lots of people who have the same problem.
The S goes in the same response. "Praise" goes with "Christ."
Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
The OR goes in the same response. "Glory" goes with "Lord."
Glory to You, O Lord.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Interior Decorating
I admit it up-front: I don't have a sense for decorating. I would like a prettier house, but I don't want it enough to figure out what to do and then make it happen.
So on a slow day at work I was flipping through Midwest Living. I was amazed by some of the nifty, cool, stylish, up-to-date ideas for decorating. My jaw actually dropped. And I still can't figure it out.
So it's stylish to have a beat-up old table? People spend lots of money buying furniture and decorative items that are "distressed." There are methods to paint a decent piece of furniture to make it appear "distressed." Why can this look fabulous in somebody else's house? If I had something like that in my house, it would not tout STYLE. It would look unkempt.
For a delectably romantic table setting, one suggestion was to use a length of burlap as a tablecloth. Burlap. As in, the burlap that we used in the 60's to make banners for church. Or the burlap we would use for sack-races in grade school.
One magazine article will tell you how a house needs COLOR . White or eggshell walls? Out out out. And yet, another article will extol the virtues of various whites all throughout the house.
One photo display showed an old wooden ladder propped up in a dining room, the rungs serving as a way to display the woman's collection of antique dish towels. And I'm thinking, "Oh, that I had enough space in the house to even understand how it's possible to have a display like that!"
These homes are put together intentionally and carefully. People shop and shop and shop for Just The Right Item to fit the theme of the house.
Me?
I have books.
And piles of Stuff We're In The Middle Of.
And kiddos' drawings on the refrigerator.
And evidence of projects: a bag of grass seed to plant, a blender and a toaster and a mixer on the counter at all times instead of in an "appliance garage," newspaper on the table, schoolbooks on the coffee table, a sewing project scattered across the basement, etc.
Maybe we could pretend my house was decorated with a theme of Practicality and Self Reliance? Sure. That's it. Totally. It was all planned!
So on a slow day at work I was flipping through Midwest Living. I was amazed by some of the nifty, cool, stylish, up-to-date ideas for decorating. My jaw actually dropped. And I still can't figure it out.
So it's stylish to have a beat-up old table? People spend lots of money buying furniture and decorative items that are "distressed." There are methods to paint a decent piece of furniture to make it appear "distressed." Why can this look fabulous in somebody else's house? If I had something like that in my house, it would not tout STYLE. It would look unkempt.
For a delectably romantic table setting, one suggestion was to use a length of burlap as a tablecloth. Burlap. As in, the burlap that we used in the 60's to make banners for church. Or the burlap we would use for sack-races in grade school.
One magazine article will tell you how a house needs COLOR . White or eggshell walls? Out out out. And yet, another article will extol the virtues of various whites all throughout the house.
One photo display showed an old wooden ladder propped up in a dining room, the rungs serving as a way to display the woman's collection of antique dish towels. And I'm thinking, "Oh, that I had enough space in the house to even understand how it's possible to have a display like that!"
These homes are put together intentionally and carefully. People shop and shop and shop for Just The Right Item to fit the theme of the house.
Me?
I have books.
And piles of Stuff We're In The Middle Of.
And kiddos' drawings on the refrigerator.
And evidence of projects: a bag of grass seed to plant, a blender and a toaster and a mixer on the counter at all times instead of in an "appliance garage," newspaper on the table, schoolbooks on the coffee table, a sewing project scattered across the basement, etc.
Maybe we could pretend my house was decorated with a theme of Practicality and Self Reliance? Sure. That's it. Totally. It was all planned!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Surely He Won't Go to Hell? (part 2)
"So my friend is gay. He's a really nice guy, and he goes to church
and reads his Bible and everything. Surely God won't send him to hell
just because he's a homosexual?"
No.
Somebody said this was a hard question to answer. Doesn't seem hard to me. The answer is "no."
Do we or do we not believe that the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, forgives the sins of the whole world?
God "sends people to hell" because they refuse to have Him. He forgives. He loves. He reaches out to rescue people. But some people refuse it.
It's got nothing to do with "how bad they are" or whether they're pretty good people overall.
"On my own I am worthy of all sorts of trouble in this life and eventual damnation. There is nothing nothing nothing I can offer God to make Him like me or approve of me." "Jesus is my righteousness, my hope, my life, my sanctification, my salvation. Everything He is, He gives to me, and I am pure and holy in Him."
Heaven or hell? It's not about the kind of sins or the quantity of sins you commit. It's about whether you are in Christ. Repentant faith clings to Him.
No.
Somebody said this was a hard question to answer. Doesn't seem hard to me. The answer is "no."
Do we or do we not believe that the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, forgives the sins of the whole world?
God "sends people to hell" because they refuse to have Him. He forgives. He loves. He reaches out to rescue people. But some people refuse it.
It's got nothing to do with "how bad they are" or whether they're pretty good people overall.
"On my own I am worthy of all sorts of trouble in this life and eventual damnation. There is nothing nothing nothing I can offer God to make Him like me or approve of me." "Jesus is my righteousness, my hope, my life, my sanctification, my salvation. Everything He is, He gives to me, and I am pure and holy in Him."
Heaven or hell? It's not about the kind of sins or the quantity of sins you commit. It's about whether you are in Christ. Repentant faith clings to Him.
That said, it is true that those who are
in Christ will not "continue in sin that
grace may abound." And God's word
does say something about homosexuality.
Surely He Won't Go to Hell? (part 1)
"So my friend is gay. He's a really nice guy, and he goes to church and reads his Bible and everything. Surely God won't send him to hell just because he's a homosexual?"
Forget the friend for a minute. What does this question show about the one who's asking?
"Just because" he's a homosexual? "Just because" she sassed her mom and wouldn't pick up her toys when she was a toddler? "Just because" they committed acts of aggression against Europe and the whole world, resulting in the death of millions of soldiers, and exterminated six million Jews?
Big sins or little sins ... any sin is still sin. Any imperfection -- no matter how slight -- is Not Being Perfect. And God requires complete and total and utter perfection for those entering His heaven.
Forget the friend for a minute. What does this question show about the one who's asking?
"Just because" he's a homosexual? "Just because" she sassed her mom and wouldn't pick up her toys when she was a toddler? "Just because" they committed acts of aggression against Europe and the whole world, resulting in the death of millions of soldiers, and exterminated six million Jews?
