"you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" - what lies beneath could bear an element of surprise
from https://www.stephanh.com/2018/07/03/helicopter-role-forest-fires/
The
river beds are already low
Now there’s a fire in Days Creek
I heard the helicopters this morning
I don’t hear them anymore
Could that mean that the fire is out?
Now if we could just get this pandemic
fire
Under
control
Helicopter passed again before I added the pictures. Days Creek is further away so it takes them longer.
His son married the daughter of his
next door neighbor who is avid about wearing masks and keeping social distances
as her husband’s health is failing and has been for some time. They share the
same grandchildren and yet seem insensitive to the restrictions that his
in-laws would like to enforce. I’m not saying that he is insensitive. I, of course, don’t have all of the
facts. I’m just saying that the action
seems insensitive.
Who
are we to not honor a requirement that the missionaries themselves have been
given due to revelation? The face
covering is not solely for them but for those they serve. They are not sending out droplets of their
saliva each time they speak. Some people
don’t understand that. Droplets spew out
of each person’s mouth differently. Some
may have more juices than others.
Take my dad for instance. Toward the end of his life whenever he would sneeze we would ask, “Do you pass out towels with that sneeze?” which would make him laugh and then he would drool even more. I suspect if my dad were wearing a mask today that it would be wet with saliva.
Have you ever seen Hamilton? Recently I commented on one of Corey’s posts
that Jonathan Groff as King George could be the poster boy of why we should
wear a mask. You can read about his spit
spewing character here.
Sorry I got off track. It was my first meeting with the missionaries
and committee in this ward. There were
eight of us. Only the ward missionary
rep was not wearing a mask. The other
seven of us were. Our situation of mask
wearing and not particularly social distance was almost comical. One sister kept removing her mask in order to
speak. Not the point of wearing the mask
– nor does it seem proper to stand so close to the missionaries in order to
read their tags. I could seriously hear
her spittle. We met outside and the wind
was blowing enough to carry it to each of us.
She shared a good thought. My
expression may have read otherwise – if any of them could even see my
expression.
My mouth and nose were covered by the mask.
I believe my glasses had darkened (hopefully early in the meeting) and
so I don’t believe anyone saw my eyes either.
The elder who had the most to say was wearing a bandana which slipped
off his nose with each word he would say.
He appeared to be even less thrilled about being there than I was.
Truth is I really wasn’t feeling well. My stomach had started doing flip-flops an
hour before the meeting started. I’m still not altogether there.
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| from QDMA |
Recently someone posted
that the churches were closed in California – again. It had been posted in the World Wide Unified
Group – which has become a support group among various faiths originally to
join in a fast and now to continue with prayers. I’m sure there was
disappointment as she created her post – probably even more when the
administrators shut off the ability to receive comments. I
understand why they did it – to avoid confrontation and politics. There are several cases of outbreaks due to
large indoor gatherings. Church just
happens to be one of those indoor gatherings that isn’t immune to the
virus.
These are just three sites of many
here, here and here
Church does not have to be a large
gathering of people sitting on pews inside of a building. We can worship within our hearts. We can have
virtual meetings – which isn’t the same as meeting in person, but you can still
grow and develop understanding. We read
scriptures. We watch videos. We study online. God hasn’t abandoned us. He hasn’t put our learning on hold. It is up to each one of us to find Him and do
it safely and right now large indoor gatherings isn’t safe.
I remember reading a Norman Vincent
Peale book or possibly one he had endorsed – I remember his name was on the
cover. I remember one experience was a “drive-in” church that had been created
for those who weren’t comfortable in a brick-and-mortar church because of what
they wore or because they worked on Sundays and didn’t have time to change,
because they had to stay home with an ailing parent, spouse or kids . . . there
were as many reasons as people. That
might work for this particular year – but I can’t find anything on the internet
about the existence of such . . . perhaps I’m just not looking hard enough.
The point is church doesn’t have to be a social gathering if the sole purpose of going to church is to worship or learn about God. That can be done outdoors while looking at nature.
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| https://www.facebook.com/thenatureconservancy/ |
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| https://www.countryliving.com/life/enter tainment/g18924890/nature-quotes/ |
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| wikipedia photo |
It can
be through prayer or writing down questions we may have and then researching
the answers on our own. Earlier this month we learned that we would have the opportunity to attend church at the end of this month but that has been postponed again - I'm thinking it's highly possible that we won't be meeting as a congregation again this year.
