The other morning I was preparing hard boiled eggs. In the process it occurred to me how similar the egg is to us, human beings. We even start out in parallel fashion, encased in a protective environment, liquid surrounding us, with a cord connecting us to the membrane around us. We both endure the pressure of delivery as well.
In cooking the egg at the beginning the water and the egg were much the same temperature and the egg just lay comfortably in the pan, barely submerged. (It was a small pan, and only one egg.) Then as the water started to warm up the egg rolled a bit, then more quickly, this direction, then that. Tiny bubbles came up to the surface of the water, then the bubbles increased in size.
I turned the heat down and the action leveled off. If I had wanted it to be a rolling boil the poor egg would have been bouncing around in the water at a rapid pace. The result, after the given time, would have been much the same, regardless of the increased pressure on the egg. A hard boiled egg!
But had it gone through a rolling boil there was the possibility of having cracked the shell, part of the egg leaking into the water, and water leaking into the egg, also a pan requiring more cleanup.
Life is rather like the boiling water. For us we get nudged in different directions by the things about us. Sometimes the pressures from our environment and society are so great that we have a tendency to cave in. The outside influences can cause us to become different than we were meant to be. We are altered in some way.
We have need of having the temperature turned down when things start to get rough. There may be occasions when we need someone who can help us make some changes so that we are still good, just on a different path. The egg whose shell became cracked might not work for the perfect display, but the flavor, the nutrients, all are still intact, still perfect and acceptable by the one doing the cooking.
Just some musings of my mind, it works this way.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Let Your Light Shine
Recently we have had some days of storm and I have some thoughts about driving in storms with the car lights off. How do we expect an oncoming driver to be aware of our presence on the road if we don't have our head lights glowing? In rain, fog, snow, I have had cars come out of the gloom ahead of me, dark in their approach. Because of the conditions, hopefully both of our vehicles are being driven with care, but not having lights adds to the possibility of accidents no matter how careful we are.
It has made me reflect on the storms we go through in life. No matter who we are, where we are, there are plenty of those storms. If we don't try to have our own personal light shining, others may not be aware of our presence. We might cause harm unwittingly to another person on the path of their earthly life. Be aware of those around us. If we do try to have the light that comes with a good attitude, a love of others, the effort to be kind, we may be able to help someone who is traveling in the dark.
Many do travel in the dark and often through no intention of their own. Circumstances, or even their background, past events or family upbringing might have left them in a blight of dark emotional stress. Some have no idea of how to be happy, even though they may envy others who exhibit happiness in their lives. They need to see that light shining from someone else.
Don't let someone else blow out the light you have within. This blog is about keeping your lights on, particularly when there is a storm of any kind near you. If you are wrapped in storms of any emotional darkness, look for those who are moving through the storms, lights on to help light the way to happiness.
It has made me reflect on the storms we go through in life. No matter who we are, where we are, there are plenty of those storms. If we don't try to have our own personal light shining, others may not be aware of our presence. We might cause harm unwittingly to another person on the path of their earthly life. Be aware of those around us. If we do try to have the light that comes with a good attitude, a love of others, the effort to be kind, we may be able to help someone who is traveling in the dark.
Many do travel in the dark and often through no intention of their own. Circumstances, or even their background, past events or family upbringing might have left them in a blight of dark emotional stress. Some have no idea of how to be happy, even though they may envy others who exhibit happiness in their lives. They need to see that light shining from someone else.
Don't let someone else blow out the light you have within. This blog is about keeping your lights on, particularly when there is a storm of any kind near you. If you are wrapped in storms of any emotional darkness, look for those who are moving through the storms, lights on to help light the way to happiness.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
As the World Turns
I am not sure if that is the correct name of the soap opera of years ago---it might still be running for all I know, I have never been a soap opera fan. Tooo much time passed between something happening for this lady. The real turning of this earth, that is of interest and it is happening as I write.
I have been noticing how the world turns these past months. I have a solar light in the front of my home, to the north, perched on my fence to keep it away from critters, human and otherwise, and yard/farm machinery. I have several lights on the south east side of the house. I move these around, depending on the season, to catch as much day time hours of sun as they can. Big trees shade much of the back yard during the afternoon hours.
During the growing season I place the back lights in my container garden, or on the edge of flower beds. They glow nicely during the summer, needing light just as do the plants. The single front light stays on the fence, year round, removed only for cleaning.
