Musical Saturday Morning

Clearing Fog

So, imagine my delight Wednesday, when I awakened with a working brain!
For three years I have slogged through a wasteland of nothingness in my mind!
Oh, it worked, there just was no analytical ability!
And only short term memory!
Mighty short!

Then, a week ago, I realized I had a fairly complete memory through grade 7.
Then, Wednesday came the realization I had through college.
I could remember names and faces!
I could once again THINK!

But now, I only have up through 1978 back.
So, sort of still missing my entire work history.
sigh ....

Plus, I am now missing the past three years.
Sigh,
A brain, such a waste on me!

But I have enough to survive better on for now!

Maybe one of these days I will be able to remember what disseminated my first blog back in 2001.
But I remember that much - it happened.

Now, I have to wonder at why, I have a brain again  ..... ?
..... sigh .....

Bonneville

On the Columbia River, outside of Portland, Oregon is a huge hydro-electric plant.
Begun in 1941, it provides electric power to the western United States.

For us tourists,there is
A Salmon ladder for fish to use to get past the dam
A nice rose garden
A cafeteria
A museum concerning the dam
and sweeping vistas of the dam

Very interesting.
Definitely a return to!

In all, it was quite a weekend.

A Walk In The Park

Well, hardly.
But adventure, yes!

So, took the geologist down to Mt. St. Helens.
Good museum.
Great view of the crater when it is not socked in!
And since I could speak from first hand knowledge, as I was there - well ....
I knew a little more than what the 20-somethings were trying to sound knowledgeable of.

It was great.

But what to do next.
I had no clue.
So we drove down to Portland.
Picked up the Oregon Anarchist, as he knows where there are great hikes.

Ended up at Panther Creek Falls, back in Washington.

Long drive.
Short hike.
180' STEEP slope, just a few degrees from a sheer cliff face.

I questioned my sanity going down.
Confirmed I was an idiot climbing back up!
But I digress ....

 Nice stream, twin falls, sturdy overlook.
Unless, of course, you decide you have got to dangle your feet in the stream!
And, OA did just that - almost!
His feet slipped on the wet volcanic rock and SPLAT!
In the creek above the falls he went ...

Of course, this was after Geologist and I were hiking back!
Up he trots, "I don't feel good ..."
He is dripping wet, with a broken arm!
Of course, he is a doctor by trade.
GG and I dragged his body up the cliff.

So, I set the arm.
While GG hunted for a large compress - yeah, compound fracture!
And a three hour drive back to Portland - to get him a tetanus shot and 5 stitches.

Best part was that Sunday he was speaking at a conference on brain function.
We all agreed over dinner he needed to attend, not speak at that one!

Geology Conference

So last week, I was able to catch a geology up in Canada.
About 2,000 were in attendance from around the world.
And the topic was almost other worldly.

So, we finally have a collision between science and my Christian faith!

I could understand the subject matter easily.
Especially when presented in small monosyllabic words.
Fancy jargon is wasted on me!

But the jest of the matter was rock folding shows three cycles of destruction to sea spreading plates.
Evidenced by scars.
So magma fills in the holes created by the spreading plate.
Forming a scar.
but the scar becomes folded by further geologic movement.
And a new scar is formed!
And so on.

Talking with the lead speaker, I could understand better why geologists are anti-God.
They can hold truth in their hands and look at it.
Their interpretation may be completely wrong.
But try to say that without corresponding evidence!

So, I understood the problem better.

It turned out that the speaker was stranded in Vancouver because his scheduler messed up his dates.
So, I invited him home.
And this would become a weekend to remember!

(if only i had a memory!)

The Way

I am just sick!

After stewing for days, over the insult handed an acquaintance back home on Mother's Day, I am at my wits end with religion!
So many masquerading as Christian, and yet virtually none reflect even the slightest essence of the Gospel!
We really need to start over!

Only one characteristic stood the Christian apart from anyone else in the Roman Empire, love.
A complete lack of self interest!, because people understood that God had changed them internally.
And that was costly love.
You stood to lose your family, your income, your friends by coming to Jesus for forgiveness.
They were slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands!

This early church was called The Way.
You came to understand your fallen nature.
You came to understand what real life was.
You came to understand that nothing of this world matters in the slightest, save for people.
And their relationship with God, at that!

The hatred shown my past acquaintance, shows just how far a once solid church can slide.
Is does not matter whom can stand on Mother's Day, or not.
But in asking one not to stand means they are not the same as others.
It means putting yourself before others.
It means you are special and no one else is.
Welcome to George Orwells,Animal Farm!
Where: all animals are equal,
Only some are more equal than others .....

That is why God is no longer to be found there.
Indeed, this is type of situation is true of most churches!
Jesus died for me, not you.
God blesses me, not you.
To bad for you ...

Sounds bad, but that is what these people are saying by their behavior!

So we need a new return to The Way.
The loving church where we are family and not strangers to one another.
The family where self sacrifice and improvement are the goal.
I am envious of that environment.

