For the twenty years or so, my career has required me to be generally available at any time. Before that, I was on call for many years for support issues. Having the pager or the department mobile still gave a lot of freedom, but it did startle my friends when my pager would go off in my purse when I was playing the organ at church and not sitting there. One of the weekend IT staff would reboot all the servers on Sunday morning, including one that paged me when it went down. In all those pages, only once was it an actual issue I had to leave to deal with.
In the next position, I worked from home and definitely was connected most of the time. I was the only manager who was usually available, and I was often called by the Asian help desk in the middle of the night to help deal with an escalation of a problem. We also had rotating staff meetings with prime time in England, Australia, or California. That would mean meetings at 2am. Having Internet access for these meetings was important although many were simply phone conferences.
Moving on, I had a mobile with my email routed to it. That means even more connectivity as cell service is so ubiquitous. It was convenient, but too easy to always check. Then, it was regular video conferencing, including supporting calls in Europe in the early morning hours.
These two decades of being constantly available have taught me a number of things that are important to my sense of well being. One is that it is too easy to be constantly connected. There is always one more thing to do. It is critical to set limits. For me, that means:
1) No email on my phone
2) Do not spend my entire weekend online
3) Do not get online until after working out
4) Turn off the phone at night.
I check Facebook on the weekends but do not often post much then. And I usually only check once each day instead of multiple time.
This time unplugged from outside helps me refocus on things internal. Many people are constantly connected. It becomes an addiction. If you are always connected however, you are not really living your life. You are watching it instead. I believe that we are meant to be doers and not spectators in our lives. We need to get out and live, so I set limits to force myself to do that.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
Some old fashioned housekeeping - hanging the laundry
In the first house I owned, we inherited a washing machine with the house but not a dryer. While we were there, we hung the clothes on lines in the basement. Particularly with the dress shirts, it was a good way to dry things. Hanging them on hangers decreased the ironing. However, I appreciated the dryer in our next house. At first, it was located under the thermostat. If I used the dryer in the winter, the house would get quite cold. When we did some remodeling, we fixed that issue. For the next few years, I used the dryer for most of my laundry.I bought one drying rack for occasional use and for things that need to avoid the dryer like sweaters.
Fast forward to about 2006. We now have the Internet. I can find people who are interested in the same retro things I am. My local paper has a weekly section on homemade, organic and other such things. I learned how to make my own laundry detergent (that has saved quite a lot of money over the past 8 years.) I reconsider the dryer as I read about how much easier it is on the clothes to air dry them. Ikea opens near us in Utah. I find this great rack. It holds an entire load of laundry for me. So I start drying most of the laundry on the racks. In the summer, they are on the patio. In the winter, they are in the entry way from the patio in the basement.
When we moved to Arizona, I bought a clothes line. It is the umbrella kind because the CC&Rs for our association say that a line is fine if it is not visible from the street. Ours is hiding behind a tree. I didn't bury it in a nice hole though, but put it in an umbrella stand. I have had to weight it down with heavy stuff because, when the wind blows here, it really blows. Once two years ago, it blew down the line (laden with clothes) and bent one of the arms. This week, that weakened arm finally gave out, so I have purchased another one.
I do two or three loads of laundry per week and almost all of it ends up on the line outside for about 8 months of the year. In the winter, I still use the racks. Or, if monsoons threaten, again I use the racks. The dryer gets used for 15 minutes to fluff the towels before I hang them. When I do that, they don't get all stiff. The Pro likes stiff, but I do not.
This is the load of towels from this week, not quite a full load. If you're wondering why they are doubled over, I used to hang them from the top, but they start to shift out of shape. When I fold them over this way, they don't change shape. Shirts still go on hangers, sometimes in the laundry room, sometimes on the line. That is dictated by wind (we had gusts of 50 mph this week). I have the lovely old-fashioned wooden clothes pins.
This new line is different than the old one in that the height is adjustable. I sawed 4 inches off the pole to make it lower on the old one. For this one, I only have to lock the upper portion four inches down the pole from the top. This means when my shorter daughter visits, we can lower it so she can use the upper lines. I still have to stretch for those, so I may lower it again.
So, laundry for me is a combination of modern and historical. I use a washing machine but make my own detergent. I don't usually use a dryer. The clothes get clean and they last a very long time. Yes, the sun can do some bleaching, so I make sure to bring in the bright colors when they are dry and not leave them hanging in the sun all day. I find I really enjoy the 10 minutes or so that it takes to hang one load of clothes. I am out in the sun enjoying the fresh air. It is almost relaxing. And most of the time, the clothes smell so nice. Even when we have high pollen counts, I still hang them, but inside on the racks. It is a link to the past that I truly enjoy.
