And everywhere else in the Ozarks this morning!
I took the time to zip the liner into my motorcycle jacket this morning. With daytime highs only reaching 60 one day for as far as the extended forecast goes, I figured it's time.
In a little bit (after I finish my coffee and blogging) I'll be getting ready to preach at Fremont Hills Baptist Church. It is hunting season so that means it's time for Pastor Art to take a few weekends to hunt. Maybe I should ask for my pay in venison!
I'll be back for the evening service, as well.
The next three weeks will find me back at Orla Baptist. I was there last month for a Revival and am looking forward to helping them out while they search for a new pastor.
God has been good to me this fall. I have been staying pretty busy on Sunday mornings. I hope that it continues into the winter (although I'd rather be preaching at a Mexican beach resort through the winter!).
I hope that you are warm and richly blessed on this mid-November Sunday.
Tell someone -- God loves you. Jesus died for you.
John <><
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Flame On!
With the first overnight into freezing temperatures, we decided to fire up the furnace yesterday evening. Today is forecast to be sunny with highs in the upper 40's (around 7C) and tonight will be a little colder than last night.
Looking ahead, daytime highs might make it to 60 (15C) next week, so I guess it will remain on for a little while. I expect that we will still have an occasional warm day and we will turn it off and open the windows, but those days will be fewer as winter draws closer.
Our part of southwest Missouri has pretty mild winters. We will get an occasional heavy snow, but it is nothing compared to having lived in northern Illinois or Iowa, and the temperatures generally make it above freezing on most days. I plan to ride the motorcycle throughout the winter, only leaving it parked when there is snow or ice on the roads or in extreme cold. I have suitable dress for cold weather and don't plan on any long trips. Of course if we get a few days in the 70's, I may have to make another lunch run to St. Louis (about 450 miles, round trip)!
I think I need a warm, sunny beach and a larger bank account!
Stay warm, my friends!
John <><
Looking ahead, daytime highs might make it to 60 (15C) next week, so I guess it will remain on for a little while. I expect that we will still have an occasional warm day and we will turn it off and open the windows, but those days will be fewer as winter draws closer.
Our part of southwest Missouri has pretty mild winters. We will get an occasional heavy snow, but it is nothing compared to having lived in northern Illinois or Iowa, and the temperatures generally make it above freezing on most days. I plan to ride the motorcycle throughout the winter, only leaving it parked when there is snow or ice on the roads or in extreme cold. I have suitable dress for cold weather and don't plan on any long trips. Of course if we get a few days in the 70's, I may have to make another lunch run to St. Louis (about 450 miles, round trip)!
I think I need a warm, sunny beach and a larger bank account!
Stay warm, my friends!
John <><
Friday, November 18, 2016
Red Cross
This morning finds me at the Springfield platelet donation center of the American Red Cross.
It's been over a year since I've been able to make a donation due to travel deferrals.
I've posted before about the need for blood products. Platelets have a very short shelf life (about 5 days) so the need is constant. Red cells and plasma are also in constant need and often in short supply. If you've never donated, you should consider it. Tell them you are a first time donor and they will take the time to explain the process and let you know what to expect.
The needle stick has never been an issue for me. I've even let first time phlebotomists stick me. One trainer said I'm what they call an encourager!
Another one said you could throw darts from across the room and hit that garden hose!
In any case, if it's your first time, just let them know. If you've had a bad experience, go back and try again. Tell them about your experience and give them another chance. Somebody's life may depend on it.
And if it has just been awhile, consider scheduling an appointment.
I'm going to keep this short since I'm on the apheresis machine and having to type with my left hand only.
Be well,
John <><
It's been over a year since I've been able to make a donation due to travel deferrals.
I've posted before about the need for blood products. Platelets have a very short shelf life (about 5 days) so the need is constant. Red cells and plasma are also in constant need and often in short supply. If you've never donated, you should consider it. Tell them you are a first time donor and they will take the time to explain the process and let you know what to expect.
The needle stick has never been an issue for me. I've even let first time phlebotomists stick me. One trainer said I'm what they call an encourager!
Another one said you could throw darts from across the room and hit that garden hose!
