Oh, Evolve!
In desperation I've been known to say (aloud or, more often, silently to myself) "Oh, grow up!" , but I know that growing UP does not necessarily mean growing BETTER!
I wonder what people will say when I tell them to evolve?
I wonder what I will think when people say it to me?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Endings and Beginnings
Much like the groundhog on February second, I arose from my hibernation in the basement late yesterday afternoon and found a whole bunch of things have been going on in my "absence."
First of all, the reason for my hibernation was an August first deadline to turn in my revised handbook for the "Conversation" seminar. Seems I was told it was due September first but they thought they had told me June first....so we compromised on August first. As a result, other than water aerobics and mother visits, I've pretty much been attached to my computer for the past few weeks. But it's done! It's in the mail! The end of that project and the beginning of the next work project....but the next project can wait just a bit.
Today is my grand-nephew's first birthday. A year ago he was born with an infection that landed him in the NICU for the first week of his life. He recovered fine, is totally normal and wonderfully healthy. Thanks be to God! End of the first year, beginning of the next 99 or so...and today they celebrate!
Six weeks after a horrific car accident, my cousin's wife was moved from the trauma hospital to a convalescent center to rest for a few weeks prior to the final skin graft surgery. Incredibly, the fire fighters who saved her life at the accident scene last June volunteered to transport her from the hospital in Seattle to the convalescent center in Redmond for FREE on their DAD OFF! The end of her critical/crisis stage of recovery, the beginning of re-hab....and I'm sure the beginning of a long bond between my cousin's family and the Redmond fire department!
We have chosen someone to be our new pastor! Our call committee is excited! The various necessary "hoops" are easily being jumped through and we expect to present him to the church council next week. If all continues to go well, he will be approved by the council and the congregation will vote to extend the call. End of a long time of uncertainty for the congregation, beginning of all sorts of good things!
As much as I'd like it to be, life isn't a neatly organized "to do" list where I can scratch off completed tasks but it is nice that during my "hibernation" a few biggies did resolve themselves!
First of all, the reason for my hibernation was an August first deadline to turn in my revised handbook for the "Conversation" seminar. Seems I was told it was due September first but they thought they had told me June first....so we compromised on August first. As a result, other than water aerobics and mother visits, I've pretty much been attached to my computer for the past few weeks. But it's done! It's in the mail! The end of that project and the beginning of the next work project....but the next project can wait just a bit.
Today is my grand-nephew's first birthday. A year ago he was born with an infection that landed him in the NICU for the first week of his life. He recovered fine, is totally normal and wonderfully healthy. Thanks be to God! End of the first year, beginning of the next 99 or so...and today they celebrate!
Six weeks after a horrific car accident, my cousin's wife was moved from the trauma hospital to a convalescent center to rest for a few weeks prior to the final skin graft surgery. Incredibly, the fire fighters who saved her life at the accident scene last June volunteered to transport her from the hospital in Seattle to the convalescent center in Redmond for FREE on their DAD OFF! The end of her critical/crisis stage of recovery, the beginning of re-hab....and I'm sure the beginning of a long bond between my cousin's family and the Redmond fire department!
We have chosen someone to be our new pastor! Our call committee is excited! The various necessary "hoops" are easily being jumped through and we expect to present him to the church council next week. If all continues to go well, he will be approved by the council and the congregation will vote to extend the call. End of a long time of uncertainty for the congregation, beginning of all sorts of good things!
As much as I'd like it to be, life isn't a neatly organized "to do" list where I can scratch off completed tasks but it is nice that during my "hibernation" a few biggies did resolve themselves!
Friday, July 24, 2009
With just one more surprise.....
A semi-contemporary hymn called "Borning Cry" almost always reduces me to tears in spite of it's sappiness. It tells of God being here for our "borning cry" and each verse goes through how God is with us through succeeding stages of life. The last verse says something like, "In later years I'll still be there with just one more surprise".
God does love surprises!
I was reminded of that this morning when I found out that my mother's verbally abusive roommate had been moved to another room. Yesterday the roommate did something abusive in full view of the nursing home staff and finally, with indisputable proof, the administration imposed a real consequence. We are all extremely relieved.
