.
Long before computers and the Internet, the Sears catalog was my biggest source of information to the outside world (outside of my world anyway). In Those Days, Sears sold everything from socks to boats. I would dwell for hours at a time in that catalog. My Mother would laugh and say I was dreaming. Well, a dream which one pursues is a plan, and I was planning. From my early teens, I've always had a plan.
Long before the days of Easy Rider, my plan was to explore this Country in a free spirited way, alone, on a motorcycle. Only then, my plan was to ride the newly imported Honda-50 moped, and I didn't care if it's top speed was only 28mph.
I planned to get a motor boat someday, something my Dad had only dreamed of. I planned to be an auto mechanic and to own a junkyard or a hardware store, to join the Army for the fight in Vietnam, and to have a family of my own. But I knew, even then, to have back up plans. Many of my plans were modified or eliminated, but many more were realized.
Now, for me, the Thought Dock is the top of my world. It's not the highest peak, nor is it near the artic circle. But, if you rotate your globe to the right, the Thought Dock is at the top. And that is the way my world is - to the right.
As I look across the water from the Thought Dock, the memories of just how I came to be me appear as visions. My mistakes. My successes. It wasn't easy at times. I guess I could have taken the easy way to fame just by selling autographed portraits of myself (extra for the nude ones), or charging people for my wisdom. But, in my own eyes, I'm proud of how I came to be me.
But, when I look down into the water from the Thought Dock, my visions are only reflected to the Heaven above. And I realize that I didn't achieve this all by myself. I am incapable to understand why, but the Lord has blessed me in so many ways, and many I've yet to recognize. He has blessed me with family, with friends, with teachers and mentors, with good health and sound wisdom, and even with enemies. All of which have been instrumental to me being me.
So, I strive to look up from the Thought Dock. Into the blue skies by day, and into the vastness of the stars at night. I'm really not sure where Heaven actually is. But I sure feel better looking up where I believe it waits for me.
Ok... Ok...Enough...With my next post, I'll take a break from the recent recipes and mushy stuff. I had to go there because some of my Followers couldn't take it and felt like crying, while others have Teflon coated brains and my wisdom just slides off if I serve them too much at a time. But, I know there are others that yearn for the real, thought provoking and stimulating crap produced from the Thought Dock. So, stand by..
Enjoy your weekend!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Razor Clamming
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In Those Days, my father would pick up a bucket of claims from the pier at Sheeps Head Bay, on the Right Coast. I'm sure he would have preferred the lobster and crab, but he got the clams most of the time because they were the cheapest things around then. Sometimes he would slice them open and slide the goo into his mouth because he just couldn't wait while my mother steamed them. I really never cared for them and would only venture for a bowl of chowder every now or then.
Now that I have returned to coastal living (although it's the left coast), clams are a very popular choice in the local diners. So I tried a bite of a deep fried Razor clam from the plate of Lisa G a while back, and it was very, very good. And that got my interest up.
I've seen many people digging for clams in the estuary near my house. For you landlockers, an estuary is where a fresh water river meets the ocean. Sometimes, like around here, the ocean tide actually flows 15 miles inland, and up stream. Anyway, that's where Razor clams come from, but I think they are also on the ocean's beaches away from the estuary.
So the other day, I tried it. After waiting for low tide, I climbed down the river bank, and sunk a few inches into the muck. Actually, it's the same crap that I bought a few weeks ago for topsoil, but at the garden supply, they call it loom. I realized this wasn't going to work, so I returned home and got my boots (about 12" tall) and tried it a gain. This time I wandered out about 50 feet and sunk about 8 inches. The river is about a half mile wide there and I needed to go another 200 feet to where I had saw people clamming on a previous day.
But, with each step, I sunk even further. The hardest part was to pull your foot out of the sticky yucky muck without leaving the boot behind, and before your other foot sunk even deeper. You'd think that someone would invent a snow shoe type gadget for this.
How could a clam even taste good after living in this yucky muck? And, the yucky muck stinks as well. I soon feared that the muck would devour me and my body would never be found. I tried to run back to the river bank, but after nearly falling into the yucky muck face first, I realized that wouldn't work and I'd have to take it slow, step by step. So it took me about a half hour to walk the 50 steps back to the bank. I was pooped.
I learned I'm not a crabber, and I could just buy them at the local market, without risking my life. So, I'll just do that. Might even tweek my recipe and whip up a Clam and Snow Pea Pasta.
But now, I got to check out the kayakers on the Lake with my Stargazor - Wildlife spotting telescope that my udda sista got me for Christmas. Could be just tourists or vacationers, or they could be terrorists or illegal aliens. I'll get to the bottom of it.
I'll be back with some more wisdom from the Thought Dock another time.
.
In Those Days, my father would pick up a bucket of claims from the pier at Sheeps Head Bay, on the Right Coast. I'm sure he would have preferred the lobster and crab, but he got the clams most of the time because they were the cheapest things around then. Sometimes he would slice them open and slide the goo into his mouth because he just couldn't wait while my mother steamed them. I really never cared for them and would only venture for a bowl of chowder every now or then.
Now that I have returned to coastal living (although it's the left coast), clams are a very popular choice in the local diners. So I tried a bite of a deep fried Razor clam from the plate of Lisa G a while back, and it was very, very good. And that got my interest up.
I've seen many people digging for clams in the estuary near my house. For you landlockers, an estuary is where a fresh water river meets the ocean. Sometimes, like around here, the ocean tide actually flows 15 miles inland, and up stream. Anyway, that's where Razor clams come from, but I think they are also on the ocean's beaches away from the estuary.
So the other day, I tried it. After waiting for low tide, I climbed down the river bank, and sunk a few inches into the muck. Actually, it's the same crap that I bought a few weeks ago for topsoil, but at the garden supply, they call it loom. I realized this wasn't going to work, so I returned home and got my boots (about 12" tall) and tried it a gain. This time I wandered out about 50 feet and sunk about 8 inches. The river is about a half mile wide there and I needed to go another 200 feet to where I had saw people clamming on a previous day.
But, with each step, I sunk even further. The hardest part was to pull your foot out of the sticky yucky muck without leaving the boot behind, and before your other foot sunk even deeper. You'd think that someone would invent a snow shoe type gadget for this.
How could a clam even taste good after living in this yucky muck? And, the yucky muck stinks as well. I soon feared that the muck would devour me and my body would never be found. I tried to run back to the river bank, but after nearly falling into the yucky muck face first, I realized that wouldn't work and I'd have to take it slow, step by step. So it took me about a half hour to walk the 50 steps back to the bank. I was pooped.
I learned I'm not a crabber, and I could just buy them at the local market, without risking my life. So, I'll just do that. Might even tweek my recipe and whip up a Clam and Snow Pea Pasta.
But now, I got to check out the kayakers on the Lake with my Stargazor - Wildlife spotting telescope that my udda sista got me for Christmas. Could be just tourists or vacationers, or they could be terrorists or illegal aliens. I'll get to the bottom of it.
