I walked a new route with Lydia today. We parked at the Keeper of the Plains, then started out on the bike path, walked around by the All American Indian Center, continued through Exploration Place, out on 1st street, walked east to near Waco and took the walk behind "Riverwalk Church", then went north on the path by the river all the way back to the Keeper. It was a very pleasant walk, but longer than what I'm used to, and I'm feeling tired now that I'm back home. Lydia is sacked out on the floor beside me, not a wiggle left in her fuzzy body. In actuality, it was only about 35 minutes, but for someone like me, that's a long time! When I walk at Riverside, I go around twice, which takes me about 25 minutes.
I love the wildlife I see on my walks-today a white bird with a long wing span flew within feet of me as it took off from its resting spot in the water. We "terrorized" a flock of geese, who gave warning honks to Lyd and one old gander (you can tell cuz he was wearing suspenders and high-water pants-ha!) fluffed up his feathers to about twice his size, saying, "You wanna piece of me?? You??? Come on over here!" He stood his ground as we walked right on by him. I will miss these mornings as in just another week, I head back to work and will have to do evening walks.
What a beautiful morning it is! I couldn't have custom made it better, weather-wise. It does not feel like July here. I understand that our friends in the northeast are baking under 100+ temps, and I feel for them as most do not have central AC. It's like we switched places with them-we have their cool mornings, rain and moderate days and they have our scorching heat.
I will soon begin the painting project again-with the rain I haven't been able to get as far as I'd hoped. I have two more windows primed and will try to get some paint on them today. So with that in mind, I will take my leave.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Parable Explained
The feedback I've received from some regarding my parable is that it ends too soon. Only one person was brave enough to actually leave me a comment about it (thank you Uncle!), everybody else either ignored it, didn't "get" it, or said that without an ending, it really wasn't complete. My friend "Piano Linda" and I did discuss it yesterday while we were out doing other things and I appreciate what she had to share.
I'm sorry to leave it so unfinished, but the truth is, the ending is whatever you think. Did the woman go on stage and try to direct the orchestra with her burdensome headpiece on or did she take it off and enjoy the freedom of just being herself, not really caring what others thought about how she looked? My friend thought that she would not have the courage to put her self-imposed burden aside, caring more about what she THOUGHT others would say or think about her. The sad part is, it's all her PERCEPTION of what she thinks others think. For her, this perception was her reality, but the truth is, perhaps people wouldn't have minded her baldness. Perhaps they would have admired her courage in being herself. Maybe they would love and accept her no matter what she looked like if she would have given them a chance to see the real her.
What is the lesson? Parables are supposed to contain a moral teaching, a lesson for us to learn. They are a way of explaining truth by using common life examples, although in this case, it is not common that we would direct a symphony orchestra. It IS common, however, that as we make our way through life, we are sometimes afraid to reveal our true selves even to those we love.
I would venture to say that some of you have given up on me at this point, thinking that this is a bunch of pyscho-babble nonsense. Perhaps, but I don't intend for it to be. Personally, I wanted the woman to experience the freedom to live without that heavy burden on her head. Without her worrying about whether people could see her baldness or not, and without being concerned about what they would think about it should they see it. I think had she been able to leave that tiara and wig behind, she would have found great joy directing that music, and would be on the road to discovering and experiencing all that her Creator intended for her to be.
I encourage you readers to do the same.
One last confession-this was not a parable I happened to think up. In case you haven't guessed by now, this was a very vivid dream that I had the other night. I was the woman with the heavy headpiece on. It doesn't have an ending because I woke up suddenly, startled, as I dreamed I was going on stage. I don't know how it ends, but because it was so vivid, and I remembered every detail so well, I decided to share it with you. I don't normally pay attention to dreams, however, this one was quite different. There ya go. You now know "the rest of the story" (thanks to Paul Harvey).
I'm sorry to leave it so unfinished, but the truth is, the ending is whatever you think. Did the woman go on stage and try to direct the orchestra with her burdensome headpiece on or did she take it off and enjoy the freedom of just being herself, not really caring what others thought about how she looked? My friend thought that she would not have the courage to put her self-imposed burden aside, caring more about what she THOUGHT others would say or think about her. The sad part is, it's all her PERCEPTION of what she thinks others think. For her, this perception was her reality, but the truth is, perhaps people wouldn't have minded her baldness. Perhaps they would have admired her courage in being herself. Maybe they would love and accept her no matter what she looked like if she would have given them a chance to see the real her.
