Life's Chiasmus

SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is . . Not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is having friends.
At age 16 success is . . . Having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is . Having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money.
At age 70 success is . . . Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . Having friends
At age 80 success is . Not peeing in your pants

Slowly But Surely Interaction

                I heard Richard saying, “Get out. Get out! GET OUT” 

          I figured he was talking to the dogs.  He and Clair were in the kitchen and Ally was working on moving the coffee table to block the dogs out.  I stuck my head out to call Bonnie.

          “It’s not Bonnie,” Ally said.  “It’s Char.”

          Char is more aggressive as far as height and actually jumping around.  Bonnie will wait quietly – most of the time still in the way, but not jumping.  Once the food is served she is like Godzilla upon Tokyo and it is Char who has to find another source.

          Truth be known, I wasn’t calling Bonnie to distract her from the others.  I had an ulterior motive.  I wanted her to lick my dish clean so that I wouldn’t be in anyone else’s way or have to settle on gunking up my bathroom sink.  Bonnie did not come.

          I retrieved the dish and held it out the door. 

“Come on, Bonnie!” I called.  The dish had gotten her attention.  Char had already been banned to the bedroom and Bonnie ran towards mine.

          “Thank you, Grandma,” Ally said sincerely. She was truly grateful and I was impressed with her actions.

          Before Bonnie had finished eating there was a soft knock at the door.  Ally had come to retrieve Bonnie.  I was surprised she was still licking the bowl as there hadn’t been enough worth calling her for really.  I think overall Ally prefers Bonnie to Char.  I sent her out only moments later.  I don’t know if Ally even noticed.

A True Experience which took place just over 25 years ago

 Many of the thoughts I had accumulated were while I was working in Salt Lake City.  Shares passed through email as facebook was not a thing.  I do remember writing the following.  I had even created a picture in "paint" to go with the story.  Created on my mom's computer.  If I saved it, I no longer seem to have access to it.  But here is what I wrote:

Date: 2/11/98 3:04pm

Subject:          Just in case you need a laugh . . .

 

have you ever read the story of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, no good, Very Bad Day?  As I was relating my experiences to my co‑workers, I decided that my experiences could be counted as similar ‑

sometimes I even wish I was in Australia (although I forgot to include it with my true life experiences that I am sending) ‑

and so I wrote up this cute little essay.  (I am also including a self portrait so that you will know that I am not exaggerating)

 

(If you read the WP before the e‑mail attachment, it will make more sense)

 

My Story:

subtiled: I was too tired.

 

 You will not believe the day I’ve had (this is a true story by the way) I really should have just stayed in bed. 

I wrote an e-mail to Pat - I should not have tried to send an attachment - or I least I should have printed up what I wrote - instead of trying to write it again.

 I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 My back’s really been bothering me, and it’s been hard to sleep.  I’m always tired.  And I really didn’t feel all that well this morning.  And I tried to sleep in.  My back’s been making it hard for me to sleep at all.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 Okay, let me back up here, and see if I can get my thoughts together -

When I finally did force myself to get up (still not awake, mind you) I called my work # and left a message for Arabella - to tell her I’d be late.  And then I proceeded on taking my sweet time (not sweet enough) getting ready.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 After I ate breakfast, I decided to do a load of clothes.  I was cold and put on my robe and matching booties.  I remember turning the washer on - so I do have that much going for me.

I did get dressed and ready for work - or so I thought . . .

 I placed a dollar bill with my backpack and coat, etc.  I purposely left it out so that I would have it when I got on the bus.  Somehow it disappeared.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

I locked the door and stepped out of the house only to discover it was snowing.  I set down my backpack and removed a bunch of items in search for my keys.  I retrieved my umbrella and wondered if I should get my boots.  I decided it wasn’t snowing that hard and decided not to make the big trek downstairs.  I wish I would have gone with my first impulse.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 I walked toward the bus stop and stopped in at the Food Mart - because I figured I’d have time.  The orange juice I got was 22 cents more than if I had made a purchase at the 7-ll where I transfer (or usually transfer anyway)

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

I took the first available bus (an express) and decided I would transfer at the mall.  A fellow passenger pointed out that my shoelace was untied.  It’s a wonder I hadn’t tripped over it.

Okay, there was one good thing that came from my morning.  I didn’t have to wait for my transfer.  The #10 left as soon as I boarded.  Meanwhile, I retied my shoelace so that I wouldn’t trip.

After I got to work, I went to change my shoes and noticed for the first time that I wasn’t wearing any socks (boy, am I observant - or what) and my booties don’t at all match what I’m wearing.   I’m actually surprised that I was able to get my shoes on over my booties and that they didn’t slip down inside my shoes while I was walking.  And why in the heck didn’t I notice while I was tying my shoe for the second time?  What an idiot.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 And so I put my sandals on over my bare feet, only my feet got cold (surprise) and so I put my booties back on.  And it looks really stupid.  Not only that, but the jeans I am wearing have turned out to be major floods on me.  If they were any shorter, they’d be knickers.

