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.

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!

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.

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

Answers you've been waiting for

I'm sure you all are waiting intensely to find out the answers to the questions I posted in my last blog, so here they are:

1. The tick is not an insect, it is an arachnid, belonging to the superfamily, Ixodoidea, which, along with other mites, constitute the Acarina. Caterpillars, which is what I thought the answer was, are the larval form of Lepidoptera, which is the insect order belonging to butterflies and moths.

2. False. According to "Everyday English", every sentence must end with either a period or a question mark.

And there you have it! You are more informed than you were before if you got these questions incorrect.

So, I am mowing this morning before it gets to be 90 degrees at noon, although with the humidity, it feels like 90 right now. I mowed for 30 minutes, which was about half the backyard and I am wiped out. I'd like to finish it this morning, so I'll drink my water and go back out in a minute. I really should hire one of my sons to do this (actually, shouldn't they come over here and do it for free?).

In other news I have, either for the better or worse, activated my facebook page which has been inactive for quite a while now, since I first set it up. I think facebook could be the biggest time waster that we have in our society today, but I can see the appeal. I think. Linda and I are playing a Scrabble game lasting over the course of several days, which is a new idea for me-I always thought Scrabble needs to be played to its ultimate conclusion the same afternoon you start it, but what do I know? I told my husband he needs a facebook page, if for no other reason than to play the games on it. He wouldn't be good at "What are you thinking", as he:
*** 1. Is semi anti-social, depending on where he's at
*** 2. Cannot imagine that people would want to know what he really thinks
*** 3. Cannot imagine that he would be that interested in the minutia that other people are thinking

Time to go back out to the heat of the jungle.

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Two recent questions from my calendar, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader:

Which of the following is not an insect?
1. Ant
2. Caterpillar
3. Tick

Every sentence must end with a period. True or false?

What do you think? No extra research allowed on the net. Just your first impressions on both questions, please.

The "F" word for the day

The word for Wednesday, June 10 is: FLOCCULENT a. Covered with soft woolly tufts. Condition of certain spiders, an alpaca, or a male teenager's face.

Living where?

Word for the day: EREMOPHILOUS a. Inhabiting a desert. You might use this word to describe any number of wildlife such as snakes, camels, spiders, or coyotes. The author of the book, "The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words" states that it also may apply to the classic condition of a person who has just had a new home built, but has to choose between curtains or a lawn.

I was quite busy outside today, and, I might add, I got quite dirty. I potted up all the annuals I purchased which will decorate the tables for my son and daughter-in-law's wedding reception on Saturday, and, while I was dirty, I decided to plant all the other things I'd bought previously, as well as move and replant three bushes. I pulled grass and weeds out of a front flower bed, and gave out about 6:30pm before all the work was done, but tomorrow's another day.

I love wearing my crocs outside to do yardwork, but my feet get extremely grimy in them. Usually I rinse them and my feet off with the hose, but I didn't do that this time. I talked to somebody at church who, get this, liked her crocs, but didn't like the dirty feet she got while wearing them, SO, she installed DUCT TAPE over the holes of her crocs - works like a charm she says.

Time to get to bed. Tomorrow more weeding and yard work awaits me, but I really need to do some things in the house too. The days go by way too fast!

Observations

I had amensia once --- or twice. I forget.
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Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
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I am neither for or against apathy.
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All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
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What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
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They told me I was gullible and I believed them.
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Teach a child to be courteous and polite in the home, and when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.
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One nice thing about egotists-they don't talk about other people.
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My weight is perfect for my height-which varies.
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I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not so sure.
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How can there be self-help GROUPS?
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If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
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Show me a man with his feet firmly planted on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.
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Is it just me, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Sparrows and the word for Monday

What a beautiful cooler day today-skies are a little overcast and it's in the 70's. A great day for yard work-and to have the windows open in the house. I trimmed up the forsythia in the front, and plan to do a few more chores outside before it gets dark.

I set up the bird and squirrel feeders several days ago and there's a lot of activity out there-I think a lot of sparrows, but also I've seen blue jays and I think I saw a finch or two. What is it about sparrows that they are considered sort of a nuisance bird? My dad in his later years made it his personal mission to rid his property of sparrows as much as possible by setting up traps for them. I looked on Wikipedia at several articles on sparrows, and one article says that house sparrows are the most widely distributed wild bird on the planet. It also says that house sparrows are aggressive in forcibly usurping the nesting sites of other birds, and in fact, sometimes even build a new nest right on top of an existing nest with babies in it. Did you know that the house sparrow has the shortest incubation period of all birds-10-12 days- and that a female can lay 25 eggs in one summer? They also don't have a very exciting "call" - the article calls it a "short and incessant chirp". So what we have is a bird which is very prolific, which has an annoying and constant chirp, and sometimes is destructive to other species of birds, taking over nests and housing boxes.

Yet, I think the sparrow is the only bird that I can find that Jesus directly mentions in the New Testament - other than maybe a dove? Perhaps you scholars reading this can help me out there. Nevertheless, Jesus says even though sparrows were sold 2 for a penny or 5 for a penny, depending on which book you reference (Matthew 10:29 and Luke 12:6 NIV), not one of them falls to ground without God knowing about it, or, as Luke says, God forgetting about about them. The point is, if God knows that about such a common bird as a sparrow, what does He know about me? What does He care about me? Jesus goes on to state that we are worth more than many sparrows to God. I don't know about you, but this gives me great comfort.

In honor of my spouse, the word for the day is: DEMOPHOBE n. This is not a fear of Democrats but, it is a morbid dread of crowds and massed humanity, i.e., the 5-10 people that might be waiting in a restaurant lobby, or, the 30 people gathered in a church fellowship hall, or, heaven forbid, the crowd of several thousand at a concert or other community function. The author of book I have referenced previously states rather cleverly that this is one of the more common phobias, and if all the sufferers of this malady were put together in one place, they wouldn't like it one bit.

Word of the day for Sunday

The word is: CATACHRESIS n. Misapplication of a word. So if you accidently used the word in the previous posting, BICRURAL, to describe, for example, a muskrat, you would be guilty of catachresis. I suppose cathachresis could also be used to describe situations in which people say with great pronouncement: "I could care less!" , or, when Hillary said she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire, or, when your teenage son said he had a "little" accident with the car, when confronted with the fact that the entire side was one big dent.

Friday and, the "B" word for today

What a beautiful morning! Not too hot yet. I went to the garden store and bought a couple of 6 pack annuals and some other things for the front oval flower bed-I still don't have that place worked up yet. I did transplant some peonies out there last fall and they came up great, but a neighbor kid's ball landed on them and broke most of the stems off. I was sick when I saw them. The 3 little bushes I planted out there are just struggling to survive. I bet the soil isn't very good. I'm thinking I need to move the the peonies yet again to another spot where they will have a chance to survive, and the ornamental bushes as well. I then took Lyd for a walk at Riverside Park today-she's getting better and better about walking with me. It seems she still has to stop every 4 feet to sniff something but even that's improving. After we walked a couple of rounds we stopped under a tree and rested. She drank out of her water bowl and I drank my 20 oz. water bottle. Because I've been working outside, the inside of my house needs my attention badly.

Word for the day: Bicrural. a. Having two legs. "I am sorry to have to say this in front of your new boyfriend, Hortense, but he is BICRURAL, and I cannot be persuaded otherwise."

(From The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words, by Peter Bowler. )

Word for the day

I recently discovered a book I had purchased many years ago: "The Superior Person's Second Book of Weird & Wondrous Words" by Peter Bowler. I am, by no means, an expert on language or grammar, and I am likely to be bested in a game of Scrabble by several people in my extended family who seem to have a real knack for organizing letters to make words I would have never thought of. But this delightful little book has been quite entertaining for me to once again peruse, so much so that I have ordered from Amazon a used boxed set of 3 books of Weird & Wondrous Words.

From this nifty little book, the word for today is: ADUMBRATE v. To foreshadow in general terms; to sketch out what you intend to do, or what you expect to happen, i.e., "Allow me to adumbrate in general terms the consequences of your continung to block my driveway with your car..."

I, myself, adumbrate the completing of many tasks today, all of which are mundane and trivial, but which are, nonetheless, on my "to-do" list. There ya go.

Thoughts regarding recent news

The recent murder of Dr. George Tiller deserves a blog post-however, finding words to say what I think succinctly and clearly so that there is no misunderstanding by my readers is a challenge. We'll give it a try.

First of all, the act was cowardly and malicious. The perpetrator needs to be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I feel no differently about this murder than I do when I consider the crimes of serial killer Dennis Rader or of the murders of 4 people by the Carr brothers. All victims were innocent, all victims were in no way at fault, all victims are loved and missed by their families. I am horrified by this turn of events. However, I wish to offer the following thoughts for your perusal, and for some, perhaps your disagreement. That's okay-you may disagree and thoughtfully post your comments.

