as read in The Sword Scrapbook
, compiled by editor John R. Rice, copyright 1969 by Sword of the Lord Publishers, ISBN 0-87398-787-X
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Why She Rejoiced
"Though we may have little of this world's goods we have much for which to praise God. A woman was dying in the poorhouse. The doctor bent over her and heard her whisper, 'Praise the Lord.' 'Why, auntie,' he said, 'how can you praise God when you are dying in a poorhouse?' 'Oh doctor,' she replied, 'it's wonderful to go from the poorhouse to a mansion in the skies!'" ~ The Christian
as read in The Sword Scrapbook, compiled by editor John R. Rice, copyright 1969 by Sword of the Lord Publishers, ISBN 0-87398-787-X
as read in The Sword Scrapbook
, compiled by editor John R. Rice, copyright 1969 by Sword of the Lord Publishers, ISBN 0-87398-787-X
Friday, August 13, 2010
What Happened to Girlfriend Today #parrot
This girl lived through a babyhood miracle - hence her original name of Miracle by her first-9-years owner - and today she lived to tell the tale again.
I was in my recliner, doing my phone job that I do every day. It was mid-afternoon, when the birds always have their siesta, so I wasn't paying any particular attention to them...just taking the calls and making the appointments as I always do.
Then as clear as if it were a horn blasting in my ear: "Go check the birds!" It was as clear and unmistakable as are these words on the screen, so much so that I got out of my chair as quickly as I could manage. As I was scanning the cages I saw Girlfriend laying on the floor of her cage, at the very back, facing away from me. She was jerking every second or so...my heart just about stopped...all of our birds are special, but Girlfriend especially holds a huge place in Pete's heart. (That's how she got her name, in fact, she's the only "girlfriend" I will let him have - lol!)
I thought she was dying. Well, she looked like she was dying! And I said as much as Pete made his way over, while I was going to the back of her cage so I could see her face. He was reaching in for her, but couldn't move her...it took me a few seconds to see that her upper beak was caught on one of the looping wires that held the grate in her cage, where the end should have been closed tightly. Through the 1/2" bars I couldn't free her, but my quick-thinking husband was already on the way to get a pair of pliers. Through the bars he opened up the wire loop and she was loose.
She was wobbly at first. I don't know how long she'd been there, but I'm sure God would have gotten my attention sooner if it had been any longer. (Oh yes, I do know my Shepherd's voice!) Pete held her for a minute. She wouldn't take a sunflower seed (her faovirte, but rare, treat), I'm sure her beak was sore. I got her a teddy graham, for the quick energy to help her recover, and she ate it all, then acted like nothing had ever happened.
I'm glad that Pete is calm and quick-thinking in emergencies - probably his time in the USAF, cop training, advanced first aid training, whatever...but he knew to do the right thing, and did it quickly, and his little Girlfriend is now fine :).
Girlfriend will keep her cage, we will make sure all those wire loops are TIGHT, and I hope we have many more years with her. Meanwhile I also got a lesson in cage maintenance - something about which I've become lax over the years...thanks, Lord, for waking me up :).
I was in my recliner, doing my phone job that I do every day. It was mid-afternoon, when the birds always have their siesta, so I wasn't paying any particular attention to them...just taking the calls and making the appointments as I always do.
Then as clear as if it were a horn blasting in my ear: "Go check the birds!" It was as clear and unmistakable as are these words on the screen, so much so that I got out of my chair as quickly as I could manage. As I was scanning the cages I saw Girlfriend laying on the floor of her cage, at the very back, facing away from me. She was jerking every second or so...my heart just about stopped...all of our birds are special, but Girlfriend especially holds a huge place in Pete's heart. (That's how she got her name, in fact, she's the only "girlfriend" I will let him have - lol!)
I thought she was dying. Well, she looked like she was dying! And I said as much as Pete made his way over, while I was going to the back of her cage so I could see her face. He was reaching in for her, but couldn't move her...it took me a few seconds to see that her upper beak was caught on one of the looping wires that held the grate in her cage, where the end should have been closed tightly. Through the 1/2" bars I couldn't free her, but my quick-thinking husband was already on the way to get a pair of pliers. Through the bars he opened up the wire loop and she was loose.
She was wobbly at first. I don't know how long she'd been there, but I'm sure God would have gotten my attention sooner if it had been any longer. (Oh yes, I do know my Shepherd's voice!) Pete held her for a minute. She wouldn't take a sunflower seed (her faovirte, but rare, treat), I'm sure her beak was sore. I got her a teddy graham, for the quick energy to help her recover, and she ate it all, then acted like nothing had ever happened.
