The weather was warm, just hovering around zero, a few degrees above or below. There was no wind at all, which for the place, is sometimes unusual. What better day would there be to go snowmobiling on the lake! We don't have snowmobiles but we have friends who do, and they loaded up all the gear and off we went to the lake!
I might have been on a snowmobile once before, but it was a long time ago. At first I rode on the snowmobile, but after a while, I wanted to go in the toboggan that gets pulled behind the snowmobile. Even after I got dumped out as we went over a bump, I still wanted to ride.
We went down the lake towards the west end where there were half a dozen people ice-fishing. We had brought our tackle and gear and Caleb got a bite but although he set the hook, the big one got away! The person who had been fishing in that hole had three big ones on the ice when we arrived, so Caleb was sure that would be a lucky spot. It was lucky for the fish, but not for us!
It was a great weekend, and we were blessed to have such a place, such friends, and such great weather! Blessings all around!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Winning . . . no, not the lottery!
Last week was Mental Health and Addictions Awareness Week. On Tuesday and Thursday, two people from the local Mental Health office were set up at a table in the concourse of the college, giving out information about the myths and facts of mental health and addictions.
I took my class of ESL students out to the table and we asked questions about the myths and facts sheets that we had already done in class. To encourage them to talk to real live Canadians (instead of just their teacher), I told them to check out whether they had guessed correctly which of the ten statements were myths and which were facts. With a little prodding, my students chatted back and forth with the two people from Northern Health. Before we went back to class, we entered our names into a draw. Anyone who stopped by the table to talk could enter.
Today, I received a phone call saying that four of us had won something and we could go down to the office and pick it up. After school today, we piled into my car and paid a visit to the Mental Health office. We came away with three Roots t-shirts, a hoodie, and a ball cap, all embroidered with the Northern Health logo.
What's special about that? Winning! Everyone loves to win. It doesn't really matter what the prize it. It's the specialness of being chosen. Of having your name drawn out of a basket of many names. Of being singled out, in a good way!
Those who are saved have been chosen! God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him" (Eph. 1:3-4).
I took my class of ESL students out to the table and we asked questions about the myths and facts sheets that we had already done in class. To encourage them to talk to real live Canadians (instead of just their teacher), I told them to check out whether they had guessed correctly which of the ten statements were myths and which were facts. With a little prodding, my students chatted back and forth with the two people from Northern Health. Before we went back to class, we entered our names into a draw. Anyone who stopped by the table to talk could enter.
Today, I received a phone call saying that four of us had won something and we could go down to the office and pick it up. After school today, we piled into my car and paid a visit to the Mental Health office. We came away with three Roots t-shirts, a hoodie, and a ball cap, all embroidered with the Northern Health logo.
What's special about that? Winning! Everyone loves to win. It doesn't really matter what the prize it. It's the specialness of being chosen. Of having your name drawn out of a basket of many names. Of being singled out, in a good way!
Those who are saved have been chosen! God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him" (Eph. 1:3-4).
Monday, June 25, 2012
So Many Books, So Little Time
I read a news story the other day about a woman in Saskatchewan who is trying to save her house. The house is under duress because it contains a collection of 350,000 books. The very structure of the house is threatened. The foundation is sinking, the walls are collapsing, and the roof is falling apart.
The vast library is the problem. The books are too heavy--the weight about 60,000 tonnes--and the house cannot stand up under the weight. In fact, the woman had to buy a second property with a hosue on it in order to store the books.
The collection had belonged to a neighbour. When he died, the plan was to burn the books, some of which date back to the 1700s. Shaunna Raycraft came along and bought the entire library for $823.
Some of the books were donated to charity. Some were given away, but about 225,000 books remain. Shaunna's life has changed direction: she is now a single mother of three. Her ex is wanting to liquidate the family assets. What will become of the books that Shaunna saved from flames seven years ago?
Once again the books are headed for a bonfire. July 7 is the deadline date. Unless someone comes forward, to the flames they will go.
To most of us, the idea of burning books has overtones of 1984, repressive governments, and new world orders. Have books lost the importance they once had? Are there better ways of getting knowledge?
I'm not sure what the answer to Shaunna's dilemma is. There is something awful about the idea of burning books. I have been a book-lover all my life. I myself own many books, probably only about 1,200. I have books in every room in my house, and one room devoted to a library. I am hardly one to give advice about gathering books.
I am, however, on to something new. I am "plugged in." I have downloaded many free books onto my new Kobo reader. I am enjoying NOT buying books that take up space on a shelf. I am working towards freeing myself from the weight of books. I'm not doing anything in a hurry, but I am thinking towards the future.
Who will want the books I have? How can I make my collection smaller?
Letting go. Maybe that's the problem. It's time to let go of some things.
The vast library is the problem. The books are too heavy--the weight about 60,000 tonnes--and the house cannot stand up under the weight. In fact, the woman had to buy a second property with a hosue on it in order to store the books.
The collection had belonged to a neighbour. When he died, the plan was to burn the books, some of which date back to the 1700s. Shaunna Raycraft came along and bought the entire library for $823.
Some of the books were donated to charity. Some were given away, but about 225,000 books remain. Shaunna's life has changed direction: she is now a single mother of three. Her ex is wanting to liquidate the family assets. What will become of the books that Shaunna saved from flames seven years ago?
Once again the books are headed for a bonfire. July 7 is the deadline date. Unless someone comes forward, to the flames they will go.
To most of us, the idea of burning books has overtones of 1984, repressive governments, and new world orders. Have books lost the importance they once had? Are there better ways of getting knowledge?
I'm not sure what the answer to Shaunna's dilemma is. There is something awful about the idea of burning books. I have been a book-lover all my life. I myself own many books, probably only about 1,200. I have books in every room in my house, and one room devoted to a library. I am hardly one to give advice about gathering books.
I am, however, on to something new. I am "plugged in." I have downloaded many free books onto my new Kobo reader. I am enjoying NOT buying books that take up space on a shelf. I am working towards freeing myself from the weight of books. I'm not doing anything in a hurry, but I am thinking towards the future.
Who will want the books I have? How can I make my collection smaller?
Letting go. Maybe that's the problem. It's time to let go of some things.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thinking about Trains
I took a walk last night. It was a beautiful warm evening, and the sky and the few fluffy clouds were rosy by the time I left the house. The walk had two purposes. First, I needed the exercise, which brings "earned calories" to balance the calories I consumed at a fast-food place with my family! The second purpose was to find out if I could multitask while walking.
Of course, millions of people listen to music on their iPods or other listening device while they walk, jog, or run. Some people have a friend to walk with and so can carry on a conversation. I wanted to find out if I could read and walk at the same time. If a 45-minute walk could equal 45 minutes of reading time, how great would that be!
I set out with my new Kobo e-reader in hand. I had just started Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. His clear thinking and explanations appeal to me. I set the font to a fairly large size so I would be able to keep my eye on the words as I walked. Indeed, it was not difficult at all to read and walk at the same time.
Past the park, around the corner to the east, turn north then east again--I even made an extra loop so I could continue reading. When I came to the bypass road just south of the railroad tracks, I heard the whistle of a train. I could feel the thunderous vibrations in the road. Standing and waiting for the train to pass, I thought of how many times as a kid I had counted the number of cars as trains sped past. Sometimes, I couldn't keep up with the train and lost count of the cars. As the triple lights of the engine came into view, the whistle blew again. I smiled and waved as hard as I could even though I couldn't see the engineer because the silhouette of the train was backlit by the glowing sky in the west.
As the train passed, the whistle blew two short sharp blasts to say "hello!" to me and acknowledge my wave.
There is something thrilling and satisfying about the deep, sonorous sound of a train whistle as the engine and its cars rumble past. That train was going slow because of the near-by level crossings. I didn't lose count; there were 23 cars.
Even though I've lived here a long time, I wondered where the train had been and where it was going and what it was carrying.
