Working quietly

Planning to run for City Council in the great city of Lincoln Nebraska. I'm so excited! These weeks I'm working quietly, meeting people, reading policy, making plans. Will hopefully announce next week. If not then after Christmas. It's been humbling and exciting meeting the people who make things happen in this town. I hope to be one of them soon.

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

I went and did a crazy, wild, impetuous thing yesterday. I went to Omaha to see Sarah Palin. Lots of 'shoulda-woulda-coulda' involved in the day. Shoulda left earlier, wish I woulda got out of the car before we went to park, coulda gotten in the big room, but we didn't. Stood outside for 2 hours, went through secret service security, and were ushered into a giant hall with no chairs, and a screen on the wall. Yep, another hour plus went by until she arrived. We considered leaving, but then decided we were there so might as well ride it out. Had we been looking more closely we would have noticed a small platform with a microphone set up in the corner. Definitely could have made our way there early on. So, here we are, trying to be comfortable in our own little camp on the concrete floor, when a small shout erupts. There she was! Sarah Palin in the room with us. Fun to be there and hear her speak. Protester in the middle of the room started shouting and waving some sign I couldn't read. Her response, "My son and many other brave men and women are in Iraq right now defending your right to say what you want." Go Sarah!

Yep, my back hurts today from my lengthy association with concrete yesterday. Would I ignore my dirty house, my lack of groceries, and my need for a Sunday nap to do it again? In a heartbeat.

Circles

Circle of influence, circle of concern. The balance between these two concepts is heavy on my mind today.

Tonight she comes

Tonight is the first VP debate of this historic election. I was invited to an event for women. I'm looking forward to an enjoyable evening. What has me a bit concerned was the verbiage in the invitation. It said, "Do you love Sarah Palin?" Well, I'm not sure about that yet. "If you think she's energetic and entertaining..." What would those have to do with my determination if she's a viable candidate to be our second in command?

Yes, I'm excited that a woman has been selected as the nominee. I'm just not convinced yet that the shoe won't drop and the dream that so many seem to be clinging to won't shatter.

An invitation

In my mail was an invitation to a Pampered Chef party. Unfortunately for me, and for the hostess, there wasn't any information. No date, no time, no return address, not even who the demonstrator was supposed to be. I hope they had a grand time. Sad for me.

A month, really?

Wish I could back date entries so I wouldn't have to see just how big of a slacker I am. So much has happened in the last month. Where to begin?

We had Easton's "Happy to me!" on Labor Day weekend. We also enjoyed a visit from Kelsey and her boyfriend Brandon.

Miranda and her two darlings have moved in with us. She's in the process of ending her marriage so it looks like they'll be with us for a while. We're all getting settled and into a routine.

Jeff and I ran away from home. I spoke in O'Neill, Broken Bow, Burwell, and Springview NE. From there we continued our trip and spent 2 nights at McConaghy. Met my friend Kristen and her husband Todd at Gothenburg for a round of golf on the way back. Nebraska offers so much beauty. Just have to get off the interstate once in a while.

Today was a most interesting day. Actually it all came down to about an hour of interesting. Learned that Kelsey's relationship status on Facebook had changed and it looked like she and Brandon were no longer together. Meanwhile, I sent the neighbor girl to get the mail because Emory was sleeping in her car seat. As Logan was bringing the mail the elderly gentleman who lives on the corner came all the way to the end of the circle to see me. He said he had found a large grey cat under his bushes and had placed the cat in the trash and he wanted to know if that was okay since he was pretty sure the cat was mine. I told him I'd be down to identify the remains in a few minutes. Jeff called to say he was done at the golf course on the far side of town. That meant I had to load up the grandkids again and head out in the car. While I'm hurrying to change clothes, dreading the stop at the neighbors and whining to my friend on the phone about Kelsey and the dead cat, I notice that Oliver, the cat, is sound asleep in the living room. At the same time I get a text from Kelsey saying she and Brandon are fine, just took their status off facebook. Was very pleased to stop at the neighbors long enough to thank him for his thoughtfulness, but the cat is not mine.

Yep, that was my day.

The moments that make a lifetime

When our daughter Kelsey was 9 or 10 she insisted she wanted to be baptized. I wasn't convinced she fully understood the significance, so we kept putting her off. After the month-long mission trip to Asia she came home knowing she needed to follow the command of Christ to be baptized.