In any case, if it's your first time, just let them know. If you've had a bad experience, go back and try again. Tell them about your experience and give them another chance. Somebody's life may depend on it.
And if it has just been awhile, consider scheduling an appointment.
I'm going to keep this short since I'm on the apheresis machine and having to type with my left hand only.
Be well,
John <><
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Helpless; not hopeless
I've been putting off writing today, but don't really want to blow the whole posting every day for a month thing after having made it through the first half of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). The thing is that writing today is difficult. What weighs on my mind is far from my usual posts and I'm not sure how to share in this forum. I guess, I'll just tell it like it is and leave it at that.
A year ago (summer 2015), one of my brothers had a kidney transplant. He had been dealing with declining kidney function for many years and was to the point of needing a donor kidney. My sister was the donor. As you can imagine, the week of the transplant surgery was stressful, especially for our parents that had two children undergoing pretty major surgery on the same day. Mike's wife was unable to be there because she was at a different hospital with one of their four boys that was dealing with his own health issues.
At the end of the day, both surgeries were declared a success and both patients, donor and recipient, were on the road to recovery.
For the most part, things went well. My brother had some nagging pains and some indications that not everything was as it should be. After many months, it was discovered that a virus was doing some pretty severe damage. It is a virus (I don't recall the name) that most adults carry but our bodies do a great job of managing it. The virus only multiplies and causes problems when the immune system is compromised. Organ transplant recipients fall into the high risk category.
The doctors began treatment for the virus and things seemed to be going well. He was finally getting around to a good recovery. Then a brief bout with pneumonia changed all of that. The drug treatment for the virus started damaging his new kidney.
Today was his second session of dialysis. The new kidney is damaged beyond recovery. There is a tumor in one of his old non-functioning kidneys that will need to be dealt with once the virus is under control and regular dialysis is underway. In addition to the stresses of being in the hospital while your wife carries the load of four active teen boys, there are the additional stresses of finances and feelings of frustration and helplessness. Not knowing what is ahead is the toughest thing right now.
I think that we all feel helpless as we watch from the distance that separates us.
Even as I say that, even as I feel that -- we are far from hopeless.
Family and friends have put out calls for prayers, positive thoughts and calls to whatever universal powers people cry out to in times of need. I'm not sure what all of that does for my brother and his family other than to know that people are thinking of them.
If you have been reading this blog for very long, you already know that I am a follower of Jesus and proclaimer of the Gospel of Salvation through His death and resurrection. I do believe in God and I do believe he hears our prayers, but when I am honest with myself I have to wonder if the voice of one as insignificant as myself will sway the mighty God of the universe.
I truly believe that God loves us and wants the best for us.
But I also believe the His best for us is on a whole different level than the finite world we live in. I cannot begin to imagine eternity, much less understand it. I cannot imagine life without time and space. While I believe in our eternal souls, I can't begin to understand nor to explain the existence of souls without bodies and living without physical boundaries.
And even though I don't know if my cries to God make a difference or not, I pray.
I pray because sometimes there isn't anything else I can do.
I pray because I want God to know that I am trusting Him to take care of my family.
I pray because the Jesus that I believe in tells me to pray.
So, I pray.
Yeah, I pray for good health for my brother and his family. I pray that the doctors would use good wisdom in treating his condition and for the other health issues that his family deals with.
But mostly, I pray for peace and comfort. I pray that God will let them know that He hasn't forgotten them, that He will see that their needs are met and that He will give them the strength to endure.
As I reread that, it really sounds like a pretty lousy prayer.
If you've got a better way to pray, I invite you to share it with me.
Or better yet, I'd ask you to get on your knees and offer your own prayers for my brother and his family. You will have our eternal thanks and the blessings of a grateful big brother.
John <><
A year ago (summer 2015), one of my brothers had a kidney transplant. He had been dealing with declining kidney function for many years and was to the point of needing a donor kidney. My sister was the donor. As you can imagine, the week of the transplant surgery was stressful, especially for our parents that had two children undergoing pretty major surgery on the same day. Mike's wife was unable to be there because she was at a different hospital with one of their four boys that was dealing with his own health issues.
At the end of the day, both surgeries were declared a success and both patients, donor and recipient, were on the road to recovery.