I am a pro-life person. It is my contention and belief that every conception is human life and bears a soul. I am adamantly opposed to abortion. My opinion is that this legislation should be returned to each individual state to decide and that the federal government should step out of it.

Point number one:
I do not think it is fair to hold me responsible for what this extremist did on Sunday morning. It appears that in some newspaper columns, and on some news programs, there are those that are branding this crime as coming from the pro-life camp and nothing could be further from the truth. How dare the insinuation be made that those of us who value and respect life above all else would in some way be associated with this lawbreaker, whose heart was full of hatred and vengeance? Forty nine million abortions have been performed since 1973. Forty-nine million persons will never have an opportunity to live life-would you like me to hold you on the pro-choice side responsible for those whose lives ended so abruptly? Is there blood on your hands? Is there blood on mine?
Point number two:
Although I am sure that Dr. Tiller was probably a kind and compassionate man, I will never lose sight of the fact that he indeed, spent his life "terminating pregnancies". Some are saying he was a hero, some are saying he helped them in very difficult circumstances, some are saying he was a saint here on earth and was carrying out the work his God entrusted him to do. I think we need to be horrified by his murder, but also, be horrified by the fact that legally, he ended life for thousands and thousands and thousands of pre-born children. A caller to a radio show I listened to said that when people think of you after you have left this life, they don't think about what you DID, they think about what kind of person you were, and that what you DO in life does not define you.

I tend to disagree just a little bit. A person's work, and what they were able to accomplish in life DOES in some ways, define them. Are we going to say that about Dennis Rader? What he DID does not define him? I hardly think so. What he did personifies who he is. The way I not only do my job but live my life defines me and shows the world, whether it's admirable or not, what my true character is. It does so for every single person, even Dr. Tiller. We cannot as a city, as a state, and as a nation, conveniently "forget" what happened on a daily basis out at that clinic on East Kellogg, and no doubt, will continue to happen as other doctors step in.

Maybe more later.

Busy first day

It's the first day of summer vacation, and I have a list of things to do about 4 feet long (not really, but it seems that way). I even had to make a list to make sure I wouldn't forget something. I'm going to the church to work on sorting music, I'm taking my district laptop back to the adminstration offices, I'm picking up drugs at the pharmacy, taking dry cleaning in to get done, and I'm completing several tasks related to the reception we are giving for our youngest son and our daughter-in-law that will be here in town on June 13. I've got a load of laundry started and several more to follow - although I won't be home to do it, so I don't know why I even put it in the washer. 94 degrees here today. Whew!

Unraveling the knots of the past 6 weeks

So, a fine Saturday morning it is. I'm sitting here with my coffee cup, waiting for Jay to come and pick me up. We're going to take a little excursion for a few hours around south central Kansas today. It's not that I don't have anything to do-my goodness, I've got boxes sitting in here that I dragged home from school and all kinds of stuff piled on my table. My house is sort of a wreck and we're gonna have "company" this evening, so why am I not going to be home today? I dunno.

The last day of school was semi-uneventful. We had a staffing meeting which didn't go well-a parent became defensive and difficult, but dealing with that is all part of the job. Friday was spent cleaning up two offices and completely moving out of one, personal files and all. They're sitting here on the floor waiting for me to do something with them. It sometimes takes a few days to get unwound when you been tightly focused, so I'm waiting for the unraveling to start. Next week there's stuff for me to do-I have plenty on my agenda including, planning a wedding reception here for my son and daughter-in-law. It is scheduled for June 13. Her family will be coming from Wisconsin, so it'll be a nice thing for her to be able to visit with them and show them their apartment and around town. I've agreed to help out with VBS (why oh why?) and I'm continuing to help with women's group this summer at church. I have relinquished leadership responsibilities, however.

I see the brother has arrived so I need to wrap this up. Maybe one thread will untangle today as we're driving. Or not (knot). (ha!)

Wisconsin IS a nice state...

We're back from Wisconsin and now, it's catch up time. If you read my brother's blog, you'll see that he managed to blog TWICE while we were gone to Wisconsin. I don't know how that man does it, but the word for him today is "overachiever".

We had a lovely, albeit short, trip. In the car 4 out of 5 days, we traveled 3000 miles or more (about 900 one way). The wedding was "non-traditional" in a lot of ways, but very sweet and will be a special memory. In our short time there, we were able to travel up to the northern part of the pennisula for a fish boil and some sightseeing. It is spring there and the lilacs and other flowering bushes and trees are spectacular. I enjoyed seeing my family again, and am so appreciative of their efforts to attend and be a part of this special occasion. I ended up with a lovely daughter in law out of the deal, so all is well.

We got home and unpacked, took the rental car back and retrieved Lydia, who about wiggled out of her skin right there in the waiting room when she saw me. She was glad to come home, but she's been doing a lot of scratching and biting since she's been here-I wonder if she has fleas. Great. I'm going to have to see about getting her some relief this week because it seems pretty severe.

It's off to work this Tuesday morning. 4 more days to go, but busy days they will be. I wonder if we'll have kids who don't return to school this last week. See you later.

It's too early

It's 5:40am, I've been up since, oh 4:00am this morning. I just took my son to the airport to catch an early flight to Wisconsin. Now I'm kinda wound up, so thought I'd write a little before going back to bed. The husband will be getting up in a few minutes to go to work so we have an early start to this Saturday.

I was going to relate some difficulties from work that I've had this week, but I don't want to go into it. It's sufficient to say that I had to remind myself again that I'm not doing this job to make other people happy. Right now there are some who wouldn't give you a wooden nickel for my expertise, and that's ok with me. I have to answer to somebody bigger than USD 259 and as long as I can do that, then I am well. I just need to remember that as I'm tossing and turning, replaying scenarios and conversations, and conversations I'd LIKE to have, but can't, and all that. You know how it goes.

Maybe more later today.

Thursday Trivia

It's Thursday morning, and in 3 days time, I have 34 hours in. Not bad, huh-oh, this doesn't count the 2 hours I worked last night at home. Correction-I have 36 hours in. Today I'll be leaving for work early as we have a staff meeting at 7:50, but I might actually make it home before 6:00 today, depending on how much I get done. For those of you who are in the field of school psychology and who every once in awhile read this blog, but probably have given up because there's not enough work-related commentary on here, I might mention that I've now used the Cross Battery Assessment to analyze test scores in order to determine how much a child's lack of English language might be affecting test results. It's a handy tool - contact me for more information if you're interested. I've been working with a student who has significant language loss in their first language (Spanish), but who isn't extremely fluent in English either. Quite a challenge.

I don't really have other news except that Lydia, who managed to contract a case of kennel cough from the Bordatella vaccination she had a week ago, is feeling better and back to her old springy self thanks to antibiotics. She loves taking her pills as she gets them wrapped up in a piece of lunch meat. I'm glad she's feeling better-a mopey dog is no fun.

Well, I have three days next week, then it's off to Wisconsin Thursday. We're back on Monday, which is Memorial Day, and seems quite early in the month to me. We have school Tuesday-Friday, then we're done. I hate going to school after Memorial Day but we had an extended Christmas break this year and this is the price to be paid.

Have a great Thursday all.

Mother Musings

It's Sunday, Mother's Day. I've had mixed feelings about this holiday, as I've always said that I'm a mother more like Roseanne than June Cleaver, although, I'm not a real fan of either of those TV icons. In a discussion with one of my sons yesterday, I was reminded again of my own foibles and, of how my adult offspring need my relationship with them to continue to change - but, it's kinda complicated. Most of the time, your grown-up kids need a parent for occasional advice and maybe babysitting grandkids once in awhile. But every so often, they need a "mom", or a "dad". It's hard to know how that works, but here's what I think - it's up to your kid. Your kid is kinda the one in charge of how they want your relationship to be (to a certain extent).

