“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” That KJV verse of the 23rd Psalm has been stuck in my head recently. These words have always been comforting to me when I’ve faced any difficulty. So here we are approaching Holy Week, the week when we remember Jesus’ last days, and I began to wonder if these words were comforting to him as he faced Jerusalem and the darkness which was ahead.
Heading into Jerusalem with his disciples, Jesus knew that the cheering crowds welcoming him would have a change of heart. As he entered town, did he think that he was at the edge of that valley? Did he say to himself over the hosannas!, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”?
As Jesus prepared for the Passover meal, the last supper when he once again taught his disciples about his definition of ministry and gave them a new meaning for a familiar ritual, was he also aware that he had walked deeper into the shadow? As he broke the bread and poured the wine, did he say to himself, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”?
Knowing that his arrest was coming soon, when they left the place of the Passover and entered the Garden of Gethsemane, did the fear which struck him and led him to pray, “If it be possible, take this cup from me, but your will, not mine, be done.” remind him that he was not only in the shadow of the valley, but approaching the bottom? Could it be that the comfort of “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” made it possible for him to say “Not my will, but yours.”?
As he was beaten and scourged, subjected to the mockery of a trial, forced to carry his cross to Golgotha, nailed to it, and hung between two felons, could Jesus have felt that there was no shadow about this valley, that he was actually in the valley of death? Did “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” make it possible for him to take each step, endure each painful hour, experience his painful death?
In the Apostles’ Creed, we are reminded that Jesus descended into hell, walking completely through the valley of the shadow of death before overcoming death in resurrection. Did “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” give him the strength to fulfill his baptism in death and rise again to life eternal?
There is comfort in knowing that one is not alone in even the darkest hours. Scripture reminds us of that. Perhaps that is why these words are so comforting, so quickly come to mind in the dark times. While there is no way to know it for sure, I’d like to think these are words that comforted Jesus in the same way. Because beyond the certainty of companionship in the darkness, there is a second assurance: that one does not stay in the valley of the shadow of death, and in this assurance lies hope! A hope which carried Jesus, and us, beyond our fears into life eternal!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Question of Degree
Yes, I'm just now getting around to reading Sunday's paper.
In our local paper, the opinions editor did his Sunday OpEd piece on the Tokyo firebombing from World War II. In it, he expresses surprise that the people of Japan are suing the Japanese government over the bombing, not the American government.
The logic of the suit is that the Japanese government caused the attack by starting an unprovoked war with the United States, and then not taking care of the victims of the attack on Tokyo afterward. "Accordingto to the Kyodo News agency, the 112 plaintiffs accuse the Japanese government with failing to help bombing victims and - get this - starting the war and refusing to surrender, thereby inviting the raid." He then goes on to detail some of the various atrocities committed by the Japanese during WWII, and notes that Japan and Germany "have no one to blame but themselves for the devastation of their countries during the war. They attacked other nations - many of which were defenseless and posed zero threat to them - and did horrible things to millions of people. Because of that, they deserve every bit of the counterattack that followed." (T. Taschinger, Beaumont Enterprise, 3/25/07)
I acknowledge that the scale of atrocity, loss of life, devastation which took place during WWII is far and beyond anything which has occurred, or will occur, during the current war with Iraq. But is it 'scale' which determines whether a country is 'deserving' of any counterattack it receives as a result of an unwarranted assault of another country?
I couldn't help but read his editoral as moral justification for any group of native Iraqis who may in the future decide to exact retribution against the United States for its unprovoked attack, and subsequent loss of life and upheaval, upon their country. Does that mean the people of the United States should sue our own government for such a breach if (when?) there is another attack on American soil by terrorists "home-grown" as a result of our government's course of action in Iraq?
When GW Bush decided to invade Iraq, there was no clear evidence that the Iraqi government or people had anything whatsoever to do with the terrorist attack on American soil of 9/11. Subsequent investigation and information pretty clearly says that they weren't. Thus, our attack on Iraq would qualify as unprovoked.
The scale of lives lost by Iraqis and Americans and allies is nowhere close to that of WWII; however, any loss of life as a result is significant. The U.S. has acknowledged, and fortunately dealt with, such acts as Abu Ghraib and the rape/murders committed on Iraqi soil. Yet the reality is that they did occur. Smaller, almost trivial (as if any behavior such as those acts could ever be called 'trivial'), in comparison to the actions of Japan and Germany in WWII, yet they happened. The devastation to the country and its infrastructure has been immense, and has ultimately facilitated the on-going sectarian violence which exists today. [aside - there will be those who say that anything which occurred as a result of our invasion is considerably less damage than that perpetrated by Saddam Hussein during his rule. I don't deny that Hussein was a tyrant and mass murderer and probably a worthy candidate for removal from office. That is not the issue which I am addressing.]
By Taschinger's basic logic, should we experience another attack on American soil, we would be fully deserving and a trip to the local courthouse for judgment would be completely appropriate. I wonder whether those going to court will choose to sue the American government as a whole or just GW Bush and company.
In our local paper, the opinions editor did his Sunday OpEd piece on the Tokyo firebombing from World War II. In it, he expresses surprise that the people of Japan are suing the Japanese government over the bombing, not the American government.
The logic of the suit is that the Japanese government caused the attack by starting an unprovoked war with the United States, and then not taking care of the victims of the attack on Tokyo afterward. "Accordingto to the Kyodo News agency, the 112 plaintiffs accuse the Japanese government with failing to help bombing victims and - get this - starting the war and refusing to surrender, thereby inviting the raid." He then goes on to detail some of the various atrocities committed by the Japanese during WWII, and notes that Japan and Germany "have no one to blame but themselves for the devastation of their countries during the war. They attacked other nations - many of which were defenseless and posed zero threat to them - and did horrible things to millions of people. Because of that, they deserve every bit of the counterattack that followed." (T. Taschinger, Beaumont Enterprise, 3/25/07)
I acknowledge that the scale of atrocity, loss of life, devastation which took place during WWII is far and beyond anything which has occurred, or will occur, during the current war with Iraq. But is it 'scale' which determines whether a country is 'deserving' of any counterattack it receives as a result of an unwarranted assault of another country?
I couldn't help but read his editoral as moral justification for any group of native Iraqis who may in the future decide to exact retribution against the United States for its unprovoked attack, and subsequent loss of life and upheaval, upon their country. Does that mean the people of the United States should sue our own government for such a breach if (when?) there is another attack on American soil by terrorists "home-grown" as a result of our government's course of action in Iraq?
When GW Bush decided to invade Iraq, there was no clear evidence that the Iraqi government or people had anything whatsoever to do with the terrorist attack on American soil of 9/11. Subsequent investigation and information pretty clearly says that they weren't. Thus, our attack on Iraq would qualify as unprovoked.
The scale of lives lost by Iraqis and Americans and allies is nowhere close to that of WWII; however, any loss of life as a result is significant. The U.S. has acknowledged, and fortunately dealt with, such acts as Abu Ghraib and the rape/murders committed on Iraqi soil. Yet the reality is that they did occur. Smaller, almost trivial (as if any behavior such as those acts could ever be called 'trivial'), in comparison to the actions of Japan and Germany in WWII, yet they happened. The devastation to the country and its infrastructure has been immense, and has ultimately facilitated the on-going sectarian violence which exists today. [aside - there will be those who say that anything which occurred as a result of our invasion is considerably less damage than that perpetrated by Saddam Hussein during his rule. I don't deny that Hussein was a tyrant and mass murderer and probably a worthy candidate for removal from office. That is not the issue which I am addressing.]
By Taschinger's basic logic, should we experience another attack on American soil, we would be fully deserving and a trip to the local courthouse for judgment would be completely appropriate. I wonder whether those going to court will choose to sue the American government as a whole or just GW Bush and company.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Nostalgia
It was one of those moments. The only sounds - birds chirling and chirrupping, mourning doves cooing their mournful sound in a quiet, blurred conversation. The sun shining at just the right angle. A hint of cool in the warming air. And I was transported back to my childhood.
I remember mornings like this when I was a little girl. The house we lived in wasn't air conditioned, so the windows were open for the breeze wafting crisply through the rooms. Sometimes you'd hear a woodpecker going after the bugs in the trees or bees buzzing around the rosebushes just outside my bedroom. Now and then a car would start up and leave the double cul-de-sac. And, if it was early enough, you'd hear the donkey down the road braying loudly for his breakfast. hee - HAW. ... hee -HAW. ... hee - HAW. ... he-haw-he-haw-he-haw-he-haw!
On days like these, I'd be in my bedroom until it was "time to get up". I had one of those wonderful beveled mirrors above my dresser, and I remember finding just the right place to stand/sit so you looked really large or really tiny. It was so much fun spending time standing up, and sitting down, and standing up, and sitting down, just watching my size change back and forth. The fascinations of childhood.
It was just one of those moments. Transient. Catapulted to a fond memory of the past. All too short. Magic!
I remember mornings like this when I was a little girl. The house we lived in wasn't air conditioned, so the windows were open for the breeze wafting crisply through the rooms. Sometimes you'd hear a woodpecker going after the bugs in the trees or bees buzzing around the rosebushes just outside my bedroom. Now and then a car would start up and leave the double cul-de-sac. And, if it was early enough, you'd hear the donkey down the road braying loudly for his breakfast. hee - HAW. ... hee -HAW. ... hee - HAW. ... he-haw-he-haw-he-haw-he-haw!
