Tuesday, August 25, 2009
1,000 Words
They say a photo is worth a thousand words. Imagine the words I had when I saw the new landscaping in my yard.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Perspective
Sometimes something happens that makes you take a step back and realize how lucky you are and how precious life is. This has been one of those weeks.
Last week, there was a big Texas welcome for little Avery Ann, my friend Nikki's new daughter. I can't wait to meet her -- and to see Nikki, who I haven't seen in about three years. I am very happy that August 10 can now be associated with a happy event (read the Ten Years Later blog).
At the same time Avery Ann was born, one of my Minnesota friends (another who I haven't seen in years) underwent successful surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor is not only benign, but is also one that rarely re-occurs. God definitely knows who Laura G. is if all the prayers that went up are any indication. I'm happy that she's on the mend with her family by her side. And Laura, if you read this, I really really wish I could make it to your celebratory party that I'm sure is on the horizon.
Yet, while marveling about these two ladies, I'm sad for my Minnesota friends, the Wilking family. The world has lost a great horseman in Jerry Wilking. Godspeed to Jerry -- and I know he is enjoying himself up at the big horse auction in the sky.
Joy and sorrow, all in the space of one short week. Life is precious, and there are things more important than brawls at horse shows and lively discussions about the old -- oops, I mean new! -- Vikings quarterback. But those are topics more suited for a "What were they thinking?" blog.
Last week, there was a big Texas welcome for little Avery Ann, my friend Nikki's new daughter. I can't wait to meet her -- and to see Nikki, who I haven't seen in about three years. I am very happy that August 10 can now be associated with a happy event (read the Ten Years Later blog).
At the same time Avery Ann was born, one of my Minnesota friends (another who I haven't seen in years) underwent successful surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor is not only benign, but is also one that rarely re-occurs. God definitely knows who Laura G. is if all the prayers that went up are any indication. I'm happy that she's on the mend with her family by her side. And Laura, if you read this, I really really wish I could make it to your celebratory party that I'm sure is on the horizon.
Yet, while marveling about these two ladies, I'm sad for my Minnesota friends, the Wilking family. The world has lost a great horseman in Jerry Wilking. Godspeed to Jerry -- and I know he is enjoying himself up at the big horse auction in the sky.
Joy and sorrow, all in the space of one short week. Life is precious, and there are things more important than brawls at horse shows and lively discussions about the old -- oops, I mean new! -- Vikings quarterback. But those are topics more suited for a "What were they thinking?" blog.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fried
I planned on posting a blog yesterday -- now that I'm back in the swing of writing. I had good intentions, really I did. However, Mother Nature had other plans for me on Monday.
It's been a fabulous summer, weather-wise. I even left my AC off for nearly three weeks in July. July! That is almost unheard of in hot, humid Missouri. My electric bill will thank me for it. We've also had regular shots of rain -- just enough to keep the gardens and patio flowers happy. (And enough rain that I have to mow that lawn almost weekly.) We've also been pretty lucky in terms of severe weather -- only one or two tornado warning scares. Now that I wrote that, we are going to get hammered, right?
If you've spent any time in Thomas Hollow, you know that the rocky ground (at least, I think that's what it is) tends to "attract" lightning strikes. I've had to have the phone company replace my phone jack at least once a year since I've moved here. I've fried two TDDs -- which aren't cheap -- and several phones. Yes, I know you can buy surge protectors that include jacks for the phone line? But guess what? I've invested in two, only to have them fry almost immediately. At upwards of $50 a pop, I decided to let it go and be extra-vigilant about unplugging the phone & TDD when I'm not using it.
Monday was another story. A storm was rolling in, but didn't look too bad. We needed the rain, and I didn't pay it much attention. Keep in mind that I can't hear the thunder coming in and can only feel the thunder that is loud enough and close enough to my house. So I'm messing around on the laptop (OK, I was wasting time on Facebook), and Baxter was sleeping on the couch.
Boom. Just as I was looking out the window, a big bolt of lightning was visible right outside. The house absolutely shook. I seriously thought the house was going to burst into flames or explode. Baxter flew right off the couch, which was directly in front of the window. I sat there for a minute and thought, now THAT had to have done some damage.