I have missed my ward (church)
family tremendously but I have discovered so many things about God’s plan and
symbolism and building my own faith.
2020 is not particularly a year I will care to remember overall – at the
same time I have developed so many strengths I hope to never forget.
I have not unfriended or blocked anyone due to political views although I have unfollowed people due to their ignorant and often offensive memes. My eldest son is the biggest culprit. But then I never have shared in his sense of humor (or lack thereof). I have family members who have unfriended him. He is not the same person he was at one time. He has forgotten that he lost a wife and has developed into quite an insensitive person.
Masks are now mandatory in at least
half the states – some are resorting back to lockdown. I have heard that only USA has made the coronavirus
and mask requirement a political issue.
For the most part I have viewed the anti mask wearers or Trump
supporters as “me” people. They abuse
their freedoms at the cost of other people.
They are bullies. Not all of them
are Republican. Not all supporters are
Democrats. What does that even mean to
affiliate yourself with a party? Shouldn’t
we vote for the individual and not worry about what party they supposedly
represent?
When I looked up the definitions of
each, the answers seem to apply to the last four years. So does that mean the definition changes each
time we get a new president? That seems
lame.
I don’t recall sharing political memes
until the after we had returned from New York.
Most of them have had to do with “freedoms” and “mask wearing” My latest (and probably last) one features
three bee keeper – two are wearing masks and one has bees buzzing around his
exposed face. The caption reads: “I told
him as an expert in the field I strongly recommentd wearing it, but he just
kept bringing up his ‘rights’” My
caption was “notice the freedoms enjoyed by the guy with the bees” I had also made a similar comment on another
post regarding life jackets.
One of my facebook friends pointed
out that she felt like she was being harassed.
She doesn’t agree with me. She’s
a frontline worker who doesn’t enjoy wearing a mask all day – which I get – but
you would think a front line worker would want others to keep their faces
covered as it seems to be the frontline workers who are getting sick.
I got the message loud and clear. I
have been doing to same exact thing as those that I have stopped
following. I have putting up reminders
to those who agree or that fall upon deaf ears – so what’s the point. My friend is right. I have been just as ignorant as those that I
have been calling ignorant. How many
people have I offended? This crises
should not be about who is right or wrong.
We need to support and lift one another.
Neither pro or con memes are uplifting.
Sure, some of them can be funny.
But they can also be hurtful.
What
is up with the wind
blowing
like it’s Halloween
I
don’t recall ever hearing the wind
howl
since we have
moved
to Oregon
I
half expected to see
snow
this morning though
it
has been warming up to boiling
What
a bizarre thought that it might snow
I
didn’t fully believe it would
but
then again
it
is 2020. Why not?
It is, afterall, fire season.
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| https://www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/7-trending-faith-and-prayer-topics |
I have noticed that there are several prayers that are answered in a way that we would not choose to be answered in that way. Remember this post? For some of us the answer comes with such devastation that we may not even recognize it as an answer until several months or years down the road. Allow me to provide some examples.
I remember a sister in my home ward
who was always on the go. It seems she
spent many hours driving, serving, nurturing, what have you . . . constantly
assisting others but never herself. She
had a desire to spend more time for scripture study and prayed about it. When she threw out her back initially, I don’t
think she viewed it as an answer to her prayers. She had to stay off her feet for several
weeks which gave her the time to delve into the scriptures and form a routine. Not exactly a subtle answer, but an answer
nonetheless.
My dad had a series of strokes, each
had crippled him just a little more than the last. My brother Corey was struggling with his
testimony at the time and was angry with God for jeopardizing my dad’s
health. My prayerful dad of tremendous
faith explained his failing health as an answer to prayer. Not the way any of us would have wanted it to
go. I suppose sometimes God’s answer has
to be dramatic not only for ourselves but perhaps those that we are in contact
with.