She and 59 other people, along with 1000 people from our church family, gathered on the east lawn of the church following the morning services for and hour of cheers and applause as people bowed in prayer and took the symbolic plunge into the water. I was touched at her devotion to Christ and her intense desire to be obedient.

I pray that she will never forget the day, I know I never will.

Olympic Gold!

A few Olympics ago I was under the misguided notion that the U.S.A. totally cleaned up. Every medal ceremony I saw featured the Star Spangled Banner and the red white and blue. Little did I know, through the magic of television we only get to see a tiny fraction of all the events and ceremonies that take place throughout the almost three weeks of competition. Silly, silly me.

729 Songs

There are 729 songs on my iTunes at work. Leaving this job, leaving the computer and the music library behind. Not that I don't own the CD's and couldn't recreate the library, but it won't be the same. About a week ago I decided to listen to every one of them again before I leave. It's 34.9 days worth of music, so I won't get them all listened to, but I'm giving it a good try. But how to go at this task? I put the entire library in order by length of song, from shortest to longest. 3:31 is the most frequent. All the really good stuff starts at about 5 minutes. Wonder if I'll get through the list that far before the next week ends...

It just can't be

Jeff's relationship with Easton nearly defies description. Their bond is something to behold and impossible to deny. More than once Easton has toddled into our house, and run past me yelling, "Where Grmpah?"

Look at the picture. Can you see it already happening with Emory? She's not left the hospital and Jeff is making that connection that will someday break my heart. I can feel it coming.

I begged him not to make eye contact. I pleaded with him to stop talking to her like that, but he can't help it. Grandchildren are like giant magnets to his heart. I'm hoping maybe some of his technique will rub off on me. Maybe, just maybe, Emory will like me best.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Emory Estella Tharp

Announcing the safe an uneventful arrival of our new granddaughter, Emory Estella Tharp. She was several weeks early, but that didn't seem to be a problem. She was 5'13oz. She looks just like her brother only she has dark, curly hair. Both Miranda and Emory are doing great!

The green dress -- an update

Jeff just sent me an email to say he wants to get me the green dress for my birthday. Should he order it or did I want to take care of that? How cute is my husband???

Be Still

Miranda called yesterday morning to say she was on her way to the hospital. The NST (non-stress test) done at the office showed evidence for concern. Baby Emory's heart rate was fluctuating wildly and dropping to dangerous lows. At the same time there were some contractions, but nothing regular enough to be called labor.

On arriving at the hospital the nurse said Miranda would probably be out in about 20 minutes. We looked at each other knowingly and waited for her tune to change. After she saw the strip coming off the monitor and got the orders which had been faxed by the doctor's office the nurse had to acknowledge that Miranda would be there a while. They drew blood and encouraged Miranda to get as comfortable as possible.

We prayed together and began to flip through the magazines I had taken from the hospital lobby. An amazing thing started to happen. After about an hour Emory's heart rate leveled out and the contractions stopped. All that was really needed was for Miranda to be quiet and resting, and Emory was no longer distressed.

Miranda was released from the hospital with strict admonition that she is to be laying down whenever possible. She can shower, use the bathroom, and that's about it. That's a tall order for anyone, but having a toddler makes that extremely difficult. She and Easton have relocated to our house, for the time being. Adam goes to work at 4 a.m. so getting Easton to daycare becomes a challenge. That's where we come in. We will get him to daycare in the morning so Miranda can spend the day resting, taking her blood pressure, and counting baby kicks.

Thank you for praying for Miranda and Emory. She'll be here soon enough, just not yet. At 36 weeks, praying for 38.

Scar Maps

You've heard of star maps, how we track the placement of stars in the sky. What if people created scar maps? Create a log book of every injury so that later in life you'd know where the scars came from. This thought occurred to me while looking at my precious Easton's face. He already has several scars and not yet two years old. Could make fascinating reading.

A Matter of Semantics

Men's Prison. Women's Reformatory. Is the assumption that women can be reformed and men must simply be restrained?

Thought of that this morning when one of the Manson family killers was interviewed from the California Women's Reformatory where she's been held for 40+ years. She's begging to be released. Has she been reformed? What has she leared in 40 years?

I know what I've learned in 40 years. It's been quite a bit.

I took the job!

