Miscellaneous Missives

Since the heat index is in the 100s today, I decided to accomplish tasks inside. One of these was to change air and water filters. Both kitchen and lavatory faucets have filters and of course the furnace filter. Typically one of these gives me a problem. Today it was the bathroom filter. I couldn't get it the top unscrewed to remove and change the filter. At one point I even started questioning which way to turn, so I called my dad. "Don't give me right or left (righty tighty lefty loosey). Tell me if I should turn the top towards me or away from me," I pleaded. After giving this some thought, he explained what I needed to do. It seems I was turning it correctly. With no other option, I went outside and asked the lawn guy if he would please come and help. To my entertainment he struggled with it before getting it open. Although it may have been pathetic of me to elicit help from the lawn guy, I gave him five bucks, and my filters are changed.

Today I took a tour of Hope Haven's wheel chair production in the South Dakota penitentiary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The experience was a learning experience. We were even taken through general population for a short walk. When we arrived at the Hope Haven facilities inside the penitentiary, I was amazed at the workers. They receive twenty-five cents a day, yet their work is meticulous. One of the first inmates I saw working was sewing seats for the wheelchairs. As he worked, he carefully cut off the loose strings. I'm certain I wouldn't have been as conscientious. We were also able to talk to the inmates as they each had their own job in the construction and/or renovation of the wheelchairs. Each man I talked to was proud of his work and eager to talk about his task. As we neared the end of the assembly area, one man was actually from Guatemala which is where we will be distributing chairs. He was eager to talk about his country. All of the inmates working...

Let's be real. I've been visiting old friend, not merely friends I've know for a long time, but old since we're the same age. Friday, a high school friend flew in from Houston. She stayed at my house while I was in Milwaukee visiting another high school friend and attending the wedding reception of a friend who used to live in Minneapolis. Both events were fabulous. Connecting with Al is always entertaining, and meeting Katie's husband was wonderful. Heidi picked me up from the airport on Sunday, and we drove to Okoboji. We spend Sunday and Monday doing the tourist things, shopping at the Emporium, playing miniature golf, and riding the Queen II. Neither of us had been on the Queen for twenty (or more) years. I took my camera on the Queen II, in true tourist fashion, and took pictures. One of my favorite pictures shows my hometown water tower and grain elevator. Unfortunately, "Point of No Return" at the top hill of the roller coaster didn't ...

I'm blogging from the airport with my phone. Actually I'm not blogging but whining. When I arrived at terminal 2 to fly Airtran, I was told my flight was canceled. They put me on a Frontier flight that leaves from terminal 1. At least I have a flight. As my bag went through I realized it was ripped. Then it needed to be searched. This is why they have bars in the airport!

Morning Poem by Mary Oliver Every morning the world is created Under the orange sticks of the sun the heaped ashes of the night turn into leaves again and fasten themselves to the high branches-- and the ponds appear like black cloth on which are painted islands of summer lilies. If it is your nature to be happy you will swim away along the soft trails for hours, your imagination alighting everywhere. And if your spirit carries within it the thorn that is heavier than lead-- if it's all you can do to keep trudging-- there is still somewhere deep within you a beast shouting tha the earth is exactly what it wanted-- each pond with its blazing lilies is a prayer heard and answered lavishly, every morning, whether or not you have ever dared to be happy whether or not you have ever dared to pray. Tuesday night as I was concerned about a family member I read this poem. Yesterday evening I decided to send it to him although I knew it was a...

Last night was a sleepless night which made getting up early for today's workshop/training difficult. As I pulled into the hotel, I realized this is the same place I left my water bottle last time I had some type of training. Today, I forgot my water bottle which isn't much better. Unfortunately, I'm tired, and the speaker is not highly motivational. The good news is that it's not sunny outside, but I'm still a bit disengaged. Basically, I've been on my computer (checking news feeds, checking e-mail, checking Facebook) for most of the training. I love the interweb. Worth a post? Nope! Basically, I am bored and need something to do. How did I get the cut image? Googled "unmotivated"

Do you know what I like about the first day of summer? NOTHING! Although this is not the truth, it will not go down as a perfect summer day. Actually one of my book clubs met this morning, and it was delightful. On my way home from book club the sun appeared. This was incredible. Instead of going to a friend's to pick up some mending she did for me (awesome!!), I went home to sit in the sun for an hour. As I finished the first chapter of my book, it began to downpour, not satisfactory. Then since it was a rainy, miserable day, I decided to do something productive and caulk my tub. This also was unsatisfactory to quite unsatisfactory. It's done although it may not last, and it wasn't pretty.