Last day of February today. Saw a snippet of a short interview with a retired Air Force Major General this morning on the Fox morning show.
He has published a book, Taps on the Wall, about his experiences as a captured pilot during the Vietnam War while incarcerated at the famous or infamous Hanoi Hilton. He was there for six years.
The prisoners of war staying there used a simple tapping system to communicate with one another. At first it was just verifying who was there, and then establishing a chain of command, and then bolstering one another up. Major General Borling had as he described, "a bit of a liberal arts background," and so he put that to use by composing poetry and tapping it to the other men. He committed the verses to memory.
Upon liberation, he recalls that he hurried in his bathrobe to buy a recording device so that he could save these precious poems. In recent years, people including his wife, encouraged him to publish the poems as a way of telling the story of Vietnam a little more fully. He admits that working on the book took him back to those days and that it was very painful at times. He said his focus in life tends to be on the future and not on wallowing in the past.
Those who knock the liberal arts curriculum as being a waste of time might pause for a second when hearing about Maj. Gen. Borling's experiences.
If you are interested in reading Taps on the Wall, I'm sure the Canal Fulton Library can get you a copy to read. It's on my list for sure.
Terry Anderson, a journalist captured in 1985 in Lebanon by Hezbollah Shiites, was held for seven years. He also wrote a book, Den of Lions, detailing his experiences. Terry Anderson returned to Christianity during his captivity, and he helped two other detainees keep their wits by using some farming knowledge to create a fantasy garden. They would pick out the seeds, talk about how they would plant, grow and then finally harvest the crops, and then begin planning for the next year. One of the detainees credits Anderson with keeping him lucid.
In recent years, Anderson seems to have fallen on hard times, at one point having to declare bankruptcy. He currently teaches at a university.
Interesting, isn't it, how our various educational experiences come back when we are tested. Interesting, too, how different people deal with adversity in different ways.
Maj. Gen. Borling is attending the 40th anniversary "coming home" of the prisoners of war at the Nixon Library later this year.
Light of Christ
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Middle of the Week Blahs
Here it is Wednesday, and the dilemma is how to better use time today rather than waste it.
Maybe today is a good advice day.
When someone is getting ready for retirement, a LOT of attention should be given on how to spend the days. People inevitably say, "Relax." That's fine, but for how long? We aren't programmed as human beings to relax for long spans of time -- or at least I can't.
Starting about 10 years before my retirement date, I started honing some hobbies. There's art, music, writing and crafting. The University lets employees take one continuing education course per semester for free. It's a great benefit, and first I took art. My teacher was Judith Meyer, an amazing woman. A number of us became friends with her and with each other through the class, and remain so to this day. Judith moved to Silver City, New Mexico. Go all the way to the bottom of the blog, and you will find a picture of Judith.
Art work is fine but due to a car accident years ago, my neck is not very forgiving. Looking down for a while starts a chain of events beginning with a dull headache and progressing to real discomfort and pain. So the canvas or whatever has to be positioned to diminish the strain on my neck. Later in the day, one of those microwave heating pads does wonders for my neck. I recommend them highly.
As far as crafting, I'd already crocheted but I picked it up again in earnest and started truly enjoying it. Crocheting and television go together
During those last so many years at UA, I also took writing courses. The first teacher was a retired science prof at UA who wrote poetry. His hard work paid off and he was published. He ended up taking a job as a visiting professor down south someplace. His pick for a replacement was Rob Levandoski. Rob had already published one book at that time, I believe, "Going to Chicago." He was working on, "Serendipity Green," a hilarious book about life in a small town. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. The town is Medina, by the way, in case you read it and start guessing. That one was published, and then he was working on, "Fresh Eggs," a book about the egg industry but with a good human interest story to boot.
All of his books are good; they are just different. They reflect his sense of humor. Four years ago, I got an email from one of my former co-workers at UA -- Dr. Doug. He told me that he'd seen an obituary for Rob Levandoski in the Beacon Journal and he actually remembered that Rob had been my teacher. Dr. Doug is a very special friend!! I might not have seen it. So I drove to Medina for the calling hours and met his wife for the first time. She writes for the Beacon Journal. Rob died from a cerebral aneurysm and went very fast. He was 59 and really beginning to peak as a writer. He had a mystery series, "Morgue Mama," that was starting to catch on, attributed to one C. R. Corwin.