I'll be back with some more wisdom from the Thought Dock another time.
.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fresh Seafood Pasta in Heavy Cheese Sauce
.
My wife works late at the clinic every Wednesday. So that means, in addition to all the things I do around the house every other day, I have to feed the five pet critters as well as myself.
So, I'm always looking for ways to lessen my load, and try new things that she would not likely take a liking to if she were here. And last night, I think I outdid my previous best food creation. I only dirtied one sauce pan and one fork while doing it. Since doing the dishes is not my chore. I'm sure my wife will be grateful for that.
So, I'd like to share my easy 12 minute gourmet recipe with you that would cost less than a dollar a serving:
Follow the directions to boil up the pasta in the cheapest store brand box of Macaroni & Cheese (or even better yet, the military combat pack version). Drain and stir in the powdered cheese mix, but instead of using milk, use extra butter. Then stir in the previous night's scraps (some call them left overs) of meat. In my creation I used a several day old piece scrap salmon, which was moistened up by the steaming pasta. Top it all off with a squirt of honey mustard, or I even like Ketchup. Eat it directly from the pan to save on dishes. Don't worry that the box says it makes 4-6 servings, because you'll eat it all yourself. It's meant to be a single serving for a stay at home husband. And you wake up promptly the following morning for your duty. Ahhh..
Yummy...Yummy!!
My wife works late at the clinic every Wednesday. So that means, in addition to all the things I do around the house every other day, I have to feed the five pet critters as well as myself.
So, I'm always looking for ways to lessen my load, and try new things that she would not likely take a liking to if she were here. And last night, I think I outdid my previous best food creation. I only dirtied one sauce pan and one fork while doing it. Since doing the dishes is not my chore. I'm sure my wife will be grateful for that.
So, I'd like to share my easy 12 minute gourmet recipe with you that would cost less than a dollar a serving:
Follow the directions to boil up the pasta in the cheapest store brand box of Macaroni & Cheese (or even better yet, the military combat pack version). Drain and stir in the powdered cheese mix, but instead of using milk, use extra butter. Then stir in the previous night's scraps (some call them left overs) of meat. In my creation I used a several day old piece scrap salmon, which was moistened up by the steaming pasta. Top it all off with a squirt of honey mustard, or I even like Ketchup. Eat it directly from the pan to save on dishes. Don't worry that the box says it makes 4-6 servings, because you'll eat it all yourself. It's meant to be a single serving for a stay at home husband. And you wake up promptly the following morning for your duty. Ahhh..
Yummy...Yummy!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Fishy Beggar
.
Well, this morning I ventured away from the safety of the Thought Dock and went into town. After taking care of some routine banking business, I grabbed a burger combination from an unspecified business, and went to the dock for a vehicle picnic (That's where you park and eat your food in your truck).
The dock, is the public dock on the river in Old Town of this Central Oregon Coast community, and is far different than the Thought Dock that I'm used to. Different, but not in a bad way. There, away from the solitude of the Thought Dock, I find more real world things to watch and think about.
Like today, I saw a man clad in fishing garb, complete from the black boots with red soles and the yellow heavy weather rain suit. Just like they wear on Deadliest Catch! He was carrying a fishing pole and his skin was leathery. Actually, he belonged in a museum.
I'd seen him before in the area, but never really gave him much Thought. Not today. Today, I realized something more about him. Today was a beautifully clear and calm day, and no need to wear that heavy rain coat. And there were no commercial fishing boats docked, or puddles in the streets, so there was no need for the boots. And even if he were going fishing on a commercial boat, he would have no use for a fishing pole designed to catch trout. And, I've never even seen anyone fish the river from the dock outside of Salmon season (which it is not yet). And then he disappeared among the maze of tourists eating their ice cream cones while strolling Old Town.
Just about the time I finished my last sweet potato french fry (really yummy), he approached my window and asked me for a few bucks. I didn't even answer him. I guess he saw my eyes roll back just a bit and left on his own. Either that, or he was scared of the ketchup dripping from my chin.
Now, I had never seen a Fishing Beggar, and actually I think his pole never gets used. But he had a great costume that I'm sure does him well. If he had any motivation he could simply pose among the tourist for a photo and really take in the dough.
Just thinking about the dock from the Thought Dock.
.
Well, this morning I ventured away from the safety of the Thought Dock and went into town. After taking care of some routine banking business, I grabbed a burger combination from an unspecified business, and went to the dock for a vehicle picnic (That's where you park and eat your food in your truck).
The dock, is the public dock on the river in Old Town of this Central Oregon Coast community, and is far different than the Thought Dock that I'm used to. Different, but not in a bad way. There, away from the solitude of the Thought Dock, I find more real world things to watch and think about.
Like today, I saw a man clad in fishing garb, complete from the black boots with red soles and the yellow heavy weather rain suit. Just like they wear on Deadliest Catch! He was carrying a fishing pole and his skin was leathery. Actually, he belonged in a museum.
I'd seen him before in the area, but never really gave him much Thought. Not today. Today, I realized something more about him. Today was a beautifully clear and calm day, and no need to wear that heavy rain coat. And there were no commercial fishing boats docked, or puddles in the streets, so there was no need for the boots. And even if he were going fishing on a commercial boat, he would have no use for a fishing pole designed to catch trout. And, I've never even seen anyone fish the river from the dock outside of Salmon season (which it is not yet). And then he disappeared among the maze of tourists eating their ice cream cones while strolling Old Town.
Just about the time I finished my last sweet potato french fry (really yummy), he approached my window and asked me for a few bucks. I didn't even answer him. I guess he saw my eyes roll back just a bit and left on his own. Either that, or he was scared of the ketchup dripping from my chin.
Now, I had never seen a Fishing Beggar, and actually I think his pole never gets used. But he had a great costume that I'm sure does him well. If he had any motivation he could simply pose among the tourist for a photo and really take in the dough.
Just thinking about the dock from the Thought Dock.
.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Enforcer
.
Seems everyone today questions authority. And everyone questions the Enforcer's use of force to enforce their authority.
Many moons ago, the people ruled that Enforcers could not use a fire hose to quell a street riot. It was actually the court that made that decision but I use the term "people" because the court represent the people. So the Enforcers employed tear gas, which the people also thought was excessive. So the people gave the Enforcers helmets, shields, and night sticks to defend against the bricks and fire bombs thrown at them. And the people charged the Enforcers with brutality when they beat the aggressors with their sticks. Sound funny?
In LA, a bank robber took a teller hostage and placed a gun to her head as he attempted to leave the bank. An Enforcer shot the gun from the robber's hand and took him into custody. The people gave lots of money to the hostage because fragments from the Enforcer's bullet penetrated her cheek. And later that year, a burglar being chased from a victim's home by an Enforcer, ran through a closed sliding glass door, and nearly cut his head off. The people that guy money too, ruling it was the Enforcer's fault. Sound crazy?
