C'est Moi Trois

Beth Moore,Bible,Christianity,Idaho,music,My Life,photo,Scripture Memory Team 2015,SSMT,WelcomeToIdaho,You Are My Hiding Place

Moving to Joseph Oregon

I know that I haven't posted in a while, even my memory verses. I am still doing them. This week's is:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

Things have been super crazy as I have been preparing to move to Joseph, Oregon and serve as the pastor of Joseph United Methodist Church.

There has just been so much to do physically (for the move) and administratively. Basically, I have been having a hard time figuring out which way is up. In the last six weeks, I have gone to visit Joseph (8 hrs away), gone to a 3 day conference in Portland, gone on a mission trip for 4 days, gone directly to another conference for the church in Salem, OR for another 5 days. Took the rest of the week off to pack. Now, we are to the last half of the last week before the moving truck gets loaded on Monday.

Whew! Just typing all that is tiring.

The truth is that it is all very exciting, but I'm having a hard time seeing it that way because I'm so tired. I am grieving for what I'm leaving. I'm daunted about my future. I've worked very hard to get to this spot (with lots of help and support from many people), and I know that I can still blow it. I don't want to let anyone down, especially God.

If I could just have a few minutes to breathe ... No chance of that until after mid-July, and probably not after that. If I can just make it until then ... I think I can ... I think I can ... I think I can...

Only with God's help. Prayers and/or good vibes are appreciated.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 -

Beth Moore,Bible,Christianity,My Life,Scripture Memory Team 2015,SSMT

Siesta Memory Verse #8

http://blog.lproof.org/

It's that most wonderful day of the year, for the tax man, April 15th! I'm not going to say that I love taxes. I even filed amended tax returns for last year when I realized by doing this year's taxes that I had miscalculated a major deduction. No, it wasn't enough to go to Rio, but it was better than nothing. Having said all that, I am very thankful for the services that come from my taxes: police, fire fighters, military, roads, schools, etc. So, while I filed my taxes back in January, I still tip my hat to the tax person and the hard work they do.

The fact that it's April 15th should mean that spring was well on it's way. If you would have asked me that yesterday morning, I would have agreed. Let me just share an illustration. First is a picture from Easter morning (April 5) where we put left over lose flowers on a cross just outside the building.

This second is when I came back from lunch yesterday(April 14 ). It continued to snow into the evening, not a huge amount but still. It stayed below freezing last night, so the snow is still with us. Welcome to Idaho! lol

Now, before I forget, I'm actually here to conduct some business. It is Siesta Sister Scripture Memory Verse Day. We are up to our eighth verse of the year. I chose this one because of a friend of mine that is going through some major turmoil. And really, who of us don't need to remember that we can depend on God for all things at all times. Doesn't mean we don't have a role to play, but God is our strong arm and our shield (from another Psalm, maybe I'll use that one next time).

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7, NIV).

Here is a song that is inspired by this verse. I can sing is over and over again when I feel lost and scared.

Whatever you may be going through this week, I hope you find some comfort in this.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Wednesday, April 01, 2015 -

Beth Moore,Bible,Christianity,My Life,Scripture Memory Team 2015,SSMT

Siesta Memory Verse #7

http://blog.lproof.org/

It's memory verse time. I have to admit that I'm not meditating on them as much as I could. I'm not in the room where I keep my verses as much as I used to. As they say, Out of sight; out of mind. I think it's time for a relocation.

My first verse for April is...

"Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body" (Proverbs 16:24).

My April sure came in like a lion. How about you?

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Sunday, March 01, 2015 -

Beth Moore,Bible,Christianity,My Life,Scripture Memory Team 2015,SSMT

Siesta Memory Verse #5

Here we are in the 5th week of the Siesta Memory Verse project for 2015! I'm preparing this a little early, so I don't forget this time.

For anyone stumbling across this ... I am part of a group of women from around the world who are memorizing (or in my case meditating) on two pieces of Bible scripture a month. It is generally no more than a verse or two. They generally coordinate this project every other year. The is my third go around. Even though memorization is not my gift, I find great fulfillment in going through this process during the course of a year.

For Week 5 of 2015 my verses are:

[Paul wrote,] "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

Have a great March!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Tuesday, February 17, 2015 -

Siesta Memory Verse #4

I'm running a couple of days behind on my Memory Verse for the second half of February. I'm not sure how it happened when last time I was out of town and was able to stay on schedule. Such is life. I guess that's what I get for finding several verses at the same time.

This time I am borrowing the one used on the Living Proof Blog. It's a perfectly acceptable option if we can't find one on our own. I really liked how the poster, Sherry, broke it down. It could really help me as I prepare for big changes in my life. I am anticipating my next big adventure.