Starting approximately July 8, 2008, I will be a marketing representative for NoBrainer. I will start with a salary, but after a short while I'll be on my own. What a thrill! Jeff and I are both excited for this opportunity. For the first time in my professional life, I control my hours, my contacts, my pay. It's all up to me. One of the sales incentives this month is an I-phone. I could live with that. Start producing at a certain rate, they pay the bill. Possible incentive starting next year, the company will own a car that the top sales person gets to drive for the month. Not the top sales person? Give the car to the person who is. I WANT THE CAR!

Thrilled beyond belief.

Now, to slug it out through the next 3 weeks at my job is going to be difficult. Thankful for some projects to finish that will need my attention.

Update

In case you were wondering, the dress has not yet been ordered. Jeff is hinting that he is planning to order it for my birthday. I would like that!

Was just presented with the "High 5 Award" by my department. It's presented twice a year to someone who shows commitment above and beyond their responsibilities. The certificate says: For demonstrating commitment and dedication, humor and a positive attitude, initiative and willingness, participation and partnerships, leadership and affirmative role modeling. Wow. That sounds important. Nice to know that what I do is valued. I like that too.

The Green Dress

I look at this dress online at least once a day. It's a perfect style for my figure type. They do not carry it in the store. I tried on enough clothes in the store I know what size I'm ordering. As soon as GW gets my check here I'm ordering.

What do you all think?

River of Tears

Emotions were running a little high in Ohio as Kelsey made final arrangements to leave for her month-long adventure in China. Then the news reached her that Kearney, where she lives, was being hit by tornados. I shared what news I could, what was coming from the TV station about 50 miles away from the action. She was remaining as calm as she could, there was no bad news, she could deal with that. It was after the storm had moved on and she reached everyone by phone and knew that everyone was safe that the emotional storm erupted. All the worry came spilling out in a torrent of tears. Worry over friends, her things, the town that has become her home.

In that moment I was her mother, in the most real sense of the word. I was the woman she turned to who allowed her to cry without judgement, let the river run.

Don't know how she slept last night. I do know that my heart is heavy. Sometimes rivers spill over their banks.

The 'State' job

More work, because of capability. No additional pay than the person sitting next to you, who is incapable. This is the nature of state jobs. How do you reconcile this dichotomy? Keep doing more, taking on additional responsibilities for no additional compensation? When is enough, enough?

The drive comes from inside. Deep down is where the satisfaction comes from.

Whatever. I just want more money this year, and I don't think it's coming. Sad

Searching for Service

My phone sits on my desk every day. Service is usually no problem in this building. Today it keeps struggling to find a signal. Do you think it's because of the foil Pop-Tart wrapper it's sitting on?

My handsome and brilliant nephew has started a blog. Puts me to shame with his insight into the universe. I'll keep blogging about cell phone service, he will keep blogging about the nature of reality. Read whichever you want, my feelings won't be hurt.

Red Neck Salad

This is supposedly a recipe by everyone's favorite cook, Paula Dean. It's called Georgia Cracker Salad, though I haven't verified that. It's so yummy I don't care where it came from. Discovered it at my friend Christie's house.

Georgia Cracker Salad
1 sleeve saltine crackers crumbled (I used store brand Ritz)
1 large tomato, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1-1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 hard cooked egg, chopped

Stir gently until well mixed, chill and serve.

McDizzle? F'shizzle!

Hastings, Nebraska. Not just the birthplace of Kool-Aid, now the home of the McDizzle. Double Cheeseburger with a chicken patty slipped in the middle. I had a bite, quite tasty. Dare you to try to order one. I've also heard a chicken patty tucked into a Big Mac is pretty special, but I haven't tried that. I would not recommend ordering anything so special during a rush. You're more likely to get cooperation if you're there later at night, when the younger, more adventurous McDonald's employees are on duty. Let me know if you try a McDizzle. Maybe this is a trend that will sweep the nation, something like Kool-Aid.

Question of the day

How many "hits" do you have to have had before you can produce a "Greatest Hits" collection?

New Kids on the Block have a greatest hits CD. Can you name a single one of their "hits?"

Do they count as fruit?

Have you tried the new cherry M&M's? Quite tasty and I'm not a big cherry candy fan.

Someone in my office has suggested that because they are cherry they are a fruit and therefore count as vitamins. Anyone else want to weigh in on that subject?

Stalker?

If you leave the room and he throws himself on the floor crying, is he a stalker?