A few years later, in Texas, a bank robber shot an Enforcer that was chasing him though an alley. The robber claimed self defence and was exonerated of the attempted murder charge because the people said that the Enforcer would shot the robber first if he had the chance. But he was convicted of the robbery. Believe it?
A suicidal man fell to his death when an Enforcer used a taser to try and save him from jumping off a roof. And another man that was threatening suicide with a gun to his temple, was injured when an Enforcer tried to save his life by shooting the gun out of his hand. The people chastised each of these Enforcers. Comical?
An Enforcer was sent to prison for beating Rodney King into submission after chasing him all over the SoCal freeways. And another time, LA Enforcers were brought to trial because the felons that they were chasing crashed into an innocent's car. Really?
And in Iraq, a military Enforcer was tried for shooting a 12-year old kid that was levelling an AK in his direction. The people expected to let the kid shoot first. And many more are now facing prosecution for interviewing their prisoners too harshly. Pretty nuts?
You might find these stories to be funny, crazy, unbelievable, comical, and nuts. But our Enforcers don't think so. Enforcing is not what it was when I was one. Now days many Enforcers worry more about losing their jobs, or going to prison, than they do about being injured or even killed. And I don't blame them.
What would an Enforcer have to lose if he/she just let the idiots burn their own city, let a deranged person kill himself, or let a felon escape rather that involving an innocent in a car crash. Why not just let Rodney go? Why volunteer for Iraq? Why bother to even question your prisiner? Is this what the people want? I am so glad that I don't make these kinds of decisions any longer, and I pray very often for those that do.
Now, I'd rather be lost on the Lake than found at home.
.
Seems everyone today questions authority. And everyone questions the Enforcer's use of force to enforce their authority.
Many moons ago, the people ruled that Enforcers could not use a fire hose to quell a street riot. It was actually the court that made that decision but I use the term "people" because the court represent the people. So the Enforcers employed tear gas, which the people also thought was excessive. So the people gave the Enforcers helmets, shields, and night sticks to defend against the bricks and fire bombs thrown at them. And the people charged the Enforcers with brutality when they beat the aggressors with their sticks. Sound funny?
In LA, a bank robber took a teller hostage and placed a gun to her head as he attempted to leave the bank. An Enforcer shot the gun from the robber's hand and took him into custody. The people gave lots of money to the hostage because fragments from the Enforcer's bullet penetrated her cheek. And later that year, a burglar being chased from a victim's home by an Enforcer, ran through a closed sliding glass door, and nearly cut his head off. The people that guy money too, ruling it was the Enforcer's fault. Sound crazy?
A few years later, in Texas, a bank robber shot an Enforcer that was chasing him though an alley. The robber claimed self defence and was exonerated of the attempted murder charge because the people said that the Enforcer would shot the robber first if he had the chance. But he was convicted of the robbery. Believe it?
A suicidal man fell to his death when an Enforcer used a taser to try and save him from jumping off a roof. And another man that was threatening suicide with a gun to his temple, was injured when an Enforcer tried to save his life by shooting the gun out of his hand. The people chastised each of these Enforcers. Comical?
An Enforcer was sent to prison for beating Rodney King into submission after chasing him all over the SoCal freeways. And another time, LA Enforcers were brought to trial because the felons that they were chasing crashed into an innocent's car. Really?
And in Iraq, a military Enforcer was tried for shooting a 12-year old kid that was levelling an AK in his direction. The people expected to let the kid shoot first. And many more are now facing prosecution for interviewing their prisoners too harshly. Pretty nuts?
You might find these stories to be funny, crazy, unbelievable, comical, and nuts. But our Enforcers don't think so. Enforcing is not what it was when I was one. Now days many Enforcers worry more about losing their jobs, or going to prison, than they do about being injured or even killed. And I don't blame them.
What would an Enforcer have to lose if he/she just let the idiots burn their own city, let a deranged person kill himself, or let a felon escape rather that involving an innocent in a car crash. Why not just let Rodney go? Why volunteer for Iraq? Why bother to even question your prisiner? Is this what the people want? I am so glad that I don't make these kinds of decisions any longer, and I pray very often for those that do.
Now, I'd rather be lost on the Lake than found at home.
.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Is that Right?
.
Last summer our County placed an initiative on the ballot to increase taxes specifically to preserve the then mostly free parks system. The County threatened to close about half of the parks and lay off workers if the initiative failed. Well, it failed. Nobody got laid off, and none of the parks closed, but the County did put usage fees on every park. Is that right?
Like everywhere, there is a huge push to conserve energy. But in our State, now that people are buying hybrids and stuff to save fuel, the State collects less money from the gasoline tax. Now the State wants to put a use fee, based upon the miles you drive, in addition to the gas tax. And they threaten to double our motor vehicle registration fees if we don't agree. Is that right?
Our State also added a deposit on water bottles. (Seems odd that there is no deposit on all the other plastic bottles like Windex, or liquid soaps). The deposit, which is about ten times greater than the value of the bottle, can only be refunded at the place of sale. The bar code prevents you from trying to get the refund anywhere else. So if you're travelling, forget about the deposit. We have mandatory recycling for our rubbish collection. So, even if you separate the stuff for them, they keep the recycle deposits and value of the scrap. It's all planned as a means to turn the deposits into an outright tax for the State. Is that right?
Our published City budget revealed that a significant portion of their income was derived through traffic fines. In looking at the yearly comparisons, as the City budget grew, so did the traffic fines. Is that right?
I'm sure that each of you can site similar examples of this in your government. Here is my point:
Fees enacted by our government are not identified as "Taxes" and do not need the approval of the people. Fees can be collected by the City, County, or State administrator, pretty much at their will. Fees are actually worse than taxes because most of the time you can't even write them off as income. Is that Right?
Times are tough. Unemployment is above 12% nationwide with some areas double that. Those figure are based upon unemployment claims, and do not include Welfare or unemployment claims that have run out. Yet there are very few layoffs in government. The government, to ensure their jobs, just continues to tax us more.
Is that right, or am I right? Good day from the Thought Dock.
Last summer our County placed an initiative on the ballot to increase taxes specifically to preserve the then mostly free parks system. The County threatened to close about half of the parks and lay off workers if the initiative failed. Well, it failed. Nobody got laid off, and none of the parks closed, but the County did put usage fees on every park. Is that right?
Like everywhere, there is a huge push to conserve energy. But in our State, now that people are buying hybrids and stuff to save fuel, the State collects less money from the gasoline tax. Now the State wants to put a use fee, based upon the miles you drive, in addition to the gas tax. And they threaten to double our motor vehicle registration fees if we don't agree. Is that right?
Our State also added a deposit on water bottles. (Seems odd that there is no deposit on all the other plastic bottles like Windex, or liquid soaps). The deposit, which is about ten times greater than the value of the bottle, can only be refunded at the place of sale. The bar code prevents you from trying to get the refund anywhere else. So if you're travelling, forget about the deposit. We have mandatory recycling for our rubbish collection. So, even if you separate the stuff for them, they keep the recycle deposits and value of the scrap. It's all planned as a means to turn the deposits into an outright tax for the State. Is that right?