What is the lesson? Parables are supposed to contain a moral teaching, a lesson for us to learn. They are a way of explaining truth by using common life examples, although in this case, it is not common that we would direct a symphony orchestra. It IS common, however, that as we make our way through life, we are sometimes afraid to reveal our true selves even to those we love.
I would venture to say that some of you have given up on me at this point, thinking that this is a bunch of pyscho-babble nonsense. Perhaps, but I don't intend for it to be. Personally, I wanted the woman to experience the freedom to live without that heavy burden on her head. Without her worrying about whether people could see her baldness or not, and without being concerned about what they would think about it should they see it. I think had she been able to leave that tiara and wig behind, she would have found great joy directing that music, and would be on the road to discovering and experiencing all that her Creator intended for her to be.
I encourage you readers to do the same.
One last confession-this was not a parable I happened to think up. In case you haven't guessed by now, this was a very vivid dream that I had the other night. I was the woman with the heavy headpiece on. It doesn't have an ending because I woke up suddenly, startled, as I dreamed I was going on stage. I don't know how it ends, but because it was so vivid, and I remembered every detail so well, I decided to share it with you. I don't normally pay attention to dreams, however, this one was quite different. There ya go. You now know "the rest of the story" (thanks to Paul Harvey).
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A parable
Once upon a time, a woman was called upon to be the guest conductor for one piece of music at a band concert. The evening was progressing well, and it became time for the woman to step out on the stage, take her bow, and lead the musicians. The woman was in her dressing room, surveying her attire, and noticed that her headpiece had slipped a little. She adjusted it, prepared to walk out, and it had slipped again. Determined, the woman clamped it to her head tighter and began to walk down the long hall toward the stage. "You look beautiful!" an onlooker shouted at her.
She had not walked very far down the hall way, when the headpiece (something resembling a crown), loosely fell forward and covered her forehead. Stepping into a restroom along the hallway, the woman looked in the mirror and was horrified to discover that the headpiece had slipped so far that the wig attached to the headpiece was laying to one side, revealing the bald skin on the top of her head.
"I can't let them see that I'm bald!", she panicked. She again attached the headpiece, which had somehow become heavier. She positioned the wig, and when it was tight enough that she didn't think it would slip again, she left the restroom. A woman passing by commented, "What beautiful hair you have!", and smiled at her. Almost to the stage, her adornment again fell, and ducking into yet another restroom, she removed it altogether and shook her head, causing the hair around the fringes of her scalp to fall around her shoulders. "Oh, I feel so much better without this headpiece," she thought. "If I didn't wear it, I could really relax and enjoy conducting this music without worrying about it so much." She paused. "But then, they'll know I'm bald, and I can't let them see me."
What to do? She stood there for a moment, listening to the instruments warm up and tune, then the musicians waited, quietly. There was an expectant feeling in the air as many waited for her to appear. By now, the headpiece and wig were heavy and cumbersome. She placed it upon her head and took two steps toward the door.
She had not walked very far down the hall way, when the headpiece (something resembling a crown), loosely fell forward and covered her forehead. Stepping into a restroom along the hallway, the woman looked in the mirror and was horrified to discover that the headpiece had slipped so far that the wig attached to the headpiece was laying to one side, revealing the bald skin on the top of her head.
"I can't let them see that I'm bald!", she panicked. She again attached the headpiece, which had somehow become heavier. She positioned the wig, and when it was tight enough that she didn't think it would slip again, she left the restroom. A woman passing by commented, "What beautiful hair you have!", and smiled at her. Almost to the stage, her adornment again fell, and ducking into yet another restroom, she removed it altogether and shook her head, causing the hair around the fringes of her scalp to fall around her shoulders. "Oh, I feel so much better without this headpiece," she thought. "If I didn't wear it, I could really relax and enjoy conducting this music without worrying about it so much." She paused. "But then, they'll know I'm bald, and I can't let them see me."
What to do? She stood there for a moment, listening to the instruments warm up and tune, then the musicians waited, quietly. There was an expectant feeling in the air as many waited for her to appear. By now, the headpiece and wig were heavy and cumbersome. She placed it upon her head and took two steps toward the door.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
A Big Job
There's a lot about my house I don't like, but there's one thing I do like about it, and that's the wrap around screened in porch we have. I've written before about how our porch is like an additional room-how our kids played out there on rainy days, and how it was used for a "counseling" office when talks needed to be given. There's a lot of good memories connected with our porch, but, now, it's causing us some work. Every few years we have to take down all the screens (there are 20), repair them and scrape, prime, and paint the trim. It is a painstaking process at times. This last week we started on the windows to the south of the house-there are 7. They are all repainted, the screens are all repaired and the frames repainted, and we are waiting for them to dry in order to re-install them.