It is this front light that tells me how the earth is turning during the 365 days of the year. It also tells me the strength of the light from the sun. There is a period during the winter that it gets very little light. Some nights it fails to even flicker. I can keep close watch because it is viewed from my kitchen window, the last place I look before heading to bed. The place where I look while cleaning up from the evening meal when the days are short, or when the days are long.
For me, these lights are a daily reminder of the creation of our world, of how perfect it all is, without the help from 'man.' Man often seems bent on destroying creation, but this remains intact. I can change the back yard lights to suit my fancy, to catch the sun, but the front one is independent of my whims, yet the most constant. I might forget to check on the south side, a cat (or visiting critter) might knock those over, tilt them away from the sun. My solar lights aren't just for appearances, though that is a plus. For me, they are triggers for expressing gratitude for the efforts put forth in the smallest detail for my enjoyment.
I have been noticing how the world turns these past months. I have a solar light in the front of my home, to the north, perched on my fence to keep it away from critters, human and otherwise, and yard/farm machinery. I have several lights on the south east side of the house. I move these around, depending on the season, to catch as much day time hours of sun as they can. Big trees shade much of the back yard during the afternoon hours.
During the growing season I place the back lights in my container garden, or on the edge of flower beds. They glow nicely during the summer, needing light just as do the plants. The single front light stays on the fence, year round, removed only for cleaning.
It is this front light that tells me how the earth is turning during the 365 days of the year. It also tells me the strength of the light from the sun. There is a period during the winter that it gets very little light. Some nights it fails to even flicker. I can keep close watch because it is viewed from my kitchen window, the last place I look before heading to bed. The place where I look while cleaning up from the evening meal when the days are short, or when the days are long.
For me, these lights are a daily reminder of the creation of our world, of how perfect it all is, without the help from 'man.' Man often seems bent on destroying creation, but this remains intact. I can change the back yard lights to suit my fancy, to catch the sun, but the front one is independent of my whims, yet the most constant. I might forget to check on the south side, a cat (or visiting critter) might knock those over, tilt them away from the sun. My solar lights aren't just for appearances, though that is a plus. For me, they are triggers for expressing gratitude for the efforts put forth in the smallest detail for my enjoyment.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Empty swing musings
My backyard is large and given to much activity. I have two swing sets. One is very tall, large with heavy, black tire seats. It is out in the open and the snow level often reaches the bottom of the seats. The tires are still and stay in place. The other set is the variety you see advertized in spring and summer flyers from your local stores. Small, a couple of seats, a glider and a slide attached to one side. This one is somewhat sheltered by a large pine tree and some fruit trees, so the snow generally doesn't get quite so deep.
When we have a winter wind the small seats move back and forth. I know they are wishing for the return of those laughing children, for the pleas of "push me more," "higher." Lonely, a word that fits the feeling with the gentle empty movement. This set is bereft of the life it enjoys in the warmer months, but it is willing to wait. There is no choice. Winter birds, chickadees, sparrows may perch on the frame of the set, a squirrel might streak across the top on its way to a pine cone from the sheltering tree. The magpies in residence in the pine tree often put on a show. But still the set says empty.
After a time the snow level decreases, the dry grass beneath shows through, and children arrive. The laughter begins again. It isn't just a gently moving, it is pumping, back and forth, so much that the whole set threatens to tip. But there is action, life, wonderful.
Life brings people many situations that are similar. Loneliness may be one of them. Distress that seems insurmountable. There is the time of waiting, hoping for change for the better. Waiting can be very difficult. But there are moments that ease the waiting, just as the chickadees and sparrows break up the bleak winter days. The magpies are always nearby, supporting all year round, even if they are unable to sit and swing.
I am not sure why I have felt the need to write about the backyard swing, but it has been pushing me, perhaps it is giving me a lesson in patience. Or acceptance of change, dealing with things over which I have no control. My human magpies, friends to help... Or....I just know there are many lessons to be learned yet in my life.
When we have a winter wind the small seats move back and forth. I know they are wishing for the return of those laughing children, for the pleas of "push me more," "higher." Lonely, a word that fits the feeling with the gentle empty movement. This set is bereft of the life it enjoys in the warmer months, but it is willing to wait. There is no choice. Winter birds, chickadees, sparrows may perch on the frame of the set, a squirrel might streak across the top on its way to a pine cone from the sheltering tree. The magpies in residence in the pine tree often put on a show. But still the set says empty.
