There was a day when my nephew Devyn called me "Tauntie" (pronounced tan-tea). Those days are gone and my little boy is growing up. He has turned into a great little football player. Please enjoy the highlights below.
Auntie Candace loves you Devyn!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Let this not be the end of a Nation
My good friend Mindy Dixon just sent some great words regarding the upcoming election. I would like to share some exerpts:
"We stand on the eve of a defining moment in our country’s existence. This election season offers 2 candidates bearing fundamental differences. We are choosing between excellence and mediocrity. Excellence is defined as the state of excelling or possessing good qualities in high degree. Mediocrity is the ordinariness of something as a consequence of being average and not outstanding. Which do you prefer? I am not insinuating that either candidate’s character is defined either way. I do mean that the policies and philosophies subscribed by each are defined as such. The governing compass of these candidates promotes differing ideologies. Our nation was founded on paramount principles and over time we have lead the world towards freedom and democracy. We should not be working towards blending in with the world, but leading it. Leadership is not always popular or embraced. But men and women of real leadership stand out and up for their convictions and commitments.
Personal Responsibility. The policies of the left offer crutches and band-aids for mistakes and bad judgement. Their desire is to inject government regulation and involvement in every area because their confidence in the American citizen is low and degrading.
Strength. Our military’s purpose is freedom: from England, from slave owners, from Nazis, and now from radical terrorists. We are living in times that require experience and wisdom to command our military. Our situation is too delicate and our position too important to elect someone that has neither experience at boot camp or full support of those that do.
Every one of us has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I do not want it to be taken away under the guise of political correctness, socialization, and redistribution of wealth.
We have about 2 weeks left before this decision is final. Our conversations and convictions can open opportunities to help others understand this is more than a popularity contest. Our future is at risk."
Thanks Mindy. Remember, leadership doesn't mold, it SETS the mold. We must be in the world, but not of it!
"We stand on the eve of a defining moment in our country’s existence. This election season offers 2 candidates bearing fundamental differences. We are choosing between excellence and mediocrity. Excellence is defined as the state of excelling or possessing good qualities in high degree. Mediocrity is the ordinariness of something as a consequence of being average and not outstanding. Which do you prefer? I am not insinuating that either candidate’s character is defined either way. I do mean that the policies and philosophies subscribed by each are defined as such. The governing compass of these candidates promotes differing ideologies. Our nation was founded on paramount principles and over time we have lead the world towards freedom and democracy. We should not be working towards blending in with the world, but leading it. Leadership is not always popular or embraced. But men and women of real leadership stand out and up for their convictions and commitments.
Personal Responsibility. The policies of the left offer crutches and band-aids for mistakes and bad judgement. Their desire is to inject government regulation and involvement in every area because their confidence in the American citizen is low and degrading.
Strength. Our military’s purpose is freedom: from England, from slave owners, from Nazis, and now from radical terrorists. We are living in times that require experience and wisdom to command our military. Our situation is too delicate and our position too important to elect someone that has neither experience at boot camp or full support of those that do.
Every one of us has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I do not want it to be taken away under the guise of political correctness, socialization, and redistribution of wealth.
We have about 2 weeks left before this decision is final. Our conversations and convictions can open opportunities to help others understand this is more than a popularity contest. Our future is at risk."
Thanks Mindy. Remember, leadership doesn't mold, it SETS the mold. We must be in the world, but not of it!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Lost Pencil
Let me start by saying that I am a real fan of the mechanical pencil. But recently others have gone so far as to mock the traditional pencil. Sure...it may not sharpen itself, and the eraser may wear down before the "lead" runs out...but it is still a useful tool. There is certainly no reason for cruelty toward the pencil.
Let's trace back the root of the pencil, shall we?? Sometime before 1565 a large deposit of graphite was discovered in England. The locals found that it was great for marking sheep. It could also be sawed into sticks. The value of graphite was soon realized to be enormous, and graphite had to be smuggled out for use in pencils. Graphite sticks were at first wrapped in string or in sheepskin for stability. The news of the usefulness of these early pencils spread far and wide, attracting the attentions of artists all over the "known world."
Pencil "lead" is graphite (carbon) and not the chemical element lead. Residual graphite from a pencil stick is not poisonous, and graphite is harmless if consumed.
So, while that information provides some fun facts, it is true that there are some problems with standard graphite and wood pencils. You have to sharpen them. No body likes to twist forever attempting to achieve the perfect point. But that's why we made a game of it. Remember...who can get the longest unbroken pencil shaving?!?! That is just good, clean fun.
Instead of mocking low-tech, let's remember how simple life used to be in the day of the #2 pencil. Sub-prime mortgages barely existed, the stock market was as confusing as it is today, but it certainly didn't make headline news. Life was pure. SO, maybe that's a stretch, but you see my point. Enjoy the gains of technological advancement, but honor the past!
Let's trace back the root of the pencil, shall we?? Sometime before 1565 a large deposit of graphite was discovered in England. The locals found that it was great for marking sheep. It could also be sawed into sticks. The value of graphite was soon realized to be enormous, and graphite had to be smuggled out for use in pencils. Graphite sticks were at first wrapped in string or in sheepskin for stability. The news of the usefulness of these early pencils spread far and wide, attracting the attentions of artists all over the "known world."
Pencil "lead" is graphite (carbon) and not the chemical element lead. Residual graphite from a pencil stick is not poisonous, and graphite is harmless if consumed.
