1. Crossword puzzles-- but I still can't get the New York Times Sunday done
2. Butter
3. Bleeding heart bushes
4. Smelling babies after their bath
5. Reading
6. Playing with kittens
7. Macho Ferns
8. College Football
9. Ecco shoes
10. tv/Netflicks-- Nashville, The Good Wife, House of Cards
11. Magazines-- Garden and Gun, People, and Entertainment Weekly
12. Good coffee
13. Laughing
14. Pedicures
15. Lime flavoring
16. Gardenias
17. Roses
18. White Shoulder perfume
19. Trollbeads
20. Making a good list
Monday, March 30, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Paddle Your Own Canoe
The older I get, the more I resent people who expound their knowledge (or lack of knowledge) on "any and every" subject.
Paddle your own canoe.
********************************
I overheard some fool telling a perfectly happy person that the happy person had wasted their life. (Obviously, the fool was so wise and knowledgeable he could see the big picture that none of the rest of us could see.)
Waste to one person is perfectly fine to another.
*********************************
You are not my mother.
*********************************
I am weary of those people who want something from nothing.
Life usually does not work this way.
The harder I work, the more I get.
*********************************
Waste, in general, drives me up a wall.
*********************************
Note: Sometimes we don't know the entire story. Sometimes, we know none of the true story. Sometimes, the story we have been told is false. Sometimes, there is no story whatsoever!
********************************
Advice: God gave us two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as we talk.
********************************
I remember my momma telling me that if I took care of myself, I'd have more than enough work to do. She was right. I don't ask many questions of other people. It's not that I'm not interested; I just believe that if you want to tell me, you will.
********************************
I am continuing to paddle.
********************************
I overheard some fool telling a perfectly happy person that the happy person had wasted their life. (Obviously, the fool was so wise and knowledgeable he could see the big picture that none of the rest of us could see.)
Waste to one person is perfectly fine to another.
*********************************
You are not my mother.
*********************************
I am weary of those people who want something from nothing.
Life usually does not work this way.
The harder I work, the more I get.
*********************************
Waste, in general, drives me up a wall.
*********************************
Note: Sometimes we don't know the entire story. Sometimes, we know none of the true story. Sometimes, the story we have been told is false. Sometimes, there is no story whatsoever!
********************************
Advice: God gave us two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as we talk.
********************************
I remember my momma telling me that if I took care of myself, I'd have more than enough work to do. She was right. I don't ask many questions of other people. It's not that I'm not interested; I just believe that if you want to tell me, you will.
********************************
I am continuing to paddle.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Yesterdays and Tomorrows
Everything today seems to be instantaneous. Shazam…instant grits, instant pie shells, instant weight loss, instant tea!
Instant is not all it's cracked up to be in my book.
****************
Do you remember listening to the radio waiting for your favorite song?
I had a small transistor radio that fit nicely under my pillow. I loved listening to the music before falling asleep to the strains of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.” (Hank Williams, senior)
I remember driving down Highway 30 going to Marshalltown and the Carpenters came on the radio singing...."Close to YOU." Swoon.
My freshman year at Iowa State...the campus radio on a Friday night....a crazy, long, long song came on...."American Pie." I needed to find out more about this Don McClean guy.
****************
Wolfman Jack was real. Dick Youngs spun those songs on KIOA. WHO was clear channel radio and you could also catch the bean prices at noon if you were listening. KFJB had "Little Bohemia" at 6:00 p.m. and played polkas. WLS from Chicago could be heard on a clear night all the way to Central Iowa. Bill Elder was my morning friend when we moved to Macon. I loved the radio...I still do.
***************
2015
So, this afternoon, I was sitting and thinking about buying the songs that had been up for Song of the Year on the Grammies. I was going to be hip. I’d open I-tunes, buy the songs, listen to the songs-- all in under five minutes! I could make my own play lists....and those songs I longed to hear would be delivered to me instantaneously. Hmph! Something just wasn't right. WHOA! Not so fast.
1966-
I would buy one 45 rpm each time I had an extra dollar. I would catch a ride to Marshalltown (15 miles from State Center) with dad and pick out a record. I loved buying a new record. I would play it over and over. AND over and over. From the Beatles to "One Last Kiss", those records were part of me. One record....one dollar.....one a week if I was lucky.
***************
Instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be. Believe it or not, the chance of hearing a favorite song on the radio was fun. It was the anticipation-- the excitement of hearing it-- calling a friend on the rotary phone and telling them to "turn on the radio, it's on"-- riding in the car listening to the songs of my life. Being surprised when the song that you LOVED was loved by many.
***************
So, I know the tomorrows of my life must contain anticipation for me to be contented. Knitting. Thinking. Cooking. Laughing. Planting. AND I'm enjoying waiting on some of the things I've always wanted to do. The day-to-day things that have seemed beyond my grasp are no more....my life has spread out and I'm loving the sunshine on my face.