After a time the snow level decreases, the dry grass beneath shows through, and children arrive. The laughter begins again. It isn't just a gently moving, it is pumping, back and forth, so much that the whole set threatens to tip. But there is action, life, wonderful.
Life brings people many situations that are similar. Loneliness may be one of them. Distress that seems insurmountable. There is the time of waiting, hoping for change for the better. Waiting can be very difficult. But there are moments that ease the waiting, just as the chickadees and sparrows break up the bleak winter days. The magpies are always nearby, supporting all year round, even if they are unable to sit and swing.
I am not sure why I have felt the need to write about the backyard swing, but it has been pushing me, perhaps it is giving me a lesson in patience. Or acceptance of change, dealing with things over which I have no control. My human magpies, friends to help... Or....I just know there are many lessons to be learned yet in my life.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Ups and Downs of Holidays
I love holidays, always have. I decorate my home for holidays, at least most of them. I think of foods appropriate for the special day. I grew up in a household where this was an addition to the normalcy of life. My mother's philosophy was to have as many days to celebrate as possible. She advised me not to get married or engaged on a normal holiday, to arrange those occasions so that there was one more day to celebrate out of the yearly 365.
Think about it, most holidays have foods that go along. For those extra ones that are your family tradition alone you can always dream up some delectable item for the day. And who doesn't appreciate good food, especially if it is for some special reason? So, is it the food or the reason that makes it a holiday? Who cares!
Family games and activities go along with the holiday. It doesn't matter whether it is a game of Mah-Jong, or a baseball game, ping pong, or Monopoly. The spirit of fun and being together is what is needed. The competitive spirit is great, up to a certain point, but it can get beyond reasonable boundaries and cause feelings. Wish that weren't the case, but reality knows it is.
The down side of holidays is that they involve more work attached to our daily chores. The decorating, putting it out, taking it down, finding a place to store it until a year later when the holiday bug bites again for that season, or reason. The food preparation, making the effort to make it more festive, finding just the right thing to appeal to those enjoying. And, of course, after the preparation, the cooking, and the eating, comes the ever present cleaning up.
There may be extra cleaning to go with a holiday. Pumpkin carving isn't known for tidiness.Halloween is one that may carry extra cleanup as the treats get carried throughout the house and are hidden under couch cushions, etc. You know how kids are. If you have a live tree at Christmas there is the taking care of the tree, keeping it alive so you can enjoy the pine scent---but after the season getting it out of the house with a trail of dry pine needles stuck in the carpet. No fun. Dying Easter eggs---slopping the dye, breaking the eggs. I am sure you can think of others. How about getting burned by the firecrackers on the fourth of July?
A definite downer!
If there are guests for any holiday....well, there is extra everything when there are guests. General cleaning, more laundry, more food prep.... on and on. And of course there is always risk with us humans, we don't all get along. I have been in the middle of a holiday and had individuals end up in fist fights, or even worse, jail.
One must always ask oneself, is it worth it? For me, I have found that it is. The stress is present, but it is for a limited time that is recognized before, knowing there will be an end soon. I have to remind myself of that from time to time when I am in the middle of a big holiday celebration. "This too, shall pass," "hang in there" "keep my mouth shut." Faults and tempers need to be overlooked, controlled. Nerves get frayed.
Regardless of the human frailties I maintain that holidays are good. It is the good memories, the caring for each other, that can come during these special times that make them of value. Call if bonding if you like, it is something that people need. Even those who resist it and complain about it, need it. Holidays can be one means establishing this. Yep, I still love holidays, ups and downs included. Do you? I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and are looking forward to December, then January, then February, March, April, May...and aall those possible holidays with those you care about.
Think about it, most holidays have foods that go along. For those extra ones that are your family tradition alone you can always dream up some delectable item for the day. And who doesn't appreciate good food, especially if it is for some special reason? So, is it the food or the reason that makes it a holiday? Who cares!
Family games and activities go along with the holiday. It doesn't matter whether it is a game of Mah-Jong, or a baseball game, ping pong, or Monopoly. The spirit of fun and being together is what is needed. The competitive spirit is great, up to a certain point, but it can get beyond reasonable boundaries and cause feelings. Wish that weren't the case, but reality knows it is.
