Monday, December 29, 2008

Monday Morning

I did not awaken early this morning but the cats were determined to get me up to fill their food dishes. They succeeded.

The coffee is brewed. It is a new pot, a Cuisenart, probably not spelled correctly. It is capable of grinding the beans and making the coffee in one action, all together. Interesting. But today I just scooped six portions of already ground coffee into the filter and pressed the button. Of course, the grinder started right up so I had to stop it all, push the no grind, and then press the ON/GO button. Interesting. My coffee is a bit weak compared to the brew that my husband has been making for us since Christmas. Interesting. I need to add more grounds.

The dryer is working hard in the laundry room. One load in and another finishing up in the washer. A good portion of laundry is washed, dryed, folded and put away on Mondays, if not all. I add dryer sheets to the magnetic dry erase board now residing on my refrigerator door, another holiday gift to me from my husband. It is interesting those things that make life run a bit more efficiently.

The rugs are shaken and draped over the deck railing to get a bit of air, while I sweep the kitchen and laundry room floors. This could be done twice a day, but it isn't. We have a couple of indoor cats and with that comes the litter box. I am not complaining. I am thankful for a good litter box and odor absorbing litter, always waiting to be purchased on the shelf at Wal-Mart.

I used a broom on the floor this morning, rather than the semi-new swivel sweeper contraction that I had ordered from QVC a while back. Sometimes you just need a broom and today is it. It a quiet process and if I were smart, I'd mop it now. But usually I reserve that activity for after I vacumn the bare floors, an even more exact cleaning, if there is even such a thing.

I notice as I walk through the living room that the surfaces are dusty. It is particularly noticable as I have opened the front door, allowing in the suns warmth and light. I wonder if the couch is dirty and pop the arm with my hand to see dust scatter everywhere. Yep, it's dirty. I should drag out the Kirby and tackle the surfaces today, but I don't know if I will or not. We'll see. After all, the sun is shining and it might be the perfect day for some outside leaf cleanup, and Will and Bruce are both home.

There have been times in life when I would find this list of activities a bore and possibly even unimportant, but now is not that time. I have learned better. It is an illusion to think that life if a canvas of everchanging tasks, each one more interesting than the first. In reality, we do many things over and over again because they continually need to be done. We get them clean but for a moment and then it's time to do again, depending on the level of clean you require to be satisfied. That is a varying measure to be sure. The list of such is endless really and that in itself is proof that we look at it wrong to come to that conclusion. There is bill paying, grocery buying, laundry, cleaning, emptying the trash, cooking, maintenance on any and everything mechanical, to name just a few. It all counts. A novel statement but remember it. It is important.

I'm glad that God is gracious enough to provide me with a continual cleaning of my sins. Just about the time I get cleaned up, there's another mess in the making. He knew there would be and so, there is my Messiah. The good news is that we get to share Him. Now 'that' is satisfaction in a job well done. Thank you God. I must be about the Fathers' business now.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Confessions of a pack rat

I confess. I am a pack rat. It is official. I inherited the gene, from my Dad, best I can tell.

It started innocently enough with the tissue paper, gift sacks, store sacks, box, bow & assorted ribbons and such like. Let us not forget to acknowledge all of those clear plastic zipper bags that linens and such come in these days, yes, I saved those too. Well, you know, they come in handy sometimes, something to put 'stuff' in. :)

But, it is 'out of hand'. Most things like this do get out of hand eventually, when you 'store up' things.

I just opened the chifferobe doors and won't tell you how much of this stuff is packed into it and falling out of it. Time to repent, recycle and purge it. Yep, I confess.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hi Daddy!

As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

All Tangled Up


When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knots.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

SPREADING THE WEALTH

It is disturbing that citizens are embracing the notion of Wealth Redistribution in this grand democracy of America, where so many have bled and died to protect our freedoms of life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.

Have we indeed come to the turning point where the promise of tax cuts to 95% of middle class/lower class tax payers, (class warfare terms that I find appalling; and totally different from the concepts of lower, middle, & upper income), and a penalizing of those who have succeeded in building wealth, building small businesses and building the job base; to pay even more taxes (already #2 in taxes paid in the world); to 'Spread the Wealth?'

So the proposal to penalize some, the top 5%, (the rich, the upper income, 'those "rich" people',) who already pay a disproportionate amount in taxes, the Obama version of government takes more of the 5%'s hard earned money and it becomes Obama money to dole out to others, whoever is deemed deserving and willing to relinquish their 'votes' even those who haven't paid any taxes, thereby 'Spreading the Wealth.'

Hmm, sounds like Socialism, doesn't it?