Big sins or little sins ... any sin is still sin. Any imperfection -- no matter how slight -- is Not Being Perfect. And God requires complete and total and utter perfection for those entering His heaven.
Movies
After several friends suggested "Mirror Mirror" (a Snow White story) we watched it and fell in love with the movie. Adventure, laughs, and romance. One of the best we've seen in a long time! And Maggie and I weren't even watching it with kids.
We also watched "Temple Grandin," a movie about a woman with autism, and how she (and her family) built on her strengths. She ended up working with butchers and slaughterhouses; it may sound weird when you first hear it, but she cared about making the slaughtering more humane. I don't know how the story will strike you if you don't know anyone on-the-spectrum, but for me it was an engaging story on so many levels!
Both are good enough to watch again and again.
We also watched "Temple Grandin," a movie about a woman with autism, and how she (and her family) built on her strengths. She ended up working with butchers and slaughterhouses; it may sound weird when you first hear it, but she cared about making the slaughtering more humane. I don't know how the story will strike you if you don't know anyone on-the-spectrum, but for me it was an engaging story on so many levels!
Both are good enough to watch again and again.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
DAILY Bread? Not Monthly? Or Yearly Bread?
Any person who does not know what insecurity is
does not know what faith is.
Wingren, Luther on Vocation, page 36
referring to Luther WA 6, 8
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Please Be Petty About the Pennies
If you're honest, you point out to the clerk* or the bank teller when you've been given too much change. But some of us don't want to appear greedy by complaining if we were shorted a dime or a dollar. Go ahead -- be "greedy" about such things: the bank tellers will be appreciative that you helped them avoid the mistake which would have their drawer out-of-balance at the end of the day.
* Footnote: I doubt it is as strict for clerks as it is for bank tellers. When I worked in stores or restaurants, it wasn't exactly okay but wasn't a humongous deal if your cash register was off by a quarter or a dollar.
* Footnote: I doubt it is as strict for clerks as it is for bank tellers. When I worked in stores or restaurants, it wasn't exactly okay but wasn't a humongous deal if your cash register was off by a quarter or a dollar.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Recently
Symposium last week. Lots of friends. Some fun house guests. Parties. Theology lectures. Good times!
Work. Boy, the job sure gets in the way of my to-do list.
Washing the eaves. Seems dumb. But, hey, during winter's roof-raking I noticed spots that could've been dirt or could've been mildew on the eaves. After living in the parsonage, I passionately hate mildew. Kids washed half the eaves one week and I finished the other half this week with a bleach/soap solution.
Grass seed scattered and being watered daily in one portion of the lawn burned in last summer's drought. (Funny. Last year "they" kept telling us that the grass would survive just fine. Don't water it. It will be fine. Don't waste water on the lawn. This spring, the landscapers were all offering to fix lawns which obviously need fixing. If the government propagandizes about something piddly like lawn-watering, why should we believe what "they" say about anything else?)
The lettuces are finally coming up. So are the turnips, beets, basil, zucchini, cucumber, and cilantro. Memo to self: forget the seed-saving. The germination rate is awful. Short of catastrophe, just buy the seeds new each year.
Fewer strawberry plants + fewer rows = bigger berries. Nice. Clusters on the grape vines look great at this early stage. Blackberries have been pruned, but still need more whacking back. One cherry tree looks to be nearly ready for a nice harvest.
Loads of weeding to do. Katie and Maggie have helped a lot. I need mulch. Tons of mulch. The strawberry bed this year (with the between-spaces covered with a few layers of newspaper and many inches autumn leaves) has been quite easy to weed. I want everything else covered in that much mulch. But mulch is heavy. We can go at it slowly, though, with free wood chips and free compost from the town's compost site. The mulching may be a huge amount of work, but the weeding is its own frustration, especially in the front where the flowers are, where the previous owners put layers of gravel which is now under a bit of soil. It just plain needs to be fixed!
Pretty boring, huh? That's the way we like it!
Work. Boy, the job sure gets in the way of my to-do list.
Washing the eaves. Seems dumb. But, hey, during winter's roof-raking I noticed spots that could've been dirt or could've been mildew on the eaves. After living in the parsonage, I passionately hate mildew. Kids washed half the eaves one week and I finished the other half this week with a bleach/soap solution.
Grass seed scattered and being watered daily in one portion of the lawn burned in last summer's drought. (Funny. Last year "they" kept telling us that the grass would survive just fine. Don't water it. It will be fine. Don't waste water on the lawn. This spring, the landscapers were all offering to fix lawns which obviously need fixing. If the government propagandizes about something piddly like lawn-watering, why should we believe what "they" say about anything else?)
The lettuces are finally coming up. So are the turnips, beets, basil, zucchini, cucumber, and cilantro. Memo to self: forget the seed-saving. The germination rate is awful. Short of catastrophe, just buy the seeds new each year.
Fewer strawberry plants + fewer rows = bigger berries. Nice. Clusters on the grape vines look great at this early stage. Blackberries have been pruned, but still need more whacking back. One cherry tree looks to be nearly ready for a nice harvest.
Loads of weeding to do. Katie and Maggie have helped a lot. I need mulch. Tons of mulch. The strawberry bed this year (with the between-spaces covered with a few layers of newspaper and many inches autumn leaves) has been quite easy to weed. I want everything else covered in that much mulch. But mulch is heavy. We can go at it slowly, though, with free wood chips and free compost from the town's compost site. The mulching may be a huge amount of work, but the weeding is its own frustration, especially in the front where the flowers are, where the previous owners put layers of gravel which is now under a bit of soil. It just plain needs to be fixed!
Pretty boring, huh? That's the way we like it!
Two Kingdoms
There is a spiritual kingdom "through the word and without the sword, through which men might become devout and righteous, so that along with this righteousness they might receive eternal life." The earthly kingdom, which is administered by the sword (that is, with punishments), exists "in order that they who refuse to be made devout and righteous unto life eternal shall by such earthly government be compelled to be devout and righteous before the world.... Though [God] does not reward this righteousness with life eternal, He nevertheless insists on it, in order that peace may be maintained among men; and He does reward it with temporal gifts."
Luther, WA 19, 629
in Wingren's Luther on Vocation, page 24
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wedding Pictures -- the cute little girls
 |
| When the bubble-passer-outers ran out of bubbles, they began gathering petals that the flower girls had dropped during the processional. |
 |
| Alia |
 |
| Zoe and her bubble-basket |
 |
| Waiting patiently during picture-time. |
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Where Does Preaching Belong?
