Thursday Thirteen - My Edition 61 - Unfinished Posts

Thirteen Blogposts I have Started but Never Finished

I have sometimes described myself as a "compulsive finisher." That is an apt description most of the time - I find it difficult to leave a job half-done. I believe that this is a common attribute of perfectionists - we put off starting a job because we don't want to start what we won't have time or energy to complete. This morning I set out to finish up a couple of blog posts and rediscovered several embryonic pieces that I had forgotten about. Here are 13 of them:

1. Back in June of 2006 I started a post I titled "Teenagers: Work or School?" I never finished this one because I see both sides of that issue and never could draw satisfactory conclusions.

2. In January 2007, collected several interesting jokes, quotes, etc. about the use of prepositions and intended to incorporate them into a humorous post.

3. In March of 2007 I set out to write about the merits of poetry and some tips for writing it.

4. April last year was a big year for false starts in my writing. I drafted a post purportedly to teach the 8 parts of speech and their usage.

5. Also in April 2007 I wanted to pontificate on the background of the word "vocation" and what it means.

6. I had a flash of insight and inspiration on how a wide base of general knowlege is essential to reading success.

7-9. My brain flashes in April 2007 continued with just-begun posts on: How Doctors Think, Use of Time, and Setting Goals.

10. In May I intended to write a Mother's Day post, but you know what they say about good intentions...

11. In July I wanted to write a post about Bread. I gathered information about the etymology of the word, both in English and in Spanish as well as the Biblical analogy of Jesus as the Bread of Life.

12-13. Before our cruise in November, I prepared an individual post about each port of call on the cruise. I pasted in back-ground information on each port city and planned to add in personal information from our experience there. Oops! Never got around to finishing those 8 or 10 posts!

Respect and Civility in Blogging and in Life

I read a post at Blue Star Chronicles this morning. It pushed my buttons and required a response. BSC’s owner is currently out of the country for her soldier son’s wedding (Happy Wedding Day, Joshua and Michaela!) In Beth's absence, Pick Up the Pen’s author, Ed, crossposted on his site and on BSC a good discussion of civility, blogging, and Christmas.

In case you don’t have time or the inclination to go to one of these good spots to read the entire dissertation, here are a few edited and condensed nuggets containing the essence of the sentiment.

In this world it is hard to express an opinion without drawing the fire of someone who disagrees, and very often that disagreement is expressed bluntly by a hateful attack upon the writer - rants of screaming derision, slander, pomposity and arrogance, hateful attitudes that are all way too common in today’s world. Apparently the weapon of choice for these intellects is the blunt instrument of hot, turgid rhetoric.

When did we lose the ability to have a civil conversation of disagreement? Today there is little requirement for politeness, no respect for the opinions of strangers. Civility, which used to be the presumption, is on a losing streak. If we are to regain our civility, we must, as a species and as a society, learn to tolerate our differences. Toleration is not the same as liking something or agreeing with everybody. It is simply toleration. It is living with an idea that you might not choose to think or an action that you might not take yourself. Toleration does not mean anarchy or lawlessness, but rather it is the hallmark of a civil society. Civil society demands politeness, kindness and respect in all things. Face to face it is so much easier to be friendly, but behind the anonymity of the internet it is so much easier to not be civil and friendly. When looking someone in the eye it is much harder to differentiate, to hate, to accuse, to belittle, and to defame him.

Taking the high road always means a climb uphill, but the view is superior. So while you are out shopping this Christmas season listening to the carols or enjoying the company of officemates, or friends and family, even a stranger for that matter look into their eyes and pay attention to what you see.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! And Happy Winter Solstice today!

There's No Place Like Home! There's No Place Like Home!

We haven't been "in Kansas" for the last couple of weeks. No, we were not in Oz with the gang either, but we were far from home; so Dorothy's waking comments seem very appropo for our situation.

We arrived home on Wednesday afternoon after being away for 16 days. and we hit the ground running -- catching up on email, voice mail, and snail mail; downloading pics, paying bills that came in while we were gone; returning calls; unpacking; washing the mountain of clothes; and keeping a bunch of delayed doctor's appointments. This is the first time I have had a chance to write.

I kept a paper journal during the cruise, but Princess Cruise Lines charges an astounding $45 an hour for internet access (and it is s-l-o-o-o-w access), so I opted not to post from the ship.

If you are interested, check back during the next week or so for some pics and comments on our experiences from San Juan, Curacao, Aruba, Cartegena, the Panama Canal, Punterenos, San Juan del Sur, Hualtulco, and Acapulco.

Testimony

In spite of all evidence to the contrary, I hereby affirm that I AM surviving - perhaps even thriving (in some areas of my life!) Just so you know.......

Thursday Thirteen - Edition 53 for me - Favorite Blogs

13 of My Favorite Family Links -- Mostly Blogs

We have lots of family blogs in our family, so this one is a no-brainer. Maybe one week I will do one that includes no family blogs.

1. Ruthlace - My mother writes mostly family and personal memories, theology, and personal reflections of an inspirational nature.