And all it costs you is your 'VOTE' for Obama. I guess 95% is the magic number to equal the number of VOTES that Obama needs to win the Presidential election. So if 95% of the people get a tax break, then they trade in 'their' VOTE, 'their' principles, 'their' ideology, to GET 'their' tax cut.

Enough tax cuts equal enough Votes.

I wonder what the tax cut actually is? How much do you put in your pocket at the end of the day? How much am I willing to 'sell' my Vote for? Are we talking about $100, $500, $1000, $5000, $10,000 to sell out?

And if that amount is not enough we'll throw in free health insurance and $4000 free money to send your kids to college (you do know you can't go to college for $4000 don't you? And by the way, you'll agree to a two year exchange of your time for that money working with the peace corp. or some other government deemed appropriate and authorized organization). Is the pot of gold big enough yet?

Big enough to overlook the level of inexperience in this candidate Obama? To overlook that in all his short career of politics, he hasn't 'actually' produced much? To overlook that he might just not be too 'work brittle.' To overlook that he's spent more time campaigning than 'actually' doing his job as a Junior Senator? (Someone actually said that 'running his campaign' qualifies him to be President of the United States of America, huh?) To overlook his friends on the radical fringe? To overlook his voting record, such that it is, 'mostly just present', as being extremely 'liberal' i.e., there is no such thing as a government that is 'too big.' To overlook his close ties to ACORN? To overlook his long list of unidentified campaign contributors?

So much to 'overlook', 'sell', 'trade-in' for our 'VOTE'. And yes, we are ONLY supposed to get 'ONE' vote.

Is this the price that we 'sell' our liberty for? Seems kind of cheap, considering the price that many have made with their very lives to defend that liberty for us, doesn't it?

And is it just our VOTE we are selling? Perhaps we'll find that we have sold our 'voice' in this exchange as well. Perhaps an unintended consequence of 'naming' our price, we lose our voice and the right to 'ask' the hard questions. Perhaps we'll find ourselves a part of a class system where the 'elite' rule us. We've been 'paid off' and 'paid for', so "sit down and be quiet" till we're needed. Our part to play is during elections when our 'VOTE' is needed to continue the reign of power, and we get our next round of 'pay offs.'

Would 75% be the magic number if it produced ENOUGH votes to win the election? I guess 95% is the calculated number needed to sway the number of votes needed? And that's all based on 'believing' that the promise is actually delivered, by a candidate with 'NO', repeat, 'NO' record of cutting anyone's taxes, a promise he has broken before.

Is this the RIGHT lie, to the RIGHT number of people, at the RIGHT time, to win an election for Barack Hussein Obama and the Democrat Party?

I hope not.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

$300 Stimulus Payment - October 15th Deadline

Many have not filed for the stimulus payment offered by the US Government this year. You have until October 15th to file your taxes and claim it.

Dan Boone, an IRS media specialist, said that people who usually do not file a tax return, HAVE to file a return to qualify for the payment. No obligations, no hassles and, honestly, no scam involved, but you have to file a return.

In Alabama, there are 86,000 people eligible who collect Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits that have not filed, according to the IRS. The payment will NOT affect their government benefits, which, Boone said, perhaps might be a misconception.

Boone said people who filed an extension have to file their taxes by Oct. 15. He said about 120,000 in Alabama filed for the extension. He said they would likely be eligible for a stimulus payment.

As of Aug. 29, the IRS had issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million people and families.

Boone said in talking to people who receive Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits, some have the misconception that because their benefits come automatically through direct deposit they do not have to do anything to get a stimulus payment.

He said a tax return has to be filed to receive a stimulus payment.

He said others who may not have filed a tax return for several years think that if they file a return for the stimulus package they will be “back on the rolls” and have to file a return every year.

Boone said that also is not correct. He said they will not have to file a return in the future, assuming their income stays below the filing levels.

“This is a one-time thing to get this payment,” Boone said. “We’re definitely encouraging people to ask their elderly friends or relatives, ‘Have you filed for your stimulus payment yet?’”

He said only a few lines of the 1040A form have to be filled out to qualify for the stimulus payment and said an example is at IRS.gov.

He said two mailings were sent out, one in April and another in July, and that had all the necessary information.

Boone said information is available on the IRS Web site and that several vendors also offer free e-filing.

This information is taken from an article in the Gadsden Times:
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20081009/NEWS/810080273/1016/NEWS&tc=email_newsletter

Thursday, October 02, 2008

700 Billion is now 850 Billion - smell that bacon fry.

What began as a 3 page plan to rescue the U.S. Financial system for 700 Billion or so dollars went to 150 pages in the House of Representatives, was defeated, and was revised by the Senate on 400 pages for 850 Billion, that's Eight Hundred Fifty Billion Dollars and 400 pages of red tape, and under cooked pork barrel spending.