“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam 12:24 ESV)

In six months my life may be more what I anticipate, or it could be wildly different, but it won't be the same as it is now. I will have a different job (hopefully), and I'll be living in a new place. This could be a great theme verse for me.

In the mean time, I have to start packing soon!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 -

Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. If you wish to play, answer a question or two in the comments here. Or, you could answer them all on your blog and post a link over at Joyce's.

1. Joyce is celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, 'You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." Would you agree? If not why not?
It sounds like our friend, Douglas, associated action with youth and inaction as age. From what I know of him, I'm not surprised that he would think that, but I don't necessarily agree with that relationship. So, I don't agree with it, but that doesn't mean that I think its opposite is true either.

2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birthyear, just the same date/same month.
On September 5, 1698 - Russian Tsar Peter the Great imposes a tax on beards.
Found at HisotryOrb.com.

3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to 'have your cake and eat it too.'
Yeah, that's one of those sayings that never made any sense to me. I have now looked it up on Wikipedia, and I understand it better. I always thought of it as a torturous dilemma. You could look at what you desire, but you could never use it or interact with it in the way in which you desire. In truth, it's more like you can't save money if you're spending it (which is completely contradictory to another saying, but that's another story). I realize that I haven't answered the question, but the truth is I don't know. lol

4. What's something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old?
Dancing makes me feel young. Teenagers made me feel old.

5. When did you last do something that was 'a piece of cake'?
Getting into my apartment after I broke the house key in the lock, on Sunday morning. I was afraid that I would be locked out of my apartment, but the key had not been drawn out at all. Everything was still lined up. I was able to unlock the door with a flathead screwdriver from my car. (And yes, the lock has since been fixed.)

6. Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What's something else you'd add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage)
Trees, gardens, friends, favorite music

7. If Joyce were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should she give away? By my calculations we'll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas.
Hmmmm ... That's a good question. Joyce takes so many great pictures. I would say an 8x10 of a favorite (your selection).

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Saturday, September 13, 2014 -

meme,music,My Life,video

Hodgepodge

It's my time for the Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. I'm a little behind. I drafted most of it several days ago and wanted the satisfaction of posting it. If you wish to play, answer a question or two in the comments here.Then, look for the next set of questions at Joyce's on Tuesday. :)

1. On Thursday we paused to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Did you mark it in some special way?
I wore a red, white, and blue ribbon pin.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?
I do most of those things almost everyday. The one that is least likely is looking up a number in the phone book. The internet is so much faster and likely to have some listing. I listen to the radio in the car all the time. I don't even have a DVR. If I want to record something, a VCR is my only option. It still works. If my alarm clock breaks, I might start using my phone instead, but I can certainly see the time better in the dark with my alarm clock. I will say that I gave up my landline many years ago now. I felt very nervous about it at the time. Now, I don't think anything about it, and it has greatly reduced the telemarketing calls.

3. Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?
I don't think it's every a "good" idea, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I try to keep those times to a minimum.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?
I can't think of a thing. I guess that I should make a greater effort to eat locally in season.

5. What's something you know nothing about?
How long to you have? I guess something that totally escapes me is Pintrest. Despite long hours spent explaining techy stuff to my friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, they have zero patience trying to show me. It seems inconceivable to them that I don't intuitively get it. I remained confused.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?
I can like it. Not everything. Not exclusively. It may sound cliche, but Beethoven's 5th Symphony is probably my favorite with the Moonlight Sonata right up there, too. I am strangely drawn to Erlkonig by Schubert. It tells a dark story of a father, son, and the spirit that tries to steal him away. It's in German, of course, but this video tells the story along with song. Personally, I find the visuals to be distracting to my enjoyment of the music, but the visuals are quite good.

(But Beetovan's still my favorite. *smile* I am also grateful for this question. It gave me an excuse to listen to some excellent music in an attempt to pick my favorite.)

7. What's the oldest thing you own?
You mean besides my VCR? ;) Probably a china tea set that I inherited from my grandmother.

Have a great week! :)

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Wednesday, September 03, 2014 -

Hodgepodge

After an absence from Blogland it's time for the Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Fancy playing along? Answer a question or two in the comments here. Post all your answers on your own blog. List your post over at Joyce's, and some nice people will visit your blog and comment.