I have 3 kids and they're all different, they all need different things from me, but I hope they know that I love them, and I'll get it figured out one of these days. I have made mistakes and errors in judgment, and will continue to do so, but we'll get it worked out. I'd like to say to my kids, thanks for making my life richer and for teaching me more than I ever learned in a classroom. A big hug to Rebekah, Joshua, and Daniel-three blessings in life for me. I really kind of dislike the term "in-law", because Jason has become more of a son than an "in-law", and I appreciate his efforts to provide and care for our daughter. We will soon welcome another "in-law", Dara, and again, I think of her more as my daughter - she is already a part of our family. Joyce Landorf coined the term "daughter-in-love" and that might fit better than "in-law". Other kids in this family include my "adopted son" Bob, and, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Michael and Tiffani-you guys will always be a part of us. Blessings to each of you-Mom

Lessons from Lydia-Waiting Patiently

It's early Saturday morning. I've just returned from about a 20 minute walk with the dog, Lydia. The wind's blowing, it's a little chilly, but the sun's out and it should be a nice day. Lydia seemed a little restless this morning so I thought some excercise would do both of us good. When I went to the bucket where we keep her toys and supplies and lifted the lid, she knew I was getting her walking collar and leash and excitedly twirled around me like an acrobat. In order to use this chain-like collar, I had to get training from my daughter, AND I had to practice with it before I could efficiently put it around the dog's neck and clip it. I don't think the hubby still to this day knows how to do this.

When I first rescued Lyd, I walked her with her regular collar, but she pulled so hard on the leash it was like she was walking me. Rebekah brought this collar to me and said, "You might want to teach her to walk with this, it will go a lot better". I was a little taken aback. The collar looks like a torture device, with long metal prongs which go next to her body as you put it on her neck. It fits semi-snugly. The first two or three times we used it, as she pulled away from me, yelp! She felt the prongs on her neck and immediately came back to my side. I felt bad about it hurting her but it didn't take long for her to learn to not strain at the leash and to walk more or less, with me.

She loves going for walks and thus she doesn't look at it like a torture device-she becomes very happy when she hears the lid open and the chain jangle. However, teaching her to sit still long enough for me to put it on has been difficult. She's catching on to the fact that if she'll just be patient and wait, we'll get to go out a lot quicker than if she's joyfully dancing around me, and today when I was attaching it, managed to sit a whole 5 seconds before getting to her feet and trying to move toward the door. She hasn't caught on to the concept of delayed gratification yet.

Waiting. It's not something we ever like doing, especially when we are waiting in anticipation for something wonderful to happen. But I wonder if in our excitement to get going, to get something resolved, or to get things happening, I wonder if we jeopardize our outcomes when we don't hold still long enough for necessary life growth to happen first. The result is similar to what happens with Lydia and the collar. The process becomes more painful for her as she wiggles and jumps because the collar pricks her in the neck. Also, and more importantly, when she's moving around it takes me longer to put it on her correctly, and her reward of going for a walk is substantially delayed until she cooperates. I dare say, the waiting process is many times far more important for us than finally obtaining what we've been waiting for.

Like Lydia, we often don't see waiting as a positive experience. And, I'm not saying that you need to vegetate while life happens for you-we need to be proactive and doing all that we can do with the time and resources we have. What I am saying is that sometimes, we need to be still and just practice waiting. Wait quietly. Body, mouth, and attitude. Breathe deeply. Sit still. Hope and anticipate, but without straining. The process is important, sometimes more important than the final outcome, and in fact, the growth that happens during the process could BE the final outcome that the Master Designer has in mind for you.

Here's the process: "....we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. " (Romans 5:4, NIV).
Is Lydia "suffering" while she waits for me to put on the collar? She thinks so. Am I "suffering" as I wait for situations to be resolved and circumstances to change? In my narrow, can only see the moment in front of me viewpoint, yes.

The prophet Isaiah writes, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18, NIV). May you be blessed while waiting in the week to come.

Friday Fortitude

It's Friday. I'm in a pretty good place, work wise, I think. I got a lot of testing done this past week, now I need to work on reports this weekend. Next week, I have a staffing on Monday, a staffing on Tuesday, 2 staffings on Thursday, and a staffing on Friday. Plus, I have 3 more kids to start this week. It'll be busy, but I'm hoping I'll be able to take off for Wisconsin without worrying about work-related issues. I am looking forward to my change in school assignment for the fall. I will be at a special school, with a special population of children. It's not too far from my base school, and will be a challenge, but will be a place for me to grow professionally.

As I've been thinking about this new adventure, part of my brain is already processing having to leave the familiar behind. I've never been one to burn bridges at any place I've worked, and I'm not going to start now, but...well..., as I wrap things up I am reminded once again that things are not always what they seem and a wise person trusts sparingly. There's a time to speak and a time for silence-to choose which in a given situation is always a challenge. I am upset by what appears to be someone being treated unfairly, however, I know that I don't know the whole story - and thus, I cannot say for sure who is right. This is a time for silence and to stay clear of ongoing conflict. I just need to hang in there for 3 more weeks and mind my own p's and q's-I am praying, though, that God who knows all, will act in defense of the innocent. I trust that someday, all will be set right, all will be brought to justice, the scales will balance, and all will be revealed for who and what they are.

My trust in man is brought up short every time. My trust in God remains.



It's late and I'm ywaning. Off to bed I go.

Some of my family went to see the new Star Trek movie Thursday night and have been raving about it to me, so, I guess I am headed to a matinee on Saturday with my youngest son. It's been awhile since I've been to a movie, but I usually enjoy going, depending on the movie, and the price I have to pay to get in. The last one I saw was "Fireproof", and that was quite awhile ago.

Tuesday Trimmings

It's Tuesday and things are shaping up so far. I had some unexpected time given to me as a gift today by the Master Scheduler, so I was able to get things done for two kids quicker than I thought I could. I had lost all hope of being able to attend a conference on Thursday about eating disorders, but now things are not looking quite so grim. I may be able to go, depending on what tomorrow holds.

I'm still working at home in the evenings, and tonight is no exception - I just took a minute to blog. When will warm weather arrive? Today was cloudy (again), rainy (again), and chilly (again). I am ready for 70's, and SUN. The yard is grown up in the back, still way to wet to push a mower through. My son offered to come over Thursday and do it, but I don't know if we'll be dried out enough by then, especially if we get more rain tomorrow. I may need to rent a brush hog by the time this is over.

So I see that Thomas Ethredge has landed back in Wichita, having been arrested in an airport in Texas. He now is charged with 10 counts of securities fraud as he tried to pull together financing for his theme park venture,Wild West World, back in 2007. He closed WWW only 2 months after opening it and filed bankruptcy. It IS unfortunate that he attempted to open it the day after a tornado blew Greensburg off the map, but I guess that's one of those things. The charges are that Mr. Ethredge failed to disclose some necessary information to investors, i.e., "he misrepresented the true nature of his prior business experience, he failed to disclose that he had multiple convictions for securities fraud and failed to pay restitution, he failed to disclose that he did not pay taxes in 2005, and he failed to disclose that he stopped making payments on the land for his other business, the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper."

If all is true, Mr. Ethredge has swindled several people out of several hundred thousand dollars, and I know two of those people. We've been out to the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper two or three times over the years and we've enjoyed the time we've spent there. Mr. Ethredge is a cowboy, a patriot, a faithful church member and tither, and seemingly, a faithful Christian - all of those things made him a genuinely likeable person. One time before all of this came to light, I overheard a conversation between two people about him. One person was telling the other person that he (Ethredge) was a crook, a cheat, and a liar, and that someday, it was all going to blow up in his face. I eavesdropped, interested in what was being said, and at that time, I was disturbed that anyone could say those things about such a fine gentleman.

Hmmm. If it's true, then it's a lesson learned for all of us. The NIV says in Matthew 10:16: "Be shrewd as snakes, and as innocent as doves." Timely words.

The week ahead

I'm home from the day's activities - it's been busy. One of the more enjoyable things I did today was to attend a "man" shower for my son, who is getting married May 23. The deacons at church hosted this shower, and gifts were tool and home improvement oriented. He got a lot of useful things, among them, duct tape, a socket set, a nice shovel, a top of the line level, a set of allen wrenches, some "Gorilla" glue, and a cordless drill. Tables were decorated with toilet paper and paper towel rolls, which were positioned on red shop rags. It was a lot of fun.

In the next 10 work days, I have to finish 12 evaluations. Two of those are completed and I just need to write the report on them. 6 are in progress, and 4 I haven't started yet. It takes 3-4 sessions to finish an evaluation and a couple of hours to write each one up. I've seen reports from some other psychologists that seem to have as little written as possible, but frankly, I don't like to do things that way. I'm writing my report not only for parents, but also for future educators and psychologists who will be working with that child. It doesn't need to be long and drawn out, but it does need to be clear and succinct, and give all pertinent information.

I told somebody this evening that I will get through the next two weeks literally one hour, or one half hour at a time. If I look at the end, I will "grow fainthearted and discouraged". If I prioritize each day, work efficiently, and take care of that days needs, everything should fall into place. My prayer is that I won't get sick, that kids I'm working with won't get sick, and that everything will hum along according to schedule. My prayer for you, my readers, is that you will have a productive week, and that you will be effective wherever you've been called to serve.

What?

