There is a winter storm brewing in the North Mid-West, and moving to the East. The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/ storm chasers are out and about. Their verbal reports seem to reflect an excitement that leads me to believe that they relish the opportunity to get out and report on these storms.
I can understand. Storm chasing is an adventure that can be almost or truly risky behavior. Any storm can be dangerous. Add to that, storms contribute to a charged atmosphere, even if an electric storm is not involved. The whipping wind, the heavy fog, the blinding snow can all add to a sense of excitement and/or mystery. Crashing waves, flying debris, slashing rain can create a sense of havoc and danger. These are but some of the weather phenomenon that contribute to the emotional sense of the adventure.
Last winter, there were a LOT of storms. This winter, there have been few, so far. But that could change.
And, there have already been tornadoes this year, although it is early for tornadoes.
I am grateful for the weather predicters. They may not always be accurate, or even correct, but they give us what warnings they can to help us to prepare for severe weather.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Musuem of Russian Icons
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Massachusetts http://www.museumofrussianicons.org/. It was really very interesting. It is a private museum, and reportedly is the largest collection of Russian Icons outside of Russia.
This spring, the Museum of Texas Tech University http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/ has a temporary display of Russian Icons. I was intrigued. When I visited the display, it turns out they are from the museum in Clinton, Ma.
The display was small, but it does explain some about the nature and origin of the icons, which made the display more interesting to me. But, then, I remembered that and much more from my visit to the originating museum.
This spring, the Museum of Texas Tech University http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/ has a temporary display of Russian Icons. I was intrigued. When I visited the display, it turns out they are from the museum in Clinton, Ma.
The display was small, but it does explain some about the nature and origin of the icons, which made the display more interesting to me. But, then, I remembered that and much more from my visit to the originating museum.
A Beautiful Day
It was an amazingly gorgeous day, as far as the weather goes, in Lubbock, Texas. I had planned to spend my day watching the Daytona 500, but it rained in Daytona, and the race was postponed. Long before the race was officially postponed, and it was just in a rain delay, I ventured outside and discovered how pretty a day it was.
I was going to just sit outside and read, but I could not resist getting some yard work done, and as you may guess, way leads on to way, and I did get several pieces of yard work done. And still had time to sit outside and read.
I opened up the house, and the wonderful warm air outside warmed the house comfortably, for which I am a thankful.
This is why I live in West Texas.
I was going to just sit outside and read, but I could not resist getting some yard work done, and as you may guess, way leads on to way, and I did get several pieces of yard work done. And still had time to sit outside and read.
I opened up the house, and the wonderful warm air outside warmed the house comfortably, for which I am a thankful.
This is why I live in West Texas.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Reconnecting
A few years ago, I went to the 25th anniversary of Catholic Family Service, Inc., Diocese of Lubbock. I was invited, by a board member, to apply for board membership. I did, and a couple of years later, was elected to the board of directors. I am now serving my second year. During that time, I have reconnected with many people from my days at CFS. What a wonderful treat!
Just this week, I reconnected with someone else that I have not had contact with in probably over 20 years. What a treasure that is! I am so grateful for the series of events that has lead me to connecting with this person!
Dear, treasured people from our past are a blessing in our lives. It is true people come into our lives for a reason, leave for a reason, and reconnect for a reason. Thank you to the powers that be for this blessing.
Just this week, I reconnected with someone else that I have not had contact with in probably over 20 years. What a treasure that is! I am so grateful for the series of events that has lead me to connecting with this person!
Dear, treasured people from our past are a blessing in our lives. It is true people come into our lives for a reason, leave for a reason, and reconnect for a reason. Thank you to the powers that be for this blessing.
A Stressful Week
I am not sure why this has been such a stressful week, but it has been. Part of it has to do with having an activity Monday and Tuesday night after work. But, on the other hand, I took Thursday afternoon off to watch the NASCAR Duel 150's Daytona 500 qualifying race event. And I enjoyed it very much. Maybe part of the reason I am so tired is that I still worked 40 hours this week.
