Hope and a Future

TT # 18: Ways I Use My Day Planner

2008-07-16T14:07:00.009-05:00

I began using a day planner twenty years ago. At that time my days were very hectic. I had two school-aged children; I was working and going to school; and I had a busy social life. I knew I couldn't keep everything straight, so I selected a planner brand , and I have been using the same one all the years. It is like my right arm. I always have it with me. For this Thursday Thirteen, I thought I would list the uses I have found for the planner.

My work schedule. Not only do I list appointments, I also list tasks I completed, phone calls made or received, and decisions made. By studying that planner, I can tell you just about anything regarding my work. (1999: August 25 I served on a search committee)

Personal appointments. Doctor appointments, dentists, meetings with teachers, curch meetings, etc. Yep--I have them documented. (1998: May 1, son had dental appt.)

Children's school assignments. One child was a self starter, and I never had to ask about homework or tests, etc. The other was a procrastinator, so I wrote down when the tests were, what grades he made, really anything about school, so I wouldn't be surprised. I didn't like surprises. (1992: Sept. 24, son's interim report card, B in English)

Church. I documented our attendance and involvement---meetings, chairmanships, practices, programs, children's activities, etc. (1994: August 26, church supper club)

Volunteer work. Hubby and I were always chairing this organization or PTO or civic club, so those meetings were always on the calendar. (1989: April 25, chaired Symphony Gala)

My doctoral program. I went back to school with a husband, eighth grader, and fifth grader at home (yes, it was a family decision), so I marked the weekends I had to be away for class, important assignments, and important dates like dissertation research and defense.

(1991: April 27, to library for dissertation research)

Holiday events. For years, when the children were small, we had all manner of extended family to join us for Christmas, so I always scheduled the arrival of each family member and noted the names of those who joined us. (1994: Christmas Day--left on family vacation to San Francisco)

Dinner parties. I listed guests and menus. (2005: January 10--Solomon Dinner Party, 11 guests, shrimp shooters, rosemary cornbread with figs and cream cheese, etc, Beaujolais Nouveau)

Big parties. We do that, too. I list the events, the number of people who attended, the menu, etc. (2005: Oct. 23, Biketoberfest (biker party) at our farm, 49 attended, hot dogs and trimmings)

Reminders. I wrote reminders to myself to make appointments, to follow up on projects, etc. (1994: April 20, call Thompson's Floor Covering)

Weather. I document extreme weather--storms, hot, wet, cold. (1995: Oct. 5, 6 college closed for Hurricane Opal)

Deaths. I list the deaths of friends or family members. (2005: April 10, my favorite uncle died)

Trips and Guests. (1999: August 11, leave for Vail)

These planners serve as my memory, my reminders, my journal, my diary, my log. I just don't see how a PDA will work for me. How do you use a day planner?

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Kick-Back Weekend at the Beach

2008-07-13T18:02:00.012-05:00

WHO: Five friends
WHERE: The Gulf Coast
WHAT: Weekend Getaway
WHY: Just because
DINNER: Sushi, Shrimp, Salad, Sandwiches at the condo
BEVERAGES: See pics above
MOST INTERESTING SIGHT: wind turbine generator systems shipped in to Pensacola
WEEKEND PHRASE: Get out that 9 mm Glock!
MINUTES WE WALKED ON THE BEACH: 0
SHOPPING: Publix

TT #17 What MBTI Type Are You?

2008-07-09T17:54:00.003-05:00

I'm a big believer in the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI). It is a personality assessment that I have used at work and at home. It is helpful for work groups and family groups. When our children were teens, we typed each family member, and it helped us to understand and appreciate each other more. Now, we know why Dad is so meticulous, why Son was so consumed with his friends and social life; why Daughter was so much like her Dad, and why Mom wanted to orchestrate everything and everyone. For this Thursday Thirteen, I want to tell you a little about my type---ENTJ. Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly about ENTJs:

ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader.

The ENTJ requires little encouragement to make a plan.

ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy.

ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows. Few other types can equal their ability to remain resolute in conflict, sending the valiant (and often leading the charge) into the mouth of hell. When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively she may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with.

