Kudos to Our Press!

The Obama administration on Thursday tried to make “pay czar” Kenneth Feinberg available for interviews to every member of the White House pool except Fox News. But the Washington bureau chiefs of the five TV networks decided that none of their reporters would interview Feinberg unless Fox News was included.

Source: Fox News

Lessons from a Sunflower

Surprise, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

When we are able to spend time at our home in Crestline, one of the first things I do when we arrive is go to our gardens in the back to see how the plants are prospering. They have done exceptionally well during the more than two years we have been in Lake Havasu, for our house has set empty, and the yards have mostly taken care of themselves. We do have rudimentary sprinklers, but they don’t cover everywhere, and we have lost some plants. All in all, though, given the circumstances we are pleased.

A couple of weeks ago, I walked into the back, and there in a graveled area where is a swing and other lawn furniture, had sprung up this magnificent sunflower. We don’t have sunflowers anywhere on our property, nor am I aware of any in the neighbor’s places, but somehow a seed had blown in or had been carried by a bird and dropped there. While we weren’t looking, the determined seed burrowed into the little-watered earth, clamped down, rooted, and then, from within the decaying shell, there pushed up green tendrils, so determined, so healthy that a stalk formed, and, still while we weren’t looking, buds formed, and then one opened. And there it was, a glorious, golden sunflower.

Amazing, isn’t it. A whole knot of stunning lessons is here.

First, don’t try to be something you are not. Be who you are. A sunflower is not an exotic plant, but a rather common flower, probably even considered a weed in some circles. Think about it, though. Should he try to be an orchid or a petunia or a tomato, he would certainly fail. But at being a sunflower, he excels, he flourished, for that was his purpose, his destiny.

Second, don’t complain about conditions. Dry earth? Dig in a little harder. A deserted garden? You never know who will visit some time. Lack of fertilizer? Look within yourself, engage your inner strength and resources.

Third, don’t worry that no one is seeing you do your work. Just keep at it. Not a human in this world knew that little seed was working in our patch of land, never an eye saw the little fella push up through the earth and poke out his tender head, not one ear heard the cracking of the bud and the sprouting of the leaves. Finally, though, I saw it, and admired it, and took its picture, and watered it, and thought about it, and wrote its story.

Think about it, though. Think harder. There are thousands of sunflowers who do their magnificent job…and truly no one ever knows, no one admires nor snaps pictures, nor picks for a bouquet. Is their work wasted? Energy expended in vain? No. God knows; He who spoke and who gave the seed and ignited the germ sees and notes…and one day, perhaps through the wind of a thunder, may blow a seed, un-noted, unexceptional, common, mundane–into someone’s garden and bring joy.

Number four. Your lifework creates a place for others. When I went out in the morning to take pictures of my sunflower, I looked closely, and deep within its parts were tiny insects and water drops that had settled into the glowing compartments. Oh, you may not know, never be aware, but your sterling life, your integrity, your living to purpose creates a dwelling place for others…brings peace and trust and refuge. As I watched, insects scurried about in the golden place of a common ordinary sunflower, a sunflower that was living to purpose and to destiny.

How about us? Wonder how we’re doing. Is it possible we can learn today from a common glorious sunflower?

Recognition Link

He was alone. The night hours arrived; the man looked about for a spot to rest, saw a likely place, and stretched himself on the ground. He would spend the night here. Quickly he fell asleep, and then began the dream. (continued here)

Another One Comes and Goes

Today is my birthday, in some ways, a quiet, calm one when compared to the party my children threw me last year at Balboa Park–the finest party I have ever attended, surprise cellists a major part. Though quite different, today was equally wonderful, for I did a lot of thinking…thinking about how blessed I am, and how wonderful is my life. (You’ll see lots of pictures of last year’s party when you click on that link.)

Today’s activities started fairly early with children calling–a couple of them even singing a birthday song, then after Jerry and I lingered over coffee, I continued with my deep cleaning of the motor home by tackling the living area. I straightened the drawers and the cupboards, cleaned and polished all the wood and the windows, then on my hands and knees scrubbed the carpet.

After a shower and a change of clothes, Jerry and I drove to Needles, the closest California town to us here in Lake Havasu. Why? My drivers license expired today; tried to renew it on line and through the mail, but could not. Off to Needles, only about a 40 miles trip, I believe. Would you believe when I walked to the door of the office, there was a big sign saying they are closed now three Fridays out of the month. (Economy in the tank.) This was one of the closed Fridays. Rats!