2. The Median Sib - This sister writes educational articles, since she is a reading specialist. She also writes on other topics -- occasionally politics and sometimes news items of the day. She hosts the meme Sunday Seven, along with me and another sister. She also owns and operates the meme Thursday Thirteen along with my sister, Beth.

3. Alone on a Limb - Also a teacher, my brother writes about education (especially environmental education and children's literature) and politics. He often posts his great photography, too.

4. Blue Star Chronicles - Beth writes mostly political and military posts. Her blog is in the top 30 of the TLB system, and she posts several times most days. Beth co-owns and operates Thursday Thirteen with Carol in addition to co-hosting Sunday Seven.

5. Sleepless Juggler - Our daughter is also a teacher mother of young children, so her posts are usually on topics of education, children and her family. She is taking a "sabbatical" right now to get the new school year started off right.

6. Into Africa - My sweet niece is also a teacher. She just began her second year as a missionary teacher in Tenwek, Africa, and writes about her work and ministry there. She also posts some great wildlife pictures of the African animals.

7. Reasoned Audacity - My niece works in government and politics and makes frequent TV appearances to debate topics related to family, morals, and politics. Her husband writes about business. They co-author this blog, so it has lots of variety.

8. CWA - My sister, Jan, is a senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, the think-tank for Concerned Women for America. She writes and speaks as an expert against sex-trafficking, against abuse of women, and promoting religious freedom -- among other topics.

9. Cozy Reader My cousin, Jane, authors this blog which serves, like mine, as a sort of journal, detailing events in her life as well as topics of general interest such as news items, church policy and doctrine, the occasional meme, and commentary on issues of interest to her.

10. A Few Minutes with Andy - My cousin, Andy, and his wife work with Campus Crusade for Christ. Andy writes inspiration pieces, gives information on their work with CC, and often posts stories and pictures of their three adorable little boys.

11. - 13. Other nieces' and nephews' blogs - Amanda's, Lillian's, Brannons, Johnny's, Josh's -- and my son's blog -- all mostly irregular at this time. I keep losing the addresses and can't seem to keep up with them.

Is There Life Out There?

I have found myself humming the old Reba McIntyre song, Is There Life Out There? every time I click on Daddy's Roses lately.

I have had so few comments in the last month or so, I have begun to wonder if I am the only person reading my blog. If so, that's cool - I write mostly because I have to; but I'd like to know if someone else is reading what I write and if so how often.

So, if you come by here on a regular or semi-regular basis, I would appreciate your letting me know that today. Just click on comments and say something like, "I couldn't live without your blog. I check it 10 times a day." or "I lucked up on you accidentally today and don't plan to be back." or "I check in here a couple of times a week." or whatever is actually true in your case.

Thanks a bunch! And have a wonderful weekend full of love, peace and joy!

Turning Disaster into Deliverance

I just read this thoughtful and thought-provoking post at Blue Star Chronicles. Beth has some sage comments on dealing with unexpected, unsought, and/or undesirable "reversals of fortune" in our lives.

Consider these closing paragraphs, then go read the entire post. (The boldings below are mine to draw your attention to the statements that I found most helpful.)

If I haven’t learned anything else in my life, I have learned that things are rarely as they appear on the surface. I’ve learned that what gives every appearance of being a disaster can have marvelous results - even if it’s in the long run. I’ve learned that you have to roll with it and be willing to tough it out till you see what’s around the next bend in the road. There’s always another bend in the road.

So what do you do while you are toughing it out? I say, take control of the parts of it you can control, don’t let yourself be a victim, let go of the parts you have no control over, take a deep breath and look around yourself.When you have done the part that you can control, at least for the time being, then take care of your mind, body and spirit. Relax cause tomorrow is another day.

25 Tips from the Frugally Insane

Most of us have read magazine articles proclaiming to list "time-saving" or "money-saving" tips. I read a funny satire of those articles the other day. It was called 25 tips from the frugally insane and was posted at the blog, Wisebread.

I love finding a bargain and have a reputation for being super-frugal. I would not belittle anyone for aspiring to save some money, but this satire of my kind was very funny. Click that first link to read the whole post. For your reading enjoyment, I have printed here some of what I considered the best parts.

25 tops tips from the VIZ archives.

1. Save a fortune on laundry bills. Give your dirty shirts to a local charity shop. They'll wash and iron them and you can buy them back for 50 cents.

4. Foil pick-pockets by placing a freshly toasted "pop tart" in each pocket. Would-be thieves will quickly rupture the fragile pastry and receive nasty finger burns from the steaming hot jam inside.

6. Can’t afford contact lenses? Simply cut out small circles of clingwrap and press them into your eyes.

7. Stop bread from drying out by keeping it in a bucket of water.

8. Don't waste money buying expensive binoculars. Simply stand closer to the object you wish to view.

10. Put a stop to car thieves by siphoning off all your gas whenever you park your car, and carrying it round with you in one or two plastic buckets.

11. Why pay for expensive jigsaws? Just take a bag of frozen fries from the freezer and try piecing together potatoes.

12. Smell gas? Locate the suspected leak by striking an ordinary match in every room in the house until a loud explosion reveals the source of the escaping gas.