"Unequivocating" expresses the resoluteness of the ENTJ's dominant function.

Improvising on the fly is something many ENTJs do very well.

ENTJs are usually well informed, well read, and they enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others.

ENTJs are skilled at persuading others, achieving results, making decisions, and conducting long range planning.

ENTJs, representing only slightly more than 2% of the population, are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups.

ENTJs, more than any other type, desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others.

ENTJs are tolerant of established procedures, but they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal.

ENTJs have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are-to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals.

The nickname for the ENTJ is Field Marshall.

I'd be interested in knowing your Type. If you don't know it, you can take a free assessment here. I took it, and my ENTJ showed up again---guess I've not mellowed with age!

I Love Summer Suppers

2008-07-07T19:48:00.005-05:00

We never know what's for dinner at our house during the week. Hubby and I are easy to please; we usually have whatever's in the frig or something simple. It might be a pimento cheese sandwich, cheese and fruit, cereal, or sometimes a full meal if the cook is inspired.

We went to the farm after work---well, only one of us works now---and I raided the fig tree while Hubby took care of some chores. When we arrived back home, we remembered that a neighbor had brought some okra by last night. Hmmm, sounds like the beginning of a wonderful summer supper. So, we had a little fried okra, sliced tomatoes, and fresh figs. I also had some Maytag Blue Cheese that is so creamy which we enjoyed with the tomatoes and the figs. A little left-over wine, and Voila! Yummy!

Back Home Safe and Sound

2008-07-06T20:14:00.023-05:00

To Tampa and back safely---here are the stats:

Route: Dothan, Bainbridge, Tallahassee, Perry, Cross City, Chiefland, Homosassa Springs,Tampa.

Distance: 348 miles---about 30 miles shorter than the I-75 route; 6 hrs., 15 min.

Highest price for gas: $4.09

Sites visited: Tampa Aquarium (the pic at the top was taken from the third floor observatory toward the harbour); Indian Rocks Beach; International Mall

Fireworks: 15 minutes show, from Channelside, watched from Elizabeth's living room window.

Wake up time: 7:00 a.m. EDT---when Alexander arises, everyone arises!

Best sound: Alexander's giggle

Best sight: Elizabeth's beautiful smile because she finally feels good!

Memorable meals: around the Castro table, with Alexander tucked in for the night.

Wines enjoyed: Red Belly Black, Australian Shiraz, 2005

Best times: girl time with Elizabeth while the guys vegged out in front of the umpteen inch, flat screen, LCD, hang-on-the-wall, surround sound, whatcha-muh-call-it.

A few pics:

Worst sight: it had to do with a man and a thong. I've got pictures.

TT #16 What July 4th Means to Me

2008-07-02T18:00:00.003-05:00

As we approach the holiday weekend, I am reminded of the reasons we celebrate and the activities surrounding our celebrations. I've listed some of those below.

Our flag. I love to see the red, white, and blue flag flying.

Merry Old England. I think about England because our dear friends there always congratulate us, the colonists, on the occasion of our separation. Mighty big of them, I think.

Patriotism. I am an American, and I am proud of it. When the going gets tough, we need to pull together.

Fireworks. What's July 4 without fireworks?

Barbecues. All across the country, families and friends will be gathered around grills to prepare their regional specialities.

Hot weather. For us in the south, it's always hot.

Patriotic music. Battle Hymn of the Republic, America the Beautiful, the Stars and Stripes Forever, This Land is Your Land, and God Bless America always stir my soul.

Water. So many of us head to the lake or the beach for our celebrations. We'll be going to Tampa.

Freedom. That's what this holiday is about, really. It is an opportunity to think about those freedoms we enjoy today.

Our troops. How can we celebrate without thinking of the brave men and women, now and in the past, who fought for those freedoms!

Watermelon and homemade ice cream. Is that just a southern thing?

Family. We just like to be together for special celebrations.

Travel. Many of us travel over the holiday, but maybe this year not as many. Whatever we do, let's be safe.

Alexander, Here We Come!