On days like these, I'd be in my bedroom until it was "time to get up". I had one of those wonderful beveled mirrors above my dresser, and I remember finding just the right place to stand/sit so you looked really large or really tiny. It was so much fun spending time standing up, and sitting down, and standing up, and sitting down, just watching my size change back and forth. The fascinations of childhood.
It was just one of those moments. Transient. Catapulted to a fond memory of the past. All too short. Magic!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Progress
Inch by inch. Layer by layer. Mile of painter's tape by mile of painter's tape. Progress is happening. S-l-o-w-l-y.
This week I had the new garbage disposer installed, and learned that my dishwasher actually does work. Good news! One less thing that has to be replaced. The painting in the kitchen is completed, so the tape and coverings are now down.
I've discovered that it will cost about the same to re-tile my shower as it will to put in cultured marble. Now all I've got to do is contact the insurance company to get approval to go ahead with something. It's especially important since either way I go, it'll cost almost double what the insurance company allowed for the job.
Since I've been doing the contracting myself, I have a little bit extra for doing a couple of things that are best done while the house is in disarray: replace the linoleum in the kitchen and put in a new sliding glass door and front door. Both have their problems. And while I painted, I discovered that there's a whole lot of heat transfer at the doors. Energy efficiency is not their strong suit at the moment.
My "demon wall" in the dining room is beginning to look normal. It doesn't quite look like I threw blood at it any more. It's almost actually looking like it's supposed to. I think one more coat of paint will do it. *fingers crossed* Still a ways to go on the painting. There's trim and a bathroom, the rest of the laundry room and a little hallway, and that'll be done.
Now I think I'm going to work on stripping the paint - the paint that I'm wearing, that is. I may someday not look like a harlequin. At least I like the colors!
This week I had the new garbage disposer installed, and learned that my dishwasher actually does work. Good news! One less thing that has to be replaced. The painting in the kitchen is completed, so the tape and coverings are now down.
I've discovered that it will cost about the same to re-tile my shower as it will to put in cultured marble. Now all I've got to do is contact the insurance company to get approval to go ahead with something. It's especially important since either way I go, it'll cost almost double what the insurance company allowed for the job.
Since I've been doing the contracting myself, I have a little bit extra for doing a couple of things that are best done while the house is in disarray: replace the linoleum in the kitchen and put in a new sliding glass door and front door. Both have their problems. And while I painted, I discovered that there's a whole lot of heat transfer at the doors. Energy efficiency is not their strong suit at the moment.
My "demon wall" in the dining room is beginning to look normal. It doesn't quite look like I threw blood at it any more. It's almost actually looking like it's supposed to. I think one more coat of paint will do it. *fingers crossed* Still a ways to go on the painting. There's trim and a bathroom, the rest of the laundry room and a little hallway, and that'll be done.
Now I think I'm going to work on stripping the paint - the paint that I'm wearing, that is. I may someday not look like a harlequin. At least I like the colors!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Morning Musings
For some bizarre reason, I can't get one of the commercials for the latest Will Ferrell movie out of my brain. It's a stupid, stupid commercial, and there's no way on the face of the earth I'd ever go to see it. I wouldn't even pay money to rent it. Besides the fact that I don't particularly care for Ferrell as an actor, the commercial shows that the premise and the acting are outrageously over the top. I simply don't waste good time or money on movies like that.
Yet I can almost tell you that the moral of the story will be of redeeming value, involving overcoming prejudice and triumphing over hatreds and biases. So maybe the movie itself will accomplish something that a more subtle telling of a similar story wouldn't.
If you don't know what movie I'm talking about, it's the one where two male figure skating rivals attack each other, are permanently banned from "men's figure skating", and then find a loophole to compete together in pairs. I figure (no pun intended) that the finale of the movie will be them skating the perfect routine and wowing the judges, thus forcing the judges to declare them the winners, to the ultimate adoration of the crowds they've won over. Actually, there's a part of me that wouldn't mind seeing something like that in real life. (Well, not the vicious rivalry and fighting part, but a well-matched pair, regardless of gender.)
Anyway, that earworm of a commercial got me to thinking about the tv show Scrubs. When it first came on, I tried to watch it once or twice. ACK! I absolutely detest such obviously cartoon-like acting. Five minutes, tops, was all I managed. Then my son came home. He likes the show. Being an adult and deciding to act that way, I "suffered" through it ... and have discovered some redeeming value in the process. There's generally a fairly solid life message embedded in the stories told, the kind of message that encourages relationship and growth and acknowledgement of our humanity. Scrubs will probably not rest on my "Top 10 Favorite TV Shows" list, but perhaps I've gotten past a bit of my own bias and prejudice in the process.
You still won't catch me paying money or wasting time to see the Will Ferrell movie!
Then, my eye was caught by a billboard for a local Christian academy, and I began to wonder if there exist any Christian schools that operate from a liberal theology. And, if not, then why haven't liberal Christians started any? There certainly aren't any in this neck of the Bible Belt.
Arriving at home, I pulled out the trusty Google search engine (at any rate, the more familiar to me Google search engine - we at least tend to think alike when searching). First, I tried "Christian school" and liberal. After getting umpty-thousand hits and looking at the first page or two, began shedding entries with words like "arts" and "college" in them. Still too many hits. And most of the ones in the first pages were conservative Christian school diatribes against liberal thought.
That wasn't working. Next tack - "liberal Christian school". That got me to a more manageable 174 hits. However, on the first two pages, most of the hits were either references to colleges or were commentary against liberal Christian schools. If you delete all references to college, you end up with 4 hits, and none of those had to do with actual places of education, but rather the "liberal Christian school of thought" or the like.
Either there aren't any, which probably isn't the case, or they choose not to identify themselves as liberal. Perhaps there's something oxymoronic about the term "liberal Christian school". In any case, it's something for me to ponder at a later date.
Yet I can almost tell you that the moral of the story will be of redeeming value, involving overcoming prejudice and triumphing over hatreds and biases. So maybe the movie itself will accomplish something that a more subtle telling of a similar story wouldn't.
If you don't know what movie I'm talking about, it's the one where two male figure skating rivals attack each other, are permanently banned from "men's figure skating", and then find a loophole to compete together in pairs. I figure (no pun intended) that the finale of the movie will be them skating the perfect routine and wowing the judges, thus forcing the judges to declare them the winners, to the ultimate adoration of the crowds they've won over. Actually, there's a part of me that wouldn't mind seeing something like that in real life. (Well, not the vicious rivalry and fighting part, but a well-matched pair, regardless of gender.)
Anyway, that earworm of a commercial got me to thinking about the tv show Scrubs. When it first came on, I tried to watch it once or twice. ACK! I absolutely detest such obviously cartoon-like acting. Five minutes, tops, was all I managed. Then my son came home. He likes the show. Being an adult and deciding to act that way, I "suffered" through it ... and have discovered some redeeming value in the process. There's generally a fairly solid life message embedded in the stories told, the kind of message that encourages relationship and growth and acknowledgement of our humanity. Scrubs will probably not rest on my "Top 10 Favorite TV Shows" list, but perhaps I've gotten past a bit of my own bias and prejudice in the process.
You still won't catch me paying money or wasting time to see the Will Ferrell movie!
Then, my eye was caught by a billboard for a local Christian academy, and I began to wonder if there exist any Christian schools that operate from a liberal theology. And, if not, then why haven't liberal Christians started any? There certainly aren't any in this neck of the Bible Belt.
Arriving at home, I pulled out the trusty Google search engine (at any rate, the more familiar to me Google search engine - we at least tend to think alike when searching). First, I tried "Christian school" and liberal. After getting umpty-thousand hits and looking at the first page or two, began shedding entries with words like "arts" and "college" in them. Still too many hits. And most of the ones in the first pages were conservative Christian school diatribes against liberal thought.
That wasn't working. Next tack - "liberal Christian school". That got me to a more manageable 174 hits. However, on the first two pages, most of the hits were either references to colleges or were commentary against liberal Christian schools. If you delete all references to college, you end up with 4 hits, and none of those had to do with actual places of education, but rather the "liberal Christian school of thought" or the like.
Either there aren't any, which probably isn't the case, or they choose not to identify themselves as liberal. Perhaps there's something oxymoronic about the term "liberal Christian school". In any case, it's something for me to ponder at a later date.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Booby Smush
Yesterday I took care of an annual obligation. It's not something I particularly enjoy, partly because there is an embarrasing component to it. It's not particularly painful, though there has usually been some discomfort involved. In the grand scheme of things, it's a momentary inconvenience; however, it is vital to one's health and well-being. I went for my mammogram.
It was actually a positive experience!
The Dauphin Center at Memorial Hermann Baptist in Beaumont opened in 2006, so it's pretty new. Sign-in didn't take long at all. When my name was called, I was taken back to the changing area, told to do the usual upper body disrobing, and asked to put my stuff in a locker with a key to take with me.
