Gratitude #83 - Sweet Biddies!
11 years ago
Saturday, January 30, 2010
afraid
Why is our country in such a mess?
That is easy to understand, of course. It was the last president's fault, or the one before him or is it really?
I read a piece by an economist from the north mid states.
He made an interesting observation and conclusion.
We voted for the candidate who promised us what we wanted, even if what we wanted was self destructive in the long run.
Every pol I remember has gone to their job to cut costs and deliver better. On a national level each president has overseen an increase in the size and cost of government, no matter what they promised going in.
We all want to pay less in taxes, and we want more from our Social Security. So we voted our wants rather than our best.
So now we get to pay, as our great nation declines.
I don't like that last word, but I am afraid it is true.
That is easy to understand, of course. It was the last president's fault, or the one before him or is it really?
I read a piece by an economist from the north mid states.
He made an interesting observation and conclusion.
We voted for the candidate who promised us what we wanted, even if what we wanted was self destructive in the long run.
Every pol I remember has gone to their job to cut costs and deliver better. On a national level each president has overseen an increase in the size and cost of government, no matter what they promised going in.
We all want to pay less in taxes, and we want more from our Social Security. So we voted our wants rather than our best.
So now we get to pay, as our great nation declines.
I don't like that last word, but I am afraid it is true.
Friday, January 29, 2010
figure skating
Last night I watched figure skating.
Girls of course.
Beautiful, graceful, young and extremely athletic.
There was a batch of them. Once in a while one would do a triple spin and fall and I would feel agony for her.
One girl skated a perfect program and she was elated to be on top with two to go, but those two skated even more perfectly and the first girl came in third.
But only two of them are going to the Olympics.
And here is where I guess I get messed up with our culture.
Yes, some one gets to win and feel good about themselves, but some one else always looses.
Always.
And they were probably as gifted as the winners, put in just as much hard work, but a bit of luck doomed them to third or fifth place.
These girls have given their young lives to this sport. They began young and their parents and them made huge sacrifices for their training.
What does a 3rd place standing do in later life?
I am not sure.
Girls of course.
Beautiful, graceful, young and extremely athletic.
There was a batch of them. Once in a while one would do a triple spin and fall and I would feel agony for her.
One girl skated a perfect program and she was elated to be on top with two to go, but those two skated even more perfectly and the first girl came in third.
But only two of them are going to the Olympics.
And here is where I guess I get messed up with our culture.
Yes, some one gets to win and feel good about themselves, but some one else always looses.
Always.
And they were probably as gifted as the winners, put in just as much hard work, but a bit of luck doomed them to third or fifth place.
These girls have given their young lives to this sport. They began young and their parents and them made huge sacrifices for their training.
What does a 3rd place standing do in later life?
I am not sure.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
low eyeballs
I have been watching some of the events that will lead up to the Winter Olympics.
Disclosure is that I often (usually) watch TV with the sound off. Particularly on sporting events, the chatter of the background takes away from what is happening (which I don't always undestand either! Once in a while when I am watching the Super Bowl (which I miss far more than I watch) or the Boise State Broncos (might watch a game a year), I'll turn the volume up a bit, but not too often.
So I truly was watching.
These competitions are from Europe. By chance I have seen a bit of ski jumping; speed skiing; 2 man bobsled and luge/skeleton.
Since I don't listen well I thought I was watching Luge, because these nutty people were going very fast on a very small sled, but then I discovered there are two different sports. One the slider is head first on his/her stomach and the other they lie on their back and slide feet first. Luge and Skeleton. Luge is feet first and Skeleton is head first – I think.
But imagine going close to 80 mph down a icy canyon on a tiny sled with your eyeballs about 8” above that ice.
No brakes, no steering, only feet and body movements.
Everything went well and they all ended up at the end of the run (less than a minute in length) with all body parts in tack. I read, though, that it is one of the most dangerous of winter sports.
And imagine going to a big championship event, your specialty event. And actually doing your thing for 2 brief minutes (2 runs 1 minute each) and either going home a winner or a looser.
A whole season could be less than half an hour of actual competition!
My life is so dull!
Disclosure is that I often (usually) watch TV with the sound off. Particularly on sporting events, the chatter of the background takes away from what is happening (which I don't always undestand either! Once in a while when I am watching the Super Bowl (which I miss far more than I watch) or the Boise State Broncos (might watch a game a year), I'll turn the volume up a bit, but not too often.
So I truly was watching.
These competitions are from Europe. By chance I have seen a bit of ski jumping; speed skiing; 2 man bobsled and luge/skeleton.
Since I don't listen well I thought I was watching Luge, because these nutty people were going very fast on a very small sled, but then I discovered there are two different sports. One the slider is head first on his/her stomach and the other they lie on their back and slide feet first. Luge and Skeleton. Luge is feet first and Skeleton is head first – I think.
But imagine going close to 80 mph down a icy canyon on a tiny sled with your eyeballs about 8” above that ice.
No brakes, no steering, only feet and body movements.
Everything went well and they all ended up at the end of the run (less than a minute in length) with all body parts in tack. I read, though, that it is one of the most dangerous of winter sports.
And imagine going to a big championship event, your specialty event. And actually doing your thing for 2 brief minutes (2 runs 1 minute each) and either going home a winner or a looser.
A whole season could be less than half an hour of actual competition!
My life is so dull!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
quoted
Today I was quoted in the area newspaper.