Today, I planted three bleeding hearts roots/tubers/ rhizomes(?) and a handful of lily of the valley bulbs. I have seeds to sow--the black-eyed Susans, hollyhocks, and poppies. I want to have a woodland garden....Jack in the Pulpits.....Money plants....Japanese lanterns.....a small rock garden. (Food for the deer?) It is the anticipation of looking at the seed catalogs and laughing at the idea of my deer sending out formal announcements that the "Spring Mix” will be here soon--that makes me excited about my new plants.
**************
I like waiting on the good. Sometimes it seems like I’m slow....no, it’s just that the process is just as much fun as the product for me. So, hello tomorrow, I’m getting ready for you today.
Instant is not all it's cracked up to be in my book.
****************
Do you remember listening to the radio waiting for your favorite song?
I had a small transistor radio that fit nicely under my pillow. I loved listening to the music before falling asleep to the strains of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.” (Hank Williams, senior)
I remember driving down Highway 30 going to Marshalltown and the Carpenters came on the radio singing...."Close to YOU." Swoon.
My freshman year at Iowa State...the campus radio on a Friday night....a crazy, long, long song came on...."American Pie." I needed to find out more about this Don McClean guy.
****************
Wolfman Jack was real. Dick Youngs spun those songs on KIOA. WHO was clear channel radio and you could also catch the bean prices at noon if you were listening. KFJB had "Little Bohemia" at 6:00 p.m. and played polkas. WLS from Chicago could be heard on a clear night all the way to Central Iowa. Bill Elder was my morning friend when we moved to Macon. I loved the radio...I still do.
***************
2015
So, this afternoon, I was sitting and thinking about buying the songs that had been up for Song of the Year on the Grammies. I was going to be hip. I’d open I-tunes, buy the songs, listen to the songs-- all in under five minutes! I could make my own play lists....and those songs I longed to hear would be delivered to me instantaneously. Hmph! Something just wasn't right. WHOA! Not so fast.
1966-
I would buy one 45 rpm each time I had an extra dollar. I would catch a ride to Marshalltown (15 miles from State Center) with dad and pick out a record. I loved buying a new record. I would play it over and over. AND over and over. From the Beatles to "One Last Kiss", those records were part of me. One record....one dollar.....one a week if I was lucky.
***************
Instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be. Believe it or not, the chance of hearing a favorite song on the radio was fun. It was the anticipation-- the excitement of hearing it-- calling a friend on the rotary phone and telling them to "turn on the radio, it's on"-- riding in the car listening to the songs of my life. Being surprised when the song that you LOVED was loved by many.
***************
So, I know the tomorrows of my life must contain anticipation for me to be contented. Knitting. Thinking. Cooking. Laughing. Planting. AND I'm enjoying waiting on some of the things I've always wanted to do. The day-to-day things that have seemed beyond my grasp are no more....my life has spread out and I'm loving the sunshine on my face.
Today, I planted three bleeding hearts roots/tubers/ rhizomes(?) and a handful of lily of the valley bulbs. I have seeds to sow--the black-eyed Susans, hollyhocks, and poppies. I want to have a woodland garden....Jack in the Pulpits.....Money plants....Japanese lanterns.....a small rock garden. (Food for the deer?) It is the anticipation of looking at the seed catalogs and laughing at the idea of my deer sending out formal announcements that the "Spring Mix” will be here soon--that makes me excited about my new plants.
**************
I like waiting on the good. Sometimes it seems like I’m slow....no, it’s just that the process is just as much fun as the product for me. So, hello tomorrow, I’m getting ready for you today.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Growing a Money Tree
I'm in search of the ellusive money tree. In fact, if I see one, I'm going to get an entire grove. It's foolish how calamities come in threes so, I'm getting ready. For example, a few years ago in one week:
******************
1. The washer.
Now, we figured it was 20 years old and it didn't fit the space allotted at the farm house....but....I thought it still washed well. hahahahahah
When it quit for good, it wouldn't wash, it wouldn't spin, it barely drained.....Bill and I bought a new one.
I washed a load of clothes and they came out....brighter. Cleaner. Fresher.
I was.....embarrassed....embarrassed....embarrassed.
******************
2. The HVAC.
We knew a burner was going out of the furnace. Our friend, Mr. Starr, kept it going.
The air conditioning started blowing warm air. Mr. Starr added freon.
The air condition started softly blowing warm air....Mr. Starr pronounced the time of death of the AC. RIP air conditioning. RIP furnace.
Bill and I had started discussing a trip to Ireland that year to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We're decided to just get a green air conditioner and drink a pint or two. Hahahahahahahahahahaha
******************
Next:
You and I both know something else will be coming 'round the bend. It's a fact of life. It did and we kept going.
******************
One year, I was on a faculty that made a big (really big) money tree for a beloved teacher who was retiring. We glued, sparkled, hung, strung, and had a great time creating this crazy masterpiece of tree, paint, plaster of paris, and.....money. The art teacher had us fold the money into origami shapes and we hung these ornaments all over the tree. Coins were glue-gunned like blooms all over the bark. It was a surprise, a masterpiece, and an inspiration.
*******************
I ordered some Japanese money bush seeds from a catalog this winter. My aunt used to grow these every year I was growing up. I'm more excited about the memories of Aunt Helen drying her plants for beautiful winter arrangements than I am about planting these seeds. It will take me three years to get these plants growing well enough to produce the flowers.
