STONE SOUP

Yes, it is addictive!

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:51:31 GMT

My E-Bay adventure continues. So far, I have bought five pieces of jewelry for a total of $2.31. Three of them were one penny each. The only catch is, I have spent over $40 in shipping charges. So the bottom line is not quite the Deal of the Millennium. But postal services probably need the business.

I have suckered my sweetie into the game now. He is watching a set of cookware.

My first E-Bay purchase

Mon, 05 May 2008 23:37:27 GMT

I did it! I joined E-Bay last night and made four bids. One is lost, two are pending, and one is mine. I am now theproud owner of a green amber pendant. The item cost $1.29USD. Shipping was $12.69. I won't mention the shipping when I brag about my purchase.

Now I will have a reason to haunt the post office.

Heart knowledge

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:33:13 GMT

No real and deep change occurs outside relationship and trust, for this is the place where the heart lives. People often say, "I know that in my head, not in my heart." For the heart to know it, the heart must return to the vulnerable place where the rules were first written on it.

-- Dr. Henry Cloud, Changes that Heal

Irena Sendlerova

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:22:10 GMT

One of my articles made the front page of Helium today. I am happy that this one is getting additional exposure. We need positive role models in our society. Not glitzy superstars and celebrities, but seemingly ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

http://www.helium.com/items/942654-three-grade-students-grade

When Dr. Margaret Arkinstall, one of Hearst's pioneer physicians, was awarded the Order of Canada, she wondered what the fuss was about. "I was just doing my job." Indeed she was, but it was not a job that had a huge line-up of people wanting to do it. Many of the older residents of Hearst have vivid stories to tell about Dr. Arkinstall and her husband, "Dr. Bill." She did her house calls with a horse and buggy in the summer, and a horse and sleigh in the winter, while he kept the hospital running. They could not be everywhere they were needed, but they often were in the right place at the right time.

Before the Arkinstalls, there was Dr. Al Kenzie, who arrived in Hearst in 1924. There was no highway then, so he got off the train at Hornepayne and walked over 100 km through the bush. If we end up in the same place in the afterlife, I will shake his hand.

Of course, we don't have to be doctors or social workers to make a difference. All we have to be is ourselves, and be willing to take opportunities to make a difference. Even a smile can change the course of someone's day.

The increasing focus on self-fulfilment has made the concept of serving others without tangible compensation much less sexy. Much of the good we do is fuelled by guilt rather than joy. Many of us have forgotten that self-fulfilment is impossible without hands-on service.

A humane society is not possible unless we take care of each other. If we can't stop the avalanche of evil, at least we can snatch the occasional person out of its path.

My Grandson Wren

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:09:30 GMT

I have just installed the software for my digital camera and downloaded my pictures. I am inordinately proud of myself because I consider myself a technoklutz.

This photo was sent by my daughter just last week, after new snow fell on Edmonton.

What's in Your Wallet?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:30:19 GMT

This is National Poetry Month in the U.S. Helium is hosting some poetry contests, with Helium T-shirts as prizes. I decided to take a shot at a couple of the titles. This is one of them. Not deathless verse by any means, but it does have a message.

http://www.helium.com/items/986726-whats-walletwhy-money-stashlets

Transition

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:47:44 GMT

One week ago, we bought a house in a tiny town (pop. 1200), 400 kilometers away. After closing in July, I will live there most of the time, pending my husband's retirement in April '09.

That means I have to wind down this chapter of my life and prepare for the next. I have lived in the Moos Capital for 12 years now, longer than I have ever lived anywhere. In some ways, it was home; in others, I continued to feel like a stranger in a strange land.

Will this new place be home? When I was sitting on the deck in the sunshine, it felt like it.

Free at last!

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:39:22 GMT

Yesterday was a red-letter day. My car is finally free from its icy prison.

We have a one-car garage, so my car is parked in the driveway next to the house. Usually, when I blow the snow out of the driveway, I move my car out, clean the space, and put the car back. While my sweetie was in the hospital in January, I started driving his car, because it was more convenient, and it has better snow tires. After he came home and was recuperating, he didn't need his car, so I kept driving it.

When I finally tried to get it out, I discovered that the snow had melted and re-frozen into ice. The wheels were enclosed in blocks of ice. At one point, even the exhaust was plugged.

I made several attempts to get it out, to no avail. Even my sweetie tried. I had no choice but to wait until the ice had melted.

Now I know that it really does matter whether I clean up the snow around my parking spot.