The down side of holidays is that they involve more work attached to our daily chores. The decorating, putting it out, taking it down, finding a place to store it until a year later when the holiday bug bites again for that season, or reason. The food preparation, making the effort to make it more festive, finding just the right thing to appeal to those enjoying. And, of course, after the preparation, the cooking, and the eating, comes the ever present cleaning up.
There may be extra cleaning to go with a holiday. Pumpkin carving isn't known for tidiness.Halloween is one that may carry extra cleanup as the treats get carried throughout the house and are hidden under couch cushions, etc. You know how kids are. If you have a live tree at Christmas there is the taking care of the tree, keeping it alive so you can enjoy the pine scent---but after the season getting it out of the house with a trail of dry pine needles stuck in the carpet. No fun. Dying Easter eggs---slopping the dye, breaking the eggs. I am sure you can think of others. How about getting burned by the firecrackers on the fourth of July?
A definite downer!
If there are guests for any holiday....well, there is extra everything when there are guests. General cleaning, more laundry, more food prep.... on and on. And of course there is always risk with us humans, we don't all get along. I have been in the middle of a holiday and had individuals end up in fist fights, or even worse, jail.
One must always ask oneself, is it worth it? For me, I have found that it is. The stress is present, but it is for a limited time that is recognized before, knowing there will be an end soon. I have to remind myself of that from time to time when I am in the middle of a big holiday celebration. "This too, shall pass," "hang in there" "keep my mouth shut." Faults and tempers need to be overlooked, controlled. Nerves get frayed.
Regardless of the human frailties I maintain that holidays are good. It is the good memories, the caring for each other, that can come during these special times that make them of value. Call if bonding if you like, it is something that people need. Even those who resist it and complain about it, need it. Holidays can be one means establishing this. Yep, I still love holidays, ups and downs included. Do you? I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and are looking forward to December, then January, then February, March, April, May...and aall those possible holidays with those you care about.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Living with Wildlife
This past week one of our local citizens hit a deer not too far down the highway from our home. It was near ten o'clock at night, plenty dark, and up she comes out of lower field, smack into the vehicle. There is very little warning when these things occur. Yes, it was a fatality! Of course it was taken care of, according to the laws, etc, by the proper authorities. The dented car, that is something the driver must handle. This is a frequent occurrence for those who live next door to deer and other wildlife. It is ingrained into driving habits to watch for deer, racoons, skunks, pheasants, even elk.
We recently had an article in our local paper warning motorists that the "deer are now down from the mountains." Obviously the writer doesn't live in local deer country. The deer haven't been "up" in the mountains. Up in the mountains there are cougars and wolves that consider venison a good part of their weekly menu. These critters are protected by laws. Some of our residents who live up on the mountainsides have found they can't keep outdoor cats to combat mice because the cougars wipe out the cat population. The deer have gotten so that they stay close to human habitat, it is a form of protection, better to take their chances crossing the highways than being brought down by their natural predators. There are coyotes down here, but they must not be quite as threatening.
The deer have discovered that,contrary to the wildlife experts, they can eat hay, green or dry. Our orchards offer fruit, on the ground and as far up as their necks will reach, apples, pears. During the winter they also have the plus of salt that builds up next to those highways, used to clear the road of ice and snow. Salt is a good thing, and this is an easy source.
I love living among the wildlife, but it has its challenges. Just let's get the real picture of how it is. It is fun to see a deer reaching up to pluck an apple off your tree, but only if there are lots of apples. It isn't fun when they eat all your strawberries, tomatoes, whatever they develop a taste for. It is always necessary to "watch out for the deer" when driving, day or night, no matter what season it is. Sometimes watching out isn't enough! We share the homeland, all year round.
We recently had an article in our local paper warning motorists that the "deer are now down from the mountains." Obviously the writer doesn't live in local deer country. The deer haven't been "up" in the mountains. Up in the mountains there are cougars and wolves that consider venison a good part of their weekly menu. These critters are protected by laws. Some of our residents who live up on the mountainsides have found they can't keep outdoor cats to combat mice because the cougars wipe out the cat population. The deer have gotten so that they stay close to human habitat, it is a form of protection, better to take their chances crossing the highways than being brought down by their natural predators. There are coyotes down here, but they must not be quite as threatening.