If he stands outside every room you are in knocking on the door, is he a stalker?

No, he's just a toddler!

A thought worth considering

William Faulkner's 1950 speech accepting the Nobel Prize in Literature is worthy of your consideration. Search: American Rhetoric top 100, and you'll find some amazing speeches. The one by Faulkner has some great moments. You'll be left to consider the craft of word selection and composition. You'll also, if you've written anything for public consumption, be left in awe of your duty as a writer. Check it out. Revel in the words of a master.

Scary phone call

Our daughter Kelsey is going to Asia on a mission trip this summer. One of the preparation steps is getting all the immunization recommended. Kelsey gives blood quite frequently, that doesn't bother her. But for whatever reason putting stuff in makes her nervous. I went with her to the clinic. There was discussion about previous immunizations, and how current was her tetanus. The nurse finally settled on 4 shots, with more to follow in the series over the next six weeks.

The next day her phone rings, it's the clinic. The voice says, there's a problem...

They overdosed her? The typhoid was bad? They gave her mad cow?

Turns out they had a question about her account, which I had paid as I left that day. Maybe problem wasn't the right word. She's fine, a little sore, but fine.

Snow in April?

As we pulled out of the garage this morning there were snowflakes falling. Stop the insanity! I wrote a note in February about snow, and how quickly it would be going away. Thankfully this morning's snow was not sticking. Crazy!

I've been away

Gentle Readers,

Sorry I've been away. I get into blogspot and all I can think about is checking my great niece Shirley's spot to see if there's any new pictures. I'll try to do better.

You go girl

“Wow, you’re the first person actually that’s ever asked me that question in the, I don’t know maybe, 70 college campuses I’ve now been to, and I do not think that is any of your business,” Chelsea Clinton said during the campaign visit for her mother.

This was in response to a student newspaper reporter asking Chelsea about Monica Lewinsky. He asked the question as an opportunity for Chelsea to talk about how strong her mother was, and how she's ready to handle crisis. Instead he got the answer above.

I'm no fan of the Clinton's, but overall I think Chelsea's answer was spot on.

All's well that ends well

Shirley Jean Desvousges arrived at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. She is a beautiful little girl. Both mother, baby and daddy are doing great. Just got a report from the proud mother, baby and daddy are watching Super Bowl highlights. What more could a girl want on her first day out of the hospital?

The 'blind date' couple had a wonderful time meeting and getting to know each other. They must have had plenty to talk about, the evening ended at 1:00 a.m. They're anxious to see each other again, but both want to take the progress of their relationship very slowly. Waiting on God's timing and direction. I'm happy for both of them. Sorry, no names yet. At least not in this public forum.

All's well that ends well.

Anticipation

My niece, Erin, is in labor. I've gotten two progress updates by text message, last one at 1:45 a.m. What's going on in Wisconsin???

I set up two dear young people. Both attend our church but had never met before last week. They were supposed to go for coffee last night. Dying to know how it went.

Guess today is about anticipation.

What was I thinking.

I scheduled: pap smear and exam, eye exam, teeth cleaning and mammogram all within a week. I'm thinking I'll get my hair colored and my toes done. Then I'll be all good from stem to stern. If you see me, be sure to notice.

Every office has one

Every office has one, that person that listens in on every conversation, and then whispers it to others. How ironic that she is the HR representative. We could list her salary under 'telephone' expense instead of salary. Our office 'telephone' changed cubicles this week. Now she's diagonally across the cube structure from me. She moved so she could have more privacy when she talks with people. I mentioned that I can hear every keystroke on her computer and every word she says. She just laughed and said she could every word from my space too. I don't think she got it.

Donut Debauchery

I went down the path, and took others with me. It was Jeff's turn to bring food to the office so I picked up a box of assorted yumminess when he did. My friend is not eating fried things or donuts for Lent. I convinced her that pastries are baked, and not technically donuts, therefore legal. How sick and wrong is that? Next thing you know she's gobbling a cream cheese danish and swilling it down with her Slimfast breakfast. I feel so guilty. Maybe the sticky I got on my mouse from the apple fritter will serve as a reminder to be better next time. I doubt it.

Stealth Readers

First things first. We are driving a 2008 Toyota Camry. When I drove it off the lot it had 4 miles on it. The sunroof got thrown in because it was on the lot in the color I wanted. Matches my winter coat, which was critical! Jeff is happy, I'm happy. Life is good.