Now we know why Paulson wanted it quick. Given enough time, Congress will fry bacon with a bill, EVERY time. Yep, sounds broke.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Follow His Lead by Diane Anderson

Tribute to James Anderson:

If you would have asked my father-in-law to sum up his life, he likely would have told you it was a simple one. He lived most of his 78 years in the small town of his birth. Although retired from his profession as a carpenter, he enjoyed going daily to his son's shop to work on smaller projects, many of which turned into gifts for his family. The family, which he was so proud of, includes his wife of 57 years, their 10 children, 26 grandchildren, 20 spouses and 19 great grandchildren.

In earlier years, he served his country in the army and for a time he shared his woodworking ability with students of three different colleges, teaching them the basics of the trade. These last years he held down the fort at Bert's Woodworks while the rest of the crew went out on the job. He faithfully answered the phone and took messages from those who stopped by. The shop became a local gathering spot for a group of men who came for coffee, goodies and an old fashioned gab session during break time.

What will I remember about Jim Anderson? His warm smile and tender heart. His humble spirit. His genuine interest in all who crossed his path. The love he had for his family, although not often spoken, was so evident. His devotion to God and the church were unparalleled. He was everyone's friend, and paid special attention to those who were alone in the world. He had a deep bass singing voice he loved to share. Although he was never a wealthy man, he was always able to provide for his family and was generous in sharing when he could. Joy radiated from his life, and he really enjoyed a good joke.

Did he live the perfect life? None of us can. The Bible, in Romans 3:23, tells us we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And yet Jim knew where to go when he did make a mistake. He personally knew our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to pay the price that would take away those sins. Somehow I think Jim knew the secret that, even in our mistakes, God takes the bad and turns it into good for His purposes. It reminds me of a favorite verse of mine, Romans 8:28, which assures us all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purposes.

Jim's sudden departure from this life doesn't seem like a good thing to those of us left behind. And yet I believe there is a greater good to be accomplished as we look back on the way he lived and strive to follow his lead. The footsteps he left have a familiar look to them. As we think back, we will remember another who was born in a small town, worked as both carpenter and teacher, was a friend to all and went about doing good. Jesus was His name. The example Jesus set is one Jim followed. In fact, if he were alive today, Jim could easily have joined the apostle Paul in saying “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1Corinthians 11:1)

Who are you patterning your life after? Perhaps you were blessed to know someone like Jim who left a good example to follow. If not, there is no need to worry. Simply find yourself a Bible and turn to the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There you will read about the life and times of Jesus while He walked this earth. In studying the life of Jesus, you will also get a good taste of the kind of man Jim was. It was hard saying good-bye when God called him home, and yet we know it wasn't really “Good-bye” but instead “See you soon!” When you think about it, even many years are just a short span in the scope of eternity,. Until then, we will rest in knowing Jim is now part of the great cloud of witnesses referred to in Hebrews 12. They are surrounding us as we run with perseverance the race marked out for us. The chapter goes on to encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of faith. It was faith that brought Jim through his life on earth, and through faith we know we will one day see him again. Until then, we hold on to precious memories and do our best to follow his lead.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Good Policy

Never take a 'no' from someone who doesn't have the authority to give you a 'yes'.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sarah Palin is welcome!

I like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and she is welcome any time at my kitchen table. What an amazing personal story and I hope she does indeed 'break' that glass ceiling for women everywhere.

Sometimes we all want to wait around and see how everything 'shakes' out about a 'perceived' new face on the political scene. But she is a capable, competent American woman and I find myself optimistic about the possibilities of the benefits her perspective and perseverence can have on our country at a national level.

She certainly has made the conversation interesting and hopefully we'll see record numbers of Americans register and vote in November. We do all have the means to participate in this national conversation; VOTE.

Like I said, kitchen table, pot of coffee, and maybe even a bit of hot breakfast food if you give me a little notice:)

Blessed Indeed

Monday, September 15, 2008

Gasoline - AL

We bought gas on Friday for $3.99 a gallon in Oxford. That was several dimes more per gallon than the prices posted just one day previous. Bruce noticed on his drive home from work that people were behaving irratically and lines were forming at gas stations along his route. It had all the signs of a panic in the works.

Apparently the governor had issued a State of Emergency in Alabama due to the impact of damage in Texas and Louisianna that Hurricane Ike was going to have on gasoline flowing to consumers in Alabama, who's ranks have expanded as well, due to the evacuations taking place from Ike and Gustav. Alabamians are opening their arms to the evacuees but goods and services are being impacted.

We made the drive to Ohatchee for the church gathering yesterday and realized that many gas stations are out of gas in this area. We saw lots of bags over the pump handles and many signs no longer show a price. They are out of gas.