There is always a mystery about trains, but to be acknowledged by the driver of that great beast was somehow very satisfying.
Of course, millions of people listen to music on their iPods or other listening device while they walk, jog, or run. Some people have a friend to walk with and so can carry on a conversation. I wanted to find out if I could read and walk at the same time. If a 45-minute walk could equal 45 minutes of reading time, how great would that be!
I set out with my new Kobo e-reader in hand. I had just started Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle. His clear thinking and explanations appeal to me. I set the font to a fairly large size so I would be able to keep my eye on the words as I walked. Indeed, it was not difficult at all to read and walk at the same time.
Past the park, around the corner to the east, turn north then east again--I even made an extra loop so I could continue reading. When I came to the bypass road just south of the railroad tracks, I heard the whistle of a train. I could feel the thunderous vibrations in the road. Standing and waiting for the train to pass, I thought of how many times as a kid I had counted the number of cars as trains sped past. Sometimes, I couldn't keep up with the train and lost count of the cars. As the triple lights of the engine came into view, the whistle blew again. I smiled and waved as hard as I could even though I couldn't see the engineer because the silhouette of the train was backlit by the glowing sky in the west.
As the train passed, the whistle blew two short sharp blasts to say "hello!" to me and acknowledge my wave.
There is something thrilling and satisfying about the deep, sonorous sound of a train whistle as the engine and its cars rumble past. That train was going slow because of the near-by level crossings. I didn't lose count; there were 23 cars.
Even though I've lived here a long time, I wondered where the train had been and where it was going and what it was carrying.
There is always a mystery about trains, but to be acknowledged by the driver of that great beast was somehow very satisfying.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Almost Done!
We are slowly rolling to the end of the school year. Three days this week and three and a half next week, and then we're done till the end of August!
I find that no matter how much I love teaching and how much fun I have at my job, when the end of June approaches, I'm glad.
Some students have already gone home for the summer. Some take a few days here or there to travel. Let's just say attendance has been a bit spotty lately.
Tomorrow, we have something fun planned. One of my classes is coming to my house and we're going to make banana bread. I've picked out the recipe, checked for all the ingredients and can almost smell that delicious smell pervading my kitchen.
It should be a great afternoon. We make some banana bread and some memories!
I find that no matter how much I love teaching and how much fun I have at my job, when the end of June approaches, I'm glad.
Some students have already gone home for the summer. Some take a few days here or there to travel. Let's just say attendance has been a bit spotty lately.
Tomorrow, we have something fun planned. One of my classes is coming to my house and we're going to make banana bread. I've picked out the recipe, checked for all the ingredients and can almost smell that delicious smell pervading my kitchen.
It should be a great afternoon. We make some banana bread and some memories!
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Rabbit Whisperer
I'm learning lots about rabbits. I have a friend who breeds rabbits. Now he's introduced the idea of keeping rabbits to my grandkids, and today is the day! Inky, a female, who will have her second litter in about ten days, is being moved to her new home.
The kids are very excited. We went on Sunday to pick out the rabbits they wanted. Noah was smitten by a black Silky. She (we think!) is very soft and very calm. Noah held her in his arms and she didn't try to squiggle away, like many of the others. He informed me that rabbits can be trained to sit, stay, come, roll over--like a dog! Who knew?
In addition, he has to think of a one-syllable name because, apparently, although they are smart enough to be trained, one can't overload their brains with a two-syllable name. I suggested "Breeze" but was told that it had to be a four-letter name. I'm not sure how the rabbit could tell the difference between a one-syllable six-letter name like Breeze and an ordinary one-syllable four-letter name, but the name Breeze was definitely rejected.
I think Noah is going to be the rabbit whisperer in the family. He's already proven his training ability with the dog. This is just the next step.
The kids are very excited. We went on Sunday to pick out the rabbits they wanted. Noah was smitten by a black Silky. She (we think!) is very soft and very calm. Noah held her in his arms and she didn't try to squiggle away, like many of the others. He informed me that rabbits can be trained to sit, stay, come, roll over--like a dog! Who knew?
In addition, he has to think of a one-syllable name because, apparently, although they are smart enough to be trained, one can't overload their brains with a two-syllable name. I suggested "Breeze" but was told that it had to be a four-letter name. I'm not sure how the rabbit could tell the difference between a one-syllable six-letter name like Breeze and an ordinary one-syllable four-letter name, but the name Breeze was definitely rejected.
I think Noah is going to be the rabbit whisperer in the family. He's already proven his training ability with the dog. This is just the next step.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday, June 17
The first sound I heard when I woke up this morning was rain on the roof. It was really raining hard. When I looked out the window, I saw that the U12 (Under 12 years old) soccer team was out in force on the school--rain or shine, they practice and play. They are dedicated. The only thing that calls off the games is lightning.
I pull out my binoculars and easily spot my grandson: blue team jacket, bright yellow socks, fluorescent orange soccer boots. He's running for all he's worth.
Those kids are learning valuable skills. How to be a team member. How to work together. How to have a goal (pun intended). How to yield to one another. How not to take the glory for themselves. How to be good sports, win or lose. How to do their best. Give 100 per cent.
These are not just soccer skills. These are life skills. Organized team sports can be a training ground for Life itself. It's not the only training they need, but it covers a lot of learning outcomes, as they say in the educational system.
Can kids learn these life skills without joining organized sports?
Of course they can, but soccer is an intensive training course.
I pull out my binoculars and easily spot my grandson: blue team jacket, bright yellow socks, fluorescent orange soccer boots. He's running for all he's worth.
Those kids are learning valuable skills. How to be a team member. How to work together. How to have a goal (pun intended). How to yield to one another. How not to take the glory for themselves. How to be good sports, win or lose. How to do their best. Give 100 per cent. These are not just soccer skills. These are life skills. Organized team sports can be a training ground for Life itself. It's not the only training they need, but it covers a lot of learning outcomes, as they say in the educational system.
Can kids learn these life skills without joining organized sports?
Of course they can, but soccer is an intensive training course.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
It Is Never Too Late To Make a New Start!
No excuse! There is no excuse for not blogging for five months. So I won't tell you how busy I've been, how lazy I've been or any of those other things that are tumbling through my mind at the moment. All I'll say is that this IS a new start.
I'm dog-sitting again this weekend. One good thing about having a dog is that it gets me out and gets me plenty of exercise. Last week, I was minding a large dog. I walked him before work. I came home on my lunch hour to walk him. I walked him as soon as I got home from work at the end of the day, and then, around 9:30 at night, he'd look at me with those big brown eyes, put his head on my lap, and then, I'd have to walk him again. That's okay! It was a personal-best week, with more than 120,000 steps. I'm closing in on that number this week, too.
That's what I've been busy doing--getting in shape. Seriously! Since the last week of April, I've been signed in to myfitnesspal.com. What a great tool. It seems that during the winter, during those cold winter nights when I was sitting in front of my computer, I was eating . . . anything, everything. It was Out of Control. Or maybe I should say eating was In Control--of me! A friend introduced me to myfitnesspal.com and although my goal was not a large weight loss (only 10 pounds), the web site, which helps me keep track of calories and exercise, at the very least made me aware of what I was eating. Even better than that, I've already lost 7 pounds. So I'm nearing my goal. Just being aware of my intake has been a huge step forward.
In other news today . . . I am now "plugged in." My daughter and her family gave me an electronic reader (a Kobo e-reader) and I am on my way to shedding those thousands of pounds of books that occupy one of thirteen bookcases in my house. It's time to pare down. I've already practiced downloading a couple of free books and exploring the fine features of my Kobo.
I'm preparing for an exam, so I'd best stop procrastinating and get writing those remaining essays. This was a warm-up.
I'm writing again. I'm happy.