In the Lutheran church, preaching comes after the Bible readings and before the Lord's Supper. We visited a church once where the Lord's Supper comes first, with preaching afterward. What difference does it make?
If preaching is about converting sinners (over and over and over again), then it belongs prior to the Supper. I am called to repentance for my sin; Jesus' mercy is lavished upon me; this makes me able to receive His body rightly.
But if the Holy Communion comes first and then preaching, that's because they believe the Supper is to give you the power, the oomph, the motivation, to be Jesus' follower. And the point of the sermon is to instruct you in your behavior.
So the difference is whether the sermon is seen as comfort or guidance.
And that ultimately indicates whether we trust in the law or the gospel.
If preaching is about converting sinners (over and over and over again), then it belongs prior to the Supper. I am called to repentance for my sin; Jesus' mercy is lavished upon me; this makes me able to receive His body rightly.
But if the Holy Communion comes first and then preaching, that's because they believe the Supper is to give you the power, the oomph, the motivation, to be Jesus' follower. And the point of the sermon is to instruct you in your behavior.
So the difference is whether the sermon is seen as comfort or guidance.
And that ultimately indicates whether we trust in the law or the gospel.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Clean and Holy
I used to think it was so unfair of God to have those rules about being clean and unclean. How could the Jews ever keep those rules? For example, touching a dead body rendered a person unclean ... but somebody had to prepare the body for burial. How could God makes rules and expect us to keep them when the rules were unkeepable??
But that's not what holiness is about. Holiness isn't about doing all the right things and keeping ourselves oh-so-pure. It's about being contaminated as the helpless unclean one is served and helped and made clean. Again and again, Jesus' miracles show Him getting dirty by touching the lepers and the ill and the bleeding and the dead.
God sure does seem fond of oxymorons.
But that's not what holiness is about. Holiness isn't about doing all the right things and keeping ourselves oh-so-pure. It's about being contaminated as the helpless unclean one is served and helped and made clean. Again and again, Jesus' miracles show Him getting dirty by touching the lepers and the ill and the bleeding and the dead.
God sure does seem fond of oxymorons.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
School Accountability
"Private and voucher schools do not have the same accountability standards that exist in the public schools." This time the quote was from the Pewaukee school board president, but you've heard that talking point a gazillion times before.
"They don't have the same accountability!" They say it like it's a bad thing.
Why doesn't anybody ever respond, "Darn tootin'. And maybe that's actually part of the reason they provide a better education than do the public schools"?
"They don't have the same accountability!" They say it like it's a bad thing.
Why doesn't anybody ever respond, "Darn tootin'. And maybe that's actually part of the reason they provide a better education than do the public schools"?
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A Sad Side-Effect of Cell Phones
Once upon a time, when I called my mom to ask a quick question, sometimes my dad would answer. Then we'd chat for a few minutes. Or if my in-laws called to talk to Gary, sometimes I'd answer the phone. When the kids grew old enough to answer the phone, they might catch a few minutes to say hi to Grandma and chat for a minute or two.
With cell phones, that doesn't happen.
When I call Rachel, I don't bump into Matt. Calling Paul to ask a question won't provide the opportunity to shoot the breeze with Mandy. I have to choose which number to dial.
Even with landlines, the caller-ID provides a heads-up of which person should answer the phone. So when I call Katie, Nathan seldom answers, assuming (usually rightly) that I'm calling to talk to her.
In the last couple of weeks, I'm recognizing these technological "advancements" as unpleasant barriers.
With cell phones, that doesn't happen.
When I call Rachel, I don't bump into Matt. Calling Paul to ask a question won't provide the opportunity to shoot the breeze with Mandy. I have to choose which number to dial.
Even with landlines, the caller-ID provides a heads-up of which person should answer the phone. So when I call Katie, Nathan seldom answers, assuming (usually rightly) that I'm calling to talk to her.
In the last couple of weeks, I'm recognizing these technological "advancements" as unpleasant barriers.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Cleaning Silver
Put down that bottle of silver polish. Back away from it slowly. It is bad.
I didn't know any better. Those pretty silver-plated things we received as wedding gifts? When they tarnished, I used silver polish. I have ruined them.
Watching Downton Abbey, I saw servants polishing silver. In centuries past, people didn't have high-powered chemicals with noxious smells, liquids for which you need rubber gloves and a mask when you open the bottle. There had to be another way to clean silver. And those secrets are what the internet is good for!
A large pot made of non-reactive metal
(or even the kitchen sink).
A piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Hot water.
Salt and/or baking soda.
Fill the pot or sink with enough hot water to cover the vase or tray or spoons. Place the foil (shiny side up) on the bottom of the pot. Add several tablespoons of salt or baking soda (or both) and dissolve it. Place the silver into the water, making contact with the foil. Wait for a minute or two (or five) as the tarnish dissolves away. It is okay for the water to simmer gently on the stove.
When you take the silver out of the water, polish it up a bit to dry it well. Use a touch of olive oil on a soft cotton cloth or cotton ball to rub onto the silver to keep it from tarnishing too fast again.
If you have a piece of cheap silver that's in cruddy horrible awful shape, simply leaving it in the water longer won't be enough to clean it. After 10 minutes or so, take it out of the water, and use some elbow grease and a rag to rub it well. When you've gotten off as much blackness as possible, get fresh water, fresh foil, and fresh salt, and do it again. If you've already used traditional hardware-store chemical silver polish on your silver gazillions of times, the silver may be damaged enough that it can't be cleaned nicely. But you sure can make it better this way. And it sure does seem to me that it takes longer for the tarnish to return when the silver is cleaned this simple, non-toxic way.
I didn't know any better. Those pretty silver-plated things we received as wedding gifts? When they tarnished, I used silver polish. I have ruined them.
Watching Downton Abbey, I saw servants polishing silver. In centuries past, people didn't have high-powered chemicals with noxious smells, liquids for which you need rubber gloves and a mask when you open the bottle. There had to be another way to clean silver. And those secrets are what the internet is good for!
A large pot made of non-reactive metal
(or even the kitchen sink).
A piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Hot water.
Salt and/or baking soda.
Fill the pot or sink with enough hot water to cover the vase or tray or spoons. Place the foil (shiny side up) on the bottom of the pot. Add several tablespoons of salt or baking soda (or both) and dissolve it. Place the silver into the water, making contact with the foil. Wait for a minute or two (or five) as the tarnish dissolves away. It is okay for the water to simmer gently on the stove.