Today we took off 5 screens across the front facing the east, and are starting to scrape and clean the sills. Not only does the old paint have to be scraped off, but the sills and trim need cleaning before priming, which I do with a brush, a bucket of soap and water, and some elbow grease. It's a lot of work, and did I mention, there are 20 of them to do? Yes, yes, I think I did. I miss the screens. They offered some privacy, and some protection from mosquitos. I think it'll take us another couple of weeks to do all of them, but once it's done I don't have to think about it again for another 4 or 5 years.
I went to the farmer's market today and surrounded by hordes of people because it was "Tomato Day" at the extension building, I managed to buy some tomatoes and peaches. I got some yellow cherry-type tomatoes and some purple-reddish "heirloom" tomatoes that almost look like grapes. They are very sweet and very delicious. I didn't grow any garden this year, but plan to start working on putting in some raised beds in the fall. Have you seen the "topsy-turvy" tomato planter? You hang it up and the tomatoes grow upside down. I'd like to try one of those next spring.
Two weeks to go before school starts. I've received information from both schools about their inservice schedules and where I'm supposed to be. I also have gotten notice of 2 training sessions which are scheduled for school psychologists in August, so it's time to think about getting back to work. I'm grateful for a job, don't misunderstand me. And, I'll be ready to get back. I don't do well with a lot of unstructured time because I'm too much of a procrastinator. There's things on my list yet that I wanted to do this summer that I never got around to.
Speakiung of procrastinating, I'd better get moving. Maybe I'll have time to finish scraping a sill before I have to make dinner.
Today we took off 5 screens across the front facing the east, and are starting to scrape and clean the sills. Not only does the old paint have to be scraped off, but the sills and trim need cleaning before priming, which I do with a brush, a bucket of soap and water, and some elbow grease. It's a lot of work, and did I mention, there are 20 of them to do? Yes, yes, I think I did. I miss the screens. They offered some privacy, and some protection from mosquitos. I think it'll take us another couple of weeks to do all of them, but once it's done I don't have to think about it again for another 4 or 5 years.
I went to the farmer's market today and surrounded by hordes of people because it was "Tomato Day" at the extension building, I managed to buy some tomatoes and peaches. I got some yellow cherry-type tomatoes and some purple-reddish "heirloom" tomatoes that almost look like grapes. They are very sweet and very delicious. I didn't grow any garden this year, but plan to start working on putting in some raised beds in the fall. Have you seen the "topsy-turvy" tomato planter? You hang it up and the tomatoes grow upside down. I'd like to try one of those next spring.
Two weeks to go before school starts. I've received information from both schools about their inservice schedules and where I'm supposed to be. I also have gotten notice of 2 training sessions which are scheduled for school psychologists in August, so it's time to think about getting back to work. I'm grateful for a job, don't misunderstand me. And, I'll be ready to get back. I don't do well with a lot of unstructured time because I'm too much of a procrastinator. There's things on my list yet that I wanted to do this summer that I never got around to.
Speakiung of procrastinating, I'd better get moving. Maybe I'll have time to finish scraping a sill before I have to make dinner.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I'm thinking of you
It was said yesterday, "So, now that everybody's on Facebook, there's no blogging going on." Well, that could be the case, although, there are things I don't like about FB, and I'm sure that when I go back to work, it may get neglected from time to time. But overall, I have enjoyed it. I repeat my contention that it could be the worst time waster ever invented. Right now I'm embarrassed to confess that I'm participating in "Farmville", where I have a virtual farm I'm plowing, planting, harvesting, milking virtual cows, etc. I notice some of my Farmville "neighbors" play the game with a fervor unequaled to anything I've seen in awhile. It's all about making money, so you can advance in farming operation levels and even in this benign context, competitiveness comes out! I do enjoy visiting others' farms because one can be creative in choosing which crops to plant and in arranging trees, barns, etc. There's no septic system on this farm to muck things up, no hail to destroy your crops, no wolves to get your chickens, no diseases to get your cows, and no fungus which grows on your fruit trees. I would conjecture that those who actually live on farms would not play this game.