I'm glad that Pete is calm and quick-thinking in emergencies - probably his time in the USAF, cop training, advanced first aid training, whatever...but he knew to do the right thing, and did it quickly, and his little Girlfriend is now fine :).
Girlfriend will keep her cage, we will make sure all those wire loops are TIGHT, and I hope we have many more years with her. Meanwhile I also got a lesson in cage maintenance - something about which I've become lax over the years...thanks, Lord, for waking me up :).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Who Is ChiaOwl
I have been known as ChiaOwl online for many years, since 1994 IIRC...I've used that nickname in my emails, on various instant messengers (starting with ICQ, where I had a 6-digit number which has since been hijacked), on the IRC (where it was ^ChiaOwl^ with the ear tufts), and elsewhere. ChiaOwl became an extension of me after a time, and I would answer to it as readily as I did my own name. I still use it here and there...my personal domain is owly.net, after my dear friend Cody (I wonder where he is and what he's doing now...) starting calling me Owly as an affectionate derivative of ChiaOwl...anyway, I was asked why and how ChiaOwl, so here is the answer:
I have always loved owls anyway, and for a time I had a small overnight word processing service (early 90's - almost unheard of then as a home business) which I called Owl Information Services...I also did information gathering via the internet, which was largely unknown and unused at that time, proof reading, etc. Anyway, the Owl part came both from my interest in owls (first sparked by a children's book my mother often read in my earliest childhood which contained the line, "Brownie fowlie little owl" - from then on we called owls "Brownie fowlies"), and because I was up all night doing my work.
Meanwhile, my friend Paula had had a sort of amusing fascination with chia pets. She thought they were just plain funny and were sort of joke gifts when the occasion warranted.
Well I'd been on the IRC for a while when I introduced her to it, and soon after that I showed up in an IRC chat room as ChiaOwl, just to make her laugh. And the nick stuck. It was unique and so I started using all across the internet, developed a reputation as ChiaOwl, and so that's who I became when online.
A couple of years ago after my "cerebrovascular event" that wasn't a stroke (!) I decided to start to retire ChiaOwl. I still use it on emails, but gave up the IRC and even instant messengers long ago...I keep the email address because I've had it for so many years it would be nearly impossible to change all of my subscriptions and such...but these days, in my newer online haunts (facebook, twitter, and elsewhere), I'm usually SherryPetersMI or SP48629 (my initials and zip code), or something similar. I will also probably answer to my alter-ego ChiaOwl though and she will always be a part of me :).
I have always loved owls anyway, and for a time I had a small overnight word processing service (early 90's - almost unheard of then as a home business) which I called Owl Information Services...I also did information gathering via the internet, which was largely unknown and unused at that time, proof reading, etc. Anyway, the Owl part came both from my interest in owls (first sparked by a children's book my mother often read in my earliest childhood which contained the line, "Brownie fowlie little owl" - from then on we called owls "Brownie fowlies"), and because I was up all night doing my work.
Meanwhile, my friend Paula had had a sort of amusing fascination with chia pets. She thought they were just plain funny and were sort of joke gifts when the occasion warranted.
Well I'd been on the IRC for a while when I introduced her to it, and soon after that I showed up in an IRC chat room as ChiaOwl, just to make her laugh. And the nick stuck. It was unique and so I started using all across the internet, developed a reputation as ChiaOwl, and so that's who I became when online.
A couple of years ago after my "cerebrovascular event" that wasn't a stroke (!) I decided to start to retire ChiaOwl. I still use it on emails, but gave up the IRC and even instant messengers long ago...I keep the email address because I've had it for so many years it would be nearly impossible to change all of my subscriptions and such...but these days, in my newer online haunts (facebook, twitter, and elsewhere), I'm usually SherryPetersMI or SP48629 (my initials and zip code), or something similar. I will also probably answer to my alter-ego ChiaOwl though and she will always be a part of me :).
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Going to Church - Is It For Me?
A discussion with a friend and brother in Christ precipitated this post. As I started to gather Scriptures on the topic I used my time-saving convenient method of finding articles online on the same subject and grabbing their Bible references, re-reading them, and then writing my own thoughts around them. But this time I found an article called Why Should Christians Attend Church? that said everything I would have said, only better than I would have said it.
But of course I can't leave it at that :). Since this is my blog I want to comment on it from my own perspective and experience. So go read that, then come back here...I'll wait... :).
Done already? Ok, here goes...
My main concern with Christians not worshipping together is the division it puts into the Body of Christ. Most often Christian choose not to attend because they judge their brothers and sisters to be wrong in some way: hypocritical, not holy enough/too holy, erroneous theology, judgmental...those are just a few of the reasons I've heard from people who choose to stay away from church. And such criticisms of our brothers and sisters puts a division into the Body that must work together (1Cor.12) to accomplish God's will for His kingdom.