I experienced that type of community twice.
My life with the Hutterite's showed me all of this,
Were it not for their non-Biblical beliefs, I would still be 'plain'.
And the Jesus People Movement.
Good times.

if people are involved, and push God out,
 He will leave and we will be left to create our own mess.
Yet, He still stands by the side, watching and I imagine grieving.
He sacrificed so much, for so long, so that we can insult our members by telling them they are not good enough to be recognized for being a parent!
As if the 'haters' are 'good enough' !

Such a smack down these people are in for, from God, if not one else .....

And yet, they are completely able to repent and look to God and not themselves.
Will they?
Maybe, if we are willing to pray for their hardness of heart to be broken ...

And ours as well.

Musical Saturday Morning

I have really low thoughts concerning the music of the 1970's.
Amongst the few I will give a listen to were Heart and Quarterflash.
Heart, only because I knew the Wilson sisters so well, in college, before they made it big.
And Quarterflash's Wendy Ross had a great vocal range!

Children

With the exception of Swedish Rocket Scientist (retired), everyone I know has kids.
For better or worst.
And usually not just one.

Dutchman was the first to adopt.
He and his wife wanted children but she was not able to have kids.
Then one night he got a call one night of another pastor's "family" disintegrating.
He was an elder and expected to find accommodation for the boy in the family.
He was the only one willing to take on sheltering this little guy.
And a year after, the parents still could not be found, so they adopted him.

Unfortunately, Dutchman was traveling heavily to various avionics manufacturers, so guess whom got to get calls at 2 AM because someone would not go to bed!
I was not too concerned over having a family.
I knew that no child should ever be cursed with my genes!

Then the day came when I realized that I had a large income and a large empty house, and I could easily help some kids grow up.
So, after massive negotiations, Gaelic Girl and I adopted one older Russian orphan and one Siberian.
It went so well, that I went back for two more a year later to southern Russia.
To be followed by a flood of friends and family doing the same!
Yeah, our children became poster children for adoption - literally!
There was even a tv segment done on them!
And people realized that adopted children could be amazing.
In all, 152 Russian kids found new homes because of them ...

That was twenty years ago.

I just heard that one of my acquaintances from the old church, is changing to another church.
They live in an agricultural area and there is like one church only, in any direction for scores of miles!
Then I found out why,
And I do not blame them one bit!

It seems on Mother's Day, like in any church, the women stand for recognition.
But my friend was told to stay seated because her children were not 'natural'!
It seems that only people whom have given birth are allowed to be recognized in that church now.
Oh, were it possible for me to fly home and start the systematic beating of people on that elder board!

As if adopted children are any different than 'natural' ones and take any less parenting!
If nothing else they take more, as an adopted child has to fight history just to accept new parents!
--- sigh ---

And instantly up came the quotation about us, in identifying ourselves as Christians, are therefore adopted into God's family.

There are an awful lot of really dumb ideas masquerading itself around the various churches of this world as "Christianity" - but this one really startled me!  ... at just how far the Western Church  continues to decline ...
So it seems that my friends do well in abandoning this place of evil,
For, as the Apostle Paul stated,
"We know them not."

Paul

Back home Tuesday, I hunted down the cards for my adoptive father.
He lives about 6 miles away from here in Seattle.
A really brilliant Christian man and the reason why I adopted him.

My 15 years a way from Seattle,
Though back home were hard,
Because I missed him so much!

And though he would never say so to my face,
He missed me just as much!

I missed his birthday last week because I was too freaked out to drive still.
Sunday, I was still having PTSD problems, so no driving!
And no father's day card to the man whom has shaped my Christianity mightily!

So, I drove north.
The first six miles were exciting but I did well.
Then I hit a construction zone and it was all over!

I rested at a stop sign to regain my composure an metabolic function
Then creeped the final 2 miles to his house.
And such a house!!!!!

Of course, he is not home anymore.
Just a shell of a man.
I am not even sure he can read any longer.
He loved opening his cards though,
And giggled.

But his gift of a Whitman's Sugar Free Chocolate Sampler was a real hit!
NOM-nom-NOM!

It is so sad to see such a brilliant mind reduced to that of a child.
But, I am sure his mind is awaiting his arrival in Heaven!
So prayer is needed for his comfort and translation into the next life.
Sigh ...

I am not looking forward to that day.
I am pretty sure he is.
And he is at the same time frightened.
Another prayer concern.

And his poor wife,
In an expensive house,
In a family of vultures,
Where it will be me versus the vultures.
(that translates to trying to protect the wife from the older daughter!)
sigh .....

And then, I will be the one needing prayer!
 

Barbara

So, up bright and early Tuesday.
Slid on my leg.
Ate a hurried breakfast of croissants and jam.
Then off to the hospital to sit with Dan.
And 7 hours we interspersed prayer with discussions on politics, mineralogy, mining lore, climbing, etrc.

At each turn I was surprised to find we are very much alike!
Right down to Pentecostal backgrounds and reason for leaving the fold!
I was very stunned.
To say the least .....

At 2:00, it was over - Barbara weathered the surgery well.

The surgeon was upbeat and positive.
Dan was relieved.

And as I thanked God quietly.

Then out of nowhere I had a vision:
In the midst of my praise,
I saw another tumor ......

Nope, not superstitious no more.

