Mr. Wren scolding me.

It’s out there, stalking, creeping, ever-moving forward.  Strange haunting sounds in the darkness, unmistakable noise in the dawn.  Everywhere you look there are signs pointing in all the same direction, you can’t erase the evidence.  It’s too early you say, it’s not right.  This can’t be happening now, it’s wrong somehow.  But it nears in spite of your warnings.  Well, maybe it won’t be so bad after all, let’s dig out the lawn chairs and enjoy the weather before it’s too late!

Everywhere, spring is popping all around me, whether it’s too early or not, it’s coming.  Last week I was awakened by loud raucous cackling and hooting twice.  The first time it came from the Lake at the park a half mile away.  What was that?  It was too deep of a honk to be a Canada Goose, could it be a swan?   If it wasn’t 2 AM I’d go and check it out, but not that night.  Later I was pulled from my slumber yet again, this time by a pair of mating Barred Owls in the tree in our yard, then all the trees in all the neighbor’s yards.  Good Grief what a racket!

The song birds are singing in that unmistakable spring voice of theirs, a lovely sound in the early morning.  You see pairs of them going off into trees, up one side

Mr. Deep Throat Pelican

of the trunk and down the other, looking for that perfect cavity to put a nest in.  The sparrows have again cornered the nesting box next door.   While taking photographs of the tulips in my flower bed I began to realize that a pair of birds were yelling at me ferociously from just six feet away.  The wrens!  He had found a mate, and I’m thinking there will be a nest in those bushes this spring.

daffodils

The leafy greens are starting to push through, the daffodils are always early, but these have small heads on them already, not just the leaves.  And my tulips are pushing up through the dirt, they never show up until mid-March here in this flower bed.  My goodness, it’s wonderful and clean and refreshing, isn’t it?   What’s it like in your neck of the woods?

Pelican lift-off

Mr. Pelican soaring on the thermals. Who knew they could be so graceful.

Too early tulips

Both Mama and Papa Wren scolding me!

Well, there I was minding my own business yesterday when the newspaper headlines caught my eye.  “The Unplugged Life” it read, “Meet the neo-Luddites among us.”  (by RickMontgomery, Kansas City Star.)  Who on earth was a neo-Luddite and what was unplugged?

Now any of you who have been around for any length of time knows that I have this one drum I keep beating; simplicity.  It seems that this article has another name for it; neo-Luddites.  Who Knew?!  I was thrilled to pieces when I discovered I was a minimalist, now I can add neo-Luddite to the list.  Well, almost.  It would be better to say that in this case, I am not a purist.  And the ‘unplugged’ part refers to technology as a whole, as in saying I am unplugged from using most techie gadgets.

So where did the term neo-Luddite come from?  The term dates back to early 19^th century British textile artisans who ripped up mill looms as a protest against job-killing technology.  They took the name of Ned Ludd, known for smashing knitting equipment and turned it into a mythical hero who fought against the industrial revolution.   The term has begun to trickle through a stream of recent books noting the effect that overuse of such technology has been detrimental to society and individuals.

According to a 2010 survey by the Pew Research Center there exists a core group of people who politely decline the use of modern-day gadgetry.  Don’t call them technophobe, snail mailers or Luddites; rather they have chosen to leave behind the modern-day conveniences in exchange for simplicity and soundness of mind.  Here are some of the stats.

85% of US adults own cell phones.                             15% don’t 

59% own a desktop computer                                    41% don’t

66% of adults under the age of 35 own a game console.  (What’s a game console?)

50% own an iPod or MP3 player

9% – some 20 million American adults responded with “none of these.”

An Ipso survey of well-to-do Americans asked how their lives had changed during the first decade of the century.  “Infused with technology” was the top answer, closely followed by “more complicated” and “more stressful.”    Well Then!  It doesn’t take a nuclear scientist to put 2+2 together here folks.

The article went on to say the pros and cons of living an unplugged life.  One musical composer told of how he felt he had thrown away his gifting, replacing it with “shopping at the mall (internet) for factory-made sounds”.  Another young man described how his dad has become unavailable since buying his own computer.  Instead of spending father/son time, Dad has become fixated on the magic of the internet.  And then you have the job applicants who cannot apply for a job unless they are hooked up to internet availability.  Owning a Kindle has helped many older Americans revive the art of book reading, as they can change the size of the print to better read the content.  What it boils down to is that technology is here to stay, but what you do with it is up to you.