The funny thing is that this situation which has seemed so hopeless for many weeks made me do something different. I started to pray regularly for the ROOMMATE. God obviously cares about my mom, but I think this prayer was answered for the roommate. It may be that this event will bring her the assistance she obviously needs with emotional issues.
On another topic, Kevin is having a wonderful summer in California...playing great music in a beautiful setting with ample opportunities for lessons, practice, bike-riding, and regular treats from the "rich divorcees" who have "adopted" the percussion section. He has nothing on his plate when he returns in August. I'm less worried than in the past because I've seen God "surprise" Kevin over and over again.
I'm past praying that Kevin win a certain audition and more into thanking Him for past "surprises" and trusting that God's got some great new plan.
I'm not saccharine and do wonder what "one more surprise" God has in mind for unemployed family members or friends, for very ill family and friends, and for the new young widow at our church. I do know that I have to stop "telling" God what to do in all those situations and trust in the message of a sappy....but true....hymn.
God does love surprises!
I was reminded of that this morning when I found out that my mother's verbally abusive roommate had been moved to another room. Yesterday the roommate did something abusive in full view of the nursing home staff and finally, with indisputable proof, the administration imposed a real consequence. We are all extremely relieved.
The funny thing is that this situation which has seemed so hopeless for many weeks made me do something different. I started to pray regularly for the ROOMMATE. God obviously cares about my mom, but I think this prayer was answered for the roommate. It may be that this event will bring her the assistance she obviously needs with emotional issues.
On another topic, Kevin is having a wonderful summer in California...playing great music in a beautiful setting with ample opportunities for lessons, practice, bike-riding, and regular treats from the "rich divorcees" who have "adopted" the percussion section. He has nothing on his plate when he returns in August. I'm less worried than in the past because I've seen God "surprise" Kevin over and over again.
I'm past praying that Kevin win a certain audition and more into thanking Him for past "surprises" and trusting that God's got some great new plan.
I'm not saccharine and do wonder what "one more surprise" God has in mind for unemployed family members or friends, for very ill family and friends, and for the new young widow at our church. I do know that I have to stop "telling" God what to do in all those situations and trust in the message of a sappy....but true....hymn.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Noise
My ears are tired.
As I write, our neighbor is mowing his lawn right outside the window and a very large tree is being chopped down in the other neighbor's parkway. Smash, bang, buzz, grind!
When I visited my mother yesterday they were mowing the lawn at the nursing home. Throughout our visit on the patio I kept saying "Huh?" to everything Mom said because I was competing with multiple leaf blowers.
As "homework" for the church call committee, I recently listed to a sermon on-line. In order to hear better, I used external speakers. This person said some things very loudly then spoke very softly to emphasize an idea. Unfortunately, in order to hear the soft speaking I had the volume so high that the loud comments physically hurt!
My husband snores. Usually I push on his shoulder, he turns on his side and the snoring stops, but sometimes I give up and go sleep on the couch.
Yesterday a 50-something man from our church who was receiving chemotherapy simply didn't wake up in the morning. I can't imagine the grief of his wife waking up to that quiet.
I'm not complaining about noise any more. Quiet can be tragic.
As I write, our neighbor is mowing his lawn right outside the window and a very large tree is being chopped down in the other neighbor's parkway. Smash, bang, buzz, grind!
When I visited my mother yesterday they were mowing the lawn at the nursing home. Throughout our visit on the patio I kept saying "Huh?" to everything Mom said because I was competing with multiple leaf blowers.
As "homework" for the church call committee, I recently listed to a sermon on-line. In order to hear better, I used external speakers. This person said some things very loudly then spoke very softly to emphasize an idea. Unfortunately, in order to hear the soft speaking I had the volume so high that the loud comments physically hurt!
My husband snores. Usually I push on his shoulder, he turns on his side and the snoring stops, but sometimes I give up and go sleep on the couch.
Yesterday a 50-something man from our church who was receiving chemotherapy simply didn't wake up in the morning. I can't imagine the grief of his wife waking up to that quiet.
I'm not complaining about noise any more. Quiet can be tragic.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The "Kitchen King"
I just returned from helping serve at the soup kitchen where I was blown away by one of the employees.
