Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly at first. At least that is what my husband Bill tells his classes when they try a new skill. He's right but I don't like to admit it.
I know it's true with writing. My first attempt at a book, an established author put her shaking head in her hands while laughing when reading it. I could have quit writing that day but I decided that I liked writing for writing's sake. I also decided that the author was stupid and clueless about my work. It helps to bash your critics but not to their faces.
That was five years ago and I am better. I have published some articles in our denominational magazine. I am working on 2 books. I remind myself that we have to start somewhere even if it is embarrassing and others are aware of your failings. For me, it is okay to be hohum, to be average, to be even bad at first, if I can write one great sentence in the end.
So I want to encourage you , my friend to be bad and start working toward your dreams.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Buffalo's Braodway Market
Want to be a kid again? Visit the Broadway Market this Easter Season. Beside the Easter Bunny and the clowns making animal balloons, there are plenty of smells, sights and treats to satisfy your senses until next year.
Karen Michelle and I decended on the market Wednesday afternoon only to find aisles cleared of the packs of shoppers we usually see in the mornings. We were greeted by a giant chocolate rabbit you can win if you want to gain 50 pounds and be on a continual sugar high this spring.
We prefered the smells of the babka breads, hot crossed buns and cinnamon rolls and headed over to drool over these goodies. Lunch was the polish plate; glumke (stuffed cabbage rolls), polish sausage and kraut, lazy pieroge and vegetable for S7.99. We dismissed the homemade perogi at $1 a crack. It's good but not that good. We had to buy, for the first time, horseradish root. Bill tells the story of his grandmother grating horseradish in her NYC apartment in the window sill with the window pulled down to protect her eyes. He has to show me how this is done. Then we headed for the flavored noodles from Denver we bought last year. Porcini Mushroom noodles are delightful. Karen likes a lemon mixture linguine. Kelly's chocolates are so delicious that I will deny my obession with bargins. I always buy the orange chocolate. This year I bought chicken sausage but don't tell Bill or Mark. It was so tasty let alone healthy and cheaper than pork. Talk about tasty; have you ever had a pastry heart? I tired a bite and will never be the same. I am lusting for more.
Enough about food. There are also gift items with an Easter/spring theme. I usually buy a Polish or Ukrainain Wooden Easter Egg. Wooden because I will never forgive myself for breaking a few of Bill's grandmothers delicate eggs. This year I was braver-I bought a ceramic egg that is white with red and black patterns, typical of the Ukraine.
This was our day going from booth to booth delighting the clerks with our enthusiam and humor. You only have a few more days to get the Easter treats. Go ahead and be a child again. Go to the Market.
Karen Michelle and I decended on the market Wednesday afternoon only to find aisles cleared of the packs of shoppers we usually see in the mornings. We were greeted by a giant chocolate rabbit you can win if you want to gain 50 pounds and be on a continual sugar high this spring.
We prefered the smells of the babka breads, hot crossed buns and cinnamon rolls and headed over to drool over these goodies. Lunch was the polish plate; glumke (stuffed cabbage rolls), polish sausage and kraut, lazy pieroge and vegetable for S7.99. We dismissed the homemade perogi at $1 a crack. It's good but not that good. We had to buy, for the first time, horseradish root. Bill tells the story of his grandmother grating horseradish in her NYC apartment in the window sill with the window pulled down to protect her eyes. He has to show me how this is done. Then we headed for the flavored noodles from Denver we bought last year. Porcini Mushroom noodles are delightful. Karen likes a lemon mixture linguine. Kelly's chocolates are so delicious that I will deny my obession with bargins. I always buy the orange chocolate. This year I bought chicken sausage but don't tell Bill or Mark. It was so tasty let alone healthy and cheaper than pork. Talk about tasty; have you ever had a pastry heart? I tired a bite and will never be the same. I am lusting for more.
Enough about food. There are also gift items with an Easter/spring theme. I usually buy a Polish or Ukrainain Wooden Easter Egg. Wooden because I will never forgive myself for breaking a few of Bill's grandmothers delicate eggs. This year I was braver-I bought a ceramic egg that is white with red and black patterns, typical of the Ukraine.
