Did you see this in the news, that a woman is in big trouble in her community for hanging her laundry outside to dry? This is happening in Peraksie Pennsylvania. Although there are no town laws preventing her from doing so, a city official called her and asked her to quit, and, she's received notes from neighbors telling her they do not want to see her underwear flapping around on the clothesline. For the record, she doesn't hang her underwear out, she says.
The article says, she is "one of a growing number of Americans demanding the right to dry laundry on clotheslines despite local rules and a culture that frowns on it." Did you know there are 5 states that prohibit it all together? That would be Florida, Utah, Maine, Vermont, and Colorado. Another 5 states are considering legislation to outlaw it. A lawyer representing homeowners associations in Philly says that it is an "aesthetic" issue. He says, "In most communites, people don't want to see everybody else's laundry".
I gotta say that I am both amused and amazed. We live in a society that freely uses sexual images to sell everything from cars to beer to laundry detergent, and where anyone with a few clicks of a mouse button can view any sort of pornographic image they desire, no matter what. For our viewing pleasure on TV, there is conversation, and explicit language, and visual images which a person with any sense of morality would blush at. The innnocent bystander eating a meal or walking down the street is assaulted by private content of cell phone conversations. Kids freely use street language which you thought was only applicable in armed forces boot camps. Ugly billboards dot our landscape, and the carving away of our forests and pollution of our rivers and oceans is ongoing. Smokestacks belching black clouds and odors hang over our cities. Ground water contamination and nuclear waste disposal issues are ever with us.
We have people sleeping under bridges here in Wichita, and I would assume, in Pennsylvania as well.
And there are those who are offended at the sight of a shirt or a pair of jeans, or a towel, or bedsheets hanging on a clothesline in the sun. I'm...wordless.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Aging Gracefully
It's Sunday night and I'm getting ready for another work week. What has happened to the weekend? I have enough coming up this week to make me want to bury my head in the covers and not get up, but alas, can't do that until I'm retired. And even then-I know some retired people who are as busy as they were when they were working full time. I'm glad when I see that people can do that.
Speaking of retirement etc., there was a lunch today for the "Senior Adults" in our church. And I was invited! I was not able to attend as we already had lunch plans, but I gotta tell you that I do not consider myself a senior citizen - even although the wafts of good things to eat were very tantalizing coming from the Fellowship Hall of our church. I was told that for the purposes of the "senior adult" lunches, if you're over 50 you can come, but I still can't do it. I'll be 55 next week and I still think I'm a kid!
And, I'm still young enough to like humor such as this:
Bumper Stickers View of Life
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, and then used against you.
Despite the cost of living, it's still popular.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
All good things in moderation-including moderation.
Living on Earth is expensive, but it includes a free trip around the sun.
I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
Forget about world peace, envision using your turn signal.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.
Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else.
Ever stop to think and then forget to start again?
I doubt, therefore, I might be.
If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges?
Speaking of retirement etc., there was a lunch today for the "Senior Adults" in our church. And I was invited! I was not able to attend as we already had lunch plans, but I gotta tell you that I do not consider myself a senior citizen - even although the wafts of good things to eat were very tantalizing coming from the Fellowship Hall of our church. I was told that for the purposes of the "senior adult" lunches, if you're over 50 you can come, but I still can't do it. I'll be 55 next week and I still think I'm a kid!
And, I'm still young enough to like humor such as this:
Bumper Stickers View of Life
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, and then used against you.
Despite the cost of living, it's still popular.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
All good things in moderation-including moderation.
Living on Earth is expensive, but it includes a free trip around the sun.
I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
Forget about world peace, envision using your turn signal.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.
Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else.
Ever stop to think and then forget to start again?
I doubt, therefore, I might be.
If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
One Year Later
One year ago this evening while getting out of the car at my brother's house, I saw a scraggly, smelly, skinny, patchy-haired 4 legged creature with its nose down the grate near the curb I had pulled up to. Getting out of the car, I motioned toward the animal and said, "Who's that?" "Oh," he replied, "it's been hanging around here the last couple of days. I dunno where it came from." I paused to look at the dog and was a little repulsed by the sight. "Man", I thought. "That is one ugly mutt." I turned to walk away, but looked back. The dog had laid down by the grate in the yard and I walked toward it, curious. As I approached, she looked at me with sad dark eyes, the skin hanging loosely from her muzzle and gave a small twitch of her tail. She looked like she had just had pups, however her ribs were showing and obviously she was not in good nutritional health.