Fast forward to about 2006. We now have the Internet. I can find people who are interested in the same retro things I am. My local paper has a weekly section on homemade, organic and other such things. I learned how to make my own laundry detergent (that has saved quite a lot of money over the past 8 years.) I reconsider the dryer as I read about how much easier it is on the clothes to air dry them. Ikea opens near us in Utah. I find this great rack. It holds an entire load of laundry for me. So I start drying most of the laundry on the racks. In the summer, they are on the patio. In the winter, they are in the entry way from the patio in the basement.
When we moved to Arizona, I bought a clothes line. It is the umbrella kind because the CC&Rs for our association say that a line is fine if it is not visible from the street. Ours is hiding behind a tree. I didn't bury it in a nice hole though, but put it in an umbrella stand. I have had to weight it down with heavy stuff because, when the wind blows here, it really blows. Once two years ago, it blew down the line (laden with clothes) and bent one of the arms. This week, that weakened arm finally gave out, so I have purchased another one.
I do two or three loads of laundry per week and almost all of it ends up on the line outside for about 8 months of the year. In the winter, I still use the racks. Or, if monsoons threaten, again I use the racks. The dryer gets used for 15 minutes to fluff the towels before I hang them. When I do that, they don't get all stiff. The Pro likes stiff, but I do not.
This new line is different than the old one in that the height is adjustable. I sawed 4 inches off the pole to make it lower on the old one. For this one, I only have to lock the upper portion four inches down the pole from the top. This means when my shorter daughter visits, we can lower it so she can use the upper lines. I still have to stretch for those, so I may lower it again.
So, laundry for me is a combination of modern and historical. I use a washing machine but make my own detergent. I don't usually use a dryer. The clothes get clean and they last a very long time. Yes, the sun can do some bleaching, so I make sure to bring in the bright colors when they are dry and not leave them hanging in the sun all day. I find I really enjoy the 10 minutes or so that it takes to hang one load of clothes. I am out in the sun enjoying the fresh air. It is almost relaxing. And most of the time, the clothes smell so nice. Even when we have high pollen counts, I still hang them, but inside on the racks. It is a link to the past that I truly enjoy.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Fire safey in the forest-spring cleaning the underbrush
We live at the edge of the Prescott National Forest. Our March 2014 Homeowners Association Newsletter talks about what the natural habitat in such a forest is like and that is not what our yard was like. Reading the newsletter and a few other similar resources convinced me that it was time to do a spring cleaning in our yard. As I have cut away saplings and suckers, I discovered other stubs from such clean out in the past. However, it appears to be at least 5 years, if not more, since all this was cut away. That means some saplings have grown too fat for my loppers. I will have to hire someone with a chain saw to come in and cut away stubs.
Most of the yard looked like this when I started. Solid shrubbery. The second picture shows
The area below was originally all scrub and now I can walk between the trees.
Out front, this was completely filled in with brush. Now I can even see the yucca that was hiding there.
This is the view of the same area from the other side.
These next portions in the back were so full you could not walk around. I will need help cutting some of the saplings that are still visible.
This is the largest brush pile. At its highest, it is about 5 feet tall.
I still have all the plants along this street to tackle, but everything in the rest of the yard is now in pretty good shape.
Our house was very secluded before I started this project. Now, it is a lot more visible. However, there is also significantly less fuel for forest fires. There were two very large fires in our area last year. The first was the Doce fire. It was in the forest just over the hill from our house. We were in a subdivision that had suggested but not mandatory evacuation during the first day of the fire. I loaded up the car with essentials hoping not to leave as the Pro was in Phoenix all day. Luckily, the fire shifted direction away from us.
A couple of weeks later, the Yarnell Hill fire broke out. That led to the loss of 19 firefighter lives. That was a little further away, so again we were lucky. Fire restrictions in the Prescott National Forest began on Friday, April 18. In order to better protect us, the forest service does planned burns in January and February. The forest is much healthier when there are regular burns.
We cannot do that in our yard, so we must clean out the undergrowth manually. Many people do not. However, I would like our yard as fire safe as possible. I know there is a lot less fuel now (and I'm not quite done) and that feels good. Of course, that fuel is currently drying out along the street. Brush pickup is scheduled for May, so it will not be here long. I still have a couple of weeks to finish up the cleaning for this year.
After this year, it will be much easier to maintain. This year, I am playing catch up. It is very hard physical labor, probably a very good workout for me. I do it around 6:15 in the morning when it is in the 40s, and I still get very hot and sweaty. There is great satisfaction in accomplishing an area, and I have greater appreciation for those who worked the land in the past. This is really hard work.
