Traveling the Lenten Path - II

Sunday, Feb 17th -- Personal.

WOW, in only four days I've got this down to a fine science.  Well, so to speak since Lent is about religion and not science, but then Science wouldn't exist were it not for Religion.  Also, ...oops, sorry, got off on a little theological segue for a second.  Back to how great I am.  Said today would be Personal.  Now even when we go to bed late at night, I'm still almost always up between five and six in the morning.  Last night we took Matt to dinner for his birthday, and when Liz asked if we wanted any dessert Deb and I thought of today, and jointly said, "Let's get a Famous Dave's Bread Pudding to go!"  Yes, after thirty years we have grown to think exactly alike on some matters.  At the Ram, it's the Mile High Mudpie and four spoons.  Oops, another segue.  The point being we brought home the Bread Pudding and around 11:30 pm I hear the microwave, then Deb says, "You coming down and share this bread pudding with me?"  That's the fastest I've hobbled since dislocating my ankle last week. But we won't go there!  No, I wasn't eating the pudding out on the roof Kristen!  SA!!!!!

Having consumed a dessert at 11:30p we didn't want to go to bed on full stomachs, so ended up sitting up until about 1a.  Thus began day five of Lent on a very Personal note. After a two egg and ham biscuit by Deb, came upstairs to send an email coordinating my shift assignments at Birds of Prey.  As I'm sitting at the computer, Deb walks in and tells me Karissa and Krieg are thinking about coming over for a bit and I might want to consider changing out of my PJs and bathrobe to something more -- stylish?????  What the heck happened to Personal?

It ended up turning out quite well, Krieg was asked by his mother to fix her iPod so she could access her iTunes.  Since I don't have one of those, I don't know anything about them.  BUT, Krieg will drink a little scotch from time to time, so I opened the bottle I'd purchased to celebrate our newest grandchild's arrival.  Now this is a lowland Scotch from the Isle of Islay.  If you aren't Scottish, or don't drink scotch it means little to you.  The Isle of Islay is due West of Glasgow and is approximate 25X20 miles and is reknowned for it's eight (count em 8) scotch distilleries.  Today on Personal Sunday Krieg and I enjoyed a slightly smokey ten year old scotch from Laphroaig Distillery.  For an island with only 3500 permanent residents, that's pretty impressive in my mind.  The Isle though offers considerable beauty in addition to several outstanding producers of fine single malt Scotch Whiskies.

Rumour has it many Scots attend church here because they can't be cornered!!!!!

Monday, 18 February - Physical, Positive, Prayerful.  

I'd originally thought about doing Prayerful today, but decided I NEEDED Physical given my ankle and hip.  I've also had a little philosophizing session while doing my exercises today, and am going to modify my 5P Program a little bit.  Just like you don't always have the same food for breakfast each day, and like you may have a big breakfast, light or no lunch and a medium dinner, I'm thinking my needs with regard to Prayer, Productivity, Positive Actions, Personal Time and Physical Activity aren't equal each week.  I know I want and need Physical at least three times a week to keep my hip mobility and strengthening improving (now would that also count as Productivity for Physical Therapy?).  So, I'm going to look at this as the potential for Making My Living Habits better by using the 5Ps but accomplishing that through a mixture of them.  May do Physical three times a week, but then maybe I can add in just a little Prayer everyday either during PT or separately.  I also think it's important, at least for me anyway, to try to be more Positive about a lot of things, and on a more regular basis..  

Today, I tried to remain Positive about my own attitude toward other drivers.  Now let me tell you, in Boise that is a significant challenge, and would be a major outcome if I could accomplish that daily.  I thought about telling you all the stupid things I saw just driving Deb to work and then coming home.  But, that wouldn't be very Positive would it.  So let me just give a couple of examples where I tried to be Positive.  A majority (Positive) of the people going straight through a light tend to accumulate in the left lane, leaving the right lane for those coming up to turn.  That way they can make their right on red and keep moving.  Occasionally, there is the driver who forgets that, and then guns away on the green light to by pass a few cars and reenter the through lane when the road narrows.  I'm trying to be Positive by giving that individual the space to get back in line, since it is possible he was just inattentive, or had a minor emergency.  I'm trying to avoid thinking he is simply an ego-centric driver.  