Our published City budget revealed that a significant portion of their income was derived through traffic fines. In looking at the yearly comparisons, as the City budget grew, so did the traffic fines. Is that right?
I'm sure that each of you can site similar examples of this in your government. Here is my point:
Fees enacted by our government are not identified as "Taxes" and do not need the approval of the people. Fees can be collected by the City, County, or State administrator, pretty much at their will. Fees are actually worse than taxes because most of the time you can't even write them off as income. Is that Right?
Times are tough. Unemployment is above 12% nationwide with some areas double that. Those figure are based upon unemployment claims, and do not include Welfare or unemployment claims that have run out. Yet there are very few layoffs in government. The government, to ensure their jobs, just continues to tax us more.
Is that right, or am I right? Good day from the Thought Dock.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
You're a Guest in my House
.
Since many of you are new to this blog, and some of you haven't review the older posts, I thought I'd just recap a few things. Most of which that follows here should not be news to you, because I've written about it before. But it seems I must say it again.
I designed this blog first and foremost as a means for me to learn who I am, and how I came to be me. Secondly, I made it a place for you and I to discuss our Thoughts. As some of you know, I frequently present sensative subjects in order to promote further discussions through comments. Although I have made remarks regarding the numbers of my followers, I really don't care if anyone reads my blog. Writing is simply a tool that I've found to explore my inner Thoughts.
That said, let me help you understand how things work here. You see, I am the author of this blog, and you have chosen to be a reader. I make the rules and moderate the blog. You are here because you chose to come. But you will remain here only at my discretion. I really do have the authority to do that.
I'll be blunt. If you don't like what you read here, then read somewhere else. If I offend you, then leave if you like. But if you offend me, you will leave. That's the rules folks. You are a guest of my Thought Dock, and that is what it is.
So stick around a bit if you like. I actually enjoy hearing your views if they at least have some basis. Most of your comments have been great. Although I've not always agreed, I've not yet X'd anyone. Or should it be, I've not X'd anyone yet?
That said, I hope you can find this blog interesting and will continue to visit. Enjoy your weekend!
.
Since many of you are new to this blog, and some of you haven't review the older posts, I thought I'd just recap a few things. Most of which that follows here should not be news to you, because I've written about it before. But it seems I must say it again.
I designed this blog first and foremost as a means for me to learn who I am, and how I came to be me. Secondly, I made it a place for you and I to discuss our Thoughts. As some of you know, I frequently present sensative subjects in order to promote further discussions through comments. Although I have made remarks regarding the numbers of my followers, I really don't care if anyone reads my blog. Writing is simply a tool that I've found to explore my inner Thoughts.
That said, let me help you understand how things work here. You see, I am the author of this blog, and you have chosen to be a reader. I make the rules and moderate the blog. You are here because you chose to come. But you will remain here only at my discretion. I really do have the authority to do that.
I'll be blunt. If you don't like what you read here, then read somewhere else. If I offend you, then leave if you like. But if you offend me, you will leave. That's the rules folks. You are a guest of my Thought Dock, and that is what it is.
So stick around a bit if you like. I actually enjoy hearing your views if they at least have some basis. Most of your comments have been great. Although I've not always agreed, I've not yet X'd anyone. Or should it be, I've not X'd anyone yet?
That said, I hope you can find this blog interesting and will continue to visit. Enjoy your weekend!
.
Friday, May 22, 2009
1907
.My youngest brudda, whom I call "My Binkie Bro", passed this on to me. So, Ill share it with you.
Roosevelt 's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907. The caption reads:
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American....There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907
It was about the time of this photo, that my grandparents arrived at Ellis Island. It didn't take them long to become the Americans President Roosevelt was talking about. They learned English as best they could, and never really passed along their native language to their own children. The raised a large family and soon their sons were off at war fighting the very country that they immigrated from.
How things have changed. Most immigrants no longer give up their language or sacrafice their culture to blend in and become Americans. Some Americans even take on the culture and fly the flags of their of their ancestors from 200 years ago, a culture and a country none have ever even seen.
So, where are we going from here? I'm heading for the Thought Dock! Come with me, so you can see.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Prices
.
A long while ago as a young cop, I taught a junior high school class entitled, "Rights and Responsabilities." The class was designed to illustrate that the Rights we have as Americans are not free, but have Responsabilities attached. And I always closed the class by repeating some one else's saying, "But our hard earned Rights will be the very thing that destroys us."
The Rights we have were not free. My father, and each of his brothers fought to preserve the Rights that were given to us by past generations. Close to 20% of my high school male friends, and one brother-in-law died while at war, not to mention my other brother-in-law, and my many other friends that returned from war with less than what they had taken. Our son, our nephew, and many of our friend's sons and nephews, are or have served in the armed forces overseas. Some have completed their tours and returned home, some have not yet, and some will never. Those that serve do so because it is their responsability.
So many have paid the price to win and preserve the Rights and Freedoms that we seem to take forgranted. The war is not over, and will likely not ever be over. We complain that over 4000 of our loved ones have paid our price in Iraq. Not to minimize their lives, but we lost that many soldiers on the beaches of Normandy in the first 3 hours! Today, Americans are complaining that our troops in Afghanistan killed 27 civillians during a firefight with the Taliban. What about the 50,000 we killed in a split second at Hiroshima?
Now, I'm not a war lover. But I believe in what Americans have fought for. From our Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, to World Wars, Vietnam, the Middle East, and all the ones in between, there was a price. And I believe they were all worth that price, what ever it was. But I always pray for peace.
In the beginning, our Fathers fought and paid the price for religious freedom, which we are about to lose. Our Fathers fought to end slavery, have equal rights for women and minorities, and to protect our homeland, which were are about to lose. With a Half-White President that has benefitted dearly by the prices our forefathers paid, now giving away our National secrets, shaking hands with terrorists, and de-emphasizing Christianity and it's values, I feel very concerned for the future of my grand children, and their children. The very Rights which were fought for are being used from within and against us.
I post this now, as Memorial Day nears, to encourage you to plan time to thank those that you can for paying our price, and for those that you can't thank, thank their parents, or just say a prayer.
I'll be praying for those, and for America, from the solitude of the Thought Dock.
.
A long while ago as a young cop, I taught a junior high school class entitled, "Rights and Responsabilities." The class was designed to illustrate that the Rights we have as Americans are not free, but have Responsabilities attached. And I always closed the class by repeating some one else's saying, "But our hard earned Rights will be the very thing that destroys us."
The Rights we have were not free. My father, and each of his brothers fought to preserve the Rights that were given to us by past generations. Close to 20% of my high school male friends, and one brother-in-law died while at war, not to mention my other brother-in-law, and my many other friends that returned from war with less than what they had taken. Our son, our nephew, and many of our friend's sons and nephews, are or have served in the armed forces overseas. Some have completed their tours and returned home, some have not yet, and some will never. Those that serve do so because it is their responsability.