I've scraped and primed my porch trim on one side, and will paint today. We are blessed with cool weather for July so there's a lot that can get done outside.
We figured out where the Houdini dog is escaping, and I hope I have at least temporarily fixed that problem. The neighbor told me yesterday that she just freaks out when there is even a slight rumble of thunder in the distance and that's when she tries to get out, although she's done it also on clear days and I've gone to run some errands. If I'm home, she doesn't usually try to escape.
Well, on to painting. As I leave this blog, my thoughts today are with those in my circle of family and friends who are struggling with unemployment or under employment, those who have financial difficulties, those who have broken hearts, those struggling with health concerns, and those who are trying to make sense of situations that are difficult to understand with human perspective. I have nothing magical to say which would relieve you of your burden, but if you happen to read this blog, I hope you know your family loves you and that you are in my prayers.
I've scraped and primed my porch trim on one side, and will paint today. We are blessed with cool weather for July so there's a lot that can get done outside.
We figured out where the Houdini dog is escaping, and I hope I have at least temporarily fixed that problem. The neighbor told me yesterday that she just freaks out when there is even a slight rumble of thunder in the distance and that's when she tries to get out, although she's done it also on clear days and I've gone to run some errands. If I'm home, she doesn't usually try to escape.
Well, on to painting. As I leave this blog, my thoughts today are with those in my circle of family and friends who are struggling with unemployment or under employment, those who have financial difficulties, those who have broken hearts, those struggling with health concerns, and those who are trying to make sense of situations that are difficult to understand with human perspective. I have nothing magical to say which would relieve you of your burden, but if you happen to read this blog, I hope you know your family loves you and that you are in my prayers.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Mixed Bag
Good Monday morning! Although I wasn't able to begin my porch trim painting project today, or to mow, (alas, it rained), I LOVE the cooler temperatures. For today's blog entry, how about three comments regarding money? Give me Frustrating Situations for 100, Alex.
I hear that our beloved county commissioners are thinking about closing the Kansas Colisuem pavilions. This after spending 6 MILLION dollars of taxpayer money to upgrade the pavilions collected with an additional sales tax, which also funded the downtown Intrust Arena. Although there are many groups who use the pavilions, they continue to lose a half a million dollars a year. I dunno. I'm tired of people spending my money. Did they know when they voted to spend that 6 million on improvements that the pavilions were losing money like that? Seems like somebody should have known that. Anybody in charge here?
Speaking of money, because some of us have been conservative in our use of city water, and because we've been blessed with good rain and weather has been moderate causing people to irrigate less, revenues are reduced. Is this reduction of the use of natural resources a good thing? No. Our city council is pondering an increase in water use fees to make up these revenues. The average Joe cannot win. You use less utilities, you get to pay more. You use more utilities, you get to pay more. Hello???
And speaking of money one more time, the council is going to vote tomorrow on whether or not to spend 85,000 to approve a contract with a landscaping firm to to DESIGN the landscaping, bike path, and decorative lighting along the east bank of the river. Doing the actual project will cost 2 million. I'm just... does it really cost 85,000 to DESIGN a bike path? Really? It really does?
And finally, just for grins, let's review the most common spelling mistakes on resumes. Here ya go: "Dear Sir or Madmen, I'm attacking my resume for you to review. Following is a grief overview of my skills. I have a keen eye for derail."
I'd like to derail something. Instead, I'll just have lunch. Until later!
I hear that our beloved county commissioners are thinking about closing the Kansas Colisuem pavilions. This after spending 6 MILLION dollars of taxpayer money to upgrade the pavilions collected with an additional sales tax, which also funded the downtown Intrust Arena. Although there are many groups who use the pavilions, they continue to lose a half a million dollars a year. I dunno. I'm tired of people spending my money. Did they know when they voted to spend that 6 million on improvements that the pavilions were losing money like that? Seems like somebody should have known that. Anybody in charge here?
Speaking of money, because some of us have been conservative in our use of city water, and because we've been blessed with good rain and weather has been moderate causing people to irrigate less, revenues are reduced. Is this reduction of the use of natural resources a good thing? No. Our city council is pondering an increase in water use fees to make up these revenues. The average Joe cannot win. You use less utilities, you get to pay more. You use more utilities, you get to pay more. Hello???
And speaking of money one more time, the council is going to vote tomorrow on whether or not to spend 85,000 to approve a contract with a landscaping firm to to DESIGN the landscaping, bike path, and decorative lighting along the east bank of the river. Doing the actual project will cost 2 million. I'm just... does it really cost 85,000 to DESIGN a bike path? Really? It really does?