The deer have discovered that,contrary to the wildlife experts, they can eat hay, green or dry. Our orchards offer fruit, on the ground and as far up as their necks will reach, apples, pears. During the winter they also have the plus of salt that builds up next to those highways, used to clear the road of ice and snow. Salt is a good thing, and this is an easy source.
I love living among the wildlife, but it has its challenges. Just let's get the real picture of how it is. It is fun to see a deer reaching up to pluck an apple off your tree, but only if there are lots of apples. It isn't fun when they eat all your strawberries, tomatoes, whatever they develop a taste for. It is always necessary to "watch out for the deer" when driving, day or night, no matter what season it is. Sometimes watching out isn't enough! We share the homeland, all year round.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Color in My Life
At this time of year our part of the world is aware of the colors of nature, perhaps more than at any other time. Fall is the vibrant season in this area. The greens of spring are welcomed, but it is a different sort of feeling gendered. The colors of fall are like the fireworks announcing the coming of a more restful season, at least in color, winter.
Today some friends were visiting and we were talking about the beautiful place in which we live. Yes, it is picture postcard lovely nearly 365 days a year. We have mountains, streams, wildlife, a certain amount of privacy. No, I am not trying to put out an ad to attract anyone, it is just a great place to be in the environmental sense.
All this made me think of how much color has always been a major thing in my way of thinking. Many of my memories are connected to color. I remember the color of an aunt's wedding outfit that I saw when I was seven, and I include the groom's military uniform. My cousin, on the other hand, remembers the party following. I had pneumonia, very high fever, when I was 5 and my delirium dreams were (nutty of course) but in a color. Always after that experience I knew when I was sick because my dreaming would be in that color.
When I meet someone, for years following that introduction, I associate the color of the person's clothes worn at that time with who they are. To me they are the person "in the yellow flowered skirt" along with their name.
I had surgery on an eye a few years ago, the kind where the recovery requires you to keep your face down, parallel to the floor for the next two weeks, 24/7. During that uncomfortable time something that fascinated me were the colors I saw as my eye healed, and how they changed in shaped and intensity. It caused me to wonder if Van Gogh and Picasso might have had vision problems that caused them to paint in their particular styles that were so different from their peers.
Anyway, I have wondered about other people's experiences with color. Am I weird, well, maybe that is the wrong question. Do any of you who read this see things this way, with color always a part of the mental connection? I love color, it gives so much to my life, indoors, outdoors, moving, stable, no matter where or when. What a wonderful gift God gave us, when He created the world in technicolor! For me, while I think I could manage black and white, it wouldn't be nearly so interesting.
Today some friends were visiting and we were talking about the beautiful place in which we live. Yes, it is picture postcard lovely nearly 365 days a year. We have mountains, streams, wildlife, a certain amount of privacy. No, I am not trying to put out an ad to attract anyone, it is just a great place to be in the environmental sense.
All this made me think of how much color has always been a major thing in my way of thinking. Many of my memories are connected to color. I remember the color of an aunt's wedding outfit that I saw when I was seven, and I include the groom's military uniform. My cousin, on the other hand, remembers the party following. I had pneumonia, very high fever, when I was 5 and my delirium dreams were (nutty of course) but in a color. Always after that experience I knew when I was sick because my dreaming would be in that color.
When I meet someone, for years following that introduction, I associate the color of the person's clothes worn at that time with who they are. To me they are the person "in the yellow flowered skirt" along with their name.
I had surgery on an eye a few years ago, the kind where the recovery requires you to keep your face down, parallel to the floor for the next two weeks, 24/7. During that uncomfortable time something that fascinated me were the colors I saw as my eye healed, and how they changed in shaped and intensity. It caused me to wonder if Van Gogh and Picasso might have had vision problems that caused them to paint in their particular styles that were so different from their peers.
Anyway, I have wondered about other people's experiences with color. Am I weird, well, maybe that is the wrong question. Do any of you who read this see things this way, with color always a part of the mental connection? I love color, it gives so much to my life, indoors, outdoors, moving, stable, no matter where or when. What a wonderful gift God gave us, when He created the world in technicolor! For me, while I think I could manage black and white, it wouldn't be nearly so interesting.
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