Jumping Fences

This is a picture of the fence I climb over as I walk through the park to work. Really, I'm supposed to:)

I really love working at the amusement park even if it's tough on the back and feet.

On Monday we took advantage of my employee benefits and purchased our season passes at a discount. Then we went into the park where we each chose a special treat that we shared across five of us...cotton candy, dippin dots, fried chicken, fried mushrooms and candy mouth spray.

Ok. I'll confess, I didn't touch the candy spray. I'm thinking that the appeal of "cherry flavored snake spray" is exclusive to little boys.

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A Plant Will Choose It's Own Home

This little rhodedendron (spelling) came from The Pillars, the childhood home of my grandfather. My mother threw herself under a moving bulldozer to save it.

I planted it in two different spits at the old farm, but it barely stayed alive and it never bloomed.

It seems to have found its home here at the new farm. We see new growth and, for the first time in 7 years, a blossom.

My Aunt Lynn said, "plants choose their homes." Does this little rhodey know that this farm is a "sister farm" to The Pillars, having shared work crews over the years?

It's blooms are a visible symbol of how we are all healthy and happy here.

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The Bulldozer Effect

4 boys get ready for school here every morning.

We've attempted to help them to be self sufficient. We provide the groceries, pencils, uniforms, etc. They are expected to rise and shine, feed and wash themselves, and pack up.

The result of this amount of activity is, "The Bulldozer Effect," where there is major destruction to the kitchen by the time they leave. Sometimes, entire segments of the room are pushed to the side or turned over. I even hear "men working" as they boss, cajole and raz one another toward the door.

When The Bulldozer Effect is used for good amazing things happen. Yesterday we all worked together under the direction of Miss Heidi, our neighbor, to put in a new rock garden under the porch.

We dug, hauled, chopped, and buried. The result is a beeeeuuuuutiful bed, full of ferns, hostas, and choral bells. Heidi brought over some red sedum, a Barberry Bush, and Monk's Hood.

Thank You Lord, for their strength and energy, today and always.

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canal Time and Gelato

The two little boys had their annual physicals at the pediatrician's office yesterday. Since we travel more than an hour to get there, and because we don't go to the city very often, we made a day of it.

We took a packet boat ride on the canal, ate lunch at The Coal Tower and enjoyed artisan gelato...two flavors to a bowl and oodles of samples. It was a delicious day!

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Interview 1

I interviewed this morning at a county agency funded by state dollars. The agency provides leadership...that means direction, oversight, and relationship building. High level stuff.

I'd consider the interview an epic failure.

I had a really hard time relating to the Executive Director. Her questions were very specific, so I focused too much on hands-on "stuff."

I asked the "do you promote abortion?" question to which she replied that the agency networks with providers who perform legal medical procedures.

I've spent so many years being told that I'm over qualified that I didn't promote myself nearly enough. I failed to ask about the salary and benefits.

She did keep me for a good hour. Time to write the thank you note.

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Irons in the Fire

I left my full time job without a prospect ten days ago. The store manager gave me what I like to call "the integrity walk" and I knew it was the beginning of the end. He drew a line on the floor and said, "this is the line of integrity. On one side is performance, on the other side is integrity. I need you to move further toward the performance side." In other words, he demanded that I compromise my values. I prayed about the situation. I heard God answer, "May 1," so I submitted my resignation. Since then, I've been "prospecting," putting my application in under a wide variety of job categories: Office Management, Customer Service, Education. Yesterday I was hired at the local amusement park as a seasonal employee. I'd love to write more on this experience...I happened to be interviewed by the GM's daughter who is a lovely young woman. We became fast friends. The new management company stresses Christian values and I was recognized on day 1! I was so happy I cried! Today I received a call from the Perinatal Network for a neighboring county. This would be a full time professional position with a mission I'm 100% behind. I'm planning to interview, and see where God leads me.

"Me and the boys are playing"

It's been a week since I left work at VW. I do worry about money, but less than I did when I was working full time. (One reason I left VW was the perpetual focus on $$$.) I know that God has something better for me. I also know that he loves to see our family spending time together. I asked Him for a bicycle for W. Yesterday J fixed up his old one. What a joy to see W get his "bike legs" again. The two put on helmets and went riding down the lane. Another joy: N sang in the church choir for the first time yesterday. I joked with him that he had fulfilled his destiny...from an exceptionally loud screaming baby to a member of the choir. I was very proud! He does have a beautiful voice. The title of this entry is from "Beth" by KISS. Our oldest teen and his band are working on the song and I can't get it out of my head! Beth by Kiss, acoustic version

Capturing a Moment

Today the Tibetan monks who were visiting our campus swept up the sand painting they had created.

There was a beautiful ceremony prior to the destruction if the mandala. I recorded the singing on video so that I might revisit the moment later.

Why do we try so hard to capture these moments on video and film?

There's no question... I couldn't capture it all...the faces staring down from office windows around the forum, the little girl covering her ears, the way the voices fill the space...

I've been thinking a lot about the intrusion of cameras this week, as I've observed the crowds snapping photos all around the monks. The college even arranged for a web cam and a video feed...virtually every grain of sand was filmed as it fell.

Can I be fully present while I fumble to focus my camera? Are photos a form of materialism? Has the practice of taking pictures improved our lives or impoverished our relationships and memories?

BTW, the monks had cameras too...they employed folks around them to take pictures.

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To Play as a Pup Part 2

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To Play as a Puppy

We've had our Great Pyranees pup for more than a month now. Indeed, he has a long way to go with regards to training, and he smells like the barn, but I think its safe to say, "he's a keeper."

I love to watch him play, from the time we walk each morning until he goes back to guard the sheep at night. He runs from tulip to dandelion, sniffing and pawing, and he's distracted by every bird call.

He thinks that a plastic bag is a great treasure, pulling it to a remote location in case the old dog should think to steal it away.

That would never happen...the old dog is so over plastic bags and toys.

"Achilles" is mischievous. He has a devilish look when he looks up onto the counter at people food or latches onto the tail of poor old "Clifford" who then swings him around a few times.

Oh to play like a puppy.

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