2008-07-01T20:19:00.003-05:00

We're off to Tampa later this week to spend the 4th with the Castros, and we are so excited. Tampa is a wonderful city, and we love to visit. We enjoy the canal and the boats right outside their condo building; the cruise ships arriving and departing just a few hundred yards away; the neighborhood restaurants we can walk to; and the lovely drives and beaches. But most of all, we enjoy seeing our daughter and her family. Little Alexander, at seventeen months, is changing so fast, and we want to see the latest changes. He is saying some words--in Portuguese and in English--and he is expressing himself in so many ways. He will have a little brother by year end, and we are excited about that, too. Alexander, here we come!

Happy July 4th

2008-07-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

July the 4th is just around the corner. At our house, we're already getting in the mood. Brooks loves to play with the small flags that I have stored in the umbrella stand next to the door. I keep several American flags along with a couple Brazilian flags. When the Castros come to visit, I display both flags ouside. Anyway, Brooks like to play with the American flags---and that means we have to march. He hands everyone a flag and we have to line up and march through the house. Sometimes he leads; sometimes we do. But he has great fun! Happy July 4th to all!

Old House, Old Friends

2008-06-30T20:45:00.009-05:00

Is it that the setting was just right for a gathering of old friends, or is it that old friends make the setting just right? No matter---it was perfect.

Gentle rains that lowered the stifling temperatures; cooling breezes; the distant call of the quail; the old house filled with almost a century of memories and love and good times; the rocking chairs that seem to call our names---that was the setting to which ten old friends gathered.

Soon, the sounds of the frogs and cicadas and quail were silenced by the laughter of those friends, the tinkling of ice in refreshing beverages, myriad conversations on the porch and around the table, and the satiated sighs that followed a wonderful meal. Just another good time together in that old house!

You Been Farming Long?

2008-06-29T12:46:00.013-05:00

Tom has a picture of two little boys in their overalls with the caption, "you been farming long?". He put it on the wall at the farm. He has been waiting for our grandsons to get old enough to follow him around and to enjoy the wildlife and the open spaces with him. Well, he has one at that stage. With Brooks this weekend, we saw the "little boy" for the first time---I'm talking the heavy sweating, bee hunting, ant killing, tire kicking, pecan stomping, head-to-toe dirty, yard peeing little boy. He didn't have time for anything but exploring with Dan-Dad-De. YaYa is definite second fiddle.

Lucy's Back!

2008-06-27T06:54:00.007-05:00

Lucy was my mother-in-law, and she was wonderful! She died in 1998. The family called her Mama Lucy. She was a traditional grandmother--her arms were always open; her lap was soft and snuggley; she told great stories; she just couldn't say no; and she would do whatever the children wanted. Coke for dinner, no problem; stay up past bedtime, no problem; sleep with her, no problem. She played games when she was so sleepy she could hardly stay awake, and she cooked big meals no matter what. Our children still talk about the good times they had with her.

Andrew and Brooks are here for the weekend, and I can tell you that Lucy's back---only she looks like Granddad! There were just the four of us here last evening. Brooks, at 28 months, is very comfortable with YaYa and Granddad, so he had himself a big time. The boys first went to the train yard for Brooks to see the big trains; then they marched around the house with flags--Brooks loves to march! Then, he and Grandad played with the tractors--they filled the tractors with gas,they plowed the fields, pumped up the tires, and planted corn, butter beans, and sunflowers---all imaginative of course. Then there was jumping on the bed while singing Five Little Monkeys with Granddad ready to catch him! I didn't hear "No" one single time. Yes, Lucy is back!

TT #15 Books About Three Generations of Women

2008-06-25T18:34:00.000-05:00

I enjoy reading, and I will pick up just about anything. On my bedside table at this moment are Eat, Pray, Love; Oxymoronica; A Walk in the Woods, and Miss Read. But what I often enjoy is a good story about three generations of women. I love to read a story through the eyes of women because their families are usually close by. I have a favorite. Both my daughter and I have read it multiple times; in fact, it is literally falling apart. It is #13 in the list below, but I was surprised to find that there are hundreds of books about three generations of women. I have listed twelve, some of which I have read and some I wish to read, and my personal favorite. If you read the reviews of it on Amazon you will see that I am not alone in my enjoyment of that story.