So many have paid the price to win and preserve the Rights and Freedoms that we seem to take forgranted. The war is not over, and will likely not ever be over. We complain that over 4000 of our loved ones have paid our price in Iraq. Not to minimize their lives, but we lost that many soldiers on the beaches of Normandy in the first 3 hours! Today, Americans are complaining that our troops in Afghanistan killed 27 civillians during a firefight with the Taliban. What about the 50,000 we killed in a split second at Hiroshima?
Now, I'm not a war lover. But I believe in what Americans have fought for. From our Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, to World Wars, Vietnam, the Middle East, and all the ones in between, there was a price. And I believe they were all worth that price, what ever it was. But I always pray for peace.
In the beginning, our Fathers fought and paid the price for religious freedom, which we are about to lose. Our Fathers fought to end slavery, have equal rights for women and minorities, and to protect our homeland, which were are about to lose. With a Half-White President that has benefitted dearly by the prices our forefathers paid, now giving away our National secrets, shaking hands with terrorists, and de-emphasizing Christianity and it's values, I feel very concerned for the future of my grand children, and their children. The very Rights which were fought for are being used from within and against us.
I post this now, as Memorial Day nears, to encourage you to plan time to thank those that you can for paying our price, and for those that you can't thank, thank their parents, or just say a prayer.
I'll be praying for those, and for America, from the solitude of the Thought Dock.
.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Seventh Inning Stretch
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At every Dodger game in Los Angeles, "Take me out to the ball game" is played at the start of the 7th inning to give the fans a chance to stretch their legs. That's what we all ought to do right about now.
The State of California is at the brink of brokeness because it can not meet it's budget obligation. The State claims that because so many have lost their income, it takes in less income taxes.
Ask Manny Ramirez how that works. He lost 3.3 million in wages for his 50-game suspension, which calculates to a 1.5 million dollar loss of income taxes to our government (of course that is a combined state and federal tax estimate).
Ask Vice President Biden about his brother's and maybe even his son's federal investigation of a 86 million dollar investment fraud scheme in California. That's a big loss of California income tax owed not only by the Biden company, but by the individual investor's earnings.
As more and more of those California millionaires lose their earnings, whether derived through corruption, fraud, or the raping of the real estate and financial sectors, the State receives less and less income. So now California is asking the Federal government to bail them out.
Stretch your legs folks! California voters themselves defeated several tax initiatives today, refusing to pay any more money to their State, and saying "Enough is enough." So we, (everybody living outside of California) are supposed to support their lifestyle, which they refuse to pay for? Give me a break!
This Country is well beyond the Seventh Inning Stretch! Come take a stretch with me at the Thought Dock.
.
At every Dodger game in Los Angeles, "Take me out to the ball game" is played at the start of the 7th inning to give the fans a chance to stretch their legs. That's what we all ought to do right about now.
The State of California is at the brink of brokeness because it can not meet it's budget obligation. The State claims that because so many have lost their income, it takes in less income taxes.
Ask Manny Ramirez how that works. He lost 3.3 million in wages for his 50-game suspension, which calculates to a 1.5 million dollar loss of income taxes to our government (of course that is a combined state and federal tax estimate).
Ask Vice President Biden about his brother's and maybe even his son's federal investigation of a 86 million dollar investment fraud scheme in California. That's a big loss of California income tax owed not only by the Biden company, but by the individual investor's earnings.
As more and more of those California millionaires lose their earnings, whether derived through corruption, fraud, or the raping of the real estate and financial sectors, the State receives less and less income. So now California is asking the Federal government to bail them out.
Stretch your legs folks! California voters themselves defeated several tax initiatives today, refusing to pay any more money to their State, and saying "Enough is enough." So we, (everybody living outside of California) are supposed to support their lifestyle, which they refuse to pay for? Give me a break!
This Country is well beyond the Seventh Inning Stretch! Come take a stretch with me at the Thought Dock.
.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
One Finished - Another Coming
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The Rhododendron Festival has passed. It was a mad house, so I understand. I have to go on second hand reports because I was not there for most of it.
My brudda, and his wife Kathy, joined me, Jim G, and his wife Lisa, Jerry, Don B, and his wife Becky, and Don M, and we all left town on our motorcycles. Unfortunately, my wife stayed in town to man the food booth at the Festival to raise money through hotdog and hamburger sales for her favorite charity.
The ride was a loop of about 200 miles through the inland wine country and farm lands. Just beautiful, and the weather was perfect. It consumed most of the day as we just had to stop and eat, stop and drink, and just stop to take in the views.
Following the ride, my wife and I hosted an unplanned barbecue from the deck over looking the Thought Dock. It was our first shindig ever on the deck. Jerry's wife, Dianna, and my brudda in law, Jim, joined in pushing the total to about a dozen. It went well for something spur of the moment. I creamed the burgers, but the whole sockeye salmon that my brudda brought, and the dogs and sausage were great. That went well into the evening and I was pooped out.
Sunday was the finale of the Festival. My wife marched in the parade in support of her charity. It was her first time ever to be a part of a parade. She was excited and did well. I watched from the sidewalk. And then it ended and we took naps.
And now, the Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and a 4-day ride is in the works. So now I've got to get to the Thought Dock to figure that out.
The Rhododendron Festival has passed. It was a mad house, so I understand. I have to go on second hand reports because I was not there for most of it.
My brudda, and his wife Kathy, joined me, Jim G, and his wife Lisa, Jerry, Don B, and his wife Becky, and Don M, and we all left town on our motorcycles. Unfortunately, my wife stayed in town to man the food booth at the Festival to raise money through hotdog and hamburger sales for her favorite charity.
The ride was a loop of about 200 miles through the inland wine country and farm lands. Just beautiful, and the weather was perfect. It consumed most of the day as we just had to stop and eat, stop and drink, and just stop to take in the views.
Following the ride, my wife and I hosted an unplanned barbecue from the deck over looking the Thought Dock. It was our first shindig ever on the deck. Jerry's wife, Dianna, and my brudda in law, Jim, joined in pushing the total to about a dozen. It went well for something spur of the moment. I creamed the burgers, but the whole sockeye salmon that my brudda brought, and the dogs and sausage were great. That went well into the evening and I was pooped out.
Sunday was the finale of the Festival. My wife marched in the parade in support of her charity. It was her first time ever to be a part of a parade. She was excited and did well. I watched from the sidewalk. And then it ended and we took naps.
And now, the Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and a 4-day ride is in the works. So now I've got to get to the Thought Dock to figure that out.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Dinosaurs, Oil, Coal 'n' Diamonds
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I really don't know much about Dinosaurs or Diamonds, and how they relate to oil and coal.
I do remember learning in school that coal comes from plant material that has been under great pressure over long periods of time. And, when coal is compressed even more, a diamond is formed. And I know that diamonds can be created by man by duplicating what it took nature thousands of years to do.