It's come to my attention that some of you (Michelle) are reading my blog and not leaving any trail behind. You're stealth readers. While I'm flattered that my life is so interesting, blogging is meant to be a interactive activity. So, interact already! Kristen got her commenting issues worked out, good job Kristen.

A new experience

Car sales people fighting for my business. This is a totally new experience for me, and I love it! Didn't have the green color I wanted in stock without the sunroof, then I guess we'll have to give you the one with the sunroof for the same price. Oh, but wait, says the other one, I can get you a lower payment, and no documentation fee. Looking very Carmy, the color of my winter coat, with the sunroof, and the seriously nice floormats. What more could a girl want?

Can I take it home with me?

10 days later, still don't have a car. Why does it have to take so long? Thinking, planning, driving, negotiating, picking a color, new or used, buy or lease, it all just takes time.

Right now we're down to a Toyota Camry, or a Honda Accord. Both new. Is a sunroof a want or a need? Aloe Green or Metal Grey?

My head is spinning, and my mother in law wants her car back. Can you blame her?

Actually ate a burrito on a salesman's desk at 7:30 the other night. That's how desperate I've become. Sad, very sad.

It's a love - hate thing

My hair looked better when I woke up this morning than it did after a shower and blow dry. I really hate my hair. The color's fine. The cut needs freshening, but isn't bad. Hard to say what it is I hate, but I do. Had a dream last night that a friend had alopecia, where all your hair falls out. Mine's thin, but it's still hanging in there. Guess I should be thankful for something.

Games people play

"Hi, my name is Kris, I'm a compulsive gamer."

That's the opening to the speech I'll be giving in class next week. Most people think that 18-year old boys play online games more than anyone else. That statistic has changed dramatically. I am a solitaire junkie. Current variety is Queen of Italy. Hours speed by when I'm at the keyboard. Is acknowledging the problem the first step to recovery? I can only hope.

Speaking of games, I'll be returning the car I bought Tuesday. It's a nice car, but not what we need right now. Wonder how that game will play out. Hmmm

Cars, gotta love 'em

Driving to a speaking engagement in central Nebraska when a new light appeared on the dashboard of my 1997 Honda Passport. I was used to the 'chk engine' and 'chk trns' lights, they'd been blinking for almost a year. But this light was red and equally cryptic, 'chk at tmp' like someone was texting from under the hood.

I ignored the light and kept driving. I was barely going to make it to Hastings in time to speak, what was I to do? The Honda was running fine, at least from the driver's seat, so I kept driving. When I got off the interstate and came to the first stop light I realized that something was seriously wrong. There was a serious "CLUNK" when it finally dropped into gear. Made it to the parking lot, dashed in, changed clothes, handed music to my accompanist, and smiled through the lunch until it was my turn to sing and eventually to speak.

After the presentation I tried the car. Nothing but reverse, and even that was questionable.

The remaining details of the next 24 hours are almost too painful to recount, so I'll spare you the details, and share only the highlights. Spoke and sang that evening and then spent the night in Grand Island with a dear cousin who took me in. The Honda was pronounced dead. I bought a car. Learned afterward that I agreed to pay entirely too much money for the car. Spoke in Aurora. Drove my new car home. Spent today on the phone with my 'sales consultant' who happens to be the son of a dear friend. Had to finally say -- look sweetie, I know you've only been selling cars for two months, and I know you haven't made your quota for the month, but I'm returning this one. Still have the car, it will be Saturday before I can return it. After that I will have no car again.

Does it get any more fun than that?

February Snow

February snow is better than January snow! Less than 12 hours after it snowed 5+ inches I can see pavement out the window. The warm, happy sunshine is making the streets that were plowed just this morning all melty and nice. Yeah for February snow!

Making Sense of the Symbols

I find myself driving down the road making mathematical equations out of license plates. Do any of you, or am I alone in this? It's this need to create order out of disorder. Sort of like the nonsense text verification that appears when leaving a friendly message on someone's blog; jsqsspd, or klbxmz. I will look at those letters just scratching my brain trying to come up with a sentence or word. Rarely does anything emerge, but I try. This explains why I quit doing word scrambles at showers a long time ago. Most people would just be getting rolling and I'd be done. Kind of embarrasing. What does it all mean?