For the most part, things went well. My brother had some nagging pains and some indications that not everything was as it should be. After many months, it was discovered that a virus was doing some pretty severe damage. It is a virus (I don't recall the name) that most adults carry but our bodies do a great job of managing it. The virus only multiplies and causes problems when the immune system is compromised. Organ transplant recipients fall into the high risk category.
The doctors began treatment for the virus and things seemed to be going well. He was finally getting around to a good recovery. Then a brief bout with pneumonia changed all of that. The drug treatment for the virus started damaging his new kidney.
Today was his second session of dialysis. The new kidney is damaged beyond recovery. There is a tumor in one of his old non-functioning kidneys that will need to be dealt with once the virus is under control and regular dialysis is underway. In addition to the stresses of being in the hospital while your wife carries the load of four active teen boys, there are the additional stresses of finances and feelings of frustration and helplessness. Not knowing what is ahead is the toughest thing right now.
I think that we all feel helpless as we watch from the distance that separates us.
Even as I say that, even as I feel that -- we are far from hopeless.
Family and friends have put out calls for prayers, positive thoughts and calls to whatever universal powers people cry out to in times of need. I'm not sure what all of that does for my brother and his family other than to know that people are thinking of them.
If you have been reading this blog for very long, you already know that I am a follower of Jesus and proclaimer of the Gospel of Salvation through His death and resurrection. I do believe in God and I do believe he hears our prayers, but when I am honest with myself I have to wonder if the voice of one as insignificant as myself will sway the mighty God of the universe.
I truly believe that God loves us and wants the best for us.
But I also believe the His best for us is on a whole different level than the finite world we live in. I cannot begin to imagine eternity, much less understand it. I cannot imagine life without time and space. While I believe in our eternal souls, I can't begin to understand nor to explain the existence of souls without bodies and living without physical boundaries.
And even though I don't know if my cries to God make a difference or not, I pray.
I pray because sometimes there isn't anything else I can do.
I pray because I want God to know that I am trusting Him to take care of my family.
I pray because the Jesus that I believe in tells me to pray.
So, I pray.
Yeah, I pray for good health for my brother and his family. I pray that the doctors would use good wisdom in treating his condition and for the other health issues that his family deals with.
But mostly, I pray for peace and comfort. I pray that God will let them know that He hasn't forgotten them, that He will see that their needs are met and that He will give them the strength to endure.
As I reread that, it really sounds like a pretty lousy prayer.
If you've got a better way to pray, I invite you to share it with me.
Or better yet, I'd ask you to get on your knees and offer your own prayers for my brother and his family. You will have our eternal thanks and the blessings of a grateful big brother.
John <><
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Random Post Election Thoughts
I left Ozark after voting last week and didn't get home until Monday night.
In the week that I was gone, I watched very little TV news and had fairly limited time to be on social media networks. From what I can see, that was a good thing.
There is much being said about the formation of President-elect Trump's transition team and the selections to cabinet positions and other appointed staff. There seems to be as much surprise among traditional Republicans as there is shock and outrage from traditional Democrats.
To both, it doesn't appear that there will be the draining of the swamp that was anticipated.
The days leading up to the inauguration will be interesting.
For my own mental health, I think that I will continue to limit my social media time and refrain from commenting on most political stuff. While I do believe that we will see some difficult times ahead, I don't think that it is the end of the US or our way of government. I recognize that I will have a much lesser impact on my life than many other citizens. Yes, folks -- white privilege is real. I also recognize that this white privilege thing also bears a responsibility to point out injustices as they happen and to readily stand with those that are being ridiculed and deeply affected by some of the changes that are already taking place.
I'm not going to be wearing any safety pins, but I will be more observant and watchful for people that are worried about the future and will try advocate for those that need a voice.
Which ever side of the election you were on, know that there are lots of worried and scared people right now. Have a little empathy. Show a little love. Be a good neighbor and a good citizen.
John <><
In the week that I was gone, I watched very little TV news and had fairly limited time to be on social media networks. From what I can see, that was a good thing.
There is much being said about the formation of President-elect Trump's transition team and the selections to cabinet positions and other appointed staff. There seems to be as much surprise among traditional Republicans as there is shock and outrage from traditional Democrats.