So, what do you think?  Love your gadgets enough to keep them primed, pumped and ready for action, or time for a yard sale?  If I had to list my favorite household tools in order of their importance, it would look something like this: 1) Washing machine, 2) laptop 3) cell phone and 4) digital camera.  And I really could do without 3 and 4 but I’m grateful for them being available and they are not used excessively.  Share with us what your list looks like, won’t you?

John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  The following is taken from Worthy News; all credit is given to the author, George ?.

A wealthy businessman was shocked to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. So the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve caught enough fish for one day.” “Why don’t you catch some more?” the businessman further inquired. “What would I do with them?” asked the fisherman. “You could earn more money,” said the businessman. “Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.” “Then what would I do?” replied the fisherman. “Then you could really enjoy life,” answered the businessman. The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, “What do you think I’m doing now?” Let’s not get so wrapped up in work, that we simply forget to enjoy life – the life that He wants to give us more abundantly! Take some time out this weekend and be sure to praise God for the life that He’s provided. Have a great weekend!

                                                                             ~

What a great reminder to keep our eyes on our priorities, isn’t it?  I was talking with my son the other day and we were commenting on how my mom can only handle the basics of her cell phone.  I never even bothered to tell her she has texting capabilities, because she can’t even remember how to get to her voice mail.   My son said how lucky she was that she lives in such simplicity.  He went on to say how these days if folks don’t have their cell phone then they’re literally crippled; they can’t get to where they were going because they don’t have a GPS telling them where to turn, they can’t call for help cause they don’t remember people’s actual phone numbers, they feel cut off cause they can’t get on Facebook and know what all their friends are up to, they don’t know how much money they have to spend cause they can’t get online to check their accounts, they freak out and think they’re going to get fired cause they won’t be able to respond to their boss’ emails, so they’re lost, alone, hungry, and facing impending doom.

EXACTLY!

Put away the clutter this weekend and spend some time cherishing those around you, and most of all, don’t forget yourself!

Cue the Soap Opera music:  Laa LLLLaaaaa La La.  Laaaaa LLLLaaaaaa La La. . . . .

Camera pans to Tony; tall, dark, svelt and handsom.  “Tony, it’s your cue.”

Tony and Solly

Tony:  “My heart is aching for my true love.  Why did she leave me here all alone.”

Solly Sparrow: “ Aww Tony, she was no good for you anyway, you find someone else, I’m sure of it.”

Tony and Choir

Sparrow Choir: “Yea Tony, she was a dive man, you don’t want the likes of her!.”

Tony:  Looking morose and blue, gives an audible sniff.

Tony and Jack

Jack Squirrel:  “Hey,   z’at you Tones?  Whatcha doin’ up there looking all glum for?  Someone beat you to the black bird pie?”

Tony:  “Alas my dear friend, it is love that has me beat.  I shall never love another.”

Jack:  “Aww Tones, you’ll be okay, there’ll be somebody new before you know it.  Gotta go, the wife’ll be mad if I’m late.”

Tony: “Farewell friend. If by chance life is good to me, I’ll meet with you again.”

Jack Leaving

Jack as he leaves, “ Yeah, waddever”

Suddenly Tony sits up, a faint sound has come to his ear, a sweet sigh. . . . .

Zelda

Camera pans to Zelda, over in yonder tree, preening, then pans to Tony.   Will he?  Dare he?  Unexpectedly he makes his move and speedily wings his way to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Pause for station identification, (plus the fact that this is a G rated blog)~~~~~~~~

Zelda, rearranging herself: “Aw Tony, (she snaps her chewing gum) You’re one heck of a guy.  I never knew you had a thing for me.”

Do I hear wedding bells?

Tony as he flies off to look for a nesting site: “Well baby doll, it’s just you and me now.”

Tony house hunting

Stay tuned for further updates on hatchlings in a month or so.

A few weeks back I came across this story in the news and it just warmed my heart.  If we all could do this, what a difference it would make in the world we live in.    But it has had me thinking and pondering . . . .

‘“Occupy CF Hardware” Movement Helps Boost Ohio Hardware Store”

January 25, 2012  AP news

Recently, Jim Black of Chagrin Falls was looking for a way to support his local businesses had the idea of creating a sort of “cash mob” or “occupy” movement in one of the local stores, according to the Associated Press.