Figuring I was going to get the usual skimpy scratchy paper gown, I was surprised to see what looked almost like a terrycloth bathrobe waiting in the dressing room. When I picked it up to put it on, I was absolutely astonished. It was warm!! Even though they have to keep the equipment area cool, they were considerate enough to do what they could to keep their patients comfortable.
After changing and locking up my stuff, I had a few minutes before the mammogram. The waiting area was comfortable, with bottled water and coffee available. Now, I don't drink coffee, but if I did ... well, there was a veritable "Starbucks" of choices available. Chocolate coffee, raspberry coffee, mint coffee, about 20 different types to choose from. WOW!
Since I was the second appointment after lunch, I didn't have long to wait. If you've never had a mammogram before, you get to stand next to the x-ray machine while the technician places your boob in the appropriate spot, body draped in semi-awkward position around the machine, then this clear plastic shape is lowered onto the boob, smushing it into the proper configuration. That's the part I've never liked, and it's often been just beyond discomfort into the realm of painful. Not here. The Dauphin Center has a digital mammogram machine and it apparently doesn't have to smush quite as hard as the regular machines do.
Four poses. Four smushes. Four bzzzt's. And it was over. No "wait here for a few minutes while I check to see if the pictures came out ok." No retakes. I was free to change clothes and go. Marvelous!
The staff of the Center was wonderful. Just the right balance of caring and professionalism. I usually figure I'm a rather glorious shade of red throughout the entire experience. Not this time. The people knew what they were doing and went about their business without me feeling I was on the spot and exposed.
Won't have the results back for about a week, so I won't be disclosing either rejoicing or fear right now. I'm not anticipating a negative result, but you never can tell. That's why one's annual mammogram is so important. It's an opportunity to take action early enough to make a difference if there is a problem.
Ladies, please do whatever you have to do to have an annual mammogram. I'm lucky. My insurance thinks it's such an important preventative test that they completely cover the cost. If you don't have insurance, check with your local breast cancer association. There are resources available to cover the cost based on ability to pay, free if you don't have the bucks or insurance. This is important stuff. Please, please, please don't neglect it.
Also, please don't neglect something simple you can do on a monthly basis - a self-exam. If you feel a lump or any abnormality, get thee to a physician ASAP! It may mean the difference between life and death. (OK - some of you may believe you're indestructible and that death is a century or two away. You may be right. Yet you may also be felled by something that seems so trivial as a little blip on a breast. Please don't take any chances.)
And, Gentlemen, while it occurs more rarely in men, this is not a "ladies only" disease. Breast cancer doesn't care about your gender when it decides to strike. That self-exam? Wouldn't hurt for you to do that, too. None of your friends would have to know about it, since you do it in the shower. At the first sign of a lump or bump, get it checked. We ladies enjoy having you around! Wouldn't want to lose you to breast cancer either.
So, ladies, if you haven't done it already, it's 2007. Time to schedule your annual booby smush. *chuckle*
It was actually a positive experience!
The Dauphin Center at Memorial Hermann Baptist in Beaumont opened in 2006, so it's pretty new. Sign-in didn't take long at all. When my name was called, I was taken back to the changing area, told to do the usual upper body disrobing, and asked to put my stuff in a locker with a key to take with me.
Figuring I was going to get the usual skimpy scratchy paper gown, I was surprised to see what looked almost like a terrycloth bathrobe waiting in the dressing room. When I picked it up to put it on, I was absolutely astonished. It was warm!! Even though they have to keep the equipment area cool, they were considerate enough to do what they could to keep their patients comfortable.
After changing and locking up my stuff, I had a few minutes before the mammogram. The waiting area was comfortable, with bottled water and coffee available. Now, I don't drink coffee, but if I did ... well, there was a veritable "Starbucks" of choices available. Chocolate coffee, raspberry coffee, mint coffee, about 20 different types to choose from. WOW!
Since I was the second appointment after lunch, I didn't have long to wait. If you've never had a mammogram before, you get to stand next to the x-ray machine while the technician places your boob in the appropriate spot, body draped in semi-awkward position around the machine, then this clear plastic shape is lowered onto the boob, smushing it into the proper configuration. That's the part I've never liked, and it's often been just beyond discomfort into the realm of painful. Not here. The Dauphin Center has a digital mammogram machine and it apparently doesn't have to smush quite as hard as the regular machines do.
Four poses. Four smushes. Four bzzzt's. And it was over. No "wait here for a few minutes while I check to see if the pictures came out ok." No retakes. I was free to change clothes and go. Marvelous!
The staff of the Center was wonderful. Just the right balance of caring and professionalism. I usually figure I'm a rather glorious shade of red throughout the entire experience. Not this time. The people knew what they were doing and went about their business without me feeling I was on the spot and exposed.
Won't have the results back for about a week, so I won't be disclosing either rejoicing or fear right now. I'm not anticipating a negative result, but you never can tell. That's why one's annual mammogram is so important. It's an opportunity to take action early enough to make a difference if there is a problem.
Ladies, please do whatever you have to do to have an annual mammogram. I'm lucky. My insurance thinks it's such an important preventative test that they completely cover the cost. If you don't have insurance, check with your local breast cancer association. There are resources available to cover the cost based on ability to pay, free if you don't have the bucks or insurance. This is important stuff. Please, please, please don't neglect it.
Also, please don't neglect something simple you can do on a monthly basis - a self-exam. If you feel a lump or any abnormality, get thee to a physician ASAP! It may mean the difference between life and death. (OK - some of you may believe you're indestructible and that death is a century or two away. You may be right. Yet you may also be felled by something that seems so trivial as a little blip on a breast. Please don't take any chances.)
And, Gentlemen, while it occurs more rarely in men, this is not a "ladies only" disease. Breast cancer doesn't care about your gender when it decides to strike. That self-exam? Wouldn't hurt for you to do that, too. None of your friends would have to know about it, since you do it in the shower. At the first sign of a lump or bump, get it checked. We ladies enjoy having you around! Wouldn't want to lose you to breast cancer either.
So, ladies, if you haven't done it already, it's 2007. Time to schedule your annual booby smush. *chuckle*
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Odd Moment
Are sneezes something like yawns? Are they something you can 'catch' from someone else? Or if someone mentions them, do you suddenly feel the urge to sneeze? Or was this truly a coincidence?
Here I was working the crossword puzzle and the clue was "It often evokes a blessing". My brain said "sneeze". I did.
Of course, there aren't enough letters in the answer for 'sneeze' to be correct, but it was a rather odd moment. *chuckle*
The correct answer was "Achoo".
Gesundheit!
Here I was working the crossword puzzle and the clue was "It often evokes a blessing". My brain said "sneeze". I did.
Of course, there aren't enough letters in the answer for 'sneeze' to be correct, but it was a rather odd moment. *chuckle*
The correct answer was "Achoo".
Gesundheit!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Mini-Rant
Headline: Police arrest girls, bank teller in heist
The story? "Police arrested two 19-year-old girls ..."
AHEM! Those 19-year-olds aren't girls. They are women!!
As I read the headline, I figured some bank teller colluded with some 15-16 year olds and attempted to rob a bank. True, teenagers that age are sometimes bound over for trial as adults; however, as a society, we tend to consider youth that age as 'not responsible' in an adult way for their actions. Parents or other legal guardians must be notified and involved in any legal proceedings, unless the young person has been legally emancipated. Generally, such a young person is tried in the juvenile justice system, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances involved.
Then you hit 18.
Eighteen is when young people are considered adult and parents/legal guardians drop out of the legal picture. No longer are parents/guardians required for the now-adult to receive medical care. No longer do parents/guardians automatically receive information from schools or physicians about their 'young charges', unless said 'young charges' give written permission for the information to be shared. And, no longer must parents/guardians be contacted before police interrogate them when a crime has been committed.
Excuse me! At that point, it's time to drop the term "girl" and shift to "woman". I'm curious. Would the Associated Press have even reported the robbery if it had been two 19-year-old "boys" (to be consistent in terminology) committing the crime? If they had, would the term "boys" have even been used?
Personally, the terms "girl" and "boy" used to describe those who are legally adult infantilizes the person described. It says at a subconscious level that the person should not be held completely accountable for their actions, and should still be under the guidance and tutelage of someone older, someone who's truly adult. It says that the person is not capable of completely understanding the consequences of their actions, and it says that the person is not capable of functioning as an adult. (Although, I suspect that at this moment those young women are wishing that were true.)
I realize that the usage of "girl" and "boy" to describe young adults (and, not so young adults in some cultural settings) won't be ended simply because I get on my high horse whenever I see/hear it used. However, I have a hard time letting it go without saying something.
Ok. I'm through now, boys and girls, er ...... ladies and gentlemen. ;) Carry on.
The story? "Police arrested two 19-year-old girls ..."
AHEM! Those 19-year-olds aren't girls. They are women!!
As I read the headline, I figured some bank teller colluded with some 15-16 year olds and attempted to rob a bank. True, teenagers that age are sometimes bound over for trial as adults; however, as a society, we tend to consider youth that age as 'not responsible' in an adult way for their actions. Parents or other legal guardians must be notified and involved in any legal proceedings, unless the young person has been legally emancipated. Generally, such a young person is tried in the juvenile justice system, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances involved.
Then you hit 18.