This man's title is probably something like "kitchen assistant" but it should be "kitchen king". He had the food we brought put away before we even set it on the counter. He had every utensil we needed for food preparation already in place. With gentle assistance, he cheerfully taught us the most efficient way to cut watermelon. He moved quickly but with amazing efficiency.
Then it was time to serve the people. As I dished out sloppy joes I watched him interact with the people. He seemed to be everywhere at once, keeping order, seeing needs, treating people with great dignity. He cleaned away used plates and wiped tablecloths in exactly the same manner as a waiter in a classy French restaurant.
He worked as though he owned this restaurant and was going to make it the best restaurant in the city.
In any service situation, I always get more than I give. Today the "kitchen king" gave me a tremendous example of what it means to serve with grace in a humble setting. Reminds me of a certain carpenter who did the same sort of thing 2000 years ago!
This man's title is probably something like "kitchen assistant" but it should be "kitchen king". He had the food we brought put away before we even set it on the counter. He had every utensil we needed for food preparation already in place. With gentle assistance, he cheerfully taught us the most efficient way to cut watermelon. He moved quickly but with amazing efficiency.
Then it was time to serve the people. As I dished out sloppy joes I watched him interact with the people. He seemed to be everywhere at once, keeping order, seeing needs, treating people with great dignity. He cleaned away used plates and wiped tablecloths in exactly the same manner as a waiter in a classy French restaurant.
He worked as though he owned this restaurant and was going to make it the best restaurant in the city.
In any service situation, I always get more than I give. Today the "kitchen king" gave me a tremendous example of what it means to serve with grace in a humble setting. Reminds me of a certain carpenter who did the same sort of thing 2000 years ago!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Adventures Await
Today the long awaited BER letter arrived....my list of locations for seminars next year.
Being my fourth year of this BER adventure means I'm returning to some places. I even know some of the hotels I'll probably be staying at.
Old Favorites:
Burlington, VT--one of the prettiest places in the country....but I'll be there for a second dreary November visit. The hotel looks out on the lake, there are lots of cool shops in this college town, and there's a nearby restaurant where you can get lobster rolls! Last time it rained and we couldn't see the lake. We arrived after the shops closed and couldn't shop on our way out because we had a long drive to Portland ahead. I see that this year I'm driving in from Portland, so once again we'll miss the shops! Oh, well, I probably don't need a thick Vermont sweater or Vermont Teddy Bear anyway.
Portland, Maine---Ken and I loved this city while on vacation. When I returned with BER two years ago I was looking forward to lobster and ocean and cute shops. Not to be! We were at a crummy Holiday Inn in a strip mall far from water. "Dinner" was a soggy tuna sandwich from the grocery store in the shopping center because there was NO restaurant open at the ghastly late hour we arrived (maybe 9:00 p.m.)
The seminar in Portland was notable, however, as I had a dog as a participant! Seems a woman was training an assist dog that was sitting under the table--unknown to me. As part of one of my audience participation stunts, I tossed a koosh ball at her. She missed and it landed on the dog...who handled this disturbance pretty well considering. I'm a little more careful about the recipients of my ball tossing these days.
If I'm again in that crummy hotel, again miss a lobster dinner, and again have a four-legged participant...Portland still has a WONDERFUL perk. In the tiny Portland airport there is a Maine tourist shop and it carries Moose Mania calendars. Life will be good if I can have my fourth year in a row with my happy Moose calendar! (Two bought in Minneapolis, two in Portland)
Providence, R.I: Maybe this trip I'll actually SET FOOT in Rhode Island. On our family trip to Boston and Cape Cod we drove through Rhode Island fully intending to stop, get out of the car, and STAND ON Rhode Island (the necessary step to claim official "I've been to...." status.) Unfortunately, we blinked and were out of the state. Last Spring I returned with BER...except we actually stayed in Seaconk, MA which is located a few feet from Providence. Once again, I didn't actually set foot in the state. Maybe this time!