Black sent out an email to a group of 40 of his friends asking the “show support for one of our local businesses.” He challenged everyone to spend at least $20 at the local hardware store on Jan. 21. Black chose Chagrin Hardware as the first recipient of his “cash mob” to show his appreciation for a store that has been a fixture in the village since 1857, according to the report.

The store has been run by the Shutts family for the last 72 years and the owners were unaware of the movement until the morning of the 21^st. By 10 a.m. the store was packed and by 1:30 p.m. the store’s credit card machine had to be reset because it had been overloaded with transactions.

Black’s email had been forwarded on and on and on. The store even received phone calls from out-of-state residents looking to support the movement.”

Along with this story, I was remembering how a dear friend used to have this quote from Plato at the signature portion of her emails: “Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”

I loved that bit of wisdom, reminding me to stop looking inward and start looking out at others.  I don’t think I even took the simple kindness to tell her how much it meant to me to see it, so Stephanie; I really appreciated that simple reminder to look into the heart of those that pass through my days. Thank you!

We’ve all heard of random acts of kindness, the Santa that left $100.00 bills in stranger’s hands, the diamond in the Salvation Army kettle and the boy who inspired the movie, “Pass It On” right?  Has it prompted you to follow in kind?  Well, maybe not the diamond part, or the $100. bill part, but just on the spur of the moment have you ever done a random act of kindness?  Have you taught your children the sweet feeling that comes from random kindnesses, to awaken them to being sensitive to those around them and then helping those that need help?

It’s been rough out there these last few years, just about everyone has had to tighten their belt, lose their belt, had their belt disintegrate. . . you get the picture.  Everyone can help, because sometimes all that is needed is a smile or just a kind word.  Fortunately for us, those are in stock with an endless supply.  Stop in your busyness this week and smile at the folks around you.  Give a kind word for those who have done a kind (or almost kind) deed or job.  Slip a few dollars or an extra bag of groceries to someone who needs it.  Be anonymous in your giving, it has more power to make YOU happier when done that way.  After all, it’s not about you, is it?

Just a reminder that Homestead Illuminations is up and running.  Feel free to take a peek by clicking the tab on the blog roll list on the right.

I can remember when SOBE first came out, in 1996.  Honorable Son was a huge fan, and I admit I had a few of them myself.  I liked the “all-natural” ingredient list, and a boost of vitamins never hurt anyone.  I can’t remember if the energy variety gave me energy on those long interstate drives or if the immune boosting one boosted just what it was supposed to.

Red Bull came from an already existing drink from Thailand but modified, adapted and produced in Austria in 1987.    It hit the American markets in 1997 and flew off the shelves.  Some controversy surrounded Red Bull Cola in Europe because of its ingredients mainly that of the coca leaf regarding minute traces of cocaine.  There have been health risks associated with this brand of energy drink, and an instance of one death, because of overuse and mixed with alcohol.  Basic side effects are caffeine intoxication or ‘caffeine jitters’: restlessness, nervousness, euphoria, insomnia, disrupted flow of thought or speech, irregular or rapid heartbeat, and psychomotor agitation.   In cases of large overdoses you can develop mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations and psychosis.  A 2008 statement issued by the National Federation of State High School Assoc. came up with a list of recommendations concerning all energy drinks by young athletes due to the over-use of these drinks by teens.

And now for the grand finale, the latest, newest, cutting-edge version of a quick energy boost, the 5 Hour Energy shot. The absolute basics?  It still boils down to the same as the Sobe and Red Bull.  The major energy boost you feel is coming from caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone.  There is a large concern however with the increased use of the B vitamins. It contains 8,333% of vitamin B12 which is 83 times what the body requires.  No evidence has found that B12 increases energy levels.  Vitamin B6 comes in at 2,000%, way more than needed and does not help in activity levels.  Niacin came in at 200%, and some who are sensitive to that vitamin might experience a reaction such as a red flushing rash.  Research provides that unless you are deficient in B vitamins, doses this large are unnecessary and usually flushed out of our system.  (Talk about piddling away your money!)