Earlier there had been a requests for independents who voted for the president last year to describe their position now.
I responded, and the reporter and I emailed back and forth a bit. Today the piece was presented.
Here is what the reporter quoted:
We all got ourselves into this mess, it was not just the last president (or this one) and it was not wall street alone, though each had a toe in the circle. We were all living beyond our means and now we have to pay.
That pretty well sums up my thoughts about a lot of things. It is easy to look for someone to blame, and there are people who are paid millions a year just to do that, but it is more accurate, usually, to step back.
Pogo, in the comic strip (as I remember) said: “We have seen the enemy, and it is us.”
I wish he were wrong.
If you are really bored, go to this site: http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/1057100.html
Earlier there had been a requests for independents who voted for the president last year to describe their position now.
I responded, and the reporter and I emailed back and forth a bit. Today the piece was presented.
Here is what the reporter quoted:
We all got ourselves into this mess, it was not just the last president (or this one) and it was not wall street alone, though each had a toe in the circle. We were all living beyond our means and now we have to pay.
That pretty well sums up my thoughts about a lot of things. It is easy to look for someone to blame, and there are people who are paid millions a year just to do that, but it is more accurate, usually, to step back.
Pogo, in the comic strip (as I remember) said: “We have seen the enemy, and it is us.”
I wish he were wrong.
If you are really bored, go to this site: http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/1057100.html
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
repair time
Yesterday I attacked my teardrop trailer.
I untarped her, took out the mattress, took off the doors, the windows, cabinet doors, galley hatch, in short any thing that was loose or could come off! All of those parts went into the box trailer where they will stay dry until I need them again.
With Miriam's help we pushed and prodded her into the shop (she is light enough I can push her around alone), slid her off the axle and onto a short rolling platform I had made, and then rolled her into the shop, minus the axle and wheels.
With the axle and tires the trailer is 7 feet wide, without a mere 5, and in a shop as small as mine that is a huge difference.
Today it is raining, but the little lady is dry in the shop. It will be a joy to work on her!
When I built her I invented a good bit of the process (not the design). I made some assumptions that were not correct, and some that I decided to “improve!”
There was some water damage. The hatch was not water and water got under the skin. Last year's trip to Death Valley did a number on the tongue support, so I will make “knees” and bolt it back in position. It should be stronger when I am finished.
Spring, and gardening are coming, so I have to keep going!
Today I'll finish removing the side skins and begin putting things back together.
Guess we will see if my new cogitations are correct.
PS: Ships are referred to as female. Not wanting to upset tradition, I will refer to my tear in the feminine idiom! LOL.
I untarped her, took out the mattress, took off the doors, the windows, cabinet doors, galley hatch, in short any thing that was loose or could come off! All of those parts went into the box trailer where they will stay dry until I need them again.
With Miriam's help we pushed and prodded her into the shop (she is light enough I can push her around alone), slid her off the axle and onto a short rolling platform I had made, and then rolled her into the shop, minus the axle and wheels.
With the axle and tires the trailer is 7 feet wide, without a mere 5, and in a shop as small as mine that is a huge difference.
Today it is raining, but the little lady is dry in the shop. It will be a joy to work on her!
When I built her I invented a good bit of the process (not the design). I made some assumptions that were not correct, and some that I decided to “improve!”
There was some water damage. The hatch was not water and water got under the skin. Last year's trip to Death Valley did a number on the tongue support, so I will make “knees” and bolt it back in position. It should be stronger when I am finished.
Spring, and gardening are coming, so I have to keep going!
Today I'll finish removing the side skins and begin putting things back together.
Guess we will see if my new cogitations are correct.
PS: Ships are referred to as female. Not wanting to upset tradition, I will refer to my tear in the feminine idiom! LOL.
Monday, January 25, 2010
friendship
The sermon this week was about friendship.
That is not what the pastor said it was about, in fact I don't think he even used the word.
What he wanted to talk about was the benefit of small groups in the church setting. He made a case for the importance of having groups for everyone. It is a good thing to talk about. In his effort to promote his “new” idea, he seemed to ignored several groups that have existed for a good while.
The bible discussion group I facilitate has endured for about 17 years. We have about two dozen members, and we share a lot of time together. We 'break bread' together often, we bear each others burdens, we genuinely care.
Friendship is so important for all of us, having a group of people that we can count on for support and care is critically important, it seems to me.
Church surely is not the only place to find friendship and support. I attend a AD support group that is greatly helpful in dealing with that part of my life.
It is so easy to get hung up with theology and to miss more important things (that is the gospel according to dave!).
I cannot imagine life without these “small groups.”
That is not what the pastor said it was about, in fact I don't think he even used the word.
What he wanted to talk about was the benefit of small groups in the church setting. He made a case for the importance of having groups for everyone. It is a good thing to talk about. In his effort to promote his “new” idea, he seemed to ignored several groups that have existed for a good while.
The bible discussion group I facilitate has endured for about 17 years. We have about two dozen members, and we share a lot of time together. We 'break bread' together often, we bear each others burdens, we genuinely care.
Friendship is so important for all of us, having a group of people that we can count on for support and care is critically important, it seems to me.
Church surely is not the only place to find friendship and support. I attend a AD support group that is greatly helpful in dealing with that part of my life.
It is so easy to get hung up with theology and to miss more important things (that is the gospel according to dave!).
I cannot imagine life without these “small groups.”
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