This was our day going from booth to booth delighting the clerks with our enthusiam and humor. You only have a few more days to get the Easter treats. Go ahead and be a child again. Go to the Market.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Hurt Locker and Enduring Images Puts us in the Foxholes
Whether you believe in the war we are fighting in Afganistan or not, you probably wondered what it was like to be a soldier. What is it like to face death everyday? How do you feel after you shoot someone just because he/she we are told is our enemy? How do you see your friends die beside you and go on?
“The Hurt Locker” is a powerful dipiction of a soldier’s life. The tense stillness you experience as the bomb disabler labors in an eighty pound suit toward the explosive.
Any minute an insugent can appear with a rifle to stop his progress. At any time the bomb could detonate. Everyday he faces the same danger, always on guard, keeping alert to keep alive. The adrenaline is addicting and when the same soldier goes home he feels lost. In the war he was saving people, at home he is cleaning the gutters.
The movie deserves the Oscar because it brings to the viewer the realities of war without making a statement for or against it.
Enduring Images by our friend Dr. Paul Fazekas, Bill and I read together last summer. We were only 19 when the Vietnam War ended but we remember many of the events Paul spoke about in his personal account of being a soldier in that war. We were there with Paul, in the midst of the confusion, the despair of soldiers fighting a loosing battle in a war they did not believe in. Forced to kill he suffered alone after returning, unaware that he too had the symptoms on Post Traumatic Shock, a new dianosis, one he treated himself as a pschycologist.
Enduring Images will grip you with it’s honesty and hope. Every soldier active or now home should read this book. Every soldiers’ family and friends will gain an understanding of war and how to help their loved one when they return. You can find it on Amazon.
“The Hurt Locker” is a powerful dipiction of a soldier’s life. The tense stillness you experience as the bomb disabler labors in an eighty pound suit toward the explosive.
Any minute an insugent can appear with a rifle to stop his progress. At any time the bomb could detonate. Everyday he faces the same danger, always on guard, keeping alert to keep alive. The adrenaline is addicting and when the same soldier goes home he feels lost. In the war he was saving people, at home he is cleaning the gutters.
The movie deserves the Oscar because it brings to the viewer the realities of war without making a statement for or against it.
Enduring Images by our friend Dr. Paul Fazekas, Bill and I read together last summer. We were only 19 when the Vietnam War ended but we remember many of the events Paul spoke about in his personal account of being a soldier in that war. We were there with Paul, in the midst of the confusion, the despair of soldiers fighting a loosing battle in a war they did not believe in. Forced to kill he suffered alone after returning, unaware that he too had the symptoms on Post Traumatic Shock, a new dianosis, one he treated himself as a pschycologist.
Enduring Images will grip you with it’s honesty and hope. Every soldier active or now home should read this book. Every soldiers’ family and friends will gain an understanding of war and how to help their loved one when they return. You can find it on Amazon.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Send the Nanny to Congress
Pardon my Ignorance but are the Republicans and Democratics ever going to stop bickering in Congress. I was waiting for our President to set a new standard of coorperation but even he has gotten caught up into Washington politics. Health Care, bailouts, taxes, big government or small-nothing can be agreed upon these days. The problem is with our Congressmen who vote party lines and won't compromise even if it might benefit our nation. Will they even listen to the other side and vote their conscious?
What we need to do is send in the Nanny to The Congressional Chambers. When things at home are in a stalemate, JoJo creates a way to make their home to run smoother. Surely she could do the same with the childish behavior of our elected officials.
JoJo would not allow name calling and blaming between those who make our laws. She would make them apologize and not leave the room until they came up with a solution. For bad behavior she would send them to the reflection chair. We might have to line the whole chamber wall with reflection chairs.
We all want a civil, honest and conciliatory tone on Capital Hill. We want them to work together to solve our problems. We want men and women we can respect even if we don't agree with to run our country.
I've written a prayer for congress which is in my newest book, Big Prayers for Small Minds-Prayers for our Nation.