And, I had a topsy turvy week. A meeting scheduled for Friday was moved up to Wednesday. A meeting scheduled for next Tuesday was moved up to Friday (today). I am pleased to say I work ahead and was fully prepared.
But, maybe that is why I am stressed.
The real reason I know I am stressed, is that I had been keeping up with being able to write a blog regularly for a while. I have been struggling for the last 10 days or so to write as regularly as I had been. Often, when I do not write, it is for a lack of ideas. I have had the ideas this week, I just have not been able to empty my mind enough to write about them.
And, I had a topsy turvy week. A meeting scheduled for Friday was moved up to Wednesday. A meeting scheduled for next Tuesday was moved up to Friday (today). I am pleased to say I work ahead and was fully prepared.
But, maybe that is why I am stressed.
The real reason I know I am stressed, is that I had been keeping up with being able to write a blog regularly for a while. I have been struggling for the last 10 days or so to write as regularly as I had been. Often, when I do not write, it is for a lack of ideas. I have had the ideas this week, I just have not been able to empty my mind enough to write about them.
Mr. President, Respect for the Office and The Country as Well as the Man
I noticed this shortly after Barak Obama was elected President of the United States. People in the news media did not refer to him as Mr. President or Mr. Obama. They just used his last name. Over the years of his presidency, this has continued.
I am very distressed at the lack of respect shown to President Obama. But I am more distressed by the lack of respect shown to the Office of the President of the United States of America, and to the country itself. Disrespecting its leader disrespects both.
But it does more. It demonstrates to the rest of us how little these people are. It demonstrates the genuine smallness of their character.
I was not sure if I was being overly sensitive about this until a friend of mine mentioned it just recently. I was relieved that she said something.
I am very distressed at the lack of respect shown to President Obama. But I am more distressed by the lack of respect shown to the Office of the President of the United States of America, and to the country itself. Disrespecting its leader disrespects both.
But it does more. It demonstrates to the rest of us how little these people are. It demonstrates the genuine smallness of their character.
I was not sure if I was being overly sensitive about this until a friend of mine mentioned it just recently. I was relieved that she said something.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Earthquakes
There have been a series of earthquakes in mid-America in the last few years. Although we do not think about it, this is not all that unusual. History shows us that there have been many earthquakes in mid-America. One of the most significant was the New Madrid earthquake http://www.dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/geores/historymoeqs.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_New_Madrid_earthquake.
The New Madrid earthquake created Lake Reelfoot http://www.reelfoot.com/. I have camped at Lake Reelfoot. That was neat!
But, I have to wonder. The increased frequency of these earthquakes makes me wonder what is going on. I have to wonder if oil industry processes have impacted the geological integrity of the area. It stands to reason. If the oil industry is taking materials out of the ground, it is creating cavities underground. When will these cavities become sufficiently large and numerous to cause the strength and integrity of the ground to disappear, and result in cave ins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave-in, and maybe even earthquakes?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_New_Madrid_earthquake.
The New Madrid earthquake created Lake Reelfoot http://www.reelfoot.com/. I have camped at Lake Reelfoot. That was neat!
But, I have to wonder. The increased frequency of these earthquakes makes me wonder what is going on. I have to wonder if oil industry processes have impacted the geological integrity of the area. It stands to reason. If the oil industry is taking materials out of the ground, it is creating cavities underground. When will these cavities become sufficiently large and numerous to cause the strength and integrity of the ground to disappear, and result in cave ins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave-in, and maybe even earthquakes?
Company and Companionship
Pets provide us company and companionship. I have to say that I spend hours watching, playing, marveling and in general enjoying the cats. They sit with me in the computer room, and sometimes, sit on me. They play with me with their toys. They sit with me on the sofa, and sometimes, sit on my lap, or on the sofa back behind me. They run, chase, and bobble toys and slap at things. They slap at each other, tumble, and climb over and around stuff.