First off, I would say this: Even given the fact that we are commanded by the Word to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together and it is willful disobedience to do otherwise, isn't the judging of church members doing the same thing that you are accusing them of doing? When I call you hypocritical, doesn't that make me the same, since I am a sinner the same way you are? When I declare you to be not holy enough (a church full of sinners? GASP!) or too holy (I just want a feel-good message to take home with me), am I not declaring myself to be worthy of deciding the definition of holiness? When I criticize your theology, is it because I don't want to hear the Truth, or is it because I believe *I* have the answers and *you* are lacking them?
Before I continue, I want to assure the reader that I have been in the same place, have given the same reasons I hear from others, and haven't wanted to sully myself with those who are so wrong, in my estimation. So I can speak honestly - but without criticism or rancor. (If you are feeling defensive right now, look into your heart...) I don't have the right to criticize, but I have the obligation to proclaim the Word. It's right there in the Bible for anyone to read, I don't make this stuff up :).
Anyway, one thing is true: God will never contradict Himself. Having given us direction to gather with other believers, He will never tell us individually that we don't have to. It is a given that anything we choose to believe that is contrary to the Word - even if we think "But God Himself told me..." and even if we believe it with our whole hearts - it isn't true. God will NEVER contradict Himself. He never changes.
OK, so given all of this, how does one find a group of believers that we can worship with, praise with, honor God with, exhort and support, trust, and open our hearts to? Because being an active member of the Body involves making ourselves vulnerable to other sinners, and that's never a comfortable thing to do. (If it is, you're doing it wrong.)
First, we can look to the various denominations. Most Christian denominations are based upon the the inerrancy of the Word, the concept of one perfect God in the 3 Persons of the Trinity, our status as sinners, and the remission of our sins by the shedding or Jesus' blood, death, and resurrection. After that, most denominations tend to give more or less importance to other aspects of Christianity, such as baptism or sacraments, the role of women in the church, or even tradition, to one degree or another. We must weigh these against Biblical truths.
Many find that denominational churches are too dogmatic, or otherwise don't meet Biblical criteria (as they understand it). And for this reason, there are quite a few non-denominational church bodies that may meet our needs. Again, the ruler against each body must be measured has to be the Word.
Finally, there are groups who choose to meet together on the Lord's Day in obedience to the Word, and who may study Scripture, pray, sing, exhort, hold each other accountable, and honor God and share Bible truths outside of a church building - in a home for example. These become a body unto themselves, and often are the answer for those who can't find a traditional or organized church body within their area. There are many sources of information for these groups who don't typically have a pastor with an education in church history, languages, etc. (The organization of church groups is outlined in the Bible, such as in 1Timothy and elsewhere, and we must strive to be obedient to this as well.)
There are, of course, other thoughts on this subject. As Christians, we are to search the Word, and obey. If our beliefs are contrary, we must examine our own hearts.
But of course I can't leave it at that :). Since this is my blog I want to comment on it from my own perspective and experience. So go read that, then come back here...I'll wait... :).
Done already? Ok, here goes...
My main concern with Christians not worshipping together is the division it puts into the Body of Christ. Most often Christian choose not to attend because they judge their brothers and sisters to be wrong in some way: hypocritical, not holy enough/too holy, erroneous theology, judgmental...those are just a few of the reasons I've heard from people who choose to stay away from church. And such criticisms of our brothers and sisters puts a division into the Body that must work together (1Cor.12) to accomplish God's will for His kingdom.
First off, I would say this: Even given the fact that we are commanded by the Word to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together and it is willful disobedience to do otherwise, isn't the judging of church members doing the same thing that you are accusing them of doing? When I call you hypocritical, doesn't that make me the same, since I am a sinner the same way you are? When I declare you to be not holy enough (a church full of sinners? GASP!) or too holy (I just want a feel-good message to take home with me), am I not declaring myself to be worthy of deciding the definition of holiness? When I criticize your theology, is it because I don't want to hear the Truth, or is it because I believe *I* have the answers and *you* are lacking them?
Before I continue, I want to assure the reader that I have been in the same place, have given the same reasons I hear from others, and haven't wanted to sully myself with those who are so wrong, in my estimation. So I can speak honestly - but without criticism or rancor. (If you are feeling defensive right now, look into your heart...) I don't have the right to criticize, but I have the obligation to proclaim the Word. It's right there in the Bible for anyone to read, I don't make this stuff up :).
Anyway, one thing is true: God will never contradict Himself. Having given us direction to gather with other believers, He will never tell us individually that we don't have to. It is a given that anything we choose to believe that is contrary to the Word - even if we think "But God Himself told me..." and even if we believe it with our whole hearts - it isn't true. God will NEVER contradict Himself. He never changes.
