OK. I confess I've had a wasted life. I've never ever not even once been tagged for anything or asked to do something odd for charity.
I see these tags and usually hoped I wont be added. Im the one who breaks chain letters. However, there is always the sneaky ego trip when my name is included in something. perhaps it's for the best as you will see by my list which isn't
but this last tag really is the final straw: name ten books that have affected you. I'm the kid waving her hand saying yes,yes,yes. Me,me,me. I know I know I know! but the teacher smiles and calls on someone else.
Here are my 10, er 12 books.
1 Egermeier's Bible Story book
2. A volume called Myths and Legends from a set whose title I don't remember.
3. They Loved to Laugh by Kathryn Worth
4. Giants in the Earth by Ole Rolvaag
5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
7. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
8. Your God is Too Small. J. B. Phillips
9. True Discipleship by William MacDonald
10. the Christian's Secret of a Happy life by Hannah W. smith
11. The Spider King by Lawrence Schoonover
12. Little House on the Prairie. Laura Ingalls Wilder
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Discussion Thoughts Chapter 2
Sorry--I'm in the ebook mode and can't copy/paste easily.
In chapter two, "Body and Soul," I felt a little out of my depth because of the theology, philosophy, and biological issues which are raised. Do you believe the two temptations--acceptance or denial--, Packer raises are the only temptations experienced as we age? If not what other temptations do you see in yourself or in others.
I agree with the author that people who are relatively isolated seem to become more narcissistic--if that's what it should be called. Depression often is integral to this. I agree that pride is the root cause of all even of depression. However, I'm not one to root out pride in others without seeing its existence in myself. How many times do older people have to ask for help with new technology rather than trying to learn the technology? Sometimes it's diminishing eyesight and hearing which may make such activities go slower.
I also think we do find people discounting our experiences because we are old and just can't be worth listening to in a respectful way.
Biologically, aging is a continuum for all of us. Our genes, DNA, and other factors precondition some health issues to occur if other factors are present. This is not the same as determinism. I don't think people are predetermined to give in to the two temptations Packer mentions. If they don't it may be because they have learned to ask for help and are not afraid of being alone or may have a lifelong curiosity and resilience.
I also remembered several poems when I read this chapter such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant/
In chapter two, "Body and Soul," I felt a little out of my depth because of the theology, philosophy, and biological issues which are raised. Do you believe the two temptations--acceptance or denial--, Packer raises are the only temptations experienced as we age? If not what other temptations do you see in yourself or in others.
I agree with the author that people who are relatively isolated seem to become more narcissistic--if that's what it should be called. Depression often is integral to this. I agree that pride is the root cause of all even of depression. However, I'm not one to root out pride in others without seeing its existence in myself. How many times do older people have to ask for help with new technology rather than trying to learn the technology? Sometimes it's diminishing eyesight and hearing which may make such activities go slower.
I also think we do find people discounting our experiences because we are old and just can't be worth listening to in a respectful way.
Biologically, aging is a continuum for all of us. Our genes, DNA, and other factors precondition some health issues to occur if other factors are present. This is not the same as determinism. I don't think people are predetermined to give in to the two temptations Packer mentions. If they don't it may be because they have learned to ask for help and are not afraid of being alone or may have a lifelong curiosity and resilience.
I also remembered several poems when I read this chapter such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, and Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant/
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
malware, malfeasance, mal, mal, mal
Boy am I fed up! I have had to deal with spyware, adware, ad malware this past month It got to the point that I had to either become a computer programmer and know how to root out those pesky files or spend money to have someone else do it. Sigh. I opted for door number too.
This whole experience has renewed my appreciation for IT staff at colleges and the challenges they face. I have also wondered again why why why PC and software manufacturers haven't forestalled these problems ages ago with better code. And why why why we consumers don't refuse to buy another PC until this problem is solved.
With the almost news that accounts are stolen by criminals all the time, using a computer is less fun.
I've changed passwords at least 2-3 times for some accounts and even more for others.
I have a touch PC right now and it has aps which seem to be functioning better than just going to the Internet. Time will tell, though.
This whole experience has renewed my appreciation for IT staff at colleges and the challenges they face. I have also wondered again why why why PC and software manufacturers haven't forestalled these problems ages ago with better code. And why why why we consumers don't refuse to buy another PC until this problem is solved.
With the almost news that accounts are stolen by criminals all the time, using a computer is less fun.
I've changed passwords at least 2-3 times for some accounts and even more for others.
I have a touch PC right now and it has aps which seem to be functioning better than just going to the Internet. Time will tell, though.
Hobby or job?
So, my love of handicrafts has finally morphed into more than gifts for family and friends. I am not part of a group which crochets for charity. I can now create washcloths, blankets, scarves, and hats to my hearts' content. Although there are some proscriptions, it is always gratifying when people report back that they loved the item and want more.