Now might be a good time to mention that we all need to conserve. Some supplies may need to be diverted from the midwest and northeast to help the states affected here in the south. With search and rescue in full swing; widespread damage coming to light; relief agencies on the move to assist; and the cleanup and rebuilding lining up; we are all in this together.

Easy Money

When the monies too easy, the money ain't right...Bill Hemmer - Fox news 9/15/08

Friday, September 05, 2008

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Bravo McCain!

What a difference a day can make. Way to go Sarah Palin! Bravo McCain!

Friday, August 29, 2008

A Shame

Well, it's official. Hillary Clinton won't be the democratic vice presidential candidate. What does that say about Obama? I'm not exactly a Hillary fan on policy, but you 'have' to give her credit. It's a shame that Obama didn't.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Patient Waiting

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
-- Romans 8:25

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Thomas Jefferson

"A government big enough to give you everything you want,

is strong enough to take everything you have."
-Thomas Jefferson

Monday, August 11, 2008

Summing It All Up

Philippians 4:8-9
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse...Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

2008 Presidential Election - Executive Summary

I know that some of you don't like to read long drawn out missives...

so here's the Executive Summary.........


John McCain - 26 Years-Congress /22 yrs-Military

Barack Obama - 143 Days-Congress / 0 - Military

Summary Concluded!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

3 Things

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -

1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose-

1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -

1. Love
2. Family &Friends
3. Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain -

1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person -

1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work

Three things that are truly constant - Father - Son - Holy Spirit

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. God's love is always with you, God's promises are true. And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.

Pass this along to People you want God to Bless - I just did!

shared by my friend, Diane Anderson.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Uncle Edwin remembered

Last night's dinner was a bit of a tribute to my Uncle Edwin, who passed on to his reward Sunday, crossing over Jordan, as my Dad likes to say. He was my Dad's uncle actually but we 'all' called him Uncle Edwin.

I cooked up a bit of brisket plus some green beans and potatoes. The first time I can recall eating brisket would have been at a family reunion out in Possum Kingdom Texas back in May of 2004. Uncle Edwin had cooked up the secret family recipe and it was mighty fine. He explained the seasoning and rubbing and cutting of the meat to get that texture and taste. It was good.

I'm afraid my version last night was the best that Sadlers Tender Split BBQ Brisket could do. It was an adequate substitute but suspect that I'll need to pull out the family recipe and give it a go at some point. My Dad has already been working on a version of brisket since 2004, serving it up at the 2006 gathering. It was mighty fine.

Here's to Uncle Edwin, good brisket, and all the tomatoes you can eat (another story for another day).

Saturday, July 05, 2008

A twist of fate this July 2nd.



July 2nd took a little turn as Bruce made an improper dismount from a ladder, broke the stew out of his wrist, hence swan neck break, making a visit to the Stringfellow Memorial Hospital ER where the staff took excellent care of him, met Dr. Stokes who performed surgery to make necessary repairs and installed an external fixation device that you see here in the photo. A night was spent in the hospital where more excellent care was given and then sent home to recover and rest, something that is hard to do in a hospital. That's the short version:)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

In Search of Trust by Darrell Scott

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

'Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

'The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

'In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defen d the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question 'Why?'
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

'Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational
systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount o f gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

'As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your
own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!'

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech.. Please send this out to everyone you can.

God Bless

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Exactly The Right Words

"A grandfather was walking through his yard when he heard his granddaughter repeating the alphabet in a tone of voice that sounded like a prayer. He asked her what she was doing. The little girl explained: 'I'm praying, but I can't think of exactly the right words, so I'm just saying all the letters, and God will put them together for me, because (God) knows what I'm thinking.'"

Susan Diamond-Montgomery, AL

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

God is wondrous!

I get a daily dose message from Elice McNeely. They are usually short and to the point but they had been missing for several days and yesterday she caught up.

It is wondrous how God works this all out for our good, in his timing, as we have had an 'interesting' season here lately. Yes, that's code talk but I'll let you figure it out.

Anyway, let me share the six doses I received yesterday, in order of my receiving them, notice that they are not in the order that they were sent. Let me confess to you that I read the first two then started deleting them, thinking that I was receiving duplicates, an email snafu of sorts, plus, I was 'very' busy, but then realized that God was deliberately encouraging me through these messages, at a very important time, so I retrieved them. So, here they are:

10:56 am sent; received at 11:14 am

God sends trials not to impair us, but to improve us.

11:00 am sent: received at 11:16 am

God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without a purpose.

11:01 am sent: received at 11:55 am

God guides us...He leads us step by step, only when we look back do we realize that He was always there...leading us.