OK, so given all of this, how does one find a group of believers that we can worship with, praise with, honor God with, exhort and support, trust, and open our hearts to? Because being an active member of the Body involves making ourselves vulnerable to other sinners, and that's never a comfortable thing to do. (If it is, you're doing it wrong.)
First, we can look to the various denominations. Most Christian denominations are based upon the the inerrancy of the Word, the concept of one perfect God in the 3 Persons of the Trinity, our status as sinners, and the remission of our sins by the shedding or Jesus' blood, death, and resurrection. After that, most denominations tend to give more or less importance to other aspects of Christianity, such as baptism or sacraments, the role of women in the church, or even tradition, to one degree or another. We must weigh these against Biblical truths.
Many find that denominational churches are too dogmatic, or otherwise don't meet Biblical criteria (as they understand it). And for this reason, there are quite a few non-denominational church bodies that may meet our needs. Again, the ruler against each body must be measured has to be the Word.
Finally, there are groups who choose to meet together on the Lord's Day in obedience to the Word, and who may study Scripture, pray, sing, exhort, hold each other accountable, and honor God and share Bible truths outside of a church building - in a home for example. These become a body unto themselves, and often are the answer for those who can't find a traditional or organized church body within their area. There are many sources of information for these groups who don't typically have a pastor with an education in church history, languages, etc. (The organization of church groups is outlined in the Bible, such as in 1Timothy and elsewhere, and we must strive to be obedient to this as well.)
There are, of course, other thoughts on this subject. As Christians, we are to search the Word, and obey. If our beliefs are contrary, we must examine our own hearts.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A Casino Date with My Husband!
This morning we went on one of our formerly favorite dates: a casino breakfast! Here's the brief background:
When Pete and I got married neither of us had ever been to a casino. So we decided to go to Soaring Eagle for our honeymoon (which was a short 3-day weekend). We thought it was pretty fun, and have been back a few times in the last 8 years. The first few years we went several times each year, then just once or twice for a few years, but we haven't been back for a couple of years now. Just busy (or broke), or plain not in the mood.
So we typically get up early on a Saturday morning and get there 7:00/7:30ish, before it gets crowded although today we didn't get there until 9ish. We pretty much have our pick of machines on which to play, and after an hour or so (we're nickel players, $20 each to spend but more on that later) we go to the Firefly Buffet for a breakfast that sticks to our ribs all day long!
Pete and I have different playing styles. Previously, he would put his nickels in a bucket, adding his winnings to them, and continue playing until everything was gone, always searching after the elusive big win. OTOH, I would carry 2 buckets: in the top bucket went my original 400 nickels; in the bottom bucket went my winnings. When the top bucket was empty I was done playing. So I always left with at least some money left from my $20, and sometimes even more than I started with.
Now, however, they have gone to a system of tickets. That makes so cumbersome so as to be nearly impossible to leave with winnings, unless I carry a calculator and a scratch pad - or N8
:). (Gone are the days of keeping the numbers in my head.) If anybody has a way to do this, I'd be happy to hear it...not that I'll probably be at the casino again anytime soon...well maybe for our anniversary next month :)...but I sure do miss those buckets!
But it was fun. The good thing about a buffet this size is that there are plenty of low carb choices, with eggs and meats, yogurt, melon, berries, whatever. Today I did get some bread pudding which is a MAJOR cheat but since it was my only meal of the day, and followed by lots of exercise I'm not worried about it. (I wouldn't worry about it anyway, just look forward and go on...)
After leaving the casino, Pete and I went shopping. A trip to Mt. Pleasant usually includes a stop at the Greentree Co-op, the Salvation Army and Good Will thrift stores, GFS, and Soldan's. We didn't need groceries or pet food today though so we skipped the last two places. Found some cute outfits for my almost-16MO grandson at Good Will, and some great toys at the Salvation Army store.
But it was all about spending time with my Petey, who is my best friend, who makes me laugh, who is so easy to talk to, and to listen to...who "gets me" totally, and I never have to pretend with him. He has such a different way of seeing life (once I mentioned that he marches to a different drummer, and he replied, "Drummer? What drummer? I've been following the guy playing the kazoo!") and expressing himself that he still fascinates and entertains me. I can't get enough of him, and these dates where I have him all to myself I totally cherish!
Anyway, writing about our date is my way of reliving it, and my time with him :). Now we're watching some awesome Southern Gospel music on TCT, just our companionship of sharing a simple activity based on our mutual love of music and of course of the Lord we serve, and each other...I love being married to Pete, and I am so thankful that God brought us together!