So, while that information provides some fun facts, it is true that there are some problems with standard graphite and wood pencils. You have to sharpen them. No body likes to twist forever attempting to achieve the perfect point. But that's why we made a game of it. Remember...who can get the longest unbroken pencil shaving?!?! That is just good, clean fun.
Instead of mocking low-tech, let's remember how simple life used to be in the day of the #2 pencil. Sub-prime mortgages barely existed, the stock market was as confusing as it is today, but it certainly didn't make headline news. Life was pure. SO, maybe that's a stretch, but you see my point. Enjoy the gains of technological advancement, but honor the past!
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Holiday Season
Just from the title, you're probably thinking...isn't it a little early for a blog of this type?? My point, exactly! Why is it that Halloween somehow ushers in the entire "Holiday Season?"
Halloween is all about dressing up in completely inappropriate clothing and eating candy. From there...we go to Thanksgiving. Traditionally a time of Turkey and Football, where we aren't so concerned about the roots of the holiday, but the modern excuse for stuffing your face and falling asleep in a recliner. Then, there is Christmas...the ultimate holiday meant to honor the birth of our Lord, Savior, and Soon Coming King. However, now it's more about a giant meal and materialism.
It's interesting that ghosts and goblins flow right into snowflakes and age-old jingles. The only thing these three individual holidays have in common is FOOD! Yet, we have found a way to make an entire season out of three unique holidays!
I just hope I can stomach 3 months of Seasonal music, seasonal decorations, and heaven forbid...Seasonal Clothing!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dream Analysis
So, it has been a very strange week in the dream world. And apparently it isn't just me! My friends have been telling me about their weird dreams as well. Is it the food we eat before we go to bed? Is it the stuff we have on our mind come bedtime? Let's explore:
Recently a friend of mind had a whopper of a dream. Let's call her Susie. Susie was on a ship with another friend (let's call her Sassy). Sassy had a newborn baby with her. Sassy and the baby jumped into the water outside the ship. Suddenly a whale (which turned out to be a killer whale) started coming toward Sassy and the baby. Susie meanwhile was screaming to Sassy to throw her the baby. Instead of throwing the baby toward the ship, she threw it on the other side of the ship in the water. Susie jumps out of the ship and starts swimming toward the baby. Meanwhile the whale proceeds to eat Sassy. Before Susie can reach the baby, the whale swims over and eats the baby too.
Now water generally symbolizes the spirit. Since so much drama is going on in the water, we can only assume that their spirits are troubled. It's also interesting that a whale ate Sassy and the baby. A whale generally represents an enormous project at work that is overwhelming. Note that Susie (who had the dream) isn't the one to get eaten by the whale, but rather the people she cares about (Sassy) and the innocent (the baby). Perhaps her current project load is tearing her away from the those she needs to devote her time to. Of course, on the other hand...it could all just be the Mexican food and Tequila she consumed that weekend. :)
Now mine...once again I dreamed that a tooth or teeth is/are falling out of my head. This one happens a lot, always with some twists. In the past, I have had a whole mouthful of teeth fall out while I'm speaking to someone. Gross! Last night was a smidge different. It was only one tooth...and there was a visitor in my dream who I haven't spoken to since I was a sophomore in college. Now of course, dreams about losing teeth generally signify a secret you are holding onto, or bad words spoken against someone (and it's coming back to haunt you). In my case, I have no real secrets, so I can only guess, that I need to start choosing my words and expressing my opinions more discretely and carefully. Given that the visitor in my dream was someone I cared for in the past, but wasn't a friend to when needed most, is most likely meant to remind me that all our actions make a difference. Our words and our actions are our testimony. No matter the circumstance, we must always be mindful of the consequences of this testimony.
Recently a friend of mind had a whopper of a dream. Let's call her Susie. Susie was on a ship with another friend (let's call her Sassy). Sassy had a newborn baby with her. Sassy and the baby jumped into the water outside the ship. Suddenly a whale (which turned out to be a killer whale) started coming toward Sassy and the baby. Susie meanwhile was screaming to Sassy to throw her the baby. Instead of throwing the baby toward the ship, she threw it on the other side of the ship in the water. Susie jumps out of the ship and starts swimming toward the baby. Meanwhile the whale proceeds to eat Sassy. Before Susie can reach the baby, the whale swims over and eats the baby too.
Now water generally symbolizes the spirit. Since so much drama is going on in the water, we can only assume that their spirits are troubled. It's also interesting that a whale ate Sassy and the baby. A whale generally represents an enormous project at work that is overwhelming. Note that Susie (who had the dream) isn't the one to get eaten by the whale, but rather the people she cares about (Sassy) and the innocent (the baby). Perhaps her current project load is tearing her away from the those she needs to devote her time to. Of course, on the other hand...it could all just be the Mexican food and Tequila she consumed that weekend. :)
Now mine...once again I dreamed that a tooth or teeth is/are falling out of my head. This one happens a lot, always with some twists. In the past, I have had a whole mouthful of teeth fall out while I'm speaking to someone. Gross! Last night was a smidge different. It was only one tooth...and there was a visitor in my dream who I haven't spoken to since I was a sophomore in college. Now of course, dreams about losing teeth generally signify a secret you are holding onto, or bad words spoken against someone (and it's coming back to haunt you). In my case, I have no real secrets, so I can only guess, that I need to start choosing my words and expressing my opinions more discretely and carefully. Given that the visitor in my dream was someone I cared for in the past, but wasn't a friend to when needed most, is most likely meant to remind me that all our actions make a difference. Our words and our actions are our testimony. No matter the circumstance, we must always be mindful of the consequences of this testimony.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