Eighteen is when young people are considered adult and parents/legal guardians drop out of the legal picture. No longer are parents/guardians required for the now-adult to receive medical care. No longer do parents/guardians automatically receive information from schools or physicians about their 'young charges', unless said 'young charges' give written permission for the information to be shared. And, no longer must parents/guardians be contacted before police interrogate them when a crime has been committed.
Excuse me! At that point, it's time to drop the term "girl" and shift to "woman". I'm curious. Would the Associated Press have even reported the robbery if it had been two 19-year-old "boys" (to be consistent in terminology) committing the crime? If they had, would the term "boys" have even been used?
Personally, the terms "girl" and "boy" used to describe those who are legally adult infantilizes the person described. It says at a subconscious level that the person should not be held completely accountable for their actions, and should still be under the guidance and tutelage of someone older, someone who's truly adult. It says that the person is not capable of completely understanding the consequences of their actions, and it says that the person is not capable of functioning as an adult. (Although, I suspect that at this moment those young women are wishing that were true.)
I realize that the usage of "girl" and "boy" to describe young adults (and, not so young adults in some cultural settings) won't be ended simply because I get on my high horse whenever I see/hear it used. However, I have a hard time letting it go without saying something.
Ok. I'm through now, boys and girls, er ...... ladies and gentlemen. ;) Carry on.
Friday, March 02, 2007
A Splash of Paint
Well, the walls have been splashed with color. But the task's not completed. The den's finished and looks beautiful. The entry hallway is partially splashed, and the bright yellow is especially cheery. It shouldn't take too long to finish it. Most of the kitchen is gently painted with a soft white and looks fresh. The only part I couldn't get to there is filled with my piano and the one chair that didn't get relocated to the garage. Primer coats cover all those places that still need painting, so all that needs to happen is to show up in painting garb and start working.
And then there's the dining room.
The color is to be a rich, deep, purplish wine color. The first coat looked more like a watercolor wash than latex paint and used almost half a gallon of paint. For the second coat, I really loaded the paintbrush and had a difficult time getting it to cover the light spots. To put it mildly, the dining room sucks. The color isn't the color it's supposed to be. It looks almost like I painted with blood instead of latex paint. Gross, I know.
So I head back to the local paint store with gallon in hand to ask if perhaps I had a defective gallon of paint. There I learn that I should have been told about some kind of gray primer paint that helps "red toned" paints cover well. I also learn that in order to find out if it's actually defective paint (instead of defective information), I have to get the local paint company rep to actually come to my house and look at the walls. The local rep lives in Houston, and didn't answer his cellphone. *sigh* I hope I can get hold of him tomorrow. It puts a hold on my finishing the painting part of my 'return to home' project.
I'm currently not completely sure who I should be angry with - the store where I bought the paint or the paint company. Whichever, I'm not a happy camper! This was not what I needed this week. I think I'm going to just go over here and grump in the corner for a while. Don't mind me. I'll get over it!
And then there's the dining room.
The color is to be a rich, deep, purplish wine color. The first coat looked more like a watercolor wash than latex paint and used almost half a gallon of paint. For the second coat, I really loaded the paintbrush and had a difficult time getting it to cover the light spots. To put it mildly, the dining room sucks. The color isn't the color it's supposed to be. It looks almost like I painted with blood instead of latex paint. Gross, I know.
So I head back to the local paint store with gallon in hand to ask if perhaps I had a defective gallon of paint. There I learn that I should have been told about some kind of gray primer paint that helps "red toned" paints cover well. I also learn that in order to find out if it's actually defective paint (instead of defective information), I have to get the local paint company rep to actually come to my house and look at the walls. The local rep lives in Houston, and didn't answer his cellphone. *sigh* I hope I can get hold of him tomorrow. It puts a hold on my finishing the painting part of my 'return to home' project.
I'm currently not completely sure who I should be angry with - the store where I bought the paint or the paint company. Whichever, I'm not a happy camper! This was not what I needed this week. I think I'm going to just go over here and grump in the corner for a while. Don't mind me. I'll get over it!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Timing is everything! Just last week I was feeling pretty down because the stuff with the house is taking forever. At least it seems that way. I've not slept in my own bed in about a year and a half. Truth is - that part's happened before, especially between churches. What's so blinking frustrating is that the bed is only about a mile and a half away and is ready and waiting for me to return. (May have to add a bit of water to the mattress, but that's not a biggie.) I realize I can't even begin to understand what it's like for those who lost everything in the hurricanes that happened in 2005; however, I am able to identify with those who have been displaced and are uncertain when they will be in their correct environment again. To be so close and so far away at the same time, to be living in limbo, can just plain sap the git-up-n-go out of a body. That's where I was last week.
Today? Today I bought paint! Gallons and gallons of paint! HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!
You know what that means? One step closer to home. WOOHOO!!
Tomorrow I have friends coming over to my house to help me put those gallons of paint on the walls. Except for my bedroom, everything used to be white. Dull, boring white. Show every little smudge white. Couldn't hide the outline where they had a huge knick-knack shelf on the wall white. Miserable to clean white. (notice a trend here?)
Not anymore. Today I picked up colors like Warm Terra Cotta and Vintage Merlot and Glorious Gold and Autumn Maple and Angelic White and Soft Feather and Polar Bear. Just the names are pick-me-ups. And it all gets me one step closer to moving back home.
I didn't realize how much Her Horribleness had become a part of my identity until I was at those two meetings last week. Somehow, it rarely took me long to mention that I am still displaced. I'm looking forward to the day when that's no longer true. hmmmmm.....Wonder who I'll be then.
In the meantime ....... don't mind me! I'll just be doing my happy dance over here in the corner. *hums quietly with occasional outbursts of "happy happy joy joy" and a big smile*
Today? Today I bought paint! Gallons and gallons of paint! HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!
You know what that means? One step closer to home. WOOHOO!!
Tomorrow I have friends coming over to my house to help me put those gallons of paint on the walls. Except for my bedroom, everything used to be white. Dull, boring white. Show every little smudge white. Couldn't hide the outline where they had a huge knick-knack shelf on the wall white. Miserable to clean white. (notice a trend here?)
Not anymore. Today I picked up colors like Warm Terra Cotta and Vintage Merlot and Glorious Gold and Autumn Maple and Angelic White and Soft Feather and Polar Bear. Just the names are pick-me-ups. And it all gets me one step closer to moving back home.
I didn't realize how much Her Horribleness had become a part of my identity until I was at those two meetings last week. Somehow, it rarely took me long to mention that I am still displaced. I'm looking forward to the day when that's no longer true. hmmmmm.....Wonder who I'll be then.
In the meantime ....... don't mind me! I'll just be doing my happy dance over here in the corner. *hums quietly with occasional outbursts of "happy happy joy joy" and a big smile*
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Dateline: Albuquerque, NM
I just realized it's been over a week since I've posted here. Things have been kind of busy. Right now I'm relaxing in the motel room after two meetings here, plus meeting some new "old" friends for dinner.
I like Albuquerque. At least, what I've seen of it. Getting here was somewhat exciting, since we arrived on a snowy day. They held the plane just as we got to the Houston runway because there was ice under the snow in Albuquerque. Guess they didn't want us to slide off the other end! I'm glad about that. We ended up arriving about two hours late, so that wasn't too bad. Some people ended up wrestling with snow at both ends of the trip, so didn't make it at all.
The snow was beautiful! First snow I've seen in about 4 years. I kept trying to get a snowball fight started, but no one wanted to join me. *pout* I'll have to admit that the stuff looked too pretty lying there on the grass and bushes, so I wasn't extremely disappointed when we didn't destroy the pristine view. And it's all about melted now.
My hotel room is on the side where you can look out and see mountains. *sigh* I wish I could take the view with me tomorrow. (and, of course, my camera broke before I left, so no pictures)
This afternoon I had the opportunity to meet a couple of online friends in real life. We wandered through Old Town a bit. Didn't buy anything, but there were some interesting items to see - some intriguing and beautiful windchimes, jewelry, art, and the like. Enjoyed the architecture too. Good meal. Good conversation.
Relaxing. Guess it's the first time I've had to just plain relax without anything that needed to be done right away, or really soon, in a while. Nice feeling. I think I'll see if there's anything to watch on tv. Nah. Maybe a long soak in the tub. Yeah! That's what I'll do! ahhhhhhhhh! Peace.
I like Albuquerque. At least, what I've seen of it. Getting here was somewhat exciting, since we arrived on a snowy day. They held the plane just as we got to the Houston runway because there was ice under the snow in Albuquerque. Guess they didn't want us to slide off the other end! I'm glad about that. We ended up arriving about two hours late, so that wasn't too bad. Some people ended up wrestling with snow at both ends of the trip, so didn't make it at all.
The snow was beautiful! First snow I've seen in about 4 years. I kept trying to get a snowball fight started, but no one wanted to join me. *pout* I'll have to admit that the stuff looked too pretty lying there on the grass and bushes, so I wasn't extremely disappointed when we didn't destroy the pristine view. And it's all about melted now.