Circle of Three--Patricia Gaffney. The lives of grandmother Dana, mother Carrie, and daughter Ruth are instantly altered by the untimely death of Carrie's husband, Stephen.

Charms for the Easy Life---Kaye Gibbons This new novel depicts three generations of Southern women living together during World War II.

Wild Swans---Jung Chang. The author recounts the evocative, unsettling, and insistently gripping story of how three generations of women in her family fared in the political maelstrom of China during the 20th century.

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water---Michael Dorris. This spare generational novel presents Rayona, Christine and "Aunt" Ida, Native American mothers and daughters bonded by blood and secrets.

Jump at the Sun---Kim McLarin. McLarin (Taming It Down) weaves the stories of three generations of mothers and daughters in astringent prose ("You couldn't be expected to live without them, but you'd better remember at all times, even with the good ones, that it was you against them," Grace muses of the wild cards that are men). Her characters chafe against the bonds of poverty, racism and feminine stereotypes, but their deeper struggle is to resolve their longing for fulfillment with ties of the heart.

Unburnable---Marie-elena John. This compelling first novel traces the fortunes of three generations of women from the small Caribbean Island of Dominica. Matilda, descended from African slaves, was a famous healer and possible murderer.

Three Generations---Yom Sang-seop. Three Generations is a classic work of Korean fiction following the tense dynamics of the Jo family in 1930s Japanese-occupied Seoul.

Moon Women---Pamela Duncan. Set in western North Carolina, this first novel follows three generations of Moon women during the months of granddaughter Ashley's unplanned pregnancy.

Hanna's Daughters---Marianne Fredriksson. Shifting back and forth across time and generations, the story introduces three strong Swedish women: Hanna, her daughter Johanna, and Anna, her granddaughter.

Sweet Mandarin--Helen Tse. a true story of three generations of chinese women and their journey from East to West---from brutal poverty in the village to newly prosperous Hong Kong in the 1930s, and then to the UK.

African Women: Three Generations--Mark Mathabane. This gripping saga presents a truthful, passionate, and illuminative biography of his great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother in South Africa. Mathabane vividly describes the shocking, heartbreaking stories of each generation of women as they struggle for independent incomes to support themselves and their children; while resisting apartheid, they must also resist the traditions imposed by their own society and the oppresion imposed by their men.

Teta, Mother, and Me: Three Generations of Arab Women---Jean Said Makdisi. The author explores the lives of three generations of Palestinian women, deftly illuminating a tumultuous century of modern Middle Eastern history, while raising important questions about the efficacy of ideology, the process of social development and the role of memory.

East of the Sun---Barbara Bickmore. This is one of my all-time favorite novels. It is historical romance loosely based on the tumultuous history of 20th century Africa amid the dismantling of European colonialism. It begins with Lilianne Wentworth who travels to Africa as a medical missionary, and it follows her and her daughter and granddaughter for sixty years. What a story!

I Wish the Quilts Could Talk

2008-06-23T20:52:00.017-05:00

I've been working on a little project. I found a quilt top recently when I was looking through some old trunks at our farm. My MIL left three trunks filled with all manner of memorabilia--old greeting cards, scores of crocheted and tatted doilies, embroidered pillowcases, gifts---all sorts of things. I've left them largely untouched for our two married children if they ever wanted to go through them. So far, they haven't. Too little time; too little room for more stuff; too much stuff of their own. Anyway, we've kept it safe for them.

But, when I found that quilt top, I talked to my precious daughter and said, "hey, why don't we enjoy this; I'd like to display it." Of course, she said. Anyway, I've been preparing it for a wall hanging in our farm house. I already have one quilt hung in the dining room, and one quilt top hung over the bed as a canopy; they are just beautiful works of art to me. This much smaller top will be just right for a wall in the front room. I sewed a sleeve on the back of it and purchased a wood dowel to run through the sleeve. I will cap the dowel with finials, and it should be ready to hang without stressing the quilt.

Anyway, while I was sewing that sleeve here at home, I decided to check on a stack of quilts that were safely--I hoped--stored in an adjacent closet. I began pulling them out and inspecting them, and taking pictures. So many memories and so many questions.