Txtng -- evl

Txtng by phn shld nt b uzd 4 mssgs mor invlvd thn: "hm sn?" or "brrto plz"

Aftr tht thngs jst gt mddy.

What do we expect?

Saw a hillarious video of a woman on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader." She was pretty sure that Europe was a country, but had never heard of Budapest. She did NOT win money that I know of. Turns out the woman was country singer Kelley Pickler. Poor Kelley. Obviously she skipped school for guitar lessons.

Sort of begs the question: Why do we expect entertainers to do anything but entertain us? While I'm on this subject, since when does being an entertainer make you any more adroit at understanding issues than the average Joe? Who cares what the Baldwin boys think about what happens in Washington, or anywhere else for that matter?

Note to the media: stop asking performers what they think about anything, we don't care! We just want them to make us happy, not tell us what to think.

I Swear!

Easton said something that sounded a lot like grandma and grandpa last night. I swear he did! This happened as he ran past me to jump into grandpa's arms. Yes, the hurt continues. He made up for it later by zerberting my tummy. Is there anything more precious than toddler spit on your tummy? I'm thinking no.

You don't hear about this one

All this eulogizing and not one mention of my favorite Heath Ledger film, "Knights Tale." Could it be that I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain or that would be my favorite? Could it be that reviews like the one that follow are some indication of my artistic taste?

"...isn't bad enough to be a total nightmare..."

Not far from the tree

At the news of Heath Ledger's untimely passing a girl in the cubicle next to my daughter began to weep. This went on for a few minutes, until my daughter couldn't take it any more. She went to 'Stephanie's' desk and asked if she was okay. She said that she was, with no signs of stopping her sobbing. Then my baby said, "Were you close?"

She is so her mother's daughter.

Connections

Sunday night I was privileged to meet with the Demon Dames. We were small in number, but the stories flowed along with the wine by the fire in Patty's cozy family room. What a treat to gather with intelligent women who respect each other for having an opinion and sharing it. The meringues were divine.

Monday I had breakfast with my friend Brenda in front of the big fire at Cracker Barrell. I never fail to be encouraged when I get to be with Brenda.

Monday noon Easton and I met 'The Sheldon Girls' for lunch at Spaghetti Works. He was the only boy at the table, he didn't seem to mind. There was Monica's daughter Saylor, she's 6 days younger than Easton. Her 5-year old sister Trinity and her friend Abbie brought their Barbie color books and had a lovely time as well. Halley, Jackie's daughter is 13 but loved every minute of our time together. She and Easton 'shared' a menu and a meatball. Toni's daughter Neve is 14 months old and may be on Easton's mind for a long time. If poking your finger in someones nose is high praise, then she adores Easton. They chatted while Saylor was eating the food off Neve's plate, it was better than the food on her own plate. The only disappointment was that none of us had a camera in our purse. There were some priceless spaghetti-stained faces to capture.

Wonder couple of days with friends. Only heightens my anticipation of the road trip with mom to spend time with Kathleen and her girls this weekend.

Back to school

I was invigorated by my experiences in my first night of university classes in over 10 years. The first class was 70+ students and I was the only non-trad. That class will definitely be an easy A. The professor loves to talk and barely takes a breath between sentences. Last night we covered: what is a degree in communication studies and what can you do with it. That's what will be on our first quiz. Confirmed that this is a major I could like. He discussed how hard it is to explain to people what a comm studies major is or what you can do with it as opposed to getting an accounting degree. The snotty girls next to me kept rolling their eyes. I won't sit by them again. After class I met a very nice girl who I will definitely look for when our class meets again.

According to my notes my next class was supposed to be in the same room. Well, it wasn't. Thankfully I figured that out in the 15 minutes between classes. I had a moment of panic when I didn't know where to get information about my next class, but there were people in the hall so I asked hopefully, "Comm 109?" There was a grunt and a point toward another room in the same hallway. My biggest fear was for naught.

Second class is being taught by a PhD student. He's the speech and debate coach for the university. The shirt and tie were snappy, but something was lost on me about the tennis shoes with orange laces. He likes to perform, as one would expect. This class will not be boring. First assignment in his class was worth 5 points. Find his office and sign the sheet on the door. A nice girl in her 30s named Joscelyn and I walked with him to his office and got our five points. There were already 13 signatures on the door. Okay, maybe we were a little slow, but we got there. Our next assignment is a 2-4 minute narrative speech. Basically tell a story in 4 minutes. I can do that!