"She's awful. Let's put her in your backyard and I'll take her to the Humane Society tomorrow." I put a rope around her neck and tugged, and she followed me hesitantly, a little unsure if she could trust me. While we were waiting for dinner to be ready, I hopped in the car, and my husband looked at me incredulously. I asked him if he wanted to come along to get some dog food and he emphatically said, are you NUTS????
When I got back the dog gulped both cans of food down and drank a bowlful of water, then stood at the back patio door, her scrawny face peering through the glass. We ignored her while we ate, and I promised to return the next morning to take her away.
The next day my daughter and I returned. As we put her in the car we discussed what all could be wrong with her, and how much money it would take to fix her. I didn't even know what vet I could take her to on a Saturday. She offered her vet services, and wouldn't you know it, they were open. Wouldn't you know it, they could see her and evaluate her. We took her in, armed with a generous brother's financial aid and some money of my own.
I decided on the way over there that if she had heartworms, I was going to put her down. If she had mange, I wouldn't treat her. She had neither of those maladies, but a lot of other issues. Skin infection, mites, fleas, crusted over skin sores, seriously underweight, ear infection in both ears, a couple of small skin growths, broken and cracked teeth-the list grew. The vet saw signs of abuse and severe maltreatment.
I brought her home and I named her Lydia. I spent money on her I shouldn't have, but one year later, she is beautiful to me. She's gained 20 pounds. She's ornery. She's smart and she's just what I needed. She's learned to trust me, and does so implicitly. She's a member of my family, and she gets on the couch when I'm not home, but that's okay with me. I know that someday I'll face the heartbreak of laying her to rest-but you just do that when you take the risk to love and care for someone other than yourself.
In a very ordinary way, I rescued someone who needed me. How very much more does God do the same for us! How very much more does He love us, care for us, want us to trust Him implicitly, and yes, He longs for a relationship with us even when we're unlovable, stinky, hairless, and have all kinds of problems requiring all kinds of help. We're in the gutter, trying to survive on our own, and here He comes - He sees you and me as his children, with potential we don't even know we've got. Lessons from Lydia-I learn 'em every day. And I'm grateful for her and for Jay - I'm not sure why he thought I needed her, but as usual, he was right. Thanks brother, for your help a year ago-what did you see in that mangy scraggly animal that you thought I might need? One of these days you'll be learning your own lessons from someone God brings into your life-and I'll have the privilege of watching you do that.
"She's awful. Let's put her in your backyard and I'll take her to the Humane Society tomorrow." I put a rope around her neck and tugged, and she followed me hesitantly, a little unsure if she could trust me. While we were waiting for dinner to be ready, I hopped in the car, and my husband looked at me incredulously. I asked him if he wanted to come along to get some dog food and he emphatically said, are you NUTS????
When I got back the dog gulped both cans of food down and drank a bowlful of water, then stood at the back patio door, her scrawny face peering through the glass. We ignored her while we ate, and I promised to return the next morning to take her away.
The next day my daughter and I returned. As we put her in the car we discussed what all could be wrong with her, and how much money it would take to fix her. I didn't even know what vet I could take her to on a Saturday. She offered her vet services, and wouldn't you know it, they were open. Wouldn't you know it, they could see her and evaluate her. We took her in, armed with a generous brother's financial aid and some money of my own.
I decided on the way over there that if she had heartworms, I was going to put her down. If she had mange, I wouldn't treat her. She had neither of those maladies, but a lot of other issues. Skin infection, mites, fleas, crusted over skin sores, seriously underweight, ear infection in both ears, a couple of small skin growths, broken and cracked teeth-the list grew. The vet saw signs of abuse and severe maltreatment.
