Don't Blink, You Might Miss It!

Today, June 29th,  we will get an extra second added to our day to keep our timing with the earth's rotation.  Instead of the usual 86,400 seconds we will have 86,401 seconds to use this day.

 I might sleep an extra wink, stay awake to finish a movie, or let it slip by unnoticed.

What will you do with your extra second?  

Another thing to be aware of.....

{Photo by Ethan Livengood}

A bear! A bear!   It seems in the neighboring town we have a bear on the prowl.  The picture above is a black bear sighted in the downtown area of this small town brazenly walking down the street.  Seems like he knows that we walk on the sidewalks.  A citizen snapped this picture.  Conservation agents have been notified and they are trying to locate the bear to remove it from populated areas. 

The advice given is --Don't Feed Bears!   It reminds me of an old Yogi Bear cartoon.  

The conservation site says that black bears wake up from hibernation in the spring and go searching for food. They shouldn't be confronted or given food intentionally.  Bears will remember where food is from year to year.  

The black bear is native to our state, but they were wiped out during settlement.  Only in recent years are they making a comeback.  They are more common in the southern part of the state, but have started moving north.  

I never thought that I would have to be on guard for bears, but I guess a time's a changin'.   

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

"Goin' to the chapel and we're... gonna get married..."

My son got married over Memorial Day weekend and it was a great day.  The ceremony was held outside near a small lake and it was so beautiful and peaceful.  Afterwards we had a barbecue and celebrated the day.


The bride was preceded by my grandchildren.  They did a great job of walking down the aisle -- I have to admit that when I first heard they were going to be in the wedding, I was nervous they would be too timid to make it with all the guests staring at them. But they surprised me! The only blip on their part was at the beginning when my granddaughter threw some rose petals out of her basket then bent down to gather them up again.  her brother saved the day by getting her to walk down the aisle.  Then again at the end of the aisle, my granddaughter didn't want to sit down-- she wanted to stay up with the bride and groom until every last petal was out of the basket.  It was so cute.

We got her finally to sit down with us and the bride came down the aisle to greet my son.  They shared vows, were pronounced husband & wife, and then my son got to "kiss the bride!"

This mama is happy to welcome a new daughter-in-law to the family !

F is for Fallen Heroes and Firefighters

A tragic event happened in late February that makes me pause and reflect. 

Heroes - those men and women who daily wear the uniform and prepare to put their lives on the line to keep the community safe.  Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and on the national front our military – these men and women are heroes.

One cold early morning in February, the residents in an apartment complex were awakened by a loud noise.  Not knowing what it could be, someone called 9-1-1 and emergency personnel were dispatched.  First on the scene, firefighters discovered the outside balcony walkway to the second floor apartments was in the process of collapsing. The firefighters began evacuating the residents.  All residents made it to safety, however the walkway collapsed and a firefighter who had been rescuing others ended up losing his life.      

This fallen firefighter was a 23 year veteran firefighter. He gave his life to help others to safety.  Our firefighters and our police risk their lives daily to rescue strangers.  They are heroes in my eyes.

It is only the 2^nd time a firefighter has died in the line of duty in my community according to the local news source – the last time being over 20 years ago. The US Fire Administration National statistics state 101 firefighters died in 2013. Already in 2014 there have been thirty-three firefighter fatalities. These heroes often leave behind families with minor children.  To help donations are solicited and can be given generally or to a specific family.  Check out the National Fallen Firefighter Fund for more details.   

In my community, flags were lowered half mast for a month. A memorial was held for the fallen firefighter. Firefighters from all over the state came to pay honor – the brotherhood of firefighters was definitely evident. 

I have not had to use the services of the fire department unless you count the time I came home from work to find them at my home and my son looking sheepish (but that is another story for another day). The police have given me service a few times, sad to say (again, stories for other days). I am thankful for these community servants and appreciate their willingness to put their life on the line for my safety. 

So pause for a moment. Honor our heroes, especially our fallen ones.  Thank our community servants.  Say a little prayer for their safety when their firetrucks or police vehicles pass by or you hear a siren.  Every time they show up for work there is a possibility of their life in danger – for our sake.   

Have you thanked firefighters or the police lately? 

Wealth can turn in a SNAP. Even if it takes 30 years

Paula, Paula, Paula....
 I feel for you. 
Things seemed to be going well and life was good. Oh sure, you hit a snag a year or so ago when it came out that you have diabetes.  As many have before you have, you got your bearings and began to embark on some recipe changes that would be better for your condition.  But your empire continues to grow with product lines, sponsors, and TV shows and appearances. You even got some new endorsements to teach others about diabetic lifestyles. 

But, wealth can turn in a SNAP.  Even if it takes 30 years.

And now your empire is crumbling, crashing, crushing.    Sponsorships, endorsements, and book deals are all jumping your ship.   Your TV show has not been renewed after next month.  Even your new lifestyle teaching endorsement has disassociated with you.  