When Pete and I got married neither of us had ever been to a casino. So we decided to go to Soaring Eagle for our honeymoon (which was a short 3-day weekend). We thought it was pretty fun, and have been back a few times in the last 8 years. The first few years we went several times each year, then just once or twice for a few years, but we haven't been back for a couple of years now. Just busy (or broke), or plain not in the mood.
So we typically get up early on a Saturday morning and get there 7:00/7:30ish, before it gets crowded although today we didn't get there until 9ish. We pretty much have our pick of machines on which to play, and after an hour or so (we're nickel players, $20 each to spend but more on that later) we go to the Firefly Buffet for a breakfast that sticks to our ribs all day long!
Pete and I have different playing styles. Previously, he would put his nickels in a bucket, adding his winnings to them, and continue playing until everything was gone, always searching after the elusive big win. OTOH, I would carry 2 buckets: in the top bucket went my original 400 nickels; in the bottom bucket went my winnings. When the top bucket was empty I was done playing. So I always left with at least some money left from my $20, and sometimes even more than I started with.
Now, however, they have gone to a system of tickets. That makes so cumbersome so as to be nearly impossible to leave with winnings, unless I carry a calculator and a scratch pad - or N8
:). (Gone are the days of keeping the numbers in my head.) If anybody has a way to do this, I'd be happy to hear it...not that I'll probably be at the casino again anytime soon...well maybe for our anniversary next month :)...but I sure do miss those buckets!But it was fun. The good thing about a buffet this size is that there are plenty of low carb choices, with eggs and meats, yogurt, melon, berries, whatever. Today I did get some bread pudding which is a MAJOR cheat but since it was my only meal of the day, and followed by lots of exercise I'm not worried about it. (I wouldn't worry about it anyway, just look forward and go on...)
After leaving the casino, Pete and I went shopping. A trip to Mt. Pleasant usually includes a stop at the Greentree Co-op, the Salvation Army and Good Will thrift stores, GFS, and Soldan's. We didn't need groceries or pet food today though so we skipped the last two places. Found some cute outfits for my almost-16MO grandson at Good Will, and some great toys at the Salvation Army store.
But it was all about spending time with my Petey, who is my best friend, who makes me laugh, who is so easy to talk to, and to listen to...who "gets me" totally, and I never have to pretend with him. He has such a different way of seeing life (once I mentioned that he marches to a different drummer, and he replied, "Drummer? What drummer? I've been following the guy playing the kazoo!") and expressing himself that he still fascinates and entertains me. I can't get enough of him, and these dates where I have him all to myself I totally cherish!
Anyway, writing about our date is my way of reliving it, and my time with him :). Now we're watching some awesome Southern Gospel music on TCT, just our companionship of sharing a simple activity based on our mutual love of music and of course of the Lord we serve, and each other...I love being married to Pete, and I am so thankful that God brought us together!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Meet The Candidates Event - Roscommon Co., MI
This was held last night in our Roscommon Twp Hall, in spite of a power outage that made the basement meeting room dark and, eventually, hot and stuffy. But the people that came out for it - candidates and voters alike - managed just fine and it was an informative and enjoyable evening.
Originally I was going to comment on my impressions and thoughts about each of the people who spoke. But today I decided not to, but rather to mention the highlights.
First, our 4th District US Rep race: Dem. Jerry Campbell is running against incumbent Representative Dave Camp. Both were represented by others. Mr. Campbell's rep, his son-in-law, went first. (He didn't mention why Mr. Campbell didn't attend.) He gave a short introductory statement in which his main point seemed to be that he "respectfully" didn't believe that Rep. Camp has been working for his constituents, generally speaking - each of his "respectful" statements were intended to show that he would do all of the things that Rep. Camp has supposedly failed to do, but he didn't really say how, or his own plans - whatever those may be. His rep answered the 3 questions posed, which Mr. Campbell had been sent via email at an earlier date, very briefly and in general terms, no specifics as to how he expected to do what he said he wanted to do. (BTW, after he and Rep. Camp's rep spoke, he was out the door and didn't offer the respect to the other candidates of hearing what anyone else had to say. Maybe he needed to get back to the golf course or something?)
In a huge contrast, Rep. Camp's rep (Rep. Camp was called to Washington) gave a detailed introduction, listing his many accomplishments, bills he had sponsored, and the specific ways he has helped northern Michigan. For each of the 3 questions she gave answers which included his past successes and current work on each, complete with statistics and data to back up each fact. His answers were informative, informed, and complete. I was impressed.
