Category: Junk Drawer

A Sunday Morning

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

WARNING: I am not a scientist. I am not a mathematician. I am not a theologian. And, I was born with blond hair. Proceed with caution.

How Natural Selection Works by Spiritgreen

This morning I played hooky by not going to church. And, in a show of superior hypocrisy, after I drove my boys to church, I came back home. I assumed, because I left them with a group of Christians, the boys would be safe and completely fine until I returned two hours later. That’s OK, right?

Easy there, readers. I did not leave the boys with a bunch of strangers. Rob was there waiting for the boys. See, last night, the boys stayed at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, while Rob and I went to watch a baseball game. Then, this morning, I went to the grandparents’ house and picked up the boys, while Rob stayed behind, had a casual morning and met the boys and I later. Once I dropped the boys off safe in the hands of their Dad, I left to enjoy my Sunday in my own spiritual way.

On my way home, I noticed a couple of church passenger vans. Seeing two different ‘churches on wheels’ pass me, I wondered what it was about Christianity that made it so hard to stay together. The Bible is one book, yet there are countless opinions about what the stories mean within the Bible. Whether you break it down by Protestant faiths: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. or Catholic faiths: Roman, Orthodox, Byzantine, etc., the same Bible is used to ‘back’ their beliefs. Although, Catholics do incorporate the Apocrypha and Protestants do not. How can one book be interpreted differently by various groups of people, claiming their way is the right way?

What about Jews and Muslims? Are there different ‘parties’ within the Jewish faith? I know there are Orthodox Jews and Hasidic Jews, but I don’t know if there are other types of Jews. And, because of the multiple types, is it safe to assume Jews also read the Torah differently? I know the least about Muslims, when it comes to variety. If I base it on Christianity and Judaism, I assume Muslims read and interpret the Koran differently.

On Friday, while in my car and literally driving out of the drive-way, two men approached my car. Being a polite Christian woman, (snort) I stopped short of their toes. I put my window down, and I let them speak to me. As I pointed out my hypocritical ways earlier, it should come as no surprise that I also stereotype people. And, I stereotypically assumed these men were about to witness to me about why their faith was the best faith. And sure enough, this was the goal of these two Jehovah Witnesses. Again. Same Bible – different interpretation. Mormons? They have their own book, as well as various ‘parties’.

Perhaps, the fact that the various forms of religion cannot agree on their own individual religion, people are deterred from organized religion. All I know for certain is that while I was enjoying the wonderful morning, picking clovers, feeding the bunnies and patting the barn cat, I couldn’t help but thank God for what surrounded me. I don’t know if it is a sign of weakness or a sign of strength, but I have a hard time comprehending the world, the galaxies, the universe and space without believing a greater being created it.

I remember one of my friends from elementary school and I would stay up late at night, when we spent the night together. She and I would go back and forth trying to visualize ‘nothing’. We would start laughing hysterically, while also getting a bit freaked out at the impossible task of visualizing nothing. It cannot be done. Because the instant you think of nothing, you are, in fact, thinking of something. Isn’t nothing something? What is divisible by zero? Wait. Nevermind.

How is it possible that something can be created out of nothing? And, nothing must have existed for a micro-second (or less), because the instant something existed then nothing was no longer. And seriously, why do cats always land on their feet? [Do you have a headache yet?]

As I wasn’t saying, I am thankful for my faith. I am thankful for experiencing mornings like my morning today. And, I believe my faith provides me with a greater sense of appreciation, because I don’t take it for granted. What surrounds me is not mere happenstance. What surrounds me is not just a fluke. What surrounds me is a miracle in and of itself. There is beauty in the greatness of this world, galaxy, universe and space. And, I don’t understand how someone can shrug it off as ‘meh’ or have the thought that there is nothing greater than him/herself.

I wish the faiths of the world would unite. Though many may not realize, the Bible, Koran and Torah have many similarities. But, as is the case within the each religious sect/order, when a fork was seen in the road, different paths were taken.

I’m not sure of my point today, readers. I had a lovely and peaceful morning, and I was left with a feeling of gratitude and blessings. I know there is a great deal of crap in the world. I know the world is filled with pain, suffering, poverty, starvation and oddities within Wal-Mart. One of my hopes is that you are able to take a moment each day to see the miracle – see the wonder that exists amongst the crap. And please, when I am having a really icky day, would you remind me of the day I had today, relaxing in a clover field, feeding the bunnies and patting the barn cat? Thanks!

Flighty Friday Begins Now

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

Today, I am entering my first Flighty Friday post. Finally, a day where I can forgo focus and just write. Wait. You haven’t found any signs of focus in my previous posts? Whatever. You are now entering the Flighty Friday zone.

Someone made a comment to me about people who talk about vibes and good/bad energy. And, truth be told, I am one of those vibes/good/bad energy kind of person. Anyway, my friend continued with her train of thought. She suggested folks should send their thoughts directly to someone, like God. Then she started to say that all the energy is floating around willy nilly, and no one knows where it really goes. I started laughing, and I said, “Yeah, maybe all the vibes/good/bad energy being sent by people is cause of the hole in the ozone!”