Dad had been unhappy with his job for years and was looking for a way out without jeopardizing our financial security. My dad was young but was forced into a medical retirement. I think I would have rather had a healthy dad – but it made sense later on . . . much later on. He was able to collect social security not only for himself but my little sister as well. We spent more time together. We were able to see pieces of my dad’s personality that had been hidden prior to the strokes (see here)
Many prayers have been
answered during this pandemic – crazy answers that have provided strength to
some while others seem to have lost focus and have stopped praying if they ever
prayed at all. Each month has introduced
a new set of problems. This month has
been the “order” to reopen schools which has brought up many concerns,
conflicts and a new set of protests. I
have many friends who have done extensive research and have looked into other
options.
Schools along the west coast have
refused to reopen while other schools across the country prepare to reopen. One
friend who lives in another state recently received an answer to her prayers –
though I don’t suspect she has viewed it as such – at least not yet. She was in a horrible accident. She said it was her fault. She is grateful that there weren’t any
passengers and that no one was hurt. It
was a stupid accident (according to her) and she has been kicking herself about
the financial pain. She told me that she
will be keeping her children home because she doesn’t ever want to drive again.
She didn’t say it that way exactly, but that is how I interpreted it. Theoretically they live within walking
distance to the two schools involved – too close to be bused but still far
enough and across busy streets that she would rather drive them than worry
about potential injury due to neglectful drivers.
Prayers often come with a cost – not
always a financial one. Sometimes the
cost is the approval of others. For
example there have been several members who have converted to the church at the
risk of losing their family. There have
been some who have left the church who no longer receive support from their
families. How could a strain on a
relationship possibly be an answer to prayer?
I think if we look at our “burdens”
in relation to things we have prayed for we may have a better
understanding. We will also have these
incredible stories to share that others may learn. Answers to our prayers aren’t just solely for
us but for those around us that they may learn to explore trials of their own.
Jenna and I had the day off yesterday. She had been at a sleepover and I did not have to drive at all. It will be her last hoorah – although she doesn’t know it yet. Governor Brown has set the state back to mandatory mask wearing and no indoor gatherings of more than ten.
People complain. It doesn’t matter what decision is made, someone gets upset. Seems like even more lawsuits are being filed – against the governors, against the federal government . . . One lawsuit is to keep students from other countries from having to return to their home countries. I am in agreement that if they want to be here they should have that choice. I think a citizen from another country would not even want to be in the U.S. right now. Surely there are safer countries than this one.
California has gone back to phase one though it sounds like lockdown is in the near future. They won’t be starting public schools back up in the fall, nor will Portland. We should have never opened when we did.
The Roseburg Stake (for LDS church) was supposed to start back up on the 26th. No longer happening – which is fine. I have not read the letter from the presidency but knew that there were stipulations about returning and that those over 65 were adviced to use discretion about NOT returning at this time. That would mean 60 – 80 percent of our ward I would think. I wish the country could run like the church through inspiration and not influence of politics or hormones.
I’d rather not have a repeat of this year.
Jenna had asked if I would drop her
off at the park at 10:00 and Roland
had an audit for the church.
I figured I would have
at least a two hour window in which
I could catch up on my journaling thoughts and
add another post to my blog.
Jenna returned home and then
Roland because the computers were down.
The computers are always down whenever
he has an audit – or so it seems.
Perhaps it’s the area.
I heard that the cell phones were invaded just
the other day. Smart phones perhaps.
Mine was still working.
My trusty flip phone.
Sorry I did not post yesterday
I
bought this dress before we went to New York
It
doesn’t flatter me
Many
products look better on the hanger
than
on me. I’m certain that it is my body
that
is not flattering more than my clothes
but
this dress sure is comfortable
It
is also a food or grime magnet.
First
time spit up and pineapple syrup.
I
was gardening the second time –
I
remember my lunch falling to my dress
though
I don’t remember what was for lunch.
It
makes a good quarantine dress I guess.
I’m
not very graceful and it shows.
Thus
I don’t think I’ll be wearing this dress in public.
I’ll
wear it to be comfortable.
Here is a tale about Anna and her
cousin Mike whom I do not know well, but I have met him on occasion. Each time I remember Mike had a runny
nose. I may be wrong, but it seems like
during his early life (I don’t know about now) he seemed to get sick a
lot. I had heard his mom was a neat
freak and would keep her house almost sterile.
If something fell on her already-maculate-floor, it would be thrown in
the garbage.
Anna, on the other hand, lived in a
home with two dogs, a cat, and her parents.