I'm dog-sitting again this weekend. One good thing about having a dog is that it gets me out and gets me plenty of exercise. Last week, I was minding a large dog. I walked him before work. I came home on my lunch hour to walk him. I walked him as soon as I got home from work at the end of the day, and then, around 9:30 at night, he'd look at me with those big brown eyes, put his head on my lap, and then, I'd have to walk him again. That's okay! It was a personal-best week, with more than 120,000 steps. I'm closing in on that number this week, too.
That's what I've been busy doing--getting in shape. Seriously! Since the last week of April, I've been signed in to myfitnesspal.com. What a great tool. It seems that during the winter, during those cold winter nights when I was sitting in front of my computer, I was eating . . . anything, everything. It was Out of Control. Or maybe I should say eating was In Control--of me! A friend introduced me to myfitnesspal.com and although my goal was not a large weight loss (only 10 pounds), the web site, which helps me keep track of calories and exercise, at the very least made me aware of what I was eating. Even better than that, I've already lost 7 pounds. So I'm nearing my goal. Just being aware of my intake has been a huge step forward.
In other news today . . . I am now "plugged in." My daughter and her family gave me an electronic reader (a Kobo e-reader) and I am on my way to shedding those thousands of pounds of books that occupy one of thirteen bookcases in my house. It's time to pare down. I've already practiced downloading a couple of free books and exploring the fine features of my Kobo.
I'm preparing for an exam, so I'd best stop procrastinating and get writing those remaining essays. This was a warm-up.
I'm writing again. I'm happy.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Stepping Up the Pace
I did something entirely new to me today. I went to a step aerobics class at a local gym. Saturday morning, 9:15. Twenty women, each standing in front of a plastic "stair," stepping up and down onto and off the stair. Loud unending music keeping us in rhythm. Our fearless leader calling out directions, most of which I was able to follow.
I went with my daughter. She's been going to Zoomba, but a schedule conflict on Friday morning means she can no longer attend that class, so she's adopted the step class as the next best thing. She invited me to go along with her. Having no good reason not to go and wanting to keep up with my resolution to get in shape, I went.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We started out slow, with easy moves, stepping forward and back and sideways on the floor. We worked up to moving on and off the step. By 9:45, I was hoping the class would be over at 10, but my daughter shook her head. "No, it goes till 10:15. Hang in there!"
Then, blissfully, at 10:05, the music changed to something soft and soothing and we were in the cool down stage of stretches. Ten minutes of that and the class was over.
I paid $9 for the drop-in session. I got my money's worth!
Later in the day, I walked two miles on my treadmill. I walked at a bit slower pace because I was reading a 30-page article from an academic journal and wanted to see if I could multi-task. I walked a bit slower and read a bit slower, but it worked!
It's never too late to get in shape. If you made a resolution, stick with it. If you didn't, today's a great day to make one. Who said New Year's Day is the only day to make resolutions? Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Make the most of it!
I went with my daughter. She's been going to Zoomba, but a schedule conflict on Friday morning means she can no longer attend that class, so she's adopted the step class as the next best thing. She invited me to go along with her. Having no good reason not to go and wanting to keep up with my resolution to get in shape, I went.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We started out slow, with easy moves, stepping forward and back and sideways on the floor. We worked up to moving on and off the step. By 9:45, I was hoping the class would be over at 10, but my daughter shook her head. "No, it goes till 10:15. Hang in there!"
Then, blissfully, at 10:05, the music changed to something soft and soothing and we were in the cool down stage of stretches. Ten minutes of that and the class was over.
I paid $9 for the drop-in session. I got my money's worth!
Later in the day, I walked two miles on my treadmill. I walked at a bit slower pace because I was reading a 30-page article from an academic journal and wanted to see if I could multi-task. I walked a bit slower and read a bit slower, but it worked!
It's never too late to get in shape. If you made a resolution, stick with it. If you didn't, today's a great day to make one. Who said New Year's Day is the only day to make resolutions? Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Make the most of it!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What's on your Reading List?
I was very busy over the past few weeks and the holidays reading many things, and tonight, I got several recommendations from a good friend for other books to add to my "Some Day" list.
In the past few weeks, I've devoured several of Michael Connelly's crime novels. I'm not sure why I like this genre. Maybe it comes from watching Perry Mason when I was a kid, or later, Peter Falk as Colombo. I like the courtroom dramas, and the detective work is just a prequel to that. The Narrows and Blood Work were both excellent. Detective Harry Bosch seems like a real person, with strong points and weak points in his character. I see that Blood Work was made into a movie with Clint Eastwood, but I haven't seen it. The Scarecrow was riveting and a bit scary; I brought it home from the library at around 5:30 p.m. and stayed up till 2:45 a.m. to finish it, even though I had to be back at work at 8:30 a.m. That's how good it was! I'm missing one in the series, though; it had already been checked out of the library. I'm waiting for The Poet to hit the shelf so I can take it out. Of course, I've asked at the library for Connelly's new book, The Drop.
I'm also reading Truman, by David McCullough. It's a giant of a read at about 980 pages. Recently, I saw someone in a movie reading this very book!
Recommended to me were the following: A Thousand Splendid Suns; Two Pence to Cross the Mersey, The Glass Castle, Half-Broke Horses, and Sarah's Key, which has now been made into a movie. I have now added these to my "Some Day" list.
Books can take you into another time, another place, another culture, another person's life. It's a great boon to be able to pick up a book and travel. What's on your reading list?
In the past few weeks, I've devoured several of Michael Connelly's crime novels. I'm not sure why I like this genre. Maybe it comes from watching Perry Mason when I was a kid, or later, Peter Falk as Colombo. I like the courtroom dramas, and the detective work is just a prequel to that. The Narrows and Blood Work were both excellent. Detective Harry Bosch seems like a real person, with strong points and weak points in his character. I see that Blood Work was made into a movie with Clint Eastwood, but I haven't seen it. The Scarecrow was riveting and a bit scary; I brought it home from the library at around 5:30 p.m. and stayed up till 2:45 a.m. to finish it, even though I had to be back at work at 8:30 a.m. That's how good it was! I'm missing one in the series, though; it had already been checked out of the library. I'm waiting for The Poet to hit the shelf so I can take it out. Of course, I've asked at the library for Connelly's new book, The Drop.
I'm also reading Truman, by David McCullough. It's a giant of a read at about 980 pages. Recently, I saw someone in a movie reading this very book!
Recommended to me were the following: A Thousand Splendid Suns; Two Pence to Cross the Mersey, The Glass Castle, Half-Broke Horses, and Sarah's Key, which has now been made into a movie. I have now added these to my "Some Day" list.
Books can take you into another time, another place, another culture, another person's life. It's a great boon to be able to pick up a book and travel. What's on your reading list?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Another New Start!
Judging from my last post, less certainly was . . . less. Something happened . . . I'm not sure what . . . but it seems as if my writing self ceased to exist! Since today is a day of new beginnings, I thought I'd make one.
2012: I can hardly believe that all that panic about Y2K was already more than 12 years ago! We were 12 years younger! Oh well, from this point, it's onward and upward.
I bet you're wondering if I've made my list of resolutions. Not formally, but I have some ideas floating around in my head. I'll try to get them out here in some random fashion:
In 2012, I would like to:
1. Drink more water. I have an off-and-on relationship with water, and in the cold dark days of winter, it seems especially hard for me to quaff down tall glasses of cold water, but I keep on trying.
2. Write more letters. My granddaughter gave me two packets of postage stamps for Christmas, so this is a big boost in the right direction.
Oh dear, I just went back to the Jan. 1, 2011, entry on my blog, and I have to report that I didn't do very well on my resolutions from last year. Here's what I said then:
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree [just finishing up the second one now]
Read through the Bible at least once [probably got half-way]
Physical
Walk or bike to work [I did do this a lot this year, more biking than walking]
Drink at least four glasses of water a day [Can't vouch for every day, but I was conscious of it, and many days I did]
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing [Yes! I did do this, and took French 101, also.]