Spring really is on the way. There are still snowbanks, but the grass is starting to look green in places, and there are two crocuses in the flower bed. It's been a long wait. April Showers are just a metaphor here. Try April Blizzards.

Helium in the news

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:14:36 GMT

Here is the link for an ABC news story about Helium

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=4514057

Whether we approve of it or not, the blogging craze has kicked us into the age of "citizen journalism". People are writing who never dreamed of doing such a thing. Most of them don't care about getting paid. They just want to express themselves and hopefully have their thoughts and voices heard. A lot of them aren't very good at the craft, but they will get better if they keep at it and pick up a tip here and there.

For me, the cash is in the contests. I have managed to sell only one article on Marketplace so far. If I keep my head down and write a dozen decent articles for a contest, I have a good chance of being a Channel Champion. Some of the topics are really fascinating, and I learn a lot from doing the research

Unsung heroes

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 04:35:18 GMT

I found the story of Irena Sendler in Guideposts. It made me cry.

http://www.helium.com/items/942654-change-person-change-worldin

The mission of recognizing the unsung heroes around us is exciting.

We all need inspiration.

The Great Reward-a-thon

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:05:50 GMT

No, I haven't died. I've been immersed in the Helium Reward-a-thon.

This is a 99-day event where you get a pay-out for each article you post, provided you have at least one writing star and three rating stars.

I have four writing stars, and have 33 articles to go for the fifth star. So that's no problem. But I am worried about maintaining my third rating star. Most of the time I have three stars, for a glorious couple of days I had four, and sometimes I have two. If I have only two when April 14 comes to an end, I won't get any pay-out.

The ratings are based on quantity, which I can easily control, and quality, which is more elusive. "Quality" ratings are the same as most the ratings other people make. This is to keep people from randomly rating without reading the articles, but it makes me very, very nervous. Instead of asking "Which is better?" am likely to ask, "Which will THEY think is better?" Sometimes it's obvious, but when it's a close call, I wonder whether I am shooting myself in the foot.

I have written articles about black history, Alzheimer's disease, love and marriage, evolution, and a host of other topics. Currently, I am working on anthropology. I have surprised myself. I can churn out an article faster than I ever believed was humanly possible, and they are actually good enough to make me a serious contender in the Channel Champions contests. I have learned a lot of new stuff. The only problem is -- how do I keep real life from interfering with my Helium obsession?

The Reward-a-thon ends on April 15. Then, theoretically, I can rest. Whether I am gloating over a pay-out or grieving for my lost rating star, the battle will be over. But I'll bet those Helium will think of another way to motivate me. They are very good at starting my writing engine.

The Inhumanity of the Computer

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:43:15 GMT

My research today took me to a page of quotes by Isaac Asimov.

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Isaac_Asimov/

There are are a number of strong contenders for favorite. I chose this one:

Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest.

Coping with Excess Knowledge and Wisdom

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:46:38 GMT

Dear Dr. Ursa,

My ex says that I am a pain because I always think I'm right. He says our children agree with him on this.

Fact is, I usually am right. Why can't they accept that?

Baffled in Bangor

Dear Baffled,

Let's get one thing straight. Nobody is right all the time except God and Dr. Ursa.

You have accumulated a lot of knowledge and wisdom in your life, and now you want to share it. That's OK. But don't share it with members of your immediate family. They already have as much of you as they can handle. If they want more, they'll ask.

Get a 900 number, or a sign that says LIFE STYLE CONSULTANT, or a column spot in a desperate publication. If all else fails, start a blog. Pass on what you have learned to people who are actually interested. If they choose to ignore you and find out for themselves that it's a long way across the ocean, that's their problem.

Never give your best advice to your children. Save that for yourself. Give your children your second-best advice. That way they will have the fun of upgrading it. That's what they really want from you -- the feeling that they have made it to the next step up the evolutionary ladder.

If you want them to think that you are incredibly clever, learn and practise the art of active listening. You might even learn something.

Warning! Action required!

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:59:51 GMT

Our emotions send us messages that action is required to maintain the dynamic equilibrium of our psyches. It might be simply a matter of taking the time to grieve or celebrate. It might be that we need to confront something, or spend time with someone, or give ourselves permission to rest, or change the way we do things, or even change the way we think about ourselves, others, God & the universe. Whatever it is, it is important and requires our attention.

If we don't want to do what is necessary, we anaesthetize the signal. That's like pulling the battery out of the smoke detector without bothering to check if there is a fire somewhere.