Tuesday, 19 February -- Personal, Productive

 It's Tate Tuesday.  He came in this morning all smiles as was Gramma.  Today I'll leave a little early to go out to Birds of Prey, so he and Gramma have some time with just the two of them.  He so loves to tease.  Usually it's teasing Papa, but today for some reason he decided to pick on Gramma.  So he comes over and sits with me, and snuggles in then kind of softly says, "Drahma".  When she looks up he snuggles more then turns and gives me a hug.  Of course for the one of us receiving the attention it's lots of fun and very special. 

This Tuesday, before his mom picked him up I headed up to The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey.  Worked the Gift Shop today.  This is clearly a Personal event.  I love getting there a little early and going by the outside chambers to see the birds.  My favorite is the Bald Eagle (or as Tate calls her, the Balden Eagle).  She always remembers those of us who volunteer regularly, and greets us with her stutter-chirp call.  Sometime she will get excited and fly up to the front corner, then hop up and down from the front perch to the ground and back.  Last time I was there I came out of the gift shop, called to her since she was in the back of the chamber.  She immediately flew up front and started her greeting routine.  Just incredible!

Freedom when she was immature

Freedom as a mature Bald

We get to meet some great people too.  We've had visitors from all over the world, and essentially from every state.  Many come from places I've lived and it's always fun to talk to them about their home cities. Today we had guests from Oklahoma.  It was a mom with her five year old and seven year old.  Dad was in town working for the week.  She home schools and so brings the kids, and tries to visit as many educational places as possible.  A perfect candidate for our Museum Pass.  It covers twelve different places and saves the individual a little over 50%.  Was glad I found out what they were doing and was able to offer her the savings.  Nice Positive for the day.

Wednesday, 20 February -- Prayer, Positive, Physical

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It's Tate Wednesday today.  He comes over before going to Kindergarten.  Gets here just prior to 8am, we urge him to have something to eat prior to going swimming (today it was Greek Yogurt and an Oreo), then headed for the 9:30 lesson at the YMCA.  Home just after the lessons end at 10am picked up Drahma and ran her and her homemade Chili to work.  It's Chili Cookoff Wednesday. Then it was home, a couple bowls of Top Ramen for lunch before school and we were all ready when mom arrived. 

Once everyone was gone it was time for my exercises -- Physical.  I'm almost excited I had to lay the bike down.  He didn't really just say that did he?????  Well, that's a Positive that I've always had, and it's seeing the beneficial things that happen in my life when it could very easily seem like times are at their worst.  Deb has a little tiny frame (we are talking near postage stamp size) she keeps in the kitchen area.  In that frame it says, "Faith is not believing God can, it's knowing that he will."  (Prayerful)  While many people still struggle to have Faith, to believe that God will, I've had so many events in my life that would have easily seemed tragic, but very good things became of them.  I've seen that God will, and so Faith is pretty much a given for me.  Wow, as I read what I just typed, it almost seemed a little bit of religious hubris.  But, I've seen so many good things come of what seemed bad events, I've just got to call it like it is.  Okay, by now you are getting used to the segues, right?

After the bike accident my family physician, one young Dr. Mike Kaylor sent me for physical therapy for the left hip on which I did most of the skidding, bruising and 'purpling'.  In the process of working on the left hip, they also had me do the exercises on the right side to get a comparison of how much we needed to do on the left.  OOPS!  The injured left side was better than the right side.  After discussion, and learning I'd broken the right hip some twenty years ago, and there was never any significant PT with the recovery they gave me several exercises to do at home.  I've already seen improvement in the mobility and strength in the right side.  Had I not laid the bike down, that would never have happened.  Now THAT is a Positive!!!!!