For our 35th district Senate people, the only "highlight" I have is that Roger Dunigan struck me as a warm-fuzzy wannabe who wants compromise and hugs amid choruses of Kumbaya around the campfire. Given the extremely tough problems Michigan is facing, I don't find this at all reassuring. I was impressed by what both Gary Finstrom and Darwin L. Booher had to say, as well as their comfortable and confident respective manners.
(Speaking of manners, this is as good a time as any to mention that one of the county commissioners thought it was perfectly fine to talk throughout the presentations of others, and provide the distraction of going outside for smoke breaks several times. Just sayin'...that's not how my mother raised me to show respect, maybe they do things differently over in Denton Twp.)
For the 103rd district state reps, there were a plethora of potential candidates. (It cannot be stressed enough to get out there and vote the primary! It is up to us to decide who will be on the ticket come November!) I've never made any secret of my choice for our rep, but there were several who I would be happy to vote for in November, should "my guy" not make the cut for some reason.
I could discuss my impressions of each of them, but since many of their answers and ideas were similar, and in an effort to economize on bytes I will just say this:
- Anybody who stops to help someone using a walker on an uneven sidewalk and who would rather live in a ditch than see a baby slaughtered is honorable and respectable.
- A dark horse who doesn't have much of import to say until the last minute, then drops a ridiculously simple yet brilliant bomb that won the applause of the crowd at the end surprisingly gets my attention (but not enough to get my vote).
- Anybody who talks to the crowd but then looks downward when making his most important statements, fiddling with his notes, I find hard to trust.
- A tried-and-true successful entrepreneur, proud to be a nationalized United States citizen and disdainful of those who enjoy its benefits without the cost of citizenship and without sacrifice is a man who knows more about being an American - and a success - than many who were born here.
- Any farmer and/or construction company owner who has been able to survive and even succeed in these times is doing something right and has something to offer our area.
- If you go on and on, saying the same things over and over again, you are wasting time and trying to make us think that your little bit to offer is a whole lot more than it is.
- And finally, someone who can answer 3 tough questions in as many minutes and effectively get his point across is someone who can get things done and not waste our time or our resources in doing so.
If I must offer a disclaimer in this age of paranoia and defensiveness it would simply be this: These are my impressions. I am a United States citizen. If yours differ, that's great. We are both guaranteed the constitutional right to have and express our own thoughts on our own blogs (or elsewhere). And finally, I'm proud to have the opportunity to hear what the fine men and women who seek to serve our area of northern Michigan have to say, and proud to have the right to give my opinions of what they said.
Originally I was going to comment on my impressions and thoughts about each of the people who spoke. But today I decided not to, but rather to mention the highlights.
First, our 4th District US Rep race: Dem. Jerry Campbell is running against incumbent Representative Dave Camp. Both were represented by others. Mr. Campbell's rep, his son-in-law, went first. (He didn't mention why Mr. Campbell didn't attend.) He gave a short introductory statement in which his main point seemed to be that he "respectfully" didn't believe that Rep. Camp has been working for his constituents, generally speaking - each of his "respectful" statements were intended to show that he would do all of the things that Rep. Camp has supposedly failed to do, but he didn't really say how, or his own plans - whatever those may be. His rep answered the 3 questions posed, which Mr. Campbell had been sent via email at an earlier date, very briefly and in general terms, no specifics as to how he expected to do what he said he wanted to do. (BTW, after he and Rep. Camp's rep spoke, he was out the door and didn't offer the respect to the other candidates of hearing what anyone else had to say. Maybe he needed to get back to the golf course or something?)
In a huge contrast, Rep. Camp's rep (Rep. Camp was called to Washington) gave a detailed introduction, listing his many accomplishments, bills he had sponsored, and the specific ways he has helped northern Michigan. For each of the 3 questions she gave answers which included his past successes and current work on each, complete with statistics and data to back up each fact. His answers were informative, informed, and complete. I was impressed.
For our 35th district Senate people, the only "highlight" I have is that Roger Dunigan struck me as a warm-fuzzy wannabe who wants compromise and hugs amid choruses of Kumbaya around the campfire. Given the extremely tough problems Michigan is facing, I don't find this at all reassuring. I was impressed by what both Gary Finstrom and Darwin L. Booher had to say, as well as their comfortable and confident respective manners.
(Speaking of manners, this is as good a time as any to mention that one of the county commissioners thought it was perfectly fine to talk throughout the presentations of others, and provide the distraction of going outside for smoke breaks several times. Just sayin'...that's not how my mother raised me to show respect, maybe they do things differently over in Denton Twp.)
For the 103rd district state reps, there were a plethora of potential candidates. (It cannot be stressed enough to get out there and vote the primary! It is up to us to decide who will be on the ticket come November!) I've never made any secret of my choice for our rep, but there were several who I would be happy to vote for in November, should "my guy" not make the cut for some reason.
