I decided to write about the recent use of the word "unsurvivable" in regards to the storm surge anticipated from Hurricane Laura as it approached the Louisiana coast. As with many predictions the bark was worse than the bite and the storm was survivable. Remember Chicken Little and the falling sky? We have succumbed to the need for fear over fact in our news reporting, weather predictions and most everything involving our health and welfare.
But, as I began to write, I noticed that the sky had darkened, a stiff wind from the west had cropped up and it appears we will be getting our first rain in quite a while. There is a large Volkswagen rally in the area to the west of our motor home, and while many of the display tents set up have blown down and some people are leaving, many others are still coming. I guess it's a case of some people running from the storm and others coming to experience it.
Human nature is funny. Life is funny. The point.........we won't get out of this life alive, so face it, make the best of what comes and trust God for the eternal destination He has promised those who are devoted to Him. So far it hasn't rained a drop and the people keep going and coming. Go figure.
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Saturday, August 29, 2020
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
August 26, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. The Conventions
In a year turned upside down by health concerns, economic reversals, racial unrest, masks and social distancing, unprecedented weather conditions, sports being played in empty arenas, political turmoil and finger-pointing, we have entered the season of the unconventional Political Conventions and the onslaught of he-said-she-said and all the usual rhetoric and promises of a better tomorrow if you "vote for me".
Karen and I have not watched either Convention. We have our opinions and nothing is going to change our minds or those opinions. We were originally supposed to vote at the Catholic Church in Eureka Springs, but now will vote at the Holiday Island Country Club because of our "move" since we first registered in Arkansas and our new physical address in the woods. As you can surmise from my last blog we won't be depending on the Post Office for a mail-in ballot, but will vote the conventional way.....in person, although we may do something unconventional.........take advantage of early voting. We'll see, as we get closer to Election Day.
As with most things in 2020, and life in general........don't get too comfortable.......things are bound to change. There is one certainty, however. HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Karen and I have not watched either Convention. We have our opinions and nothing is going to change our minds or those opinions. We were originally supposed to vote at the Catholic Church in Eureka Springs, but now will vote at the Holiday Island Country Club because of our "move" since we first registered in Arkansas and our new physical address in the woods. As you can surmise from my last blog we won't be depending on the Post Office for a mail-in ballot, but will vote the conventional way.....in person, although we may do something unconventional.........take advantage of early voting. We'll see, as we get closer to Election Day.
As with most things in 2020, and life in general........don't get too comfortable.......things are bound to change. There is one certainty, however. HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, August 23, 2020
August 23, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Holiday Island
When we first came to Arkansas in early 2014 to volunteer at the Passion Play we took some time to explore the area around Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs, itself, is a quaint Victorian-style city of about 2000 people, built on rugged terrain with steep hills, narrow streets and what can politely be called a liberal political agenda. The area outside Eureka is home to a wide variety of people from squirrel eaters to connoisseurs and everything in between. Mostly common folk. The Passion Play, which we used as our physical address prior to the cabin, is in Eureka Springs, but outside the City limits, so not under the political control of the city, but definitely impacted by all of their rules and regulations and restrictions.
And then there is Holiday Island. When we first explored it, it seemed like a Florida retirement community with houses on the golf course, a marina with fancy boats, big homes with beautiful views, a pricey homeowners association and maybe a bit too snooty for folk like Karen and me. The "physical" address of our cabin is in the Holiday Island zip code, outside the "city limits" of Holiday Island (no association fees), but has a Eureka Springs label when we tell people our address, so anything bigger than the mail box isn't delivered to our mail box (a half mile from our cabin) and the mailman won't drive the half mile to deliver it so it goes to the Holiday Island post office, two miles from our cabin, where we have to go to pick it up. Is that confusing? Wait. It gets worse.
We don't want any of our mail to be sent to our physical address since it is on a more-travelled county road and susceptible to "pirates" so we had to submit a change of address to the Holiday Island post office giving our Eureka Springs post office box as a forwarding address for any mail sent to our physical address. The PO Box in Eureka Springs is 10 miles from our physical address, 2 miles from the Passion Play, but more secure, even though some packages sent there are too big for the box and we can only pick them up during business hours, which are more flexible than the Holiday Island post office.
Did any of that make sense? Have I told you about the Census "mess" we created by living in Eureka Springs, but not in the city limits on April 1, but now living in a Holiday Island physical address, but not in the city limits, with a Eureka Springs address label?
I've written too much already. See you next time.