So I followed a car home from work today. The car had a vanity plate. The vanity plate read:

DEPRAVE

The dictionary definition for "deprave" is: to make morally bad or evil; vitiate; corrupt.
http://www.dictionary.com/

Perhaps I'm missing something. Can anyone tell me why someone would want to pay money to have the word DEPRAVE on their vanity plate? I'm just asking. If anyone has any ideas, please share. I'm puzzled. I'm not judging, understand, I'm just...well, puzzled.

Friday

Good morning! It's Friday and normally, people sort of start winding down and wrapping things up. Unless you're planning on working at home on the weekend. Then it's time to think about what paperwork you need to bring home to conquer. That's me. I concurrently have 8 or 10 evaluations going, all in different stages of completeness. Every kid has a folder with information in it, and it's organized such that I know where I'm at with each evaluation. Today I have on my agenda to have sessions with 4 or 5 of these children. One thing this job requires is organization-I've talked about the wonderful planner I use in a previous posting, but it also requires some kind of office system to keep things in place. Everybody does it differently, and you just have to find something that works, the key being, it has to work for you.

So last night, I dreamed, I think several times, that I was walking along somewhere and I just kept falling down-my shoes would slip, or I'd step in a hole, or something, and I'd be down. The thing is, I never knew why I was falling, but always, some kind soul would come along as I was laying on the street and point out the obvious-THIS is why you fell-you slipped on mud, or look here, you stepped in a hole, or whatever. I don't put a lot of stock in dream analysis, but I thought this was interesting. Maybe the point is, it seems that when we make a mistake, others can see plainly why we did, and are "helpful" to point that out to us when often, we may not have a clue as to why we stumbled. We just know we did. Hmmm. What do you think?

Gulp

Great! I haven't posted in about, oh, eons, and I just now discovered that my blog has been mentioned on the Douglas and Main website-sort of a coffee house for local blog writers. Great! I hate to think about people visiting my site, only to discover that there's been nothing posted in about forever, so maybe that will be a motivator for me. I notice that my brother, the faithful blogger, has done his 500th post. Great! By the way, I'm going to try to figure out how to link the Douglas and Main website to this blog so you can go there if you like. I'm listed under "Educators". EEK! There's lots of interesting stuff on that link and I could waste all kinds of time looking at all the blogs-I think everybody else's writings are infinitely more interesting than mine. I don't even own a digital camera to be able to post pictures on here, so what I write about is just...I dunno, so ordinary, or something.

This time of year is very busy for me, as it is for school psychologists all over the district. I have the added pressure of trying to have everything completed a week early so that I can be out of here and attending my youngest son's wedding in Wisconsin the end of May. I am working a lot of hours, and in addition, work on things at home in the evenings and on weekends when needed. In spite of that, for the most part, I love my job. I like trying to figure out mysteries and this job certainly has its share. There are times I'd like to be able to unzip a head, peer in at a brain, and discover, oh! THAT'S why this kid is so smart, but he can't read fluently...THAT'S why she sees letters and numbers reversed...THAT'S why this child doesn't 'get' multiplication...THAT'S why this student transposes sounds in words...etc. The testing I do is but a snapshot of performance on that particular day. It is at best, an estimate of ability and achievement, and that's why I try my best to view a student holistically and consider other factors such as environment, motivation, and health. Even then, I sometimes feel that I have more questions than answers.

On another topic, we got 6 inches + of rain yesterday and last night. Typical street flooding in my neighborhood made me wonder, as I came home around 9:30 whether or not I was gonna need a canoe.

It's late, and I'm done for the day. Thanks for visiting me, even though I don't do well at posting. Everybody who nags me about having a Facebook needs to realize that I'd be worse at that than I am at blogging.

Change is inevitable-except from a vending machine

I'm thinking about changing the title of this blog. Life is so much more than work, and my job title simply is that, a title. Although it's what I spend most of my time doing during the day (and when I bring work home in the evenings and on weekends), it is not me. I know there are other school psychologists who follow this blog, hoping for earnest discussion about those issues, and I don't mind talking about that, but frankly, it is not how I define myself. Since I changed the About Me several months ago to indicate that, I still feel constrained by the title Cool School Psychologist. I am that, but more. I feel I haven't been able to reveal a lot of my personal struggles on this blog or my opinions about certain things because there are readers who check this blog wanting discussion on professional issues, not personal ones. So stay tuned if you're interested. I may make a few drastic changes here and there.

Speaking of change, that's what I feel like my life is about these days. And my reaction to change isn't always healthy, even if the change could be a good thing. For example, at work, this time of year, it is always probable that things come up which I'm not expecting as I plan the last 8 weeks of school. There might be several kids who move into one of my schools who are due for re-evaluation before the end of the year. I might have a parent request an evaluation and then insist that the testing occur before the 5th grade kid moves on to middle school. There might be a teacher who knows valuable, critical information about a student I am working with, but does not tell me until I stumble upon it by accident. All of these things and more have happened to me on the job since spring break.

In my personal life, things are changing. There's are two or three major changes happening at the church I attend, and they affect me and the way I do ministry there. I feel I have lost my way at a church I have attended for many years now. Our family, both nuclear and extended is changing-usually these are good changes, but still, they are stressful. I used to think weather was a minor thing, but actually, I am beginning to believe that it affects us all more than we might think. Last weekend we had blizzard-like conditions in south central Kansas, with sleet, snow, and gusty winds starting on Friday afternoon, and continuing through Saturday afternoon - temps in the 20's and 30's. Yesterday, 7 days later, the high temperature was in the 60's, still with gusty winds, though. Today, it's cloudy, windy, looks like rain, and it is COLD.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else." I think that sums up my life right now. I'm working in a futile quest to hang on to what I lose when things change. How's THAT for a blinding flash of introspection on a Sunday morning?

Spring Break is OVER

When will you blog again? - People are asking, asking, asking, nagging nagging, nagging...All my good intentions about blogging during spring break went right out the window. I have no good excuse, really, except that blogging seemed too much like WORK. Speaking of work, it's time to go back and begin the countdown for the last 9 weeks of school. It will not be unusual for me to work 50-60 hour weeks from now until the end of the year, and for me to bring work home. Evaluations, meetings, and paperwork are overwhelming at both schools. Tools and strategies certainly help keep me sane. One great tool I use is one of the best planners I've ever seen published by Franklin Covey. This planner helps me prioritize daily in order to achieve weekly goals - and, it helps me keep the big picture in mind, which is, what I need to finish up by the end of year. Also, I have learned to make the most of my time-I work on paperwork and try to have meetings before and after school, and when kids are there from 9-4, my focus is working with them.

So anyhow-what about spring break? It was great! Usually, I try to get away for a few days, but alas, not this time - however, my time off was not unproductive. I'd tell you everything I did but you'd be asleep within 30 seconds. Let's just say I enjoyed life and leave it at that. Lydia liked having me around home as well-she's going to miss me as we go back to our regular schedule tomorrow.

*******************

So, on other subjects-what to say about the bailout mess-how do I feel about the government using tax dollars to keep private companies afloat-do we need more government intervention in our lives, or less? And is there a moral issue at stake in giving companies bailout dollars only to have them fund bonuses for their CEO's? It's sort of like Ray Barone giving his brother Robert a thousand dollars because he was in serious financial trouble, then Robert deciding to go on a vacation to Las Vegas with the money. Were there strings to Ray's gift? No, but yes.

On a less serious matter, I've decided that if my hometown newspaper is going to cancel the columns of hometown writers (Joe Stumpe and Kathy Manweiler), then maybe I'll cancel my subscription. Deciding that these columnists were no longer needed are the most recent of changes the Wichita Eagle has made and not for the better. I let it go when they cancelled the little insert every day called Wichitalk, and I let it go when they cancelled a couple of other local columnists, but say it isn't so! A paper without Joe Stumpe is like---well, it's just not the same. I feel almost the same way about cable TV, except, I really like the Food Network-it's probably what I watch the most. The junk that's on the 4 main networks-is exactly that, nothing but junk. Yuck.

And finally, this:

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?"
"Two words"
"And, Sir, what are they?"
"Right decisions."
"And how do you make right decisions?"
"One word."
"And, What is that?"
"Experience."
"And how do you get Experience?"
"Two words"
"And, Sir, what are they?"
"Wrong decisions."

State Assessments = No Fun

My sister said something on her blog that her latest post was her 200th-as is this for me! This does not speak very well of my posting because I've had my blog longer than she's had hers, but, oh well, we do what we can.