And I remember watching Exxon commercials on TV in the 70's where a giant boot thumped the ground to locate dinosaurs that had been trapped beneath the surface many years before and somehow were turned into oil. So, I've heard that oil is formed by decaying animal matter under pressure, and since dinosaurs were the biggest animals around, they got all the credit for being turned into crude. But I suppose any animal's matter would work.
So, if I were to agree with the scientists about the age of the earth, and the existence of dinosaurs and such, I could be convinced that plant matter turns into coal, which then turns into diamonds. The natural ones we wear on our fingers and necks, and the man made ones are used to build tools and machinery, or if you like wearing imitation (cheap) crap, you can wear those also.
But the dinosaurs to crude concept is a bit harder for me to understand. Now, we've been pumping crude out of the ground for a hundred years. I wonder how many rotten dinosaurs trapped beneath the surface to fill just one of those gigantic oil tankers that traverse the globe by the hundreds every day. Were there really that many dinosaurs around? And some of the largest oil field lie in Russia and Alaska in very cold climates where I didn't think dinosaurs ever roamed. And, why isn't there man made crude? All we'd have to do is grow some animals, then cook them down under pressure and Whaalaa, Presto, we should have crude. Sure would need a lot of animals though.
So, I'll visit the Thought Dock again for these answers, but it might be a lot easier if you (in particular my oldest daughter's only son) could help me out here.
Enjoy the weekend!
.
I really don't know much about Dinosaurs or Diamonds, and how they relate to oil and coal.
I do remember learning in school that coal comes from plant material that has been under great pressure over long periods of time. And, when coal is compressed even more, a diamond is formed. And I know that diamonds can be created by man by duplicating what it took nature thousands of years to do.
And I remember watching Exxon commercials on TV in the 70's where a giant boot thumped the ground to locate dinosaurs that had been trapped beneath the surface many years before and somehow were turned into oil. So, I've heard that oil is formed by decaying animal matter under pressure, and since dinosaurs were the biggest animals around, they got all the credit for being turned into crude. But I suppose any animal's matter would work.
So, if I were to agree with the scientists about the age of the earth, and the existence of dinosaurs and such, I could be convinced that plant matter turns into coal, which then turns into diamonds. The natural ones we wear on our fingers and necks, and the man made ones are used to build tools and machinery, or if you like wearing imitation (cheap) crap, you can wear those also.
But the dinosaurs to crude concept is a bit harder for me to understand. Now, we've been pumping crude out of the ground for a hundred years. I wonder how many rotten dinosaurs trapped beneath the surface to fill just one of those gigantic oil tankers that traverse the globe by the hundreds every day. Were there really that many dinosaurs around? And some of the largest oil field lie in Russia and Alaska in very cold climates where I didn't think dinosaurs ever roamed. And, why isn't there man made crude? All we'd have to do is grow some animals, then cook them down under pressure and Whaalaa, Presto, we should have crude. Sure would need a lot of animals though.
So, I'll visit the Thought Dock again for these answers, but it might be a lot easier if you (in particular my oldest daughter's only son) could help me out here.
Enjoy the weekend!
.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Rhododendron Days
For those of you who don't know, pictured at the right is a Rhododendron bush in bloom. My research has revealed that there are over 1000 species of this plant, so this one might not look exactly like the ones you've seen. I guess they grow most everywhere, except in the drier regions.
Our Central Oregon Coast town is the Rhododendron Capital of the World. So, we are having our Rhody Days Festival this weekend.
Now most every small town has some type of a gig. We went to the Corn Festival in Northern Colorado, and the Strawberry Festival on the Coast of California, and the Apple Festival in the Tehachapi Mountains, and a Peach Festival and an Almond Festival in the SoCal desert. Been to a bunch of them, and I don't want to take away from any of them, but the Rhody Festival is the best.
My youngest brother, and his wife, will visit me and my wife, and my other sister, and her husband, right here in this town. Many more will gather in the like and this town's population will increase from the normal 8,500 to over 40k for the weekend.
There will be a parade complete with the Rhody Queen, and most of the prior Queens dating back 40 years. A car show, a carnival, scores of dances and other presentations by the youth and various organizations from around the community, marching bands from all over, motorcycle clubs from everywhere, will be non stop. The 3 traffic signals in town will be overwhelmed, the diners packed, the hotels booked, our Manor full, and the casino popping. The weather is forecast to be clear and near 70's.
So what better time to visit the Thought Dock than now? So come on, hope a flight, and have some fun with me and 40k other people just like me.
.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Must be a Colore Condition
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During some of my visits to Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, I've encountered times where the Skies were bright blue clear, and the wind calm. Then almost with out warning, near gale force winds emerge, the sky darkens, and it rains like heck for 20 or 30 minutes before the still, sunny, blue skies return. It's really pretty weird I think.
Well, that is how the weather has been today on the Central Oregon Coast. We've had several bouts of it, and each time according to my weather station we get almost a quarter inch of rain.
Pretty strange for this area, so I've come up with a name for this weather phenomena, "Colore Condition." (That was taken by combining 3 letters each from Colorado and Oregon, if you hadn't noticed) Pretty crafty, eh? Maybe it should be The Coloreutaona Condition now that I think about it more.
Silly me, you say? No, it's straight forward wisdom from the Thought Dock.
During some of my visits to Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, I've encountered times where the Skies were bright blue clear, and the wind calm. Then almost with out warning, near gale force winds emerge, the sky darkens, and it rains like heck for 20 or 30 minutes before the still, sunny, blue skies return. It's really pretty weird I think.
Well, that is how the weather has been today on the Central Oregon Coast. We've had several bouts of it, and each time according to my weather station we get almost a quarter inch of rain.
Pretty strange for this area, so I've come up with a name for this weather phenomena, "Colore Condition." (That was taken by combining 3 letters each from Colorado and Oregon, if you hadn't noticed) Pretty crafty, eh? Maybe it should be The Coloreutaona Condition now that I think about it more.
Silly me, you say? No, it's straight forward wisdom from the Thought Dock.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mom's Missings
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You know, I never really thought much about my Mom until her latter years, and now I find myself thinking about her more than ever.
She taught me so much. The little things that I do almost daily; Like how to mix a can of tuna, sharpen a knife or whittle a stick without cutting myself, shoot an arrow and fire a rifle, catch a ball or a fish, ride a bike and drive a car. She taught it all to me.
More than that, she taught values; Values I try to use every day; Like mean what you say, stand up for what you believe, help those that you can, be proud of America, pay your taxes, and repay what you borrow. She was always there for me.
But I was not always there for her and I regret that now. I could make excuses, but it simply boiled down to selfishness on my part. Too selfish to call her on her birthday, too busy to tell her I love her on Mother's Day, and too selfish to take time from my life to visit with her more often and share my children with her.
I know all that now, but I am glad to have had the opportunity to recognize my errs and to make ammends with her before it was too late.
I'm sorry to bore you guys with this stuff. I'm sure that most of you loved your mothers as well. But on this Mother's Day, I only wish I would have loved my Mom more when I had the chance.
