My Take on Curling

Now...before I start this rant one should know that I know very little about this sport (curling) other than that which I have observed during the last week or from that little bit of reading I have done. Prior to that the only things I knew about curling were those that people with straight hair did to their hair! (Incidentally, I do not fall in that group.) But, back to the sport now.

From what I have seen, it seems that these girls are playing this so-called game of trying to scoot this object (to be described) down a floor covered with ice to get it safely into an area on the floor called "home." Now about that object they are trying to guide along. They call it a stone or rock, or is it a smudge pot or a tea pot, say it is made of granite (?), but it has a handle on top of it. Ever seen a rock with handle?? Me, either! One of these girls pushes this "object" and heads it down the floor while two girls with a broom go running along in front of it sweeping the floor in front of it. Now supposedly this sport was played outdoors when it originated and the ground needed sweeping because there was junk on it but when they decided to play it indoors on ice they must have had to make up an excuse to keep those two players in the game, So....nowadays..in our day...they claim a scientific study has been done and those two girls running along sweeping the floor in front of the ball are helping it get to its destination for certain..the aforementioned destination called "home."

I wrote some more about this....I am mad right now because I am using Win8 and it keeps erasing what I write so I am quitting.

Humor

Most of us enjoy associating with folks who have a "good sense of humor." In fact, many medical studies show that a good sense of humor is often found in those who are quite healthy. In that light, it usually means that we do not take life and ourselves too seriously. Have you ever known individuals who can tell a story in such a way that it is more enjoyable than it might have been without their "spin" on the story?? Sometimes we call that "spinning a yarn." Generally speaking, we probably all know folks who have this gift. Sometimes it is their homespun way, sometimes the terminology, or just the way they express themselves.

Some people express humor by making themselves the butt of the joke. That often works when we are exceptionally clumsy, have done something we consider a "dumb mistake" or faux pas. That usually works because the joke is on us and we are poking fun at ourselves.

But do any of us enjoy humor when it is at our expense or directed at a cause that is close to our heart. No....I do not think so. Yet, many late night hosts/comedians (of sort) take news items and folks who appear in the news and recklessly use them as targets of their humor. Of course, it is hoped that the person who is the target "has a sense of humor"--meaning they can laugh at themselves-- and will not take this as an insult to their integrity.

But where is the line drawn? Often these late night host/comedians use politics and politicians as the brunt of their jokes. Most of these folks either don't watch late-night or blow it off and move on. Sometimes those watching and other means of media continue to repeat these attempts at humor in the news. Why??? One can only assume because it is felt that the humor either went too far or was lurking on the edge of not being funny to any one or is it because they truly agreed with the premise of the "humor" and thought it was funny?

What do you think? Mind telling??

Acting With Kindness

I post (for my own benefit) the message from Music and the Spoken Word from Temple Square on 2 February 2014. A message of remembering to be kind to others, being less quick to judge, and loving one another


The Unfolding Story

We never know the whole story of anyone's life. We might know bits and pieces, parts of a person's background or circumstances, but never the whole story.

For example, it's estimated that more than 15,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln and another 50,000 about the Civil War. And yet, with all those volumes, more will yet be written. More details will be revealed, and each will be examined from new perspectives in the coming years. And even then, we will not know the whole story.

Likewise, each life is an unfolding story-a story of growth and learning and change, a story of happiness and heartbreak, a story of success and sorrow. So perhaps we ought to be a little more patient, a little more forgiving. Perhaps we ought to be slower to judge and quicker to love.

Many years ago, a 14-year-old girl contracted a severe case of chicken pox. Fever burned its way through her body, and before long, the unsightly pox erupted all over her skin. She missed several days of school before the doctor assured her that she was no longer contagious, though her face was covered with scabs.

Mustering all her courage, she boarded the junior high school bus that first day back. A thoughtless young man called out and made fun of her scarred face while his friends laughed. She pretended not to hear them as she walked toward an empty seat. If only they had known the whole story. If only they had known how difficult it was for her to face her peers that day.

Never forget that every life and every occasion are unfolding in a unique and distinctive way. We may know some, but never all, of the story, so err on the side of compassion. Hold off on criticism and sarcasm, and never withhold kindness and mercy. And then, someday, when the whole story is finally written, we'll be thankful that we were able to contribute-at least in some small way-to a happy ending.

Hating on Cold

I detest cold weather. So far this winter we have had about 34 million cold outbreaks from the North Pole come far enough south to make us really quite cold. I am really not liking this at all because I hate winter no matter how you frame it. There are some folks who complain all summer long because we have more than enough humidity in our area. Humidity can really make heat stifling. In fact, humidity can make even warm temperatures unbearable. This is especially hard on people who have asthma or any type of breathing difficulties. Since I don't have those problems I do my best to just wipe the sweat and "just grin and bear it." And maybe wear out my deodorant a little quicker than usual.

Why do you suppose I hate winter so? I do not like being cold even more than I dislike being too warm. I find that short days disturb me because I love light and sunshine. If I get up in the morning and the sun is shining my soul is delighted. I have that "whatever disease" that means light deprivation. As we are two thirds of the way through January the days are starting to lengthen to the point that it is discernible for all to see. That, too, makes my soul a happy one.