Kids at both my schools are taking the state reading assessments next week. This is never a fun time because the pressure on administration, teachers and students is enormous. There is a lot of preparation that goes into this event, and I am always amazed at the amount of work this takes. There's a lot riding on the kids' performance, and at one of my schools, it is critical that scores increase big time this year in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

I tried to explain to someone why that school has had failing scores the last two years and it's a complicated matter. Here's a synopsis: Mobility is high-every week we add and dismiss several students. However, we have in the last two months, added more than we have dismissed and we have at least four classrooms bursting at the seams-28 kids is way too many for one teacher. I was in one classroom where there were not enough student desks and 3 kids were kneeling at chairs or sitting on the floor to work. This school is high in poverty-more than 90% of the kids qualify for free or reduced lunches. There are significant issues of gang culture, parents of all ethnicities who are not involved in their child's education, and homes which lack structure, routine, and basic necessities such as beds to sleep in. We have several children for whom we have no working phone numbers for parents or relatives, no way to reach them in case of an emergency. Currently, there are several families considered homeless, who are bunking with relatives. In spite of all that, we have dedicated teachers who come to work every day and prepare kids for high-stakes testing-and whose jobs are dependent on these kids' performances.

Sometimes I just get weary thinking about all the needs. It appears to be a gloomy picture, but in spite of everything, some good things are happening. We have good teachers and staff, we have good community support with some dedicated volunteers, and, this school is in the first phase of construction for the bond issue we just passed. We are getting new classrooms and offices - not quickly mind you, but they'll be finished in a year or two. Hopefully, we'll be able to hire teachers to staff them.

There are difficulties at the other school I serve as well - not so much poverty issues but staff issues. It never helps you to win popularity contests when you have to take a stand, does it! Spring break can't come along fast enough for me this year. No train trips like I took last year-my finances won't allow that. Maybe the weather will be warmer and I'll be able to get some outside work done. That's something to look forward to.

Monday

I've had a lot to blog about recently, but can't seem to either find the time or the energy to put thoughts into words. I'll try to hit the highlights in this posting.

Work-like many other professions, the School Psychologist's work is NEVER done. I wish I had time to read more professional articles and follow research in several areas. For example, there's a lot of research currently happening in the area of educating English Language Learners. My work with those ELL students is challenging. The issue is that although most of these students speak English and may appear to be fluent, there are still language issues which cause most to struggle academically. It can take up to 10 years for an ELL child to obtain a level of English proficiency which allows them to excel in school. And, we are seeing more and more students whose first exposure to English is when they come to kindergarten, so there's a lot of intensive support needed there.

Family-there's a lot going on here, too. My oldest son is recently unemployed after 5 years with the same company. He's job searching and has applied for unemployment. My youngest son has a good job, but may be facing unemployment in April as his job is considered "temporary". My daughter is looking for an additional job. In happier news, we so much enjoyed helping my uncle celebrate his 90th birthday last Sunday afternoon and reconnecting with people we don't see very often. Spring break is coming up in March, and although we won't be able to take our usual trip to get away for a few days, I will enjoy the time away from the job. April brings Easter, warmer weather, and our annual women's retreat at church. School goes until the end of May, then in July, we have our annual family reunion here in Wichita-the Planks know how to have fun when we get together! I'm enjoying making preliminary plans for that.

Encouraging words-I leave you with God's words to Joshua in chapter one of that book, verse nine: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV) Timely for today, don't you think?

Lydia

Look at these before and after pictures of my dog, Lydia. The first one was taken at the vet's office the first morning I got her. The next one was taken a couple of days ago. What a difference some money, some love, and some TLC makes! She's a great dog.

Tick Tock Brain

I haven't written much about my job recently. I know there are some that read this blog who are school psychologists, and they probably wonder why I don't write a lot about what I'm doing. I do follow some expertly written professional blogs in my field and from time to time, am amazed at how smart some people are. The process of learning has always been difficult for me, and even in my own family, I am a lot of times "outwitted", "out-thought", and "outplayed" by my siblings.

However, there is much going on in research, and one interesting study I've recently read had to do with "timing" and reading fluency. The author of the study hypothesized that we all function rhythmically, especially when we read. Increasing fluency and comprehension in reading (after you can "decode" words) can be accomplished by helping children set an internal clock mechanism which will drive how quickly they respond to printed words. The study found that a child who has difficulty "keeping the beat", for example, clapping accurately to a metronome set 60 seconds a minute, also will have difficulty reading fluently enough for comprehension. In the study, those children were given several weeks of training (10 minutes a day or so) of learning to keep rhythms accurately and their reading fluency monitored. The outcomes were significant enough for this study to be published in a well-known research journal.

In my view, this is thinking outside the box at its best. I wonder what reaction from parents and school administration I'd get if I would work with a group of struggling non-fluent readers and duplicated this study. Parents might think it was a waste of time-it sounds a little crazy. I ran this idea by the Spouse, who gave me a look like, you MUST be joking. But what if some solutions to problems we encounter in life are exactly like this-so "odd" that we miss them? If this method would help my child become a better reader, I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

Here's a blog which addresses this, and other issues, but it's kinda technical, and may be of no interest to most of you:

http://www.ticktockbraintalk.blogspot.com/

Press On

Have you ever tried to kick a habit? How about if your habit was a drug? Like, maybe, caffeine? I have had the unfortunate experience, this past week, of weaning myself off of this stimulant, which is found most commonly, in coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. I did a little internet research and discovered a lot about caffeine, including the fact that it acts as a natural pesticide and paralyzes and kills certain insects who feed upon the coffee bean plant.

Caffeine is a central nervous system and metabolic stimulant. It is used to reduce fatigue and restore mental alertness (www.wikipedia.org). I didn't realize that many drug manufacturers include caffeine in pain relievers because it helps the body absorb the medication faster, thus providing relief faster.

However, an unpleasant side effect to increased caffeine consumption is heart palpitations, and that my friend, is the problem. I have experienced a big increase in the number of palpitations, how long they last, and how severe they feel since Christmas, and I think it's due to increased coffee drinking (cold weather antidote) and the amount of diet pop I consume during the day. A doctor's visit was punctuated by two EKGs and a serious warning to quit consuming this drug. This verbal warning was enforced by the fact that I have to wear a Holter heart monitor on Monday, just to make sure there's nothing seriously wrong with my heart.

Heart disease runs in my family, so I'm taking the stern look from the doctor and the warning seriously. I've got withdrawal symptoms, but I'm doing better. You aren't supposed to kick it all at once, but I did, and the headaches and feeling of lethargy were enough to make we want to set up a caffeine IV, but I tried to hang in there. Caffeine-another thing on the list that I need to consume in moderation if at all. I don't want the consequences of feeling the old ticker dance a jig in the middle of my chest, so that's a powerful incentive.

There's always something, isn't there. Always something to work on, to improve, to sacrifice, to give up, to refine, to change, and to ultimately, better ourselves. Sometimes I don't like looking at everything I need to do because it's overwhelming. I'm a work in progress, but some days, I feel like instead of progress, I've stepped back about a mile. I know some of the rest of you feel that way too with things you are struggling with. Let me encourage you today to "stay the course", to, as the Apostle Paul says, "...press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:14). Do you need to refocus on a goal you have? Put one foot in front of the other, and let's get going.

Books

Those of you who know me know that I love to read. I can get lost in a book quicker than you can say "Jack Spratt could eat no fat." It is an escape for me sometimes, but also, I am just fascinated with the development of the characters in a story. I like reading all kinds of material, from fiction such mysteries, to historical narratives, to books which challenge faith and conventional thinking. I usually have more than one book going at a time. I have them stacked beside the bed on a cedar chest which belonged to my mother. My favorite time of my day is when I get to crawl in bed at night, turn down the thermostat and turn on the electric blanket, reach for the old "bedlight" which hung on the headboards of numerous kids' beds in the home we grew up in, and get my book out.

Today I went through the books which had accumulated on the cedar chest. I found several I finished this year and didn't get put away, two books I'm in the process of reading, and, I made space for some newly purchased books I've gotten recently. You may ask, why do you buy them rather than get them from the library? One reason is because it takes me awhile to finish a book when I read it at night. I've got about 20-30 minutes before I get sleepy (under that electric blanket) and that's all I get done. I don't like having the pressure of trying to finish it before it's due back. I frequent used book stores-in fact, there's one right down the street from me called "Al's Old Books". Another favorite place I'd go frequently before it closed was the Delano Book Room. If you go on further east on Douglas, you will come across "Eighth Day Books", a delightful place to spend time in.

I struggle with a couple of things in this reading hobby I've got. First, I realize that whatever I read goes into the brain and the thought processes. You know the old saying, "Garbage In, Garbage Out". For awhile, I was attending a neighborhood book club, however, some of their monthly selections were not of my taste. I try to be careful about what I do pick up to read-I don't do "terrifying horror", ghosts and vampires, blood, slasher, X-rated romance, and I don't like to read language I consider offensive. The second thing I struggle with is prioritizing. I need to feed my soul. If I have 20 minutes to read before going to sleep, then what should I be doing? To that end, for the last several years, I have put down my current reading interest before the "sandman" comes, and picked up my little Oswald Chambers classic devotional book, "My Utmost for His Highest".