When you take the silver out of the water, polish it up a bit to dry it well. Use a touch of olive oil on a soft cotton cloth or cotton ball to rub onto the silver to keep it from tarnishing too fast again.
If you have a piece of cheap silver that's in cruddy horrible awful shape, simply leaving it in the water longer won't be enough to clean it. After 10 minutes or so, take it out of the water, and use some elbow grease and a rag to rub it well. When you've gotten off as much blackness as possible, get fresh water, fresh foil, and fresh salt, and do it again. If you've already used traditional hardware-store chemical silver polish on your silver gazillions of times, the silver may be damaged enough that it can't be cleaned nicely. But you sure can make it better this way. And it sure does seem to me that it takes longer for the tarnish to return when the silver is cleaned this simple, non-toxic way.
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Longevity of Homemade Soap
One bar of Yardley soap came into our house as a party favor from a baby shower. (Isn't that the cutest idea?! Soap for a shower!!) As Maggie and I tend to develop rashes when using store-soap, we looked up the ingredients online. Yardley is real soap. And it smells fabulous. We used it without any negative reactions. Woo hoo!
Maybe I wouldn't have to keep making soap after all. Granted, it's pricey soap. But it would save me the trouble of making my own.
And then it disappeared. It took nine days for that four-ounce bar of soap to be used up. That seemed unreasonably fast. So I timed the longevity of my next bar of homemade. A five-ounce bar lasted 25 days. That means the el-cheapo homemade also lasts twice as long as store-soap.
I guess I'll keep making soap.
Maybe I wouldn't have to keep making soap after all. Granted, it's pricey soap. But it would save me the trouble of making my own.
And then it disappeared. It took nine days for that four-ounce bar of soap to be used up. That seemed unreasonably fast. So I timed the longevity of my next bar of homemade. A five-ounce bar lasted 25 days. That means the el-cheapo homemade also lasts twice as long as store-soap.
I guess I'll keep making soap.
My Three Sons
It's fuzzy, but I like the expressions on their faces.
(Taken at the wedding rehearsal.)
Friday, June 07, 2013
Such Great Faith
Many Christians want to have "great faith." So when we hear that Jesus marveled at the great faith of the centurion in last Sunday's story (3-yr series: Luke 7), we wonder what that is. And we wonder how we can have great faith. Do people notice our prayers, our good works, our level of holiness? Surely that would show great faith, right?
Notice the difference between the Jews and this Gentile. So often the Jews would come to Jesus on the basis of their own merit. "We have Abraham for our father." "All these commandments I have kept from my youth." "Lord, I thank you that I am not like this tax collector. I fast. I tithe...." Even when the Jews came to Jesus on behalf of the centurion, they said he deserved help because he'd done so many good things for them.
But what did the Gentile say? "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof."
And when Jesus praised the great faith of the Canaanite woman, it was when she'd just agreed that she was an unworthy little dog.
(I'm still pondering what "little faith" is. It always seems to be in the context of "God, You don't care about us" or "Eeeeks -- bad stuff is happening to us." Do you suppose it too has something to do with whether I'm "worthy" enough that Bad Stuff shouldn't happen to me? And if Bad Stuff does happen, then it must somehow be up to me to resolve it?)
Notice the difference between the Jews and this Gentile. So often the Jews would come to Jesus on the basis of their own merit. "We have Abraham for our father." "All these commandments I have kept from my youth." "Lord, I thank you that I am not like this tax collector. I fast. I tithe...." Even when the Jews came to Jesus on behalf of the centurion, they said he deserved help because he'd done so many good things for them.
But what did the Gentile say? "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof."
And when Jesus praised the great faith of the Canaanite woman, it was when she'd just agreed that she was an unworthy little dog.
(I'm still pondering what "little faith" is. It always seems to be in the context of "God, You don't care about us" or "Eeeeks -- bad stuff is happening to us." Do you suppose it too has something to do with whether I'm "worthy" enough that Bad Stuff shouldn't happen to me? And if Bad Stuff does happen, then it must somehow be up to me to resolve it?)
Great faith = I have no standing
but Jesus saves me anyway
and lifts me up to be His brother
Some Pictures from the Rehearsal Dinner
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| Alia, Paul, Mandy, Zoe |
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| Ring around the rosie ... |
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| Doing what I do best -- cooking! |
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| Papa and his littlest girl |
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| Paul and Gary-in-Viking-purple |
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| Playing the steal-the-pacifier game |
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| The salad bar and the toppings for the potatoes |
I think these were all pictures from Katie's camera. I didn't take very many pictures, so I keep stealing from other people's Facebook pages.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Too Busy to Take Care of Yourself
Slowing down with meals, then, is symbolic of relaxing into our body, our career, our fears and desires, and anything life presents. It’s about granting ourselves the right to share in the simplicity of joyous moments on Earth. It’s about reclaiming our time, our dignity, and the sanctity of self-care.
My friend recently posted this quote
Since we moved five years ago, our meals have changed drastically. Part of it is getting home late from work, and part of it is having activities in the evening, and part of it is the lack of a dining room. Whereas we used to sit down and eat meals together 10-18 times a week, moving cut that number in half. When I started my job, it got worse. And our commitment to mealtime continues to wane. People grab food for themselves because we're not having mealtimes together. When we are all together at a meal, too often we eat in the living room (with the tv on) because the kitchen table is too cluttered with mail and projects and other items.
"The sanctity of self-care." I've been thinking about that ever since I saw the quote above. "Sharing in the simplicity of joyous moments." As we have fallen away from mealtimes together, I've noticed that it's harder to tend to other aspects of self-care: getting exercise, making sure my heels don't crack and split, flossing, etc.
And what's worse is that this makes me less attuned to caring for the needs of others. After all, if there's not enough time for me to take care of my hair, then I'm not motivated to help Maggie fix her hair all pretty and nice either. If there's not enough time for me to sit on the Homedic massager to knead the knots out of my back, neither am I bothering to knead the knots out of Gary's shoulders and neck.
When we place little importance on mealtime---when we eat in the car, when we snatch bites of lunch while trying to work on a project, when we eat alone without setting the table for ourselves---does that cause callousness to grow in us? Or maybe it's just a symptom of what's wrong. I think a lot of health and happiness could be gained by going back to the mealtime practices we had before moving.