My hotel room is on the side where you can look out and see mountains. *sigh* I wish I could take the view with me tomorrow. (and, of course, my camera broke before I left, so no pictures)
This afternoon I had the opportunity to meet a couple of online friends in real life. We wandered through Old Town a bit. Didn't buy anything, but there were some interesting items to see - some intriguing and beautiful windchimes, jewelry, art, and the like. Enjoyed the architecture too. Good meal. Good conversation.
Relaxing. Guess it's the first time I've had to just plain relax without anything that needed to be done right away, or really soon, in a while. Nice feeling. I think I'll see if there's anything to watch on tv. Nah. Maybe a long soak in the tub. Yeah! That's what I'll do! ahhhhhhhhh! Peace.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Love Is in the Air
Love is in the air! Valentine's Day is approaching and the ads are everywhere. Hallmark cards to mark "Hallmark moments". Chocolate. Jewelry. Special this and that. Has anyone else noticed that it's almost always HIM buying for HER? Materialism and one-way giving do not constitute Love.
What's interesting about the month of February this year is that we start off with a veritable orgy of how we're supposed to show our love for those closest to us and end with the beginning of a season that reminds us of what love really means.
Up until the 14th, it's almost impossible to avoid the message that the love we're supposed to show has to do with consumerism, and only for those closest to us. Do any of the Valentine's Day ads suggest that we help the needy, or do something to better the lives of the oppressed, or take a step to remove the prejudices and hatreds that exist? Believe it or not, you might even be able to spend some money to help bring these worthy goals, these acts of love, into existence. And isn't that the purpose of advertising? To get you to buy something? (Well, usually. There are some public service announcements out there to get you to change your behavior, but the ones that pay big bucks to media are about buying things.)
In this part of the country, after February 14th you'll continue to see ads for Mardi Gras parades, celebrations, and events. When I lived in Oklahoma, you got a little bit of spill from Louisiana, but not as much. Even then, the underlying purpose of Mardi Gras isn't particularly visible. It's the party that counts, not the fact that the next day is the "reason for the season".
Then comes Ash Wednesday. Does anyone recall ever seeing an ad for Ash Wednesday consumerism? Nope. That's because Ash Wednesday isn't about consumerism. It's about love. A very special love. A love that gave of itself entirely FOR US! Not the kind of love that we bandy about so casually around Valentine's Day, or seek so desperately, if we believe we don't have it. This is a love which looks at the worst humanity has ever done and is still willing to stand as mediator between us and God. In many ways, it's a kind of love that I'm not sure I really understand.
It is a kind of love we are called as Christians to seek to emulate 365 days a year, even if there is no way we'll ever be able to live up to it completely. On Ash Wednesday, over the centuries, Christians have gathered and received ashes on their foreheads to remind them that we've a long way to go to live in a manner which loves our neighbors as ourselves, AND recalls that Jesus didn't let us off the hook when it comes to those WE don't consider neighbors - those who are not near us, who are not like us, and are even our enemies.
Love IS in the air! I wonder how we'll choose to show it this year, and the years to come.
What's interesting about the month of February this year is that we start off with a veritable orgy of how we're supposed to show our love for those closest to us and end with the beginning of a season that reminds us of what love really means.
Up until the 14th, it's almost impossible to avoid the message that the love we're supposed to show has to do with consumerism, and only for those closest to us. Do any of the Valentine's Day ads suggest that we help the needy, or do something to better the lives of the oppressed, or take a step to remove the prejudices and hatreds that exist? Believe it or not, you might even be able to spend some money to help bring these worthy goals, these acts of love, into existence. And isn't that the purpose of advertising? To get you to buy something? (Well, usually. There are some public service announcements out there to get you to change your behavior, but the ones that pay big bucks to media are about buying things.)
In this part of the country, after February 14th you'll continue to see ads for Mardi Gras parades, celebrations, and events. When I lived in Oklahoma, you got a little bit of spill from Louisiana, but not as much. Even then, the underlying purpose of Mardi Gras isn't particularly visible. It's the party that counts, not the fact that the next day is the "reason for the season".
Then comes Ash Wednesday. Does anyone recall ever seeing an ad for Ash Wednesday consumerism? Nope. That's because Ash Wednesday isn't about consumerism. It's about love. A very special love. A love that gave of itself entirely FOR US! Not the kind of love that we bandy about so casually around Valentine's Day, or seek so desperately, if we believe we don't have it. This is a love which looks at the worst humanity has ever done and is still willing to stand as mediator between us and God. In many ways, it's a kind of love that I'm not sure I really understand.
It is a kind of love we are called as Christians to seek to emulate 365 days a year, even if there is no way we'll ever be able to live up to it completely. On Ash Wednesday, over the centuries, Christians have gathered and received ashes on their foreheads to remind them that we've a long way to go to live in a manner which loves our neighbors as ourselves, AND recalls that Jesus didn't let us off the hook when it comes to those WE don't consider neighbors - those who are not near us, who are not like us, and are even our enemies.
Love IS in the air! I wonder how we'll choose to show it this year, and the years to come.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
A Smile or Two
Back a few years ago, there was a young lady and her even younger boy-friend. For several years, as the young lady would spend hours at the younger friend's house getting her hair dyed in hope of even being noticed in roller skating competitions (you had to be a California blonde or the judges apparently weren't able to see you), the two would play. The young friend and young lady would build towers of blocks and knock them over, or play tag, or all the pretend games that were so much fun. The young friend asked, "Would you marry me?" The young lady said, "Maybe when you're older."
One day, the young lady met a young man and decided to get married. The young friend was really, really miffed. The young lady asked him to be the ringbearer at her wedding and, while he wasn't particularly happy that he wouldn't be the one getting married, he agreed and gleefully waved at the congregation as the young lady and young man were wed.
What neither of them knew was how prescient the young friend was. The young lady had no inkling that she would one day become a minister. Marriage, family, and perhaps a mundane job were all she was thinking of. HA! God, being the inscrutable joker God is, had a different plan. While I don't particularly believe that the wheels coming off of the marriage wagon were part of that plan, I do believe that God used the situation to steer me in the direction of seminary.
So here it is about 30 years later. The other day, the now older lady receives a phone call from her now older young friend. "Would you marry me?" is the question. However, this time he's asking me to perform his wedding to his lovely fiancee. *chuckle* "Of course," I said. But I didn't remind him that he'd already asked the question 30 years ago. Don't you just love God's sense of humor?
And Smile Two - I'm planning a Paint Party!! Even have a date!! The last Saturday in February should see splashes of color on walls and ceilings, and probably people! (If I'm painting, it's definitive that there will be paint on people - ME!) Minor snag in the moving back process, though, is that I have to replace the tile in my shower, some plumbing in the other bathroom, and my garbage disposal. Not insurmountable! And at least I'll get them done before moving in.
Keeping my fingers crossed, but it looks like I may be home for Easter! (not definite, but a light at the end of the tunnel) HOORAY!!
One day, the young lady met a young man and decided to get married. The young friend was really, really miffed. The young lady asked him to be the ringbearer at her wedding and, while he wasn't particularly happy that he wouldn't be the one getting married, he agreed and gleefully waved at the congregation as the young lady and young man were wed.
What neither of them knew was how prescient the young friend was. The young lady had no inkling that she would one day become a minister. Marriage, family, and perhaps a mundane job were all she was thinking of. HA! God, being the inscrutable joker God is, had a different plan. While I don't particularly believe that the wheels coming off of the marriage wagon were part of that plan, I do believe that God used the situation to steer me in the direction of seminary.
So here it is about 30 years later. The other day, the now older lady receives a phone call from her now older young friend. "Would you marry me?" is the question. However, this time he's asking me to perform his wedding to his lovely fiancee. *chuckle* "Of course," I said. But I didn't remind him that he'd already asked the question 30 years ago. Don't you just love God's sense of humor?
And Smile Two - I'm planning a Paint Party!! Even have a date!! The last Saturday in February should see splashes of color on walls and ceilings, and probably people! (If I'm painting, it's definitive that there will be paint on people - ME!) Minor snag in the moving back process, though, is that I have to replace the tile in my shower, some plumbing in the other bathroom, and my garbage disposal. Not insurmountable! And at least I'll get them done before moving in.
Keeping my fingers crossed, but it looks like I may be home for Easter! (not definite, but a light at the end of the tunnel) HOORAY!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Is It Just Me?
I recognize that this is truly trivial in the grand scheme of things; however, am I the only one who's miffed by the national fast food chain (I refuse to advertise for them by mentioning their name) that uses the Helen Reddy tune "I Am Woman" to denigrate women?
The scene: man eating at an apparently high-end restaurant with someone who is presumably his girlfriend. The miniscule serving arrives and he jumps up, declaring he's fed up with "chick food", and brazenly dances through the restaurant, gathering other men along the way, as he heads for this super-food. If I were his girlfriend, ..... well, I'm not a violent person, but I'm reasonably sure that would have been the end of the relationship. When he agreed to eat at the restaurant, he knew what he was getting into, and if he didn't have the guts to say "no" before entering, then producing an embarrassing scene was inexcusible. Enough on him.