I may be behind some of you in my internet discoveries, but today I found this devotional classic online. Check out:

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/01/03/devotion.aspx?year=2009

How wonderful! I would be able to access this site from work, say during a break in my day, and take a moment to just be still and think about what God might be saying to me. I hope you find this site helpful. There's also, at the bottom of the page, a schedule for you if you are reading the Bible through in a year. That's also a task I struggle with. Is there time in the day for everything? Depends on what your priorities are. Take a hard look at how you spend you time, and there'll be room if you make it so.

We don't know how it works

We had a very nice Christmas and New Year's this year-it was busy, but not exceptionally so. I did get some things done while I've been off the last 2 weeks. It sounds mundane, but I cleaned my clothes closet and got some things to Goodwill, I cleaned out and straightened the little portable linen cabinet we have in our bedroom, I turned the mattress on the bed and washed all the bedding, after a great deal of thought, I decided on a study for the women's group at church, I have been reading a couple of books I've meant to get to, and I've just been, at times, for lack of a better word, lazy. I know what awaits me on Monday, but I'm not dreading it-on the contrary, I think I'm more of a creature of routine than what I would like to admit.

On another note, my brother and his daughter, my niece, were involved in a motorcycle accident on December 30. Although they were not seriously injured, my niece spent the night at the hospital and had surgery to fix her wrist which was badly broken. Both were stiff, sore, and bruised, but oh my, it could have been so much worse. They were struck by a pickup as they were waiting to turn left at an intersection. Both were wearing helmets and jackets, which saved them from much more serious problems.

I can only thank God for His protection and watchcare over them, but to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how that works. For example, I'm a little uncomfortable when people say God spared them from a tornado that did little damage to their home while they survey the destruction of homes all around them. Bad things happen to all of us and how that's determined is something beyond my understanding. A couple of years ago, a member of our church was killed in Iraq-this after we prayed much for his safety. Had he come home, we might have said that God protected and saved him. But since he didn't come home to his family, what can we say about that?

Don't you hate the "pat answers" that sometimes come from the Christian community when things don't make sense? I do. I think sometimes the best I can do is to admit that I don't know. I don't have the answers. I don't understand. I don't get how life works. I don't know what I could say to those who have had family members who have died in similar motorcycle accidents. My heart goes out to people who have experienced loss and who have suffered much. I have been blessed knowing these suffering heroes of the faith - Jack, Shirley, Marjorie, A.D., Don, Lola, Marie, Lois, the list goes on.

We don't know what 2009 will bring, but it is a little tiny thread in the fabric of eternity-it is but a vapor, a breath, a second passing by. Why do we get spun up about trying to figure out how God works? His very nature transcends everything we are as humans. Yet He came, wrapped in human flesh to live as one of us in order to save us. Ponder, wonder, and just for a moment, let go of what holds you here. Minister to others freely but with no cliches or canned responses. Love freely, demonstrating a heart of compassion and mercy. None of us have it all figured out, but we don't need to in order to live life abundantly. God's grace be with you all in the coming year.

Christmas vacation Day Two

My brother emailed me-he says, so here you are. "lollygagging" on vacation, and you haven't posted one time yet. Ok, ok. Here ya go. I had thought that I might post several times, but if he keeps nagging me...

The last 3 days have whirled by. Saturday we had Angel Food distribtution at church, and then celebrated my youngest son's birthday that evening with chicken and noodles and potato soup. Oh, and a peach cobbler that Lydia got a hold of while it was cooling. She ate the corner of it, so most of it could be saved, but I'm telling you, I'm not used to having a dog around who steals food. We are much more watchful, and Rebekah is teaching her the concept of "Leave It!" I've been working with her too, but you have to out think Lyd because she's smart enough to be sneaky about her food stealing. She's probably way too smart to live with THIS family.

Sunday our little choir presented our Christmas cantata at church, "Hope Has Hands". It was a day of highs and lows, one of the lows was me screwing up my part of the piano/organ offertory duet. Sigh.

Monday, which was yesterday, I hosted a "girl's lunch" for some of the younger women in our extended family, and a good time was had by all. Lots of conversation and laughing, and getting to know each other better. It may become a holiday tradition. Then my daughter and I braved the streets and did a little shopping and ran some errands. We went by Starbucks and bought a Cranberry Coffee Cake to replace the one Lydia consumed a couple of weeks ago. Home, and later in the evening, my kids, my son in law, and a young couple not related to us but who call me "mom" came over for a game of "Imagine If". Quite fun, if I do say so myself.

Today I'm sort of cleaning, organizing, listening to Christmas music, doing laundry, and just bumming around the house. I think I'll go have lunch with my husband today as he has to brave the crowds at his second job tonight. Someone asked me if I felt guilty being off this two weeks while he still has to work his two jobs. I sort of do...I wish he were able to take off more time than what he is. I also have heard from friends who have sent Christmas cards, and it is my intention to write or email them back-I do appreciate hearing from everyone! I do not send Christmas cards out, but I do enjoy getting them, and hearing what is going on with everybody. We even heard from my husband's brother and his wife this year.

It's cold, cloudy, and windy again today, but doesn't seem to be as bitter as it had been the last 2 or 3 days. I'd love to see the sun again, and hopefully this week it'll make an appearance.

So that catches me up to today, Tuesday, December 23. A happy belated birthday to my sister Linda and her daughter, Anna. Most of us women wouldn't want to spend our 40th birthday in the hospital giving birth, but 11 years ago yesterday, Linda did, and we're so glad Anna's here!

Cold and hearing "things"

So, after reviewing comments on my last posting, and after my sister informed me that she wrote some comments which I never received in my email, and thus I wasn't able to post them, I removed the comment "moderation". I hope that people may feel more free to leave their comments-I understand that it is annoying to post a comment only to be told that it has to be approved by the blog author. There ya go...dive right in there and comment!

To say that it's cold is an understatement. It is FRIGID. When I left for work this morning it was 4 degrees, with a 2 digit below zero windchill-I don't remember what exactly it was. I came home for lunch to take care of Lydia, as I left her on our enclosed porch. She has a heating pad (made especially for dogs, mind you) in a box that shelters her, but still, she is chilly by the time I get home. She's always glad to see me and likes coming in to get warm. When I got home this evening, she was shivering, but very energetic! When I went with her out to the backyard, she wanted to play, and I stayed out there with her about 5 minutes-that was all I could stand it. She has been staying inside at night, and is a good girl-she sleeps right by the bed and as far as I know, she stays right there.

Kids are at school 4 days this week, starting their Christmas vacation on Friday. I have to go on Friday-it's a "teacher work day" and I've got paperwork to catch up on, so that'll be nice to be able get some of that done. My work remains interesting and challenging. Last week a disturbed student fashioned a weapon out of a metal paperclip and launched it at her/his teacher, barely missing the teacher's eye. The student is being dealt with in a severe way-this incident is the newest in a long list of difficulties she/he has had. I am seeing another student privately to help with some issues, and it seems that every day is different, with different things to think about. (I just heard on the news that the windchill current is -1).

Our choir at church, combined with another church choir, presented a Christmas cantata (called "Hope Has Hands) at the other church last night. It sounded pretty good-sometimes the more voices, the better - both churches have small choirs, so this was nice. One of the things you deal with when you sing in a choir and practice a work for several weeks is that you hum bits and pieces of the songs you've learned as you work, drive, wash dishes, whatever. Those songs stuck in your head (they're called "earworms") can be frustrating, but I really don't mind them too much. I learned from Wiki just now that a neurologist in 2007 suggested a more scientific name for this phenomena- "Involuntary Musical Imagery". Other research suggests that earworms are more prevalent in women and musicians. Top 10 earworm list as documented by 559 students participating in a study:
1. Other - (students named their own worst earworm
2. Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle
3. "Who Let the Dogs Out"
4. "We Will Rock You"
5. Kit-Kat candy bar jingle ("Gimme a break...Gimme a break...etc")
6. "Mission Impossible" theme
7. "YMCA"
8. "Whoomp, There It Is"
9. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
10. "It's a Small World, Afterall"

Any of those bothering you yet? (ha)

Minutia and a question

It's Saturday evening, and I'm watching "Huckabee" on FOX, and just "chilling out". I've had a busy week and it's nice to just sit here! I need to go clean up the dishes and do some other chores yet though, so I shouldn't get too comfortable.