Today's blog is dedicated to Rob and to Judith. I'm so proud to have been able to call both a friend.
Maybe today is a good advice day.
When someone is getting ready for retirement, a LOT of attention should be given on how to spend the days. People inevitably say, "Relax." That's fine, but for how long? We aren't programmed as human beings to relax for long spans of time -- or at least I can't.
Starting about 10 years before my retirement date, I started honing some hobbies. There's art, music, writing and crafting. The University lets employees take one continuing education course per semester for free. It's a great benefit, and first I took art. My teacher was Judith Meyer, an amazing woman. A number of us became friends with her and with each other through the class, and remain so to this day. Judith moved to Silver City, New Mexico. Go all the way to the bottom of the blog, and you will find a picture of Judith.
Art work is fine but due to a car accident years ago, my neck is not very forgiving. Looking down for a while starts a chain of events beginning with a dull headache and progressing to real discomfort and pain. So the canvas or whatever has to be positioned to diminish the strain on my neck. Later in the day, one of those microwave heating pads does wonders for my neck. I recommend them highly.
As far as crafting, I'd already crocheted but I picked it up again in earnest and started truly enjoying it. Crocheting and television go together
During those last so many years at UA, I also took writing courses. The first teacher was a retired science prof at UA who wrote poetry. His hard work paid off and he was published. He ended up taking a job as a visiting professor down south someplace. His pick for a replacement was Rob Levandoski. Rob had already published one book at that time, I believe, "Going to Chicago." He was working on, "Serendipity Green," a hilarious book about life in a small town. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. The town is Medina, by the way, in case you read it and start guessing. That one was published, and then he was working on, "Fresh Eggs," a book about the egg industry but with a good human interest story to boot.
All of his books are good; they are just different. They reflect his sense of humor. Four years ago, I got an email from one of my former co-workers at UA -- Dr. Doug. He told me that he'd seen an obituary for Rob Levandoski in the Beacon Journal and he actually remembered that Rob had been my teacher. Dr. Doug is a very special friend!! I might not have seen it. So I drove to Medina for the calling hours and met his wife for the first time. She writes for the Beacon Journal. Rob died from a cerebral aneurysm and went very fast. He was 59 and really beginning to peak as a writer. He had a mystery series, "Morgue Mama," that was starting to catch on, attributed to one C. R. Corwin.
Today's blog is dedicated to Rob and to Judith. I'm so proud to have been able to call both a friend.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Dancing
"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth."
William W. Purkey (1929)
William W. Purkey is professor emeritus at The University of North Carolina in Greensboro, and his area of expertise is education. The quote above was how he always closed his speeches, and apparently others rather liked it too.
It's been used in popular songs for one thing, and that's probably where you heard it. But there is a definite message here.
If we live our lives as though there is an audience for everything we do, then we're going to miss a lot. The question that Christians hear from the clergy sometimes is, "What would Jesus do?" It takes the mundane matters of our lives and elevates them toward a personal relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps another good question is, "What would you do if no one was watching?" I've heard people say that character is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Like the hidden camera that caught the police officer buying boots for a homeless man.
Having no audience frees us to live a little more joyfully, I would imagine. Dancing carefree, taking some risks, and singing in the car with the radio prime our engines for doing more of these kinds of things when there is an audience. See what I mean? We grow more comfortable in our own skin.
Do you know when it is easiest to have that carefree joy? With children. It is almost impossible to spend time with a child and not go outside our usual boundaries -- like dancing or singing. My granddaughter wanted her brother to dance with her the other day -- she's eight and he's five. He declined and stated, "Boys don't dance."
I told him that the Prince (any of them) dances. Later when his mom came home, she told him that Daddy dances. He had no comment. Maybe he's already seen Daddy dance quite often enough? Good for Daddy.
Living like we're already in heaven means what? Practicing kindness and generosity? Loving and serving others? Praying and meditating? Why not practice for our next lives? Amen to that.
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth."
William W. Purkey (1929)
William W. Purkey is professor emeritus at The University of North Carolina in Greensboro, and his area of expertise is education. The quote above was how he always closed his speeches, and apparently others rather liked it too.