Then I smelled something burning. I moved the couch -- the lightning had been so close that it blew the cover right off the phone jack! The wires were black. It fried the DSL receiver, the TV receiver and the wireless router. Everything else seems just fine. Believe me, I checked!
One of the advantages of having a rural telephone company is that my services are bundled -- LeRu seems to be fairly advanced, considering its location! My services -- phone, internet and cable -- are bundled in one tidy, if expensive, package. My great neighbor put in the call for me late Monday morning, and the service guy came out at 5:45 pm. I had the internet restored that evening, although I was a little leery of having my new laptop plugged directly into the broadband line. A new wireless router is on the shopping list!
It's been a fabulous summer, weather-wise. I even left my AC off for nearly three weeks in July. July! That is almost unheard of in hot, humid Missouri. My electric bill will thank me for it. We've also had regular shots of rain -- just enough to keep the gardens and patio flowers happy. (And enough rain that I have to mow that lawn almost weekly.) We've also been pretty lucky in terms of severe weather -- only one or two tornado warning scares. Now that I wrote that, we are going to get hammered, right?
If you've spent any time in Thomas Hollow, you know that the rocky ground (at least, I think that's what it is) tends to "attract" lightning strikes. I've had to have the phone company replace my phone jack at least once a year since I've moved here. I've fried two TDDs -- which aren't cheap -- and several phones. Yes, I know you can buy surge protectors that include jacks for the phone line? But guess what? I've invested in two, only to have them fry almost immediately. At upwards of $50 a pop, I decided to let it go and be extra-vigilant about unplugging the phone & TDD when I'm not using it.
Monday was another story. A storm was rolling in, but didn't look too bad. We needed the rain, and I didn't pay it much attention. Keep in mind that I can't hear the thunder coming in and can only feel the thunder that is loud enough and close enough to my house. So I'm messing around on the laptop (OK, I was wasting time on Facebook), and Baxter was sleeping on the couch.
Boom. Just as I was looking out the window, a big bolt of lightning was visible right outside. The house absolutely shook. I seriously thought the house was going to burst into flames or explode. Baxter flew right off the couch, which was directly in front of the window. I sat there for a minute and thought, now THAT had to have done some damage.
Then I smelled something burning. I moved the couch -- the lightning had been so close that it blew the cover right off the phone jack! The wires were black. It fried the DSL receiver, the TV receiver and the wireless router. Everything else seems just fine. Believe me, I checked!
One of the advantages of having a rural telephone company is that my services are bundled -- LeRu seems to be fairly advanced, considering its location! My services -- phone, internet and cable -- are bundled in one tidy, if expensive, package. My great neighbor put in the call for me late Monday morning, and the service guy came out at 5:45 pm. I had the internet restored that evening, although I was a little leery of having my new laptop plugged directly into the broadband line. A new wireless router is on the shopping list!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Ten years later
Ten years is a long time. Things change: addresses, occupations and friendships.
Ten years ago this week, my friend Mary and I were mourning the loss of our friend Billy. It was a life cut short way too soon.
Mary & I had just returned from an adventurous road trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. We'd just picked up my 12-week-old Corgi pup, Kona. Life was good. And life as we knew it was about to change enormously.
Suicide will sweep you right off your feet, break your heart and cause you to run a gauntlet of feelings. Loss and sadness mix with questions, anger and confusion. How could he? Why would he? What should I have done? What if? It's hard to find closure, peace and forgiveness.
It takes years to pick up the pieces, and yet your heart wrenches when you read about another young person who's taken his or her life -- because you know the pain that circle of friends and family is going through. Your heart still skips a beat when you glimpse someone tall and dark-haired who has a slim resemblance to your lost friend.
Here we are, ten years later. Mary and I have both changed and grown. But we haven't grown apart, despite living 700-some miles away from each other. Sure, we don't see each other as much as we would like to, but with Facebook and e-mail, we've stayed in touch. I'm so happy to call her my friend, proud of what she's accomplished in the past ten years. It's a long-distance friendship that I will cherish forever.