But I don't know how to do it.
Too many other things would go by the wayside.
And yet, should they, maybe?
Labeling Your Homeschooling Method
Not only do we separate ourselves from other homeschoolers when we label our methodology, but we also mess with our own minds. "Can I use this textbook for science? It wouldn't really fit with my unschooling perspective." Or "It seems like the kids would prefer choosing their own books to read, but I'm a classical homeschooler and therefore the kids must read the books on this particular list." Just teach your kids already! What works for others may not work for you, and what works for you may not benefit another family. And what works this month may not work for you next year. That's okay. Just teach your kids.
My friend EC explains it beautifully!! Really. Go read it.
My friend EC explains it beautifully!! Really. Go read it.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Dad
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| Minocqua. Fishing. A quiet screened-in porch. |
What more could anyone want? Well, I mean, besides a plate of cheese, crackers, summer sausage, and tomato wedges while sitting on the pier with your feet dangling in the lake?
God's Love or God's Wrath?
"Just as God’s favor cannot be measured by the good things one person
has, so His wrath over sin cannot be measured and determined by the
afflictions one suffers. Those whose homes were not destroyed [in the
Moore, OK, tragedy] were not any less sinful than those who suffered
devastation. Drawing a conclusion about whom God loves by their life
circumstances is simply wrong."
(taken from Steve Blakey's FB page)
David P. Scaer
Professor and Chairman of
Systematic Theology
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne,
Indiana
(taken from Steve Blakey's FB page)
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Supperless Sunday
"This is the feast of victory for our God ..."
WHAT is the feast?
Why are we singing this when the feast is not offered?
"I will take the cup of salvation ...."
But the chalice isn't on the altar today.
"I will pay my vows to the Lord now
in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord's house,
in the midst of you, o Jerusalem."
I'm still pondering this: IS the chancel heaven-on-earth when the Lord's Supper is not being celebrated? When we're in church for prayers and preaching, are the saints and angels in heaven joined with us in the same way that they are joined with us for the Holy Communion?
I like Matins and Vespers and Evening Prayer.
If there's no Supper, the prayer offices are good.
So why pray the liturgy that goes with the Supper and then not celebrate the Supper?
WHAT is the feast?
Why are we singing this when the feast is not offered?
"I will take the cup of salvation ...."
But the chalice isn't on the altar today.
"I will pay my vows to the Lord now
in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord's house,
in the midst of you, o Jerusalem."
I'm still pondering this: IS the chancel heaven-on-earth when the Lord's Supper is not being celebrated? When we're in church for prayers and preaching, are the saints and angels in heaven joined with us in the same way that they are joined with us for the Holy Communion?
I like Matins and Vespers and Evening Prayer.
If there's no Supper, the prayer offices are good.
So why pray the liturgy that goes with the Supper and then not celebrate the Supper?
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Dinner for 40
I was serving dinner for 40-45 people, some of whom had special dietary needs. And I was doing it far from home where I had limited access to a kitchen. The menu was a potato bar and a salad bar. I seriously over-estimated how much food was necessary. So that I have records for another time, these are the amounts we should have bought and prepared:
20# baked potatoes
2# butter
24 oz sour cream
3# onions, caramelized
4# mushrooms, sauteed
4 bags (12 oz each) steam-in-bag frozen broccoli
2 quarts thick chili
8# bacon, cooked and chopped
2# shredded cheddar
2 quarts cole slaw
1 quart corn-&-black-bean salad
1 bag fresh spinach
6 bags (5-8 oz each) mixed salad greens
1 cucumber
4 pints cherry tomatoes
3 large bell peppers
2 large carrots, grated
16 oz raw, sliced mushrooms
1 pint black olives
1 bunch green onions
6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
8 oz cashews
6 oz sunflower nuts
4 bottles of various salad dressings
1 watermelon
1 large cantaloupe
3 pineapples
1 loaf of homemade bread
2 pans of bars/cookies (13x9" each)
2 gallons lemonade
2 gallons iced tea
12 cups coffee
water
20# baked potatoes
2# butter
24 oz sour cream
3# onions, caramelized
4# mushrooms, sauteed
4 bags (12 oz each) steam-in-bag frozen broccoli
2 quarts thick chili
8# bacon, cooked and chopped
2# shredded cheddar
2 quarts cole slaw
1 quart corn-&-black-bean salad
1 bag fresh spinach
6 bags (5-8 oz each) mixed salad greens
1 cucumber
4 pints cherry tomatoes
3 large bell peppers
2 large carrots, grated
16 oz raw, sliced mushrooms
1 pint black olives
1 bunch green onions
6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
8 oz cashews
6 oz sunflower nuts
4 bottles of various salad dressings
1 watermelon
1 large cantaloupe
3 pineapples
1 loaf of homemade bread
2 pans of bars/cookies (13x9" each)
2 gallons lemonade
2 gallons iced tea
12 cups coffee
water
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Rocking Chair on the Front Porch
Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird starts with the line:
"Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty." I busted a gut laughing when I saw it. Why? Beats me. Sympathy, maybe?
Would it be so bad for people (including me!) to think we CAN'T, instead of expectations that we should keep up the energy-level and accomplishment-level of younger folks?
Several weeks ago I was having hamburger cravings alongside a recognition that I was trying to accomplish more than was accomplishable. So I gave myself permission to serve hamburgers every night for dinner. Not interesting hamburgers -- no. Just plain old boring patties on a slice of bread. Wow -- what a relief! Now, as it turns out, we haven't had hamburgers every night, even though we've had them a lot. Somehow, the lowered mealtime expectations have relieved some stress. The next step is figuring out how to connive myself into lowering other expectations of myself.
Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty.Then the paragraph goes on to explain how all the other kids had parents who were much younger, parents who could play football or go fishing or hunting or work in the garage.
"Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty." I busted a gut laughing when I saw it. Why? Beats me. Sympathy, maybe?
Would it be so bad for people (including me!) to think we CAN'T, instead of expectations that we should keep up the energy-level and accomplishment-level of younger folks?