It's been used in popular songs for one thing, and that's probably where you heard it. But there is a definite message here.
If we live our lives as though there is an audience for everything we do, then we're going to miss a lot. The question that Christians hear from the clergy sometimes is, "What would Jesus do?" It takes the mundane matters of our lives and elevates them toward a personal relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps another good question is, "What would you do if no one was watching?" I've heard people say that character is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Like the hidden camera that caught the police officer buying boots for a homeless man.
Having no audience frees us to live a little more joyfully, I would imagine. Dancing carefree, taking some risks, and singing in the car with the radio prime our engines for doing more of these kinds of things when there is an audience. See what I mean? We grow more comfortable in our own skin.
Do you know when it is easiest to have that carefree joy? With children. It is almost impossible to spend time with a child and not go outside our usual boundaries -- like dancing or singing. My granddaughter wanted her brother to dance with her the other day -- she's eight and he's five. He declined and stated, "Boys don't dance."
I told him that the Prince (any of them) dances. Later when his mom came home, she told him that Daddy dances. He had no comment. Maybe he's already seen Daddy dance quite often enough? Good for Daddy.
Living like we're already in heaven means what? Practicing kindness and generosity? Loving and serving others? Praying and meditating? Why not practice for our next lives? Amen to that.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Ten Hours
Beginning on March 3, the History Channel will host a mini-series on the Bible. Produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (husband and wife team), the series will be shown in weekly installments, culminating on Easter Sunday.
Burnett is known for the Survivor series and The Apprentice. Downey starred in Touched by an Angel, and she will portray Mary in the new series. A number of well-known stars will fill out the cast.
This certainly sounds like a good use of time, and we are ready to program our DVR in order to be able to see each segment. Well-known scenes from the Bible, like Daniel in the Lions' Den, will be depicted. Downey promises that those familiar with the Bible will still find the production worthwhile, and it will be very meaningful for those who have never experienced it.
The Bible is "the Word of God." Isn't that a striking phrase? So the words in the Bible aren't just inspired by God; they are God's words. When reading the Bible, it is important to note that it is not a history book. It is not a log. The Bible does not record everything that happened and in one portion the Bible explains itself -- that many other things happened but these were recorded so that you might BELIEVE. The miracles that we read about in the Bible were only a small representation of the total number of Our Savior's miracles.
When I was a little girl, there was a production shown during every Lent -- Hill Number One. It is the story of a group of soldiers in World War II hunkered down in fox holes, while a chaplain tells them the story of Jesus. It was made for television, and one of the stars is James Dean. We watched it every year, and the words of the Bible spoke to me in a personal way. It wasn't the acting or the costumes or the scenery. It was the words!!!
Check out this timely new production as a way to delve into the Lenten experience.
Burnett is known for the Survivor series and The Apprentice. Downey starred in Touched by an Angel, and she will portray Mary in the new series. A number of well-known stars will fill out the cast.
This certainly sounds like a good use of time, and we are ready to program our DVR in order to be able to see each segment. Well-known scenes from the Bible, like Daniel in the Lions' Den, will be depicted. Downey promises that those familiar with the Bible will still find the production worthwhile, and it will be very meaningful for those who have never experienced it.
The Bible is "the Word of God." Isn't that a striking phrase? So the words in the Bible aren't just inspired by God; they are God's words. When reading the Bible, it is important to note that it is not a history book. It is not a log. The Bible does not record everything that happened and in one portion the Bible explains itself -- that many other things happened but these were recorded so that you might BELIEVE. The miracles that we read about in the Bible were only a small representation of the total number of Our Savior's miracles.
When I was a little girl, there was a production shown during every Lent -- Hill Number One. It is the story of a group of soldiers in World War II hunkered down in fox holes, while a chaplain tells them the story of Jesus. It was made for television, and one of the stars is James Dean. We watched it every year, and the words of the Bible spoke to me in a personal way. It wasn't the acting or the costumes or the scenery. It was the words!!!
Check out this timely new production as a way to delve into the Lenten experience.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Ice, Ice, Ice
Life in a small town has a distinct rhythm to it. A cadence.
Years ago when I was working at The University of Akron, my younger son was in high school, and older son was attending UA, we had a monstrous ice storm that struck in the morning hours (kind of like today but much worse).