Today, take the time to call that friend you've been "meaning to" touch base with. Type up that e-mail you've been putting off. Smile at someone.
Ten years ago this week, my friend Mary and I were mourning the loss of our friend Billy. It was a life cut short way too soon.
Mary & I had just returned from an adventurous road trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. We'd just picked up my 12-week-old Corgi pup, Kona. Life was good. And life as we knew it was about to change enormously.
Suicide will sweep you right off your feet, break your heart and cause you to run a gauntlet of feelings. Loss and sadness mix with questions, anger and confusion. How could he? Why would he? What should I have done? What if? It's hard to find closure, peace and forgiveness.
It takes years to pick up the pieces, and yet your heart wrenches when you read about another young person who's taken his or her life -- because you know the pain that circle of friends and family is going through. Your heart still skips a beat when you glimpse someone tall and dark-haired who has a slim resemblance to your lost friend.
Here we are, ten years later. Mary and I have both changed and grown. But we haven't grown apart, despite living 700-some miles away from each other. Sure, we don't see each other as much as we would like to, but with Facebook and e-mail, we've stayed in touch. I'm so happy to call her my friend, proud of what she's accomplished in the past ten years. It's a long-distance friendship that I will cherish forever.
Today, take the time to call that friend you've been "meaning to" touch base with. Type up that e-mail you've been putting off. Smile at someone.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Paper or Plastic?
Last I checked, this was the 21st century. I rarely use my checkbook anymore -- paying bills online or via debit card is the way to go. I can't even remember the last time I had to order a box of checks. In fact, I don't even have a checkbook holder & hardly ever have check blanks in my purse. It's the rare place that doesn't accept Visa or MasterCard.
So when I went in to the county courthouse to pay for my car tabs on Monday, I was in for a double surprise. What should have been a simple procedure turned into me owing $200 more than I had budgeted -- and I still have to go all the way back to this out-of-the-way dinky town to give them a check. Because they don't take plastic. No, ma'am, they surely don't. Sigh. So I made the trip for nothing.
Somehow, I never received my Personal Property Tax form to fill out in November 2008, and was not billed for PPT on my car. So it looks like not only did I not claim my car as a taxable item, it also looks like I tried to dodge paying taxes on it. Seriously, you'd have to be an idiot to try to pull that. But apparently, people do -- and the woman at the assessor's office acted like I was one of them. I then pulled out my wallet and said, "Well, I don't have a choice, might as well just pay it now and get it taken care of." She looked at me like I was from another planet and said, oh, we don't take *those* - it has to be a check or cash.
Oh well. I'm just grateful I have the money to cover it -- although it wipes out the "New Dell Computer" fund. Donations to the fund can be sent directly to my PayPal address! =)
Stay cool -- it's hot out there.
So when I went in to the county courthouse to pay for my car tabs on Monday, I was in for a double surprise. What should have been a simple procedure turned into me owing $200 more than I had budgeted -- and I still have to go all the way back to this out-of-the-way dinky town to give them a check. Because they don't take plastic. No, ma'am, they surely don't. Sigh. So I made the trip for nothing.
Somehow, I never received my Personal Property Tax form to fill out in November 2008, and was not billed for PPT on my car. So it looks like not only did I not claim my car as a taxable item, it also looks like I tried to dodge paying taxes on it. Seriously, you'd have to be an idiot to try to pull that. But apparently, people do -- and the woman at the assessor's office acted like I was one of them. I then pulled out my wallet and said, "Well, I don't have a choice, might as well just pay it now and get it taken care of." She looked at me like I was from another planet and said, oh, we don't take *those* - it has to be a check or cash.
Oh well. I'm just grateful I have the money to cover it -- although it wipes out the "New Dell Computer" fund. Donations to the fund can be sent directly to my PayPal address! =)
Stay cool -- it's hot out there.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June Days
It feels like the summer is just flying by! We've had a lot of rain & thunderstorms over the past few days. Other than a few downed limbs, no real damage.
I came across this class list on another blog & thought I'd pass it on. Enjoy!
Spring Classes for Women at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED by Tuesday, June 20, 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.
Class 1 Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat Step by Step, with Slide Presentation..Meets 4 wks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM..