10:57 am sent: received at 11:58 am

To defeat Satan, surrender to Christ.

11:15 am sent: received at 12:01 pm

Our best friends draw us closer to Christ.

11:02 am sent: received at 12:03 pm

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.

I am blessed indeed!
Rhonda

A side note: as I was typing this today, Abbey the cat has snuggled up next to me on the sofa and is laying her cheek at my left elbow and is purring.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

First Tomato of the Season


My first ripe tomato of the season came from an unexpected place. Not from the big whiskey barrel planters I carefully set my best tomato transplants and cages in. No, from the small compost pile at the edge of my lawn. I had some scraggly looking transplants left over and a pile of grass clippings. As I recall, I just scooped out a hole in the grass clippings and stuck a couple of tomato plants in them and watered. Yep, first ripe tomato came from there.

Sinking my teeth into that ripe tomato was a joy. Memories of many ripe juicy tomatoes came flooding back. This is a taste you just don't find at the big box store it seems, and never in the off season. Anyway, as I was enjoying that first moment of tomato joy, I realized that I needed a picture for my Dad. He's been asking me if I have any tomatoes yet ever since we completed the construction of the backyard greenhouse in January. I started from seed and Monday I picked the first tomato. A few more are now on the counter riping up for me but here's a picture of the first one, minus a big bite, taken with my cell phone.

Yep, summer has come to Alabama:)

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Waiting

Have you ever been tired to the bone? So tired your face hurts? I've had a nagging headache for about three days now. I think it is stress related.

It seems the times are trying and some answers that I need are not coming along too quickly. I think waiting is a very hard task. Maybe you have it mastered?

Perhaps I will wonder out to the greenhouse and piddle with my plants. It seems to be a good place to be to get reminded of the One who has all the answers. Perhaps in the quietness of it all my headache will ease in the company of the One.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Rules for Driving in Tulsa

I didn't write this, someone named Vaughn Clark did, but it is so true, I thought it good to share, as someone who has driven in Tulsa many times. Here I was all these years, thinking it was only me:) Enjoy!

Only those who drive in Tulsa or have driven in Tulsa will appreciate this. If your Tulsa map is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If you're in Broken Arrow and your map is one day old, then it is already obsolete. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Tulsa has its own version of traffic rules. All directions start with "Get on Memorial" which has no beginning and no end. Everything in Tulsa is "just off Memorial." The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out and possibly shot. When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic. Construction on I-44 is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. All unexpected or strange sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Jenks." If someone actually has a turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect. All old ladies with blue hair in Mercedes have the right of way. PERIOD. I-44 is called the Skelly Bypass. No one has ever figured out what it bypasses... State Highway 51 is either the Broken Arrow Expressway or the Keystone Expressway, depending on which way you're headed. US64 comes up Memorial from Bixby, joins 169 for a few miles, and then heads west with SH 51 towards Sand Springs. Several highways like the Creek Turnpike have no number. We don't understand it either. Maps of Tulsa show an Interstate 444 in downtown Tulsa. If you find it let us know. The alleged I-444 is half of the inner-dispersal loop, which is not for the faint of heart. Highway 169 in rush hour is the Tulsa equivalent of NASCAR. Just shut up and drive like the rest of us. If asking directions along North Utica or in west Tulsa, you must have knowledge of Spanish. If you're on east 21st Street, Mandarin Chinese or Vietnamese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Pine or Peoria, you better be armed. The minimum acceptable speed on the Broken Arrow Expressway is 85.Anything less is considered downright sissy. If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it's 10 degrees and snowing, it's homecoming at TU. If it's rained 6 inches in the last hour, and it is spring, it's opening day for the Drillers. If it is fall, the Tulsa State Fair is going on. All amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, race tracks, airports, etc., are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.
With these simple rules in mind, you are now ready to drive in Tulsa. Please try and keep up.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Womans Remote

Notes from a friend...

Remember:

"A good friend will come bail you out of jail....
But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying
WE screwed up, but we had fun!"

I've learned...that life is like a roll of toilet paper.
The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned...that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned..that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. !

I've learned...that the Lord didn't do it all in one day.
What makes me think I can?

I've learned...that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

Monday, April 07, 2008

More Chocolate?

Did I forget to tell you that the van broke down in Tulsa and while having it fixed, someone stole the merchandise trailer? Thought not. More chocolate anyone?

Thursday, April 03, 2008

March On.