Yard work was much easier when I didn't do any except in my raised beds. However, I think the yard is now more accessible, and provides less shelter for the critters in the area, encouraging them to move elsewhere. If I have no more javelina, rabbits, deer, or skunk eating my plants, I will be grateful. I have a lot less fuel for any wildfires to consume. And I am a lot stronger right now, too.
Two of my grandkids helped me stack everything that came out of this section.
some of that in the back, which I think is on my neighbor's property, with a mostly cleaned out area in front. 
Our house was very secluded before I started this project. Now, it is a lot more visible. However, there is also significantly less fuel for forest fires. There were two very large fires in our area last year. The first was the Doce fire. It was in the forest just over the hill from our house. We were in a subdivision that had suggested but not mandatory evacuation during the first day of the fire. I loaded up the car with essentials hoping not to leave as the Pro was in Phoenix all day. Luckily, the fire shifted direction away from us.
A couple of weeks later, the Yarnell Hill fire broke out. That led to the loss of 19 firefighter lives. That was a little further away, so again we were lucky. Fire restrictions in the Prescott National Forest began on Friday, April 18. In order to better protect us, the forest service does planned burns in January and February. The forest is much healthier when there are regular burns.
We cannot do that in our yard, so we must clean out the undergrowth manually. Many people do not. However, I would like our yard as fire safe as possible. I know there is a lot less fuel now (and I'm not quite done) and that feels good. Of course, that fuel is currently drying out along the street. Brush pickup is scheduled for May, so it will not be here long. I still have a couple of weeks to finish up the cleaning for this year.
After this year, it will be much easier to maintain. This year, I am playing catch up. It is very hard physical labor, probably a very good workout for me. I do it around 6:15 in the morning when it is in the 40s, and I still get very hot and sweaty. There is great satisfaction in accomplishing an area, and I have greater appreciation for those who worked the land in the past. This is really hard work.
Yard work was much easier when I didn't do any except in my raised beds. However, I think the yard is now more accessible, and provides less shelter for the critters in the area, encouraging them to move elsewhere. If I have no more javelina, rabbits, deer, or skunk eating my plants, I will be grateful. I have a lot less fuel for any wildfires to consume. And I am a lot stronger right now, too.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Memorial tribute to Aunt Helen and her family
My Aunt Helen recently passed away at the age of 100. She was a wonderful person and I feel privileged to have known her. In fact, both of her sisters were also wonderful, which I think is a tribute to their parents. When I was very young, I knew her mother and I really loved visiting her.
When children voluntarily spend time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., it is very telling about the type of person those relatives are. Aunt Helen was one of those people it was a pleasure to be with. When I was in the third grade, we moved to a new house which was within a mile and a half of Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil. Dad and Phil, his brother, were not particularly close, but they enjoyed an amicable relationship. When my sister and I were about 7 and 9 (after we had moved nearby), Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil started taking us to church with them, at first occasionally, and then, for me, almost every week. I always enjoyed it.
Looking back, I think my aunt and uncle may have worried that we were getting no exposure to religion in our home. They attended services weekly and sang in the choir. Aunt Helen's sister, Aunt Ruth, was the organist and choir director. She was so kind as to allow me to join the choir when I was 10, after my first year in choir at school. She was so encouraging of me-she was probably my true mentor in music.
Aunt Helen sang soprano, as did I. Uncle Phil sang bass. We had choir practice on a weeknight-and they would pick me up and take me with them. The church choir sang every week. I learned so many classic church anthems in those days. Aunt Ruth taught me about breath control and phrasing. She had me sing my first ever solo in church, when I was 14, for Christmas. I truly loved her.
Aunt Helen also played the organ, but I don't recall her playing it in church. However, she had one in her home, and would play for me when I visited. I would try it but found it very intimidating. In spite of the fact that I play it in church sometimes, I still do. She said she found it relaxing.
Aunt Helen's other sister, Aunt Vee (Vivian) lived with her and Uncle Phil. She was hard of hearing which was probably difficult for her as all three sisters were quite musical when they were young. I remember her as loving and caring. All three sisters made me feel special.
I suspect that one of the early motivations for attending church was that Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil often took us out for brunch after services. After the first few months though, I found something missing in my life was filled by attending church. When I hit ninth grade, they even took me to the youth group meetings. They definitely helped fill a void in my life for which I will be ever grateful.
When I was in high school, I changed religious affiliations and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In hindsight, I am sure that was a difficult choice for my aunt and uncle, and yet they never criticized or even questioned. They just loved me. I had researched a number of churches and found a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ was satisfied in the doctrines of this church. I am grateful that I did not face family pressures for my choice, particularly from this lovely Aunt and Uncle who were so instrumental in fostering my spiritual side.