*******************
I am heading to the yard. Money plant, here I come!
******************
1. The washer.
Now, we figured it was 20 years old and it didn't fit the space allotted at the farm house....but....I thought it still washed well. hahahahahah
When it quit for good, it wouldn't wash, it wouldn't spin, it barely drained.....Bill and I bought a new one.
I washed a load of clothes and they came out....brighter. Cleaner. Fresher.
I was.....embarrassed....embarrassed....embarrassed.
******************
2. The HVAC.
We knew a burner was going out of the furnace. Our friend, Mr. Starr, kept it going.
The air conditioning started blowing warm air. Mr. Starr added freon.
The air condition started softly blowing warm air....Mr. Starr pronounced the time of death of the AC. RIP air conditioning. RIP furnace.
Bill and I had started discussing a trip to Ireland that year to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We're decided to just get a green air conditioner and drink a pint or two. Hahahahahahahahahahaha
******************
Next:
You and I both know something else will be coming 'round the bend. It's a fact of life. It did and we kept going.
******************
One year, I was on a faculty that made a big (really big) money tree for a beloved teacher who was retiring. We glued, sparkled, hung, strung, and had a great time creating this crazy masterpiece of tree, paint, plaster of paris, and.....money. The art teacher had us fold the money into origami shapes and we hung these ornaments all over the tree. Coins were glue-gunned like blooms all over the bark. It was a surprise, a masterpiece, and an inspiration.
*******************
I ordered some Japanese money bush seeds from a catalog this winter. My aunt used to grow these every year I was growing up. I'm more excited about the memories of Aunt Helen drying her plants for beautiful winter arrangements than I am about planting these seeds. It will take me three years to get these plants growing well enough to produce the flowers.
*******************
I am heading to the yard. Money plant, here I come!
Thursday, March 5, 2015
10 V's in the Sky
I have been trying to center myself with writing and research this week. Yes, I have been working on my side of the garage, doing laundry and playing with the pets. But, I've been working at the computer on some grant writing and some personal correspondence. My head hasn't been in the clouds-- much
Yesterday, I was outside. Looking up, I marveled at the clouds and the gentle spring breezes....then I spotted the first V of geese. It's a thrill to see a V....I have to stop and watch the pattern of the geese working in concert with each other. I never remember seeing those V's when I was growing up-- so I still love seeing them in the sky. Then the next V....and the next.....I drove to the store....more V's, more geese. I saw a total of 10 different V's today---
I saw the last V while standing in the middle of a parking lot admiring the "changing of the front goose". One of my favorite leadership stories is how geese work together for the good of the flock. I'm sharing the Legend of the Geese with all of you so that you know why it's important for us to work together.
I believe in individual rights. I believe in people. I believe in nature. I believe in geese.
******************************
*****************************
Yesterday, I was outside. Looking up, I marveled at the clouds and the gentle spring breezes....then I spotted the first V of geese. It's a thrill to see a V....I have to stop and watch the pattern of the geese working in concert with each other. I never remember seeing those V's when I was growing up-- so I still love seeing them in the sky. Then the next V....and the next.....I drove to the store....more V's, more geese. I saw a total of 10 different V's today---
I saw the last V while standing in the middle of a parking lot admiring the "changing of the front goose". One of my favorite leadership stories is how geese work together for the good of the flock. I'm sharing the Legend of the Geese with all of you so that you know why it's important for us to work together.
I believe in individual rights. I believe in people. I believe in nature. I believe in geese.
******************************
The Legend of the Geese
When you see geese heading south for the winter (or north for the summer), flying along in a V-formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered regarding why they fly that way...As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range that if each bird flew on its own.
Basic Truth #1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on each other’s thrust.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Basic Truth #2: If we take a tip from the geese, we will stay in formation with those who are heading in the same way we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates to the back and another goose flies point.
Basic Truth #3: It pays to take turns doing the hard jobs.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed.
Basic Truth #4: We respond to encouragement from others.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out with him and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is able to fly again or until he is dead, and then, they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.
Basic Truth #5: If we follow the examples of the geese, we will stand by each other through difficulties and challenges.
When you see geese heading south for the winter (or north for the summer), flying along in a V-formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered regarding why they fly that way...As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range that if each bird flew on its own.
Basic Truth #1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on each other’s thrust.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Basic Truth #2: If we take a tip from the geese, we will stay in formation with those who are heading in the same way we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates to the back and another goose flies point.
Basic Truth #3: It pays to take turns doing the hard jobs.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed.
Basic Truth #4: We respond to encouragement from others.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out with him and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is able to fly again or until he is dead, and then, they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.
Basic Truth #5: If we follow the examples of the geese, we will stand by each other through difficulties and challenges.
The only problem with all of this grandiose thinking is the amount of goose "stuff" that a flock of geese generates. As a practical person, those geese can keep flying. So I guess my Basic Truth #6 (that Erin will add) is: Always beware of a situation that seems too good to be true. There's probably a little goose poop somewhere. But, with the help of your friends, you can get through most crap that's in your way. 
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