We had eaten no breakfast, now we found there were few places to choose from in Needles, so we wound up in Denny’s for lunch, which really turned out to be quite good. Back in Lake Havasu, Jerry stayed in the motor home while I drove to the church where I had to do a little work, and to the computer shop down the street, where my little white Apple had spent the night. Last week as I attempted to copy pictures for Chloe, my Apple decided to swallow the disc into her deep inward parts. Could not get that disc ejected. Called a friend, read on line, followed instruction manual exactly, took out the battery, put it back in, turned the computer off, turned it on, ignored the Apple, glared at the Apple, patted the Apple, pled with the Apple, threatened the Apple–nothing. I had spoken by phone to the computer tech while we were in Needles, and he thought he would have to order a part. But voila, when I reached the shop, he smiled and said the disc had finally dislodged. Turned out that the disc, even though new, was physically damaged and had jammed, I suppose. Anyway, I was happy again.

Jerry took me to Shugrue’s, my favorite place in town for dinner, and it was wonderful. My pictures are not, for they are hand-held with no flash–a bit less than sharp, but you get the idea. I ordered a small steak, a salad with blue cheese dressing, and creamed spinach which was exceptionally yummy. Jerry chose blackened salmon with a lemon/butter sauce. It also was outstanding. When we had finished eating and were just sitting looking at that striking bridge, our waitress came with a brownie, topped with a scoop of ice cream and a flaming candle. We both dug in.

Yep! Another one has come…and is nearly gone. I’m thankful for another birthday. I’ve had a wonderful life–much better than I deserve.

Happy Birthday to the Masche Sextuplets

Today is their birthday. Two years ago in Phoenix, six tiny Masche babies were born–all healthy. They live here in Lake Havasu, but I have never seen them. Sure hope I come across them in the grocery store or somewhere. Adorable, aren’t they. Happy birthday babies!

Source: ETonline.com

More pictures here.

Ten Things I Greatly Dislike

As I worked on my post from yesterday in which I listed ten things I love, my cavorting mind brought up this list of things I greatly dislike. Interesting the differences among us as to what we like and dislike; for instance, I know people who enjoy bookkeeping, a job which I cannot abide. What about you? Is your list much like mine or dissimilar?

1. Bookkeeping

2. Finding a place for all the leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner

3. Doing laundry at a laundromat

4. Paying bills (closely related to # 1)

5. Confronting someone about a perceived problem

6. The time when all our children and grandchildren have gone from our house after Christmas

7. Pumping my own gas

8. Slow internet connections

9. The minutes before I am introduced to speak at a large meeting

10. Able-bodied people who won’t work, but who seem glad to take money from the government, and from their parents, and from anyone else who will support them.

My Photography Blog

It’s fun! Check out my new photography blog. Click on the My Photography page above.

Of Earth and Space…and Critters

Interesting. A few hours ago Earth Day ended here in Lake Havasu, and as I relaxed on our sofa, I read on my computer screen that an Apollo 14 astronaut is insisting that the existence of space aliens is factual, and that there is strong evidence to prove so. He is calling for the government to reveal its information concerning visitation to the earth by these space creatures..

An Apollo 14 astronaut told a group of UFOlogists Monday that aliens are not a myth and called on the government to disclose its findings, The Washington Times reported.

“It is now time to put away this embargo of truth about the alien presence,” Edgar D. Mitchell, who made the longest moonwalk in history, told those attending a conference in Gaithersburg, Md., set up by the Paradigm Research Group.

more here.

Are there really alien, space creatures? Ever seen one? Read any reports you believe? If there are, who made them? God?

Lines and Angles of Tucson

Tagging along with Jerry at a church business conference here in Tucson, I admired the lines and angles of our hotel, and once, between sessions,  as he napped, I wandered about taking pictures.

I can’t think of a way to take pictures of such places as these without gawking, and a fair amount of neck craning,  and when I do so, I probably appear less than urbane and sophisticated; more likely I assume the appearance of a small town Missouri girl turned woman gone to the big city.

The mountains ringing Tucson and the flora and fauna of the region are magnificent, speaking to the creative thrust of Almighty God. Architecture and design such as demonstrated in this Hilton Hotel in east Tucson speak to the genius and gifts of mortal man.

And I? A recipient of both giftings as I wander about, staring at the play of light and shadow on the lines and angles of Tucson.

Nail-Biting Time in Lake Havasu

Countdown: Our 2nd anniversary service begins in 5 hours from the time this picture was snapped. You are looking at the auditorium section of our church. What? you say!

The backstory is this. The carpet for our church was to have been delivered last Friday. It wasn’t. Finally, two days ago, we came to the conclusion, since the carpet still had not arrived, “We can have church with or without the carpet.”

However, the carpet salesman insisted we have carpet as promised. He intercepted the truck in Las Vegas this morning, drove like the wind to get it here, the carpet layer was waiting, and now less than five hours before the announced beginning of the service this is how we look!

Pray saints!