Though my sister tried to keep the house clean, there were still traces
of animal fur. If something fell to the
floor her dad would return it to Anna and let her know it was still okay to
eat. I don’t recall her being sick all
too often or having a runny nose. Anna
developed a high immune system.
I don’t know if school changed that
or not. I don’t recall the report of
health or if they picked up infections from other children. I wonder if Anna had survived better than
Mike had.
The situation we are currently facing reminds me of this situation – disinfecting businesses, houses, cars, ourselves . . . how often? I understand we are not immune to the coronavirus but at the same time wonder if we might be going overboard. I have always been horrible with touching my face – especially the eye area during allergy season. Coronavirus hasn’t changed that. I am just as guilty as before. I ‘ve caught myself drinking from the same water bottle as one of Jenna’s friends who I may think of Jenna’s sister. I’m definitely not a Monk (see here)
So where do we draw the line? We wash
our hands wear masks to protect others. And how many things do we touch while
at a grocery store? Last night I was
standing in line for some pain reliever but had somewhere to be. I had picked up several bottles as I
inspected the packaging and ingredients.
I ended up leaving the item near the magazines as I no longer wished to
wait in line. How many bottles had I
touched? How many others had touched
those same bottles?
Perhaps it sounds like I am but I’m really
not paranoid. I just wondered why all
these common sense things that we should have been focused on all along have
somehow become a mandatory staple. We’re
suppose to support the small businesses and the small businesses don’t seem to
be following all the rules. What other
rules are they not following? Not
honoring the food handlers permit perhaps?
I was leary of fast food places before covid. At present I think I am more leary. I try to
be careful – but I haven’t reached the point of changing clothes the minute I
walk through the door and boil everything.
Earlier this week I found this post of a
friend’s timeline. Trump’s campaign was
built on hate, so what’s his problem?
Oh, could it be that the public schools are closed? Get them reopen so that we can promote
hate! Trump is going to bully himself
right out of office. What exactly is
going through his head threatening the country about reopening schools (here
and here)
My sister asked my opinion about what to do
about returning to school. At first I
thought I would leave the decision up to Jenna, but the more I think about it,
the more miffed I am. What is Trump’s
game plan here? Is he hoping to kill off teachers by exposing them to a wide
variety of germs? Like they don’t have
enough to deal with – now they have to stop their lessons to remind students to
to keep their masks on, don’t touch other children, don’t play with the Plexiglas
. . .” Come on.
I sent my sister this email this morning.
“My post today will be about how I predict that Trump may end up bullying himself out of office. He has ordered ALL schools to reopen - otherwise he is not going to fund them. I work for the school system and have made the decision NOT to return to work this year. It's crazy. I don't know that children will be effected as much as adults - who seem to pick up kids germs without the COVID. I don't know if the teachers have been threatened that if they don't return they will never be able to get jobs as instructors in the future. What future? If more than half the population ends up getting COVID workers will need to be replaced, right? Those that have allowed Trump to bully them will have to end up hiring those that refused to teach during this time. But you know me. I will not be bullied. Jaime may be miffed with me at first, but I'm going to go ahead and sign her up for online. It's not the ideal - but neither is living by conditions that are not the norm. Same with your situation. The learning environment in 2020 is going to suck. I hope that I'm wrong. I hope everything returns to normal - but I have my doubts. Anyway, there's my two cents. I know it's frustrating to have all three home and try to be parent and teacher - but I think I would rather be frustrated than worry about the unknown . . . "will my child be okay? Will another student infect my child and bring the disease home to us? Will the children act up and start protests of their own? Will my children get hurt because of the frustration and limitations that are being enforced? Will Trump send in authorities such as the ones in Germany and turn my kids into Nazis?" Just saying. United States is a lot bigger than Germany - more schools. I don't think Trumps organized enough to reach them all. The fact that he is saying this is mandatory . . . that is enough for me to say NO”
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| from Denver Now |
Staff were telling students to cover mouth, stay home, blow their nose . . . whatever long before COVID made its way to the states. If children's germs spread during the winter months without COVID, how do we expect them to keep from spreading during COVID? Socialization is good for students - especially for those who don't have sibs. But wearing masks and keeping them (or attempting to) at a distance does not help the socialization. I think it hinders it.