I said to Jeff, you know the speech class that everyone dreads taking in college? That's my major!

What to do

I have an I-Tunes dilemma. After adding much of favorite music to I-Tunes I started creating playlists. I have one for Steely Dan and one for Todd Rundgren. The Steely Dan list includes songs by Donald Fagen, lead singer for Steely Dan, his solo work. The Todd Rundgren does not include songs by The Cars even though he is now their lead singer. He was not their lead singer when The Cars stuff was recorded. This was all fairly clear to me.

Now the problem: I have a CD by Michael McDonald. I have music in my library by the Doobie Brothers, he used to be the lead singer. Do I create a playlist for Michael McDonald and include the Doobies or do I create a playlist for the Doobies and include Michael? Are these things the same in any way? He's singing Motown, not Doobie's stuff at all.

These are the questions that plague men's souls.

Learning from the past

When my dad died almost 5 years ago one of the treasures I inherited was a journal my grandfather had written. Why it took me these 5 years to open the cover I have no idea. I sat one cold winter Saturday and read the whole thing. The words are poignant at times, factual at others. It takes him several years of writing, he was good enough to date the entries, to tell his story. Grandpa talks about his twin brother Clayton who apparently had cerebral palsy. There was no special school or social programs to aid in his development, just a family who loved and cared for Clayton the best they could, and his was a life well lived. Grandpa explores the question of why he was fine and Clayton was not, what was God's plan in that? The answers are as beautiful as the heart that asks the questions.

Grandpa had three wives in his 80 some years on earth. He loved them all dearly and trusted that God sent the perfect woman to him at each stage of his life. What a testament.

Maybe more intriguing than the actual words on the page are the gaps and the handwriting. The script that becomes less clear over the years. His writing became his work after he could no longer manage the apartment complex where he lived. The telling gap in entries as he dealt with Bernice's leukemia and her eventual death says that he was giving all he could elsewhere, the journal would have to wait.

I'm delighted to have this handwritten history of the days he was here on earth. Lessons to be learned. Paper and ink don't go the way of lost computer files and changing technology. It's a challenge to me to leave a history, something that will be meaningful to future readers. That requires living a life worthy of our high calling.

Spot on

It's always the last bite, isn't it? Today it was a bit of Sambosa off someone else's plate. It was the very last thing I was going to eat in this sumptuous meal of Middle Eastern food. I had avoided dropping soup on my favorite oatmeal colored turtleneck. I had kept salad dressing clear of my front. But that last bite was the coup de gras. For those of you not familiar, there's this distinctive yellow color in some Middle Eastern foods. It's not quite the yellow of a pencil, but it's close. Not a pretty color dripped down my front. Sad

Why we hide

Our friend's son was recently engaged. They got the news two days later on a scrap of paper on the kitchen counter. Begs the question just how excited he was about his decision. I was recently placed in a position of having someone unexpected at our table for a holiday dinner. If the person bringing the guest didn't think it was a good idea to tell me ahead of time that this particular guest would be joining us, what made them think I would respond positively?

Why do we hide? When Adam and Eve realized the enormity of their shame they hid from God. When our dog does something bad we don't have to find the mess, we can tell by his hanging head and hiding behind me that he knows he's in trouble.

If there's news in your life you should be so proud of the choice you've made you should want to shout it from the mountain tops. Wake your parents to tell them you're engaged. Bring your guest, but call ahead to let the hostess know how excited you are the person you adore is able to join you for the holiday dinner.

Otherwise, we have to wonder just how excited you really are.

Food traditions

Back to work today after leaving the office December 22. Wasn't as hard getting up this morning as I thought it might be considering I've been sleeping in a bunch. It was 5 degrees when we drove to work. Felt kind of fresh and lively.

Food news: don't think I'll ever serve traditional green bean casserole again. At Thanksgiving my niece Lauren, the Gap girl in the St. Paul paper, discovered a recipe for a remix. We enjoyed it for Thanksgiving, made it again for Christmas, and I don't think I will ever look back. Bacon, fresh mushrooms, half and half, what more could green beans ask for? To please the masses we did throw in some french fried onions from the can. Rave reviews.

I realize this was not a very exciting post. I may have gotten here okay this morning but that doesn't mean my brain is fully engaged. Happy new year!