In later years, my uncle traveled around the states on his motorcycle. On one such trip, he visited me in Massachusetts. Aunt Helen joined him for that part of the trip which was very special to me. She came in a motor home, not on the bike. While there, she painted a lovely picture of lilies for my home.
Along with everything else she did, she was an artist. I always think of her when I see this picture which currently hangs in my bedroom. I recall a number of her pictures in her own home.
My uncle passed a while ago, but my aunt was never alone. Besides my cousin and her children who were regular visitors, she had some wonderful and loving caregivers that assisted her for many years. I think their warm relationship is an indication of both how great they were and how fabulous my aunt was. I am sorry to see her go but I have faith that she is now with my uncle again. I love you Aunt Helen. I said it, but probably not often enough.
When children voluntarily spend time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., it is very telling about the type of person those relatives are. Aunt Helen was one of those people it was a pleasure to be with. When I was in the third grade, we moved to a new house which was within a mile and a half of Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil. Dad and Phil, his brother, were not particularly close, but they enjoyed an amicable relationship. When my sister and I were about 7 and 9 (after we had moved nearby), Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil started taking us to church with them, at first occasionally, and then, for me, almost every week. I always enjoyed it.
Looking back, I think my aunt and uncle may have worried that we were getting no exposure to religion in our home. They attended services weekly and sang in the choir. Aunt Helen's sister, Aunt Ruth, was the organist and choir director. She was so kind as to allow me to join the choir when I was 10, after my first year in choir at school. She was so encouraging of me-she was probably my true mentor in music.
Aunt Helen sang soprano, as did I. Uncle Phil sang bass. We had choir practice on a weeknight-and they would pick me up and take me with them. The church choir sang every week. I learned so many classic church anthems in those days. Aunt Ruth taught me about breath control and phrasing. She had me sing my first ever solo in church, when I was 14, for Christmas. I truly loved her.
Aunt Helen also played the organ, but I don't recall her playing it in church. However, she had one in her home, and would play for me when I visited. I would try it but found it very intimidating. In spite of the fact that I play it in church sometimes, I still do. She said she found it relaxing.
Aunt Helen's other sister, Aunt Vee (Vivian) lived with her and Uncle Phil. She was hard of hearing which was probably difficult for her as all three sisters were quite musical when they were young. I remember her as loving and caring. All three sisters made me feel special.
I suspect that one of the early motivations for attending church was that Aunt Helen and Uncle Phil often took us out for brunch after services. After the first few months though, I found something missing in my life was filled by attending church. When I hit ninth grade, they even took me to the youth group meetings. They definitely helped fill a void in my life for which I will be ever grateful.
When I was in high school, I changed religious affiliations and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In hindsight, I am sure that was a difficult choice for my aunt and uncle, and yet they never criticized or even questioned. They just loved me. I had researched a number of churches and found a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ was satisfied in the doctrines of this church. I am grateful that I did not face family pressures for my choice, particularly from this lovely Aunt and Uncle who were so instrumental in fostering my spiritual side.
In later years, my uncle traveled around the states on his motorcycle. On one such trip, he visited me in Massachusetts. Aunt Helen joined him for that part of the trip which was very special to me. She came in a motor home, not on the bike. While there, she painted a lovely picture of lilies for my home.
My uncle passed a while ago, but my aunt was never alone. Besides my cousin and her children who were regular visitors, she had some wonderful and loving caregivers that assisted her for many years. I think their warm relationship is an indication of both how great they were and how fabulous my aunt was. I am sorry to see her go but I have faith that she is now with my uncle again. I love you Aunt Helen. I said it, but probably not often enough.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Digitizing the past
At the end of the Blue Bloods episode from Friday April 11, The family is watching some home movies that Erin had digitized. They were doing some reconnecting with what is important in the family. At our house, on Saturday, we watched a dance recital from 1989 and also did some of that reconnecting.
I am turning dance recitals, a high school production, middle school band, and some home movies into digital content. I have watched most of it as I'm dubbing it over the first time. After that, for the additional copies, I am not watching again. It has been a trip down memory lane.
My daughter realized that her daughter shares many of her characteristics. Although the dance video isn't high quality, she is usually easy to pick out. When she watched the first one, she realized that her daughter could have made some of the hand gestures. I noticed that too when I was searching for the numbers she was in. I had missed one of the numbers because it seems she is in two acrobat numbers which I hadn't expected. Watching it together was a lot of fun.
New digital technologies let us store our tangible evidence of activities much longer. My niece and I are going to be scanning a bunch of family photos. Since my office is so cool all year, I plan to do mine all summer. After scanning them, I am adding in names and dates, where available. Then we're uploading to dropbox where we can share them. Some will also make it into blogs and Facebook.