I brought her home and I named her Lydia. I spent money on her I shouldn't have, but one year later, she is beautiful to me. She's gained 20 pounds. She's ornery. She's smart and she's just what I needed. She's learned to trust me, and does so implicitly. She's a member of my family, and she gets on the couch when I'm not home, but that's okay with me. I know that someday I'll face the heartbreak of laying her to rest-but you just do that when you take the risk to love and care for someone other than yourself.
In a very ordinary way, I rescued someone who needed me. How very much more does God do the same for us! How very much more does He love us, care for us, want us to trust Him implicitly, and yes, He longs for a relationship with us even when we're unlovable, stinky, hairless, and have all kinds of problems requiring all kinds of help. We're in the gutter, trying to survive on our own, and here He comes - He sees you and me as his children, with potential we don't even know we've got. Lessons from Lydia-I learn 'em every day. And I'm grateful for her and for Jay - I'm not sure why he thought I needed her, but as usual, he was right. Thanks brother, for your help a year ago-what did you see in that mangy scraggly animal that you thought I might need? One of these days you'll be learning your own lessons from someone God brings into your life-and I'll have the privilege of watching you do that.
Monday, October 26, 2009
You deserve a donut today
I was getting gas at the QT the other day when I noticed a sign in the parking lot. The sign featured a glazed donut, with these words: "Life is too short to eat oatmeal." What do you think about that? I, personally, was taken aback and a little, oh, not offended, but who do these people think they are? They are basically saying, you're going to die anyway, and maybe soon, so just enjoy yourself and have a fat and sugar-laden pastry while you're at it. Don't eat wholesome "boring" cooked oats. You deserve more! You deserve to get all the gusto you can get! After all, donuts can bring happiness and pleasure. You're going to work hard today-reward yourself!
Speaking of health issues, here's some things you don't want to hear during surgery:
"Rats! Page 47 of the manual is missing!"
"Don't worry. I think it's sharp enough."
"That's cool! Now can you make his leg twitch?"
"Ya know, there's big money in kidneys and this guy's got two healthy ones..."
"Hand me that...uh...thing-a-ma-jig."
"What's this doing in here?"
"There go the lights again."
And, here's some medical definitions:
Benign: What you be after you be eight.
Artery: The study of paintings.
Bacteria: Back door to cafeteria.
Dilate: To live long.
Labor Pain: Getting hurt at work.
Pelvis: Second cousin to Elvis.
Urine: Opposite of you're out.
Colic: A sheep dog.
Outpatient: A person who has fainted.
Speaking of health issues, here's some things you don't want to hear during surgery:
"Rats! Page 47 of the manual is missing!"
"Don't worry. I think it's sharp enough."
"That's cool! Now can you make his leg twitch?"
"Ya know, there's big money in kidneys and this guy's got two healthy ones..."
"Hand me that...uh...thing-a-ma-jig."
"What's this doing in here?"
"There go the lights again."
And, here's some medical definitions:
Benign: What you be after you be eight.
Artery: The study of paintings.
Bacteria: Back door to cafeteria.
Dilate: To live long.
Labor Pain: Getting hurt at work.
Pelvis: Second cousin to Elvis.
Urine: Opposite of you're out.
Colic: A sheep dog.
Outpatient: A person who has fainted.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Expand your horizons
Two websites rapidly becoming my favorites and I check them every day:
www.earthshots.org
http://videos.komando.com
Earthshots is a photograph featured every day of places around the earth I'll never get to see-today's is a shot taken in the Swiss Alps. You can view photos of previous months by activating the slideshow feature. Clicking on photo details in the far right corner of the pic will tell you where it was taken, and it's interesting to read the comments about the picture from other photographers. There's something about it that transports me to another place for just a minute.
Videos.komando is a daily video website. I've seen the most interesting things on here-the four fingered pianist from Korea, the ant colony that someone poured cement into and then excavated it to see how large it was (it was gi-normous), on Sunday the 18th, it's featured a couple from west Texas who live literally in the middle of nowhere much like the pioneers did, with no running water, electricity, or phone. Today, this website features 3 videos about 3 different kinds of reptiles. They are all short, less than 3 minutes. The first one is about a Pebble Toad, the second one is about a lizard that walks on water, and the 3rd is about a gecko which is so small it could drown in a drop of rain, but doesn't because...we'll, you'd have to watch it.