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing?
Going to Rock Creek Vista in Montana "just" outside the NE entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Circumstances and illness thwarted all attempts. Not only did area give me the feeling of literally being at the top of the world, when I was descending on the Wyoming side of the mountain made me feel like I was in a cross between fairyland and one of the scenes in Lord of the Rings. I stopped at the Vista passing through a couple of years ago, and I enjoyed a particular scent of pine that I never experienced before. I had hoped that I'd have an opportunity to experience the area more thoroughly this year, but alas no. The bitterness is fading. ;)

2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child.
All of my elementary years, I loved going to school. I felt on top of the world in an entirely different way than in the previous question. It was before school meant constant stress be it navigating the social scene or the actual studies themselves. In elementary, back to school meant new clothes, seeing old friends, making new ones, and fun. They all kind of blur together. Life was good.

3. What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ?
Writing my thoughts on paper. Any time I'm trying to be creative, it just seems easier with a pen in my hand. Informal writing is great on the computer. It's almost as if the conversation is coming out right through my fingers. I don't quite understand why it doesn't work the same way when I'm trying to be creative, but it doesn't. The creativity can be a story, an academic paper, a speech, or a sermon. Creativity takes many different shapes.

4. Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'.
It's not best to just "be yourself." Or maybe that's just me. ;)

5. As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox?
I guess I mostly bought, but when I first saw this question, I thought about my lunchbox. It was a Sigmund and the Sea Monsters lunchbox. That seems to be a Saturday morning kids' show that never made it out of the 70s. I never hear about it in anyone's reminiscing. lol I remember loving that show, but I don't remember anyone else having that lunchbox. Yet, I don't remember getting any crap about it either.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom?
Probably a 5 or 6. I have and can get into particular things, but it's not a priority in my life. NASCAR is something I can share with my Step-dad, and so I follow that a bit more than I did in my youth. I watched football with my dad before he passed, so I avoided it for a few years. In more recent seasons, I didn't get into it until almost the playoffs. I'd finally get wrapped up in it, and it would be over. I'm trying to get on the bandwagon a little earlier, so I don't have that problem this year. lol

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year.
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
- Albert Einstein

8. Random Thought
I have been so crazily busy with work this summer that I feel entirely cheated out of it. Hence being MIA from Blogland for so long. I'm also tired of moaning about it. Now, that September is here, I guess it's time to suck it up and move on. Better hopes for next year.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tuesday, July 22, 2014 -

meme,music,My Life,photo,video

3 comments

Hodgepodge

It's time for the Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Fancy playing along? Answer a question or two in the comments here. Post all your answers on your own blog. List your post over at Joyce's, and some nice people will visit your blog and comment.

1. When I look at the sky I am endlessly fascinated.

When I look at the sky I am endlessly facinated. This is especially true since I've moved to drier climes. I love to study the quality of the blue.Sometimes it's more of a baby blue. Sometimes it's shockingly dark and intense. Storm clouds can be very interesting. Sometimes I'm trying to figure how bad the storm is going to be. Grey and uniformly overcast is less exciting. That's how it was a lot in Update New York where I grew up. We were told that NY State had more cloudy days a year than any other state in the Union including Alaska. I don't know if it is a scientific fact, but it surely seemed plausable. Is it any wonder that I set off in search of sunnier skies?

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?

Maybe for City Council, but no, I don't have any real desire to do it.

3. What scent makes you think of home?

Baked ham and potato salad. That's what my mom always makes the day I arrive at her house. My grandmother used to do the same thing. Not only was it absolutely delish, but neither the traveler nor the cook had to worry about the exact timing.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?

Periodically ... Usually near the beginning of the year. I have a survey that started out as a meme. However, the questions are pretty good, and it's nice to be able to compare and contrast one year from the next. I did it quite a lot as I was preparing for seminary until shortly after I graduated. I needed a break from that for a while. It was nice to coast for a while. However, the course I'm following to become ordained clergy requires quite a lot of direction assessment and self-reflection. (Yes, you can have too much of a good thing! lol)

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?

Something called Paradise Pie that used to be offered at Chili's. They've discontinued it. *sad face* It was a wonderful concoction with brown sugar, choclate chips, coconut, among other things. They would heat it for a moment then put the ice cream on top. Can you tell that I'm still mourning the loss?

(Picture by Ph.Ds of FOOD.)

6. What might your autobiography be called?

This is a hard one. If you've ever read this blog before, you'll know that I'm usually crap at titles. lol How about Spiritual Dancing? No, that might give the wrong impression. Maybe I should go with Spirituality Quest: One Woman's Journey to Find God One Dance Step at a Time. What do you think it should be. What would be the title of your autobiography?

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?

Scooter? It just seems like it would be such an uneven workout for one's legs. Eventually, one leg would be a lot larger than the other. *smile*

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to be teaching some new ballroom dance classes soon, and I needed some new tango music. It's incredibly difficult to find good new ballroom tango songs. Usually, it's the same songs done in different (and often beautiful) arrangements. I was able to add some great ones to my collection. Here's just one.