Can you believe it? March has passed. It was a busy month for sure. Two trips to Tulsa; a recording session for 225 singers; an exhibit for 3 days on concrete floors; a visit to OK City to see my Son; a visit to my parents in Arkansas; a visit from my Mom as she rode back with me and stayed for 2 weeks; a trip to the doctors office to check out her chest pains, which he diagnosed as muscular, still not sure what that means; a visit from my son for Spring Break; a trip to the Atlanta airport during the tornado; two trips to the Birmingham airport; one mad dash at DFW airport; one cancelled flight out of Tulsa; five gate changes at DFW airport; one lost bag; one found bag; one delivered bag; dogwood trees blooming; pink, red and white azaleas blooming; five wheelbarrow loads of compost dug and spread; and time to dig and divide hostas. Oh yeah, the van broke down so JJ is still in Tulsa getting it fixed.

Yep, March has passed.

Monday, March 10, 2008

A Few Cups of Coffee

A Few Cups of Coffee
copyright 2008 David Clark/Cochran, Ga.
For permission to reuse, please contact the author.
P.O. Box 148 - Cochran, GA 31014
dclark@outofthesky.com


My work as a "second" for my new client took me to an interesting
meeting. There were a dozen high-powered individuals there.

I was there only as an observer. My client asked me to go so I could
better act as a sounding board on the topic.

Supposedly everyone at the table knew why we were there. It was a
friendly meeting to discuss an agreement that had supposedly already
been reached.

Within three minutes, I knew the meeting was a bust. It took an hour
and twenty minutes for the meeting to break up, because everyone at
the table kept talking, and of course four different lawyers had to
weigh in several times to further complicate the discussion.

I kept wanting to raise my hand and say: "Didn't anyone talk to
anyone else before y'all came here?" I didn't do this, of course,
though it would have saved everyone a lot of time.

My client and I walked back to his office afterwards. My client said:
"Well, what did you think about that?"

I laughed. "Well, it was a great example of what happens when a bunch
of good men assume everyone already knows what everyone else thinks."

The next day I saw another one of the men from the meeting. He and I
shared similar roles in the meeting. Neither of us was the
decision-maker but we both worked for the man who was. He said:
"Well, that meeting didn't go so well, did it? What did you think
about it?"

I said: "Well, it seems like it would have gone a whole lot smoother
if two men had shared a cup of coffee and a little conversation
before they got there."

"What do you mean? I thought they were disagreeing about the terms of
the contract."

"The contract had nothing to do with it."

"How can you say that? That's what the lawyers kept talking about."

"Yes, that's true, but that's what lawyers talk about. The real
problem was a simple human mixup. The two parties came to the table
without knowing how each other felt. All they had to do was talk
things out a bit before they got there."

He laughed. "You know, I think you're right. Both men had definite
thoughts about why they were there, but neither man knew what the
other man's thoughts were."

I've thought alot about that meeting in the last few days. I wonder
how many times a minute that same thing happens in this old world --
where two people, two neighbors, a husband and wife, two towns, two
states, two countries, two groups of any kind -- manage to assume
they already know what the other side is thinking but never take the
time to sit down and talk about it.

I know this is oversimplifying many situations. But in the last week
I've been involved in helping last week's bad meeting approach
resolution. All it took was a few cups of coffee over good
conversation.
-*-
Email David Clark at , or write him at P.O.
Box 148, Cochran, Ga. 31014.
-*-
NEW BOOK RELEASE:

David Clark is releasing a new book called "Simply America." It is a
book of stories about our country, about freedom, about Veterans,
about people met on the road, all describing a thing very precious.

Also now available is "The Peanut Farmer Stories" and "Letters to
Cagney, Wisdom is a Deep Well." These old reader favorites have been
out of print for a couple of years now, but are back in stock.

Order these books by mail using the form below, or go to Clark's
website if you want to use Paypal or a credit card. The web catalog
address is;

http://www.outofthesky.com/basic/catalog.html

Friday, February 29, 2008

Lightning Show

We had the most spectacular lightning show on Tuesday morning at 4 am. I have never seen anything like it. The whole house was lit up and there was no place to run from it, even though I was scurrying around trying to unplug every media, computer and appliance in the house, as power was coming and going and eventually went.

It was the sound of wind and hail though that sent us to the closet wondering if we would have a house standing when we came out. The weather radio indicated a cell located 6 miles north of the Talladega airport. Actually I don't know where the Talladega airport is but figure we must have been a few miles north of that and so we were spared the worst of the weather damage. The roof is still intact and the greenhouse weathered the storm well, all pieces still in place.

I scoured about the area to locate some dry ice since I had actually gone to the grocery store the night before and those of you who know me, know what that means, food in the frig. I ended up making a trip to Gadsden and did indeed buy dry ice. It was a real educational experience and kept our frig and freezer from thawing out during the 15 hour power free zone. It wasn't like I could do anything else and it turned into a nice dry, a burger at Sonic, and my first trip to drive into downtown Gadsden and see the main row there.