Read more poetry [A bit . . . but I read and listened to lots of novels and lots of book on Creation]
Write more on my blog [Got off to a great start, but fell off the wagon halfway through the year.]
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling [I did okay on this, but now it's ready to be taken again!]
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use [Yes.]
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell [Never got to this, but had a big downstairs project.]
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers) [There are two empty drawers.
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously) [I guess it depends on the definition of "frivolously." I don't think I did very well on this one!]
Okay, so that was last year. This is this year. Another new start!
1. Drink more water.
2. Write more letters.
3. Walk more (treadmill, outside, to and from work and church).
4. Finish the book I've started writing (more on this anon).
5. Go to bed earlier (I'm surprised this one isn't on the list from last year!)
6. Read the Bible through.
These six things don't sound very ambitious, but I heard that it takes 21 or 40 days to make a new habit. Maybe if I keep it simpler, I'll have a better rate of success.
Whatever your resolutions and dreams and hopes are for 2012, I pray that God will give you the strength and determination to accomplish them. Happy 2012!
2012: I can hardly believe that all that panic about Y2K was already more than 12 years ago! We were 12 years younger! Oh well, from this point, it's onward and upward.
I bet you're wondering if I've made my list of resolutions. Not formally, but I have some ideas floating around in my head. I'll try to get them out here in some random fashion:
In 2012, I would like to:
1. Drink more water. I have an off-and-on relationship with water, and in the cold dark days of winter, it seems especially hard for me to quaff down tall glasses of cold water, but I keep on trying.
2. Write more letters. My granddaughter gave me two packets of postage stamps for Christmas, so this is a big boost in the right direction.
Oh dear, I just went back to the Jan. 1, 2011, entry on my blog, and I have to report that I didn't do very well on my resolutions from last year. Here's what I said then:
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree [just finishing up the second one now]
Read through the Bible at least once [probably got half-way]
Physical
Walk or bike to work [I did do this a lot this year, more biking than walking]
Drink at least four glasses of water a day [Can't vouch for every day, but I was conscious of it, and many days I did]
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing [Yes! I did do this, and took French 101, also.]
Read more poetry [A bit . . . but I read and listened to lots of novels and lots of book on Creation]
Write more on my blog [Got off to a great start, but fell off the wagon halfway through the year.]
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling [I did okay on this, but now it's ready to be taken again!]
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use [Yes.]
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell [Never got to this, but had a big downstairs project.]
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers) [There are two empty drawers.
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously) [I guess it depends on the definition of "frivolously." I don't think I did very well on this one!]
Okay, so that was last year. This is this year. Another new start!
1. Drink more water.
2. Write more letters.
3. Walk more (treadmill, outside, to and from work and church).
4. Finish the book I've started writing (more on this anon).
5. Go to bed earlier (I'm surprised this one isn't on the list from last year!)
6. Read the Bible through.
These six things don't sound very ambitious, but I heard that it takes 21 or 40 days to make a new habit. Maybe if I keep it simpler, I'll have a better rate of success.
Whatever your resolutions and dreams and hopes are for 2012, I pray that God will give you the strength and determination to accomplish them. Happy 2012!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A New Start
It's time. Time to declutter. This is not something that I'm good at. I'd be the first to admit it. But it's time.
Where to start . . . the job seems too overwhelming. Maybe that's why I never get going on this larger-than-life project. So I picked something small and manageable in a short amount of time.
The mission: the bathroom cabinet. Its size fit the bill: 13 x 17 x 3.75 inches; two glass shelves plus the bottom. How hard could this be?
All medicine with a past expiry date (all it all was expired!) went into a bag to bring to the pharmacy to be disposed of properly. I can't tell why I saved some of that stuff. I'm not a pill-popper and I'm not often sick, so the chances of my taking something long after it had been bought are very slim.
Next, I looked at all bath and beauty products. If the contents smelled like the plastic container, they went into the garbage. I tried to be ruthless, which wasn't easy for me. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give myself a 7.75.
I have a long way to go, but as they say, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. My new motto is Less is More. What a bright future!
Where to start . . . the job seems too overwhelming. Maybe that's why I never get going on this larger-than-life project. So I picked something small and manageable in a short amount of time.
The mission: the bathroom cabinet. Its size fit the bill: 13 x 17 x 3.75 inches; two glass shelves plus the bottom. How hard could this be?
All medicine with a past expiry date (all it all was expired!) went into a bag to bring to the pharmacy to be disposed of properly. I can't tell why I saved some of that stuff. I'm not a pill-popper and I'm not often sick, so the chances of my taking something long after it had been bought are very slim.
Next, I looked at all bath and beauty products. If the contents smelled like the plastic container, they went into the garbage. I tried to be ruthless, which wasn't easy for me. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give myself a 7.75.
I have a long way to go, but as they say, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. My new motto is Less is More. What a bright future!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Icing Sugar and Ants
Ants were a topic of discussion in the staff room today. Specifically, how to get rid of them from your lawn or garden. Maybe even from a picnic.
Icing sugar and borax. Nobody mentioned the specific quantities of these two ingredients, but it was determined that this solution would be cheaper than cornmeal, another much-touted natural method of ant extermination.
Someone even knew where to find the borax--on the bottom shelf at Safeway, one of the local grocery stores. When this was voiced, another woman and I, as if reading from a teleprompter, both piped up in unison: "Twenty Mule Team Borax."
We both laughed; she said, "We're dating ourselves here."
I remember a black and white television ad, with a wagon train pulled by two lines of mules (no doubt ten to a line, although I don't remember ever counting to make sure). The company that made this brand of laundry booster sponsored that great old western, "Death Valley Days."
Now, it just sponsors Death Valley Days for the ants.
Icing sugar and borax. Nobody mentioned the specific quantities of these two ingredients, but it was determined that this solution would be cheaper than cornmeal, another much-touted natural method of ant extermination.
Someone even knew where to find the borax--on the bottom shelf at Safeway, one of the local grocery stores. When this was voiced, another woman and I, as if reading from a teleprompter, both piped up in unison: "Twenty Mule Team Borax."
We both laughed; she said, "We're dating ourselves here."
I remember a black and white television ad, with a wagon train pulled by two lines of mules (no doubt ten to a line, although I don't remember ever counting to make sure). The company that made this brand of laundry booster sponsored that great old western, "Death Valley Days."
Now, it just sponsors Death Valley Days for the ants.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Yesterday, when talking with my grandchildren about Mother's Day, they asked a logical question: is there a Children's Day? I laughed and said that "everyday is Children's Day!" In North American culture, I think this is pretty true, but today is a day set aside specifically to honour mothers.
The ancient Israelites were admonished--no, commanded: "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12). Paul brings this forward to the New Testament church in Ephesians 6:2-3) when he emphasizes the promise attached to the commandment: "'Honour your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"
Of course, in those times, there was no special day on which people honoured their mother; it was a year-round thing! It was an attitude and it was action.
What about today? The telephone company statistics tell us that more long-distance phone calls are made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year, even Christmas. Flowers are bought and delivered. Family dinners are prepared, or Mom is given a day off from cooking dinner and washing dishes because her family takes her out to dinner. If they can't afford to go out, the kids will make her "breakfast in bed." When I was a kid, this event was tolerated with great affection and appreciation, and I can tell you from personal experience that crumbs in the bed are easily disposed of.
My mother passed away several years ago, but today I think of her. I think of her kindness, her creativity, her selflessness. I think of her strength, her determination, her stick-to-it-iveness. Of course, I think of her love. Her love to her family, her love to my sisters, her love to me.
With these thoughts in mind, I wish "Happy Mother's Day" to my daughter, who is a great mother to my grandchildren. She is carrying on in my mother's footsteps.
To all my friends who are mothers, I wish a Happy Mother's Day. May your "children rise up and call [you] blessed" (Proverbs 31:28).
The photos here are pictures of my mother when she was young. She was beautiful, and still is in my eyes.