Sent from my iPad
And then there is Holiday Island. When we first explored it, it seemed like a Florida retirement community with houses on the golf course, a marina with fancy boats, big homes with beautiful views, a pricey homeowners association and maybe a bit too snooty for folk like Karen and me. The "physical" address of our cabin is in the Holiday Island zip code, outside the "city limits" of Holiday Island (no association fees), but has a Eureka Springs label when we tell people our address, so anything bigger than the mail box isn't delivered to our mail box (a half mile from our cabin) and the mailman won't drive the half mile to deliver it so it goes to the Holiday Island post office, two miles from our cabin, where we have to go to pick it up. Is that confusing? Wait. It gets worse.
We don't want any of our mail to be sent to our physical address since it is on a more-travelled county road and susceptible to "pirates" so we had to submit a change of address to the Holiday Island post office giving our Eureka Springs post office box as a forwarding address for any mail sent to our physical address. The PO Box in Eureka Springs is 10 miles from our physical address, 2 miles from the Passion Play, but more secure, even though some packages sent there are too big for the box and we can only pick them up during business hours, which are more flexible than the Holiday Island post office.
Did any of that make sense? Have I told you about the Census "mess" we created by living in Eureka Springs, but not in the city limits on April 1, but now living in a Holiday Island physical address, but not in the city limits, with a Eureka Springs address label?
I've written too much already. See you next time.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, August 20, 2020
August 20, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Land of Plenty
The store shelves have always been full, the inventory in most stores has been over the top and if you wanted something, you could find it in any number of places and even take it home with you. In my lifetime, it has always been that way. But there have been times in our country's history when there have been shortages and some items were scarce or unavailable at all.
. Unfortunately, we are experiencing another period of such scarcity. Partly because of less access to imported goods and cutbacks in American production, we are seeing empty shelves, back-ordered products and longer waits for building projects and skilled trades people to do the work we are unable to do ourself. The Land of Plenty is not a label we can put on America at the moment
But, we have to know that if it's tough for us, it is probably even tougher elsewhere. We are still the comparative Land of Plenty in the world, blessed beyond measure and we need to keep our chins up, stay the course and know that not only better times, but the best times, are still ahead.
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. Unfortunately, we are experiencing another period of such scarcity. Partly because of less access to imported goods and cutbacks in American production, we are seeing empty shelves, back-ordered products and longer waits for building projects and skilled trades people to do the work we are unable to do ourself. The Land of Plenty is not a label we can put on America at the moment
But, we have to know that if it's tough for us, it is probably even tougher elsewhere. We are still the comparative Land of Plenty in the world, blessed beyond measure and we need to keep our chins up, stay the course and know that not only better times, but the best times, are still ahead.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, August 17, 2020
August 17, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. On The Edge
My visit to the VA last week was a wake-up call. The blood work was pretty much unchanged from last year except for two numbers; glucose and a1c. Although the numbers are not in the danger zone, they have risen significantly and need to be headed downward instead of upward. And so, some drastic actions are necessary and there may be a period of "withdrawal" for me to endure in order to achieve those lower numbers in three months.
I'm taking too many medications and supplements as it is, so another pill is not an option. It will eat less (or eliminate) ice cream (I am addicted), no more yoghurt every day, no energy bars with all that added sugar, no Dots, no popcorn every day, fewer chips and pretzels, fewer processed foods, and less pre-bed snacking; and initiate a diet more focused on fruits and vegetables, an egg a day, nuts, seeds and fewer Ensure-Plus meals on the run. We also now live about two miles from a fitness center which accepts Silver Sneakers, so I signed up and will get back to a moderate exercise "routine" to encourage my body to burn off some of its unnecessary baggage.
I can, and will, do this. There are too many things still to be done. I don't think God put us at the Passion Play these past seven seasons, or gave us this beautiful cabin in the mountains to have me face a health obstacle. I know He will see us through it. In advance.............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I'm taking too many medications and supplements as it is, so another pill is not an option. It will eat less (or eliminate) ice cream (I am addicted), no more yoghurt every day, no energy bars with all that added sugar, no Dots, no popcorn every day, fewer chips and pretzels, fewer processed foods, and less pre-bed snacking; and initiate a diet more focused on fruits and vegetables, an egg a day, nuts, seeds and fewer Ensure-Plus meals on the run. We also now live about two miles from a fitness center which accepts Silver Sneakers, so I signed up and will get back to a moderate exercise "routine" to encourage my body to burn off some of its unnecessary baggage.
I can, and will, do this. There are too many things still to be done. I don't think God put us at the Passion Play these past seven seasons, or gave us this beautiful cabin in the mountains to have me face a health obstacle. I know He will see us through it. In advance.............Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Who Was That Masked Man?
For twelve years I worked in a computer chip fabricating facility (Fab). We wore special clothing (bunny suit) which protected the wafers we were manufacture from being contaminated by us. Every part of our body was covered, women wore no make-up or perfume and we were required to not use any after-shave, deodorant with a fragrance or anything which would endanger the product we were manufacturing. It had the cleanliness of a hospital operating room.