Just think, those who work hard to bring in the good energy and expel the bad energy are destroying the ozone with their continued non-guided release of energy.  Who would have thought?! The naturalists are causing global warming.

***

Today, Joe is taking part in the evaluation/testing process of admissions for the Montessori school. I’m not sure what is involved with the evaluations and testing. I have been waiting for this for two weeks. I am excited to see how he does – well, provided he does well and is accepted into the school. I’ll be sure to send him some positive and good energy.

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I was watching an episode of Frontline earlier this week. This particular episode focused on the vaccination debate. One of the people interviewed made the comment that the internet has changed everything. Much like the thought ‘if you see it on TV, it must be true’, the thought exists for many that if you read about it on the internet it must be true.

How many forwarded emails have you received warning you not to flash your headlights, alerting you that there may be strangers in your trunk or encouraging your to forward the email to 10 people so you’ll see a neat trick? Snopes.com exists for a reason. Stories are posted on the internet and emailed to thousands of people, with many buying the information hook, line and sinker. Yet, oftentimes, the information shared is completely false or not entirely accurate. Oh, and don’t forget one of the newest false claims: “I checked Snopes and it is true!”

***

“Cinders and ashes!” Thomas the tank engine is quite an entertaining show. I must tip my hat to the boys and their taste in programming. I enjoy watching Thomas the tank engine with them. “Bust my buffers! The engines cause confusion and delay!” Still, the engines seems to learn a lesson by the end of the episode, which is not true for one monkey by the name of George. However, I think I’d prefer to be Curious George vs. a tank engine. George seems to have all the fun without the consequences.

***

Joe once told me he thought I was as smart as a Troodon dinosaur. Apparently, the Troodon was one of the more intelligent dinosaurs. However, showing clear signs of intelligence, I often asked, “Joe, what is the name of the dinosaur you say I am as smart as?” Growing tired of answering the same question, he finally said, “Troodon. Say it Mommy. Tro-ah-don.”

***

I have come to the end of my first Flighty Friday post. Thrilling wasn’t it? Have a super dooper weekend. May it be free from wee-honkness and doogie-whomper sentiments. And, may you go easy on the non-directed energy releases, believe nothing you read or hear about until after you’ve researched it yourself, catch an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and check your wits against the Troodon. Toodles!

Swim Little Fishies

~ Lenore Diane ~ 1 Comment

I love Infant Swimming Resource (ISR). More importantly, my boys love ISR. Well, my boys love it after a day or two; initially, they didn’t much like going under water.

We have an in-ground pool in our backyard, and the boys have been in our pool several times. Though, last year, we decided to close the pool for good, because it was too expensive for us to maintain. Anyway, backyard pool or neighborhood pool, accidents can happen. Making sure the boys took swim lessons was important to me. See, when I was a little over 1yr old, I fell in our family pool. My Mom, who just stepped away for a second, heard the splash and came running out to find me at the bottom of the pool. She pulled me out, and well – clearly I am fine. OK, whether I am ‘fine’ may be debatable, but I am alive and well.

When I am around pools with my boys, I want to be confident they know how to swim to the side of the pool and get themselves out of the pool. I knew of YMCA swimming lessons, as well as a local aquatic center near our house. Still, I asked friends for other referrals. I was interested in finding out about one-on-one lessons. My friend, Andrea, mentioned ISR. She had her daughter take lessons through the program. After accessing the website, I checked to see if there were any ISR teachers in my area. And sure enough, I found someone who was close enough to take the boys.

Of course, I found this woman late last year, after outdoor swimming lessons season. Even with no lessons, we still enjoyed the pool and our trip to the shore. However, the boys were in their life vests at all times. I was excited when Michelle contacted me in February, letting me know she was starting to schedule swimming lessons this year. I felt like a little kid, as I anxiously awaited for the last week of April and the first week of swimming lessons.

Our first week of swimming lessons has been so much fun. As I said earlier, Joe and Charlie were a bit hesitant at first, especially when instructed to go under the water. But, with each passing day, the boys have done better and better. By Wednesday, Joe was eager to go under, swim to the steps and float on his back. Though Charlie cried when getting in the pool, he quickly calmed down and was smiling as he swam to the steps and floated on his back. My husband took the boys to swim lessons today, so I could head to my boss’ house. I hate that I had to miss even one lesson. Rob said that both Joe and Charlie were eager to get in the pool and swim. Charlie did not shed a single tear. (I am sorry I missed it.)

One of the most amazing parts of taking the boys to their swimming lessons is seeing the infants learn to swim. Joe and Charlie are 5yrs and 3 1/2 years old. The little girl who has her lesson before the boys is only 14 months old. And, the little boy who has his lesson after the boys is around 6 months old. And, when Michelle puts these ‘babies’ in the pool, it is incredible to see their natural swimming instinct kick into gear. I watched as these two babies literally moved their arms and kicked their legs in order to get to the steps. Amazing.

If you have little ones and have considered swimming lessons for your little ones, I strongly recommend you look into an ISR certified trainer/teacher. You’ll be amazed, and your little one(s) will become pool and swim safe.  I am finding this to be a great and fun moment in the boys’ life, and I look forward to taking them to their lesson tomorrow.