Lots to be thankful for. I only wished that I had pictures of that lightning storm. I really thought we might just explode on the spot but looks like we didn't, so just counting all those blessings. God is good!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

A Cranky Tractor by David Clark

A Cranky Tractor
copyright 2008 David Clark/Cochran, Ga.
For permission to reuse, please contact the author.
P.O. Box 148 - Cochran, GA 31014
dclark@outofthesky.com


My Daddy's old Ford 8-N tractor is a wonderful old machine. She's a beautiful 1951 model, and generally speaking, gives no trouble. She will do anything I need to do.

She is a great example of the finest of American work. I just replaced a rear tire on it, which is an expensive proposition. But, Daddy would say that the bad tire didn't owe me anything. It had been on the tractor since 1951, so I didn't feel bad about it when it fell to pieces one day this past December.

Last week I went out to crank up the old tractor so I could plow some of my little field for cabbages and potatoes.

There's a way to crank this old tractor. You approach from the left side. Put one foot up on the clutch, turn the gas shut-off valve to open so a little gas will flow, switch on the key, and work the throttle lever back and forth twice. Then you reach over with one hand to prepare to pull out the choke lever, and press down on the foot-operated starter button.

She'll turn over, and you pull out the choke briefly and let it back off.

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, she'll fire right up.

But, you know how things go. I'd let her sit for a couple of months while I was up in Chicago and other places fiddling around doing things other than riding Daddy's old tractor.

She turned over just fine, and just began to catch and run. But nope, she didn't fire off. I tried her again. A little bit of cough, following by a whole lot of nothing. I tried 'er one more time with the same result.

The grand old slightly rusty gal had a firm answer: "Nothing doing."
I switched off the key, took my foot off the clutch, and turned the gas valve back off.

I rubbed the engine cowling. "No hard feelings, old girl. I think I got the message." And I put my gloves in my back pocket and went and sat down for awhile in the rocking chair on the front porch.

My Daddy's old tractor is a wonderful machine. She runs best when she's running often. She feels important when I take her out plowing on a regular basis. She likes to work hard.

And like most living things, she gets ill-tempered when I ignore her for awhile. One thing I've learned over the years is when my Daddy's old tractor is ill-tempered, there's one best course of action: Walk away and ignore her for a day. She always cranks up the next day.

Two days ago a friend mentioned how his co-worker was carrying on.
"He's ill-tempered. He doesn't want to work. He doesn't want to get along with anyone. He's valuable to us, but nobody knows what to do about him sometimes."

I told my friend about my Daddy's old tractor. He grinned. "I think I'll try out your approach."

-*-


Email David Clark at , or write him at P.O.
Box 148, Cochran, Ga. 31014.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Thankful

I am thankful today that my family, scattered all over the south, has weathered the storms that passed through here last night and this morning.

There are many who were not so fortunate and the weather front continues it's path across the east stretching from north to south. We pray for those families who were not as fortunate and for those who have lost loved ones in the path of this storm.

I am also thankful to see the bright yellow blooms of daffodils peaking out in my back yard. A cheery reminder and I confess, I needed it.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Multi-Tasking; the Illusion of Efficiency

1-26-08

Multi-tasking by it's very nature severely limits high quality results. It is the illusion of efficiency.

All it really guarantees is that you'll 'touch' it. So you have multiples of 'touching' things, issues, projects. This is not the same as dealing efficiently with multiple details in a high quality way. How can it?

That definition is the illusion. It is unattainable, demoralizing in both the long term and short health of the person attempting it, and defeating the purpose and goal of high quality results.

Is your goal to produce high quality results? Do you want projects handled with a high level of attention given to detail?

To use a golf axiom to illustrate my point here. Drive for show, putt for dough. Multi-tasking is the act of driving for show. Tiger Woods putts for the dough. His singleness of purpose is to get to that green so he can putt, for the dough. It doesn't mean he doesn't do what needs to be done to hone the skills necessary to get him to the green. But his craft in completing his mission, closing the sale, so to speak, is to get to that green, so he can putt.

So where does that take us with Multi-tasking? It is true that we need to be able to 'manage' multiples. However, it is unrealistic to set your sites on bringing multiples to their conclusion, simultaneously. Closing the sale takes attention, focused attention. If you are not allowed to give this proper attention to the details of quality, you will not produce quality results. We should not be surprised by this phenomenon.

Important people and projects in our lives deserve dedicated attention. Giving your full attention to a child cannot be substitued with anything. Nothing else measures up to a child like having your undivided attention. Roll that around in your mind for a while. They will go to great lengths to get your undivided attention. Explains a lot about the behavior we witness in children, doesn't it?

