On the Road Again--Chicago, here I come!

in 24 hours I'll be headed to a few of my favorite places: Chicago. .and, on the way, the homes of my daughters. Many people I know say that they 'like' Chicago. .perhaps it is because of the foresight of the man who deemed it important to restrict the city from selling the land along the shore of Lake Michigan, and instead it is maintained as a park. Residents and tourists can bicycle or run or roller blade from the Indiana St. line to the northern suburbs of Chicago, should they choose. chicago has a reputation for being a model city for social reform, and is considered a bastian of the Democratic party.
It also has the reputation of being the education center for more 'seminarians' than any other place than Rome/the Vatican. There are more than 10 schools of theology in the Chicago area. Perhaps that is another reason why people 'like' Chicago. the percentage of folk who are striving for civility and conflict resolution through the faith traditions are slightly higher there.
I, for one, would hope that is the case, and encourage you to visit there. LM

Living in Tornado Alley

Some people can't imagine the anxiety of living in Kansas during tornado season. For us, we would could not imagine living with the anxiety of earthquakes. We have warning systems and weather forecasting, meteorology specialties with our local TV stations, storm spotters, and most children are taught tornado safety from when they are pre-schoolers.

Most home owners have insurance that will cover the hail and wind damage that goes along with these storms, and usually the damage is somewhat isolated, so that there are many more families and volunteers to help with the clean-up than there are people directly affected. These natural disasters often bring out the best in people and it may be why Midwesterners, many who have come from sturdy, hard-working farm families also realize what 'grace' is when their lives have been spared, even though they might lose much of their belongings. At such times, what rises from the ashes, like a phoenix, is better than what existed before.

In 1991 and again in 1999, tornadoes destroyed significant portions of the Wichita suburb of Haysville, KS. In 1991, the town's mayor quit his full-time job as the manager of a Target store to help the community rebuild. The result was a stronger community with improved pride. That mayor is now a popular country commissioner, and can share what he learned through the experience. A similar story may come from the May 2007 Greensburg KS tornado-- and each community that suffers through spring storms. It is not just a story of the losses, but how people and communities can be transformed through hardship and coming together to learn how to work together, improve their lives and build a new future. A leader who rises to the occasion to bolster people's faith and perseverance will be keys to the story when it is retold to future generations. LM

How valuable is time?

We've all heard about the calculations of a mother's salary, if she were paid for the various tasks she performs. Near Mother's day, I heard a figure over $110K, which even included psychologist/counselor! I thought that was good.. . . however, those of us who work use our employer's calculation of what we are worth, and that seems to usually be calculated on supply and demand; maybe some on amount of technical study and intelligence. It mystifies me, tho, how salespeople can still draw some exceptionally high salaries--rivaling CEO's. .certainly exceeding my non-profit executive salary.

However, when we choose to take time off, and we are paid the same rate of pay for those vacation days, why do so many people tend to try to cram so much in to their personal hours that they would not do likewise at the office.
vacations, for instance. . .more and more people choose to 'fly'. .to save time-- so they can avoid taking too many vacation days for travel time.

Me, even when gas is at an all time high, I plan to drive this vacation, because it is worth it to me spending an extra day and half on the road, enjoying the view of nature --I may even take some less-traveled by-ways, rather than having to experience the aggravation of airport delays, paying high parking fees, waiting in line, dealing with rude and angry people, and security checks peering into the luggage of people who would no more be potential terrorists than Bugs Bunny.. . I'll save that for another blog. LM

My intuition

I'm feeling pretty good about the timing of my decision to buy the Versa. With the price of gas continuing to climb, I should soon be able to save about as much money in 2 or 3 months to make my car payment (in comparison to my previous car).
I would suspect that the new car makers are giving more and more rebates now . LM

To trust or suspect

At work, the need for trust is so essential.
Of course, that also applies to personal relationships, but today I'm reflecting on the relationship of supervisor to employee. It seems to be much a part of intuition to feel that a person can't be trusted. Sometimes it is very difficult to determine what is fact, and what is feeling.

Is it more important in a large organization or small?

When does caution become paranoia?

What can be done to establish trust or confirm its absence?

Why can't this wisdom be built into us like other things we are taught?

How significant a problem is this?

Is it a valid basis for dismissal?
These are things I wonder about.
LM

from Creation to doctrine

It was interesting to note in today's worship that we started at the beginning of the OT. Creation story. .going back to the basics-- from Genesis 1. that we should be reminded that WE humans had nothing to do with it.