I could discuss my impressions of each of them, but since many of their answers and ideas were similar, and in an effort to economize on bytes I will just say this:
- Anybody who stops to help someone using a walker on an uneven sidewalk and who would rather live in a ditch than see a baby slaughtered is honorable and respectable.
- A dark horse who doesn't have much of import to say until the last minute, then drops a ridiculously simple yet brilliant bomb that won the applause of the crowd at the end surprisingly gets my attention (but not enough to get my vote).
- Anybody who talks to the crowd but then looks downward when making his most important statements, fiddling with his notes, I find hard to trust.
- A tried-and-true successful entrepreneur, proud to be a nationalized United States citizen and disdainful of those who enjoy its benefits without the cost of citizenship and without sacrifice is a man who knows more about being an American - and a success - than many who were born here.
- Any farmer and/or construction company owner who has been able to survive and even succeed in these times is doing something right and has something to offer our area.
- If you go on and on, saying the same things over and over again, you are wasting time and trying to make us think that your little bit to offer is a whole lot more than it is.
- And finally, someone who can answer 3 tough questions in as many minutes and effectively get his point across is someone who can get things done and not waste our time or our resources in doing so.
If I must offer a disclaimer in this age of paranoia and defensiveness it would simply be this: These are my impressions. I am a United States citizen. If yours differ, that's great. We are both guaranteed the constitutional right to have and express our own thoughts on our own blogs (or elsewhere). And finally, I'm proud to have the opportunity to hear what the fine men and women who seek to serve our area of northern Michigan have to say, and proud to have the right to give my opinions of what they said.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
On The Bus!
As a young adult I was shy and unassuming - great fun at a party where I knew everyone, but in public and in my work life, very quiet and overly tolerant of things that I shouldn't have had to put up with. By my mid-20's I decided I was going to change. It was a conscious decision. I determined that every time I had a choice between assertiveness and shyness, I was going to choose the former, no matter what. It was a matter of will - and I won.
I spent the next 25 years as a confident, friendly, assertive, controlled woman. I was someone I liked and even admired, able to accomplish whatever I set my mind to do, knowing how to handle people and situations that weren't to my advantage, turning them so that they were when appropriate. I was in charge of myself and my environment, while always being respectful of others. I started a successful business, managed a couple of different careers successfully, and liked being in my own skin.
This is who I was when I met, and later married, Pete. But as time went on I developed the health issues I've already talked about, and found myself - of necessity - becoming more and more dependent on him. Simply walking on unfamiliar ground has been a hazard for nearly 2 years, since my head tells me a tiny dip or rise is going to throw me off balance, and since my eyes - well, eye - deceives me into believing a dark spot is a black hole or a patterned carpet is 3-dimensional. With too much sensory input (and it doesn't take much to be too much) my brain goes into chaos and I can't focus on anything, and speech patterns become strange. Someone approaching from my blind side, or me running into someone, sends me into a panic - as do crowds, things low to the ground (I have no downward peripheral vision which causes tripping and stumbling, especially with the whole balance thing in my brain since fall 2008)...anyway - even leaving the house has become a nightmare, and being with either Pete or my sister, who are the only ones who "get it" and watch out for me in public places, has been the only way I'm at all comfortable going out. And I haven't even covered the other things that now plague me away from my familiar surroundings...just take my word for it: I've become dependent. Not just in public, but in many ways at home, filling in gaps for me both intellectual and physical in my surroundings.
So today when I mentioned on Facebook that I was taking the minibus to the thrift store with my 15MO grandson, it wasn't just about shopping. Obviously I don't drive at this point, but it wasn't about transportation. It was about stepping out on my own, responsible for a small human that I love more than life itself, and taking the first step in breaking back out of who I've become, on my way to who I was. I didn't have the security of my walker (not only for steadiness/balance issues, but because of pain in my arthritic knees and hips and spine - I lean on it to take off pressure/reduce pain - as well as "feeling" the ground ahead of me that I can't see accurately).
So this was HUGE for me. Just getting out to the bus with my purse, the diaper bag, and the toddler, and getting up the VERY STEEP steps after helping the baby go first (no way could I have gotten up them while carrying him)...then the ride during which I was so anxiety-ridden that my head was splitting, I was nauseated and sure I'd either vomit or pass out - but for the baby on my lap, I probably would have. But I was spinning and reeling in my head and my stomach both...I almost got off at someone else's stop but it was only my determination that kept me going all the way to my destination.
