What have I got to hide?

A friend has made up an email to allow friends to gain more information about the various candidates. Two of the candidates have blogs they have published for the campaign. So. . . to publish my blog address or not to publish my blog address . . that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to hide the address from all but my facebook friends and family, or to share it with all the people deciding on how to vote for the Board of Directors here at Lake Monticello.

I found myself rushing to my blog, and scrolling through all of my entries so far. Whew, you can tell that there wasn't much to do in January and February last year when we had all the snow! All my 2010 entries were in those two months. No, I don't see anything convicting or embarrassing in there. . although I suppose a nasty political pundit can make even the most innocent things into sin and guilt of some sort. And there is certainly plenty to convict me of being a Christian. That's good, because I wouldn't want someone to think otherwise, even though I am definitely a sinner and not always the best witness. I guess it will be okay.

And so. . I take the plunge and I'll share my blog address. I apologize to those of you who have rushed to read it in hopes of finding erudite expoundings on the woes and evils of government here and elsewhere. You will find out more about me and about what I think is important - - namely being the best person I can be and maybe helping others be better as well. But certainly not judging them for doing the best they can with what they have.

As the next week goes on, and the blistering heat keeps us indoors a bit more than we might like, I'll try to spend some time writing about LMOA and what I think is important in governing it.

POLITICS!

I find myself neck deep in politics. I am running for the Board of Directors for the wonderful place where I live: Lake Monticello in Virginia. There are six of us running for three seats. Four of my "opponents" are people that I have volunteered with, cried with, laughed with and generally consider to be my friends. Or at least I used to consider them friends. Alas, the fact that I have tried to be considerate and polite to all, and that I have refused to tie myself to anyone seems to make at least a couple of them angry with me. How can you tie yourself to other candidates when you KNOW that you will not agree with them on everything, and that you intend to vote your conscience based on all the facts you can gather whether you agree with them or not?

I have always been somewhat political. . if that's what you call someone who tries to be nice to everyone. In fact, I find it a challenge to try to get grumps to smile. . it's one of those mental games I love to play. And I confess, it is a fault sometimes, but I do try to find the good in everyone. A friend I asked to endorse me in writing confessed that he would not be voting me because basically, I am too nice. This was based on a concern that I would not be able to make hard decisions that might hurt some feelings. . .or jobs. . of people I respect and love. I told him that I have been making hard decisions and managing a classroom . . and more. . for over thirty years. And I spent some time with him seriously discussing some of his concerns which are also my concerns. I also told him that if I lost his vote for being "too nice", than I counted it a privilege to have that label. And left him with a handshake. . .and his vote.

Right or wrong, I intend to do the best job that I can if elected. And I hope to follow the directions of another friend who said, "Don't change who you are". Because who I am is a sinner loved by Jesus, and because of that love, even when I have to make hard decisions that hurt a few in the short term, I will try to love others well.

So, here's to politics!! And my prayer that after all the fur flies and all the votes are counted, that the right will prevail and bad feelings will be left behind. And that everyone will still be working for the best community we can be.

"Nothing but net"

I'm Grandma this weekend. We got to Greensboro, NC, where my grandchildren live (incidentally with their parents, Paul and Kaylene). We were told to be here by 10 AM which meant leaving home by 6:15 AM. And of course we were here by 9:55!! It was value added hugging time as Brummett was still here to be held. After lunch, he left with his Mommy and Meemaw for the women's retreat Kaylene was speaking at this weekend. Six months, and he is itching to be on the floor and to run and be like his big brother.
And that left us with .... ABRAM!! He is an OUTSTANDING two and a third year old. All the angst his parents had when he was 18 months and not as verbal as the doctor wanted is gone in a profusion of dinosaur names, counting to three, and repeating EVERYTHING that is said to him. I told him he was obstreperous. "Obstreperous," he repeated. I dropped the knife - "Oh, Rats!!" "Oh, Rats!" came the reply. Every once in a while his parents are caught up short by a phrase he is using only to realize they know exactly where he learned it!
The mental wheels in that little mind are always turning. "Read another story!" when it's time to put off bedtime. "I don't want to wear that!" which always brings chuckles in me because he sounds just like his Daddy used to sound. The body stiffening to prevent putting him in the high chair, the gripping of a treasured forbidden items, and the "No, I don't like that!" all bespeak the strong will he got from his Dad and Grandpa. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.
I was having a lot of fun with him, and I aimed a piece of paper at the trash can. "Nothing but net!", I exclaimed and then I realized. I'm the grandma. And that's what grandmas are... Nothing but net. Over and over I have prayed with other women who were concerned about their grandsons. I have listened to how they show their love and support for the grandchildren. Nothing but net. No matter what their grandchildren do or how they get in trouble, grandma is always there for them. Nothing but net. Toddlers fall down, and grandparents pick them up. Nothing but net. Parents need extra help or kids need some time away... where do they go? To the net. Parents have to be the tough guys. Parents have to set the limits and grandparents should follow them, but when push comes to shove, it's 'nothing but net'.
I'm so happy to be ... Nothing but net!
I'm so glad to be.... Nothing but net!

Age is a state of mind.....

WOW! I saw a note on someone's face book page..."You have a lot of old people friends." And it was to one of my friends. WHAT?!?!? And then I thought about it. So the premise of today's blog is "Age is a state of mind... And it's not the years, its the fears" (For those of you collecting, as far as I know that is a Swenson original. Alas if it's already claimed.)

Have you ever known a young person that with a good gray wig, spectacles and a cane could pass easily for an "OLD person"? There are some people who are so afraid of energy, or new ideas, or taking a chance that they add years and years to their chronological status by their fears. And there are some more chronologically blessed who give the appearance of many years younger, not because of their cosmetologist or plastic surgeon, but by their energetic and enthusiastic approach to life.

Now I am not promoting disrespect for the safety of your body, but I am promoting real freedom of spirit. I am telling you that it is okay to bounce with the beat of the music; it's fine to give a stranger a grin or a coward a sense of courage; and you will not go to hell by trying out a different way to do something. I am saying that we need to always be trying new things, and let go of the 'safe' to reach out to new knowledge and new loves. I am not saying leave your husband or wife, or try the half pipe. I am saying try some new places, touch the animal being held out to you, be the Santa Claus at the Christmas party, wear the silly hat. Every once in a while yell, "Let's have some fun!!" Then don't be afraid to have it. A good belly laugh massages your liver.. It's good for your health. Train your face into new, happy wrinkles. You needn't look like you are eating pickles all the time to be respected.

(Look for the praying mantis on the hat. She crawled up my arm to the top... they catch more bugs up high, so look for them first on the tops of the bushes.)

And now a word from our sponsors...

So, I've been checking out the ads I let them put on my blog. I was thrilled to see a bunch of Christian ads on one of my early posts. Now if I could just get them to count my hits like I asked. sigh

Sunny day. Hope all you readers are enjoying some sunshine, too.

Ida

Be Strong And Courageous!

I was a little girl- - small in stature and inches behind - or below- my classmates until I was in High School. We moved a lot, and I was constantly forced to look for new friends which added to the timidity. And there was a time in my childhood when my Dad crossed the wrong people and there was a huge atmosphere of fear in our house.. where perhaps my friendship with the mafia's child across the street saved us. All of these things contributed to make me a timid child.

I can see many of my friends laughing out loud, unbelieving, because today timidity is NOT one of my characteristics. I have taken on giants, sometimes to be knocked on my can but sometimes to defeat them. When asked where I get my gumption (thanks, Mom, for that word) I usually say with pride, "I'm a middle school teacher", but that's not the truth. No, the truth is that I have a very special relationship.

You see, in seventh grade, I was so timid I would not take my coat off until the teacher yelled at me. It was a way to hide .. just in case something was unbuttoned when I did take it off. Or to hide my very slow development which was all too obvious to those with or looking at 'bumps'. And in eighth grade, I would slink down in my seat and bury myself in a book if the teacher let me get away with it. I would be the one in the bathroom all through the eighth grade dances. In ninth grade, I signed up for drama class and found I could pretend to be someone else and it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, we moved again in the middle of ninth grade, to the only house in town with a swimming pool, so I was more of the center of the wrong kind of attention. Still very quiet and very shy. In tenth grade I found that relationship. And that's where all the difference in the world began.

I found Jesus.. rather I should say He found me. And slowly, like a very tight bud opening up, I became more brave. I was still rather shy at school, but I got very active in church activities. Youth group in the middle of the nearby city was my place to shine. Jesus loved me there, and the other kids welcomed me. And church camp was my real debut. At church camp I was the star reporter on the newspaper. I led songs and pranks. And I made lots more friends. I was elected to the youth council of the whole district.. actually became president. By the time I got to college, I was definitely majoring in organizing and manning the chaplain's activities. And the old, timid Ida, was made new with the new found faith that my Saviour gave me.

The neat thing about it is that courage is something that is encouraged over and over in the Bible. Three times in Deuteronomy 31, Moses and God tells those timid, hard-hearted slaves being led into the wilderness toward the promised land, "Be Strong and Courageous! For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." At least six times, Joshua encourages the Israelites with the same words as they kill the tribes that are occupying their promised land. When David hands the reigns over to Solomon (II Chronicles 32:7) he speaks those words. Hezekiah, when faced with a huge angry army, is told, "Be Strong and Courageous! For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

My favorite story about my Saviour? It's been a busy day feeding thousands on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He sends the disciples across the water in a boat so he can go pray, promising to meet them on the other side. In the middle of trip, a violent storm rises up. It is night, the waves are swamping their small craft, they know they are about to lose their lives. And a light shines in the mist and someone or something is approaching the boat. Can it be? It IS! And what does He say in the midst of their huge fear? "I am. Fear not." (Mark 6) And immediately the waves and the fear die down as he walks toward them across the water.

My amazement never ends. When my children are suffering, and I fear for them, the Lord speaks, "Be Strong and Courageous! For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." When my friends die and I contemplate life without them or perhaps without my husband, the Lord speaks, "Be Strong and Courageous! For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." When the right thing to do means possibly losing relationships, He is with me. I like that God never says it will be easy. He only promises to be with me.

And so He is.

Going Commercial!

So, as I am blogging away, I thinks to myself, "Just how many people read this?" I send the link to friends and family, I post it on Facebook to my 400+ nearest and dearest, but I can't tell if anyone is paying any attention. I start looking around in my account and elsewhere and there is nothing to tell me how many 'hits' I have. I want to be like Julie as she blogs away about Julia Childs and her readership goes up. No counter. And then I see the offer to put ads onto my website. And if I put ads on my website, they will pay me on occasion (ha, ha) depending on how many hits I get. And once I sign up for allowing ads on my website, I can sign up for the free analytics program from Google to count the number of hits I get.

Hooray! Soooo, we'll see how this small experiment works out. Hard telling what kinds of spam it sets me up for. We'll see how long it takes me to disengage if I need to. And I sincerely hope they put the right kinds of ads up. That too remains to be seen.

BUT you know I love to experiment, so here goes. At least I won't have to eat it..... I hope.