However, the "church" (Christianity--as an institution) which is recognized as beginning a mere 2000 years ago, may be a major factor in how life has become so complicated. The priest's simple message reminded us in the Trinity Sunday homily that it took 300 years for the early Christian leaders to try to define in words something that is mainly indefinable. This juncture was between the Hebrew traditions and the Jews' understanding of 'G_D', as opposed to the urge to explain or re-interpret an understanding of God based on Jesus' life and teachings.
thus we have church 'doctrine': The Nicene creed, which is still used today. Trying to define Pentecost. . and they invented 'the Trinity.'
.. man's attempts to put spiritual faith and belief and relationships into words. or as he said: trying to balance faith and reason.
A difficult task. because---
faith without reason become fanaticism.
reason without faith becomes tyranny.
those were his words, and worth sharing, I feel. I hope I did them justice. Fr. Bob Hutchinson is a humble and wise servant. I like him, and the people at St. Bart's Episcopal enough to go again.
Maybe I have found a church that fits me again. I hope so.
It has come at another key point in my pilgrimage. New job/role in my career; new church family.

I wish for each of you to find a place to worship or find church family where you feel you 'fit'.
Blessings & Peace. LM

For the rest of your life

Listening to 'Chicago' singing some old songs written/sung by people who think that love (or other things) will never change-- if it is good or loyal or 'right'. At last that is what I have assumed was meant by the love song lyrics such as "Say you'll love me for the rest of my life".

However, more than 50% of couples have learned that it doesn't work that way. Tomorrow would have been a 39th anniversary of a couple from which three fantastic children were conceived. They have grown to make their parents proud. but those parents are no longer together. They couldn't make the promise to stick to love each other for the rest of their lives.

I wonder: can any of us count on any thing remaining the same as it is in any one minute/hour/day/year in time?
Life and the world is dynamic--ever-changing. .

jobs are not guaranteed. Unions can't do it. the Governments can't either.
health is not guaranteed. we all know someone who have been struck with illness 'before their time'. . .what IS 'their/our time' ?
lifestyle is not guaranteed.. . look at all the home foreclosures & big trucks for sale on the street corners.
marriages. . .and love-- ditto; you get the gist.

Most of what we consider our security is never to be taken for granted. And I'm not just talking about national security/love of country. and so, in order for something to come close to lasting 'for the rest of my life'. .we have to work hard to keep it alive. .grow & change & learn new stuff & be ready to reduce/reuse/recycle.

BUT. . I wish for you all. that you will know a love that can last for the rest of your life.

When you understand what real love and respect is really all about, it will. LM

Coming on May 16

There will be an informal installation of the new President-Elect of AGI. .
staff meeting/pot-luck on May 15.

A press release will be sent out announcing that May 16th is the first official day that Lea McCloud (guess it's too late to change my name) will become the Second President of Alternative Gifts International [Alternative Gift Markets, Inc.]
Thank you very much. .(applause/curtsy/bow/ applause)
LM

Which is harder?

Everyone knows the agony of waiting. .
waiting in the grocery line. .
when being put on hold for the next customer service representative. ..
waiting for water to boil;
nail polish to dry;
waiting for a child to be born;
waiting for the frail/elderly/sick to die;
the soil to dry out after big rains/floods;
waiting for the refund check;
the rain to come when it is blazing hot. .
waiting for each season to change, if we are fortunate to live in a 4-seasons climate.

Some things are about nature.
Some things we wait on --or for-- are about things in the control of people:
governmental decisions
school grades
job interviews. .

so, is the waiting harder than what comes after the wait?
How many times are our expectations not met even after we have waited for what seemed like 'too long.'
think about it?
what is your reaction to waiting?
we should all know by adulthood that waiting is part of life-- a necessary part.
children and adults who demand instant gratification have missed something in their development.
children/people who can not deal with waiting, according to Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, and Social Intelligence. . lack the brain chemicals and function to accept delayed gratification. A deficit in that area, is often accompanied by impulsiveness and explosive anger-- mental illness; a psychiatric disorder, [by this lay-person's definition].

In a recent Bible Study group I attended, we were exploring the story of Jesus' healing of the demoniacs. The discussion leader seemed to focus on the where and why Jesus drove the demons into a herd of pigs. Analysis of the political motivation behind the location, and the interpretation of why the people were upset that the pigs were destroyed. It was his contention that they were upset because Jesus had just messed up the stability of the local economy. How dare him!

Well, as you might guess, I chose to pose the rhetorical questions: Can we imagine why the demoniacs were confused, but also excited about being healed? Why did Jesus really tell them not to go tell the townspeople about their healing?
do people with a mental illness really expect to be healed? and if they were healed, what would their reaction be?
One woman said: well, you can bet if I were healed of my diabetes, I would sure be ready to tell all my friends about it! that was echoed by a woman with a heart problem. Isn't it natural to want to share good news with someone else?

so. .as medical practitioners. .and science people. .. what would have to be proven to know that a person was 'healed'?
and which is harder. .waiting. .or knowing what to do after the news we've been awaiting? LM

Granpa's newest story

Today at the dinner table we heard a fresh story from Granpa's childhood. Many times, there are re-runs, but recently, we are hearing about a few details that he has never shared before. The topic today was plowing and meal time.

It seems he was allowed to sit on the plow and be in charge of the team of horses during planting season-- 6 in all (they had 7 total, in case they needed a spare), when he was as young as 8 or 9.
He implied that many people used 4 horses, but they had 6, for some reason. Anyway, the story was how the horses would always know when it was noon time and when to head for the barn.