To both, it doesn't appear that there will be the draining of the swamp that was anticipated.
The days leading up to the inauguration will be interesting.
For my own mental health, I think that I will continue to limit my social media time and refrain from commenting on most political stuff. While I do believe that we will see some difficult times ahead, I don't think that it is the end of the US or our way of government. I recognize that I will have a much lesser impact on my life than many other citizens. Yes, folks -- white privilege is real. I also recognize that this white privilege thing also bears a responsibility to point out injustices as they happen and to readily stand with those that are being ridiculed and deeply affected by some of the changes that are already taking place.
I'm not going to be wearing any safety pins, but I will be more observant and watchful for people that are worried about the future and will try advocate for those that need a voice.
Which ever side of the election you were on, know that there are lots of worried and scared people right now. Have a little empathy. Show a little love. Be a good neighbor and a good citizen.
John <><
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Home, Sweet Home
Oh, it is so good to be home!
A night's sleep in my own bed,
A shower in my own shower,
Just to be around my own stuff!
You know the feeling.
It was a good trip. There were some unexpected happenings, to be sure, but all in all, a good trip.
I ate some good tasting foods (even if not so good for you foods), and enjoyed my visits with family. I have to say that I did miss riding my motorcycle on the beautiful November days, even in Northern Illinois! My outbound trip was in rain for most of the way, so the cycle was out for the journey. And with the daylight hours being as limited as they are and the wildlife of the rural areas, it was probably a good idea to leave it at home.
But --
I am riding today!
I am meeting a minister friend for lunch and getting ready to get back on the healthy eating thing. Since I'm doing most of the cooking at home (and the grocery shopping, too), I should have as much control over what we eat as is necessary to eat well. I chose a good salad/sandwich place for our lunch meeting, so -- here goes!
I also need to get back to daily exercise (which I have started again) and be as disciplined about it as I once was.
Eat for weight management.
Exercise for good health.
Veggie sandwich and a salad for lunch.
Tonight I'm thinking bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella cheese and spinach, with baked potatoes and a salad. We'll see how it turns out. Maybe a little cream cheese added to the stuffing...No recipe, just an experiment.
After all, isn't life basically an experiment?
Be well,
John <><
A night's sleep in my own bed,
A shower in my own shower,
Just to be around my own stuff!
You know the feeling.
It was a good trip. There were some unexpected happenings, to be sure, but all in all, a good trip.
I ate some good tasting foods (even if not so good for you foods), and enjoyed my visits with family. I have to say that I did miss riding my motorcycle on the beautiful November days, even in Northern Illinois! My outbound trip was in rain for most of the way, so the cycle was out for the journey. And with the daylight hours being as limited as they are and the wildlife of the rural areas, it was probably a good idea to leave it at home.
But --
I am riding today!
I am meeting a minister friend for lunch and getting ready to get back on the healthy eating thing. Since I'm doing most of the cooking at home (and the grocery shopping, too), I should have as much control over what we eat as is necessary to eat well. I chose a good salad/sandwich place for our lunch meeting, so -- here goes!
I also need to get back to daily exercise (which I have started again) and be as disciplined about it as I once was.
Eat for weight management.
Exercise for good health.
Veggie sandwich and a salad for lunch.
Tonight I'm thinking bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella cheese and spinach, with baked potatoes and a salad. We'll see how it turns out. Maybe a little cream cheese added to the stuffing...No recipe, just an experiment.
After all, isn't life basically an experiment?
Be well,
John <><
Monday, November 14, 2016
Help!
This isn't a call for help. It is a shout out to those that always seem to make themselves available to help people that are in need.
Some of you are helpers.
I am not.
It's not that I am opposed to helping people. Nor is it that I am unavailable to help people. I think that I am just mostly unaware when people are in need. I should probably make myself more available to people. I suppose that there are people that need help but don't want to ask for it.
I should mention that this post is inspired by the people that always seem to be there for my folks when they have needs. The closest of my siblings is a couple of hours away. Most of us are much farther. Several of my cousins live close by and are great at going out of their way to be of service to Mom and Dad. My parents also have a network of helping friends, but many of their friends are also aging and less available to help than they once were.