Any questions capture your attention?

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wednesday, July 16, 2014 -

Disney World,Farewell Bend State Park,meme,My Life,photo

Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time. Joyce, at From This Side of the Pond, manages to come up with interesting questions each week. Some of them even seem to stump her. lol Anyone can play. Join on in!

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things." So what has experience taught you lately?
The more I learn, the more I see how much more there is to learn.

2. Where did you last 'roam'?
I took a road trip to Salem, OR in June for a conference. I camped overnight on the way there and back. It was a very interesting trip. I had never been to that part of the country. Loved traveling through the Columbia Gorge. Beautiful. I almost hit a heron as it was flying across the interstate from the Columbia River. Of course, hitting it wouldn't have been great, but I did get to see it up close for a couple of seconds. Then, it was gone. I also saw some big horned sheep grazing by the guardrail.

For once I wasn't just trying to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. I got to stop when I saw something interesting or just decide that a campground next to a stream looked pretty, so I was setting up for the night. I got to lay out gazing at the stars. I got to have a neighbor who was traveling on his motorcycle. He looked a lot like Orlando Bloom.

He hung a hammock between two trees and slept there for the night. I started to consider whether he might actually be Orlando Bloom when I saw him get into the Lotus position to meditate and chant as the sun was going down. (Believe me when I tell you that I know Orlando Bloom is a Buddhist. ;) ) Also, believe me when I say that I was enough of a fan-girl in the past to be absolutely certain that I would have realized it was Orlando when we were paying our camping fees for the night. ;)

A view of the Snake River from Farewell Bend State Park.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?
Pizza. Though I love pasta and ice cream, I'm not sure that I could imagine life without pizza. :)

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.
"Rome wasn't built in a day" We could be talking about my bank account. However, I think that it's really a definition of life. The things we do are a process. We make goals. We try to achieve them. It can apply to a savings account. It can be as simple as making it through a day. It can be as complex as rebuilding a church. It's understanding that sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back. It's realizing that we've been rowing in the wrong direction for a while and having to make a course correction. After all "Rome wasn't built in a day."

5. What's a movie you've seen or a book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?
The Italian Job and the James Bond reboot, Casino Royale. Actually, my most accurate inspiration would be from a tv show. Travels in Europe with Rick Steves or more recently, Rick Steves' Europe. To tell you the truth, I've never been over excited to visit Italy. I mean, it would be nice, but I've never had a burning desire, like I've had with other places.

6. Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago, on July 17, 1955 Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?
Disney World is a place I have a burning desire to visit. I'll even go to Italy at Epcot if you want. ;) I have been to Disneyland (1981-ish). It was rather rushed, and the only thing I remember distinctly is the ride It's a Small World. (Just typing the words is bringing back the traumatic memory of hearing that song 5000 times. Perhaps, I exaggerate, but only slightly. lol)

I adore Disney World. The fact that they have so much control over the surrounding property really makes you feel like you are visiting a parallel universe or something. My favorite thing ... That's a hard choice. I haven't been there in a while, but my favorites are Star Tours and Muppet Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios. They incorporate one of my favorite aspects of Disney World. Often the entertainment while waiting in line is more fun than many amusement parks' main attractions.

Found on my bed one day at Disney World

I've gone a couple of times between Easter and Mother's Day. It is the perfect time of year. It's not too hot yet. Spring has fully sprung, so it's beautiful. And, there are hardly any crowds since school hasn't gotten out yet.

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?
Knock on wood, it hasn't happened to me this year, yet. It is one of the benefits of being in a dry climate. I did have one land on me while camping, but I was able to get rid of it before it injected any of it's terrible poison. Then, I closed up for the night to stay out of harm's way.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm too tired for a random thought. Vacation Bible School is in less than two weeks. I may have a nervous breakdown between now and then. lol

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Wednesday, July 02, 2014 -

Idaho,Independence Day,Jimmy Kimmel,meme,My Life,photo,Supreme Court,video,West Texas,World Cup

Hodgepodge

It's the 180th Edition of the Hodgepodge! It's a weekly meme hosted by the beautiful and gracious Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Here we go!

1. Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something? It was probably when I had to make a u-turn when I forgot something at the office. lol

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America. This is a hard one because there are so many things to pick. Right this very minute my favorite thing about the good ol US of A is that I could spontaneously hop in my car and drive a couple of towns down the road to favorite restaurant. Freedom of movement and travel is a glorious thing.