Several weeks ago I was having hamburger cravings alongside a recognition that I was trying to accomplish more than was accomplishable. So I gave myself permission to serve hamburgers every night for dinner. Not interesting hamburgers -- no. Just plain old boring patties on a slice of bread. Wow -- what a relief! Now, as it turns out, we haven't had hamburgers every night, even though we've had them a lot. Somehow, the lowered mealtime expectations have relieved some stress. The next step is figuring out how to connive myself into lowering other expectations of myself.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Futility
The dress I bought for the wedding could use some slight alterations. When I sat down to tackle that, it didn't work out as planned. And I couldn't put the dress back as it had been before, because the sewing-machine needle had put some snags in the fabric. Wasted money; wasted time.
Twice last week I tried renting a tiller. It didn't work. The first time I didn't even get it home and had to change plans for the day. The second time, I brought it home, tilled about 6', and then it stopped and refused to restart. Therefore, everything that's been done in the garden has been done with a hand spade. Suffice it to say, the work is not yet done. And there was lots of unnecessary running back and forth to town.
Very little of what I've planted in the garden has germinated. One batch of greens and herbs was planted 10 days ago, the other batch four weeks ago. Several heads of romaine have gotten to be 2" tall. That's it. Nothing else. Wasted time.
Maggie and I spent hours on the phone and filling out paperwork to apply for SSI for her so that she would have health insurance. The money wasn't important, but the insurance is. Her claim was denied. Now we have to figure out some other avenue of taking care of her special needs. Wasted time; loss of money; need for lawyers to help with guardianship issues and dependency.
In the space of 24 hours, there were three whammies, saying, "Why do you even bother to TRY?"
Twice last week I tried renting a tiller. It didn't work. The first time I didn't even get it home and had to change plans for the day. The second time, I brought it home, tilled about 6', and then it stopped and refused to restart. Therefore, everything that's been done in the garden has been done with a hand spade. Suffice it to say, the work is not yet done. And there was lots of unnecessary running back and forth to town.
Very little of what I've planted in the garden has germinated. One batch of greens and herbs was planted 10 days ago, the other batch four weeks ago. Several heads of romaine have gotten to be 2" tall. That's it. Nothing else. Wasted time.
Maggie and I spent hours on the phone and filling out paperwork to apply for SSI for her so that she would have health insurance. The money wasn't important, but the insurance is. Her claim was denied. Now we have to figure out some other avenue of taking care of her special needs. Wasted time; loss of money; need for lawyers to help with guardianship issues and dependency.
In the space of 24 hours, there were three whammies, saying, "Why do you even bother to TRY?"
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Wedding Rings
Wedding rings. For some reason I always thought my ring was a reminder of my promises at the wedding.
But what I've heard from my pastor is different. My wedding ring was given to me. And it was given with a promise to me. The ring isn't a reminder of what I said I'd do. Rather, it's the reminder of what my husband promised. My wedding ring is not the symbol of my duties; it is the symbol of a promise given freely that he will love me and be faithful to me. That's gospel, not law.
But what I've heard from my pastor is different. My wedding ring was given to me. And it was given with a promise to me. The ring isn't a reminder of what I said I'd do. Rather, it's the reminder of what my husband promised. My wedding ring is not the symbol of my duties; it is the symbol of a promise given freely that he will love me and be faithful to me. That's gospel, not law.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Huh? What Are YOU Talking About?
We were both baffled.
Expectations and assumptions -- they sure do affect communication.
A very sweet Methodist co-worker (a mom of soldiers) cheerily asked today if our church service on Sunday would be in celebration of soldiers.
I can't imagine how confused my face must have looked. "Sunday?? Soldiers?? Uh, we'll be celebrating the Feast of the Holy Trinity."
Then it was her turn to be confused. It's Memorial Day weekend. Why wouldn't we be honoring the soldiers? She wasn't negative, she certainly didn't accuse or anything, but she seemed bewildered by my answer.
"Last Sunday was Pentecost. This Sunday is Trinity. It's a high feast of the Church." My statements sounded more like questions because I thought these things went without saying.
And then a customer arrived and the conversation was cut short, as so often happens.
I'm such a misfit.
Expectations and assumptions -- they sure do affect communication.
A very sweet Methodist co-worker (a mom of soldiers) cheerily asked today if our church service on Sunday would be in celebration of soldiers.
I can't imagine how confused my face must have looked. "Sunday?? Soldiers?? Uh, we'll be celebrating the Feast of the Holy Trinity."
Then it was her turn to be confused. It's Memorial Day weekend. Why wouldn't we be honoring the soldiers? She wasn't negative, she certainly didn't accuse or anything, but she seemed bewildered by my answer.
"Last Sunday was Pentecost. This Sunday is Trinity. It's a high feast of the Church." My statements sounded more like questions because I thought these things went without saying.
And then a customer arrived and the conversation was cut short, as so often happens.
I'm such a misfit.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Swishy Skirt
Last week, on the day of dance class, I had to work. Work means wearing a dress. That day I wore something with a rather full, round skirt.
Oh my goodness! It is SO much more fun to dance in a full skirt than in jeans. The skirt flows and swishes.
I thought I was being silly about it. But when I mentioned to Gary how pretty the skirt looked, he said he'd noticed too. He said that was why he was spinning me in turns more than normal. Hee hee hee -- fun stuff!
Oh my goodness! It is SO much more fun to dance in a full skirt than in jeans. The skirt flows and swishes.
I thought I was being silly about it. But when I mentioned to Gary how pretty the skirt looked, he said he'd noticed too. He said that was why he was spinning me in turns more than normal. Hee hee hee -- fun stuff!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Wedding Prep
Menu plans for the rehearsal dinner are in place: baked-potato bar and salad bar, with all the details excruciatingly listed on paper, anticipating my forgetfulness. Paul and Mandy said pop wasn't necessary, and the church doesn't allow alcohol, so the drinks will be coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and water. Fruit, brownies, and caramel bars for dessert. Nothing fancy.
I bought 20# of bacon on Monday. So far I've cooked-&-crumbled 11# of it. Smells good in here.
I'm trying very hard to give myself speeches that it will indeed be okay to buy lettuce already washed and cut and bagged. Right now I'm telling myself what all I'm going to do to prep dinner-for-40, but I think there may have to be some cheating (i.e., buying packages of food that merely need to be opened instead of prepared entirely from scratch).
Still need to slightly alter the dress I bought at Goodwill. Seams are ripped but not tucked to size and put back aright.
Bought the paper goods today. Again I prove that I "don't do pretty." I bought blue, square, plastic, disposable plates. Red cups. Napkins with brightly colored balloons. I doubt there will be decorations of any sort. I'm better at cooking than at beautifying. (Maybe I'll dazzle them with food so that they don't notice the lack of streamers and flowers and tablecloths??)