What really irks me about this commercial is the use of this song as a sort of 'reverse empowerment(? )' theme. My guess is that there aren't too many women (over 40 certainly, possibly under) who aren't substituting Helen Reddy's words for the commercial's. For me, this particular use of a song which still speaks to the inequity that exists in many areas trivializes not only the accomplishments of women during the intervening years, but also trivializes equality in relationships. The commercial hints that women have gotten too powerful and must be brought down a peg by shaming things which may be of significance to that particular woman in that particular relationship. The implication is that unless a meal is "man-sized" there is no value in the shared experience. The focus is on the man in the relationship getting what he wants at the expense of the humiliation of the woman.
So........in the interest of making a statement, I am hereby boycotting this particular fast food chain, and letting said chain know why, and encouraging other women to join me.
Now, just to be clear - I believe that relationships involve treating each other with respect and honoring each other's gastronomical preferences, no one person in a relationship should always decide where and what to eat. However, once the decision has been made, it is incumbent on both parties to honor it and not take action which will publicly embarrass either individual.
The scene: man eating at an apparently high-end restaurant with someone who is presumably his girlfriend. The miniscule serving arrives and he jumps up, declaring he's fed up with "chick food", and brazenly dances through the restaurant, gathering other men along the way, as he heads for this super-food. If I were his girlfriend, ..... well, I'm not a violent person, but I'm reasonably sure that would have been the end of the relationship. When he agreed to eat at the restaurant, he knew what he was getting into, and if he didn't have the guts to say "no" before entering, then producing an embarrassing scene was inexcusible. Enough on him.
What really irks me about this commercial is the use of this song as a sort of 'reverse empowerment(? )' theme. My guess is that there aren't too many women (over 40 certainly, possibly under) who aren't substituting Helen Reddy's words for the commercial's. For me, this particular use of a song which still speaks to the inequity that exists in many areas trivializes not only the accomplishments of women during the intervening years, but also trivializes equality in relationships. The commercial hints that women have gotten too powerful and must be brought down a peg by shaming things which may be of significance to that particular woman in that particular relationship. The implication is that unless a meal is "man-sized" there is no value in the shared experience. The focus is on the man in the relationship getting what he wants at the expense of the humiliation of the woman.
So........in the interest of making a statement, I am hereby boycotting this particular fast food chain, and letting said chain know why, and encouraging other women to join me.
Now, just to be clear - I believe that relationships involve treating each other with respect and honoring each other's gastronomical preferences, no one person in a relationship should always decide where and what to eat. However, once the decision has been made, it is incumbent on both parties to honor it and not take action which will publicly embarrass either individual.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
What Were They Thinking?
The federal government, that is.
While reading the Houston Chronicle today, I ran across an article about Medicaid changing it's funding from an HMO program to a "traditional" program, thus eliminating payment for inpatient mental health treatment at stand-alone hospitals. Sheer idiocy!!
There are too few mental health beds available in Texas as it is, so what do you do? Cut out the funding for some of the few programs that do accept low income mental health patients? *shakes head* So where are they supposed to go now for assistance? Our already crowded emergency rooms? That's not a solution. Even if they did, where will the hospitals treat these poor unfortunates? They don't have the available beds that are needed.
The state applied for a waiver, so those already under care could continue to be funded. The Medicaid people, in their infinite wisdom, said no. So, if the hospitals aren't able to help, what happens? Does this mean that people who truly qualify for mental health care will now be taken to our local jails because there are no mental health beds available? For a fair number of these people, living outside of a controlled setting may lead to harm to self or others.
At what point will mental health issues be treated the same as other health issues? The devastation of mental health illnesses is no less than that of other catastrophic health issues. Are those who are afflicted with these illnesses to be set aside, ignored, treated as though they are less than human?
Why do we so often pull the safety net out from under those who are least able to either protest or do anything about it? Oh! I see! That's why. It's wrong, so very wrong!
While reading the Houston Chronicle today, I ran across an article about Medicaid changing it's funding from an HMO program to a "traditional" program, thus eliminating payment for inpatient mental health treatment at stand-alone hospitals. Sheer idiocy!!
There are too few mental health beds available in Texas as it is, so what do you do? Cut out the funding for some of the few programs that do accept low income mental health patients? *shakes head* So where are they supposed to go now for assistance? Our already crowded emergency rooms? That's not a solution. Even if they did, where will the hospitals treat these poor unfortunates? They don't have the available beds that are needed.
The state applied for a waiver, so those already under care could continue to be funded. The Medicaid people, in their infinite wisdom, said no. So, if the hospitals aren't able to help, what happens? Does this mean that people who truly qualify for mental health care will now be taken to our local jails because there are no mental health beds available? For a fair number of these people, living outside of a controlled setting may lead to harm to self or others.
At what point will mental health issues be treated the same as other health issues? The devastation of mental health illnesses is no less than that of other catastrophic health issues. Are those who are afflicted with these illnesses to be set aside, ignored, treated as though they are less than human?
Why do we so often pull the safety net out from under those who are least able to either protest or do anything about it? Oh! I see! That's why. It's wrong, so very wrong!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Oh, really?
Letter to the Editor in today's paper: Remember God is watching how you vote on moral issues
It's the usual diatribe on how "you ain't a-gonna get to heaven ifn you don't walk in lockstep with the fundies". I try not to bite on these things, but ......... "Some of the issues God is against are homosexuality and murdering His children by abortion." Here's the kicker - "If you vote against these, God will take care of the other issues."
HUH?!?!?!
Excuse me, but God thought so much about these two issues that less than one mini-micro-percentage of the scriptures we use to learn about who and what God is about even mention such issues, or topics related to them. There are much more significant issues that I figure God's a bit pissed at us about, like the waging of war (whatever the supposed reasons), the huge gap between the haves and have nots and the continuing desire to widen that gap, the injustices we inflict on each other, violence in all its forms, the abuse of our planet, usury, the creation of outsiders/insiders, all those things that humans do to each other to NOT "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", all the ways we refuse to "love your neighbor" (we seem to have gotten the "as you love yourself" part down pretty pat), all the ways we fail to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". And I'm as guilty of my fair share of these things as the next person. I'm reasonably sure, however, that these will be the issues God rakes us over the coals for, not who we voted for.
I'm also reasonably sure that my vote (or anyone's vote, for that matter) on these two issues will not determine how God responds in all of the other much more urgent and pressing issues that face us. God walks alongside us in the midst of all the good, bad, and indifferent situations in which we find ourselves, with the Holy Spirit urging us along to listen to what God wills in any particular situation. We have Jesus' example and teachings to help guide us, as well.
OK - I'll acknowledge that I'm not a perfect listener, and I all too often don't follow through on what I do hear. Here's where grace comes in! I also believe that Jesus Christ is mediator between humanity and God and, because he has walked among us in human flesh, will speak on our behalf when that day we meet face to face comes. Christ died for our sins, long before we even came into existence. I couldn't ask for a better Advocate than that! So I muddle along, doing the best I can in discerning God's will and acting upon it.
Oh! I love this last quote. "Jesus says, 'The only way to Heaven is to believe in Him as your lord and savior and acknowledge that you are a sinner and then repent of your sins, and then you will be saved." I've looked. Can't find that anywhere in the bible. Here's what I found: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3:16, NRSV) I choose not to put God or Jesus in a box. I refuse to believe that either only works in ways that this puny mind can understand and accept. So, I'll let Christ do the figuring out of how and when one believes and just stick to trusting where I cannot see and believing in the One who loves so much he was willing to die for us.
btw - Our local paper is good about printing the letters which come in, regardless of perspective, just so you know that this letter isn't an indication of bias on the paper's part.
It's the usual diatribe on how "you ain't a-gonna get to heaven ifn you don't walk in lockstep with the fundies". I try not to bite on these things, but ......... "Some of the issues God is against are homosexuality and murdering His children by abortion." Here's the kicker - "If you vote against these, God will take care of the other issues."
HUH?!?!?!
Excuse me, but God thought so much about these two issues that less than one mini-micro-percentage of the scriptures we use to learn about who and what God is about even mention such issues, or topics related to them. There are much more significant issues that I figure God's a bit pissed at us about, like the waging of war (whatever the supposed reasons), the huge gap between the haves and have nots and the continuing desire to widen that gap, the injustices we inflict on each other, violence in all its forms, the abuse of our planet, usury, the creation of outsiders/insiders, all those things that humans do to each other to NOT "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", all the ways we refuse to "love your neighbor" (we seem to have gotten the "as you love yourself" part down pretty pat), all the ways we fail to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". And I'm as guilty of my fair share of these things as the next person. I'm reasonably sure, however, that these will be the issues God rakes us over the coals for, not who we voted for.
I'm also reasonably sure that my vote (or anyone's vote, for that matter) on these two issues will not determine how God responds in all of the other much more urgent and pressing issues that face us. God walks alongside us in the midst of all the good, bad, and indifferent situations in which we find ourselves, with the Holy Spirit urging us along to listen to what God wills in any particular situation. We have Jesus' example and teachings to help guide us, as well.
OK - I'll acknowledge that I'm not a perfect listener, and I all too often don't follow through on what I do hear. Here's where grace comes in! I also believe that Jesus Christ is mediator between humanity and God and, because he has walked among us in human flesh, will speak on our behalf when that day we meet face to face comes. Christ died for our sins, long before we even came into existence. I couldn't ask for a better Advocate than that! So I muddle along, doing the best I can in discerning God's will and acting upon it.