They got about 2 hours of rest for 'lunch'.. .then went back out. One reason this topic came up was that we were talking about clocks, telling time and watches. He probably didn't have a watch as a boy, but he mentioned that he had a good pocket watch when he 'worked' ( in the oil fields, apparently).. .and later, he went through several Timex watches, Granma added.

Granma prompted him that he had been kicked by a horse as a boy. . what was the story behind that, we asked?. . he was trying to pick cockelburs out his tail, and he didn't like that, so the horse gave him a gent kick, and he went flying across the barn and hit the wall!
LM

Mom's Day

I wonder how often we offend women who are NOT moms by making the blanket 'Happy Mom's Day' to all women?
I know that not being married, or not able to conceive or bear a child can be a heavy burden for many women, and perhaps many of us who are moms, take that for granted--especially if getting pregnant was not a problem for us.

Today, 2008 Mom's Day, was not too unique of one. . even though I must be thankful for the fact that my mom is 91, and relatively healthy, still able to cook and care for herself and my dad in their home. However, she did admit to me that she is 'always tired, now.' Perhaps she is always in pain, too, but she has never really 'known' or acknowledged pain.

As hard as they try not to, my parents are still amassing 'things'.. .Growing up in the Depression, and being in an uneducated poor family, Mom is not one to care to 'live the simple life'. .like some people in the generation slightly younger than her, as well as a few in the 'boomer' category like me. She admits that she doesn't know how or where to start to sort through the things that she and Dad have gathered in 70 years of marriage.. ."that will be you & your sister's job'. .she says with a smile. We often wonder together if her grandchildren or great grandchildren would want any of the stuff. . what value will it have?
As usual, of course, she encouraged each of us at the table (who had already overeaten) to 'have some more'. . there is still more ham, potatoes. .etc. etc.

LM

rain, rain. .go away

Mother's Day is coming up, and it gives me pause to think about being a mom.
I think of my mom (91 years) still married to my 99 year-old dad. my ex- mom in law- a widow; my daughter in law, and my daughter. .
my early days as a mom were in the 70's when the 'liberated woman' was coming on the scene. I did want to work, and it was a problem in our marriage. Over the years, my desire to have a life of my own, as well as be a mom didn't seem to present as much of a problem to my children as to my husband.
Rainy days. .just make me think about things. .being 'trapped' inside. .
Cabin fever. .things I know that young mothers still suffer, whether they work or not.
men will never really understand what is unique about being a mother. .

but we moms must stick together, and recognize the importance of supporting each other-- the older of the younger. .and the necessity of social networks while children are growing up.
Hopefully, as we become even better educated we will not lose the innate wisdom that only women can pass on to younger women, and mothers to daughters. Sisterhood is important! don't lose those connections.
LM

Office mates

Sometimes I'm really grateful for special people that there are to share your life at work. Of course, there are always one or two can make your life miserable, but in the bigger scheme of things, today, I want to recognize some really great people I work with.
I will post their photos with names: Robin, Lynette & Ellie. Today's blog post is written in their honor. They are keeping me sane. Thanks, friends! LM

a Saturday diversion

Well, the 'therapy' part of the last post was to say this:
by spending time with grandkids today, I was able to get my mind off the events of yesterday (a job interview, with uncertain outcome). .and actually not think about it at all. Without these activities, no doubt, I would have spent more hours 'brooding' than doing something productive.
therefore-- today, time with Drew & Annalee today was therapeutic for me, and also gave their parents the freedom from worry about getting their volunteer duties done with the soccer league, when the children were not involved.
It was good for everyone! and no competition involved. I like that. LM

Grandkid 'therapy'

I'm not sure if is because the grandkids are getting older, or because I'm getting older, but I today i was able to enjoy time with Drew and Annalee more than some previous times. Perhaps it was because each of us got to choose to do something we liked to do in the 5 hours we spent together, and no one felt cheated.
We shopped a little; played on playground equipment a little; ate a little; planted flowers a little; and talked a little. there was a little computer time and reading in there for one party, but not too much. A good balance. Hopefully we can remember this in the future and manage to do it more often. Why was it different?
Several people were not living their schedules according to someone elses game of activity that was theirs alone, and the others were only spectators. Each person had a say in it.
When children are in organized sports with so much time required, it seems that the stress may outweigh the benefit for some families-- overall.
LM

Office brain-storming

I love what happens when several people's ideas get thrown together on a project!

Today we discussed how to make some improvements to the Market materials that we offer to churches and schools about the AGI projects.. .The synergy was great! We had a printer there to explain how some things are printed, the size of paper they begin with, etc.

We have a new intern from WSU who is majoring in graphic art. .and he is a great listener, and shares his ideas later. With several chattering women, a couple silent Asians, it is something to behold. We now range in age from 20 to 80. We have a new Sr. Worker who is a ornery as I am. her name is Eleanor. . a former technical illustrator. we have lots of fun.
LM