I headed off for Akron and made it just fine. A friend of mine who lives off Strausser left 15 minutes later and had to turn around and return home. That's how fast the ice built up. NW schools called off by this time.
At work, my older son called and said that he had been holed up at someone's house on Portage Road. The kind strangers saw that his Chevy Nova just wasn't making it up the slight grade going towards High Mill Road. They invited him in, made him welcome, and showed him pictures of when they built their house. It was an awesome gesture. After a while, the husband gave him a ride home if I remember it correctly. His car just wouldn't have made it (we got it later).
Later both boys called from home and said they were going ice skating. On the road!!! There was maybe an inch or more of pure, solid ice on the streets, so they grabbed their ice skates and off they went. It was like having the whole allotment as an ice skating rink. Pure joy for two boys who must have been craving an adventure.
Well, be careful today. We know that spring is coming -- at some point.
Years ago when I was working at The University of Akron, my younger son was in high school, and older son was attending UA, we had a monstrous ice storm that struck in the morning hours (kind of like today but much worse).
I headed off for Akron and made it just fine. A friend of mine who lives off Strausser left 15 minutes later and had to turn around and return home. That's how fast the ice built up. NW schools called off by this time.
At work, my older son called and said that he had been holed up at someone's house on Portage Road. The kind strangers saw that his Chevy Nova just wasn't making it up the slight grade going towards High Mill Road. They invited him in, made him welcome, and showed him pictures of when they built their house. It was an awesome gesture. After a while, the husband gave him a ride home if I remember it correctly. His car just wouldn't have made it (we got it later).
Later both boys called from home and said they were going ice skating. On the road!!! There was maybe an inch or more of pure, solid ice on the streets, so they grabbed their ice skates and off they went. It was like having the whole allotment as an ice skating rink. Pure joy for two boys who must have been craving an adventure.
Well, be careful today. We know that spring is coming -- at some point.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jersey
Mike Eruzione was on one of the morning shows today. He is auctioning off the jersey, pants, shoulder pads, stick, and socks that he used during the "Miracle on Ice" competition during the 1980 Winter Olympic games.
The items apparently were in his attic for years, and then when he rediscovered them, he put them in a safe deposit box for a while. Now he is parting with them for good. The jersey itself is expected to fetch more than $1 million. Eruzione intends to divide the money between his three children and a charity that he supports. He notes that he has two jerseys and three children, so there was no way he could have made it a fair split by keeping them.
The stick was used to make the definitive score against the mighty Soviets, who looked like grizzled, unbeatable, iron-clad men in 1980, versus the boyish college boys they faced and lost to. Most of us remember where we were during that last game, the best situation being with family and friends. It was pure sport and pure adrenalin, and given the perilous times we were in, a victory we sorely needed.
Somehow, the American guys believed in themselves. Was it Herb Brooks, their now legendary coach who instilled such confidence in them? Was it their unbridled naivety that had not as yet grasped the audacity of thinking they could defeat this pro team? Were they just out there doing what they had done many, many times before in preparation for the 1980 games? Whatever, it was an amazing victory. I didn't even want to watch "Miracle on Ice," the movie. As I told my son, "I lived this. I remember it." But one day it was on TV and I did watch. It was actually a very good movie. I relived it again.
Many of us have faced challenges with the odds stacked against us. Many of us have worked to succeed at something that most would never have thought we could achieve. I've seen those TV programs where a person survives out in the wilderness or survives a horrific crime, and at the end they give their own reasons as to why they think they did. "I refused to die," "I just thought about my family," or "I was able to stay warm by doing ____." Very few times do any of the survivors say what is on the tip of my tongue, "I'm alive because of God." Pure and simple. Our life is a gift from God, and He is with us every step of the way.
For me, the credit for anything good goes to God. That includes the improbable 1980 American victory.
The items apparently were in his attic for years, and then when he rediscovered them, he put them in a safe deposit box for a while. Now he is parting with them for good. The jersey itself is expected to fetch more than $1 million. Eruzione intends to divide the money between his three children and a charity that he supports. He notes that he has two jerseys and three children, so there was no way he could have made it a fair split by keeping them.