Sometimes, they join me in the bathroom: they like to play with toilet tissue, or check out the water in the shower.
They like to play with the window blinds. I used to wonder why houses would consistently have crooked blinds. Now I know: Cats who play with the blinds make them crooked.
I feel guilty, sometimes, because I have to move them when they seem set and settled.
The cats are not the best companions: they are aloof, selective of when they want affection, and sometimes not very friendly. They are also very demanding. But they do provide companionship, which I appreciate.
Sometimes, they join me in the bathroom: they like to play with toilet tissue, or check out the water in the shower.
They like to play with the window blinds. I used to wonder why houses would consistently have crooked blinds. Now I know: Cats who play with the blinds make them crooked.
I feel guilty, sometimes, because I have to move them when they seem set and settled.
The cats are not the best companions: they are aloof, selective of when they want affection, and sometimes not very friendly. They are also very demanding. But they do provide companionship, which I appreciate.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Grey
I never know how to spell grey or gray. But that is not the point of this blog. The point of this blog is that we have had grey weather for the last two days. We have had intermittent showers, which has been very welcome.
It has been cold, but not freezing. It is a good indoor day. I had errands to run, and did chores around the house. But I am close to hunkering down for the night.
It has been cold, but not freezing. It is a good indoor day. I had errands to run, and did chores around the house. But I am close to hunkering down for the night.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tattered Toilet Tissue
Taki likes toilet tissue. She likes to grab at it, play with it, and play with the rolls of it. Earlier this week, Taki took a roll of tissue and tattered it with bite marks. I thought I had it secured away, but I did not. That roll of tissue has become a play toy for Taki over and over. Now, Taki has lost interest in the tissue roll.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Asking for Treats
Haiku is usually a very mellow and very passive cat. She usually just sits and waits to be noticed, and I am often very guilty about not noticing her, or noticing her belatedly. She does not ask for much, so when she asks for treats midday, I give in. Which usually means every kitty gets a treat. I am beginning to wonder if she has been designated the treat "spokes person."
Tonight, she was sitting on the TV tray next to my computer chair. I was visiting with her, petting her intermittently. Then, she asked for a treat. I knew what that mew meant. I moved, and she went to her bowl, and I gave her a Taki a treat. Sake does not care for evening treats, especially dry treats. If she wants a treat, she will be in the kitchen near the food dishes, waiting for deli sliced meat.
Tonight, she was sitting on the TV tray next to my computer chair. I was visiting with her, petting her intermittently. Then, she asked for a treat. I knew what that mew meant. I moved, and she went to her bowl, and I gave her a Taki a treat. Sake does not care for evening treats, especially dry treats. If she wants a treat, she will be in the kitchen near the food dishes, waiting for deli sliced meat.
The Magic of Weather
Yesterday dawned cold and grey, and I could feel the moisture in the air. Mid-morning, I looked out and saw a winter wonderland: snow cover! Yeah. Variably throughout the day, I thought the snow was done, then it would re-start. It did not prevent us from going to the Lady Raider Basketball game, we just took our time traveling.
That continued off and on over night. Many church groups, schools, universities, businesses, day care centers and what have you cancelled Sunday night or Monday activities. Several school districts cancelled the entire day, although the National Weather Service predicted warming by 10 AM and 56° weather in the afternoon. My employer called for a 10 AM start. I arose as usual, got ready, ate breakfast at home instead of bringing it to work, and left at a time that, without weather considerations, would have got me to work at 8 AM. I arrived about 8:20 AM.
It was a busy day. Sometime about mid-afternoon, I looked out and realized the snow was gone. Wow! This is typical for West Texas. Last year we had very little snow, and the year before, every time we had snow, it lingered for 2 or 3 weeks!
There will be patches of ice left: under bridges and overpasses, where the sun does not penetrate. Ice patches where water has collected, and frozen over night. So the morning drive on Tuesday will be tricky. But we will deal with it.
I love weather!