My aunt has been a scrapbooker most of her life. She has wonderful scrapbooks full of her family history. I hope we can add that to our digital collection. I have some in scrapbooks, but mostly, I have photos and programs that are confined in a couple of boxes.
I look forward to spending the time with these memories and then sharing them with family members who are interested. I am grateful for technology that lets us capture these for the future. To my mind, that is what all families need.
I am turning dance recitals, a high school production, middle school band, and some home movies into digital content. I have watched most of it as I'm dubbing it over the first time. After that, for the additional copies, I am not watching again. It has been a trip down memory lane.
My daughter realized that her daughter shares many of her characteristics. Although the dance video isn't high quality, she is usually easy to pick out. When she watched the first one, she realized that her daughter could have made some of the hand gestures. I noticed that too when I was searching for the numbers she was in. I had missed one of the numbers because it seems she is in two acrobat numbers which I hadn't expected. Watching it together was a lot of fun.
New digital technologies let us store our tangible evidence of activities much longer. My niece and I are going to be scanning a bunch of family photos. Since my office is so cool all year, I plan to do mine all summer. After scanning them, I am adding in names and dates, where available. Then we're uploading to dropbox where we can share them. Some will also make it into blogs and Facebook.
My aunt has been a scrapbooker most of her life. She has wonderful scrapbooks full of her family history. I hope we can add that to our digital collection. I have some in scrapbooks, but mostly, I have photos and programs that are confined in a couple of boxes.
I look forward to spending the time with these memories and then sharing them with family members who are interested. I am grateful for technology that lets us capture these for the future. To my mind, that is what all families need.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Warranty service and older homes
When we bought our home, it came with a home warranty to cover major repairs inside. We have an older home, built around 1971, so we have needed to use the warranty at least once each year. We cover any other things we need done.
Every year we've been here, we've had to have the pipes to the sewer routed to clear out roots. We live at the edge of the Prescott National Forest (it is right behind homes down the street from us) in a subdivision that encourages trees. The pipes are clay, so roots get into them and clog them up.
We know there is a problem when the shower in the downstairs bathroom doesn't drain or fills with water from the upstairs-hopefully shower water, sometimes more unpleasant. Of course, this happened this week while family is visiting and we're using more water.
After the first time shortly after we moved in, when there were no cleanouts except next to the house, I had to hire some plumbing work done in the front yard and down the street. Some of it was required by the city so the sewer outside wouldn't back up into the house. A cleanout was put in the front yard. I had to have a second one dug in front of my neighbor's house. It is about 300 feet from my first cleanout to the sewer connection. This was private, so I am responsible for all of it. No one else is on this portion of the line. This was not cheap.
So, every year, they come, clean out from the house, then from the one in the yard, and occasionally from the third one by the neighbors. It is not fun.
The first choice plumber for the warranty service could not come. Their snake machine broke last week. They've been here before. When the clog is farther out than covered, they've still fixed it and I've paid for the extra above the warranty fee. With their machine broken, a second choice plumber was dispatched. He was very pleasant, snaked the line, said it was now clear, and left. He forgot to tighten all three of the cleanout caps, so when we ran the washing machine, water drained into the yard. We quickly tightened all of those. Then, the next day, during the second shower of the morning, the shower did not drain. (Imagine me rolling my eyes with a very large sigh)
I have called the warranty service and they are re-dispatching the company that did not quite do the job so they can fix it. However, it means not running washing machine or dishwasher, no toilet flushing, and no showers until they come later in the day. In addition, we once again have to wait for the plumber so we can't go out doing things.
My first instinct was to call my own plumber who fixes the non-warranty stuff. And, I am going to buy rootx or rock salt and start using it regularly to keep it mostly root free. I am tired of dealing with it. Hopefully, everything will be fine later today and I will start trying to kill them off.
I have had many older homes (built 1808, 1950, 1955) and some newer (1990 and one we had built), but this one has the most interesting issues when they arise. We had a woodpecker build a nest in the wall, we have huge crows that nest over the garage on a beam, the javelina that ate my hyacinths, etc. It's always something.
Every year we've been here, we've had to have the pipes to the sewer routed to clear out roots. We live at the edge of the Prescott National Forest (it is right behind homes down the street from us) in a subdivision that encourages trees. The pipes are clay, so roots get into them and clog them up.
We know there is a problem when the shower in the downstairs bathroom doesn't drain or fills with water from the upstairs-hopefully shower water, sometimes more unpleasant. Of course, this happened this week while family is visiting and we're using more water.