The stick was used to make the definitive score against the mighty Soviets, who looked like grizzled, unbeatable, iron-clad men in 1980, versus the boyish college boys they faced and lost to. Most of us remember where we were during that last game, the best situation being with family and friends. It was pure sport and pure adrenalin, and given the perilous times we were in, a victory we sorely needed.
Somehow, the American guys believed in themselves. Was it Herb Brooks, their now legendary coach who instilled such confidence in them? Was it their unbridled naivety that had not as yet grasped the audacity of thinking they could defeat this pro team? Were they just out there doing what they had done many, many times before in preparation for the 1980 games? Whatever, it was an amazing victory. I didn't even want to watch "Miracle on Ice," the movie. As I told my son, "I lived this. I remember it." But one day it was on TV and I did watch. It was actually a very good movie. I relived it again.
Many of us have faced challenges with the odds stacked against us. Many of us have worked to succeed at something that most would never have thought we could achieve. I've seen those TV programs where a person survives out in the wilderness or survives a horrific crime, and at the end they give their own reasons as to why they think they did. "I refused to die," "I just thought about my family," or "I was able to stay warm by doing ____." Very few times do any of the survivors say what is on the tip of my tongue, "I'm alive because of God." Pure and simple. Our life is a gift from God, and He is with us every step of the way.
For me, the credit for anything good goes to God. That includes the improbable 1980 American victory.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The "Before"
A blog post not too long ago focused on some crafty people who have made their lives so much more interesting with a hobby. Keeping busy (not frantic) is a great way to ward off an aging mind and body.
The hub of the crafting is key to these efforts. Most people have an area of the home where they ply their crafts, store their materials, and drift off into creativity. Mine was a mess. Embarrassing. Unworkable. I did what every former newspaper person would do -- I took a picture. Why? Because help was on the horizon in the form of my very talented husband.
The picture posted today is the "before." We're not quite done, so the "after" will be in a few days or so. How could anyone really enjoy a hobby in this disaster of a space? I couldn't even stand it, and often moved my workspace to somewhere else in the house for a while, like the basement.
The redecorated space features the same furniture. The difference is the storage closet, furniture arrangement, new paint, new trim, shampooed carpet and new drapes. Everything will have a place. Stuff won't be dumped here or there. And I did do some necessarily recycling of some of my stuff. You have to get real when you do a project like this. Some of my so-called art just didn't pass muster, so it went out in the trash. Don't worry -- no one will miss it.
This project gives me a new sense of purpose in my crafting. Years ago many of us participated in a Called and Gifted seminar at St. Raphael's. We did an inventory of our charisms. To my surprise, my scores were 15s in the three creative categories. It helped me find direction in my pursuits after retirement -- writing, crafts/art, and music.
It's cold! Have a great day, keep warm, and maybe think about your hobby or maybe start one. Crocheting, for example. Make blankets and give them to the Akron Pregnancy Center in Barberton.
The hub of the crafting is key to these efforts. Most people have an area of the home where they ply their crafts, store their materials, and drift off into creativity. Mine was a mess. Embarrassing. Unworkable. I did what every former newspaper person would do -- I took a picture. Why? Because help was on the horizon in the form of my very talented husband.
The picture posted today is the "before." We're not quite done, so the "after" will be in a few days or so. How could anyone really enjoy a hobby in this disaster of a space? I couldn't even stand it, and often moved my workspace to somewhere else in the house for a while, like the basement.
The redecorated space features the same furniture. The difference is the storage closet, furniture arrangement, new paint, new trim, shampooed carpet and new drapes. Everything will have a place. Stuff won't be dumped here or there. And I did do some necessarily recycling of some of my stuff. You have to get real when you do a project like this. Some of my so-called art just didn't pass muster, so it went out in the trash. Don't worry -- no one will miss it.
This project gives me a new sense of purpose in my crafting. Years ago many of us participated in a Called and Gifted seminar at St. Raphael's. We did an inventory of our charisms. To my surprise, my scores were 15s in the three creative categories. It helped me find direction in my pursuits after retirement -- writing, crafts/art, and music.
It's cold! Have a great day, keep warm, and maybe think about your hobby or maybe start one. Crocheting, for example. Make blankets and give them to the Akron Pregnancy Center in Barberton.
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