Oh! I love this last quote. "Jesus says, 'The only way to Heaven is to believe in Him as your lord and savior and acknowledge that you are a sinner and then repent of your sins, and then you will be saved." I've looked. Can't find that anywhere in the bible. Here's what I found: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3:16, NRSV) I choose not to put God or Jesus in a box. I refuse to believe that either only works in ways that this puny mind can understand and accept. So, I'll let Christ do the figuring out of how and when one believes and just stick to trusting where I cannot see and believing in the One who loves so much he was willing to die for us.
btw - Our local paper is good about printing the letters which come in, regardless of perspective, just so you know that this letter isn't an indication of bias on the paper's part.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
New Officers
Long before I was even considering (running away from) the possibility of becoming a minister, I was asked to serve as an Elder for my church. Presbyterians ordain lay leadership, so the decision is one that should take some time and consideration. The Nominating Committee representatives who asked me to serve didn't want a response right away and told me they'd get back with me in a week for my answer. That next week, I opened my mouth to say "No!" and "Yes!" popped out! I was quite surprised, but couldn't figure out how to take it back.
Besides believing there was not a leadership bone in my body, I knew there was no way I was anywhere close to being ready for such responsibility. And, at some level, I was right.
My first meeting, before being ordained and installed in the office, I was asked if I would serve. I recall feeling like a deer in the headlights and, along with two others, automatically answered in the affirmative. The next Sunday, without any training beforehand, we were asked to make some some truly huge promises before God and the witnesses present, officially ordained and installed, and tossed overboard to swim as best we could. It took most of the three years of my term in office before I began to figure out what was going on.
Several years down the road, I ended up as a minister and I vowed that never again would I be involved in putting someone in office who hadn't had at least some training beforehand.
So I love new officer training!
This week we spent two evenings preparing our newly elected officers for their duties. We looked at an overview of the responsibilites of the office, did some spiritual discernment, took some "tests", and, most importantly, examined those nine potential brain-and-soul-buster questions that one commits to when ordained. My goal is what hospitals call "informed consent".
And, to a certain degree, someone becoming an Elder for the first time is somewhat like that hospital patient staring at the consent forms, listening to the nurse, and vaguely nodding their head. The words are hitting the ears, but the information isn't really sinking in any further.
That's why I have those currently serving on the Session to help me with the teaching. Even people who have served as elders before learn something new about the role they've committed to undertake. I just love those moments when someone says, "I didn't realize this before." or something to that effect. There's an AHA! tone in the voice, and those who are being trained actually 'get it' better because it's being presented by a peer and not a pastor. (I personally believe we're all peers, but once you put on the pastor's hat, it's hard for others to not be influenced by some sense of you being totally 'other'.)
We've got a good group of people taking on the role of Active Elder (once ordained, always ordained) tomorrow. I'm looking forward to working with them. And, boy!, new officer training was fun!!
Besides believing there was not a leadership bone in my body, I knew there was no way I was anywhere close to being ready for such responsibility. And, at some level, I was right.
My first meeting, before being ordained and installed in the office, I was asked if I would serve. I recall feeling like a deer in the headlights and, along with two others, automatically answered in the affirmative. The next Sunday, without any training beforehand, we were asked to make some some truly huge promises before God and the witnesses present, officially ordained and installed, and tossed overboard to swim as best we could. It took most of the three years of my term in office before I began to figure out what was going on.
Several years down the road, I ended up as a minister and I vowed that never again would I be involved in putting someone in office who hadn't had at least some training beforehand.
So I love new officer training!
This week we spent two evenings preparing our newly elected officers for their duties. We looked at an overview of the responsibilites of the office, did some spiritual discernment, took some "tests", and, most importantly, examined those nine potential brain-and-soul-buster questions that one commits to when ordained. My goal is what hospitals call "informed consent".
And, to a certain degree, someone becoming an Elder for the first time is somewhat like that hospital patient staring at the consent forms, listening to the nurse, and vaguely nodding their head. The words are hitting the ears, but the information isn't really sinking in any further.
That's why I have those currently serving on the Session to help me with the teaching. Even people who have served as elders before learn something new about the role they've committed to undertake. I just love those moments when someone says, "I didn't realize this before." or something to that effect. There's an AHA! tone in the voice, and those who are being trained actually 'get it' better because it's being presented by a peer and not a pastor. (I personally believe we're all peers, but once you put on the pastor's hat, it's hard for others to not be influenced by some sense of you being totally 'other'.)
We've got a good group of people taking on the role of Active Elder (once ordained, always ordained) tomorrow. I'm looking forward to working with them. And, boy!, new officer training was fun!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Ramblings
Nope, I haven't abandoned you! It may seem that way, since I haven't posted anything in a while; however, composing while under the brain fog of sinus meds just wasn't working. I tried two or three times and the initial goading thought just fizzled. *sigh* The few remaining functioning brain cells that I had needed to be conserved for sermon writing and newsletters, so a short break was in order. Maybe this is God's way of telling me to take a break?
On the housing front, good news approaching. There's a bit of touchup work that needs to be done on the drywall and then PAINT PARTY! Since his graduation, my son's staying with me and looking for a job. He's been helping with some of the prep work for paint day. It's beginning to look like I might get back into my home for real! WOOHOO!!
oooOOOOoooooo .... odd thought just rumbled through my head - I'm going to have to think of a new goal to reach once I get moved back into my house. Do you realize that "getting home" has been my main lifegoal for the past year and a quarter? Everything else has been shoved aside for that. This may sound odd, but as much as I want to be home, I've almost gotten (dare I say it?) comfortable not being there. Maybe it's more that I've gotten used to the sense of being displaced. I never expected that to happen. hmmmmmm..... gonna have to do some thinking about that one!
In the meantime, the carpet has been chosen (obviously not yet installed). I've mostly decided on what color paint goes where. Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty and buy it. Even if the weather won't cooperate for the outside painting, I'm hoping to be able to get the indoor stuff done the first weekend in February. Have to be in Houston for an all day meeting, or would try for this weekend.
My son discovered a plumbing leak which I didn't have pre-Horribleness, so I've gotta get with the insurance people and then a plumber to check that part out. Certainly don't want to get things all put back together and then get sogged out again by a leak. *chuckle*
Well, I've a funeral, new officer training, and a worship service to prepare for and a trip to Houston to make today. Now that the brain's unfogged, I'll try to get back here more often. Wish me luck!
On the housing front, good news approaching. There's a bit of touchup work that needs to be done on the drywall and then PAINT PARTY! Since his graduation, my son's staying with me and looking for a job. He's been helping with some of the prep work for paint day. It's beginning to look like I might get back into my home for real! WOOHOO!!
oooOOOOoooooo .... odd thought just rumbled through my head - I'm going to have to think of a new goal to reach once I get moved back into my house. Do you realize that "getting home" has been my main lifegoal for the past year and a quarter? Everything else has been shoved aside for that. This may sound odd, but as much as I want to be home, I've almost gotten (dare I say it?) comfortable not being there. Maybe it's more that I've gotten used to the sense of being displaced. I never expected that to happen. hmmmmmm..... gonna have to do some thinking about that one!
In the meantime, the carpet has been chosen (obviously not yet installed). I've mostly decided on what color paint goes where. Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty and buy it. Even if the weather won't cooperate for the outside painting, I'm hoping to be able to get the indoor stuff done the first weekend in February. Have to be in Houston for an all day meeting, or would try for this weekend.
My son discovered a plumbing leak which I didn't have pre-Horribleness, so I've gotta get with the insurance people and then a plumber to check that part out. Certainly don't want to get things all put back together and then get sogged out again by a leak. *chuckle*
Well, I've a funeral, new officer training, and a worship service to prepare for and a trip to Houston to make today. Now that the brain's unfogged, I'll try to get back here more often. Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Butts in Pews
Ok - I'm sometimes slow, but I generally end up getting there sooner or later.
Over the past week, several things have been niggling at the back of my brain just waiting for the right piece of information to put things together.
The local downtown Methodist church has been running this incessant tv ad for, oh......, 2-3 weeks now. It talks about their diversity and building community. Not bad things for a church to do. "Come join us" is the bottom-line theme.
I was interviewed by the local paper on what activities our congregation is doing or has scheduled to increase membership. The article itself is pretty good and mentions what a variety of growing churches are doing and speaks of what a religion professor suggests is important for growing church membership.
The religion prof notes, correctly in my opinion, that growing congregations create new approaches to reaching out to the community and are willing to try new things, but are flexible enough to ditch them if they don't work. He also comments that growing churches "are paying particular attention to children, and having programs in place for kids."
I opened the Houston Chronicle and on the front page is the promo for a Religion section article about a congregation with a Friday Night Live program that hopes it will "get a younger generation back in the pews".
That's when it hit me. The brain tied all of these things together and shouted, "GIMMICK!!"
Somehow church continues to be about butts in the pews. And it's not!
Growing church membership isn't wrong; however, it's not what church should be about. Church is about growing relationships and strengthening faith. It's about encouraging people to be better than their baser instincts lead them to be. It's about sharing an incredible story of grace and acceptance that all too often doesn't exist in our day to day world. It's about showing people the injustices which hit so many so hard and encouraging them to do something to eliminate them. It's about "feed my sheep" and "whatsoever you did unto the least of these".