Lydia update: She had another vet vist today and is parasite free. Ears are still infected, and one reason is because it's such a chore to treat them. It takes two people, and I often am the only one here. I only got them "doctored" 3 days last week, so I need to be more faithful in doing that. She is continuing her food scavenging behavior, unfortunately, and the vet says she always will. She is at a good weight now, and really doesn't need to gain more, but this dog is in continual food hunt mode. Her taste buds really got spoiled when she lived on her own- I would imagine she ate all kinds of things she shouldn't have, but which taste good to dogs. We had a cranberry coffee cake on the table which was from Starbucks, and which was given to my husband by a grateful client. Lydia was happy to help herself to this coffee cake when I was in the bathroom getting ready for work-she was able to drag it off the table and tear the plastic wrapper off of it. More than half the frosting was gone when I caught her and scolded her good. She put her tail between her legs and looked at me like, "Who, me? I didn't do nothing..."

Lots of things in the news to comment about-the unfortunate incident where the man providing security at a WalMart lost his life on Black Friday; bailouts for the auto industry, a Wichita man arrested and charged with more than 100 counts of animal cruelty as he had numerous pit bulls chained up and starving on a farm in Okahoma; OJ going to jail; neighbors; working with children who don't know when they'll eat next at home; going to the Mosely Street Melodrama today for a Christmas party; etc etc etc. Blogs can serve many purposes-people can write about the minutia of their lives and they can express opinions about current issues. Blogs can be useful in following someone's career and daily activities. Blogs also allow people to have a glimpse into others' thoughts and feelings, and you can get to know someone fairly well from reading their blog if they have truly shared from their heart. Discussion often ensues from a posting, and this is not a bad thing-discussion is communication.

I'd like to ask those who read my blog-why do you read it? And if you have your own blog, why? What do you hope to accomplish with it? Let's discuss!

Medical Missionary

In the Friday, November 28 issue issue of the Wichita Eagle, on the front page, was an article about a man named Kevin Raymer, who is the first doctor to participate in the "International Family Medicine Fellowship", the first program of its kind to help train doctors to practice medicine in developing countries. This program is housed at Via Christi Regional Medical Center here in Wichita.

I checked out his blog, and was amazed to read of some of his experiences, as he practices medicine in a rural hospital in Zimbabwe. He is also a man of faith, and shares freely about that as well. I invite you to check it out, but a little warning-some of the pictures he posts are not for the faint of heart.

The blog address is:
http://internationalfamilymedicinefellow.blogspot.com/

In other news, after some difficulties with my washing machine drain, my two brothers are coming by this evening to work on it for me. Words are inadequate to express how grateful I am that I can call these guys to help out, and to help out with a pretty grimy job. I'm making them dinner, but that seems so inadequate! Thanks, Jay and Kevin, for all you do.

I just need a PHONE

I washed my cell phone yesterday, necessitating a visit to the local At & T cell phone store. I cannot tell you how much I dislike going over there to conduct any business-it is for me, an exercise in patience above all.

First of all, what would seem to be a simple transaction takes much longer than you think it's going to. We waited in line for almost 20 mintues for service while other people were helped, and we were the second from the beginning of the line-this with three employees helping at the desk. Secondly, the cell phone guy, a young, long-haired, earring sporting, techno-geek kind of guy, seemed to be knowledgeable, but how do I know? I always get the feeling they are pulling one over on me. All I wanted to do was buy another phone, comparable to the phone I washed. My first statement was, I just want a phone I can call out on, and can get calls on. I don't need no camera, no internet, no Bluetooth, no nothing. Just a PHONE.

He looked at me. A phone, he seemed to be thinking. She just wants a phone. He handed me a razor thin black rectangle. Here's a phone, he says. And, he adds helpfully, it has a LARGE display screen. "Does it have a camera?" I queried. And here's the next thing he said to me-"You can't buy a phone without a camera."

There ya go. Did you know that you can't buy a phone without a camera these days? I had no idea. An hour later, I walk out with an inexpensive phone, similar to my old one, but red, and with a camera. The rebate is prepared to be mailed and we are prepared for our next cell phone bill. Just because you are "eligible" for an "upgrade" doesn't mean you are gonna walk out of there without spending more money than you think you should be spending. The guy starts pulling figures out of the air-18.00 connection, 30.00 card, 50.00 phone, 10.00 rebate, do you want insurance for 50.00, (n0), do you want to upgrade your rate plan for only 20.00 more (no), it goes on and on. It is NOT cheap to wash your phone and go get another one. Can't do it.

The lesson in patience continues at home. My old phone was comfortable for me. I liked the ring. I had a lot of numbers in there. I liked everything about it - now I have this stranger I have to get to know. Thankfully, my oldest son came over for supper. He showed me how to use the camera (you never know when you want to take a picture of something someday. With your PHONE.) He helped me with the ring tone. The Hallelujah Chorus is not available on this phone, so I had pick some other ring. He put a few numbers in there. Sigh.

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Thanksgiving was very nice. We spent the afternoon and evening at Rebekah's, and enjoyed my first attempt at brining a turkey. It was delicious, and I probably shall prepare future turkeys in this same way. Very tender, and a good flavor.

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Last night we had chili for dinner and played games afterward-Josh and Dan were home. I was asked about my chili recipe, but you know, I make it different every time it seems, so there's not much point in writing it down and saying, THIS is the recipe. Today we are going up to Kevin's for more food and visiting. I hope my readers have enjoyed the last couple of days and are mindful of blessings everywhere. I have a couple of other things on my mind and may post again pretty soon, so stay tuned.

Just stuff

Today was an intense day at work. I had a staffing in another building which I've been preparing for the last couple of months and everything went rather well, considering. I'm so glad it's over and done with-it's been like a cloud hanging over me ever since I was assigned the case. Tomorrow will be a day to catch up on reports and just kind of putter, and I will certainly enjoy three days off this week.

I took Lydia to the vet last Friday evening and she has gained about 5 pounds in the last 3 weeks I've had her. Her skin infection is clearing, and she's looking much better. This evening, I let her out to the backyard after she had her dinner, and a few minutes later, I heard her barking barking barking. I went out to see what all the noise was about, and held the door open for her. She came charging in, and stood in the hallway and looked at me. "What are you barking at, Lyd?" I asked, not expecting an answer. She looked at me and barked this time at ME, as if to say, I was ready to come in you dummy!

We had a scary time last Wednesday with her, when my daughter and I were arriving home after a session at the Dog Wash. As we were getting out of the car with Lydia on her leash, two stray dogs came running up from the neighbor's yard. One was a very large bull mastiff, at least 125 pounds or more, my husband estimated. The other was a yellow lab, very large, at least 80 pounds. To make a long story short, the mastiff picked a fight with Lyd, and I ended up trapping him in the front seat of my car. Animal control came and picked up both dogs. Lydia escaped without any harm, but we filled out witness reports, and will go to court next month. My daughter was the picture of coolness and calmness during this incident, and reflecting back, I'm surprised at how emotional I got.

It has been 8 years since Coco, our last mutt, died of a heart attack in our kitchen. I've waited so long to get another dog because frankly, in one way, it's much easier to live without a dog than it is to live with one. If you don't have a dog, you don't ever have to think about the heartbreak that will come when days, months, or years down the road, this dog's life too, will be over. I asked myself on the way to work today, picturing Lydia looking at me with her ears up, why I would ever want to put myself through that again. Is it worth it?

My brother had a cute little rat terrier that was a part of his family for many years. This little dog came to an untimely end through circumstances that were no one's fault, and dog lover that he is, it was difficult for him to work through it. However, I think, I hope, that it is worth it. Lydia is already a part of this family and bonded to me-she's ornery and playful, and I have let her in. We'll see what happens.

A Special Day

Today is my 54th birthday. Not a milestone year by any means, but I'm sometimes amazed at how fast time flies by. Surely I can't be 54! Yes I can, and I am.

So I got home from work and my kids had arranged for a pizza delivery for dinner. In addition to my kids and my son-in-law, Michael and Tiffani joined us. What fun we had eating, talking, and we even played a couple of rounds of Liverpool Rummy. At around 8:00ish, Tiffani gave me a massage on her portable massage table-oh my goodness, it was really nice. After the massage I put on my flannels and joined the conversation while people were packing up to go home. It was a good day. She worked out a lot of stiffness in my shoulders and neck, and even worked on my hands-at 54, I'm having some swollen and painful joints in my fingers.

When I left school today, for just a minute or so, I was transported back in time. I walked out around 5:00 into moderately chilly conditions, with a little breeze blowing. The sun was getting low in the sky already, and the smell of wood smoke and maybe some burning leaves drifted into my senses. Oh, those smells! Immediately I thought of fall evenings at the home place, and my dad burning limbs and leaves. We sometimes made "weinie roasting" fires in the outdoor stone fire place and cooked hotdogs on cleaned tree branches or wire roasting sticks.