Yes, I still have this car, and yes, I still love it!

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie? There is only one set that isn't highly variable, watermelon. I suppose generally my preference is stripes, but if we're talking about red white and blue, I find the stars more striking. And I love the colors red, white, and blue, but I usually only wear them together on patriotic holidays.

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking? When I was ill. When I would lay down and close my eyes, a little woozy, I may have seen stars.

5. 'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on', 'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately? Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell? I haven't seen the Liberty Bell, but the phrase that rings true for me lately would be clear as a bell. One of my favorite things about living in the dryer climate like Idaho, or West Texas for that matter, is the clear blue skies that seems to be practically permanently present. Something about looking at them brings me joy and peace.

Not absolutely clear sky, but just look at it.

Those times in West Texas when clouds actually make the sky more beautiful!

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all? I have not caught the fever. My favorite part is watching Jimmy Kimmel's Play of the Day. This primarily involves putting the ball back and play, and it immediately going back out of bounds. I have to admit it always makes me laugh.

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less. Oh June, so glad I could enjoy your summery ways.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I was very pleased that the Supreme Court could have some unanimous decisions this season. The ruins may have been narrow, but they were able to find common ground. Okay Washington D.C., they've proved it could be done. Acknowledge the humanity of people with whom you may disagree vehemently, but find some common ground. That's the only way we're going to move forward as a nation.

Have a great 4th of July no matter where in the world you are!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sunday, May 11, 2014 -

Mother's Day,My Life,photo,Yellowstone

Happy Mother's Day

Here is a picture of my mother from when we went to Yellowstone last summer. I may have posted it before, but it's one of my favorites!

Happy Mother's Day to all those mothers out there whether biological or emotional. :)

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Wednesday, April 02, 2014 -

I Pity the April Fool - Hodgepodge

Showing my age lines in my little tribute to Mr. T in the title there. But, now on with the Hodgepodge! Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond once again has provided an interesting variety of questions. Come and play!

1. Since these questions are posting on the first day of April it seems only right to ask-when was the last time you did something foolish? If you can't answer that one, try this one-when was the last time someone fooled you?
"Foolish" is such a relative term. Almost anything I am doing at any particular moment could be considered foolish. The last big ticket item might be taking an antihistamine when I went to bed late on a Saturday night a couple weeks ago, which caused me to sleep through my alarm. I woke up just as the first worship service at my church was ending. (Yes, I was suppose to be there. lol) I'll tell you one thing though. I got there within 10 minutes, in time to be there for my Youth Group's Sunday school class. :)

2. What's the last biography or non-fiction book you've read? Was it any good?
It was inevitably some sort of ministry book. I read a lot of those, and I have many more on my shelf to read. I'm looking forward to Mark Batterson's All In. But for pleasure, I'm not so into non fiction. I've done a lot of studying and research about all sorts of things. When I want to escape my day-to-day world, I bury myself in fiction.

3. Garlic-friend or foe? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?
Oh, garlic is my friend! I love garlic. Its in almost everything I cook to some degree. A favorite is a marinated chicken dish that's immersed in all sorts of Italian seasonings. saute it in a little butter, and whether you put it in a store bought alfredo sauce or simply with rice. The sweet and salty tangy combo makes my mouth water.

4. Several Spring flower festivals happen in the US during the month of April. Of those listed, which would you most like to see in person...The Skagit Tulip Festival in Skagit Washington, The Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville Tennessee, The North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington North Carolina or the Daffodil Festival Weekend on Nantucket Island, Massachussets?
I would go for the Dogwood Festival in Knoxville because it's so close to where my mother lives. I also love the way Dogwood blossoms just seem to float in the air. I remember the Azalea festivals in South Carolina, and they are certainly beautiful there. However, the scheduling can be tricky. Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. Peak Week could often be weeks different from when the festival were scheduled.

5. How do you choose which blogs to read? What is something that will make you stop and read every time? Something that makes you say, 'eh, think I'll skip this one and move on to the next'?
A huge determining factor is whether the author responds to comments. If they do, and we can develop a relationship, it's like getting a phone call from a friend. Of course I want to see what they have to say.

6. April is National Mathematics Education Month so tell us, when did you last use math?
Well, if we're talking arithmetic, then its all the time. This afternoon I was working on a video for a Sunday worship service, and I needed to know how long a particular clip should last. I also had to make sure that I wasn't late for my dance class, so I had to figure out how much time I had left. I don't often find myself confronted by the scenarios in High School word problems, but I have always found math to be my friend.