I mean anybody can see by the way that I’m dressed that I must not feel [well] and that I’m still not awake.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

After I got trough eating my lunch, I found the dollar I had misplaced.  It was in my lunch bag.  What a brilliant person I am.  And what a brilliant bill to have hitched a ride in something warmer than the cold air I had intended to flap it in.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 I wrote an e-mail to send to Pat Peterson.  And while working on a self-portrait to send as an attachment, the power went out (just blinked off) and I lost everything.  So now I have to rethink it all.  Somehow this story sounded funnier in e-mail.  But maybe not.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 Katie keeps saying she’ll be coming in this week.  But we haven’t seen her.  She also told Arabella that Friday will be my last day.  Yes.  Sure it will.  Friday the 13th.  Come now.  I have strong doubts about it ever being my last day.

I don’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.  I am too tired.

 Just now I think I either wrote on my pants, or Shelly’s shirt (which I have given myself custody over) What a klutz.

Oh, and about the pair of pants I picked out - I really thought I had ripped in the knee.  I even looked for it.  I found it five hours after I put them on.  It was in the other knee.

I didn’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I was too tired.

 Judy says she has loads for me - but she is too busy to find it right now.

And so I am now working on this oh, just so important document to send to anyone who might need a laugh.

I don’t think about it being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I am still too tired.

The Great Salt Lake Shrinkage and Health Hazzard

One of the spotlights on this morning's "Sunday Morning" featured a brief history on the Great Salt Lake - or what was once the Great Salt Lake Rather.  It has shrunk quite a bit and the remainder has toxins that may have contributed more to my poor breathing than did just the smog from other pollutants.  I thought it might be too early to see the feature on YouTube as of now.  Although there is not today's episode of Sunday Morning, there are SEVERAL videos to choose from.  Just type in the Great Salt Lake Drying Up.  I was stunned by how many came up on the deadly poisons of my home state.  Shocked by not totally surprised.  Now I have proof that my home state was indeed killing me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6oSNLkIBEg

Just one point

 The only one I could not give myself a point for is a "My Space" account

Two Poems by Elaine Laron

 So I have decided to post some of the treasures I have saved starting with this one

From the Book Free to Be You and Me by Marlo Thomas and Friends

No One Else                       by Elaine Laron

 

Now, someone else can tell you how to multiply by three and

someone else can tell you how to spell Schenectady

And someone else can tell you how to ride a two-wheeled bike

But no one else, no, no one else can tell you what to like.

 

An engineer can tell you how to run a railroad train

A map can tell you where to find the capital of Spain

A book can tell you all the names of every star above

But no one else, no, no one else can tell can tell you who to love

 

Your aunt Lisa can tell you how to plant a pumpkin seed

Your cousin Frank can tell you how to catch a centipede

Your Mom and Dad can tell you to Brush between each meal

But no one else, no, no one else can tell you how to feel

 

For how you feel is how you feel and all the whole world through

No, no one else, no, no one else knows that as well as you

 

 

The Sun and the Moon                   by Elaine Laron

 

The sun if filled with shining light

It blazes far and wide

The moon reflects the sunlight back         

But has no light inside

 

I think I’d rather be the sun

That shines so bold and bright

Than be the moon that only glows            

with someone else’s light

A Trove of Treasures

           I have been going through my flash drives in hopes that I had saved some scanned pages.  Jai had also requested a pic from nearly 15 years ago.  I have finally come across the picture she requested but none of my scanned pages from Jaime’s scrapbook.

But then again the flash drive I am currently viewing is one that was created before the move to Oregon and so the pages would not be there.  But I have had fun reminiscing things I had forgotten I had even saved.  I’ve enjoyed reading thoughts and viewing pictures.  It has definitely kept me busy.

Wonder if the Garbage Trucks Will Come

         Monday was Presidents day.  Jaime had school but the district was off in this area. No school this week – well – perhaps some followed the curriculum but there was panic at some of the high schools yesterday. I left the house at nine to drive downtown to meet Carolyn.  As I was getting ready to turn right I saw three police cars barreling down the road – glad I was turning right and not left.  Something was going down.  Turned out there had been a number of 911 calls to report the threat of a shooter at one of the high schools (South Umpqua, Roseburg, and Sutherlin were the only three mentioned in the news this morning) which turned out to be a hoax (thank goodness). 

I understand that several high schoolers left when lock down was over.  I don’t know if they had permission or if the schools sent students home.  I don’t know how or if the secondary or elementary schools had been effected either way.  Ally had stayed home with a cold and is sick today – not that it would matter.  The schools had been shut down on Valentine’s Day due to the weather and I suspect the same for today. 