If you have quilts, do you think of the hands that sewed those tiny stitches? Do you wonder when they found the time---was it when the babies were napping, or when the peas were all shelled? Was it after the laundry was done, or when the table was cleared of supper? Do you wonder what they talked about? Was it my MIL and her MIL talking quietly about the activity in the fields or at church? Was it a group of friends who gathered for lunch and an afternoon of quilting? Did they tear up all the worn-out clothes and save even the tiny scraps? I wish those quilts could talk.

I photographed about ten quilts, I think. The oldest one that I can document is one my grandmother quilted for my father in 1936. She embroidered his name and the year on it. I think she died the very next year, at age 54. Another old one is the pink and blue appliqued one; still another is the friendship quilt that includes initials of my MILs friends on each square. I believe most of the quilts were made in the forties and fifties. Some quilts are beautifully arranged with like colors and definite patterns. Others are clearly utilitarian. If there weren't enough of one fabric to make the lining or the squares, another was substituted.

Some of those quilts have been used often; they are worn, and there are weak places in the fabrics. Others appear never to have been used; perhaps they were being saved for harder times.

Oh, I wish those quilts could talk. I wish they could tell me how the crops fared that year and whether the rains came in time. I wish they could tell me if there was money left over to buy a couple of lengths of fabric. I wish they could tell me who made the neatest stitches or who was the biggest gossip. I do wish those quilts could talk!

Pieces of My Quilt

If quilts could talk
I'd like to think I'd hear just what they'd say,
"I'll hold you close within my folds and wipe your tears away.
I'll keep you warm and give you strength to face another day."
If quilts could talk...

If quilts could sing
I'd like to think I'd recognize each tune,
The lullaby or funeral dirge or wedding march in June.
Both sweet and haunting melodies I'd listen to them croon.
If quilts could sing...

If quilts could write
I'd like to think I'd read the words they'd pen,
Of life and love and motherhood, of mystery without end.
And, oh, the drama they could share of everywhere they'd been.
If quilts could write...

If quilts could pray
I'd like to think I'd feel each heartfelt prayer
Of thankfulness or great concern for those within their care;
Petitions to a loving God - the One who's always there.
If quilts could pray...

The quilt of my own life
Finds voice to talk, sing, write, and pray,
As it weaves a hundred stories in its own eclectic way.
And with each stitch of grace and hope my legacy is built;
All fragments finally made a whole...
the pieces of my quilt.
~ Lucinda Secrest McDowell, 1998

What Do You Do at the Farm, Anyway?

2008-06-21T21:21:00.006-05:00

After a date night with friends at Sakura, our new favorite Japanese restaurant, on Friday, we were up bright and early this morning to head to the farm for a work day. What did we do? We did a little of this and a little of that, and we enjoyed every minute. It was hot, and the gnats were irritating as usual, and I don't like to sweat, but I hung in there. As you can see from the slides, we accomplished a lot, and the day ended with a much needed rain.

TT #14 Things I Did at Work Yesterday

2008-06-18T17:45:00.001-05:00

I did my first TT on things I like about my work. This week, I'd like to tell you some of the things I do on a given day. The thing I like best about my job is that tomorrow will be very different. Here are just 13 of the things I did yesterday:

I wrote three thank-you notes to leaders about the Wiregrass Regional Summit that was held at our College last week.

I drafted a letter to a major donor who completed his pledge to the College's Foundation.

I responded to a required survey on the needs of workforce development programs in our state.

I attended a luncheon meeting of a women's group to which I belong. The program this month was from the club president/librarian who provided suggestions for summer reading.

I had a phone meeting with an employee who is joining our division in a new position.

Wearing another of my hats, I met with a college employee who has specific concerns--can't say more than that.

I met with a staff member to discuss a new program.

I signed half a dozen checks for the Foundation.

I reviewed the agenda for a Foundation meeting early this morning.

I met with a group at the Chamber of Commerce to hear more about an exciting new community educational initiative called Yes We Can.

I peeped in on a Kids Kollege class about Legos that meets in my building.

I discussed a hiring issue with the HR office.

