Yeah, it was a bit colder near Tofte than in S.C. (which should explain the slippers and sweat pants), but it was a good day for pictures of feet all around.
(see my sister's blog ...)
Today, our cockatiel "Elvis" was euthanized.
This loud, pesky, inquisitive, daring, fool-hardy member of our family finally engaged in one risky behavior too many, and all the warnings in the past finally landed home.
It's funny how such a small creature can have such a big effect on our lives. It will be too quiet around here without him.
Just over a week ago, I totaled my car. I was driving though an intersection when someone ran a red light making a right turn, putting them directly in my path. That would have been no problem for me to avoid, but as soon as they were in my path, they hit their brakes and came to a complete stop. Part of their bumper cracked & broke off, and the whole front end of my car was smashed in (as well as both air bags going off). The other driver was a foreign adult, and told both the police officer and my insurance agent that they did not know you had to stop on red when making a right turn.
I was relieved to find that my insurance would not hold the accident against me, however, the car now totaled has one major problem: it's owned by a bank. How much of it is owned by the bank versus myself is an interesting question, because it depends on whether the car is running or not. Long and short of it is, since the bank is on the title, they get to keep however much of the money they so choose. All of it, of course.
So, the accident's not my fault, my car's totaled ... and I'm just out a vehicle with no compensation. The bank, which I am choosing not to name, gets several extra thousands of dollars. Their consolation to me is that they would give me another auto loan. Ha!
I'll never trust another bank again. In fact, you know their job is to make every cent they possibly can ... and if that means taking it from you, they can and will. And then they'll ask to bleed you some more, and too often, we're desperate to let them do it! I told Kitty if we take out another auto loan, that car should sit safely in the garage until it's paid off!
But there's good news. From the accident, I jammed my thumb pretty good, but otherwise no ill effects. Our truck, which had been failing to start during the cold snap, started up immediately when I got home after the accident, and has been running fine since. We now have no car loans, and our insurance has significantly dropped, which will make it a lot easier to save up for a replacement vehicle. Also, because I've been in the habit of taking the bus to work, the loss of a vehicle is not nearly as insurmountable as it would be for many. Unfortunately, "public" transportation in the suburbs requires driving to meet the bus, but I've been able to work around Met Council's shortcomings, thanks to the help of my family & a flexible schedule.
Some people struggle through life every day. My life is generally pretty easy, with the occasional WHOMP!!! that can momentarily make things seem hopeless. It's just a matter of keeping that clear perspective ...
Actually, it's not that I forgot it was here ... it's just ... well, many excuses why I haven't posted a blog since May 2005 ....
I actually told myself that I'd start blogging again with the new year. Not quite two weeks behind schedule, I guess. So many things to talk about, I've started many blogs in the 20 months since my last post. But each time, I've later "abandoned my post" as it were.
NOT THIS TIME!!!
Great egrets in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota County, Minnesota. This is on a trail between Jensen Lake and Holland Lake.
I've really gotten back-logged in my picture publishing! Hopefully, I'll have new updates for my photo pages very soon.
There are many words in the American vocabulary that spark different ideas (good or bad) depending on your point of view. During the saturation bombing ad campaign Bush launched against us last election, the word "liberal" was used with as much venom as the word "terrorist" or even "communist". Quickly, a word that had meant "tolerance" and "open-mindedness" began to take on a new meaning.
There is another word, or more of a label, that has also become misused in America: Christian. The word itself came from Antioch, Syria, to refer to those who followed the "Christ", which in Greek means "Annointed One". To some, a christian is someone born into a christian-practicing home. To others, a christian is a person who follows (or tries their best to follow) a long list of rules - a few selected from obscure passages in the Old Testiment of the Bible, and a laundry list of others made by the leaders of the denomination. Still others believe to be a christian, you simply try your best to live a life like Jesus - be kind to others, don't lie, don't steal, etc.
In order for these different views of christianity to remain distinct from one another, additional labels are affixed to the term. On one side is that favorite panic word of Karl Rove - "liberal", and on the other, the equally frightening "fundamentalist". I myself was raised under the shadow of the later, in one of the most powerful "fundamentalist" churches in America.
I searched for the definition of the word "fundamentalist" online (courtesy of Google). Oddly enough, the definitions that came back seemed rather biased - "anti-modern", "rabid Islamist" (?), "refers to Mormons who believe ..." - but none of the online definitions pointed to christianity. It's hard to believe that these "fundamental" christians would want to be associated with Mormons or "rabid" Muslims (no disrespect is intended on my part, I only use the word "rabid" to point out the irrational fear, and non-tolerant behavior of some).
Fundamentalism hold very tightly to a select few of the laws in the Old Testament book of Leviticus (those laws that apply to others, not themselves), and then wraps itself in the tight blanket of Capitalism/Conservatism. "God helps those who help themselves" is the unwritten golden rule which is applied to the American poor. Since there is so much opportunity in this county, if someone's poor, it must be their own fault, right?
Please keep in mind, I am not referring to any particular fundamentalist christian, nor am I saying that every fundamentalist christian hates the American poor. I believe strongly that God can work any situation for good, and strong and faithful Christians can come from either the fundamentalist or liberal side of the street.
On the other side of the Christian spectrum are the liberal christians. Liberal christians tend to focus on the actions of the Christ, especially his attitude towards the poor and downcast, and try to live their lives to emulate Jesus. I've heard of the distinction between these two extremes as "the church of law" (fundamentalism) and "the church of love".
Yet for me, there is one sticking point for me with the liberal church - most of the liberal churches I have found do not believe in the Bible, or the divinity of the Christ. For me, the whole concept of Christianity falls apart without the Bible, or the divinity of Jesus. Where is the foundation of faith?
For me, I have chosen to believe that the Bible is the word of God, and that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God, by which all men must be saved. These two points are the fundamentals of my faith. Does that make me a "fundamentalist" in the general sense of the term? I sincerely hope not. I'd prefer the label "Biblical Christian". I would much rather the world consider me a member of the "church of love", than the "church of law".
My Buddy Caz sent this to me, bringing back memories of Duluth. One of the coolest things in the spring is all the ice that typically piles up on the shore.
I've seen them, I've read them, but I've never published one before.
Most likely, I'll use this spot to talk about my interests:
