A woman in Florida heard suggestive noises in the night and upon investigation, discovered an 8-ft. alligator having a midnight snack in her kitchen. Well, it gives one pause. When I hear bumps in the night, I can assume a critter in my kitchen, too. But it is likely to be dog Downey. Suppose the gator had met up with a dog or cat in the kitchen...perhaps the snack would have been fresh meat. The noises would have been less "suggestive" and more "for sure."
What prompts an alligator to check out a lady's kitchen? Maybe he'd never had a grandma of his own (she was 69), and granny's are known to provide cookies. Maybe she'd just mopped the floor and the temptation to leave swampy footprints was just too delicious. Maybe he was looking for a prize behind door number 3. Who knows? I am just thankful that around here the wild critters likely to invade kitchens are not as toothsome. Of course, I'm thinking of deer and raccoons. It could be just as exciting, I suppose, to contemplate a cougar or try to skedaddle a skunk...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Building Windmills
Wind happens when cool air meets warm air such as morning sun-warmed stuff confronting nighttime cold. If this is at a topographical spot like a canyon, it funnels the wind into the valley. Our street is in a direct line from Hobble Creek Canyon and indirect line from Spanish Fork Canyon. Hence, we get wind at the transitional times of the day.
Think of this metaphor: when opposites collide, it creates something, like wind. It can be used for good, like in those giant windmills that generate electricity, etc.; but usually just messes things up. For example, in marriage, two people come together. Although the relationship is generally benign, they may occasionally disagree. It creates "wind." One hears of slammed doors, stressed blood pressures and similar responses. This powerful energy force can wreck havoc in the home. It disturbs everything and everyone in it. But, it can be channeled. Suppose one were to recognize and identify the common "times of day" when opposing opinions are likely to collide. Like placing a windmill in the natural topographical spot, a couple can predict and prepare to use the energy for good. I know, for example, that each evening, my husband will come home with his arms full of school stuff and need a place to dump it. He wants to read the mail. In spite of years of negotiations, he will likely dump onto the kitchen counter and gather the mail there, too. Conflict arises since I prefer to keep the counters clutter-free and sterile. He knows this, and even respects my feelings. But he can't seem to change the "climatic" pattern that controls this behavior: WIND! So, we have come to this. I take the "energies" that arise from watching the daily observance of his choice to dump on the counter, and leave the room. I do something elsewhere. He enjoys his mail, prepares his own light supper, while sorting through everything. He'll redistribute it to his desk, to the trash, etc. Then he cleans the counter. We acknowledge the conflict, can't make it go away, or please both parties. so we choose to use the "energy" in a positive way.
Here's hoping you, too, can build windmills.
Think of this metaphor: when opposites collide, it creates something, like wind. It can be used for good, like in those giant windmills that generate electricity, etc.; but usually just messes things up. For example, in marriage, two people come together. Although the relationship is generally benign, they may occasionally disagree. It creates "wind." One hears of slammed doors, stressed blood pressures and similar responses. This powerful energy force can wreck havoc in the home. It disturbs everything and everyone in it. But, it can be channeled. Suppose one were to recognize and identify the common "times of day" when opposing opinions are likely to collide. Like placing a windmill in the natural topographical spot, a couple can predict and prepare to use the energy for good. I know, for example, that each evening, my husband will come home with his arms full of school stuff and need a place to dump it. He wants to read the mail. In spite of years of negotiations, he will likely dump onto the kitchen counter and gather the mail there, too. Conflict arises since I prefer to keep the counters clutter-free and sterile. He knows this, and even respects my feelings. But he can't seem to change the "climatic" pattern that controls this behavior: WIND! So, we have come to this. I take the "energies" that arise from watching the daily observance of his choice to dump on the counter, and leave the room. I do something elsewhere. He enjoys his mail, prepares his own light supper, while sorting through everything. He'll redistribute it to his desk, to the trash, etc. Then he cleans the counter. We acknowledge the conflict, can't make it go away, or please both parties. so we choose to use the "energy" in a positive way.
Here's hoping you, too, can build windmills.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Bon Voyage!
I get a kick out of my husband as he anticipates a trip. It's not enough to just plan a destination and a tentative agenda. Steve researches possible activities, alternative hotels, local histories, culture (including languages if applicable) and restaurants. It adds a significant amount of pleasure to the journey. Besides being able to have a perfect experience on site, his planning becomes an extension of the fun. Looking forward to the trip this way makes the phrase "enjoy the journey" take on remarkable additional meanings. Depending on the trip, and the purpose for it, Steve may spend more time and energy in the preparation than in the actual experience. In effect, his "trip" is longer, his "get-away" begins before he goes, and his "pleasure" is deepened by the enrichment of understanding that he acquires.
Think about this as an allegory to life's journey. I suppose we really looked forward to it. We must have researched it, under the tutelage of experts. We really ought to enjoy it more, and whine less, don't you think? And what about our anticipation of the next journey? Particularly, we could be learning the language and culture, planning accommodations, etc. So, Bon Voyage!
Think about this as an allegory to life's journey. I suppose we really looked forward to it. We must have researched it, under the tutelage of experts. We really ought to enjoy it more, and whine less, don't you think? And what about our anticipation of the next journey? Particularly, we could be learning the language and culture, planning accommodations, etc. So, Bon Voyage!
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