The ancient Israelites were admonished--no, commanded: "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12). Paul brings this forward to the New Testament church in Ephesians 6:2-3) when he emphasizes the promise attached to the commandment: "'Honour your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"
Of course, in those times, there was no special day on which people honoured their mother; it was a year-round thing! It was an attitude and it was action.
What about today? The telephone company statistics tell us that more long-distance phone calls are made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year, even Christmas. Flowers are bought and delivered. Family dinners are prepared, or Mom is given a day off from cooking dinner and washing dishes because her family takes her out to dinner. If they can't afford to go out, the kids will make her "breakfast in bed." When I was a kid, this event was tolerated with great affection and appreciation, and I can tell you from personal experience that crumbs in the bed are easily disposed of.
My mother passed away several years ago, but today I think of her. I think of her kindness, her creativity, her selflessness. I think of her strength, her determination, her stick-to-it-iveness. Of course, I think of her love. Her love to her family, her love to my sisters, her love to me.
With these thoughts in mind, I wish "Happy Mother's Day" to my daughter, who is a great mother to my grandchildren. She is carrying on in my mother's footsteps.
To all my friends who are mothers, I wish a Happy Mother's Day. May your "children rise up and call [you] blessed" (Proverbs 31:28).
The photos here are pictures of my mother when she was young. She was beautiful, and still is in my eyes.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lights are Still On!
I went by the bank corner [see yesterday's blog post] this morning. The lights were still on.
I'll be writing a polite note to the occupants of those offices, just to let them know that people do notice and ethics are important.
I'll be writing a polite note to the occupants of those offices, just to let them know that people do notice and ethics are important.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Earth Hour 2011
I've just returned from the Earth Hour event organized by NEAT, the local environmental action and awareness team. It was an evening of live music, chatting, visiting, coffee, and tea--and let's not forget those eco-tinis that were included in the ticket price.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
Monday, March 21, 2011
I've Always Resisted, but Now, I've Relented!
I've always resisted reading C.S. Lewis. This is a bit odd because many of the people I know rave about him, maybe even idolize him a bit. Come to think of it, perhaps that's the exact reason I've resisted taking him up.
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Who Do You Write Like?
Try this for fun: copy a few paragraphs from your blog or some other writing that you've done--fiction is best--into the dialog box at the following web site:
www.iwl.me
Click on the ANALYZE button, and presto! the program will analyze your writing and tell you who you write like.
As you can see, I've been analyzed.
I write like Kurt Vonnegut, famous and influential 20th century American writer. This didn't sound too bad, though I admit I had never read anything by him. So a few clicks on the keyboard and I brought up a few excerpts.
Hmm. What if I don't want to write like Kurt Vonnegut? I read some weird futuristic stuff, some stuff that was obviously influenced by his World War Two military service, and some stuff I just didn't get.
Maybe another piece of my writing would bring up another name. I found a story I had written back in my feminist awakening days and plugged it into the Analyzer at iwl.me. This time a new name that I had never heard before: Chuck Palahniuk. Okay, check him out. Wow, hmm, ooh, lots of police stories, prostitutes, drugs, awful things happening, blood, violence, etc., etc. Certainly not my first pick for curling up on the couch on a winter's eve for an engrossing read.
Anyway, today I went to the public library and took out three of Palahniuk's novels. The dust jacket of one of his books tells me that his books are "generation-defining" (another Douglas Coupland?) and that he's sold more than three million copies of his novels. Okay, maybe I should reconsider. Who wouldn't like that to be said about his or her writing?
I also took out Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box. It's a collection of his uncollected short fiction (that means previously unpublished in book form). I've sat here for the last hour reading four short stories, totally engrossed in the author's craft. Now I see why he's counted as one of the recent American greats.
I've changed my mind. I'll wear the Kurt Vonnegut badge.
Maybe I should give Palahniuk another chance. I think I'll check out his non-fiction.
www.iwl.me
Click on the ANALYZE button, and presto! the program will analyze your writing and tell you who you write like.
As you can see, I've been analyzed.
I write like Kurt Vonnegut, famous and influential 20th century American writer. This didn't sound too bad, though I admit I had never read anything by him. So a few clicks on the keyboard and I brought up a few excerpts.
Hmm. What if I don't want to write like Kurt Vonnegut? I read some weird futuristic stuff, some stuff that was obviously influenced by his World War Two military service, and some stuff I just didn't get.
Maybe another piece of my writing would bring up another name. I found a story I had written back in my feminist awakening days and plugged it into the Analyzer at iwl.me. This time a new name that I had never heard before: Chuck Palahniuk. Okay, check him out. Wow, hmm, ooh, lots of police stories, prostitutes, drugs, awful things happening, blood, violence, etc., etc. Certainly not my first pick for curling up on the couch on a winter's eve for an engrossing read.
Anyway, today I went to the public library and took out three of Palahniuk's novels. The dust jacket of one of his books tells me that his books are "generation-defining" (another Douglas Coupland?) and that he's sold more than three million copies of his novels. Okay, maybe I should reconsider. Who wouldn't like that to be said about his or her writing?
I also took out Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box. It's a collection of his uncollected short fiction (that means previously unpublished in book form). I've sat here for the last hour reading four short stories, totally engrossed in the author's craft. Now I see why he's counted as one of the recent American greats.
I've changed my mind. I'll wear the Kurt Vonnegut badge.
Maybe I should give Palahniuk another chance. I think I'll check out his non-fiction.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Strange Photo Caption
When the local weekly newspaper arrives in my mailbox, I glance through the ads, recycle them, and then browse through the paper, reading the articles that interest me. I like to keep up with what's happening in town.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Check-up!
I know it's only three days into the new year, but maybe it's a good time for a check-up to see how I'm doing on my resolutions. The one I'm interested in today is "Live Lean." Hmm. One trip to the grocery store and I've missed the mark already.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Is it Too Late for Resolutions?
I hope it's not too late to post my resolutions. Somehow, having them public seems to be a good thing. It makes me more accountable. At any time during the year, feel free to ask me how I'm doing on my resolutions. I've categorized them so it will be easier for me to keep track; as well, the list will be posted on my fridge.
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Trying to be Helpful
This morning, I drove by the mailbox as the driver was putting the mail into the slots for the houses in my area. A letter carrier was also collecting her bundle of mail from the truck and starting out on her route. As she started up the block, I saw something drop from her hand. From where I sat, it looked like a chain with keys. She didn't seem to notice, so I stopped my car, turned it around in the intersection, pulled over to the side, got out, and . . . no, it wasn't keys at all.
Four elastics. Four wide elastic bands--the kind used to bundle mail together for the carriers.
Hmm. The truth of what had happened dawned on me. Those elastics were not dropped by accident. The carrier unbundled her mail and THREW them on the ground. I picked them up, got back in my car, and continued on my errand run.
Thinking back over this, I wonder now how that letter carrier thought those elastics were going to be useful there in the snow. Or how they would be "recycled" through the layers of pavement once spring came and the snow melted away, to return to the earth from whence they came.
I wonder.
Four elastics. Four wide elastic bands--the kind used to bundle mail together for the carriers.
Hmm. The truth of what had happened dawned on me. Those elastics were not dropped by accident. The carrier unbundled her mail and THREW them on the ground. I picked them up, got back in my car, and continued on my errand run.
Thinking back over this, I wonder now how that letter carrier thought those elastics were going to be useful there in the snow. Or how they would be "recycled" through the layers of pavement once spring came and the snow melted away, to return to the earth from whence they came.
I wonder.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Solving My Own Problem in an Environmentally Friendly Way
Yesterday, I called the local home renovation centre and asked if they had any reel lawn mowers. “You know,” I said, “the kind without an electric or gasoline motor.”
“Oh,” said the woman on the other end of the line, “you mean you want one with a diesel engine.”
No, actually, what I meant was that I wanted one with no engine at all. I wanted the kind everyone used to have. Mechanical moving parts. A handle, two wheels, and several twisted blades that turned when the wheels turned. The design hasn’t changed much over the last century.