Thursday, 21 February -- Productivity, Personal

  Genealogy Thursday.  Doggone, if it'd just warm up a little bit more, instead of getting colder it could be Harley Thursday.  Maybe I'll go buy a small heater for the garage.  After all it is only February.  Oh-Mi-Gosh!  It's almost March!!!!!  I know February is a short month, but didn't think it was this short.  Oops, another segue.  So, if I have a heater, I can go out in the garage and be Productive at taking off old damaged parts and putting on new replacement parts.  Now that is some Productivity I could handle!!!!!  (Break Time).  Actually I have to get ready to go to the Red Cross to do Afresis this week.  If you don't know, they take your blood out, spin out the platelets, and every other time also take out plasma, then put the blood back in.  Not as bad as it sounds, and for me -- I often get a nice two hour nap out of it.   It most frequently goes to cancer patients, so serves a very good purpose.  You are allowed to donate every nine days, I try to go every two weeks just to keep on a schedule. You really feel good when you come out of there.  That is Productivity in helping to save someone's life. 

After Afresis raced back to attend a meeting about the proposed Lacrosse Field addition to the Charles McDevitt Sports Complex on NW corner of Eagle/McMillan.  Long story short the board passed the proposal 5-2.  Yeah.  Now the Lacrosse Community needs to get busy and start the fund raising to make it happen. 

Friday, 22 February -- Positive, Productivity, Personal

Kind of excited about how today went.  Started out taking Deb to work, then headed up to the World Center for the Birds of Prey.  Started off the morning at the Archives.  They've needed help for a long time.  The Archives catalogs and stores a considerable number of books, manuscripts and articles.  Researchers worldwide can email, write, phone, text the archives and request copies of articles.  Today I worked on the article side.  We take copies of articles, place then in plastic sleeves, and then file them numerically in a wall of four drawer file cabinets.  They are working towards a quarter million articles.  Managed to be Productive enough to clear off four large stacks.  When the researcher requests the article, the staff looks it up, cross references to the number of the file, pulls it from the stacks, runs it through the scanner (which captures it as a pdf file) and then emails it off to the researcher.  

The hard part was as I was placing them in the sleeves, I would see something very interesting and end up reading the article.  Same thing happened when I was helping with the Idaho State Penitentiary files a couple years ago, but that is another segue.  

Then went across the street and worked the gift shop for the afternoon.  It's always such a Positive experience.  You are near the outside bird chambers, so get to see three eagles from three different continents, and also greet visitors from all over the world.  Not many volunteer opportunities offer such great experiences.

Friday evening we met Matthew at Famous Dave's to have a Birthday Dinner and chat.  It was Personally uplifting to see him since he's on the road so much.  A very nice evening.  

Saturday, 23 February -- Physical, Personal

The first part of Physical today was to help the body recuperate.  Ended sleeping in like I've not done in years.  It was finally 11 a.m. when I pulled my body out of bed.  But, it felt good, and being off my feet in bed so long certainly helped the ankle to start recuping.  Got in my PT exercises in the early afternoon, and then Britt brought Taten over for a Saturday night sleepover.  That was our Personal for the day, and well enjoyed. 

Traveling the Lenten Path - I

Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.  Forty days to the Celebration of the risen Lord.  Forty days to improve my life and be better than I am right now.  Years ago Lent was about "giving something up."  Then somewhere around the mid to late sixties a Priest got the idea it's about being better, not just about sacrifice.  If we make a sacrifice that actually improves who we are then it's doubly beneficial.  So, I started trying to do something that required a little extra effort, but in the process helped someone else--more visits to old folks, taking communion to the home bound and sick, working on volunteer projects that benefited someone.

This year we are fortunate to have another new daughter-in-law.  She's positive, she's perky, she's always smiling, and she chose to be married to our youngest.  All good factors in a person.  She posted a blog before Lent that said she was going to focus on the four P's:  Prayer; Productivity; Personal and being Positive.  Our son added Physical into the gamut and so after stealing what I thought was a pretty "positive" idea, am trying to focus each day on one of the five P's.  Just keep in mind, plagiarism is one of the greatest forms of flattery.