13. Always keep a stick of butter in your pocket so that if you get your head stuck in railings you'll be able to grease your ears and slide out.

15. Office workers. Avoid distractions from your important paperwork by making "blinders" out of two post-it note stickers, one stuck to each temple.

16. Save electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner's hat.

18. Old telephone directories make ideal, free personal address books. Simply cross out the names and addresses of people you don't know.

19. When reading a book try tearing out the pages as you read them. This saves the expense of buying a bookmark.

20. Save on gas by pushing your car to your destination. Invariably passers-by will think you've broken down and help.

22. No time for a bath? Wrap yourself in duct tape and remove the dirt by simply peeling it off.

24. Save on alochol by drinking cold tea instead of scotch. The following morning you can create the effects of a hangover by drinking a tablespoon of dish soap and banging your head repeatedly on the wall.

Change

Norma, a blogging friend who writes Collecting My Thoughts as well as 7 other blogs, had an interesting post today about change. Among her astute observations are these:

....change is always with us, isn't it? ... "change" is one of the reasons I retired at 60 instead of 65. I was so tired of the constant changes--the reporting line, the staff, the consortia, the committees, the technology. I thought there must be more to life than learning a new software gimmick that would be gone in 6 months, or the names of student staff who would only stay a quarter.

When you're young--like 18-25 or so--the changes dribble like a soft rain and you hardly notice them. Also, you tend to gloss over them thinking they (the changes) are temporary and eventually things will settle down. Doesn't happen. As you age your mind accumulates and stores all these changes, and their warranties and instruction manuals are still on your shelves; they become burdensome.

That last sentence is music: It gave words to a truth I had known but not recognized. And to add to the resonance of the new understanding in my mind and heart, the thought was written in just the right key. It is thoroughly singable. The composer, a retired librarian, chose just the right notes to turn the prose into poetry and set it to music. Bravo! Bravo!

Character vs Reputation

I recently found this website - Words of Wisdom 4U.

I signed up for their weekly email of motivational thoughts. This week the email included several thoughts I'd like to pass along. Some of the quotations that they printed help to reinforce the lesson that the building of CHARACTER rather than REPUTATION should be the focus of our self-improvement efforts. (Boldings in the following quotations are mine for emphasis, denoting the parts that were particularly meaningful to me.)

I'll start with my favorite quotation. Actually I have read an extension of it that I like even better. The extended version begins with "Sow a thought and you reap an act." The version given in this week's motivation email has been attributed to Charles Reade:

"Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny."

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer had this to say:

"Your reputation is in the hands of others. That's what a reputation is. You can't control that. The only thing you can control is your character."

Helen Gahagan Douglas:

"Character isn't inherited. One builds it daily by the way one thinks and acts, thought by thought, action by action."

Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, said:

"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation.
Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others
think you are."

INSPIRATIONAL POEM for YOUR WEEK
Reputation and Character
By William Hersey Davis

The circumstances amid which you life determine your reputation;
the truth you believe determines your character.

Reputation is what you are supposed to be;
character is what you are.

Reputation is the photograph;
character is the face.

Reputation comes over one from without;
character grows up from within.

Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community;
character is what you have when you go away.

Your reputation is learned in an hour;
your character does not come to light for a year.

Reputation is made in a moment;
character is built in a lifetime.

Reputation grows like a mushroom;
character grows like the oak.

A single newspaper report gives you your reputation;
a life of toil gives you your character.

Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor;
character makes you happy or makes you miserable.

Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;
character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.

Christmas Tag

The Good 'ol Days

Christmas 1955

I got tagged with this meme by Beth at Blue Star Chronicles.

Ok this is how it works. The player (me) must list 3 things that I would love to get for Christmas. Then I must list 3 things that I definitely do not want to get for Christmas. Then I tag 5 friends and list their names. The one I tag needs to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes then tag 5 more people. They must also clarify all the rules. When you tag someone you need to leave a comment that says “you’ve been Christmas tagged!” in their comments and tell them to read your blog. Ok everybody.

Three things I would love to get for Christmas:

1. World Peace. I unashamedly quote Sandra Bullock in her role as "Miss Congeniality". So trite, but so true -- I guess that is really the first wish for most of us.

2. A high-capacity flash drive.

3. Hey, this is a wish list, right? so --- a huge, ostentatious home on at least 10 acres (and the income to keep it up!)

Three things I definitely do NOT want to get for Christmas:

1. More stuff. I DEFINITELY do not want more "stuff." As a matter of fact, I told my children that their best gift for me would be to come get some of my "stuff" and haul it off.

2. Clothes that don't fit. I really dislike returning items to stores.

3. A Pet. While I do not want to spend MY time, money, and energy taking care of a carpet-soiling animal and having a house that smells like a kennel, I will defend to the death YOUR right to do so! I certainly do not dislike animals, I just prefer to spend my time reading, writing, walking, surfing, and talking to someone who can talk back.

I Christmas tagged: You. If you are one of 5 readers of this blog who has not already been tagged, then consider yourself tagged with this meme.