I do not know what your financial status is or what your holdings are, but I do know that when one has much one generally begins to live a larger lifestyle - an affluent lifestyle.  A lifestyle where you do not have to worry about your daily needs.  A lifestyle where you spend money as you please on what you desire, without much thought.  Along with this lifestyle may come a certain attitude - one of invincibility, and of confidence. 

Oh, Paula..... I know this is not the end of the world, but it may be a change for you.  Perhaps your empire will be restored to you and perhaps not. 

1 Timothy 6:17-18
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Life is so uncertain. We don't know what will happen that might alter our course- a car accident, a health crisis, a tornado, a job promotion.......   I don't want to put my hope in something that is not secure, in something that is changeable.  I wan to put my hope in the One who never changes.  I hope Paula has her hope there too. 

Pyonghwa (Peace)

Lily              Julie              Chae-Young              Junho              Euna 

Lynn         Lucas         Jason        Younghyun    Clara    Arrina 


These former students of mine have been in my thoughts of late.   I had the privilege to teach these young Korean citizens during part of the year or so that they spent in the United States while their parents were visiting professors at the local University.  Some were fluent in English and some knew no English at all, but most could speak at least a few words when I first met them.  Each of these English language learners have returned back to their native land of South Korea, but they will forever have a special place in my heart.
  
When I see the news of North Korea's leader making threats of war and posturing his military, it makes me think of my young students who live so close.  Although I feel the North Korean leader is babbling rhetoric and idle threats, I also feel the world is in a precarious place and evil abounds. 

My students are not my only connection to Korea.  While I have never been there, my daughter lived there and taught there for five years.  It is a beautiful country.  She has visited the demilitarized zone which is the area surrounding the North and South Korean border.   It is heavily guarded by both armies.     So I pray that peace will prevail in the coming days and months; that wisdom will guide all those who are making decisions; and that God will give grace to my students keeping them safe and protecting them from all harm. Amen. 
   

While at the Demilitarized Zone 

 

Overlooking Seoul

 

The Transit of Venus

(Venus is the dark round dot in the upper right quadrant on the Sun)

The planet Venus passed between Earth and the Sun yesterday giving us a once in a lifetime view of its path.  This is called the Transit of Venus.  If you missed it--well, too bad. You've lost your chance to see one. 

Transit.  The passage of a smaller celestial body or its shadow across the disk of a larger celestial body. As observed from Earth, Mercury and Venus are the only planets of the solar system that make transits of the Sun, because they are the only planets with orbits that lie between Earth and the Sun. Mercury makes an average of 13 transits of the Sun each century. Transits of Venus across the Sun are much rarer, with only 7 of them having occurred between 1639 and 2004. 
(from http://dictionary.reference.com/science/transit)

A crowd of about 500 showed up at the University Observatory to take a turn looking through one of the twenty or so high-powered telescopes set up to help view this event.  This picture was taken from the view. 

The average wait to get to the telescope was abut 20 minutes and most were satisfied with their turn.  Unfortunately, 15 -20 minutes before sunset clouds came in and obscured the view.  The people who had waited the longest did not get to see anything beyond clouds though the telescopes. 

The next time the planets align so that Venus will again pass between Earth and the Sun with such a flourish will be in 2117.  Barring any new medical discoveries-- we will all be dead and gone by then.





http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/06/05/transit-venus-enthralls-spectators/

Firemen & Policemen, Oh my!

Last week there was a great fire in town that burned some apartment housing that was under construction.  The fire was so hot that it melted the traffic lights nearby.  The fire is still under investigation and that may turn out to be another story.

 But for today, I am thankful that we have men and women who make it their responsibility to fight fires when they occur.  That we have policemen and policewomen to help enforce our laws and keep us safe.  That although I do not like paying taxes, I am thankful to have safety equipment to help these safety people do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

The following pictures were some taken by a local radio station of that morning's fire.

 

Goodbye Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

1955 - 2011

comment overheard:

"If Steve Jobs made it

       then people will buy it. "

He changed the world.

We will miss your creativity and ingenuity.

Thank you. Rest in Peace.

creator of all things Apple: Mac, I-pod, I-phone, I-pad. 



Joplin Tornado Before and After

On May 22, 2011 Joplin, Missouri was hit by a devastating tornado rated F5.  A good  portion or the city was decimated and 159 people have died to date.  The video below shows what an area of the town was like before and what is now.       The point?  Value your days.  Pay attention to Weather watches and warnings.  Don't leave your loved ones angry.  

Aspiring to the World Cup - Go USA !

Congratulations to Team USA !

 To all the young boys and girls who spend hours practicing on on the soccer field and to all the soccer moms (and dads) who put in what must seem like endless early Saturday mornings -  Keep at it!   Look at how far we have come !