I wish I could go back to that interview I did earlier this week and say something like this:
Yes, we have a growing congregation. You may not be able to tell it by the number of people in the pews; however, we have a congregation whose hearts are concerned for those in need, who feed the hungry at Some Other Place, who visit the prisoner, who help those who travel through our community at the Seafarer's Center, who care mightily for the children of our community at our Children's Center, who volunteer in our community to help make life better in so many ways for as many people as they are able, who encourage youth to try out leadership skills and stretch themselves, who care for the elderly in our midst by their friendship and compassion and regular presence, who lead by being and doing the right things, who are themselves Christians growing in their faith day by day.
That's a church that is alive and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. That's a congregation whose membership is secure.
Over the past week, several things have been niggling at the back of my brain just waiting for the right piece of information to put things together.
The local downtown Methodist church has been running this incessant tv ad for, oh......, 2-3 weeks now. It talks about their diversity and building community. Not bad things for a church to do. "Come join us" is the bottom-line theme.
I was interviewed by the local paper on what activities our congregation is doing or has scheduled to increase membership. The article itself is pretty good and mentions what a variety of growing churches are doing and speaks of what a religion professor suggests is important for growing church membership.
The religion prof notes, correctly in my opinion, that growing congregations create new approaches to reaching out to the community and are willing to try new things, but are flexible enough to ditch them if they don't work. He also comments that growing churches "are paying particular attention to children, and having programs in place for kids."
I opened the Houston Chronicle and on the front page is the promo for a Religion section article about a congregation with a Friday Night Live program that hopes it will "get a younger generation back in the pews".
That's when it hit me. The brain tied all of these things together and shouted, "GIMMICK!!"
Somehow church continues to be about butts in the pews. And it's not!
Growing church membership isn't wrong; however, it's not what church should be about. Church is about growing relationships and strengthening faith. It's about encouraging people to be better than their baser instincts lead them to be. It's about sharing an incredible story of grace and acceptance that all too often doesn't exist in our day to day world. It's about showing people the injustices which hit so many so hard and encouraging them to do something to eliminate them. It's about "feed my sheep" and "whatsoever you did unto the least of these".
I wish I could go back to that interview I did earlier this week and say something like this:
Yes, we have a growing congregation. You may not be able to tell it by the number of people in the pews; however, we have a congregation whose hearts are concerned for those in need, who feed the hungry at Some Other Place, who visit the prisoner, who help those who travel through our community at the Seafarer's Center, who care mightily for the children of our community at our Children's Center, who volunteer in our community to help make life better in so many ways for as many people as they are able, who encourage youth to try out leadership skills and stretch themselves, who care for the elderly in our midst by their friendship and compassion and regular presence, who lead by being and doing the right things, who are themselves Christians growing in their faith day by day.
That's a church that is alive and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. That's a congregation whose membership is secure.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Stupid Computer
My laptop and I have been gingerly developing a working relationship ever since I brought it home last April. For the first two weeks, it stayed in the box as I walked past it each day thinking, "Someday I've got to get that thing out of the box." (No one will ever accuse me of being a 'first adopter'.)
Upon realizing that I'd be traveling with it in a few weeks, I decided I'd better find out how to use it, get used to its quirks, that kind of thing before being thrust into a 24/7 relationship with it. So I opened the box and did what any person would do with a new PC, stared at the components while trying to figure out how to connect things and get it working.
Then came that moment. You know the one. The one where you gently reach out and push what you hope is the 'start' button.
It was not love at first sight.
But then, I never did like the Windows XP startup protocol. And I absolutely hate the incessant music which plays until you get far enough into the program to hit Mute.
Moving right along, we came to the screen which asks you to set up the various users for your computer. Checking throughout the house and finding only me and the dog in residence, I went with the default. I did decide to install a password for access to the computer, since we wouldn't be staying at home and some nefarious unknown might want access to my worship formats or sermons.
Then the computer and I settled into a mostly congenial relationship. Well, I won't count the two weeks the beast sat at the shop because my equally stupid then-isp screwed up the peaceful functioning of the relationship. It wasn't the poor beast's fault, and once I dumped the evil program, it has performed admirably with my successor isp.
HOWEVER, this past weekend, my son returned home for an extended stay, and this is the only computer with internet access in the house. Of course, he also needs to surf the internet! Who wants to be without contact with friends, isolated from resources, and denied the opportunity to search for a job?
For the first couple of days, no problem. I was home and, when I was through with the computer, he used it. Then there was yesterday. My son came home from working on the house while I was at work. He wanted to get on the internet. The computer obediently refused him access. (Good computer. Nice computer.)
When I got home, I thought to myself, "Let's just set up user accounts so we both can use the computer." (Does anyone else sense the doom which is about to befall me?) Blithely following XP's instructions, there are now two (count them.... one .... two) users on the computer, and this little note which says something about the "Administrator" identity being only a default if there are no designated users. Not a word about the "Administrator" disappearing completely from the machine once you hit ENTER.
STUPID COMPUTER! The (expletive deleted) thing doesn't even recognize me! Even my isp believes I'm a Guest on my own computer! It's as though these past eight months never happened! *panic* You know that wonderful little tool XP has called "system restore"? It claims it will allow you to turn back any harmful changes made to your computer? RIGHT!! *she said sarcastically* I tried to reset the beast from just before my fateful error. *grind grind grind whirr whirr whirr* "No changes have been made to your computer." I tried deleting my son's user name and resetting two weeks from that horrendous moment. You guessed it. "No changes have been made to your computer." Two more tries and no luck. STUPID STUPID STUPID COMPUTER!!
Fortunately, I still had the disc from when I moved from desktop to laptop and had to install "My Favorites" and "My Documents" on this critter. Unfortunately, I've lost the new stuff since that date.
What makes it even more infuriating is that I know for a fact that my prior identity and everything associated with it is still on this computer SOMEWHERE! Any semi-intelligent computer guru could get at it in ten seconds flat. That particular term when used in relation to me is a complete oxymoron, and would be even if the words showed up in two entirely different places in the same paragraph. *sigh* I really need some of those lost files! Any suggestions on where to look?
STUPID COMPUTER!
Upon realizing that I'd be traveling with it in a few weeks, I decided I'd better find out how to use it, get used to its quirks, that kind of thing before being thrust into a 24/7 relationship with it. So I opened the box and did what any person would do with a new PC, stared at the components while trying to figure out how to connect things and get it working.
Then came that moment. You know the one. The one where you gently reach out and push what you hope is the 'start' button.
It was not love at first sight.
But then, I never did like the Windows XP startup protocol. And I absolutely hate the incessant music which plays until you get far enough into the program to hit Mute.
Moving right along, we came to the screen which asks you to set up the various users for your computer. Checking throughout the house and finding only me and the dog in residence, I went with the default. I did decide to install a password for access to the computer, since we wouldn't be staying at home and some nefarious unknown might want access to my worship formats or sermons.
Then the computer and I settled into a mostly congenial relationship. Well, I won't count the two weeks the beast sat at the shop because my equally stupid then-isp screwed up the peaceful functioning of the relationship. It wasn't the poor beast's fault, and once I dumped the evil program, it has performed admirably with my successor isp.
HOWEVER, this past weekend, my son returned home for an extended stay, and this is the only computer with internet access in the house. Of course, he also needs to surf the internet! Who wants to be without contact with friends, isolated from resources, and denied the opportunity to search for a job?
For the first couple of days, no problem. I was home and, when I was through with the computer, he used it. Then there was yesterday. My son came home from working on the house while I was at work. He wanted to get on the internet. The computer obediently refused him access. (Good computer. Nice computer.)
When I got home, I thought to myself, "Let's just set up user accounts so we both can use the computer." (Does anyone else sense the doom which is about to befall me?) Blithely following XP's instructions, there are now two (count them.... one .... two) users on the computer, and this little note which says something about the "Administrator" identity being only a default if there are no designated users. Not a word about the "Administrator" disappearing completely from the machine once you hit ENTER.
STUPID COMPUTER! The (expletive deleted) thing doesn't even recognize me! Even my isp believes I'm a Guest on my own computer! It's as though these past eight months never happened! *panic* You know that wonderful little tool XP has called "system restore"? It claims it will allow you to turn back any harmful changes made to your computer? RIGHT!! *she said sarcastically* I tried to reset the beast from just before my fateful error. *grind grind grind whirr whirr whirr* "No changes have been made to your computer." I tried deleting my son's user name and resetting two weeks from that horrendous moment. You guessed it. "No changes have been made to your computer." Two more tries and no luck. STUPID STUPID STUPID COMPUTER!!
Fortunately, I still had the disc from when I moved from desktop to laptop and had to install "My Favorites" and "My Documents" on this critter. Unfortunately, I've lost the new stuff since that date.
What makes it even more infuriating is that I know for a fact that my prior identity and everything associated with it is still on this computer SOMEWHERE! Any semi-intelligent computer guru could get at it in ten seconds flat. That particular term when used in relation to me is a complete oxymoron, and would be even if the words showed up in two entirely different places in the same paragraph. *sigh* I really need some of those lost files! Any suggestions on where to look?
STUPID COMPUTER!
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