I love you Mom!
.
You know, I never really thought much about my Mom until her latter years, and now I find myself thinking about her more than ever.
She taught me so much. The little things that I do almost daily; Like how to mix a can of tuna, sharpen a knife or whittle a stick without cutting myself, shoot an arrow and fire a rifle, catch a ball or a fish, ride a bike and drive a car. She taught it all to me.
More than that, she taught values; Values I try to use every day; Like mean what you say, stand up for what you believe, help those that you can, be proud of America, pay your taxes, and repay what you borrow. She was always there for me.
But I was not always there for her and I regret that now. I could make excuses, but it simply boiled down to selfishness on my part. Too selfish to call her on her birthday, too busy to tell her I love her on Mother's Day, and too selfish to take time from my life to visit with her more often and share my children with her.
I know all that now, but I am glad to have had the opportunity to recognize my errs and to make ammends with her before it was too late.
I'm sorry to bore you guys with this stuff. I'm sure that most of you loved your mothers as well. But on this Mother's Day, I only wish I would have loved my Mom more when I had the chance.
I love you Mom!
.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
I got Mine for Free!!
.
While watching the morning news (Fox News with the beautiful Megyn Kelly of course!), two consecutive commercials came on.
The first depicted a man who had apparently over indulged in a life time of potato chips and Fat Burgers and developed diabetes. He was happy to say that he got a new blood glucose machine that was provided to him for free by Medicare.
The second commercial had a woman sitting on an electric wheel chair while she folded her laundry. Her thighs smothered the contraption to the point that I couldn't even tell what color it was. But the nearly flat tires looked like they were white walls. She was excited to tell me about how the machine had changed her life and exclaimed, "And I got mine for free!"
Let me tell you folks, "There ain't nothing for free!" But there is something called Socialism, and these are but just two examples of it. "There isn't anything wrong with spreading the wealth around." That's what Obummer said. And that's why those things are free for some people. They are not free for everyone.
So someone had to pay for those machines, and it was the someones like me and perhaps, you. Now, I am usually a very caring and giving person. Need help, just ask and I'll chip in more than my share for a good cause. But I don't like the government taking my money, without asking, to redistribute it as it pleases, especially to those that have created their own problems.
I just don't have much sympathy for those that have never contributed, or dug themselves into their own pit, and then expect help. It is free to them because they have never contributed anything. And these are just two people that I'm talking about. I won't go on. but just look around. And now they're even talking about giving the Gitmo terrorists welfare if they are not convicted and released into America.
Sorry, I need to get away from the TV and out to the Thought Dock. It's depressing in here!
.
While watching the morning news (Fox News with the beautiful Megyn Kelly of course!), two consecutive commercials came on.
The first depicted a man who had apparently over indulged in a life time of potato chips and Fat Burgers and developed diabetes. He was happy to say that he got a new blood glucose machine that was provided to him for free by Medicare.
The second commercial had a woman sitting on an electric wheel chair while she folded her laundry. Her thighs smothered the contraption to the point that I couldn't even tell what color it was. But the nearly flat tires looked like they were white walls. She was excited to tell me about how the machine had changed her life and exclaimed, "And I got mine for free!"
Let me tell you folks, "There ain't nothing for free!" But there is something called Socialism, and these are but just two examples of it. "There isn't anything wrong with spreading the wealth around." That's what Obummer said. And that's why those things are free for some people. They are not free for everyone.
So someone had to pay for those machines, and it was the someones like me and perhaps, you. Now, I am usually a very caring and giving person. Need help, just ask and I'll chip in more than my share for a good cause. But I don't like the government taking my money, without asking, to redistribute it as it pleases, especially to those that have created their own problems.
I just don't have much sympathy for those that have never contributed, or dug themselves into their own pit, and then expect help. It is free to them because they have never contributed anything. And these are just two people that I'm talking about. I won't go on. but just look around. And now they're even talking about giving the Gitmo terrorists welfare if they are not convicted and released into America.
Sorry, I need to get away from the TV and out to the Thought Dock. It's depressing in here!
.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
National Prayer Day
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This morning, bright and early (even before I collected my thoughts from the Thought Dock), I attended a community meeting on Natural Prayer Day. Several hundred Christians representing most of our area's churches attended. It was amazing to see the clergy of our community, not competing against one another, but united with each other toward one common goal; introducing God's love to people who don't know Him. Following a pancake/sausage breakfast, we prayed for the leaders of our great Country.
By Executive order, National Prayer Day, has all but been eliminated. Now how is it that President Obama, a man who says he is proud of his Christian faith, turn his back to those of us that pray for him? Does he not think he needs it? He says he prays privately; So what? He needs to remember the thousands of Christians who have been persecuted for spreading God's word, publicly.
.
This morning, bright and early (even before I collected my thoughts from the Thought Dock), I attended a community meeting on Natural Prayer Day. Several hundred Christians representing most of our area's churches attended. It was amazing to see the clergy of our community, not competing against one another, but united with each other toward one common goal; introducing God's love to people who don't know Him. Following a pancake/sausage breakfast, we prayed for the leaders of our great Country.
By Executive order, National Prayer Day, has all but been eliminated. Now how is it that President Obama, a man who says he is proud of his Christian faith, turn his back to those of us that pray for him? Does he not think he needs it? He says he prays privately; So what? He needs to remember the thousands of Christians who have been persecuted for spreading God's word, publicly.
.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Plant Your Garden
.
We live on the Central Oregon Coast. Gardens don't do very well here, I think in part because there seems to be a lack of sunlight and fertile soil. Yet, somehow pine trees do well. Just to get a few flowers planted, I had to buy mud. Actually, they call it river silt loam here, and it's imported from the Central Oregon Valley where there are many farms and gardens. I think that's because there is more sunlight and mud there.
Anyway, my favorite sister-in-law (K) lives along the Central Oregon Valley, and loves to garden (she gets the plug because she is my only living sister-in-law). She is quite good at it, and last year, she raised some squash that were as large as what ever was in those Spamelot dancer's tights!
Getting closer to the point now. Well, K sent me instructions for a garden that will thrive anywhere, even here, and even where you live. I'll share it with you now..
HOW TO PLANT YOUR GARDEN
First, come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. (I'll substitute Rhoddys in mine because the deer ate my roses that I had planted last year)...
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING
Plant Three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
No Garden is without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
To conclude your garden, ou must have thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
.
We live on the Central Oregon Coast. Gardens don't do very well here, I think in part because there seems to be a lack of sunlight and fertile soil. Yet, somehow pine trees do well. Just to get a few flowers planted, I had to buy mud. Actually, they call it river silt loam here, and it's imported from the Central Oregon Valley where there are many farms and gardens. I think that's because there is more sunlight and mud there.
Anyway, my favorite sister-in-law (K) lives along the Central Oregon Valley, and loves to garden (she gets the plug because she is my only living sister-in-law). She is quite good at it, and last year, she raised some squash that were as large as what ever was in those Spamelot dancer's tights!