I thought about cleaning off my desk, but it didn't happen.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

The Weekend

2008-06-16T17:32:00.005-05:00

I love weekends,and the best ones---for me---are the really busy ones. This was one of those. We spent time with Son; enjoyed adult dinner; spent day at farm with projects; examined our crops--sunflowers, figs, and grain sorghum; enjoyed Father's Day with Son's family, Mother, and call from Elizabeth; ended with dinner party at the farm. Who needs rest!

TT #13 Community Supported Agriculture

2008-06-08T20:52:00.010-05:00

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a term I have just learned. I know about farming. Both my husband and I have roots in farming; in fact we own the small family farm where my husband grew up, and as an avocation we grow pine trees and provide wildlife habitat. We have a fig tree that will be producing in the next week or so---and I can hardly wait. We also have several pecan trees, and we are trying to grow a few sunflowers, both for me and the other wildlife (ha). However, we are far removed from farming as livelihood. Here's what I have learned about a great program called community supported agriculture:

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) originated in Japan (1960s) and Europe (1970s) and began in the United States in the 1980s.

This "movement" encourages relationships between farmers and consumers.

The goal of this relationship is to provide solutions to the problems of small farm survival, food quality, nutrition, community building, sustainability and quality of life.

CSA involves the consumer buying a "share" of or "membership" in a farming operation. For that share, the consumer gets a bag of produce each week during the growing season.

This partnership provides the farmer with capital to plant the crops and ensures a guaranteed market for their products.

As shareholders of the farm business, the consumers share the risks with the farmer. If there is no rain or if some other problem strikes, the bounty for the week might not be so bountiful. In this way, the risks are spread throughout the whole membership rather than falling solely on the farmer.

Another benefit to the consumers is that they become more knowledgeable about the growing of food. Just like a person who buys stock in XYZ Company want to learn something about XYZ's business, the CSA consumer could learn about different varieties of vegetables, how much rain the region has enjoyed, whether there is irrigation, and what "green" techniques the farmer is using. Consumers become involved in the production of the food they eat.

The consumer enjoys a variety of fresh produce, produced locally, and becomes directly connected to the food source.

The consumer will be supporting a small farm and contributing to your local economy.

Consumers can visit the farm and even work there on a volunteer basis.

Another great benefit is the chance to build community with farmers and other shareholders.

The CSA program encourages social responsibility towards stewarding the earth.

Participating in a CSA program is a green thing to do.

I have learned about one CSA farm in our region, and I plan to contact the farmer this week to learn more. Do you participate in a CSA? If so, please tell us about it in your comment.

What You Do When Its Hot---Really Hot!

2008-06-08T16:17:00.007-05:00

We met the younger Roneys at the lake on Saturday. It was really hot---98-100! We stayed in the boat or in the water as much as we could. Brooks was a trooper. He's not quite ready to take on the tube, but he had a great time watching the rest of us tube and ski.

We ended the day with a great meal after Brooks was tucked in for the night. It was a joint effort. Tom prepared the wonderful little filets on the grill just perfectly. Tara made her killer Grits Casserole. Andrew was the showman with his Caesar Salad, and I roasted a little asparagus and prepared the strawberries with balsamic vinegar for dessert. What a meal! What a weekend!

Guess Which City

2008-06-05T18:27:00.005-05:00

We visited this city, outside the US, a couple of years ago. Can you guess which it is? I have the answer posted at the bottom of my previous post.

For more Skywatch Friday, please visit Tom.

TT #12 Thoughts on Leadership

2008-06-04T18:08:00.004-05:00

I did a short post a few weeks ago on Mac Anderson's little book, You Can't Send a Duck to Eagle School. It is a compilation of anecdotes, lessons learned, and simple truths about leadership. You can view a short video on the book here. For Thursday Thirteen, I thought I would list some of the lessons learned and simple truths. The words in italics are quoted.

It's the little things, not the big ones, that will earn the respect of your people. Even taking the time to listen---really listen---is important.

Change is good...You go first. The president at our college always says no one likes change except a wet baby.

Accept your Limitations and You'll Expand Your Potential. That one is easy for me. There are so many things I cannot do--but there are probably an equal number that I can do.