In the current climate, we are being asked, and in some places required, to minimize the chances of infecting others, or being infected ourself, by wearing masks, keeping a safe distance or being shielded from others. In the cleanroom environment we only saw the eyes of our co-workers so identification was based on voice, walking style, and not by "normal" senses. In the Play's cast environment it's very much the same. Since we don't always perform in the same role, we can't use the role as an identification marker and with face coverings shielding us and muffling our voice and much of the set dimly lit it's tough to respond by name to a hello or question or comment. There is a lot of "hi there", "hi brother", "hi sister", or just plain "hi" in answer to a "hi there", " hi brother", "hi sister", or just plain "hi".
Out in the world, it's not all that different, and the hope is we will progress toward an effective vaccine, a natural remedy to the virus or an Act of God cure. Be cautious and be safe everyone and trust that "this too shall pass."
Sent from my iPad
In the current climate, we are being asked, and in some places required, to minimize the chances of infecting others, or being infected ourself, by wearing masks, keeping a safe distance or being shielded from others. In the cleanroom environment we only saw the eyes of our co-workers so identification was based on voice, walking style, and not by "normal" senses. In the Play's cast environment it's very much the same. Since we don't always perform in the same role, we can't use the role as an identification marker and with face coverings shielding us and muffling our voice and much of the set dimly lit it's tough to respond by name to a hello or question or comment. There is a lot of "hi there", "hi brother", "hi sister", or just plain "hi" in answer to a "hi there", " hi brother", "hi sister", or just plain "hi".
Out in the world, it's not all that different, and the hope is we will progress toward an effective vaccine, a natural remedy to the virus or an Act of God cure. Be cautious and be safe everyone and trust that "this too shall pass."
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
August 11, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. A Different America
To continue the thoughts from three days ago. I lost a favorite music teacher, at the hands of a hit-and-run driver, when I was in elementary school. It had a deep impact on me and how I understood and handled the death of someone I was close to.
When JFK was assassinated, and the further events of that weekend, America changed and there was a reality I had not faced before.
The deaths of RFK and MLK in 1968 and my military service, time in Vietnam, and return to the anti-war climate of Washington, D.C. made me see America in a different light and changed me and my faith in corporate America and the political leadership of our country. There have been many events since then which hardened me, caused me to hold strong opinions, and see an America which has lost its way morally and spiritually. When I "found" God it was like America had abandoned Him, and it is only getting worse. I don't know what the answer is, other than "finding" Him again and holding on and not letting go.
We are at a critical time, and we should not be tempted by slick slogans, spin doctors, the opinions of celebrities and sports "heroes", clever advertising gimmicks and political promises that are too good to be true. Be careful who you hitch your wagon to and be aware that we need to be wise in the decisions we make and realize that there will be consequences for unwise decisions. Pray for wisdom and The Truth
Sent from my iPad
When JFK was assassinated, and the further events of that weekend, America changed and there was a reality I had not faced before.
The deaths of RFK and MLK in 1968 and my military service, time in Vietnam, and return to the anti-war climate of Washington, D.C. made me see America in a different light and changed me and my faith in corporate America and the political leadership of our country. There have been many events since then which hardened me, caused me to hold strong opinions, and see an America which has lost its way morally and spiritually. When I "found" God it was like America had abandoned Him, and it is only getting worse. I don't know what the answer is, other than "finding" Him again and holding on and not letting go.
We are at a critical time, and we should not be tempted by slick slogans, spin doctors, the opinions of celebrities and sports "heroes", clever advertising gimmicks and political promises that are too good to be true. Be careful who you hitch your wagon to and be aware that we need to be wise in the decisions we make and realize that there will be consequences for unwise decisions. Pray for wisdom and The Truth
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, August 8, 2020
August 8, 2020. Eureka Springs, AR. Take a Deep Breath
We have all had times in our life, when we faced issues that seemed beyond our ability to understand or figure out how we were going to make it through them and get back to "normal". In each of those instances we did what had to be done; we looked to our parents, our teachers or religious leader, a trusted friend or relative, or we "sucked it up and put on our "big boy pants" and moved forward.
As we face the current situation with it's health, economic, ethical and moral considerations, it's time to come to grips with how we are going to find our path to peace, contentment and through what is yet to come. It seems that our leaders and "go to people" are not up to the tasks at hand, are in over their heads and alternately confident or indecisive, pointing fingers or covering their back, informed or in the dark and not worthy of our trust or support. It seems that we may have to just take a deep breath, gather our loved ones around us, get down on our knees and ask God to point us in the right direction and trust Him to be with us each step of the way, for our good and HIS GLORY.