Boiling it all down, it comes to this.  Drinking one energy drink on a day when you have to help your neighbors move isn’t going to hurt you.  Drinking several a year seems to be okay.  Although the packaging says no more than two a day, experts and doctors warn against drinking even two a week.  With all these drinks you may feel those caffeine jitters.  What isn’t told is that for this drink to work properly, you must also drink much water to help it do whatever it does.

Bottom line; have another cup of coffee folks, eat right, exercise and adjust your sleeping habits if you need to.  Save these little shots of energy for when you are out on a 16 mile hike, unable to get a cup of Joe, and getting home before nightfall would be nice. (Or, just take a 5 mile hike.)  I might try it once, if there is a day of major activity looming before me or I was a student with finals to take, just because it seems easier and more compact that a thermos of coffee, but don’t let me forget the extra water!

Okay, so our pastors at our church are doing a few months-worth of marriage teachings on Wednesday evening.  I may from time to time put down a few thoughts here to share with you all because who doesn’t want a better marriage?

According to scientific research men’s brains and woman’s brains are developed in highly differing ways.  Who knew?!  There are 10,000 differences between the two.  Our associate pastor has done much research on the differences involving men and women to better understand how to counsel those having difficulties in their marriage.  The first difference is how we develop in gestation even at just six weeks.

If I can relate this properly, (and there is a huge chance I’ve not got my facts totally straight here, so don’t quote me anytime soon!)  at six weeks of development, there occurs a chemical process to the baby with a Y chromosome.  He undergoes a testosterone chemical bath that floods his body producing changes, even in his brain matter.  This only happens to the male baby, the female does not have this chemical bath.  As a result of this the ability of men’s thinking and women’s thinking are vastly different.

Women’s brains are 90% connected between their left and right sides of their brains, plus their brain stems and tissues are stronger than the men’s.  Women have 3 Trillion processors (accurate, not exaggeration) working all at the same time.  Women are built to function at a high mental energy level, their brains never shut off.  They can carry on several conversations, while also being aware of the kids in the living room and preparing a meal requiring recipe directions.  That is why they say women are like spaghetti.  They are deeply connected to anything within their reach, overlapping and stretching and intertwining.  Go Ladies!!   We rock.

Men on the other hand. . . . well, the left side and right side have been severed in that chemical bath.  And on top of that, they only have 10% of connective tissue and brain stems, and it’s a poor connection at that.   It is a trustworthy statement to say that men cannot process a thought while vocalizing at the same time.  They have to go through a series of processes.  First they hear, then they think about what they heard.  Then they think about what they should say, and then finally they come out with a statement.  It takes them time.  It’s a bodily function that requires them time to process.  And they have a difficult time processing emotion, it’s not that they are hard-hearted, they just weren’t given those tools to work with.  That was given to the women to work with.  Men were created to conquer, something they can do without thinking.  Go Hercules!!

And then our pastor made this absolutely stunning revelation.  Men are able to turn their brains off, or actually kind of like, zone out, apparently at the drop of a hat.  Huh!   Now, as a woman, my brain is going 7,000 mph and I always thought his was capable of being the same.  I see now that it’s not a matter of IQ or personal opinion.  (ouch.  I’m sorry Most Beloved.)   I think we’re going to get a lot out of these classes, and this one on communication and differences is just touching the tip of the iceberg!

For a while now our homestead has been down in population numbers.  Of pets that is.  I’m down to just one dog, and one cat.  We do have the “grandchildren” visit us from time to time, but Krusher is over in Italy now and not going to be home any time soon.  Bohdan, our beautiful, wonderful gentleman horse has gone to greener pastures in the heavens and I’ve been looking for something smaller to fill that empty spot.  (Not that I wouldn’t want another horse, but now is not the time.)

“Most Beloved, can I get another dog?”

“No, not now, we may be moving.”

“Please, can we look?”

 “No, if you go to Alaska who’s going to take care of him.”

 “Oh, just look at his adorable little puppy.”

“It’s not a good time right now.”

And so our conversation goes on and on.   That doesn’t stop me from looking, because you never know when just the right one might come along and it’s“I’ve got to have him or I’m going to die, just wither up and die!”  and you have to be prepared.  (As if I’m ever not prepared, you should see our pile of miscellaneous pet equipment, from extra bowls, kennels, blankets, leashes to bird cages and small animal stuff.)