“Let me check and see what we have. It’s kind of late in the season. We might be all sold out.”
After a few minutes, her voice came back on the line. “We have one.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll come down and have a look.”
It was just what I was looking for. The handle and frame were turquoise and the blades were orange. A Gardena brand. Hmm . . . at $289 plus tax, the price seemed a bit steep for the end of the season and no motor. I’d have to think about it.
I called my son-in-law to see if he could stop by on his way home from work and have a look at it. He knows about all things mechanical. He was busy but said that he thought my next-door neighbour used to have a push mower.
“Maybe you could try before you buy," he said. "Just ask. Maybe they’ll let you try theirs out.”
Good advice, as usual. Today, I saw my neighbour out tending her beautiful flowers in her yard, so I took the opportunity and popped over. I explained my situation and she said, “Sure.”
She opened her garden shed and there was . . . the exact same model as the one I had just seen for $289 (plus tax!).
“If you want, I’ll even sell it to you,” she said.
That was music to my ears! Back over to my side of the fence. Up and down in rows not-quite-straight. The grass was actually a bit too long—I had let it go for too many weeks without a trim—and so in some places, the mower didn’t exactly cut, more like just mashed the grass down. But back and forth a few times in the same spot solved the problem. I was out there in the front and back yard for more than an hour. These mowers don’t have a handy bag that catches all the grass, so raking is necessary unless you want to go au naturel and leave the clippings. Because the grass was so long, I decided to rake this time.
I knocked on my neighbour’s door. “The good points are: I can work it, but I’m not crazy about yard work, but it’s good exercise and I can do it myself. I don’t have to fiddle with it to start it or mess around with gasoline. How much do you want for it?”
I held my breath. Any amount less than $289 would sound good to me. She had used it for about six years, she told me, but really, what can go wrong with this type of mower?
“How does fifty dollars sound?”
More music! I had been prepared in my mind for two, three times as much! I was delighted!
“I’ll run to the bank and get you the money right now,” I said.
“Well, take it easy for a bit and cool down,” she said.
I must have been working harder than I thought. My car keys were in my pocket. I opened the garage door. Having conquered the mower, I hauled out my bike. Cheap to run and provides some exercise. Just like my new lawn mower!
“Oh,” said the woman on the other end of the line, “you mean you want one with a diesel engine.”
No, actually, what I meant was that I wanted one with no engine at all. I wanted the kind everyone used to have. Mechanical moving parts. A handle, two wheels, and several twisted blades that turned when the wheels turned. The design hasn’t changed much over the last century.
“Let me check and see what we have. It’s kind of late in the season. We might be all sold out.”
After a few minutes, her voice came back on the line. “We have one.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll come down and have a look.”
It was just what I was looking for. The handle and frame were turquoise and the blades were orange. A Gardena brand. Hmm . . . at $289 plus tax, the price seemed a bit steep for the end of the season and no motor. I’d have to think about it.
I called my son-in-law to see if he could stop by on his way home from work and have a look at it. He knows about all things mechanical. He was busy but said that he thought my next-door neighbour used to have a push mower.
“Maybe you could try before you buy," he said. "Just ask. Maybe they’ll let you try theirs out.”
Good advice, as usual. Today, I saw my neighbour out tending her beautiful flowers in her yard, so I took the opportunity and popped over. I explained my situation and she said, “Sure.”
She opened her garden shed and there was . . . the exact same model as the one I had just seen for $289 (plus tax!).
“If you want, I’ll even sell it to you,” she said.
That was music to my ears! Back over to my side of the fence. Up and down in rows not-quite-straight. The grass was actually a bit too long—I had let it go for too many weeks without a trim—and so in some places, the mower didn’t exactly cut, more like just mashed the grass down. But back and forth a few times in the same spot solved the problem. I was out there in the front and back yard for more than an hour. These mowers don’t have a handy bag that catches all the grass, so raking is necessary unless you want to go au naturel and leave the clippings. Because the grass was so long, I decided to rake this time.
I knocked on my neighbour’s door. “The good points are: I can work it, but I’m not crazy about yard work, but it’s good exercise and I can do it myself. I don’t have to fiddle with it to start it or mess around with gasoline. How much do you want for it?”
I held my breath. Any amount less than $289 would sound good to me. She had used it for about six years, she told me, but really, what can go wrong with this type of mower?
“How does fifty dollars sound?”
More music! I had been prepared in my mind for two, three times as much! I was delighted!
“I’ll run to the bank and get you the money right now,” I said.
“Well, take it easy for a bit and cool down,” she said.
I must have been working harder than I thought. My car keys were in my pocket. I opened the garage door. Having conquered the mower, I hauled out my bike. Cheap to run and provides some exercise. Just like my new lawn mower!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Ready and Willing
I'm the kind of person who, if a friend mentions a book that he or she is reading, I'll read it, too, so we can talk about it together. That's always my hope, anyway.
Once I slogged through an 1,100-page biography of American actress Lilian Hellman because a friend said she was reading a biography of Hellman. It didn't quite work out as I thought, though. The book I got from the library was a biography of Hellman, but, unfortunately, it wasn't the same biography as my friend was reading. Imagine being famous enough to have two fat biographies written about you! Anyway, we never did discuss it.
Then there's my Spanish-speaking friend. "I'm reading Robinson Crusoe," she announced one day. "I've already read it in Spanish, but now I'm going to read it in English."
Wanting to encourage her, I said, "That's great! It's been a while since I've read it. I'll read along too and then we can discuss it!"
As this was a relatively non-busy time for me, I whipped through the library copy fairly quickly--a week or less. I was ready to discuss!
"How are you coming along with Crusoe?" I asked one day shortly after that. Well, now that school was back in, it was a relatively very busy time for her as she was taking six courses, and Robinson Crusoe was left on his island by himself. Another book I never discussed!
Now it's summer again, a time for relaxing and, yes, reading the afternoons away. Having abandoned Crusoe, my Spanish-speaking friend is braving Wuthering Heights. This time, I didn't have to run to the public library to get a copy. Right during our Skype conversation, I pulled my own copy off my bookshelf, noting that I had read it during a fourth-year Women and Literature course in the Spring 1996 semester. Fourteen years ago! No wonder the details were foggy!
I promoted it to my bedside table and am making my way across the heath and cliffs. Last MSN conversation I had with my friend, I casually asked, "How are you making out with Wuthering Heights? I'm on page 48."
"Ahhhhhh!" she shrieked. "I haven't even got my copy yet."
Is this another not-to-be-discussed book? I hope not because my copy is a veritable rainbow of highlighting--blue for the supernatural (devil, angels, hell, heaven), yellow for banishment or exile, orange - Nelly, pink - forgiveness, and green for references to the landscape. Such a shame to let all that work go to waste! I'm not sure if the discussions will ever take place, but I'll keep on reading, just in case.
Tonight, I was talking with a friend whom I haven't seen for more than 30 years, but who recently reconnected with me. You guessed it. She mentioned a book she's reading: Why I'm Not a Calvinist. "Ah-ha!" I pounced. "I have the companion volume, Why I'm Not an Arminian. You read yours, and I'll read mine, and then we can talk about them."
Even as I said these words, I was reminded of some verses in James:
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15).
As a strong believer in the sovereignty of God, I rephrase: "You read yours, and I'll read mine, and then we can talk about them . . . if the Lord wills."
Once I slogged through an 1,100-page biography of American actress Lilian Hellman because a friend said she was reading a biography of Hellman. It didn't quite work out as I thought, though. The book I got from the library was a biography of Hellman, but, unfortunately, it wasn't the same biography as my friend was reading. Imagine being famous enough to have two fat biographies written about you! Anyway, we never did discuss it.
Then there's my Spanish-speaking friend. "I'm reading Robinson Crusoe," she announced one day. "I've already read it in Spanish, but now I'm going to read it in English."