Our State and Federal Congress
“For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisors make victory sure.”
Proverbs 11: 14 NIV
Our Great Counselor,
We elected men/women to represent us as they make laws for our land. We realize that they have many pressures, conflicting viewpoints, various needs that they represent. Guide them today as they listen and debate bills on the congress floor. May they listen well, judge fairly, and make sound decisions. Do not let their decisions be clouded by self gain or favortism.
Create on the Congress floor a spirit of coorperation and goodwill. Do not allow pride or particianship to dominate the proceedings. Help our lawmakers to respond to their fellow congressmen with dignity, respect and kindness.
May bills be introduced that reflect your priorities. May the bills presented benefit the poor as well as the rich. Block self-interest that put riches above our citizens wellbeing. Give our lawmakers today, compassion, fairness, and generosity. May the decisions made today be your will.
Bless the family life of our lawmakers as they serve far from home. May their marriages stay strong and their children be blessed. Honor them for their service.
Give our mayor and city counsel members wisdom as they make decsions for our region. Give our State Governor the knowledge he/she needs to lead our state. In Jesus Name, Amen.
What we need to do is send in the Nanny to The Congressional Chambers. When things at home are in a stalemate, JoJo creates a way to make their home to run smoother. Surely she could do the same with the childish behavior of our elected officials.
JoJo would not allow name calling and blaming between those who make our laws. She would make them apologize and not leave the room until they came up with a solution. For bad behavior she would send them to the reflection chair. We might have to line the whole chamber wall with reflection chairs.
We all want a civil, honest and conciliatory tone on Capital Hill. We want them to work together to solve our problems. We want men and women we can respect even if we don't agree with to run our country.
I've written a prayer for congress which is in my newest book, Big Prayers for Small Minds-Prayers for our Nation.
Our State and Federal Congress
“For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisors make victory sure.”
Proverbs 11: 14 NIV
Our Great Counselor,
We elected men/women to represent us as they make laws for our land. We realize that they have many pressures, conflicting viewpoints, various needs that they represent. Guide them today as they listen and debate bills on the congress floor. May they listen well, judge fairly, and make sound decisions. Do not let their decisions be clouded by self gain or favortism.
Create on the Congress floor a spirit of coorperation and goodwill. Do not allow pride or particianship to dominate the proceedings. Help our lawmakers to respond to their fellow congressmen with dignity, respect and kindness.
May bills be introduced that reflect your priorities. May the bills presented benefit the poor as well as the rich. Block self-interest that put riches above our citizens wellbeing. Give our lawmakers today, compassion, fairness, and generosity. May the decisions made today be your will.
Bless the family life of our lawmakers as they serve far from home. May their marriages stay strong and their children be blessed. Honor them for their service.
Give our mayor and city counsel members wisdom as they make decsions for our region. Give our State Governor the knowledge he/she needs to lead our state. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Many Reasons to Go.
I hadn’t been to the city in a few weeks. At home with back pain I missed time with my friends serving the refugees. The three of us drive them to appointments, acting as interpreter, making calls, runing errands, and filing. Something happens to you when you serve the poor. Peace covers you like a comforter on a cold winter night. It is as if God is saying, “My work is with the lost and forgotten.You are doing my work” The peace lets me know that I am doing what I was meant you to do. At least, this has been my experience.
Many Wednesdays though I find other things I should be doing at home rather than serving. I have my own errands, house to clean, and a book to write. I have valid reason not to go except my friends are going and we will laugh and get lost on city streets and laugh again. We will head into ongoing traffic on one way streets and laugh. We giggle as we make up sign lauguage to interpret for our friends, just hoping it is correct. We laugh at our naivete, our surburban dress and ways on city streets. We are out of place and we find it hilarious. The joy that wells up that can not be duplicated doing anything else.
But Friday I bundled up in warm clothing, packed my lunch and showed up. I sensed God wanted to teach me something and in order to hear Him better I went alone. It is not the safest part of Buffalo but it’s not the worse. I am not sure going alone is wise but I was compelled to go.