I was brought back to reality navigating traffic on the way home, and counted my blessings. It's been a good year, and I have much to be thankful for, especially for thoughtful kids who managed to make an ordinary birthday a great day.

Election comments

I haven't commented about the election on this blog yet, but lots of blogs I read are discussing it and other issues. It's hard to communicate sometimes in this type of venue without having people misunderstand you, and that's one reason why I don't really talk about controversial issues ("evangelist" Todd Bentley aside). But, I feel like just posting some discussion, maybe asking some questions. If you feel like commenting, I'll post every comment I get, as long as it's respectful.

Most people I work with in the educational arena are members of the Democratic party, and are Obama supporters. Most of the people I go to church with, I assume, are probably more conservative, and voted for John McCain. In my immediate family, some of us went one way, some of us went the other. I would imagine my siblings and their families were quite diverse as well. I know Christians who voted for Barack Obama, and I know Christians who voted for John McCain. Therefore, I propose the following:

1. The election is over with-the people have spoken. Like it or not, we have elected our next president, Barack Hussein Obama. He will be sworn in as our next president of the United States. Christians are exhorted to pray for our leaders, and pray for President-elect Obama, we shall do, or else we will be guilty of not being obedient to what we are called to do.

2. There are among us family members and co-workers, Christians and nonbelievers, who have varying beliefs on key issues such as universal health care, military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the death penalty, abortion, environmental issues, and economic relief. We will always work with, go to church with, and live with those who disagree with us about beliefs we may hold dear. There is always room for respectful discussion and respectful disagreement.

3. Speaking of discussion- should it occur about your particular beliefs, be ready to defend your viewpoints and stand up for what you believe. Make your points, but listen to opposing viewpoints. Understand that you probably will never come to a "meeting of the minds", but you can always agree to disagree and remain in positive relationships with those you have philosophical differences with.

4. Finally, as a Christian and as a political conservative, I really do understand how some of my family of faith can become upset at those who they feel have sold out their values with a vote for Mr. Obama. I do get that. There are some Christians who are convinced that we are in for quite a tough time in the next 4 years and I have concerns about this as well. Our culture is not one that respects life, there have been millions of abortions in the last 20 years. We have turned from worshipping the Creator to worshipping the creation, we allow all manner of violence and filth into our living rooms via our cable connections, and we strive after things we think will make us happy at all costs. What conclusion can we come to? It is, obviously, that the political process will not save us from ourselves. Those who put their faith in any political leader no matter who it is, are seriously deluded. I fear that these days, we Christians are not salt and light, we are just like the world we live in and we are growing prouder of our sinfulness every minute. We have failed to live our lives with integrity, so why do we expect that our political leaders will?

Final comments:
No matter who you voted for, if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, then the question remains:
How does one life a life worthy of Him who gave His life for you? The New Testament exhorts us that if indeed, we are Christians, we should shun evil, coarse conversations, gossip, and backbiting. The Apostle Paul challenges us to think about those things that are admirable, lovely, and good. Indeed, as James so eloquently states in his epistle, faith merely spoken of without actions to back it up, is dead. And so I exhort you, dear reader, that your character, who you are when no one is looking, is worth more than you can imagine, because although we your friends and family may not see or know your thoughts, the Father does. And your reputation with your family and friends is priceless - live then, as if you will be called to account tomorrow. This is living a life of integrity. It's rare these days, even inside the walls of the church.

So this is Lydia. My daughter took this picture at her first vet visit a week ago last Saturday. There are other pictures of her which show better what awful shape she was in. I'm so glad she took these because you can really see much improvement in this dog in just this short time of treatment, a good diet, and rest. If I get brave I'll post some before and after pics.

Lydia

Those of you who read my brother's blog have already read that I adopted an abandoned dog last weekend. I guess, not a big deal in the big picture, but kind of a big deal to me. When we were kids growing up, we always had dogs-I'm not sure if it was more my mom's idea or my dad's-I would guess mom's. When I had my own kids, we started out with Snapper, a dog someone gave my husband. Soon, Mickey joined Snapper-Mickey was a shepherd mix puppy-I'm not sure where we got her. Snapper and Mickey were given away a couple of years later and we every once in awhile, would feed a stray dog or have one given to us. We adopted a couple from the Humane Society with varying success. We had a dog we had to give up during an economic downturn when the kids were little-if you can't afford to buy groceries, you can't afford to feed a dog.

The last dog we owned I've written about before-she was found with her littermates in a park near where my husband worked. We had been without a dog for awhile, and decided to give her a chance. She lived in our chaos for 10 years and died unexpectedly of a heart attack in the kitchen one evening. That was in September of 2001.

Seven years later, I was doing ok without having a dog, and really hadn't planned on getting another one, and as the thought crossed my mind from time to time, I dismissed it with the notion that I wouldn't ever go looking for a dog, and that when one who needed a family would cross my path, I would know it.

Lydia crossed my path a week ago Friday. She was hanging around over at my brother's house, and what a sight she was. Skinny, hair in patches, and the smell-oh my, she smelled. I went to QT and bought a couple of cans of dog food as she was miserably hungry, and fed her in his backyard. My intention was to take her to the Kansas Humane Society the next day, which was Saturday. As I drove over to pick her up Saturday morning, I had my daughter with me to help hold her in the car, and we discussed options. By Saturday afternoon, I had this dog at my house, having taken her to a vet who happened to be open. She passed the first two tests at the vet's office-if she had heartworms, I was done. If she had mange, I was done. She had neither.

So it's been a week of adjusting to and getting to know this dog. She has some problems-the vet said that every tooth in the front of her jaw is either broken or cracked. She's malnourished, and has a bacterial skin infection, mites, and some fungus. She's on antibiotic pills, a good diet, and gets a bath with a medicated shampoo twice a week. (Did you know there is a self-service Dog Wash here in town?) After all that, she STILL reeks. She isn't spayed, so we'll take care of that, but first, we have to determine her dental problems. I can't afford hundreds of dollars in dental bills, but we can get her assessed for free at the "dog dentist" and will see what we need to do. She appears to be eating ok. Because she doesn't have much hair, she will not be able to stay outside once it turns cold at night. Someone gave us an igloo doghouse, so today, I'll get a hose and wash it out, dry it, and see if I can make some bedding for her in there.

I've seen some vomiting (that's so lovely when a dog does it), so I'm not sure what that is about. She tends to wolf down her food, and has some scavenging behaviors due to what the vet estimates are about 3 months of living on her own. She is very needy, and when I come home from work or even if I haven't been gone that long, she is beside herself with delirious excitement to greet me-she can't believe I've come back. So she jumps on me, so we're working on that. She has begun barking at people who come up to the house, not a nasty bark but just a-you don't belong here and I'm letting mom know, bark.

Even if we are not able to keep her because of the dental work or other health problems which may crop up. I feel better knowing that she's lived well and been taken care of the last few weeks of her life. She's a nice girl, and will be a good companion. I kinda hope it works out that she can stay.

A broken camel

I'm sure you've heard of the old adage, "The straw that broke the camel's back." Well, I became a broken camel on Wednesday of this week. A little thing, a sort of minor thing, a not really big major thing, broke this camel's neck. I told someone I really didn't see it coming, but I'm not sure that's entirely true. In looking back, I think there were symptoms, I just chose to ignore them, thinking I could handle things. As a famous person once said, "How's that working for you?"

Thursday, I went to work in the morning, but by late morning, was really needing some intervention, so I took a 1/2 day off. What a wonderful day it was! I went to lunch with the old man and got outside to walk around Riverside Park. I went to the church and played the grand piano from 1:30 to almost 4:00. Came home and potted up some houseplants, ordered pizza for supper, and enjoyed the rest of the evening. Friday morning, I went back to work ready to face things, and to speak to the principal about my meltdown. She was understanding, and things were okay.

Last night we enjoyed a time at my brother's house, sort of celebrating with him and my other brother an event which could be a little sad, but in actuality, is just a part of life. Due to circumstances and events, he ended up owning the home place we grew on, located in another county, and although he raised his family there, the property in recent years became rundown and needed vast amounts of labor-intensive work. My brother moved away from it several years ago and rented it out, which is sort of the kiss of death for any property you own unless you can manage to monitor it well, but he, having moved 200 miles away, wasn't able to do that. So for the first time in possibly almost a hundred years, there is no one from our immediate family owning any land or interest in Harper County. But the house had truly become what he called"an albatross", so he was glad to sell it.

Well, time to get going. Have a great weekend.