Sent from my iPad
As we face the current situation with it's health, economic, ethical and moral considerations, it's time to come to grips with how we are going to find our path to peace, contentment and through what is yet to come. It seems that our leaders and "go to people" are not up to the tasks at hand, are in over their heads and alternately confident or indecisive, pointing fingers or covering their back, informed or in the dark and not worthy of our trust or support. It seems that we may have to just take a deep breath, gather our loved ones around us, get down on our knees and ask God to point us in the right direction and trust Him to be with us each step of the way, for our good and HIS GLORY.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Wild Kingdom
Wild Kingdom was a tv show started in the early '60s to acquaint city folks, like me, with the wide variety of animals not usually found in an urban environment. Marlin Perkins, Jim Fowler, and a host of others, including Joan Embery from the San Diego Zoo became popular guests on the Tonight Show. Exotic animals seemed to fascinate us.
As we adapt to our cabin environment in addition to the Passion Play, we realize that we have been exposed to a lot of different animals and in some cases it is us who have invaded their territory and upset their natural routine. It has been fun to be around donkeys, camels, sheep, goats, horses, Indy the pig, ducks, geese, pigeons, koi and gold fish, deer, feral cats, tire-chasing dogs, hummingbirds, wild birds, vultures with babies; and not as much fun having squirrels in the bird feeder, raccoons, snakes, armadillos, coyotes, deer that eat our peaches, strawberries and flowers, chiggers, ticks, mites and other itch-creating critters, wasps, ants, spiders and Japanese beetles, But all of them are God's handiwork and have a part to play in the whole scheme of the thing called life. One day we may understand better all the who, what, where, when, and why's, but for now we just give everything and everyone their "space" and do our best to maintain our own. Thank You, Lord........I think.
Sent from my iPad
As we adapt to our cabin environment in addition to the Passion Play, we realize that we have been exposed to a lot of different animals and in some cases it is us who have invaded their territory and upset their natural routine. It has been fun to be around donkeys, camels, sheep, goats, horses, Indy the pig, ducks, geese, pigeons, koi and gold fish, deer, feral cats, tire-chasing dogs, hummingbirds, wild birds, vultures with babies; and not as much fun having squirrels in the bird feeder, raccoons, snakes, armadillos, coyotes, deer that eat our peaches, strawberries and flowers, chiggers, ticks, mites and other itch-creating critters, wasps, ants, spiders and Japanese beetles, But all of them are God's handiwork and have a part to play in the whole scheme of the thing called life. One day we may understand better all the who, what, where, when, and why's, but for now we just give everything and everyone their "space" and do our best to maintain our own. Thank You, Lord........I think.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, August 2, 2020
August 2, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Grandcats
Karen and I have always loved animals, but have never owned a dog or cat in our 46 years of marriage. But, as country folks, everyone thought it would be a good idea for us to have pets to help control the animals which now want us to allow them unlimited access to our property. We have squirrels, raccoons, deer, slithering types, mice and other larger critters which may require "weapons" to repel.
With this is mind, our friend Joan "gifted" us with Miss Hissy, an outdoor cat (actually more of a kitten) and her 3 little ones (sex undetermined at this time), and delivered them earlier this week. They promptly ran off but have since returned for the food we put out every morning. We did see all four of them together earlier today, but they are still not ready to accept us as their new grandparents. One seems to be curious, so there is hope we will build a relationship as we provide their solid food needs and eventually a place for them to hunker down when the weather turns colder. Hopefully they will survive the "wilds" of rural Carroll County and become the pest control we are looking for.
No pictures at this time, since we can't get close enough to them, and no names yet other than Miss Hissy who was terrorizing Joan's other outdoor cats, probably to keep them away from her kids. Maybe we'll install a motion-detecting camera at their breakfast site to see if they are the ones actually emptying the bowls, or whether the pests they have been brought in to control have gotten the upper hand already.
Another new chapter in our journey. More to follow.
Sent from my iPad
With this is mind, our friend Joan "gifted" us with Miss Hissy, an outdoor cat (actually more of a kitten) and her 3 little ones (sex undetermined at this time), and delivered them earlier this week. They promptly ran off but have since returned for the food we put out every morning. We did see all four of them together earlier today, but they are still not ready to accept us as their new grandparents. One seems to be curious, so there is hope we will build a relationship as we provide their solid food needs and eventually a place for them to hunker down when the weather turns colder. Hopefully they will survive the "wilds" of rural Carroll County and become the pest control we are looking for.
No pictures at this time, since we can't get close enough to them, and no names yet other than Miss Hissy who was terrorizing Joan's other outdoor cats, probably to keep them away from her kids. Maybe we'll install a motion-detecting camera at their breakfast site to see if they are the ones actually emptying the bowls, or whether the pests they have been brought in to control have gotten the upper hand already.
Another new chapter in our journey. More to follow.
Sent from my iPad
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