Wednesday, 13 February -- Ash Wednesday I chose to start with Prayer because it seemed most appropriate given the season.  Now in my mind and beliefs, I've always felt prayer should be private as the Bible tells us.  Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  To me prayer is a very personal event.  Therefore, I'll not tell you what my prayers were, but simply ask you believe I did pray.  I will also tell you part of those prayers have already been answered, so what a great way to start Lent. Remember, Faith is not believing God can, it's knowing that He will!  I have the benefit after so many years of seeing it happen.

Thursday, 14 February -- Productivity.  Since retiring there are days of productivity, but there are also days of just, flat 'goofing off' because I can.  God only gives us so many days on this earth.  I say somewhat tongue in cheek that I am going to live to be 107 years old.  I think it's mostly to irritate the kids, but then who knows, it's easier to live longer when you have a goal in mind.  My maternal grandfather lived to be 94, and my own dad lived to be 83, so who knows.  But, back to productivity.  I feel it is important one goofs off a little once in awhile because it's good for the spirit and well being.  But, even with that I know I can be more productive than I've been. And, productivity contributes to purpose.  It will add years by keeping me more alert, have a sense of accomplishment, feelings of contributing to the family, maybe even the community, and in some small way mankind.

Thursday I chose to work on our genealogy tree--something I hope to pass to the family.  This winter I'd gotten considerably behind.  There were nearly 1000 family members with documentation on their lives out there.  Some only had one document, others 15 to 20 or more. I managed to get the list down to 958 people.  Several were single documents, a couple in the teen to twenties, some as recently as the 1940 Census, some as far back as England and the 1600's.  I up loaded several photos (gravestones, pictures of documents, and old family photos).  When I finished, it felt really great. Maybe I'm weird, well not just maybe, I am weird.  However, when you find several documents, and you start comparing all the dates, and names, and events, and suddenly have solid proof it's the same individual it's like finding a gold nugget in that old slag pile, one the miners missed years and years ago.

In addition, I managed a phone call or two on some accounts coming due, and managed to work some savings (as big as $100 on one).  Sometimes all you have to do is take a few minutes, call, and ask for a discount or break.  I got a couple of the small household chores done, finished drying the darks and folding them and started the whites.  Made a salad for dinner to compliment the heart shaped pepperoni pizza Deb stopped and picked up.  Got my email box down from 47 to only three.  Got all the receipts for the motorcycle replacement parts filed, and read through the manual on installation of a couple of the parts.  Even managed to give Deb's cat Lola a few strokes.

Friday, 15 February -- Today is Physical.  Wasn't sure if it should be called Physical or Personal since it's both, but decided personal would be more emotional health, happiness and 'only' for me.  So, working on all the exercises the folks at the Idaho Spine and Sport gave me to do after the motorcycle accident, and those the doctor gave me to do after twisting my ankle this last week.  In the process of completing PT, I'm realizing I've been given an opportunity to increase my mobility that I never got after my hip surgery twenty years ago.  It's kind of like a new life, a refreshing new opportunity opening up things I'll be able to do and accomplish from a physical standpoint.

Of course that idea in and of itself gives my wife great concerns, but I've just got to pace myself and understand there are a few limitations for a 70 year old guy that weren't there fifty or fifty-five years ago.  I promise not to go back out on the roof again -- til next year when I'm in better shape and have better balance.

Saturday, 16 February -- Today is Positive Saturday.  It's also our son's birthday.  We are going to meet him and take him to dinner, and we've been blessed to be able to get a gift for him that we hope will have a very positive impact on his life. Matthew is a very creative person, and has had his eye on one of Deb's used cameras for awhile now.  It's time he had one of his own, and it only seems fair he gets a new one. He spends so much time out of doors our hope is this will offer him an opportunity to open up his creativity and record some the the beauty he sees on a daily basis.

So there is the first week of the kick-off to Lent.  Tomorrow -- Personal.  Need to think about that one just a little. I know there is a new bottle of old Scotch in the cupboard from our latest grandson's birth.  It's not supposed to be healthy to drink alone, but then how else do you make it personal.  I'll just keep it to one, one tall one!!!!!