In Providence (AKA Seaconk) we stay at the Johnson and Wales Inn which is quite interesting. It's totally run by students at the famous hospitality school there. It's an interesting building with places where you have to go up a level to go down two levels. I'm also told it has a ghost. Oooooooooooooo,,,,
The rest of the repeats are not inspiring. Various midwest and various upstate New York and New Jersey sites. Boston, Seattle and Portland,OR are cool, but all are mid-week, so not much chance to see anything. The three new places will be interesting: Edmonton and Calgary in Canada and San Jose, CA.
Of course, I was hoping they'd send me mostly to places I had not yet been - maybe the south in February? Maybe Hawaii? Maybe Texas in March? Maybe a Monday or Friday to "stay over" in Maryland near my niece, or Denver near my brother and sister-in-law, maybe South Carolina near friend Donna, maybe San Antonio near brother-in-law Bill, maybe Boise near sister-in-law Kris, maybe Florida near Mickey Mouse!
But maybe they're on to something. Maybe BER knows that Newark will be the new "in" destination, that New Hampshire will be sunny and warm in November, that Minneapolis will be snow free and balmy in February, and that we'll stay in the North End above an Italian restaurant in Boston.
A girl can dream, can't she?
Being my fourth year of this BER adventure means I'm returning to some places. I even know some of the hotels I'll probably be staying at.
Old Favorites:
Burlington, VT--one of the prettiest places in the country....but I'll be there for a second dreary November visit. The hotel looks out on the lake, there are lots of cool shops in this college town, and there's a nearby restaurant where you can get lobster rolls! Last time it rained and we couldn't see the lake. We arrived after the shops closed and couldn't shop on our way out because we had a long drive to Portland ahead. I see that this year I'm driving in from Portland, so once again we'll miss the shops! Oh, well, I probably don't need a thick Vermont sweater or Vermont Teddy Bear anyway.
Portland, Maine---Ken and I loved this city while on vacation. When I returned with BER two years ago I was looking forward to lobster and ocean and cute shops. Not to be! We were at a crummy Holiday Inn in a strip mall far from water. "Dinner" was a soggy tuna sandwich from the grocery store in the shopping center because there was NO restaurant open at the ghastly late hour we arrived (maybe 9:00 p.m.)
The seminar in Portland was notable, however, as I had a dog as a participant! Seems a woman was training an assist dog that was sitting under the table--unknown to me. As part of one of my audience participation stunts, I tossed a koosh ball at her. She missed and it landed on the dog...who handled this disturbance pretty well considering. I'm a little more careful about the recipients of my ball tossing these days.
If I'm again in that crummy hotel, again miss a lobster dinner, and again have a four-legged participant...Portland still has a WONDERFUL perk. In the tiny Portland airport there is a Maine tourist shop and it carries Moose Mania calendars. Life will be good if I can have my fourth year in a row with my happy Moose calendar! (Two bought in Minneapolis, two in Portland)
Providence, R.I: Maybe this trip I'll actually SET FOOT in Rhode Island. On our family trip to Boston and Cape Cod we drove through Rhode Island fully intending to stop, get out of the car, and STAND ON Rhode Island (the necessary step to claim official "I've been to...." status.) Unfortunately, we blinked and were out of the state. Last Spring I returned with BER...except we actually stayed in Seaconk, MA which is located a few feet from Providence. Once again, I didn't actually set foot in the state. Maybe this time!
In Providence (AKA Seaconk) we stay at the Johnson and Wales Inn which is quite interesting. It's totally run by students at the famous hospitality school there. It's an interesting building with places where you have to go up a level to go down two levels. I'm also told it has a ghost. Oooooooooooooo,,,,
The rest of the repeats are not inspiring. Various midwest and various upstate New York and New Jersey sites. Boston, Seattle and Portland,OR are cool, but all are mid-week, so not much chance to see anything. The three new places will be interesting: Edmonton and Calgary in Canada and San Jose, CA.
Of course, I was hoping they'd send me mostly to places I had not yet been - maybe the south in February? Maybe Hawaii? Maybe Texas in March? Maybe a Monday or Friday to "stay over" in Maryland near my niece, or Denver near my brother and sister-in-law, maybe South Carolina near friend Donna, maybe San Antonio near brother-in-law Bill, maybe Boise near sister-in-law Kris, maybe Florida near Mickey Mouse!