I missed taking a family to a doctor’s appointment but I ran a few errands, alone. I was disappointed I couldn’t interact with my foreign friends but I listened to the urging to go. Sometimes in your serving it is all giving and no receiving and sometimes it is not.
Like Friday, on Buffalo City Streets. Our city is not known for movie stars walking its streets. It’s a big deal when a producer films in our area, especially when the producer is Keeanu Reeves. I could not park near the Heap Office due to filming and I wasn’t sure where I was going. I approached a security guard for directions.
“Have you seen him?”
“No, you can’t really see anything.”
At the Heap Office, the clerks echoed the guard’s words.
I didn’t think I was enamored by movie stars until I decided to get try to get a closer look. I walked out of the bank and approached the gates where abot 20-25 people where quietly watching the filming. There he was, just standing across the street quietly talking to another person. He was all Hollywood; tall, tan and hair in perfect place. My stomach did a few flips and I couldn’t stop smiling. What is it with stars that you act like an idiot in their presence?
I wasn’t the only one. The rest of us including the crew where laden down with hats, gloves and heavy parkas. It was in the low 20’s and cold. After they were done shooting, Keeanu started across the street, a woman called out, “Hey Keeanu, I’ll keep you warm.” It wasn’t me but it could have been. I wanted to say something to get his attention but I couldn’t think of anything. He smiled and waved and all of us laughed.
He disappeared into the resturant.
What a treat to see him. A treat I would have missed if I had not gone to the city. There are rewards in serving. Sometimes the reward is knowing you were where you where suppose to be. At times it is the byproduct of peace and joy. At other times, it’s Keeanu Reeves.
Many Wednesdays though I find other things I should be doing at home rather than serving. I have my own errands, house to clean, and a book to write. I have valid reason not to go except my friends are going and we will laugh and get lost on city streets and laugh again. We will head into ongoing traffic on one way streets and laugh. We giggle as we make up sign lauguage to interpret for our friends, just hoping it is correct. We laugh at our naivete, our surburban dress and ways on city streets. We are out of place and we find it hilarious. The joy that wells up that can not be duplicated doing anything else.
But Friday I bundled up in warm clothing, packed my lunch and showed up. I sensed God wanted to teach me something and in order to hear Him better I went alone. It is not the safest part of Buffalo but it’s not the worse. I am not sure going alone is wise but I was compelled to go.
I missed taking a family to a doctor’s appointment but I ran a few errands, alone. I was disappointed I couldn’t interact with my foreign friends but I listened to the urging to go. Sometimes in your serving it is all giving and no receiving and sometimes it is not.
Like Friday, on Buffalo City Streets. Our city is not known for movie stars walking its streets. It’s a big deal when a producer films in our area, especially when the producer is Keeanu Reeves. I could not park near the Heap Office due to filming and I wasn’t sure where I was going. I approached a security guard for directions.
“Have you seen him?”
“No, you can’t really see anything.”
At the Heap Office, the clerks echoed the guard’s words.
I didn’t think I was enamored by movie stars until I decided to get try to get a closer look. I walked out of the bank and approached the gates where abot 20-25 people where quietly watching the filming. There he was, just standing across the street quietly talking to another person. He was all Hollywood; tall, tan and hair in perfect place. My stomach did a few flips and I couldn’t stop smiling. What is it with stars that you act like an idiot in their presence?
I wasn’t the only one. The rest of us including the crew where laden down with hats, gloves and heavy parkas. It was in the low 20’s and cold. After they were done shooting, Keeanu started across the street, a woman called out, “Hey Keeanu, I’ll keep you warm.” It wasn’t me but it could have been. I wanted to say something to get his attention but I couldn’t think of anything. He smiled and waved and all of us laughed.
He disappeared into the resturant.
What a treat to see him. A treat I would have missed if I had not gone to the city. There are rewards in serving. Sometimes the reward is knowing you were where you where suppose to be. At times it is the byproduct of peace and joy. At other times, it’s Keeanu Reeves.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas Faith
It’s easy this time of year for me to have faith. People are generally cheerful, excited about the decorations, the gifts and the food. Especially the food. If you have seen me lately, these last 15 years, you would know that I love food.