I feel bad that most of the family care has to come from a brother and sister that are closest in distance to them, for they are also the ones that are busiest with the needs of their own families.
I'm thinking that maybe I can substitute serve.
I know that just as time and distance separate me from my parents, there are probably people near me that don't have family nearby because their own kids live far away. Perhaps I need to volunteer to drive cancer patients to treatment (somebody did that for my dad) or something like that. I've let my world get pretty small in the past couple of years. Personally, I like it that way. But from a community standpoint, it seems pretty selfish.
Sigh
Guess I'm going to have to put on my big boy pants and do what benefits somebody else rather than just looking out for my own preferences and interests.
Thanks to all of you helpers for the inspiration!
...I think.
John <><
Some of you are helpers.
I am not.
It's not that I am opposed to helping people. Nor is it that I am unavailable to help people. I think that I am just mostly unaware when people are in need. I should probably make myself more available to people. I suppose that there are people that need help but don't want to ask for it.
I should mention that this post is inspired by the people that always seem to be there for my folks when they have needs. The closest of my siblings is a couple of hours away. Most of us are much farther. Several of my cousins live close by and are great at going out of their way to be of service to Mom and Dad. My parents also have a network of helping friends, but many of their friends are also aging and less available to help than they once were.
I feel bad that most of the family care has to come from a brother and sister that are closest in distance to them, for they are also the ones that are busiest with the needs of their own families.
I'm thinking that maybe I can substitute serve.
I know that just as time and distance separate me from my parents, there are probably people near me that don't have family nearby because their own kids live far away. Perhaps I need to volunteer to drive cancer patients to treatment (somebody did that for my dad) or something like that. I've let my world get pretty small in the past couple of years. Personally, I like it that way. But from a community standpoint, it seems pretty selfish.
Sigh
Guess I'm going to have to put on my big boy pants and do what benefits somebody else rather than just looking out for my own preferences and interests.
Thanks to all of you helpers for the inspiration!
...I think.
John <><
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Chicago's Riverwalk
After a late brunch at Chicago's Haymarket Pub, we (Aaron, Jenny and I) took a nice stroll along Chicago's Riverwalk. The shops are closed for the season, but it is still well attended by individuals and families for a day out along the river.
I am happy that The Haymarket is one of Jenny's favorite places for Sunday brunch because it is also my favorite. I had my standard Morning Riot -- and loved it!
Then we drove to lower Wacker where Jenny has access to C-DOT parking where they access the bridges that cross the Chicago River. I got a nice lesson on the area development, the inspection and maintenance of the bridges and the history of some of the downtown buildings.
We went from there to a lazy afternoon in the condo and will be heading out to evening church shortly.
Nice, easy Sunday.
Life is good!
John <><
I am happy that The Haymarket is one of Jenny's favorite places for Sunday brunch because it is also my favorite. I had my standard Morning Riot -- and loved it!
Then we drove to lower Wacker where Jenny has access to C-DOT parking where they access the bridges that cross the Chicago River. I got a nice lesson on the area development, the inspection and maintenance of the bridges and the history of some of the downtown buildings.
We went from there to a lazy afternoon in the condo and will be heading out to evening church shortly.
Nice, easy Sunday.
Life is good!
John <><
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Cheers!
I was thinking about Cheers, the bar where everybody knows your name. It's funny how people of different backgrounds can come together for a common cause or purpose.
People in a bar gather together to drink and socialize. Some bars cater to neighborhoods, some have professional careers in common, some are there because of the menu. Some are there to meet people.
I was at my brother's house yesterday. In his neighborhood are many different nationalities and races -- Polish, Mexican, Asian, African American -- they live together in community.
Churches have people from all different backgrounds that share a common faith.
Maybe, as a nation we have become so attached to our smaller communities that we have forgotten that we are also a part of a greater community. We seem to focus on the needs of our own community and the differences between our smaller groups, with little regard for the needs of our greater community.
If meeting the needs of our local community hurts another community, so be it.
If meeting the needs of our local community has a negative impact on the rest of the country -- not our problem.
We rely on our national government to look out for our national interest. We need to remember that we are citizens and members of a community that is larger and greater than our local groups. I think that we sometimes forget that we do have common interests.