Class 2 Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Yelling About It for 3 Hours?
Round Table Discussion.Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3 Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?–Group Debate.Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase–Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 Curling Irons–Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet?Examples on Video.Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginningat 7:00 PM
Class 6 How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program Help Line Support and Support Groups.Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7 Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?Open Forum.Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8 Health Watch–They Make Medicine for PMS - USE IT! Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9 I Was Wrong and He Was Right!–Real Life Testimonials.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined .
Class 10 How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.Driving Simulations.4 weeks, Saturday’s noon, 2 hours.
Class 11 Learning to Live–How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield.Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12 How to Shop by Yourself.Meets 4 wks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy–Remembering To Take a List To The Store, Avoiding Separate Trips for Each Item Needed.Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14 The Stove/Oven–What It Is and How It Is Used.Live Demonstration.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
I came across this class list on another blog & thought I'd pass it on. Enjoy!
Spring Classes for Women at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED by Tuesday, June 20, 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.
Class 1 Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat Step by Step, with Slide Presentation..Meets 4 wks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM..
Class 2 Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Yelling About It for 3 Hours?
Round Table Discussion.Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3 Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?–Group Debate.Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase–Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 Curling Irons–Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Bathroom Cabinet?Examples on Video.Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginningat 7:00 PM
Class 6 How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program Help Line Support and Support Groups.Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7 Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?Open Forum.Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8 Health Watch–They Make Medicine for PMS - USE IT! Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9 I Was Wrong and He Was Right!–Real Life Testimonials.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined .
Class 10 How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.Driving Simulations.4 weeks, Saturday’s noon, 2 hours.
Class 11 Learning to Live–How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield.Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12 How to Shop by Yourself.Meets 4 wks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy–Remembering To Take a List To The Store, Avoiding Separate Trips for Each Item Needed.Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14 The Stove/Oven–What It Is and How It Is Used.Live Demonstration.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Let's go swimming!
Be careful what you say around my house in earshot of Baxter. The word "swimming" is forbidden unless you actually mean it. Say "wanna go swimming," and you have an extremely excited blue heeler who is bouncing and ready to head out to the creek.
I'm so lucky. I live a few steps away from a cold, spring-fed creek. I've been known to spend hot summer days with a chair set in the creek, soaking my feet in the cold water and filling my head with whatever book I'm reading at the moment.
Baxter, on the other hand, is a man of action. Swimmin' in the creek is serious business for him. If you have a ball or a stick to throw, all the better -- he'll launch himself off the creek banks and into the water & bring it back for another round. And another. And another. I've learned to throw things up creek and into the deep water to make him swim upstream and into the deep water. But he never seems to tire!
This weekend, I started training Baxter to dive. Yes, you read that right: Dive. He's not quite sure he likes the idea of sticking his whole head underwater to retrieve a toy. Right now, he'll stick his nose in and blow bubbles or make a quick poke into the water, but he won't completely submerge himself. Instead, he'll make like a raccoon and pull the toy into shallower water with his paws. Smart or stubborn? Bad owner? Whatever -- it's great fun! Hopefully, Baxter will forgive me someday for making him do stupid tricks.
I'm so lucky. I live a few steps away from a cold, spring-fed creek. I've been known to spend hot summer days with a chair set in the creek, soaking my feet in the cold water and filling my head with whatever book I'm reading at the moment.
Baxter, on the other hand, is a man of action. Swimmin' in the creek is serious business for him. If you have a ball or a stick to throw, all the better -- he'll launch himself off the creek banks and into the water & bring it back for another round. And another. And another. I've learned to throw things up creek and into the deep water to make him swim upstream and into the deep water. But he never seems to tire!
This weekend, I started training Baxter to dive. Yes, you read that right: Dive. He's not quite sure he likes the idea of sticking his whole head underwater to retrieve a toy. Right now, he'll stick his nose in and blow bubbles or make a quick poke into the water, but he won't completely submerge himself. Instead, he'll make like a raccoon and pull the toy into shallower water with his paws. Smart or stubborn? Bad owner? Whatever -- it's great fun! Hopefully, Baxter will forgive me someday for making him do stupid tricks.
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