Although these websites don't intend to do this in their purpose, for me, they point to a creative master Designer-a purposeful Composer, Author and Sustainer of even the smallest details of the universe-how vast and wonderful and awesome is the earth we've been given to live our lives on and - how much we don't know about what's all around us - it is mind boggling. Think about the Swiss Alps on your way to work or wherever you go-think about the Pebble Toad who survives by rolling into a hard ball and falling down a mountainside away from it's pursuer, think about the 4 fingered pianist who can play the piano in an amazing display of grit, courage, and determination, and wonder at it all.
www.earthshots.org
http://videos.komando.com
Earthshots is a photograph featured every day of places around the earth I'll never get to see-today's is a shot taken in the Swiss Alps. You can view photos of previous months by activating the slideshow feature. Clicking on photo details in the far right corner of the pic will tell you where it was taken, and it's interesting to read the comments about the picture from other photographers. There's something about it that transports me to another place for just a minute.
Videos.komando is a daily video website. I've seen the most interesting things on here-the four fingered pianist from Korea, the ant colony that someone poured cement into and then excavated it to see how large it was (it was gi-normous), on Sunday the 18th, it's featured a couple from west Texas who live literally in the middle of nowhere much like the pioneers did, with no running water, electricity, or phone. Today, this website features 3 videos about 3 different kinds of reptiles. They are all short, less than 3 minutes. The first one is about a Pebble Toad, the second one is about a lizard that walks on water, and the 3rd is about a gecko which is so small it could drown in a drop of rain, but doesn't because...we'll, you'd have to watch it.
Although these websites don't intend to do this in their purpose, for me, they point to a creative master Designer-a purposeful Composer, Author and Sustainer of even the smallest details of the universe-how vast and wonderful and awesome is the earth we've been given to live our lives on and - how much we don't know about what's all around us - it is mind boggling. Think about the Swiss Alps on your way to work or wherever you go-think about the Pebble Toad who survives by rolling into a hard ball and falling down a mountainside away from it's pursuer, think about the 4 fingered pianist who can play the piano in an amazing display of grit, courage, and determination, and wonder at it all.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday Reflections
Here it is, October 18, 2009. Since my last posting, which was a video and no writing (as someone pointed out to me), I've sat here several times, trying to think of what words to use to communicate to you unfortunate people who check this blog, but I've not had much success. There's a lot going on in my head, but it's not coming out my fingertips onto the keyboard. I'm troubled but I'm not sure what it's about. I'm lonely, but I don't know why. I'm sad at times, but then, on Friday when I saw the sun for the first time in about a week, I cannot tell you how my spirit lifted as I drove to work. It was like a tonic to the soul.
I'm dissatisfied with things and am making changes, but see that I need to make a lot more. The ministry I have at church is puzzling to me, and is lacking in some way, but I don't know what. Due to some extraordinary situations right now, my job is making me weary in body and spirit. I feel sorta like I would like to draw the curtains and stay at home for awhile. It's hard to describe.
So that's that. Not a lot here, I know. But we'll see what happens this week.
Also today, I'm thinking of those in my extended family who are facing serious illness and life changes. God be with you, Pilgrim on the Way, as you step into the unknown. Your faith is extraordinary, your life is an encouragement to me. Blessings to you- from your niece.
I'm dissatisfied with things and am making changes, but see that I need to make a lot more. The ministry I have at church is puzzling to me, and is lacking in some way, but I don't know what. Due to some extraordinary situations right now, my job is making me weary in body and spirit. I feel sorta like I would like to draw the curtains and stay at home for awhile. It's hard to describe.
So that's that. Not a lot here, I know. But we'll see what happens this week.
Also today, I'm thinking of those in my extended family who are facing serious illness and life changes. God be with you, Pilgrim on the Way, as you step into the unknown. Your faith is extraordinary, your life is an encouragement to me. Blessings to you- from your niece.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Acapella Jazz Choir
Enjoyed the video below very much and thought you might like it too. It's an acapella jazz choir. A little more than six minutes long, it will give you a mental vacation break.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)