After the first time shortly after we moved in, when there were no cleanouts except next to the house, I had to hire some plumbing work done in the front yard and down the street. Some of it was required by the city so the sewer outside wouldn't back up into the house. A cleanout was put in the front yard. I had to have a second one dug in front of my neighbor's house. It is about 300 feet from my first cleanout to the sewer connection. This was private, so I am responsible for all of it. No one else is on this portion of the line. This was not cheap.
So, every year, they come, clean out from the house, then from the one in the yard, and occasionally from the third one by the neighbors. It is not fun.
The first choice plumber for the warranty service could not come. Their snake machine broke last week. They've been here before. When the clog is farther out than covered, they've still fixed it and I've paid for the extra above the warranty fee. With their machine broken, a second choice plumber was dispatched. He was very pleasant, snaked the line, said it was now clear, and left. He forgot to tighten all three of the cleanout caps, so when we ran the washing machine, water drained into the yard. We quickly tightened all of those. Then, the next day, during the second shower of the morning, the shower did not drain. (Imagine me rolling my eyes with a very large sigh)
I have called the warranty service and they are re-dispatching the company that did not quite do the job so they can fix it. However, it means not running washing machine or dishwasher, no toilet flushing, and no showers until they come later in the day. In addition, we once again have to wait for the plumber so we can't go out doing things.
My first instinct was to call my own plumber who fixes the non-warranty stuff. And, I am going to buy rootx or rock salt and start using it regularly to keep it mostly root free. I am tired of dealing with it. Hopefully, everything will be fine later today and I will start trying to kill them off.
I have had many older homes (built 1808, 1950, 1955) and some newer (1990 and one we had built), but this one has the most interesting issues when they arise. We had a woodpecker build a nest in the wall, we have huge crows that nest over the garage on a beam, the javelina that ate my hyacinths, etc. It's always something.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
A trip to the zoo
We took a trip to visit the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in Prescott today. My daughter and the older grandkids visited in the past. What a great experience. Because we were there when the park opened, we saw them feeding many of the animals. Here, they are giving the racoons a breakfast of what looked like my compost addition. It included eggs that the racoons took to their pond and washed before eating.
The season is just transitioning, so we got to see them returning the tortoises to their enclosures.
We saw the bears getting breakfast, the racoons above, and the tortoises. We saw a variety of big cats-bobcats, mountain lions, and a tiger; black and brown bears, 3 kinds of foxes, lots of different spiders and reptiles.
Another area of the park contains a 'petting zoo' and the kids were able to brush the goats. The goats were very friends.
The petting zoo area also included a play yard where new friends were made.
We left the play area to see the Bengal tiger get her breakfast. It was very interesting. Then we finished touring the exhibits and ended up in another playground area. Here are the three girls in a shoe.
The final play area had swings, slides, and climbing areas for those who wanted a break from the animals.
We spent about two hours at the zoo and had a wonderful time. The cost is quite reasonable. If the kids lived nearby, we'd probably get a family membership. This was a great way to spend some time. Each of the kids liked different animals. We learned about their natural habitats and something of the challenges they face.
Time is never wasted when you can spend it with your family. This was a truly excellent way to spend time and learn some interesting things.
We saw the bears getting breakfast, the racoons above, and the tortoises. We saw a variety of big cats-bobcats, mountain lions, and a tiger; black and brown bears, 3 kinds of foxes, lots of different spiders and reptiles.
Another area of the park contains a 'petting zoo' and the kids were able to brush the goats. The goats were very friends.
Time is never wasted when you can spend it with your family. This was a truly excellent way to spend time and learn some interesting things.
Monday, April 7, 2014
The Blue Castle
Cheeseslave shared a picture on Facebook recently.
This was just after I finished rereading The Blue Castle, one of the lesser known works by L.M. Montgomery (of Anne of Green Gables fame).
The description:
When Dreams Come True
All her life, Valancy Stirling
lived on a quiet little street in an ugly little house and never dared
to contradict her domineering mother and her unforgiving aunt. Then she
gets a letter—and decides that very day things need to change. For the
first time in her life, she does exactly what she wants to and says
exactly what she feels.
_____
Valency uses her Blue Castle as a refuge from her unpleasant life. That life is ruled by fear and the Blue Castle lets her imagine a life without fear doing just what she'd like to do. When she gives up the fear, her dreams start to come true. This is in line with a quote from Dale Carnegie: "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
There are many ways to allow fear to create a prison. One is fearing what other people think. That stops us from doing things or making changes. I think this fear is far more debilitating than a fear of animals, heights, or other events. I think the only other fear that is as limiting is fear of success. I think it is related to fear of what people think.