On the Road to a New Life

Wasn't sure whether to label this one On the Road with Family, or Road Trips w/Mom.  But, since most of it was time in the car with Deb and eventually it was about Moms decided to go with the latter.  Our daughter Erin has been expecting for nine months as of the last day of January.  And, even though she and her husband Chris live in Moscow some five and a half hours away, we knew we wanted to go up for the birth and to be able to give moral support to both her and Chris.  His family lives in Alaska and Michigan and so couldn't make it here when labor started.

In an ultra sound during the last week they estimated the baby's weight at close to ten pounds.  Since Shaws have a history of large babies the doctor decided to induce on the 31st if she hadn't already started into labor.  We decided to leave early that Thursday morning and figured it would still give us time to arrive before the baby. Long story short, they tried three acupuncture treatments, two dispenses of Cervidil and administered Pitocin most of the day.  By late Thursday night it was clear nothing was happening.  The doctor said if there was no action by morning she would send her home for the weekend and see if something happened naturally.  Other wise they would consider a C-Section on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Her doctor was going to be out of town for the weekend.

We knew the last thing Chris and Erin needed with all  the other stress was for two parents sitting around all weekend starting at them in the apartment while they waited.  Thus, Friday mid day we climbed back in the car and headed back to Boise five and a half hours away.  To our benefit, the roads had been good both directions.  Only a little slushy in spots and muddy where they'd cleared a landslide (more on that later).

Sunday we awoke to a beautiful morning, and a phone call from Erin saying she'd started into labor and was headed for the hospital.  So, with unpacked bags from the previous foray we threw things into the car and were off to Moscow in less than 36 hours from the last trip.  Superbowl Sunday, are you kidding me Erin.  Where on earth are your priorities.  Deb reminded me when Erin first got pregnant, and we of course thought the Packers had a good chance of going to the Superbowl she had told the baby, any day but Superbowl Sunday.

We arrived as Beyonce was singing at halftime.  The doctor came in just at the kick-off of the second half and said he was ready for Erin to start pushing.  Shortly after the 108 yard second half opening run back by the Ravens for a score, the TV was turned off.  We sat in the room and watched her push for two hours, Chris coaching and counting.  But at the end of the two hours the doctor gave Erin some choices.  She decided to go with a C-Section for less stress on the baby and on her.

At 8:56 PST on February 3rd 2013 Superbowl Sunday the doctor (a hockey teammate of Chris's) delivered an 8 lb 10 oz baby boy named Calder Christopher Murray.  This is the twelfth grandchild, and we have two great grands.  Yet for all the births I've attended (seven kids) the miracle of new life is still exactly that -- a miracle.

One simply cannot watch the birth of a baby and not be completely amazed at this creation of life.  The coming together of this miracle in the womb, and for the nurturing by the mother over the nine month gestation and then to be there, to suddenly be a breathing, beautiful image of his parents.  This is not circumstance!  This is not a chance happening of this molecule and that coming together in some random fashion to produce life.  This clearly is a creation of God!

And so Lord, we thank you for this new life, for the health of his mom and dad, and for once again allowing me to witness this great miracle only you can perform.  Hey, and thanks for our safety on the road trips.  A third of which Deb started again Wednesday the 6th to return and spend a week helping Erin when they came home from the hospital.

Kinda ironic!  Two moms in the same household, caring gently for their first born children.  Makes you feel kinda warm inside.  Oh, and after two muddy road trips finally got the Tahoe into the car wash day before yesterday.  Had to run it through twice.  But, at least it snowed again here the next day.  ;o)

Chris -- Calder -- Erin

Dad holding Calder thirty minutes after delivery. 

Gramma enjoying her first born's first born!

Papa enjoying the miracle of life!

Saving a Few Seconds

"It's all about me!  That's what's really important!  The priority is I need to get where I'm going, and that supercedes all others who might be on the road with me.  I'm not worried about the cost they may incur, what is important is I come first!" 

Is this really what I heard?  No, of course not, for those who believe this and live this only think it. It's got to be the primary mantra they mentally repeat each day while in their cars.  And because they believe this, their driving reflects this.  How?  Glad you asked, let me give you an example, maybe even two.  Or, maybe I should call this "How I was in one accident and a near miss in less than one week." 