Unfortunately I'm not getting paid except for the occasional pat on the back and the thrill of actually tackling more complicated patterns.
Should we go into hobbies or pastimes with the idea in mind that they might morph into a paying job with a regular salary which exceeds the break-even point? For me, this number crunching is usually too disappointing. There is no way the expenditure is ever going to be less than any income. I realized back in the '80s that such hopes were impractical for the enthusiast unless we charge what our time is worth. I don't see adding $25-100 per hour to a project for income ever going to surpass any competition which will give it away for practically nothing.
Perhaps there are other avenues for remuneration for the expense of a hobby, such as learning design techniques or teaching a class. Even so, the main problem is still crunching those numbers.
In the meantime, sharing the enthusiasm for crocheting and knitting with others and being blessed with donations of patterns and yarn and other supplies for maintaining my "habit" will have to suffice.
thoughts about three
The old superstition that bad things come in threes has been widely commented upon. Visually, it would be three-legged stool. But after many years experiencing "bad" things which turn out to be good things (like the old jokes and stories about fortunately/unfortunately) bad things aren't threes. They are more like millipedes--all due respect to that humble species. Many try to explain the reasons for bad things and their multiplicity. Some of that is helpful, but others just won't fit the circumstances.
Monday, August 4, 2014
discussion # 1
One activity many retirees don't miss is professional conferences. Not only do they often come at inappropriate times, but they also involve travel and hotel expenses which may or may not be allowed in the workplace budget.
While many conferences were reinvigorating and refreshing, a few left me wondering why I had come, even if for one day. These times were usually the result of poor programs and meetings. At other conferences, I was literally running between meetings and had little time to reflect or even eat.
The main exception is the Association of Christian Librarians(ACL). While it does have great programming and professional emphasis, it is also a fellowship of Christians from many denominations. As a result, many retirees or soon to be retirees would like to continue some involvement in the association. Therefore at our last conference we started a special interest group for retirees. For a while we are going to discuss J. I. Packer book, Finishing our Course with Joy.
This blog will identify these discussions with the title Discussion and whenever I can get around to tagging them with RETsig. If I have permission, I will copy/paste other comments here from the group. Feel free to read or skip
First, I have some thoughts about retirement books in general as I have been browsing them. Many seem to miss some of the aspects women encounter with retirement. And since women live longer than men, this seems a lost marketing opportunity. Women usually and I do stress usually are more connected to their children and other relatives well into retirement. They are usually the keepers of the stories, although they often do not write them down. Many of the activities women engage in throughout their lives do not end at the loss of a paying job. As a result some of the retirement issues men face may have lesser impact on most women.
Second, many of the books only glance at religious or spiritual importance in the later stages of life. The church is a body of and for all ages, abilities, and opportunities, and as such should not limit interaction between young and old. Believers should seize any opportunity to become better acquainted with Jesus and to increase their faith. Peterson's book seems to pick up on this aspect better than others.
As has been mentioned in many places ( sometime, I'll do a bibliography) women who age and to a certain extent retired men become invisible in our culture. The church and fellowships should combat this by providing ways to let everyone's light shine.
While many conferences were reinvigorating and refreshing, a few left me wondering why I had come, even if for one day. These times were usually the result of poor programs and meetings. At other conferences, I was literally running between meetings and had little time to reflect or even eat.
The main exception is the Association of Christian Librarians(ACL). While it does have great programming and professional emphasis, it is also a fellowship of Christians from many denominations. As a result, many retirees or soon to be retirees would like to continue some involvement in the association. Therefore at our last conference we started a special interest group for retirees. For a while we are going to discuss J. I. Packer book, Finishing our Course with Joy.
This blog will identify these discussions with the title Discussion and whenever I can get around to tagging them with RETsig. If I have permission, I will copy/paste other comments here from the group. Feel free to read or skip
First, I have some thoughts about retirement books in general as I have been browsing them. Many seem to miss some of the aspects women encounter with retirement. And since women live longer than men, this seems a lost marketing opportunity. Women usually and I do stress usually are more connected to their children and other relatives well into retirement. They are usually the keepers of the stories, although they often do not write them down. Many of the activities women engage in throughout their lives do not end at the loss of a paying job. As a result some of the retirement issues men face may have lesser impact on most women.
Second, many of the books only glance at religious or spiritual importance in the later stages of life. The church is a body of and for all ages, abilities, and opportunities, and as such should not limit interaction between young and old. Believers should seize any opportunity to become better acquainted with Jesus and to increase their faith. Peterson's book seems to pick up on this aspect better than others.
As has been mentioned in many places ( sometime, I'll do a bibliography) women who age and to a certain extent retired men become invisible in our culture. The church and fellowships should combat this by providing ways to let everyone's light shine.
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