7. In honor of the A-Z challenge kicking off on April 1...choose one word beginning with the letter A to describe your yesterday.
"Accomplished," I got everything done on my To-Do list. :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
“I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing.” – Rabbi Hillel

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 -

current events,meme,My Life,Vogue cover

6 comments

Hodgepodge - Out Like a Lion?

Ending the month with some March inspired questions in this week's Hodgepodge. Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond once again has provided an interesting variety of questions. Come and play!

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?

It certainly has been very windy here, literally. I guess the phrase that matches my life recently would be "see which way the wind blows." I have been unsure whether my position was going to be eliminated at work. Now, I'm pretty confident now about getting a year contract extension. Just need to get one more "t" crossed. So that's some good news. :)

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?

That would definitely be pesto. Favorite dish? Anything made with pesto. ;)

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!

All of the above. The most recent one was when I was locked out of my car last July. I was traveling with my mother through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I was in a rush to get to the boat dock before it closed, and left the keys on the console. We made the boat, but naturally, I didn't realize that I didn't have my keys until we were returning to the car.

Luckily, my AAA was in full force, and a really cute tow truck driver was there within 45 minutes to retrieve my keys from the car. I was actually very impressed by the method that he used that didn't damage the car in any way. He also was very kind and didn't make me feel like a fool. He earned a slightly larger tip because of that. ;)

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?

It would have to be Kermit because I've known him all my life. I remember him from Sesame Street, & I loved him in The Muppet Show. He somehow was always the voice of reason in a chaotic world. Self deprecating yet self confident. It's a hard wire the balance on, but Kermit has negotiated it magnificently.

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not?

Sure. People have to be inspired in order to put in the effort required to be consistently successful. The leader needs to provide the vision then be the cheerleader that gets all the people across the finish line.

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title.

" Happy" is still my current favorite song. Listening to it makes me ...

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?

Since realizing that I probably will have a job after July 1st, I've been fantasizing about having some sort of vacation in the summer. I've been thinking about two places. The first is just outside the north east entrance of Yellowstone. It's a beautiful overlook that has the most incredible smell of pine. I want to experience that again.

The other please is the southwest corner of Colorado. I drove thru there on my way to Idaho from West Texas. It looks so different from the idea I have about Colorado. It's around the Mesa Verde, beautiful farmland with rolling hills. I was driving so intently from point A to point B that I didn't have a chance to appreciate it. I would love to have that opportunity again.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I cannot believe the outrage generated by Kim and Kanye's Vogue cover. I like nice clothes. I'm not a fashionista. No doubt this will sound a bit condescending, but find Vogue to be a bit superficial. I haven't read it in a while, but the last time I did for every page of fashion lay outs there were about 5 pages of ads.

First, I don't follow the Kardashians by any stretch of the imagination. However, the picture of Kim and Kanye on the cover is beautiful. The clothes are exquisite. So, people are complaining about the fact that these beautiful people are wearing beautiful clothes on the cover of a fashion magazine? Really? I'm sure that I missing something, but in comparison with all the horrible things going on in the world today, it doesn't seem worth the energy that people are putting into it.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Saturday, March 22, 2014 -

blogging,idioms,My Life

Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses

And Today's Idiom Is ...

It's funny. I think of this as my primary blog. Even though there can sometimes be longer breaks, this is the place I come when I have something to say, or there is something earth shattering to share.

Traffic to this site can ebb and flow depending on the topic and my timeliness in talking about it. However, I have another blog, And Today's Idiom Is ... I started it for the international students at the seminary I attended several years ago. My friends would often ask me questions about idioms as they were improving their English fluency.

It became kind of a joke. I would smile and say, "And, today's idiom is..." Then, one day, I thought that it might be helpful to document it online. People could ask on the website if they needed anything, and I could post things as I came across them.

As my friends got more fluent in English and the pressures of grad school mounted, my posting waned. I haven't posted there regularly in years. Yet, it remains a higher traffic blog. I can work on this one like stink, but it's the one that I hardly ever look at that is the most popular. How weird is that?

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 -

Crimea,current events,meme,My Life,world politics

A Springtime Hodgepodge

Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond has provided some Springtime questions for this week's Hodgepodge. Join us and play!

1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?

I would rather walk in the woods. It would be possible on Thursday but not likely for me.

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)

Answer here is to numerous to mention. Something like 20 minutes ago.

3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?

I'd like to stop having to fight fires. It might help people quit spring things on me. ;)

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?