Wanting to encourage her, I said, "That's great! It's been a while since I've read it. I'll read along too and then we can discuss it!"
As this was a relatively non-busy time for me, I whipped through the library copy fairly quickly--a week or less. I was ready to discuss!
"How are you coming along with Crusoe?" I asked one day shortly after that. Well, now that school was back in, it was a relatively very busy time for her as she was taking six courses, and Robinson Crusoe was left on his island by himself. Another book I never discussed!
Now it's summer again, a time for relaxing and, yes, reading the afternoons away. Having abandoned Crusoe, my Spanish-speaking friend is braving Wuthering Heights. This time, I didn't have to run to the public library to get a copy. Right during our Skype conversation, I pulled my own copy off my bookshelf, noting that I had read it during a fourth-year Women and Literature course in the Spring 1996 semester. Fourteen years ago! No wonder the details were foggy!
I promoted it to my bedside table and am making my way across the heath and cliffs. Last MSN conversation I had with my friend, I casually asked, "How are you making out with Wuthering Heights? I'm on page 48."
"Ahhhhhh!" she shrieked. "I haven't even got my copy yet."
Is this another not-to-be-discussed book? I hope not because my copy is a veritable rainbow of highlighting--blue for the supernatural (devil, angels, hell, heaven), yellow for banishment or exile, orange - Nelly, pink - forgiveness, and green for references to the landscape. Such a shame to let all that work go to waste! I'm not sure if the discussions will ever take place, but I'll keep on reading, just in case.
Tonight, I was talking with a friend whom I haven't seen for more than 30 years, but who recently reconnected with me. You guessed it. She mentioned a book she's reading: Why I'm Not a Calvinist. "Ah-ha!" I pounced. "I have the companion volume, Why I'm Not an Arminian. You read yours, and I'll read mine, and then we can talk about them."
Even as I said these words, I was reminded of some verses in James:
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15).
As a strong believer in the sovereignty of God, I rephrase: "You read yours, and I'll read mine, and then we can talk about them . . . if the Lord wills."
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Folly
All over, in many cities and towns across North America, this weekend was a soccer weekend. No, I’m not talking about the FIFA World Cup. It was something on a smaller scale—thousands of kids played in outdoor soccer leagues during May and June, and this weekend was the tournament weekend.
Parents and grandparents ferried their kids and grandkids to the fields, watched them play, cheered them on, and proudly took photos of the kids receiving their medals. For the younger ones, participation is rewarded, with everyone on every team getting the same medal. For the older kids, they are out there hustling for the gold, silver, or bronze!
Such an event takes lots of planning, and I salute those who did such a great job. Coaches, too, deserve a round of applause for dedicating at least two evenings a week for two months to helping the kids develop their skills and encouraging team play.
Of course, with hundreds of kids gathered for hours on end, there need to be “facilities.” And there were. Johnny was On the Spot, and made use of during the day. It was hot; the kids are running hard and drinking lots of water. You see my point.
It being the weekend, however, those companies that supplied the Johnny on the Spot facilities were not available to collect them after the tournament was over on Sunday. I guess workers will arrive on Monday to do that job.
Where is the folly that the title alludes to? Well, this afternoon I saw several young people (teens) do something foolish. They were crossing one of the school yards where the soccer tournament had taken place. On seeing the Johnny on the Spot that was waiting to be removed, they took matters into their own hands and tipped the small grey building over. This was accompanied by pushing, shoving, and lots of laughter. They quickly went on their way and disappeared from the field.
When those teens arrived home, and their parents asked them what they had been doing that afternoon, my guess is that they did not tell their parents about what they had done. Probably their parents would not have been amused.
Neither will the workers who arrive at the field on Monday to pick up their cargo. Johnny is no longer on the spot where it had been installed.
Parents and grandparents ferried their kids and grandkids to the fields, watched them play, cheered them on, and proudly took photos of the kids receiving their medals. For the younger ones, participation is rewarded, with everyone on every team getting the same medal. For the older kids, they are out there hustling for the gold, silver, or bronze!
Such an event takes lots of planning, and I salute those who did such a great job. Coaches, too, deserve a round of applause for dedicating at least two evenings a week for two months to helping the kids develop their skills and encouraging team play.
Of course, with hundreds of kids gathered for hours on end, there need to be “facilities.” And there were. Johnny was On the Spot, and made use of during the day. It was hot; the kids are running hard and drinking lots of water. You see my point.
It being the weekend, however, those companies that supplied the Johnny on the Spot facilities were not available to collect them after the tournament was over on Sunday. I guess workers will arrive on Monday to do that job.
Where is the folly that the title alludes to? Well, this afternoon I saw several young people (teens) do something foolish. They were crossing one of the school yards where the soccer tournament had taken place. On seeing the Johnny on the Spot that was waiting to be removed, they took matters into their own hands and tipped the small grey building over. This was accompanied by pushing, shoving, and lots of laughter. They quickly went on their way and disappeared from the field.
When those teens arrived home, and their parents asked them what they had been doing that afternoon, my guess is that they did not tell their parents about what they had done. Probably their parents would not have been amused.
Neither will the workers who arrive at the field on Monday to pick up their cargo. Johnny is no longer on the spot where it had been installed.
Monday, June 7, 2010
One True Sentence
A friend was staying with me this weekend. She’s a writer, with 16 fiction and non-fiction books to her credit, plus hundreds of articles and short stories, some of which have been anthologized. She teaches writing workshops to school children as well as to adults.
She was telling me that, over the years, she’s had 38 jobs. Some lasted only one day. Her last job lasted for 12 years. Once, she up and quit her job, called up her travel agent, and said she wanted an adventure. She got one: on his advice, she, her husband, and their two daughters left Canada for a year to live in Australia.
She has what I call a “spirit of adventure.” Not only does she do many different things, she mines each experience for the most it can give her. She meets people, talks to them, takes a genuine interest in what they do and in their lives, and then composts all those experiences into fertile soil for her writing.
She’s a great story-teller. Story after story, one leading right to another, the words rush out of her mouth, putting the listener in the middle of the scene. With all her adventures as foundation, she has many tales. Yarns they might have been called in another era. But they’re something more than that. They’re art.
Art? Yes, art. Life happens. Life is messy. It’s the unexpected, the unexplainable, the unpredictable. Life is definitely not art.
Art, on the other hand, is Life Arranged. The medium doesn’t matter. We compose a photograph, moving over slightly to avoid the appearance of a tree branch sticking out of someone’s head. A painter arranges and interprets a scene, adding something here, removing something there to make a harmonious whole. Even a portrait that looks the very likeness of its subject is the result of an artist’s mind and hand working in concert to interpret the face, the posture, the body language, the light, the shadow. A writer, also, arranges: time, events, moods, accidents, coincidences, and a cast of characters to tell the story.
I’ve been inspired! I want to rev up my spirit of adventure. This doesn’t mean I’ll be taking off for Australia any time soon, but I want to soak up all I can from the experiences I have. I want to gather raw material and put it into the composter. I want to remember the details—colours, smells, sounds, faces, postures—so when I tell a story, it’s true.
Even if it’s not exactly the way it happened, it will still be true.
She was telling me that, over the years, she’s had 38 jobs. Some lasted only one day. Her last job lasted for 12 years. Once, she up and quit her job, called up her travel agent, and said she wanted an adventure. She got one: on his advice, she, her husband, and their two daughters left Canada for a year to live in Australia.
She has what I call a “spirit of adventure.” Not only does she do many different things, she mines each experience for the most it can give her. She meets people, talks to them, takes a genuine interest in what they do and in their lives, and then composts all those experiences into fertile soil for her writing.
She’s a great story-teller. Story after story, one leading right to another, the words rush out of her mouth, putting the listener in the middle of the scene. With all her adventures as foundation, she has many tales. Yarns they might have been called in another era. But they’re something more than that. They’re art.