If your company mission is to climb a tree, which would you rather do: hire a squirrel or train a horse? This may be my favorite. It is so simple, and it speaks to the wisdom in playing to peoples' strengths.

Attitude isn't everything, but it's pretty darn close. When hiring new people, Anderson says we should notice their attitudes, then ask "is theirs worth catching?"

Customer service is not a department...it's an attitude. Is that ever the truth!

Eat the Frog. Anderson says, "if the first thing you do when you wake us is to eat a live frog, then nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day." I'd say that's right! So, he says, we need to look at our to-do list, identify the frogs, then eat them first---and it's smooth sailing after that.

Less is almost always more. Keep it simple.

Wisdom is knowing the right path to take...Integrity is taking it. Integrity is not what we do as much as who we are. and who we are, in turn, determines what we do." (John Maxwell).

A leader's job is to look into the future and see the organization, not as it is, but as it should be. Enough said.

We aren't in the coffee business serving people. We're in the people business serving coffee. Yep--that's from Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks.

Quality is the Mother...And we don't mess with Mom. Quality is a core value in successful companies.

Turn up the Fun-O-Meter. What companies comes to mind? Southwest Airlines. Google. A little fun at work is a good thing.

This is a good little book to share with your colleagues or your family members.

What do Fish Oil, Vitamin D, and Wine Have in Common?

2008-06-03T20:30:00.006-05:00

Well, I'll tell you in a minute. but first--hear about MY NUMBERS! Blood pressure--great; all the cholesterols--great; bones, good.

One bit of interesting info from the doc. He prescribed heavy doses of Vitamin D twice a month. He says new studies are out which show that D, along with calcium, is important in warding off osteoporosis and that it has shown some promise in fighting cancers and autoimmune diseases. He says that we used to get plenty of D from sun exposure, but since many of us have curtailed that, we do not get enough. Plus, he says, the recommended daily dosage of 400 units is nowhere near enough. He said that in three to five years he would expect that most people would be on Vitamin D because the data show it is effective.

I checked my multi-vitamin--it has 500 units. My prescription is for 50,000 units twice each month. I've done a little research, and it can't hurt. Wouldn't it be wonderful if lil' ole Vitamin D is a cheap miracle.

Another cheap miracle, IMHO, is fish oil. We've been taking statins as a high cholesterol preventive for several years; however, we added fish oil two years ago, and our LDLs,HDLs, and TGs have improved as much as 30%---amazing. I asked the doc if we could discontinue the statins and try the fish oil only. Nope, he said; doesn't work that way.

The real question is--how much benefit does the red wine provide? I bet lots!

Anyway, definitely a cause for celebration!

Roast Pork Loin

2008-06-01T19:14:00.015-05:00

When we cleaned out the freezers yesterday, we found items that we had forgotten about. Among those were a half pork loin, figs I had put up last summer. and a bag of the little white peas that we all enjoy so much. They were to become the backbone of our lunch today.

For the pork loin, I decided to modify Frank Stitt's recipe, Roast Pork Loin Stuffed with Rosemary, Bacon, and Onions. I wanted to use the figs in the stuffing.

I had frozen the figs in a sugar water mixture, so I simply cooked them until the liquid was gone. At the same time, I cooked diced onions and celery in another pan until they were translucent. I added some finely-diced smoked sausage, minced garlic, and salt and pepper, and then I added it all to the fig mixture. Here's how that looked:

I also crumbled some of the cornbread that I made yesterday and added it to the fig mixture. Then, it was ready to stuff.

To prepare the roast, I assembled our tools:

We use a 1" pvc pipe with a notched end (Tom made in the shop) to bore the hole through the middle of the pork loin. I hold the roast steady, and Tom gently twisted the pipe back and forth until he reached the other end. We used the dowel to pack the stuffing in the roast. After we packed the stuffing in, I wrapped the roast in kitchen twine and plugged each end of the roast with a 1/2" piece of the tenderloin that we removed from the roast---to keep too much of the stuffing from cooking out. Here's how the roast looked before cooking.

The recipe said cook at 450 for twenty minutes, then 325 for thirty minutes. I had to cook it about twelve minutes longer. Here's how it looked as we sliced it.