The other day as I opened the church door I thought about how easy it is to have faith when the lights are so pretty on the Christmas tree. Or maybe the red and gold shiny bulbs mesmorize me until I’m in this state of delight. I have always liked glitter. These are the things I think about at Christmas going into the service.
I believe in a God who thinks much differently than I do. Today I read what Jesus said about money in Luke 16:15, “What the world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” I am so glad he thinks differently. I get pretty tired of my thinking. I believe in a God who challenges me much more than I like.
I like the days even after Christmas when I believe in a God who believes in me. When I really know God is cheering for me, not only because I read it or someone said it but I feel it. I had to want Him very badly to finally experience this feeling. But when I have this kind of faith then I know I can make a difference in the world.
The other day as I opened the church door I thought about how easy it is to have faith when the lights are so pretty on the Christmas tree. Or maybe the red and gold shiny bulbs mesmorize me until I’m in this state of delight. I have always liked glitter. These are the things I think about at Christmas going into the service.
I believe in a God who thinks much differently than I do. Today I read what Jesus said about money in Luke 16:15, “What the world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” I am so glad he thinks differently. I get pretty tired of my thinking. I believe in a God who challenges me much more than I like.
I like the days even after Christmas when I believe in a God who believes in me. When I really know God is cheering for me, not only because I read it or someone said it but I feel it. I had to want Him very badly to finally experience this feeling. But when I have this kind of faith then I know I can make a difference in the world.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Fear is driving us Squirrely
Fear us running rampant in this country like a rabid squirrel waiting to attack. Militia groups forming to protect their gun rights, tea party rallies protesting tax increases, hysteria over the health care debate. Has someone put halluciagins in our water? Let’s calm down with the cup of the tea we are tossing overboard and figure this out.
First, we need to think about where this fear comes from? Could it be that our national calm was shaken at 9/11? Being attacked on our soil will do that to us. Have you seen a pre 9/11 movie recently? The casual way the actors walk through an airport gives us a glimpse of the security we felt as a country. I want to place myself in the movie so I can pull the airport fire alarm and scream, “Brace yourself, you don’t know what is coming!” We are on alert, cautious and afraid as a nation.
Add to that our economic plight which has made us all feel less secure. Our lifestyles have been compromised, as we loose our jobs or on a lesser scale, we limit our buying. No one wants to give up the comfort we enjoy and we see it slipping from us.
These fears can be eliminated if we believe that we all want the same thing. We want security, to know we are safe from outside forces. We want to take care of our families and provide a future for them. We all want the same things so let’s catch the rabid squirrel, give it a shot and tame it. Instead of villifying the ones who offer different solutions, let’s listen and find common ground. Our enemy doesn’t lie in the opposing political party. Our enemy is the fear. Fear that doesn’t allow compromise or generate goodwill in our interactions.
First, we need to think about where this fear comes from? Could it be that our national calm was shaken at 9/11? Being attacked on our soil will do that to us. Have you seen a pre 9/11 movie recently? The casual way the actors walk through an airport gives us a glimpse of the security we felt as a country. I want to place myself in the movie so I can pull the airport fire alarm and scream, “Brace yourself, you don’t know what is coming!” We are on alert, cautious and afraid as a nation.
Add to that our economic plight which has made us all feel less secure. Our lifestyles have been compromised, as we loose our jobs or on a lesser scale, we limit our buying. No one wants to give up the comfort we enjoy and we see it slipping from us.
These fears can be eliminated if we believe that we all want the same thing. We want security, to know we are safe from outside forces. We want to take care of our families and provide a future for them. We all want the same things so let’s catch the rabid squirrel, give it a shot and tame it. Instead of villifying the ones who offer different solutions, let’s listen and find common ground. Our enemy doesn’t lie in the opposing political party. Our enemy is the fear. Fear that doesn’t allow compromise or generate goodwill in our interactions.
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