Art? Yes, art. Life happens. Life is messy. It’s the unexpected, the unexplainable, the unpredictable. Life is definitely not art.
Art, on the other hand, is Life Arranged. The medium doesn’t matter. We compose a photograph, moving over slightly to avoid the appearance of a tree branch sticking out of someone’s head. A painter arranges and interprets a scene, adding something here, removing something there to make a harmonious whole. Even a portrait that looks the very likeness of its subject is the result of an artist’s mind and hand working in concert to interpret the face, the posture, the body language, the light, the shadow. A writer, also, arranges: time, events, moods, accidents, coincidences, and a cast of characters to tell the story.
I’ve been inspired! I want to rev up my spirit of adventure. This doesn’t mean I’ll be taking off for Australia any time soon, but I want to soak up all I can from the experiences I have. I want to gather raw material and put it into the composter. I want to remember the details—colours, smells, sounds, faces, postures—so when I tell a story, it’s true.
Even if it’s not exactly the way it happened, it will still be true.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cheap at Twice the Price!
I received some advertising today from a national (maybe inter- or multinational) company that sells a variety of electronics goods and gadgets. Not being important enough for a cell phone and not owning an iAnything, I don’t often shop at this store, but today, something in the ad caught my eye.
The price wasn’t too high, only $79.95. Oh . . . then I saw the small print: on a 3-yr. term ($399.95 no term). Hmm . . . well, that upped the ante quite a bit, but still not too far out of reach.
The paragraph describing the item was sprinkled with words with the TM (Trade Mark) beside them, words that even my Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, doesn’t carry. I guessed that DEXT had something to do with text, and MOTOBLUR—this sounded a bit negative to me, as if I wouldn’t want it, but apparently, it must be something excellent as it was mentioned twice in the small paragraph, once preceded by the word Only.
The photo showed what I’ll call a two-layer cell phone, a cell phone with a little sliding tray with a mini-QWERTY keyboard. It claimed to be a smartphone, Bluetooth compatible, with a 5 mp camera, capable of sending and receiving e-mail, media-ready, Internet-ready, and Wi-Fi ready.
Now I must admit that I have been a bit left behind in the electronic revolution. Once a few years ago, I thought I was ahead, but now I know I’m not. I’m running pretty close to the back of the pack.
I wasn’t interested in this ad because I think I need a cell phone. No, no! And I have a camera already and a cheap mp3 player, the name of which does not begin with “i.” If I want to send or read my e-mail, I actually sit down in front of my computer at work or at home and compose or read my messages.
No, I was interested in what this smartphone promised to bring to my life, beyond the fact that I’d have “no apps to open and no menus to dig through.” No, I was interested in only one thing.
It’s something that I’ve worked hard all my life to achieve, and yet, it still seems to elude me. I’ve put in lots of effort, sometimes some money, and plenty of time over the years. I’ve spent hour upon hour talking on the phone to friends and family, helping them through crises of one sort or another. I’ve stayed up all night on occasion, more than one, to comfort a friend. I’ve carried on thousands of conversations with myself in my head, practicing what I’d say in certain touchy situations, so it would come out right and wouldn’t offend. I’d worked hard, and now, I was confronted with the upsetting news that I could have saved myself the trouble. For a mere $400 less loose change, I was being promised something I’d been on the qui vive for all my life.
Instant social gratification. Yes, that’s what this ad promised, as incredible as it may sound! Doesn't that seem like the answer to world war, world peace, global warming, global cooling, climate change, environmental degradation, and all the other ills of this world? Think of those three words separately--instant . . . social . . . gratification—and now put them together for a powerhouse expression—instant social gratification. Who wouldn’t want this?
For $400, sign me up!
The price wasn’t too high, only $79.95. Oh . . . then I saw the small print: on a 3-yr. term ($399.95 no term). Hmm . . . well, that upped the ante quite a bit, but still not too far out of reach.
The paragraph describing the item was sprinkled with words with the TM (Trade Mark) beside them, words that even my Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, doesn’t carry. I guessed that DEXT had something to do with text, and MOTOBLUR—this sounded a bit negative to me, as if I wouldn’t want it, but apparently, it must be something excellent as it was mentioned twice in the small paragraph, once preceded by the word Only.
The photo showed what I’ll call a two-layer cell phone, a cell phone with a little sliding tray with a mini-QWERTY keyboard. It claimed to be a smartphone, Bluetooth compatible, with a 5 mp camera, capable of sending and receiving e-mail, media-ready, Internet-ready, and Wi-Fi ready.Now I must admit that I have been a bit left behind in the electronic revolution. Once a few years ago, I thought I was ahead, but now I know I’m not. I’m running pretty close to the back of the pack.
I wasn’t interested in this ad because I think I need a cell phone. No, no! And I have a camera already and a cheap mp3 player, the name of which does not begin with “i.” If I want to send or read my e-mail, I actually sit down in front of my computer at work or at home and compose or read my messages.
No, I was interested in what this smartphone promised to bring to my life, beyond the fact that I’d have “no apps to open and no menus to dig through.” No, I was interested in only one thing.
It’s something that I’ve worked hard all my life to achieve, and yet, it still seems to elude me. I’ve put in lots of effort, sometimes some money, and plenty of time over the years. I’ve spent hour upon hour talking on the phone to friends and family, helping them through crises of one sort or another. I’ve stayed up all night on occasion, more than one, to comfort a friend. I’ve carried on thousands of conversations with myself in my head, practicing what I’d say in certain touchy situations, so it would come out right and wouldn’t offend. I’d worked hard, and now, I was confronted with the upsetting news that I could have saved myself the trouble. For a mere $400 less loose change, I was being promised something I’d been on the qui vive for all my life.
Instant social gratification. Yes, that’s what this ad promised, as incredible as it may sound! Doesn't that seem like the answer to world war, world peace, global warming, global cooling, climate change, environmental degradation, and all the other ills of this world? Think of those three words separately--instant . . . social . . . gratification—and now put them together for a powerhouse expression—instant social gratification. Who wouldn’t want this?
For $400, sign me up!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Number of our Days
There was a lot going on in town today. It was the annual Bluey Day. It’s a day, when in sympathy for those who undergo chemotherapy, and, as a result, lose their hair, people young and old voluntarily shave their heads. In preparation for today, my grandson's 11-year-old friend dyed his hair bright pink a month ago. Both of his grandmas had breast cancer and one died from it.
A couple of weeks ago, he sent me an e-mail, asking if I would like to sponsor him, and I said yes, of course I would. Today when we arrived at the shearing station to cheer him on, he was $1.70 short of having raised $2010. The significance of the amount did not escape us, and I hunted through my change for the $1.70. When his turn came, we watched as the volunteer from the hair salon ploughed a path from his forehead to the nape of his neck with her electric cutter. After his head was shaved, we took pictures of the kids with him. Well done!
Another event today was the annual Relay for Life, a fundraiser that takes place in towns and cities large and small all across the nation. The junior high school track is the site for this 10-hour walk, with teams sporting names such as the Chemo Queens, Gunning for Cancer, and the Rootin’, Tootin’, Shootin’ for Pink Mountain Mamas. On the Memory Board, participants can post photos of those who have died from cancer. The closing ceremony, with more than a thousand luminaries (a white paper bag decorated with the name of someone who has survived or died from cancer; a tea light candle is placed inside the bag) lining the edge of the track is quite moving. The word HOPE is spelled out with luminaries. We walk a silent lap and remember.How much time and money will it take before cancer is beaten? I don’t know . . . but these events remind me that we are not God . . . and neither is cancer.
It is God who gives us our breath. When we leave this earth, it is not some random accident. Our life is in God’s hands. He knows the number of our days.
Our hope is not in research funding, as needful as that is. It is not in earlier detection, better care, or chemical miracles.
Our hope is our God and our Saviour. Psalm 71:5 says: For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
On days like today, this comforts me.
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