Any success is preceded by failure, usually by numerous failures. Those who fear success usually also fear failure. They also fear how they will relate to the success-to the new situation, the new people, the new power. They fear all that comes with the success-so they essentially fear themselves. Because of that fear, they do not takes the steps that would lead to success.
I think the diversity in the world is a blessing. I think the differences among all of us are blessings. The world would be boring if we were all the same. I think fearing what other people think of us is a fear of our being thought different. I would like others to like me, to enjoy being around me, to want me for a friend. However, to live life dependent on their opinions is to limit my choices. I tried for a while to be the person someone in my life expected me to be and it was just too hard. It is far easier to be ourselves and keep the people in our lives who can appreciate that person. We too must appreciate who we are or again we are driven by fear.
We need to embrace the person who inhabits our Blue Castle and be who we were meant to be - without fear.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friends
The comic strip Luann is celebrating the main characters coming to the end of their senior year in high school. Bernice, Delta and Luann decide to celebrate their 18th birthday even though it isn't time yet.
Friends are true gifts in life. One of the great things about Facebook is that it provides a way to stay in touch when we move on to other areas of the world. I have some wonderful friends scattered around the world.
I lived in Southern California as a child; went to college in New Hampshire; lived in Springfield, Belchertown and Holden, Massachusetts; lived in Chandler and Prescott, Arizona; and lived in South Jordan, Utah. I have family in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Hawaii, and Australia. This means there are people all over the world I would like to keep in touch with. Work-related, I can use LinkedIn. Socially, I can use Facebook.
Online isn't the only way to maintain relationships. That is one of the great things about Christmas cards. They give us a window into the life of friends and family. Cards throughout the year are a way to send a smile and let a loved one know you are thinking of them.
From Psychology Today: "Anais Nin put it beautifully when she said, "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Though some natural loners are happy without them, most of us depend greatly on the company of true friends. As with any relationship, friendships bring support and joy and occasionally strife. "
True friends help us become the person we were meant to be. False friends drag us from our true path. I strive to be the kind of friend I want. Someone who is loyal; someone willing to help when asked; someone who will help without being asked; someone who listens without judging; someone who is there when needed. I am grateful to the friends who have helped get here, particularly the Pro, who is my best friend.
I lived in Southern California as a child; went to college in New Hampshire; lived in Springfield, Belchertown and Holden, Massachusetts; lived in Chandler and Prescott, Arizona; and lived in South Jordan, Utah. I have family in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Hawaii, and Australia. This means there are people all over the world I would like to keep in touch with. Work-related, I can use LinkedIn. Socially, I can use Facebook.
Online isn't the only way to maintain relationships. That is one of the great things about Christmas cards. They give us a window into the life of friends and family. Cards throughout the year are a way to send a smile and let a loved one know you are thinking of them.
From Psychology Today: "Anais Nin put it beautifully when she said, "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Though some natural loners are happy without them, most of us depend greatly on the company of true friends. As with any relationship, friendships bring support and joy and occasionally strife. "
True friends help us become the person we were meant to be. False friends drag us from our true path. I strive to be the kind of friend I want. Someone who is loyal; someone willing to help when asked; someone who will help without being asked; someone who listens without judging; someone who is there when needed. I am grateful to the friends who have helped get here, particularly the Pro, who is my best friend.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Happiness and purpose
There have been a number of times in my life when I felt happy over a period of weeks or days. I believe that these bouts of happy correspond with times I was following what I was born to do.
I believe that each of us was sent here to fulfill certain missions by a loving Heavenly Father. He wants us to be all that we can be. To become that person, there are certain things we each need to do. Those things can be thought of as our mission or purpose. I do not think any of us is limited to a single mission or purpose.
When my daughter was born, it was after much tribulation. I had trouble carrying a pregnancy to term. Miscarriage is emotionally difficult if you are longing for children. I cherished my entire pregnancy. I cherished the hormonal changes which caused wild emotional swings including a bout of tears at work. I cherished the morning sickness during the first trimester. I found a book on exercise in pregnancy and became very fit and very strong. Right up until delivery, my stomach muscles were so strong, I could visibly suck in my gut. That strength disappeared after delivery, but I used it by pushing only 4 times to expel her.
Knowing of my difficulty in carrying a baby, I cherished all the baby time, even when it was sleep deprived. I tried very hard not to think, "I can't wait until x happens." I just enjoyed each milestone as it came. It helped that I kept a daily journal for both me and for my daughter. There isn't much profound in it, but you can get a good idea of what our days were like.
I was happy being a new mom in spite of the lack of sleep, the crying baby, and trying to do the right things. I was happy because I was doing something to fulfill my mission.
When I have performed with the Springfield Symphony, Valley Light Opera (Amherst), or Arizona Arts Chorale (Scottsdale), I had moments of that same happiness that comes from fulfilling the purpose. I am not a gifted musician, but I am rewarded any time I have the opportunity to perform. That reward is both in the performance itself and in the feeling of rightness I get. It is a pleasure, not a fear.
I have had a variety of careers. I enjoyed all the different jobs I have held. I worked with some amazing people. I had some great bosses, some not so great, and everything in between. I had challenges and opportunities. I think I provided good value for the pay I received. While I enjoyed them all, the ones that allowed me to teach brought more of that sense of fulfillment than the others. When I can share what I know in way that allows others to be more productive in their jobs, I get that sense of rightness. I love to teach practical things and apparently, it is something I am supposed to do.
Right now, my outside the home job consists of helping the Pro at the golf course. I format his monthly newsletter, publish it in his blog, post items in Facebook, work in the pro shop, and create flyers and marketing material for him. The satisfaction in that is in helping him. It too brings that sense of rightness.
The things I am doing at home, along with for the Pro, are again giving me that sense of mission. I do not know what the future will bring, but this is what I am meant to be doing right now. The cleaning and organizing, planting, digitizing, writing, and helping him are my purpose right now. What is so nice is that when you are following that purpose, Heavenly Father (or the universe if you are not a religious believer) rewards you for doing what you are meant to do with peace and contentment. It is like I am taking happy pills. That does not mean that I am always happy, but I am very content, smile frequently, and feel wonderful.
There are many articles and much advice on finding your purpose. That purpose may change over time or it may not. Once you figure out what it is right now, you need to step on the path to fulfilling it to feel true peace and contentment. I am grateful to have the opportunity to move forward on my path. Happiness is wonderful.
I believe that each of us was sent here to fulfill certain missions by a loving Heavenly Father. He wants us to be all that we can be. To become that person, there are certain things we each need to do. Those things can be thought of as our mission or purpose. I do not think any of us is limited to a single mission or purpose.
When my daughter was born, it was after much tribulation. I had trouble carrying a pregnancy to term. Miscarriage is emotionally difficult if you are longing for children. I cherished my entire pregnancy. I cherished the hormonal changes which caused wild emotional swings including a bout of tears at work. I cherished the morning sickness during the first trimester. I found a book on exercise in pregnancy and became very fit and very strong. Right up until delivery, my stomach muscles were so strong, I could visibly suck in my gut. That strength disappeared after delivery, but I used it by pushing only 4 times to expel her.
Knowing of my difficulty in carrying a baby, I cherished all the baby time, even when it was sleep deprived. I tried very hard not to think, "I can't wait until x happens." I just enjoyed each milestone as it came. It helped that I kept a daily journal for both me and for my daughter. There isn't much profound in it, but you can get a good idea of what our days were like.
I was happy being a new mom in spite of the lack of sleep, the crying baby, and trying to do the right things. I was happy because I was doing something to fulfill my mission.
When I have performed with the Springfield Symphony, Valley Light Opera (Amherst), or Arizona Arts Chorale (Scottsdale), I had moments of that same happiness that comes from fulfilling the purpose. I am not a gifted musician, but I am rewarded any time I have the opportunity to perform. That reward is both in the performance itself and in the feeling of rightness I get. It is a pleasure, not a fear.
I have had a variety of careers. I enjoyed all the different jobs I have held. I worked with some amazing people. I had some great bosses, some not so great, and everything in between. I had challenges and opportunities. I think I provided good value for the pay I received. While I enjoyed them all, the ones that allowed me to teach brought more of that sense of fulfillment than the others. When I can share what I know in way that allows others to be more productive in their jobs, I get that sense of rightness. I love to teach practical things and apparently, it is something I am supposed to do.
Right now, my outside the home job consists of helping the Pro at the golf course. I format his monthly newsletter, publish it in his blog, post items in Facebook, work in the pro shop, and create flyers and marketing material for him. The satisfaction in that is in helping him. It too brings that sense of rightness.
The things I am doing at home, along with for the Pro, are again giving me that sense of mission. I do not know what the future will bring, but this is what I am meant to be doing right now. The cleaning and organizing, planting, digitizing, writing, and helping him are my purpose right now. What is so nice is that when you are following that purpose, Heavenly Father (or the universe if you are not a religious believer) rewards you for doing what you are meant to do with peace and contentment. It is like I am taking happy pills. That does not mean that I am always happy, but I am very content, smile frequently, and feel wonderful.
There are many articles and much advice on finding your purpose. That purpose may change over time or it may not. Once you figure out what it is right now, you need to step on the path to fulfilling it to feel true peace and contentment. I am grateful to have the opportunity to move forward on my path. Happiness is wonderful.
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