Getting closer to the point now. Well, K sent me instructions for a garden that will thrive anywhere, even here, and even where you live. I'll share it with you now..
HOW TO PLANT YOUR GARDEN
First, come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. (I'll substitute Rhoddys in mine because the deer ate my roses that I had planted last year)...
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING
Plant Three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
No Garden is without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
To conclude your garden, ou must have thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
.
Monday, May 4, 2009
First Thought - Birthday
.
I think I was conducting some heavy duty Internet research a few days ago, when my wife announced that she was taking me to Spamelot for my birthday. I replied, "Uh OK," and simply returned to my work.
I was at the Thought Dock sometime later and I wondered Now, where did she say we were going? Sandlot? No, that was a baseball movie and I didn't think it was filmed in Oregon. Salem lot? No, although Salem is kinda close, I think that's something witchcrafty and that couldn't be. What did she say? Shamalot? No, that's the Sham Wow as seen on TV. I just couldn't remember.
So, on Birthday morning, I had to ask her what the agenda was. She said the plan was that after church, we were going to Eugene to see the matinee showing of Spamelot. "A movie?" I asked as I hadn't heard of it. "No," she said, "it's a play!" She described it as a musical comedy spoof about King Arthur and said that we were driving there with our friends, the G's.
Holy crap! Now, that's what I've always wanted to do for my birthday. A dream I thought that would never come true. But it had.
Actually, I enjoyed the costumes, sets, singing, and some of the dancing. The only thing is, was that all of the actors were dressed in their bright colorful leotards, with socks or such stuffed in their crotches, to give them an appearance of a manly and studly Knight of the Round Table. I just don't care for that crap.
Soon, it was over though, and we went to dinner. Now, that's what birthdays are for! It was great. And following dinner, we stopped at my favorite Do it Yourself store (aka Lowes). We could have just celebrated my birthday there!
All in all, it was a special day that I will not likely soon forget (or should it be forget soon). Sorry, I'm still got that song from the play, "I'm not yet dead," going through my head. Or was it, "I'm not dead yet?" Whatever it was.....
So, now that I know how to do special things for birthdays, I think I'll take my wife fishing for hers. I know she will just love it!
The Thought Dock.
.
I think I was conducting some heavy duty Internet research a few days ago, when my wife announced that she was taking me to Spamelot for my birthday. I replied, "Uh OK," and simply returned to my work.
I was at the Thought Dock sometime later and I wondered Now, where did she say we were going? Sandlot? No, that was a baseball movie and I didn't think it was filmed in Oregon. Salem lot? No, although Salem is kinda close, I think that's something witchcrafty and that couldn't be. What did she say? Shamalot? No, that's the Sham Wow as seen on TV. I just couldn't remember.
So, on Birthday morning, I had to ask her what the agenda was. She said the plan was that after church, we were going to Eugene to see the matinee showing of Spamelot. "A movie?" I asked as I hadn't heard of it. "No," she said, "it's a play!" She described it as a musical comedy spoof about King Arthur and said that we were driving there with our friends, the G's.
Holy crap! Now, that's what I've always wanted to do for my birthday. A dream I thought that would never come true. But it had.
Actually, I enjoyed the costumes, sets, singing, and some of the dancing. The only thing is, was that all of the actors were dressed in their bright colorful leotards, with socks or such stuffed in their crotches, to give them an appearance of a manly and studly Knight of the Round Table. I just don't care for that crap.
Soon, it was over though, and we went to dinner. Now, that's what birthdays are for! It was great. And following dinner, we stopped at my favorite Do it Yourself store (aka Lowes). We could have just celebrated my birthday there!
All in all, it was a special day that I will not likely soon forget (or should it be forget soon). Sorry, I'm still got that song from the play, "I'm not yet dead," going through my head. Or was it, "I'm not dead yet?" Whatever it was.....
So, now that I know how to do special things for birthdays, I think I'll take my wife fishing for hers. I know she will just love it!
The Thought Dock.
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Friday, May 1, 2009
What's in a Dock?
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I never ever dreamed that I would ever, ever live in a place like this. A waterfront home on a quiet lake nestled in a forest.
But it was The Dock that intrigued me most. It was the icing on the cake. My very own private dock where I could fish from, launch a boat, or bake in the sun. Some of you know The Dock personally.
I believe The Dock was built many years ago from lumber harvested on the site. The wood was cut from heavy logs, which became water logged and springy. It extended only about 20 feet from the shoreline and the water was less than a few feet deep at the end. It seemed unsafe to even walk on, and there was no way I could get my ski boat to it. I couldn't even fish from it because the Lilly pads consumed the water just in front of The Dock. I thought it was rickety and just had to be rebuilt.
Now that the house is mostly finished, I've been spending more time on The Dock. I've learned that there is much more to The Dock. I've found how to cast over the Lillies to fish, and now have a flat bottomed fishing boat that will handle the shallow water. We also have a peddle boat to go out and watch the Ospreys fish. And I've realized I'm too old to water ski, so we'll likely trade that for some other toy.
I've enjoyed The Dock more lately even though I have not fished or boated from it recently. It has become my special place. A place where I can be alone, among the solitude of God's creations, just to think and thank. The drive to rebuild it is not so great now, because it is perfect to me just the way it is (but I still might fix it up some day).
I know some of you have learned as much about me as I have learned about me in the past few months. I owe the brilliance in me that you see to the "Thought Dock." Like Mount Sinai was to Moses, the Thought Dock is to me.
.
I never ever dreamed that I would ever, ever live in a place like this. A waterfront home on a quiet lake nestled in a forest.
But it was The Dock that intrigued me most. It was the icing on the cake. My very own private dock where I could fish from, launch a boat, or bake in the sun. Some of you know The Dock personally.
I believe The Dock was built many years ago from lumber harvested on the site. The wood was cut from heavy logs, which became water logged and springy. It extended only about 20 feet from the shoreline and the water was less than a few feet deep at the end. It seemed unsafe to even walk on, and there was no way I could get my ski boat to it. I couldn't even fish from it because the Lilly pads consumed the water just in front of The Dock. I thought it was rickety and just had to be rebuilt.
Now that the house is mostly finished, I've been spending more time on The Dock. I've learned that there is much more to The Dock. I've found how to cast over the Lillies to fish, and now have a flat bottomed fishing boat that will handle the shallow water. We also have a peddle boat to go out and watch the Ospreys fish. And I've realized I'm too old to water ski, so we'll likely trade that for some other toy.
I've enjoyed The Dock more lately even though I have not fished or boated from it recently. It has become my special place. A place where I can be alone, among the solitude of God's creations, just to think and thank. The drive to rebuild it is not so great now, because it is perfect to me just the way it is (but I still might fix it up some day).
I know some of you have learned as much about me as I have learned about me in the past few months. I owe the brilliance in me that you see to the "Thought Dock." Like Mount Sinai was to Moses, the Thought Dock is to me.
.
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