That continued off and on over night. Many church groups, schools, universities, businesses, day care centers and what have you cancelled Sunday night or Monday activities. Several school districts cancelled the entire day, although the National Weather Service predicted warming by 10 AM and 56° weather in the afternoon. My employer called for a 10 AM start. I arose as usual, got ready, ate breakfast at home instead of bringing it to work, and left at a time that, without weather considerations, would have got me to work at 8 AM. I arrived about 8:20 AM.
It was a busy day. Sometime about mid-afternoon, I looked out and realized the snow was gone. Wow! This is typical for West Texas. Last year we had very little snow, and the year before, every time we had snow, it lingered for 2 or 3 weeks!
There will be patches of ice left: under bridges and overpasses, where the sun does not penetrate. Ice patches where water has collected, and frozen over night. So the morning drive on Tuesday will be tricky. But we will deal with it.
I love weather!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Travelling
My niece is getting married in May, and I am looking forward to attending the wedding, and visiting with family. I am thinking that I will fly to New England and rent a car to get to the site and ceremonies (wedding, reception). In many respects, this works better for me in terms of getting to where I need to go on time. I allow some leeway in traveling, so if there are missed connections or other travel delays, I can accommodate. And, when I return home, I allow the same flexibilities in my travel.
I would much rather travel cross country by car. But the gasoline prices are so high, the amount of time of reaching destinations can vary, and involves as many days of travel as of visiting. The advantage of the cross country drive is that various sight seeing activities can be built in, either on the trip to the destination, on the trip to home, or both.
Traveling has its own set of tension: In the airport, going through the security check. Making connections. Did the luggage get transferred as it should have, and arrive with the passenger? Although I have a reservation, will it be honored (I have had problems with this over the years.) When I get a rental car, are my maps adequate? Are the directions accurate? Am I comfortable driving this car?
Mostly, when I travel, I work to have a positive mindset about the event. But there sure are a lot of possible negative problems that could occur.
I would much rather travel cross country by car. But the gasoline prices are so high, the amount of time of reaching destinations can vary, and involves as many days of travel as of visiting. The advantage of the cross country drive is that various sight seeing activities can be built in, either on the trip to the destination, on the trip to home, or both.
Traveling has its own set of tension: In the airport, going through the security check. Making connections. Did the luggage get transferred as it should have, and arrive with the passenger? Although I have a reservation, will it be honored (I have had problems with this over the years.) When I get a rental car, are my maps adequate? Are the directions accurate? Am I comfortable driving this car?
Mostly, when I travel, I work to have a positive mindset about the event. But there sure are a lot of possible negative problems that could occur.
Friday, February 10, 2012
A Cold Neck
I love turtleneck shirts. I have always had a problem with a cold and often stiff neck, even when I was a child. The warmth of a turtleneck really pleases me. I had two really good neck pillows, filled with flax and lavender. I ruined one. I leave the other one at work: It can be warmed in a microwave.
I looked for a replacement, and could not find the same pillow. I found a therapedic memory foam pillow. It had a gel insert, that leaked the first time I heated it. The therapedic pillow is too stiff. But it does keep my neck warm, even without heating the pillow.
I looked for a replacement, and could not find the same pillow. I found a therapedic memory foam pillow. It had a gel insert, that leaked the first time I heated it. The therapedic pillow is too stiff. But it does keep my neck warm, even without heating the pillow.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Hoodie
I bought a red fleece hoodie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodie a couple of weeks ago on a whim. I have been very happy that I have done so, and today was no exception. I stayed home sick. I have had times, during the day,I have not been able to feel warm. The hoodie has helped. Science tells us that we lose a great deal of body heat through from our head. While it has felt strange, it has helped to have the hood on. A good whim.
Miscalculated
I am without a book to read. That is not exactly true. I have lots of books in my possession that I have not read. But I have a book club on the 16th of February, and that is the next book I want to read, but I do not have it.
I stayed home sick today, and really do not feel like going to the book store or library to find the book. And, the library copies are unavailable, anyway. Maybe tomorrow, I can get to the book store. Maybe they will have the book I want.