I also cooked the little white peas. Mother ate lunch with us, and one of the things she likes on her peas is a fresh relish of diced tomatoes, onions, and sweet peppers with a little vinegar and water added. It really is good. Here's a peak at the peas and relish.

Cleaned Out Your Freezers Lately?

2008-05-31T22:10:00.007-05:00

I don't know what got into us! I guess it was the oppressive heat--almost 95 today and it's still May. Anyway, this morning we decided to clean out the refrigerator freezer. I won't even tell you what all we found in there. Suffice it to say, we threw away a lot; then we wiped it down good and got it all put back together. Bad job done! Then...TFR says let's clean out the big freezer outside. Same deal--we threw away a lot. Anyway, we have nice clean freezers on the inside, and TFR even cleaned the door on the big one. We even have a little shelf space now.

Well, I guess that got me in the mood, so I began cleaning out drawers, and this afternoon, while he was at the farm "tinkering", I cleaned out drawers in the bathroom---out of date stuff, hairbrushes, makeup, hairspray, toothpaste---and on and on. Three more small garbage bags full to throw away. Feels good!

Back to the freezers; I found stuff I didn't know I had. So tomorrow for lunch, I'll cook a pork loin stuffed with with cornbread, figs, onion, and celery and little white peas. We'll see how that turns out.

So for all that work, I feel like we accomplished something---and I have Sunday lunch planned!

Family, Flag, and Fun

2008-05-29T19:19:00.005-05:00

We spent Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake. It was a lovely weekend--great weather, lots of people out having a good time, and so many flags flying. We did not forget to say a little prayer for our women and men in uniform, both now and in the past.

I took this picture of our flag flying on the deck with the blue sky and trees behind it.

For more Skywatch Friday, please visit Tom.

TT #11 For Better or Worse

2008-05-27T12:40:00.012-05:00

My favorite comic strip is Lynn Johnston's For Better or Worse. I have enjoyed it for twenty years or so, at least since our son grew up and moved us past the Calvin and Hobbes stage.
We have raised our family with John, Elly, Michael, Elizabeth, and April Patterson. I am saddened to know that the story-line, as I have loved it, will end this fall. In this TT, I want to list the things I like about For Better or Worse.

John and Elly Patterson are about the same age as we are. He is a dentist; she, a book lover.

Their two older children, Michael and Elizabeth, are about the same age as our children, but we had the girl first.

The Patterson's have a later-in-life child, April, but we did not.

John and Elly have maintained a very traditional home. John is the primary breadwinner, but Elly has worked much of the time. Ditto, here.

The story-line included grandparents who are invloved with the family. Same here.

Michael's friends when he was growing up had issues. Lawrence, born out-of-wedlock, revealed his homosexuality; Gordon, a victim of child abuse and neglect, couldn't go to college, but he has succeeded in his automobile business and with his family. We didn't deal with issues so difficult, but we learned along with the Pattersons.

Elizabeth dealt with sexual harassment/attempted rape at her work. She grew into an independent young woman, which is how we wanted to raise our daughter.

April is a teen now, with interests in music and preparing for college. She is a loyal friend to a diverse group, and she is not afraid to show her serious side.

Gramma Marian died some years ago; Grampa Jim married Iris and is now recovering from a stroke. We have experienced declining health among our parents.

Grampa Jim helped April discover her love of music. Our children didn't have grampas, but they had grammas who loved them fiercely.

Elizabeth has exerted her independence by going away from home to teach. She has had several boyfriends as she has refined her qualification list, and she is now engaged to Anthony, her high school boyfriend who is divorced with a child.

John has semi-retired from his dental practice, and he and Elly have bought a smaller house just down the street. We have a retirement looming in our house.

Son Michael, a successful writer, has moved in the Patterson home with his own family. Like him, our children are now "happy, healthy, married, and employed with health insurance" for which we are grateful.

I amazed that a cartoonist can communicate so much information in only four frames per day. Ms. Johnston has managed to create characters with whom we can identify, and she has tapped social, personal, and communication problems with a tenderness touched with realism. My morning cup of coffee just won't be the same without the Pattersons.

Have any of you met them?

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