Richard said he heard the garbage trucks have come around already.  I don’t think I heard them.  I thought I had heard them before I got up to throw up and noticed the time on the clock was way too early for the garbage trucks to be out.  

I don’t appreciate the flip flops that are taking place in my body at this time.  What brought this on?  I’m guessing something I ate, but what.  And why am I the only one effected?

I am not the only one sick.  Richard and Clair have each started in with the colds that had lingered well past Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But this illness for me is one I have not experienced for many moons.  I will probably be sleeping it off for most of the day if I can actually get myself situated without discomfort from the illness.  I’d rather not live my life in the bathroom today.  You know?

Happy Valentine’s Day

                I will be surprised if school is not cancelled today.  I got up at 4:30 this morning and went into another room as I was hot in the bedroom.  When I looked out the window in the backroom I noticed the snow that we had heard about yesterday. Too many people on the west side of Oregon do not know how to drive in snow.  They haven’t had to deal with it nor is the state equipped to make the roads safe as they are in Utah for instance.

        My granddaughter and her mother worked on Valentines yesterday.  The craft fairy looks like she blew up on my coffee table.  Her box isn’t finished.  It’s a dog that still needs its tail.  She will be devastated when she hears the news that school is cancelled.  Everything in life that happens is for or against her.  She doesn’t realize that there are other people who may feel the same way. 

            Valentines happens to be a holiday that I have never cared for.  The only reason that I ever received as many valentines as I did was because it was mandatory in school.  I remember delivering Valentines from door to door.  I guess I didn’t mind it.  But as the years evolved so did my attitude about Valentine’s Day.  For me, the holiday sucked big time.  With each passing year I have loathed Valentines Day more than the year prior so that when I was finally married and had someone I still couldn’t bring myself to love the sappy, gag-me-with-a-spoon, gross holiday.  Nothing against Richard.  It is just how I had conditioned myself all of this time.

            We did go out for lunch yesterday.  Richard said it was count as our valentine celebration.  Good thing.  My attitude and being stuck in the house with the other family members is not how I would like to celebrate.  What unChrist like love on my part.

Object Comparisons

 In his “Teaching With Power” John 2-4 video, Brother Wilcox shares this slide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ7QShWWP7U

with the challenge to find a way to use an object as part of a lesson on teaching the scriptures or more importantly, Christ.  I then turned to “Don’t Miss This” where Emily Freeman compared a discarded titanium bicycle that one might see as worthless.  She talked about the value in restoration and compared this to the “worth of souls” as viewed by the others and how the Savior sees us before we are restored. 

Even in our "discarded" state, the Savior knows
us and what (or who) we can become

 I have accepted Ben Wilcox’s challenge and am excited about this quest.  I may create some posts about how I would use each of this (though the rubber duck seems to be stumping me the most of these)  It may take a while.  I hope to be guided by the Spirit as I embark this journey.

The Banker Makes the Rules

           Recently Richard purchased the game “Roseburg-opoly”.  

He had wanted to buy “Salt Lake opoly” for a while now – not available in Oregon.  I wonder why.  Or Disneyopoly.  It really does not matter what version, it’s still Monopoly – a long drawn out game with only one winner who diminishes every other player with greed and absolutely no mercy.  I hate it.  Too much like real life in many cases with the business world.  I’m not business minded.  Never have been.  Never will be.

          Richard is a stickler for the rules but will add the luxury of reason the “free parking” space (or in this case “I love Roseburg”) exists: 

to collect all of the money that was thrown in the middles of the board due to paying taxes, hospital bills and so forth.  Also in the Roseburg addition properties can be mortgaged for face value and not just half or partial as the authentic monopoly. And instead of buying houses and hotels players buy blocks and keys to the city.

          When Jaime and I are bankers we will add all kinds of rules more out of convenience and less from a business perspective.  Properties can be bid on once they are landed upon.  Players don’t necessarily have to pay full price.  Players can also stay in jail (or traffic jam) for as many turns as they need before rolling doubles and do not have to fork out 50 dollars (in the Roseburg addition it is 100) automatically after three tries. Most importantly player does NOT have to build evenly.  You want to purchase a hotel without buying houses - go for it.  It doesn't have to be an even build. Neither Jaime nor I often are banker.  Both would prefer playing something else.

Marking Scriptures

               When I was in high school I can remember circling certain letters to indicate if the footnote was a Joseph Smith Translation or another translation of a certain word.  

I brought those set of scriptures with me into my marriage.  Unfortunately I have not referred to that particular set for quite some time. I like using the internet as I can change the font size.  I have referred to the footnotes on occasion but am not always satisfied with the results.  I can’t mark scriptures on the Internet in the same manner that I can mark a book.

          I don’t have the Internet on my phone and will still bring a physical Bible to read.  The physical Bible I use had belonged to my dad.  It isn’t marked with circles the way my high school Bible had been.  I just started to go through the footnotes yesterday to mark the way I had in high school.