I normally plan ahead better than that.
I stayed home sick today, and really do not feel like going to the book store or library to find the book. And, the library copies are unavailable, anyway. Maybe tomorrow, I can get to the book store. Maybe they will have the book I want.
I normally plan ahead better than that.
Wind Storm
I have not been outside much today: early this morning briefly, to retrieve the mail, and again briefly this evening, including to take the trash to the dumpster.
I did not realize we were experiencing a windstorm. I checked mid-afternoon and the temperature was not as high as the day looked warm. By early evening, the wind was very cold, and biting. I do not know what the wind chill is, but it feels bitter.
I suspect it will get very cold overnight tonight.
I did not realize we were experiencing a windstorm. I checked mid-afternoon and the temperature was not as high as the day looked warm. By early evening, the wind was very cold, and biting. I do not know what the wind chill is, but it feels bitter.
I suspect it will get very cold overnight tonight.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Taki and Toilet Tissue
I believe I have mentioned that Taki has discovered bathroom tissue. The other day, I stocked the wicker basket on the tank with two rolls, one sticking out of the basket. Soon, Taki found it, knocked it off the tank, and started in on it. I rescued the roll.
I live alone. When I am in the bathroom, I do not close the door. When Taki realizes I am in the bathroom, she has to check it out. If I have a roll of bathroom tissue in my hand, she jumps as high as she can to try to grab it.
I am not sure what the attraction is, but I have to be careful so she does not get me while she is trying to get bathroom tissue
I live alone. When I am in the bathroom, I do not close the door. When Taki realizes I am in the bathroom, she has to check it out. If I have a roll of bathroom tissue in my hand, she jumps as high as she can to try to grab it.
I am not sure what the attraction is, but I have to be careful so she does not get me while she is trying to get bathroom tissue
Sunday, February 5, 2012
A Technological Schism
I have three televisions. One small black and white TV I purchased in 1978, that, last I knew, still works but needs a converter box because of the new way of sending TV signals. I have a converter, but have not connected it, mostly because the TV is on a small table, and I am not sure how to accomodate the converter box.
I have a TV I purchased in 1988, that is connected to cable. I use a universal remote, and seem to have most options available.
I have another TV that I purchased maybe in 2005 or 2006, I am not sure. I purchased it so I could record on VCR, but that function does not seem to work. The DVD player does work, and as on the older TV, I can access TV On Demand (free) as I am not paying for premium on demand.
I was watching the Superbowl tonight on the newest TV, but had the TV purchased in 1988 on, also. At one point in the game, the picture on the newest TV froze. I could hear the ongoing commentary on the older TV. It was too wierd. I shut off the newest TV, and turned it back on. It took a bit, but the signal returned to live action. It is too wierd...
I have a TV I purchased in 1988, that is connected to cable. I use a universal remote, and seem to have most options available.
I have another TV that I purchased maybe in 2005 or 2006, I am not sure. I purchased it so I could record on VCR, but that function does not seem to work. The DVD player does work, and as on the older TV, I can access TV On Demand (free) as I am not paying for premium on demand.
I was watching the Superbowl tonight on the newest TV, but had the TV purchased in 1988 on, also. At one point in the game, the picture on the newest TV froze. I could hear the ongoing commentary on the older TV. It was too wierd. I shut off the newest TV, and turned it back on. It took a bit, but the signal returned to live action. It is too wierd...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
An Old Friend
I am watching "My Fair Lady" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058385/, a movie I have watched many times before. When I re-watch favorite old movies, it is like spending time with a good friend. You know what to expect, and you know you will enjoy it, but you are pleased and delighted with it, anyway. It is not boring, it is just delightful!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A Long Day Today
It was another long day at work. I started earlier than usual with a hope to leave earlier than usual. But the latter did not happen. Some situations occurred that made me want to finalize some things before I went home. So, I stayed at work. And accomplished those tasks. I did not hit a wall today. I do not know why, but I did not. I do not understand this.
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