I think hating other groups is easy when we don't really know them. I mean it is easy for a white guy that lives in the Bible belt that has never met a Muslim to generalize and hate them all. If you knew Muslims that live and work in neighborhoods across the country and worry about taxes, health care, saving to put their kids through college, balancing work and school activities, all of the same things you worry about -- it becomes harder to hate them.
As much as we want to be known, we should want to know others.
John <><
People in a bar gather together to drink and socialize. Some bars cater to neighborhoods, some have professional careers in common, some are there because of the menu. Some are there to meet people.
I was at my brother's house yesterday. In his neighborhood are many different nationalities and races -- Polish, Mexican, Asian, African American -- they live together in community.
Churches have people from all different backgrounds that share a common faith.
Maybe, as a nation we have become so attached to our smaller communities that we have forgotten that we are also a part of a greater community. We seem to focus on the needs of our own community and the differences between our smaller groups, with little regard for the needs of our greater community.
If meeting the needs of our local community hurts another community, so be it.
If meeting the needs of our local community has a negative impact on the rest of the country -- not our problem.
We rely on our national government to look out for our national interest. We need to remember that we are citizens and members of a community that is larger and greater than our local groups. I think that we sometimes forget that we do have common interests.
I think hating other groups is easy when we don't really know them. I mean it is easy for a white guy that lives in the Bible belt that has never met a Muslim to generalize and hate them all. If you knew Muslims that live and work in neighborhoods across the country and worry about taxes, health care, saving to put their kids through college, balancing work and school activities, all of the same things you worry about -- it becomes harder to hate them.
As much as we want to be known, we should want to know others.
John <><
Friday, November 11, 2016
Veteran's Day
It is late evening on Veteran's Day and I have sent some thank yous via text message and posted a family military pic on social networks.
But it is worth mentioning that I am very thankful to all that are serving and have served in our nation's military service.
We enjoy a great freedom in the US that is kept secure by the efforts of our military forces. Freedom isn't free. It often comes at great cost. Our service men and women are the front line of defense in protecting and defending those freedoms.
Thank you.
I'll share this because I think it's worth sharing on this day. My brother posted it on his Facebook feed. He said it was written by a friend, colleague and Marine.
Thank a Vet.
Will Kanteres
John <><
But it is worth mentioning that I am very thankful to all that are serving and have served in our nation's military service.
We enjoy a great freedom in the US that is kept secure by the efforts of our military forces. Freedom isn't free. It often comes at great cost. Our service men and women are the front line of defense in protecting and defending those freedoms.
Thank you.
I'll share this because I think it's worth sharing on this day. My brother posted it on his Facebook feed. He said it was written by a friend, colleague and Marine.
Thank a Vet.
Will Kanteres
I vividly remember the first time I was thanked for my service. It was not on Veteran's Day, nor at any time during my first or second enlistment. It happened on 3 Jun, 2003, my mom's birthday. I was a SSgt with 10years in service. I was wearing desert utilities in the Baltimore airport, clearing customs on my way home to CA from Iraq. Every person that passed us said thank you that day, many with tears in their eyes. As scores of us lined up for our first over priced Starbucks coffee in months, the $5 & $10 bills collected on the counter as civilians who saw us were not about to let us spend our own money. The verbal gestures and unnecessary free coffee surely seemed small and insignificant to them. To me it was overwhelming and disorienting. I didn't see us as they did. I had never considered our service uniquely selfless or worthy of thanks from those I did not know.
Since 2003 it has become culturally common for civilians and veterans to go out of their way to verbally and sincerely thank those serving. Every time it happens I recall 3 Jun 2003, and relive those emotions in that moment. When you meet a veteran or service member, feel free to thank them. Don't feel obligated. If the moment isn't right for you, that's okay. We don't serve with expectations of thanks. But if you are so inclined, don't be afraid of the awkward moment that follows your thanks. For me it's hard to respond. Usually I'll give you a smile and bow my head, or just say thank you and try to maintain eye contact. The awkwardness is simply me being humbled by your gesture, because it is not insignificant. It is as appreciated as you are appreciative.
John <><
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