And finally, just for grins, let's review the most common spelling mistakes on resumes. Here ya go: "Dear Sir or Madmen, I'm attacking my resume for you to review. Following is a grief overview of my skills. I have a keen eye for derail."
I'd like to derail something. Instead, I'll just have lunch. Until later!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What I'm thankful for
I go back to work in, let's see, exactly 3 weeks and 6 days. I am not bragging, just stating facts. My brain is already turning to my job - I loaded scoring software on the school laptop I have. I am wading through a technical book about evaluating children who are not native English speakers and who are struggling in school. I am thinking about my new assignment, and am hopeful that it will be a good match for me. And, I am grateful in this economy that I have a job, that I for the most part love what I do, that I get paid enough to pay bills, and that I have this break in the summer to de-stress.
My thoughts turn to many who are struggling to find and maintain employment these days. My youngest son has some promising leads and hopefully will be able to find work soon. My daughter in law has been hired at a local grocery store and will start in a few days, and my middle son at least is working part time, however, he has no benefits. My daughter has been able to work at a temporary job this summer which has helped them out, and my son in law remains employed full time, at a job he doesn't particularly like, but a job he is grateful to have. My husband's employment at both of his jobs looks secure, as does mine, but I know that life can "turn on a dime" in a matter of seconds. I really do try to take nothing for granted-each day, each moment is a gift.
Speaking of taking things for granted, how many of you got up this morning and flushed a toilet, ran water in a sink, or did a load of laundry? If you are connected to a city sewer system, you did these things without a thought of where the waste water was going. If you however, are on a septic system, then you unfortunately, may have to think about that from time to time. My brother had a little difficulty with his septic system last weekend and it brought home to me that I take a lot in my life for granted. It never dawned on me to be grateful for a sanitary city sewer system, but I am now. And I'm re-thinking my whole, "I wanna live out in the country some day" idea. Maybe I really LIKE having a dependable sewer system. We'll see.
My thoughts turn to many who are struggling to find and maintain employment these days. My youngest son has some promising leads and hopefully will be able to find work soon. My daughter in law has been hired at a local grocery store and will start in a few days, and my middle son at least is working part time, however, he has no benefits. My daughter has been able to work at a temporary job this summer which has helped them out, and my son in law remains employed full time, at a job he doesn't particularly like, but a job he is grateful to have. My husband's employment at both of his jobs looks secure, as does mine, but I know that life can "turn on a dime" in a matter of seconds. I really do try to take nothing for granted-each day, each moment is a gift.
Speaking of taking things for granted, how many of you got up this morning and flushed a toilet, ran water in a sink, or did a load of laundry? If you are connected to a city sewer system, you did these things without a thought of where the waste water was going. If you however, are on a septic system, then you unfortunately, may have to think about that from time to time. My brother had a little difficulty with his septic system last weekend and it brought home to me that I take a lot in my life for granted. It never dawned on me to be grateful for a sanitary city sewer system, but I am now. And I'm re-thinking my whole, "I wanna live out in the country some day" idea. Maybe I really LIKE having a dependable sewer system. We'll see.
Monday, July 13, 2009
I'm back
It's been a long time since I've written, almost a month. I know people check this blog every once in awhile, so I'm going to try posting regularly.
We've just finished with our annual family reunion, and what a great time it was! I'm so grateful that almost everyone in our extended family was able to come and be with us. Our family, the descendents of John and Estella Plank, are many and diverse. We get along well even though we have different viewpoints on many issues. These reunions restore family ties that become faint when we do not interact with some who live far away. They enable me to truly appreciate those things in life which are not material. Our music director has a saying that music is the only thing we get to take to heaven and I tend to disagree-we will also take relationships with us.
Well the old man is home and ready to sit down here to unwind, so until tomorrow, I am-
Just Me
We've just finished with our annual family reunion, and what a great time it was! I'm so grateful that almost everyone in our extended family was able to come and be with us. Our family, the descendents of John and Estella Plank, are many and diverse. We get along well even though we have different viewpoints on many issues. These reunions restore family ties that become faint when we do not interact with some who live far away. They enable me to truly appreciate those things in life which are not material. Our music director has a saying that music is the only thing we get to take to heaven and I tend to disagree-we will also take relationships with us.
Well the old man is home and ready to sit down here to unwind, so until tomorrow, I am-
Just Me
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