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Meandering Thoughts
Wonder
For many years while I was teaching, I would ask my students to bring their wonders to class for discussion. Something they wondered about. Certainly they thought of things and wondered about them, it could be something science as it was a science class after all, but non-science stuff was good too they were told. Every year at least one student told me it wasn't fair to ask them to wonder since they had been told for years, in school, that they were just to learn what they were told and there was no class time to wonder about anything. I tried to bring up at least one wonder every week of class, now I wonder if anyone remembers any of them. It was a struggle to get students to wonder about science topics and not just accept everything because it was "science". I sure hope the general public does not blindly accept science from TV shows these days. I find some TV "science" very questionable and I still watch a good number of science shows on the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, History Channel, etc.
It seems that every century or at least half century or decades is known for something important: the industrial revolution, etc. Ever wonder what the latter half of the 20th Century will be known for? What common thing did we "invent" or "develop" over this period of time. If we narrow our focus to just the USA, what would our "claim to fame" be for this period? We landed a man on the moon, nuclear power development, sales and marketing, the internet? Think from the 50's or post World War II. I don't see where we advanced integrity or ethics at all, on the contrary. Look at our representatives and senators in Washington, DC, what percent have criminal records? 50%? 60%? How many seem extremely self centered and arrogant? How many would you use as a role model for a child? I won't even start about honesty among the presidential candidates! So what will we be known for in this generation? I wonder.
Larry's Wisdom
Wisdom from Larry the Cable Guy
1. A day without sunshine is like night.2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.4 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "What happened?"22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Christmases Past 3
Did I mention that there was an open bar during all this. Grandma was not the only one drinking, though she got a head start on everyone else. With the dishes done and all the ladies back in the living room, and it was packed, gifts were distributed and the kids usually got at least 2 or 3. The norm was one “toy” and the rest was usually cloths. The youngest kids usually liked the boxes best. With presents open, several would get a refill for their glass and the desserts would be put on the dining room table again and everyone had cake or pie or ice cream or one of the other items while the kids were playing on the floor. The only one not there was the dog. This evening, he was shut in the bedroom and I would sneak in to play with him from time to time and take him some food. By now it is getting late so we go home for the night while my grandparents and most of the other adults go to the midnight church service at our Lutheran Church.
The next morning is Christmas so we are up early. Santa has left us gifts so we all take turns opening them up. The kids all got some toys and cloths as well as an orange in the toe of the stocking we hung up. We have breakfast and play with the toys and try on the cloths to make sure they fit. Grandma and grandpa come over for lunch and they spend the rest of the day with us. They bring some of the left overs from last night too, yum.
Christmases Past 2
Christmas Eve was the biggest event of the year for my grandparents. They would start shopping a couple of weeks ahead and travel as much as 20 miles to special mom and pop grocery stores to buy foods I would only see Christmas Eve. Some of which I would never eat - my grandpa would get me to try them once - like fried oysters. I liked the fried batter but not the oyster. The aromas in the kitchen were varied and strong. Grandpa loved to cook and grandma always kept a glass of wine in the cupboard. She thought that no one knew she had the wine and one of grandpa’s jobs was to keep the glass full (of Mogen David, I think). We got to their house about the middle of the afternoon so mom could help in the kitchen. Dad and us kids would talk with my great-grandmother a while and she would always give us kids candy, the pink disks about an inch in diameter. She thought she was getting away with spoiling us before dinner but everyone knew she was doing it. Mom with my grandparents were busy in the kitchen with all kinds of foods on the table and every counter, stovetop full and something in the oven. Soon the dining room table would be covered. We always had a variety of fresh vegetables, at least 2 or 3 types of potatoes, ham, turkey, Swedish meatballs, oysters, a couple of types of fish including one I think was called lude fisk that had the strongest odor. Wow, I always wondered if it was spoiled it smelled so bad. They also always had a couple types of Swedish sausage called korv. There was enough food for an army for several days.
Now this was for my extended family and all the friends of our family and in a small town, that was a lot of people. When all the food was on the table, grandpa would thank all for coming and led us in singing grace for dinner. Everyone ate what they wanted and as much as they wanted and there was much food left over. Grandma, mom, and my aunt would lead the cleaning of the dining room table and put the left overs away and then get out the pies and cakes. Do you suppose anyone could eat more then? Well we couldn’t open any presents until everything was cleaned up so the ladies went to the kitchen to wash dishes, pots and pans. My grandma had to be the one washing in her one hole sink and remember the glass in the cupboard. Well she did pretty good just slurring words here and there but now was the big test. She would wash some dishes and then rinse them and hand them to one of the dryers. The rinse water went in the sink and she would wash more, rinse, and wash, and then we all wondered if she would notice that the water level was getting pretty near the top of the sink. Would it over flow? I don’t remember that it ever did.
More later.
Christmases Past 1
Surprise, surprise -- the blog I wrote couple of nights ago wasn’t saved and never made it on this blog. Sooooo...... lets try this again.
I think it might prove interesting to share what Christmas was like when I was a kid - think back in the mid to late 1950s. I know, I know - that was a while ago. Usually about this time of December, dad and his three sons would go to one of the area tree farms with a saw, select a tree and cut it down. Lacking any tree tying machine like today, we would just tie it to the roof of the car and bring it home - well, dad did. Once home it would be put in the living room with the water cup on the bottom and it was “the boys” job to keep water in it so it wouldn’t dry out too fast. Mom would decorate the tree with the “help” from the kids, but truth be told, not much help.
Christmas in our family had two special events: there was Christmas Eve at my grandparents and Christmas Day at our house. Christmas Eve was really special. My Swedish grandfather and Scots-Irish grandmother would shop for weeks before and cook for at least a couple days in preparation for the buffet they would have for all their family and friends. More to come.
Andy Rooney
I have always enjoyed the spots Andy Rooney did on 60 Minutes (never cared much for the other folks on the show). When I got this email from a friend today it seemed reasonable to share it here too. Lots of truth in these one liners!
They're written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
Platforms
There has been an ongoing debate for many years between Macintosh users and Windows users as to which is the better computer. There are strong feelings by people on both sides of the issue = but, are they asking the right question? Isn't it more important to specify the job to be done, then selection of the "best" tool to do the job will be easier to identify? After all, isn't that the more important issue.
I have used both platforms to accomplish a variety of tasks over the years and think that hardware and/or operating system debates ignore the item closest to the user: the software. This is not a main issue today as most software is made for both Mac and Win users. It certainly seems like it would be an issue for developers, but I digress. If we keep in mind that a computer is a tool to accomplish tasks, probably several tasks, then it seems reasonable that our selection of "tools" be based on ease-of-use, enough power and features for the task, and aesthetically pleasing. You could be selecting a car and use those three criteria. I have often thought that a computer should be as easy to use as a home phone - when it rings, you answer it - and it just works. For me, this debate was over years ago, back when the first 128k Macintosh was introduced. I am probably not a typical computer user, but I've never found anything I've wanted to do that I couldn't do, and do easily, on a Mac.
Special Lunch Today
We will be having lunch with the Tozier family today and are looking forward to it.
Below is one of my favorite videos:
