I hear it said all the time that people are creatures of habit, and that is true. We're not the only ones though. I saw a perfect example of this yesterday. First the "players." Cubbie is our almost three year old (in December) German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix. He seems almost small to me most of the time (for a shepherd that is), but most people think he is huge. Tony is an average-sized orange semi-long-haired tabby cat who will be two years old in February.
Cubbie, Tony, and I have developed a fairly regular routine on most days. I put Cubbie on his leash and we go out to check the mail. Tony trots alongside Cubbie out to the mailbox, then as we slowly walk back to the house (stopping for a doggie potty break or just to sniff and dawdle) Tony runs in front of Cubbie, through his legs, and over to me for a scratch on the head.
Yesterday, without even thinking about it, I threw the routine off, and it was Tony who reminded me of it. It was too early for the mail, so Cubbie and I walked around to the back of the house to turn the water on. Tony didn't see where we went. As I was turning the water on I heard Tony. He was out by the mailbox, meowing and looking for Cubbie and me! I called to him, and at first he couldn't see me. I called to him again, and as soon as he saw us he ran back to join us.
Being a creature of habit, as we all are, when he couldn't find us Tony went to the place he knew we always go.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Two of the Saddest Things I Have Ever Seen
Two of the saddest things I have ever seen happened quite some time ago. One was probably around 30 years ago and the second was 13 years ago. The first was something I read in the newspaper and the second was something I witnessed first-hand.
I read in the paper that one of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury, was going to speak at the Carlsbad Library. I would have loved to go, but even if I could have gone the article I read probably would have kept me from going. It was a very short article, and I don't remember most of it. Only one thing from that article stands out in my mind. When he was asked about taking questions, Mr. Bradbury said that he never answered questions. He said that the "questions are always stupid." Hopefully he rethought that as time went by, but I have always thought that was an incredibly sad thing to have thought and said.
The second thing was something that happened when I was substitute teaching. I subbed at all the schools in the Vista Unified School District, especially the elementary schools. One of the schools I subbed at was a science and technology (or math and science?) magnet school. I loved teaching there! There were so many creative ideas flowing through there, and subbing there was always interesting. Then I was given a first or second grade class to teach (I am pretty sure it was first grade). Kids kept raising their hands in different ways. I would call on one of them, and they would tell me that was the signal for sharpening their pencil, using the restroom, etc. Finally I asked, "What do you do when you just want to ask a question?" Twenty or so faces looked blankly at me. Then I heard one bewildered little voice, "We're not allowed to ask questions."
I almost fainted right then and there! I know that child was not making that up because the whole class was as bewildered as he was when I asked about questions. How could ANY teacher, let alone one in a school that should, above all others, encourage questions not allow questions in her classroom?! I let them know that they were free to ask me anything they wanted all day, and boy did they ever! They asked me questions about me, about math, about bugs, about everything, and they got all the answers I could give them.
I can only hope that none of that teacher's students lost their love of learning and their natural curiosity because of her. I look back and wish I had reported her. I don't know if it would have done any good, but someone needed to know what that teacher was doing to all the children that were entrusted into her daily care. All I know is that that was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed.
I read in the paper that one of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury, was going to speak at the Carlsbad Library. I would have loved to go, but even if I could have gone the article I read probably would have kept me from going. It was a very short article, and I don't remember most of it. Only one thing from that article stands out in my mind. When he was asked about taking questions, Mr. Bradbury said that he never answered questions. He said that the "questions are always stupid." Hopefully he rethought that as time went by, but I have always thought that was an incredibly sad thing to have thought and said.
The second thing was something that happened when I was substitute teaching. I subbed at all the schools in the Vista Unified School District, especially the elementary schools. One of the schools I subbed at was a science and technology (or math and science?) magnet school. I loved teaching there! There were so many creative ideas flowing through there, and subbing there was always interesting. Then I was given a first or second grade class to teach (I am pretty sure it was first grade). Kids kept raising their hands in different ways. I would call on one of them, and they would tell me that was the signal for sharpening their pencil, using the restroom, etc. Finally I asked, "What do you do when you just want to ask a question?" Twenty or so faces looked blankly at me. Then I heard one bewildered little voice, "We're not allowed to ask questions."
I almost fainted right then and there! I know that child was not making that up because the whole class was as bewildered as he was when I asked about questions. How could ANY teacher, let alone one in a school that should, above all others, encourage questions not allow questions in her classroom?! I let them know that they were free to ask me anything they wanted all day, and boy did they ever! They asked me questions about me, about math, about bugs, about everything, and they got all the answers I could give them.
I can only hope that none of that teacher's students lost their love of learning and their natural curiosity because of her. I look back and wish I had reported her. I don't know if it would have done any good, but someone needed to know what that teacher was doing to all the children that were entrusted into her daily care. All I know is that that was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Our Dog, Sister Bertrille
Our dog Cubbie is so adorable! He is at least half German Shepherd and we think half Rottweiler. He is very German Shepherd looking, but his ears rarely stand up. Lately we have been teasing Cubbie because when he is interested in something (like a strange sound, etc.), he cocks his head just slightly to the side, and his ears go to this weird angle that can only be described as looking like the Flying Nun!
He makes me laugh, and that is great! I love my sweet doggie.
He makes me laugh, and that is great! I love my sweet doggie.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Living Among the Thorns
I was reading chapters 12 and 13 in the book of Matthew this morning and I came across a parable most of us have heard many times. It was the parable of the sower, about the seeds falling on different types of ground. Some fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. We all know people who are like the different types of ground, but the part that stuck out to me today was the thorny ground.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) says, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." I think way too many of us are living among the thorns. We worry so much about how much (or how little) money we have and how much money we want, and we let that worry keep us from growing the way we should.
From what I have read, worry about money is the number one cause of marital problems and divorce. People commit suicide because they lose their money. Some turn to a life of crime as a way to get more money. Many become gambling addicts because they "feel" the big jackpot is "due." Thorns, choking the possibility of an eternal life in Heaven away from so many people because they cannot see beyond the dollar signs and the checking account.
There is nothing wrong with money. What is wrong is thinking that money is what we need to be happy. We believe that so much that we worry about it. God tells us we are not to worry. He will take care of us. We need to stop worrying and give our fears and our burdens to Him. When we stop worrying about things like money and are freed from the thorns, we can begin to grow again.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) says, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." I think way too many of us are living among the thorns. We worry so much about how much (or how little) money we have and how much money we want, and we let that worry keep us from growing the way we should.
From what I have read, worry about money is the number one cause of marital problems and divorce. People commit suicide because they lose their money. Some turn to a life of crime as a way to get more money. Many become gambling addicts because they "feel" the big jackpot is "due." Thorns, choking the possibility of an eternal life in Heaven away from so many people because they cannot see beyond the dollar signs and the checking account.
There is nothing wrong with money. What is wrong is thinking that money is what we need to be happy. We believe that so much that we worry about it. God tells us we are not to worry. He will take care of us. We need to stop worrying and give our fears and our burdens to Him. When we stop worrying about things like money and are freed from the thorns, we can begin to grow again.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Today's Reading--I'm Very Excited!
I decided (felt led, actually) to do something different with my Bible studies some time ago. I felt I needed to learn more about the history behind things that occurred in the New Testament, so I decided to start at the beginning (not what I would ordinarily recommend) and go through the Bible in order. My mind tends to wander, so I always read it aloud, and that has made such a difference in my understanding. I also keep a journal as I read. Sometimes all I write are the chapters I have read, but if a certain scripture moves me, I write about it, or I write interesting facts and ideas I read, etc.
The amazing thing is that even though I sometimes put it off for awhile, a lot of what I read is exactly what I need at that moment. For instance, what I have been reading in the various prophets' books has gone so perfectly with our financial and spiritual situation the last few weeks. I have felt that God has some big plans for our lives and much of what I have read has been very encouraging and confirming.
I have read a lot of the Old Testament over the years, but it has always been in bits and pieces. I knew the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Job, Jonah, etc., but I had not often read beyond the main parts. Reading it through like this has been so helpful.
Anyway, I am very excited because I finished the Old Testament today and will begin the New Testament tomorrow. Of course, that doesn't mean that I will never read from the Old Testament again. I plan to read through the Bible as many times as I can before my time here is finished, but I will probably (never say never!) never read it from start to finish again. This time, as I explained, I felt it was what I needed.
By the way, if you have never read the Bible, I would suggest you begin with the book of John, followed by Romans. A very exciting and interesting read!
The amazing thing is that even though I sometimes put it off for awhile, a lot of what I read is exactly what I need at that moment. For instance, what I have been reading in the various prophets' books has gone so perfectly with our financial and spiritual situation the last few weeks. I have felt that God has some big plans for our lives and much of what I have read has been very encouraging and confirming.
I have read a lot of the Old Testament over the years, but it has always been in bits and pieces. I knew the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Job, Jonah, etc., but I had not often read beyond the main parts. Reading it through like this has been so helpful.
Anyway, I am very excited because I finished the Old Testament today and will begin the New Testament tomorrow. Of course, that doesn't mean that I will never read from the Old Testament again. I plan to read through the Bible as many times as I can before my time here is finished, but I will probably (never say never!) never read it from start to finish again. This time, as I explained, I felt it was what I needed.
By the way, if you have never read the Bible, I would suggest you begin with the book of John, followed by Romans. A very exciting and interesting read!
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