Once upon a time when I was quite young, I waited for a ride home from work in a cold snowstorm as the snow accumulated and my fingers and toes got more and more like blocks of ice. By the time I got home that day I was in tears. My ride didn't come and that was before the days of cell phones. This was many, many years ago and I actually flagged down a car and asked for a ride. Fortunately for me, the driver was a trustworthy salesman who lectured me but gave me a ride home. I will not go further into detail, however it was a very dangerous thing to do and it was a different time than today even though it could have been disastrous for me. (Gee, what poor sentence structure.) I was afraid I was freezing and getting frostbite. I remember that when I got home I was so, so upset that my Mom wrapped me up very tight and worked to get my extremities warm. This event could have easily been a contributing factor for my dislike of the cold. Sometimes what we are has been colored by the experiences we have endured. Not complaining, just stating a fact.

Some day if I am moved upon I may write more of this experience but for now this is all.

Stay warm everybody and have faith....Spring Cometh!

Observations on Dieting...

Dieting....so it is the first of the year of 2014 and folks have made New Year's resolutions (or revolutions as the little boy in the ad says) to lose weight. Not many people ever stick to their promises to themselves to do whatever those resolutions say. But today my thoughts are about the things folks do to lose weight. Some are doing these liquid diets for a week or two. You know the ones where they put disgusting things together in a blender or processor and make a more disgusting looking mess which they promptly drink or just take a picture of and put it on social media and taunt folks into thinking they drank the mess. Then there are some other liquid concoctions folks make just by putting things into water and letting them "stew" on their own. You know things like lemons, oranges, limes, etc. Enough acid to remove all of your dental enamel in one dead shot! Gotta drink this solution with a straw after having lined your tummy with several layers of Prilosec and its friends, the antacids!!

Let's see...these concoctions go by the sophisticated names of smoothies, fat flushes, body flushes, body detox.....whatever!!

Another interesting observation I have made is that quite often the folks on these diets as I have described have no need to diet at all. Usually their bodies are quite svelte, fit, whatever the correction description happens to be. ( Can't help but wonder if these kind of dieters have a severe case of constipation and need to smooth and flush!! Just a thought!!)

Now if I should decide to diet, I am thinking I would need to take a more serious approach, one not so modern as described above. I mean really, really diet...the old fashioned way like count calories, avoid sugar and carbs and all of that stuff. BUT...I am not thinking 2014 is a year I plan to engage in that activity ...or ever!!

So Many Voices....Education!!

So many voices....So many raise their voices to complain about the state of education. But how many are really interested in the whole picture? Many complain as long as their students are involved but move on to other concerns when their children are no longer involved and move into the next phase of life. Certainly one does not fault them for this natural progression. However, there is need for an analysis and action group to consider the needs of education in TODAY'S society. And for this group to take action and prepare the way. Times have changed. Society has changed. Educational needs have changed. These changes may be drastic enough to involve additional money and a re-vamping of the use of current funding. I say this at the risk of offending politicians...some at least.

Far too many parents want education to remain as it was when they were children or young adults. Technology continues to map new roads and avenues, new needs. Technology itself is on a never-ending march. This isn't likely to change. How do we prepare students for this new world, this new society. Great outcry has been heard from the public about Common Core. Some who knew why they were complaining and other who just jumped on the bandwagon and later tried to figure out and justify why. Some of the accusations could be justified in part, some are just ludicrous.

For some years public education seemed bent on educating every student in preparation for college in spite of the fact that many never went. Many students were just looking for a trade and perhaps an apprenticeship leading to a forever job and career. In my day and in the state in which I lived there were vocational schools students could attend for at least half of their school day providing them with training in a skill area. For some years and upon my entry into the field of education these seemed to no longer exist. Much has been said about the college prep programs that schools provide and the tracks in which students are placed who may only need the Math and communication skills (just an example) but not the entire curriculum.

Go figure, folks. During this downturn in the economy even college graduates could have used or sought training in a skill with which they could earn a living when they lost their jobs. Thus, an overload of students at community colleges.

I am old and no one pays attention to anything old folks say BUT I am going to say it any way. Education is in need of help--help with its vision and goals. Who can step up to the plate and provide the needed insight, vision, practicality, and program design and structure without malice or ill intent? (My previous statement is tempered by observations of the last legislative session in our state.) As with an old home, education needs a renovation and we need workers with real knowledge and pure intent.
Politicians should be barred from such efforts as their vision is obviously warped.

Just my opinions.....I really don't care is you disagree...'cuz...yep, you guessed it,...this is my blog!

Thoughts Meandering Hither and Yon

Doesn't it seem that the year 2013 has just begun? In September I found myself astonished that the prior months had been whisked away and I needed to focus on the fact that we were in the last quarter of the year. Now that November has arrived I wonder where the year has gone. It has been an unusual year if you look outside your small sphere. Calamities and catastrophes continue throughout the world and in our country. It is sometimes difficult to look at the mayhem wrought by these happenings. But onward we march in our daily lives trying to make the best of each day and accomplish all that is possible to met our needs. Such is this earthly sojourn.

Now we find ourselves in the final and long holiday season of 2013. I have such difficulty with this time of the year since the loss of Ken. I try to do my best as I do not want to be the "stick in the mud" for my family or those around me but rest assured I am so relieved when it is all over. A new year dawns and the holidays we have are ones that are easier for me the handle because there is less hoop-la involved.

I have taken my Piper Kensleigh (schnauzer) to the animal opthalmologist this week for consultation on removing her cataracts that developed as a result of her diabetes. We have a surgery date of January 6th to get these monsters removed. Piper is blind at this point and quite depressed. The vet told me lots as we discussed removal.. and a lot of it had to do with the surgery itself and care afterward. However, a goodly share had to do with the downside and success or lack of success of the surgery. I want her to be able to see because I understand what it is like to not see well and to be threatened with the total loss of sight. For now, we are taking it all one day at a time.

What's up with you??