Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Autumn
It's another beautiful day in the Ozarks!
After a week of cold, rainy weather we are back to sunny days and Temps in the 60s. The nights are still cool, but not cold. It's what one would expect for Fall in southwest Missouri.
I'm not a fan.
Truly the only thing that's keeping me here is this is where Chris wants to be.
I'm not a fan of the cold weather seasons. I'm not a fan of the local political climate. I'm not a fan of the self-righteous religious people. I'd gladly trade long motorcycle rides on twisty country roads for daily walks on a sunny beach.
But here I am, building a new house and getting comfortable with the idea that this is where I live.
Life is about adapting, right?
sigh
John <><
After a week of cold, rainy weather we are back to sunny days and Temps in the 60s. The nights are still cool, but not cold. It's what one would expect for Fall in southwest Missouri.
I'm not a fan.
Truly the only thing that's keeping me here is this is where Chris wants to be.
I'm not a fan of the cold weather seasons. I'm not a fan of the local political climate. I'm not a fan of the self-righteous religious people. I'd gladly trade long motorcycle rides on twisty country roads for daily walks on a sunny beach.
But here I am, building a new house and getting comfortable with the idea that this is where I live.
Life is about adapting, right?
sigh
John <><
Monday, November 04, 2019
Sunday, November 03, 2019
A Day of Rest
It's Sunday morning and many of us think of it as a day of rest.
So how about we all take a break from the typical news that seems to cover our news feeds and social media and share something good?
I'll go first.
A week ago I received a message from an old pastor friend asking me if I would consider volunteering as a chaplain. I have to admit, when his message began, "I've been reading your blog recently...," I was a little concerned. It's been a busy time so I put him off until things calm down a bit. I've actually considered this in the past; even going so far as checking into certified chaplaincy programs.
Well, I am meeting him this week to discuss it. I'm actually kind of excited about it.
A funny thought just hit me.
Thursday morning I was with a few Venues' people to do some quick work at the church. I don't remember the conversation exactly, but I do remember some comments directed towards me about my lack of compassion.
Is it possible to be a chaplain without compassion?
Can we choose to be selectively compassionate?
Or is it that I am compassionate, but sometimes choose not to be?
Enough about me!
What is good in your life?
John <><
So how about we all take a break from the typical news that seems to cover our news feeds and social media and share something good?
I'll go first.
A week ago I received a message from an old pastor friend asking me if I would consider volunteering as a chaplain. I have to admit, when his message began, "I've been reading your blog recently...," I was a little concerned. It's been a busy time so I put him off until things calm down a bit. I've actually considered this in the past; even going so far as checking into certified chaplaincy programs.
Well, I am meeting him this week to discuss it. I'm actually kind of excited about it.
A funny thought just hit me.
Thursday morning I was with a few Venues' people to do some quick work at the church. I don't remember the conversation exactly, but I do remember some comments directed towards me about my lack of compassion.
Is it possible to be a chaplain without compassion?
Can we choose to be selectively compassionate?
Or is it that I am compassionate, but sometimes choose not to be?
Enough about me!
What is good in your life?
John <><
Saturday, November 02, 2019
This week's odds and ends
Yeah, the 2 in 1 is back to its old malfunctioning laptop mode so I'm doing the old two finger typing on the touch pad keyboard in tablet mode.
sigh
I managed a good make up day on the walking trend. Although we had several consecutive days of cold, wet weather, I only missed walking on one day. I made up for it on Friday by getting in two walks, one of two miles and one of three. With a walk Saturday and my 10,000 steps I'll at least average 10,000 steps per day for the week.
I've managed a few short (and slow) runs as parts of a couple walks.
Saturday night is a drop in Retirement party for Chris. She had a work party on Wednesday. This one will be for anyone that wants to swing by and wish her well. It's at Bair's on S Campbell from 6 - 9. It will be pretty informal. We'll buy some apps and there will be cake. Guest can purchase drinks or order food as they like.
If you are in the area, please stop in!
I'm finally getting my motorcycle repaired. It's been sitting in the garage all year in need of some wiring work. Now I no longer have a garage so (with the help of a friend) I hauled it to Spokes Garage to get it back into running condition. It's not exactly the ideal time for motorcycle riding, but I'm sure I'll manage a few days in the saddle.