Still have garden and a word-processing project on which to make headway in the next few weeks.
I bought 20# of bacon on Monday. So far I've cooked-&-crumbled 11# of it. Smells good in here.
I'm trying very hard to give myself speeches that it will indeed be okay to buy lettuce already washed and cut and bagged. Right now I'm telling myself what all I'm going to do to prep dinner-for-40, but I think there may have to be some cheating (i.e., buying packages of food that merely need to be opened instead of prepared entirely from scratch).
Still need to slightly alter the dress I bought at Goodwill. Seams are ripped but not tucked to size and put back aright.
Bought the paper goods today. Again I prove that I "don't do pretty." I bought blue, square, plastic, disposable plates. Red cups. Napkins with brightly colored balloons. I doubt there will be decorations of any sort. I'm better at cooking than at beautifying. (Maybe I'll dazzle them with food so that they don't notice the lack of streamers and flowers and tablecloths??)
Still have garden and a word-processing project on which to make headway in the next few weeks.
Friday, May 17, 2013
The German Homeschool Family Seeking Asylum in U.S.
Some of you have heard about the German family who came to the United States because it's illegal to homeschool in Germany and they were opposed to enrolling their children in a public school which teaches contrary to the family's beliefs. The family overstayed their visa. It was time to go home. They didn't leave America, claiming religious persecution awaited them in Germany.
Not surprisingly, the Home School Legal Defense Association is involved.
The Inappropriate Homeschooler posted information on the case. Is this case really about the US government trying to destroy homeschoolering? Or might it be yet another case of HSLDA "helping" homeschoolers in a way that will benefit their organization, increasing membership, increasing our need to be "protected," and thus increasing their own power?
Not surprisingly, the Home School Legal Defense Association is involved.
The Inappropriate Homeschooler posted information on the case. Is this case really about the US government trying to destroy homeschoolering? Or might it be yet another case of HSLDA "helping" homeschoolers in a way that will benefit their organization, increasing membership, increasing our need to be "protected," and thus increasing their own power?
Thursday, May 16, 2013
What Loopers Means to Me
My homeschool email list brought me friends. I used to be able to leave my locale and visit them two or more times annually. Now I cannot. I miss that and continue to grieve over it even though there are wonderful friends right here close.
But there are things in life that shape you. And my in-real-life friends (the ones with whom I usually interact via our onlines discussions) have been a huge part of my life. And Lora describes it SO well.
But there are things in life that shape you. And my in-real-life friends (the ones with whom I usually interact via our onlines discussions) have been a huge part of my life. And Lora describes it SO well.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Common Core
First it was "A Nation at Risk." Then under Pres Bush it was "outcome-based education" with nation-wide curriculum goals. Then during Clinton's term, the name was "Goals 2000." Then came the younger Bush's "No Child Left Behind." The current reincarnation of national standards is "Common Core." I'm sure the proponents of these plans think each plan is different and unique and wonderful, while the Other Guy's Plan is bad bad bad.
But all I see is the feds taking control of education. Whether the nationalized goals are excellent or wretched -- it doesn't matter. Control of education should be LOCAL.
In Indiana two moms got involved in fighting the Common Core, encouraging their state to back out of the program and say "no thank you" to the wad of cash with which the feds are attempting to bribe the states to go along with the program.
Two comments:
Got that? These moms didn't even have their kids in public school. But the school voucher system (which many conservatives are FOR) was what allowed the State to dictate curriculum to the private schools.
That's critical. It's critical to decision-making in our parochial schools, our private secular schools, and our homeschools. Taking government money is setting you up for submitting to government testing and government standards.
So conservatives are concerned with lousy results from the school system. They cry for higher standards and more control. But "more control" means putting the federal government in charge. And then ... look what we get. But because people have made up their minds that they're in favor of "higher standards" and school-choice vouchers, they continue to support programs that are costly (both in terms of children's educations and in terms of tax-dollars). And thus, the liberals and the conservatives both fight for more federal regulation of what happens day-by-day and hour-by-hour in kids' schools.
Something is wrong.
But all I see is the feds taking control of education. Whether the nationalized goals are excellent or wretched -- it doesn't matter. Control of education should be LOCAL.
In Indiana two moms got involved in fighting the Common Core, encouraging their state to back out of the program and say "no thank you" to the wad of cash with which the feds are attempting to bribe the states to go along with the program.
Two comments:
Heather Crossin and Erin Tuttle did not get involved in opposing Common Core because of anything Michelle Malkin or Glenn Beck said to rile them up, but because of what they saw happening in their own children’s Catholic school. When experts or politicians said that Common Core would not lead to a surrender of local control over curriculum, Heather and Erin knew better. (Ironically, the leverage in Indiana was Tony Bennett’s school-choice program, which made state vouchers available to religious schools, but only if they adopted state tests — which were later quietly switched from ISTEP to the untried Common Core assessments.)
Got that? These moms didn't even have their kids in public school. But the school voucher system (which many conservatives are FOR) was what allowed the State to dictate curriculum to the private schools.
That's critical. It's critical to decision-making in our parochial schools, our private secular schools, and our homeschools. Taking government money is setting you up for submitting to government testing and government standards.
So why are so many good conservatives, from Jeb Bush to Rick Snyder, supporting Common Core? Many conservatives signed on to a clever strategy that asked them to endorse, not the specific standards, but the idea of high “internationally benchmarked” national standards. It is a principle of psychological persuasion that, once you act, in however small a manner, you will feel cognitively compelled to justify your action.
So conservatives are concerned with lousy results from the school system. They cry for higher standards and more control. But "more control" means putting the federal government in charge. And then ... look what we get. But because people have made up their minds that they're in favor of "higher standards" and school-choice vouchers, they continue to support programs that are costly (both in terms of children's educations and in terms of tax-dollars). And thus, the liberals and the conservatives both fight for more federal regulation of what happens day-by-day and hour-by-hour in kids' schools.
Something is wrong.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Starting the Sit-Ups Habit
When we were kids and took the Presidential Fitness Test, there were a lot of areas in which I did not excel, and some "strengths" in which I had no strength. But sit-ups? I could do sit-ups. "How many can you do?" "How long will you give me?" I did sit-ups until they told me to stop and go to my next class. No biggie.