Freedom Quilts

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:40:53 GMT

Since Thursday, I've been researching and writing articles for the Black History Month writing contest on Helium. I expected this subject to be intensely interesting because it is something I knew virtually nothing about. It is even more interesting than I expected. The most fascinating thing I have stumbled across so far is the story of 'freedom quits'. At first all i could find were lessons plans and announcements about exhibitions. Obviously, these quilts are a hot item. Then I found the National Geographic article, and was able to search more intelligently. The result was mind-boggling. It is possible that the whole thing is folklore after all.

http://www.helium.com/tm/865494/hidden-plain-secret-story

Loneliness

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:32:05 GMT

November 15, 2005
There are many kinds of loneliness. There is the loneliness we feel when a beloved friend of family member has deserted us; the loneliness we feel when we must make a difficult decision; the loneliness of the long-distance runner whose fans can cheer him on, idolize him, and shower him with rose petals, but cannot run his race for him.

The loneliness associated with spiritual crisis is a yearning for deeper relationship. This kind of loneliness must be allowed to run its course. There are no eggs with wings.

September 30, 2006 -- I think my egg is starting to hatch!! All I have to do now is fight my way clear, dry off, find something to eat, and learn how to fly.

September 3, 2007. Where does the time go? Have I made any progress at all? I am fighting with a new loneliness now -- anticipatory loneliness. Within the foreseeable future, I will be leaving this community. The relationships I have developed here will become long-distance relationships. Many will die.

When my mother was facing her retirement years, she vowed to make two new friends for each one who died or moved away. Now that she is 83, she says she is too tired to make friends any more.

For the elderly, mere survival is the greatest loneliness of all.

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY!

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:29:24 GMT

Usually, I greet this day with reflections about love. This time, my Inner Silly Person came out on top, and I wrote this article for Helium. Enjoy!

http://www.helium.com/tm/860089/hints-making-valentines-dayfor

Vacuums and walls

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:08:45 GMT

A vacuum can only exist, I imagine, by the things that enclose it. (Zelda Fitzgerald)

A vacuum isn't just emptiness. It is the absence of something, and it it were not encased in its walls, a vacuum would not be possible . . . we have been trapped by the very lives we have designed . . . when a vacuum is opened up, many interesting possibilities rush in. (Dr. Anne Wilson Shaef)

(Christine's commentary)
When I feel empty, without any personal identity or self-recognition, I imagine that I have somehow lost myself. But I guess I am still here, in the dark, walled in by the facades I've constructed to satisfy the needs and demands of other people.

Ouch.

The irony of it is that the pretty exterior I have worked so hard to create is useless to others. If they realize that it's a con shot, they will never take me seriously. If they are fooled by the disguise, they are discouraged because they know themselves too well and believe that I could never accept what lurks inside them.

We can paint on our smiles and dance our dances and impress each other till the cows come home, but we can never connect until the walls come down.

So -- how about it? Maybe just a window for starters? Or a peep-hole?

You go first.

St. Ursa Theresa

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:15:27 GMT

The following is attributed to Mother Teresa, but I'm not so sure. It sounds too much like what a saint should say.

LOVE THEM ANYWAY
People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centred.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false triends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My personal, non-saintly version goes something like this:
People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centred.
That's why so many of us prefer to play video games.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
And they may be right.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
That goes with the territory.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
But the results will still be there.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Dishonesty and deviousness will make you worry about getting caught.
So which is worse?

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Or it may last for a hundred years.
There's no way of knowing.

People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Stand back far enough to keep them from pulling you into the quicksand. Two deaths are not better than one.

In the final analysis, you have to decide what's best for you.
People who claim to know all the answers for your life are just avoiding the challenge of dealing with their own issues.
If you go to God for advice, make sure you are hearing clearly before jumping off the temple tower.
You cannot hold anyone accountable for your decisions but yourself.

Everything I know about writing -- so far.

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:51:47 GMT

1. A writer writes. And writes. And writes.

2. Hard work is like the gasoline in a car: very little progress is possible without it.

3. Not everyone shares my taste.

4. Taking time off to write is as risky as arranging maternity leave before pregnancy occurs.

5. Even if editors seem to have gone to the dark side, there is still good in them.

6. Reading about writing is like learning to swim without getting into the water.

7. The writer who writes to please others is doomed to stop enjoying it.

8. Ignoring grammar and spelling is like trying to play ice hockey without learning to skate.

9. When all else fails, read the guidelines.

10. The publishing industry is constantly changing. Yesterday's faux pas could be today's hot tip.

11. Sometimes writing is like being in love; other times it's like being trapped in a miserable marriage.