So yesterday I was bored and I was browsing through the pet section of the classifieds.  The more I read the more I began to get really ticked off.  Good Golly Miss Molly, they’ve got creatures that fit any kind of canine imaginable.  I say imaginable because they’ve created beasties that would take an imagination to come up with.  Who on earth gave mankind the right to charge $400 for a mixed breed pup?  These folks are just taking whatever they have on hand, breeding them, and wha-la instant ‘designer dogs’.

My vet friend also goes on a rant when seeing these kinds of things being done on purpose, most folks don’t have a clue what they are doing, except making a fast buck.  Some breeds aren’t meant to be crossed, there is more at stake here than just a pretty face and a fat bank account.  Bone structure, hip dysplasia, skin and hair issues.  Genetics.  It all counts, but when the public doesn’t take into consideration what is being created, then they don’t know what to look for in long-term health of their dog.  I’m not a vet, and I couldn’t give you scientific details, but your vet could.

Folks, do your research before you buy a designer dog.  Ask your vet about what you can expect in long-term scenarios.  Do your research even if you are looking into getting a pure breed.  Know what type of beast you’re going to be involved with.  In our area we are over-run with labs.  Unfortunately the shelters are full of them because well-meaning folks think they can handle them, and 8 months later they are too big, too heavy and way too energetic.  If you adopt a working dog, then he has to work, it’s what he was created to do.  That means you have to give him work to do, whether it’s playing catch or walking 5 miles a day, that dog needs to fulfill its inner wiring or it will go crazy.  Literally.   I can’t say it enough times, research, research and research.  Get the pet that will fit you, your lifestyle and your pocketbook.

coonhound

But, back to my wanderings in the classifieds.  I couldn’t believe what people have come up with these days.  Here is my list of just this week’s availabilities.  And don’t ask me what they are because I didn’t take time to figure it out.

Peke-a-tzu

Shinese

Shorkies

Morkies

Dorkies

Shokies

Pekichi

Chorkies

Yorkie-poo

Cava-poo

Peek-a-poo

Puggles

Labradoodles

Goldendoodles

Labradane

Bullollie

Beabull

Chiweenies

Can you believe this list?  I don’t mind mixed breeds, don’t get me wrong.  But deliberately mixing breeds, and then charging hundreds of dollars for them is just irresponsible.  And well-meaning people buy them, making it irresponsible on both sides.  My last two dogs have been the good old-fashioned mixed breed pup, and they were from shelters.  I will say though, for my own personal taste, I like a purebred or something pretty close to a purebred.  I like knowing what to expect, what to look for, what I’m going to get when I get home and it’s five years later.  I like knowing what the personality of my beastie is going to be ahead of time.  It helps me understand their needs and how best to grow with them.

Dobie pup

Okay, rant over.  So, if you live near Kansas City and know of a Black and Tan Doberman or Black and Tan Coonhound that needs a new home, send me an email.  PS, Most Beloved did say it was okay.  Sort of.

So tell me, (politely please), what is your opinion of this new fad of designer breed dogs??

image copy

Today I am excited about something new that I’m going to try my hand at.  I’m going to start a second blog with a focus on all things Christian.  I’m hoping it will stay simple, casual and lighthearted, but bring little bits and pieces of history together with scriptures then add some info on the side.  You know how much I love researching out new things!

Homestead Illuminations will be up and running soon, and if you’d like to check it out, there is a link on my blog roll.  So far there isn’t anything there yet, but give me time.   Right now I’m trying to figure out how to keep  both blogs separate from each other, but they end up together on my dashboard.  I also wish I could have two separate Gravitars, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.  So you will see a lot of confusion for the first week or so, but don’t let it throw you, I’ll either figure it out or give up and be confused.

There will still be regular entries for the Ramblings, life continues as usual.  If all things Christian isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry about it, it’s not necessary for you to add something to your “to-do” list that you don’t enjoy.  But if you’re curious, pop in now and again.  Leave your questions, thoughts and opinions, and be honest with them.  I like honesty, it does a body good!

News flash, today it isn’t windy!  That means I’ve got yard clean-up to do, thanks to a certain canine, and laundry to hang on the wash line.   Perhaps a trip to the park, I’ve been wanting to take pictures of the skateboarders doing their routines.  I wonder. . .do you have to ask their permission to take their pictures?  Don’t want to look like a creep or anything.  So many things to be politically correct about these days. . . . .