I like to sit front center , not in the very first row, maybe about three rows back. It's combo for a couple reasons. First, it has to do with getting older and wearing glasses. I see better closer. The second is going to the movie Armageddon years ago. The movie theater was so full that I had to sit near the front. The sides of the screen went beyond my peripheral vision. When the spacecraft was dodging asteroids in space, I actually felt like I was in the ship with them. Luckily, it didn't cause motion sickness, but it is added a level of realism that I have always sound exciting. Sitting that close has helped me feel more engrossed in the movies I've seen ever since I've started doing it. So, unless I'm forced to sit someplace else, I always want to sit towards front in the center.

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?

That I'm kind and wise ... and beautiful. On a good day, it might be two out of three. Hopefully, I get at least one. ;)

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?

Flash frozen chicken tenders. They cook up so easily in just a few minutes. :)

7. What's something you avoid?

Confrontation? If I see something really wrong or something that I'm passionate about, I will not hesitate. I might prepare, but I will act. However, for something superficial, something the only affects me, or because I'm bored, no way. I'm not one of those people the gets into a fight just for the sake of it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Crimea. Oy! I've wanted to post about it for weeks, but everything's so fluid that just as I'm about ready, the whole situation changes. None of the experts have a clue, so why should I?

I do think that the patronizing attitude the West has had about Russia and Putin and a lack of sensitivity to Russian history has a lot to do with the spot we're in. And, Russia is not like North Korea or Iran that can be isolated or forced into submission. (North Korea is willing to let all its people starve to death rather than capitulate, and it took over 30 years to get Iran to come to the negotiating table.) Russia is the biggest country in the world with vast natural resources. They could survive significant isolation for a good long time. That's one thing that Russia's good at, waiting out a siege.

Now we have the tiger by the tail. It's dangerous to allow Russia to get away with the annexation of Crimea. It's dangerous if we try to stop it. Putin can laugh at our sanctions, and he's right. Russia is the only country (except for maybe China) that turn the USA into dust.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014 -

Hodgepodge

Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond hosts this Wednesday meme that have some interesting questions. Do you want to play?

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree.

I have a great interest in history, so learning about my family's heritage is natural for me. An interesting tidbit is that the Russian side of my family came to the United States because they were on the wrong side of the Russian Revolution. Apparently, one of my great grandfathers was a Count. My uncle is the last of the line, to put it in Downton Abbey parlance. ;)

2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying-

"Luck is the residue of design."

Agree or disagree? Why?

I agree, provisionally. I think that's helpful if you're on the lookout for luck. How are you ever going to see that stray dollar on the ground if you're not looking for it? How are you going to jump on the opportunity at work if you're not aware of what's going on? On the other hand, I've seen people who miss getting hit by a car or bus by a millimeter or getting under cover right before a downpour of rain. That's lucky too, but it's not by design. But yes, how lucky is that I happen to have an umbrella...because I always keep one in my purse. ;)

3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space?

I'm very lucky to live in a place that has lots of green spaces. I even live next to something that is described as a "greenway" next to a small river. (Side note: I learned that there is no minimum size for a river, so even though I would classify it as a "creek," I live next to a "river." lol) My favorite green space in town that would be a place called the Lower Ross Park. In the growing months of the year, it's very green, and there are lovely old trees. Kids play little league, and bands play in the band shell. It's a modest space, but all summer long there always seems to be something going on.

4. Who is your favorite comedian?

Bill Cosby. That man would have me laughing so hard that I couldn't make any noise, and tears would be streaming down my face. That's the kind of laughter that makes your cheeks cramp up because you're smiling so hard. It sounds painful, but I guess this is one of those times that it hurts so good. ;)

5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way. What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try?

The best way that I can improve my nutrition on a daily basis is to get a better handle on stress. When I get too stressed and emotionally tired, I'm more likely to make unwise decisions. (One of those is sitting in my freezer right now.)

6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain.

I suppose it would be " green around the gills." I was a little under the weather a couple of weeks ago. (That didn't exactly help me make wise nutritional choices either. I know, always an excuse. lol)

7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting?

For me that would be Disney World, up to a point. In the staging areas they often have great entertainment. My favorite is probably Star Tours, a Star Wars simulation ride . They start off with R2D2 and C3PO having a little debate and talking with us. Then, there's a little maintenance droid who suddenly seems to become self aware and starts interacting with people waiting in line. I almost hated to move along. They were so much fun. It's been awhile since I've been to Disney World. I hope they're still there.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Two random thoughts really. One is that I am so psyched to be blogging regularly again. I am beyond amazed at how much easier it is to blog when I'm tired and stressed (see item about healthy eating above) with voice recognition software. It means I can express myself without having to sit in front of a computer. I have never felt comfortable when trying to work on a laptop computer in the living room or something. I find it so awkward. So, if I couldn't bear to sit in a desk chair, blogging went to the wayside. This way I can sit and relax and rant to my heart's content. :)