Went out to Middleton one Thursday evening.  Returning home on Highway 20/26 approaching an intersection with a traffic signal which was red I began slowing.  I down shifted my bike, and applied light braking.  About 100 to 150 feet from the intersection the light turned green.  I began to accelerate, but because of the considerable number of drivers described in paragraph one, I checked both right and left for traffic.  To the left was a dark, older sedan approaching, and accelerating.  It was clear this was another Boise driver intent on not having to sit idly through a red light and lose 45 or 60 seconds.  I immediately applied both front and rear brakes, but it appeared even with this I was likely going to T-Bone the car.  Options:  run into the side of the car, likely fly up over the top and land on the other side in who knows what kind of impact; or lay the bike down, and hope because I'm lighter I will slide to a stop prior to hitting the car. Option two, instinctively won out. 

Some drivers coming from the other direction jumped out of their cars and helped right the bike and get it to the side of the road.  I stood up, the leathers a little scraped, the visor torn from the helmet, and all scratched, but able to walk to the side of the road.  Figured I'd just call my HOG Rider's Insurance and get the bike towed in.  Well, that didn't work since the number is business hours only.  They gave an alternate number, but didn't have anything to write it down, and to be honest, my mind was not memorizing what it heard very well at that moment.

So, checked the front fork, it seemed okay, not bent, free to turn.  Sat on the bike, put it in neutral, and checked to see if it would start -- wahlah, cranked right up.  RH rear turn signal was dangling, RH front turn signal was askew, but functional, the brake light and head light worked fine.  So, put my banged up helmet back on, pulled on my gloves, waited for traffic and then pulled across the street and down the road for home.

Parked in the garage, and told Deb I was cold and getting a shower (left the helmet in the garage).  Then got in bed since there was a swelling and bruise on my left thigh. She came up later and just told her I was tired.  Next morning stood up, felt a little woozy, and sat back on the bed then leaned back on the pillow.  About then she came out from getting her bathrobe and saw my hip.  Won't delve on this part, but we went to ER for concussion check and X-Rays.  All turned out fine other then the large contusion on my left thigh and to my ribs on the left chest wall.

So a few days later I'd driven Deb to work and was returning home.  As I approached an intersection with a green light several cars were making left turns across in front of me.  As I neared the intersection the next to last one had gone and so I continued.  Suddenly the last one accelerated, closing the gap between itself and the one in front and swerved across in front of me at the last minute.  I had but one choice since the on coming straight through traffic was still going the opposite direction.  STOP.  The driver cleared in front of me by less than a foot as I came to a halt in the middle of the intersection.

Interesting, I was the last car going my direction, and then the left turn would have had time to make the flashing amber in his direction. But, it was more important for him to go first, to save 3-5 seconds at the risk of a crash, and likely considerable injury to him since I was in the Tahoe and he was in a little two-door sports like coupe.

What did these two drivers have in common:  Ego-centric focus; no consideration for the other driver; lack of concern for their own lives or others; stupidity; and failure to stop after failure to yields.

One thing about riding motorcycles is you become very focused on looking down the road not just a couple of car lengths but 12-15 seconds in front of you, and you learn to drive very defensively.  Fortunately a lot of that blends over even when I'm in a big SUV.  I might win in the Tahoe, but it would still be crunched.

I'd love to see much greater enforcement of red lights in this town.  IDOT went to the trouble of installing the little blue side lights that show when the signal is red.  Police only need sit down the road and watch that.  Left turn traffic is one of the major offenders.  Several states use cameras to capture photos of those running red lights.  The asinine comments from locals was, "Well people would be jamming on their brakes to stop and get rear-ended."  Hmmmm.  That is so much worse than a T-bone accident. Maybe slowing down and planning ahead might help.

Okay, thanks for listening to me vent.  It didn't make my hip better, it didn't reduce the $6500 worth of damage to my bike, and unfortunately it won't fix what's wrong with the ego-centric drivers in Boise.  But if only one person reads it and says I'll change how I drive -- that's progress.