Decades pass. The Child-of-Strong-Stomach-Muscles becomes the woman who can only do two or three (or maybe four!) sit-ups.
So when Anthea wrote about her attempt to start some new good habits, I thought about getting into shape. Being a person who does well with lists and the Awesome Wonderful Reward of checking things off, I printed out two Don't Break the Chain calendars.
Calendar 1: Sit ups. Ten per day. Oh, the agony .... But after 10 days of daily sit-ups, it was easy to do 7, and possible to do [gasp] more than 10. So the next month's goal was twelve sit-ups. The following month's goal will be 15 sit-ups daily. Hey! This is working!
Calendar 2: Going for an exercise walk. Not working so well. If I realize at bedtime that I didn't fit in a walk, I'm not going to get dressed again and go out in the dark (and the cold -- brrrrr!) to earn my check mark. (A dozen sit-ups is easier to squeeze in at the last minute. I can see why Anthea set herself a goal of reading for just five minutes.)
Right now there are a gazillion ideas I have for habit-starting calendars. But I don't have enough space to hang 'em all. Or ... enough brain-power and will-power to obey the calendars. So for now, just two, with hopes of making habits.
Decades pass. The Child-of-Strong-Stomach-Muscles becomes the woman who can only do two or three (or maybe four!) sit-ups.
So when Anthea wrote about her attempt to start some new good habits, I thought about getting into shape. Being a person who does well with lists and the Awesome Wonderful Reward of checking things off, I printed out two Don't Break the Chain calendars.
Calendar 1: Sit ups. Ten per day. Oh, the agony .... But after 10 days of daily sit-ups, it was easy to do 7, and possible to do [gasp] more than 10. So the next month's goal was twelve sit-ups. The following month's goal will be 15 sit-ups daily. Hey! This is working!
Calendar 2: Going for an exercise walk. Not working so well. If I realize at bedtime that I didn't fit in a walk, I'm not going to get dressed again and go out in the dark (and the cold -- brrrrr!) to earn my check mark. (A dozen sit-ups is easier to squeeze in at the last minute. I can see why Anthea set herself a goal of reading for just five minutes.)
Right now there are a gazillion ideas I have for habit-starting calendars. But I don't have enough space to hang 'em all. Or ... enough brain-power and will-power to obey the calendars. So for now, just two, with hopes of making habits.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Hay
Two lawnmowers. Three workers. Total of nearly five man-hours. And the lawn is a little more than half done.
[sigh]
Moral of the story: No matter how busy we are, no matter how tired and/or ill we are, no matter how cold it is next November, the lawn must be mowed One Last Time in fall.
[sigh]
Moral of the story: No matter how busy we are, no matter how tired and/or ill we are, no matter how cold it is next November, the lawn must be mowed One Last Time in fall.
Caramel without HFCS
I was recently making Glenda's Most Evil Dessert as a thank-you treat for some of my co-workers. Of course, it never crossed my mind to buy a bag or two of caramels (which is one of the main ingredients). So Maggie and I determined to mix up some caramels right-quick. That's when we discovered we had no corn syrup either (a main ingredient in the caramels).
So I substituted honey. Y'know -- real honey. Made by bees. Instead of chemists.
Guess what? Those were darn good caramels!
So I substituted honey. Y'know -- real honey. Made by bees. Instead of chemists.
Guess what? Those were darn good caramels!
Finally, A Warm Day!
That was last weekend. This weekend we're back to closed windows, jackets outdoors, and the furnace turned on.
My friend Jenny has been vindicated once again. She says you never take off the winter bedding until the peonies bloom. But we were tired of getting so HOT under that comforter. And we were a full week into May, for cryin' out loud. The peonies weren't blooming; surely Jenny had to be wrong. I swapped out the down comforter for a thin quilt.
Jenny wasn't wrong. We slept comfortably for two nights without the down comforter. Now it's cold again.
But at least it is NOT snowing! Whew!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Murder Mystery
 |
| Jasmoor, the Arabian Princess |
Costume cobbled together from
a) the granddaughters' dress-up box
b) the tiara I bought for Anthea's International Tiara Day
c) old clothes that weren't even fit for giving to Goodwill
d) remnants from JoAnn Fabric's moving sale
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Reading Challenge: Update
"A Little Help from My Friends"
Reading Challenge
Get a list of book suggestions from your friends. From those suggestions choose between five and ten books that you will read in 2013. Make a list of the books that you will read and a few alternates.
And the other instructions can be found on Jane's site.
My list:
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery January 24
Anne of Avonlea (these two with Maggie) February 24
Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Love Divine by Alan Kornacki
Mitford's Out to Canaan by Jan Karon
Christ Have Mercy by Matt Harrison April 7
The list that someone else made for me:
Lutheran Catechesis by Bender Dec 27, 2012
Old Testament Catechesis by Bender March 1
New Testament Catechesis by Bender
Bible Stories for Daily Prayer by Fabrizius
Alternates:
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee May 8
Luther, the Reformer by James Kittelson
The Right to Be Wrong by Seamus Hasson
On Being a Theologian of the Cross by Forde
Luther on Vocation by Wingren
Additional books (not on the original list):
A Long Way from Chicago by R Peck audio book April 16
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck audio book April 18
And She Was a Christian: Why Do Believers
Commit Suicide by Peter Preus May 7
Wow: the count thus far is 5 paper books, 2 audio books, and 2 for proofreading. That's more than a year's worth in normal-booktime. Even if I don't read anything else for the rest of the year, I'm going to claim (??) that I met my goal. Hey, I read five books!
Reading Challenge
Get a list of book suggestions from your friends. From those suggestions choose between five and ten books that you will read in 2013. Make a list of the books that you will read and a few alternates.
And the other instructions can be found on Jane's site.
My list:
Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Love Divine by Alan Kornacki
Mitford's Out to Canaan by Jan Karon
The list that someone else made for me:
New Testament Catechesis by Bender
Bible Stories for Daily Prayer by Fabrizius
Alternates:
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
Luther, the Reformer by James Kittelson
The Right to Be Wrong by Seamus Hasson
On Being a Theologian of the Cross by Forde
Luther on Vocation by Wingren
Additional books (not on the original list):
Commit Suicide by Peter Preus
Wow: the count thus far is 5 paper books, 2 audio books, and 2 for proofreading. That's more than a year's worth in normal-booktime. Even if I don't read anything else for the rest of the year, I'm going to claim (??) that I met my goal. Hey, I read five books!
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