The wet weather has stalled construction of our new home. They were finishing setting the forms on Friday and plan to pour the basement walls on Monday .
It's been a busy first couple of weeks in the apartment, but I think we're settling in. We're still working on a routine. That will probably take a little more time.
John <><
sigh
I managed a good make up day on the walking trend. Although we had several consecutive days of cold, wet weather, I only missed walking on one day. I made up for it on Friday by getting in two walks, one of two miles and one of three. With a walk Saturday and my 10,000 steps I'll at least average 10,000 steps per day for the week.
I've managed a few short (and slow) runs as parts of a couple walks.
Saturday night is a drop in Retirement party for Chris. She had a work party on Wednesday. This one will be for anyone that wants to swing by and wish her well. It's at Bair's on S Campbell from 6 - 9. It will be pretty informal. We'll buy some apps and there will be cake. Guest can purchase drinks or order food as they like.
If you are in the area, please stop in!
I'm finally getting my motorcycle repaired. It's been sitting in the garage all year in need of some wiring work. Now I no longer have a garage so (with the help of a friend) I hauled it to Spokes Garage to get it back into running condition. It's not exactly the ideal time for motorcycle riding, but I'm sure I'll manage a few days in the saddle.
The wet weather has stalled construction of our new home. They were finishing setting the forms on Friday and plan to pour the basement walls on Monday .
It's been a busy first couple of weeks in the apartment, but I think we're settling in. We're still working on a routine. That will probably take a little more time.
John <><
Friday, November 01, 2019
Friends and Family
A couple of week ago Pastor Phillip's sermon was on What Would Jesus Say About Family. I'm not going to rehash his message here, but it did get me to thinking about family.
Ideally, families are a good thing. However, the world has its share of dysfunctional families and there are some just downright bad families, as well. Family doesn't always conjure up positive images. We seldom get to choose family members (other than our spouse). We are just stuck with what life deals us. I am very blessed to belong to a loving family. We are not a perfect family, but we truly do love each other. Each of our kids has made a good choice for their spouse and I hope that we will all continue to blend well as a loving family.
I grew up in a large, loving family. Again, it wasn't perfect, but I have been blessed. I truly believe that some of the best people I know are members of my own family.
I feel sad for people that have never had a good family life and can understand them wanting to experience it in the way of relating to other groups of people. Maybe it's because I've never felt that need that it seems a little weird to think of a group like church or a club or something like that as family. I'm more likely to think of my church group as a community than as a family.
We pick our friends. We choose where we go to church. We decide who we want to go with to an event or to dinner. I never had those choices when it came to family. My parents never once asked me about how I felt adding to our family.
The only choice I had was in choosing to marry Chris. Even in choosing to have kids, you never really know what you're getting.
In my head, I'm thrilled that there are people that consider me to be their friend (at least I think there are). I think that's an awesome thing.
And I've given great consideration in determining those that I call friends.
I'm not sure how it all sorts out in the end.
Nor am I sure that it really matters. I am blessed with a large family and a few friends. I probably just see things a bit differently than most. I tend to think of family pretty literally.
Just rambling...
John <><
Ideally, families are a good thing. However, the world has its share of dysfunctional families and there are some just downright bad families, as well. Family doesn't always conjure up positive images. We seldom get to choose family members (other than our spouse). We are just stuck with what life deals us. I am very blessed to belong to a loving family. We are not a perfect family, but we truly do love each other. Each of our kids has made a good choice for their spouse and I hope that we will all continue to blend well as a loving family.
I grew up in a large, loving family. Again, it wasn't perfect, but I have been blessed. I truly believe that some of the best people I know are members of my own family.
I feel sad for people that have never had a good family life and can understand them wanting to experience it in the way of relating to other groups of people. Maybe it's because I've never felt that need that it seems a little weird to think of a group like church or a club or something like that as family. I'm more likely to think of my church group as a community than as a family.
We pick our friends. We choose where we go to church. We decide who we want to go with to an event or to dinner. I never had those choices when it came to family. My parents never once asked me about how I felt adding to our family.
The only choice I had was in choosing to marry Chris. Even in choosing to have kids, you never really know what you're getting.