If an employer expects their assistant to be an expert multi-tasker. That employer should not be surprised that there will occasionally be areas of weakness witnessed in the results. You sacrifice quality for the quantity folks. Plain and simple. Think about what you're asking for and quit beating up your employees because they don't 'measure' up. Your definition is faulty. That's what I'm saying.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Knowing the Proverbs

Knowing the Proverbs
Proverbs are brief sayings which have in them some concentrated wisdom usually learned by experience.

One first grade teacher wanted to teach her group of 6 year olds some of our American proverbs. She gave them the first part of a famous proverb and asked them to finish the statement.

If you think you understand the mind of a 6 year old, read their answers.

1.
Don’t change horses……
Until they stop running.

2.
Strike while the……
Bug is close.

3.
It’s always darkest just before……
Daylight Savings Time.

4.
Never underestimate the power of……
Termites.

5.
Don’t bite the hand that……
Looks dirty.

6.
No news is……
Impossible.

7.
A miss is as good as a……
Mr.

8.
You can’t teach an old dog new……
Math.

9.
If you lie down with dogs, you’ll……
Stink in the morning.

10.
The pen is mightier than the……
Pigs.

11.
An idle mind is……
The best way to relax.

12.
Where there’s smoke, there’s……
Pollution.

13.
A penny saved is……
Not much.

14.
Two’s company, three’s the……
Musketeers.

15.
Don’t put off till tomorrow what……
You put on to go to bed.

16.
Laugh & the world laughs with you, cry and……
You blow your nose.

17.
There are none so blind as……
Stevie Wonder

18.
Children should be seen and not……
Spanked

19.
When the blind lead the blind……
Get out of the way.

20.
If at first you don’t succeed……
Try new batteries.


Well, those are fun, but the Biblical proverbs are of real practical help; such as:
(Most everybody’s life would be better if we listened to these proverbs.)

Listen to the instruction of your father (4:1).
If you have signed on to guarantee a loan for a friend, do not rest until you have freed yourself from that legal obligation (6:1-5).
A gentle answer turns away wrath (15:1).
Better is a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (16:32).
Wine is a mocker and strong drink a brawler (20:1).
The borrower is servant to the lender (22:7).
If you are a glutton, put a knife to your throat (23:2).

Borrowed from:
http://www.waterview.org/news/index.htm

Friday, January 25, 2008

Thankful Thursdays

I enjoy reading Tea With Tiffany. She writes a Thankful Thursday Blog every week. Here's the link. Take a look yourself. Maybe we should all do this more often.
It's a good thing. http://teawithtiffany.blogspot.com/2008/01/thankful-thursday-january-24th.html Oh, the picture is from my Thursday sunset. I was counting my blessings too.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Tax Rebates

Here's an idea:

Why don't we ask the States and Cities to give a tax rebate to stimulate the economy? We seem to always look to the Federal government for this, but why not those entities closer to home? Most states have an income tax, they for sure have a substantial sales tax, property tax, and if you get to looking at the bills and services coming in to be paid every month at your household, you'll find an array of other fees and taxes added onto your bills.

It's worth some conversation and consideration, don't you think?

Monday, January 21, 2008

Snow in Alabama

We don't get to see a lot of snow in Alabama. However, Saturday we had some. It wasn't as much as predicted and it didn't last long once is stopped falling, but I took some pictures. The unique sound of snow flakes falling and the chillness in the air made for a few moments of beauty as God strokes the canvas with a whisp of marshmallow. Sweet!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Pearls

If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten.

Or worse.

Think about it.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Measured Progress


There has been a week of progress made with the greenhouse. Bruce has run the electrical so I can run a heater and installed the lights, automated vent and bottom vents as well. We have a programable thermostat coming soon and an exhaust fan.

We've moved some plants into the greenhouse now and repotting projects are beginning and some rooted cuttings are going into pots. We had a couple of cold nights and things worked smoothly, all the ducks flying in formation and such like. Ah, breathe in deeply, it smells like a greenhouse. I have missed it.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Neat As A Pin

There are still vents, electrical and such to be added, but as you can see, she's a beautiful greenhouse!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Framed


You get the picture now?
Here's the link: http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/

Greenhouse Framing

Will worked like a trooper putting the rest of the framing together Wednesday. Are you wondering what those poles sticking up in the air are for? I'll have another picture for you soon to help the puzzle come together. We'll need a little warmer day to add the glazing sheets. It's coming together:)

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Assembly Required

The Solexx Gardener's Oasis Greenhouse arrived in six boxes from The Greenhouse Catalog of Salem, Oregon. The site preparation and assembly process has begun. Yes, I am smiling.