But maybe they're on to something. Maybe BER knows that Newark will be the new "in" destination, that New Hampshire will be sunny and warm in November, that Minneapolis will be snow free and balmy in February, and that we'll stay in the North End above an Italian restaurant in Boston.
A girl can dream, can't she?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Drama and Pathos at the Pool
Just before water aerobics began this morning someone noticed a duck and her eight babies on the opposite side of the pool. Everyone, of course, ooed and ahhed about how cute the ducklings were.
As we entered the pool, Mom Duck jumped in also, followed shortly by all eight of her ducklings. They were happily swimming along (maybe they liked the Jersey Boys tape that was playing for our class?) but the life guards had to spring into action and "rescue" these poor ducks before they were hurt by the chlorine. So six teenagers armed with the giant nets and kick boards tried to catch the ducklings. The ducklings freaked and took off all over the pool. Mom duck, meanwhile, has jumped out of the pool and stands watching her babies, terrified.
Then the aerobics instructor gets into the act. She takes a kick board and is able to put it under a couple of the ducklings and lift them to the pool side. Mom duck, however, jumps back in the pool followed by her recently rescued babies and we're back to square one.
Meanwhile we're jumping, cross-country skiing and doing jumping jacks with our eyes glued to the pathos on the other side of the pool.
Eventually one of the guards caught one of the ducklings in a net, but it jumped out of the net almost instantly and took off for the landscaped area near the kiddie pool. All the lifeguards (minus the one who is making sure that ten women don't fall over dead from the excitement) go to the kiddie pool in search of the errant duckling.
Meanwhile, more drama is unfolding. Mom duck is out of the pool and her remaining ducklings are in the water near her. They are jumping like crazy trying to get out of the pool....but the ledge is just a smidgen too high. They jump and jump and jump and eventually one makes it to the ledge. A roar from the aerobics crowd goes up....Touchdown!! One by one the rest of the ducklings eventually get out and rejoin Mom Duck. When they are reunited, they waddle off towards the diving well, leaving behind the baby still by the kiddie pool. Oh, no!
Fifteen minutes pass. Suddenly one of the guards appears cradling baby duck in his hands. He walks to the diving well area, finds the other ducks, and Mom Duck welcomes back her last duckling into the fold.
All's well with the world!
As we entered the pool, Mom Duck jumped in also, followed shortly by all eight of her ducklings. They were happily swimming along (maybe they liked the Jersey Boys tape that was playing for our class?) but the life guards had to spring into action and "rescue" these poor ducks before they were hurt by the chlorine. So six teenagers armed with the giant nets and kick boards tried to catch the ducklings. The ducklings freaked and took off all over the pool. Mom duck, meanwhile, has jumped out of the pool and stands watching her babies, terrified.
Then the aerobics instructor gets into the act. She takes a kick board and is able to put it under a couple of the ducklings and lift them to the pool side. Mom duck, however, jumps back in the pool followed by her recently rescued babies and we're back to square one.
Meanwhile we're jumping, cross-country skiing and doing jumping jacks with our eyes glued to the pathos on the other side of the pool.
Eventually one of the guards caught one of the ducklings in a net, but it jumped out of the net almost instantly and took off for the landscaped area near the kiddie pool. All the lifeguards (minus the one who is making sure that ten women don't fall over dead from the excitement) go to the kiddie pool in search of the errant duckling.
Meanwhile, more drama is unfolding. Mom duck is out of the pool and her remaining ducklings are in the water near her. They are jumping like crazy trying to get out of the pool....but the ledge is just a smidgen too high. They jump and jump and jump and eventually one makes it to the ledge. A roar from the aerobics crowd goes up....Touchdown!! One by one the rest of the ducklings eventually get out and rejoin Mom Duck. When they are reunited, they waddle off towards the diving well, leaving behind the baby still by the kiddie pool. Oh, no!
Fifteen minutes pass. Suddenly one of the guards appears cradling baby duck in his hands. He walks to the diving well area, finds the other ducks, and Mom Duck welcomes back her last duckling into the fold.
All's well with the world!
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