In my head, I'm thrilled that there are people that consider me to be their friend (at least I think there are). I think that's an awesome thing.
And I've given great consideration in determining those that I call friends.
I'm not sure how it all sorts out in the end.
Nor am I sure that it really matters. I am blessed with a large family and a few friends. I probably just see things a bit differently than most. I tend to think of family pretty literally.
Just rambling...
John <><
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Tbt
There isn't much I miss about work, but there were some great sunrise/sunsets from the tower.
This sunrise showed in my Facebook memories from 10/31/2012
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Technology is Your Friend
I'm frustrated with my 2 in 1 today because it doesn't want to work in laptop mode and I'm having to use it in tablet mode. For those used to using their phones for everything, I don't imagine this would be a big deal. It's kind of like having to use a giant phone screen that's too large to hold in one hand.
Personally, I prefer the laptop mode. The main reason is the keyboard rather than using the onscreen touch pad keyboard. Hopefully I'll get it figured out.
Overall, it's a pretty small thing and probably something I can live with ... or live without, for that matter. I tend to think of myself as a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technology. I realize that I under use the capabilities of my cheap smartphone and my 2 in 1 computer/tablet. For the most part, I have the knowledge to use the technology I need and am content with that. I realize there are convenient technologies that would make life a little easier, but they haven't made their way to my need to learn list of things just yet.
I'm adapting, just a bit more slowly than the majority of the population.
Does anyone else feel challenged or frustrated (or maybe even threatened) by the rapidly advancing technologies?
John <><
Personally, I prefer the laptop mode. The main reason is the keyboard rather than using the onscreen touch pad keyboard. Hopefully I'll get it figured out.
Overall, it's a pretty small thing and probably something I can live with ... or live without, for that matter. I tend to think of myself as a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technology. I realize that I under use the capabilities of my cheap smartphone and my 2 in 1 computer/tablet. For the most part, I have the knowledge to use the technology I need and am content with that. I realize there are convenient technologies that would make life a little easier, but they haven't made their way to my need to learn list of things just yet.
I'm adapting, just a bit more slowly than the majority of the population.
Does anyone else feel challenged or frustrated (or maybe even threatened) by the rapidly advancing technologies?
John <><
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Monday Motivation
We are now living on the Galloway Creek Greenway trail. We walked a mile to the south and back today. We'll head the other direction next time. I may grab my bicycle from the storage unit. It would be a pretty short ride and is fairly flat, but it is more than I've done since being retired and might be an easy way to begin again.
John <><
John <><
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Looking Ahead -- NaBloPoMo
Traditionally, November is National Blog Posting Month -- NaBloPoMo.
The challenge is for bloggers to post daily for the entire month. I have participated for the last four years and have plans to do so this year.
Since it is November, there are those that might choose a thankfulness theme and write daily about things for which they are thankful. There are lists of topics to write about for each of the 30 days.
Although I rarely have a lot of comments to my posts, I thought I'd ask for your ideas.
What are some things you would like to see me write about during the coming month?
I'll be a little surprised if I receive many suggestions. I have a few ideas of my own. I have memes for Monday Motivation and Wednesday Wisdom posts. I may have to tap into some of those lists to fill out the month. I don't think of myself as having a very creative nor imaginative writing style, but might entertain some fictional short story type posts.
So...
What do you think?
Help a guy out and leave a suggestion or two.
Have a great weekend.
John <><
The challenge is for bloggers to post daily for the entire month. I have participated for the last four years and have plans to do so this year.
Since it is November, there are those that might choose a thankfulness theme and write daily about things for which they are thankful. There are lists of topics to write about for each of the 30 days.
Although I rarely have a lot of comments to my posts, I thought I'd ask for your ideas.
What are some things you would like to see me write about during the coming month?
I'll be a little surprised if I receive many suggestions. I have a few ideas of my own. I have memes for Monday Motivation and Wednesday Wisdom posts. I may have to tap into some of those lists to fill out the month. I don't think of myself as having a very creative nor imaginative writing style, but might entertain some fictional short story type posts.
So...
What do you think?
Help a guy out and leave a suggestion or two.
Have a great weekend.
John <><
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