Being in the thrift store, with lots of people around, lots of things to run into and trip over (including other toddlers which I don't see straight in front of me), uneven floor surfaces - that was a whole 'nother challenge. I put the baby in a cart, and was able to steady myself with that as well as "feel" the floor ahead of me. By positioning it on my left - blind - side every time I stopped to look at something, I didn't turn and hit anyone or anything. When I got trapped in a crowded aisle, I worked my way back to the dressing room and closed and locked the door, letting Leelan get some exercise too, until I got myself back in control again.
In short, I adapted and accommodated.
After our shopping, Leelan and I went to the little cafe that is attached and I got him a danish, and a diet pop for us to split. We sat at the table, out of the way of passersby, and I was able to breathe as we just waited for Pete to come and pick us up when he got out of work...
I thought I'd feel better about it after the fact than I do. I thought I'd feel accomplishment and a sense of independence. What I feel is that yes, I did it, and if I can avoid doing it again I will. I hate that I'm so dependent on Pete (or my sister when she's in town), I remember clearly who I was just until a couple of short years ago and want to go back there but I don't really feel that I made any strides to that end today. Maybe I expected too much too soon?
But I did it.
I spent the next 25 years as a confident, friendly, assertive, controlled woman. I was someone I liked and even admired, able to accomplish whatever I set my mind to do, knowing how to handle people and situations that weren't to my advantage, turning them so that they were when appropriate. I was in charge of myself and my environment, while always being respectful of others. I started a successful business, managed a couple of different careers successfully, and liked being in my own skin.
This is who I was when I met, and later married, Pete. But as time went on I developed the health issues I've already talked about, and found myself - of necessity - becoming more and more dependent on him. Simply walking on unfamiliar ground has been a hazard for nearly 2 years, since my head tells me a tiny dip or rise is going to throw me off balance, and since my eyes - well, eye - deceives me into believing a dark spot is a black hole or a patterned carpet is 3-dimensional. With too much sensory input (and it doesn't take much to be too much) my brain goes into chaos and I can't focus on anything, and speech patterns become strange. Someone approaching from my blind side, or me running into someone, sends me into a panic - as do crowds, things low to the ground (I have no downward peripheral vision which causes tripping and stumbling, especially with the whole balance thing in my brain since fall 2008)...anyway - even leaving the house has become a nightmare, and being with either Pete or my sister, who are the only ones who "get it" and watch out for me in public places, has been the only way I'm at all comfortable going out. And I haven't even covered the other things that now plague me away from my familiar surroundings...just take my word for it: I've become dependent. Not just in public, but in many ways at home, filling in gaps for me both intellectual and physical in my surroundings.
So today when I mentioned on Facebook that I was taking the minibus to the thrift store with my 15MO grandson, it wasn't just about shopping. Obviously I don't drive at this point, but it wasn't about transportation. It was about stepping out on my own, responsible for a small human that I love more than life itself, and taking the first step in breaking back out of who I've become, on my way to who I was. I didn't have the security of my walker (not only for steadiness/balance issues, but because of pain in my arthritic knees and hips and spine - I lean on it to take off pressure/reduce pain - as well as "feeling" the ground ahead of me that I can't see accurately).
So this was HUGE for me. Just getting out to the bus with my purse, the diaper bag, and the toddler, and getting up the VERY STEEP steps after helping the baby go first (no way could I have gotten up them while carrying him)...then the ride during which I was so anxiety-ridden that my head was splitting, I was nauseated and sure I'd either vomit or pass out - but for the baby on my lap, I probably would have. But I was spinning and reeling in my head and my stomach both...I almost got off at someone else's stop but it was only my determination that kept me going all the way to my destination.
Being in the thrift store, with lots of people around, lots of things to run into and trip over (including other toddlers which I don't see straight in front of me), uneven floor surfaces - that was a whole 'nother challenge. I put the baby in a cart, and was able to steady myself with that as well as "feel" the floor ahead of me. By positioning it on my left - blind - side every time I stopped to look at something, I didn't turn and hit anyone or anything. When I got trapped in a crowded aisle, I worked my way back to the dressing room and closed and locked the door, letting Leelan get some exercise too, until I got myself back in control again.
In short, I adapted and accommodated.
After our shopping, Leelan and I went to the little cafe that is attached and I got him a danish, and a diet pop for us to split. We sat at the table, out of the way of passersby, and I was able to breathe as we just waited for Pete to come and pick us up when he got out of work...
I thought I'd feel better about it after the fact than I do. I thought I'd feel accomplishment and a sense of independence. What I feel is that yes, I did it, and if I can avoid doing it again I will. I hate that I'm so dependent on Pete (or my sister when she's in town), I remember clearly who I was just until a couple of short years ago and want to go back there but I don't really feel that I made any strides to that end today. Maybe I expected too much too soon?
But I did it.
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