The second thing is that on that desktop computer, that I haven't wanted to sit in front of when work has been overwhelming with stress, wouldn't boot back up after the power went out. Apparently, my "power supply" went out. I didn't even know what a power supply was. It's the part that the big power plug that plugs into the back of a desktop computer. I discovered there some kind of battery in there, and if it dies, and you lose power, your computer won't start again. So, over at a period of days I was able to to research it, take it out, and put a new one in. Today the part that I ordered arrived , and I installed it in less then 20 minutes! So psyched ... again!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wednesday, March 05, 2014 -

3 comments

Hodgepodge

Guess what! I'm back. Both reason why was gone and why I might be able to be back more often will be found in this week's hodgepodge answers. Thank You Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for hosting this game every week!

1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way?

Yesterday? lol In February really I had a number of projects all coming together the same time. And I had a few worries as well. Then there was a bingo fundraiser at church in Valentine's Day, and all of the publicity stuff had to be done immediately! Then I hit the wall and got sick. After that it seems that I knew everything was beyond my capacity to control, and my attitude has completely changed. Now,I don't know whether im living in denial, or if things really are better, but I feel better!

2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going? Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home?

I've never been to a Mardi Gras celebration like in New Orleans or anything like that, but I've been to Mardi Gras parties. I love jewel tones so that includes all those colors. My wardrobe house probably more purple in it than anything else. My house has a lot of greens in it but its more subdued with shades like sage and olive green.

3. Are you old fashioned?

It's the simplest questions it provides the most complicated answers. The answer is yes and no. I would say that I'm traditional in many of my viewpoints.

I like women to wear stockings and to have sleeves on their shirts. I like traditional decor and fashion. However I strongly believe in equal rights for women and racial equality and freedom of religion and lots of other progressive things.

I would not consider myself politically liberal or conservative. I cherry pick the things I like from each of those groups, but I don't like to force my views on other people. I consider that very traditional in this age of everybody screaming at each other from there polarized positions with no one listening to anyone else. I think that listening and civilized debate is very important. I would consider that very traditional as well.

I don't mind technology. I'm composing this post on the cell phone. However, everything's changing faster than I can adapt. Course just the other day I heard about some old letters written about the time of the Civil War. That was a time of great technological changes well, and letters Illustrated how the people were struggling with how fast everything was changing them too so.

We all seem to think that we're living in the most terrible craziest of times. When kids don't listen to their elders or are to self centered, we seem to feel that they are at risk of being the worst generation ever. It wasn't true when we were kids, and its not true now. The kids now are having to adapt to situations and technologies we could not have imagined at their age, so they're doing the best they can, and they'll be fine. I can suppose that that line of reasoning isn't traditional at all. But it is based on a study of history, so that could be described as traditional. So, am I old fashioned? The answer is yes and no.

4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous?

I carefully plan my vacation with scheduled time for spontaneity. :)

5. March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce?

Presuming we're not talking about chocolate sauce, I would say hollandaise with lemon butter as a close second. My favorite things for that would be on some lovely broiled salmon. Mmmmm.

6. What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye?

Love lost. Animals being injured. Children being injured. The pain is so overwhelming on the last two that I have to look away. Because I avoid it so intently, people seem to get the impression the I'm hard or cold when the reason for the behavior is for the exact opposite.

7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why?

I couldn't even begin to imagine it, so I'll have to pass on this one.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

After waiting for a very long time, I finally got a new cell phone. It it has a feature that I could have never imagined I would work as well as it does. I have done this entire post with voice recognition software. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it is a thousand times better then the last time I tried to use any kind of voice recognition thing. Its really amazing.

And I never had an iPhone or anything like that, so I'm not familiar with Suri, so this is probably old news for most of you. This version works with the command "okay Google now," and I can ask it about anything, and it'll provide me an answer (besides typing blog posts for me-lol).

Henry Kissinger was just on Charlie Rose, and I asked it how old Henry Kissinger is, and he's 90 by the way. Unbelievable. Both, about his age and how sharp is brain still is. Gosh, I should be so lucky, and the fact that I practically had the answer as fast as I could form a question. Simply amazing.

And it also means that I can run on and on to answer these questions with very little effort. If I can post like this all the time, I might go back to doing a little more often. I can do this even after a long hard day. The bad news is though that my posts will probably be long and rambling, but the spelling is much better. I didn't have to look up "Henry Kissinger" once.

Can you tell that I'm a little excited. Hopefully, for all of us, it'll wear off soon.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Saturday, November 02, 2013 -

Daylight Savings,My Life