Perhaps it is true for her,
Perhaps for another.
It made me physically sick ...

Back home, my daughter called and asked what I was up to.
So I told her.
She was real quiet, so I asked what was up.
"Uhm, Papa, that does not sound like you at all."

I smiled.
God had done quite a change to get me here.
God had done quite a change for her to know that!
I smiled again ...
After a little more conversation, hung up the phone.

Yes, God is still using me in little ways.
In the midst of an awful week, my soul was quieted.

Bummed Out

One of my friends told me that his wife is going in for an emergency mastectomy.
Like my friend Penelope, a decade ago, she went in for a breast exam and OMG!
She put up a good fight but she lost in the end.
I really hate cancer!




And then I just HAD to and remember my friend Christine.
Such a good friend for two decades .....
I really hate cancer ...

So, more depressing, for I really like my friend.

And he is suffering.

I gave him some ideas on how to proceed.
sigh
She will be in surgery Tuesday morning.
And, I will be sitting with my friend at the hospital ...
I really hate cancer!

Please join us in prayer for her and her husband.
(Barbara and Dan)
Sure share with your prayer teams!

Father's Day

Sunday was a painful day for me.
No one really to look up to any longer.

But one is still alive, albeit no longer with us mentally.
All the others now long dead.
Very Depressing.

Musical Saturday Morning

You Are Supposed To Share

As Christians we are supposed to share - by design!
But there are those whom do not believe this, especially when we are to do so with those we do not believe deserve it!
Much less, the very idea of doing so with God's gifts!

Jonah 4:1-4

Just Do It!
Sometimes giving away God's Grace or sharing it, just does not make sense.
give it away anyway!
Read Jonah chapters 1 and 2.
Jonah knew what God wanted him to do.
And he ran away!

"The Assyrians do not deserve it!"
Nope forgiveness and God's grace, could never be for the enemy of the Jew!

You Can't Run
Sometimes you just want to run away!
Sometimes you really do.

Facing the storm made more sense than telling the Assyrians of grace.
Whom were known for their tortures and impaling of people!

Thank God For Discipline
Sometimes God Disciplines You.
Sometimes God is testing you .  (think of Job!)
Thank Him for it!  It always come with Grace.

Jonah prays to God and the fish barfs him up!
Discipline is His way of calling you back.
It is never punishment  though wqe may see it this way.

Go 
Sometimes you are called to go and do - but you don't want to.
Go anyway!

Jonah threw a hissy fit!
Go had to reprove Jonah!

Share
Sharing can be hard.
After-all, if God wants to bless them He will!
Grace upon Grace is often easier than overcoming our will!
Get humble and share as you know you should.

And be willing to receive God's Grace as well!

In The Genes?

(oh, wow!, forgot to post anything - that's a first!)

So, I was thinking yesterday about our natures.  I always assumed, if not taught in school, this is a product of our upbringing and environment.  Add different sets of values, religions, etc - there then is a wide variety of responses possible from a person or within a culture.

And I set my mind to trying to remember ...

I thought of my youth, on my great-uncle's dairy.  My parents, unable to deal with a boy, sent me every summer to the farm.  Probably the happiest years of my life.  Me, cows, chickens, 1,000 acres of woods was my playground.  Solitude, yes, but not lonely.  I had my great-uncle Leonard and great-aunt Helene.  They were ancient!  He, was over 100 and she in her 60's.  And we had so much fun and I was fascinated by their stories of the "olden" days.

But I "knew" this was not my home, even as a young rascal.  My heart was somewhere else.

Grandmother lived outside of Portland. Oregon and I was sent off to her house quite often while father was taking classes at the local base.  If he was on TDY (temporary duty assignment), then I had to ask to be set to her house for a weekend away from school.  Mom was more than happy to drop me off as much as possible!  Grandmother allowed me to draw and paint - strictly VERBOTEN in my home!

Again, camaraderie with older people, lots of land to run amok on, and yet, I "knew" Portland was not where I belonged.  Something was 'missing, but I could not define what it was.

My spirit calmed down in France.  I was unhappy about being ripped away from my great-uncle and grandmother but was powerless to change the problem.  I knew life in Quescy-Centre was closer to normal, the way things were supposed to be.  But, still not exactly on target.

The move to my homeland was under duress by everyone!  We were escorted the 190 miles under guard to the German border - such was the hatred expressed towards the NATO "occupiers".  And Germany was not a pleasant place for a 5'6" 5th grader!  Martial law had been declared thanks to the activities of what was to be termed, "The Bader-Meinhoff" gang.  Outside of the inability to run wild, life was much more relaxed and getting closer.  But something was missing.  I just assumed it was the absence of family.

And then for my 10th birthday, we went to Switzerland.

From my first bratwurst on the streets of Basle, I knew I was "home".

It so freaked my parents out that they were whispering about my being sent to my grandmother's to live!
It was weird, but I could not explain why little German boy was so drawn to Switzerland!
It was downright unpatriotic my father would scream, as he attempted to beat this longing out of me.
He would scream a lot of other inconsequential things too.
But my heart had been stolen by Switzerland.
I had no explanation.

So life trudged along.  Me, always knowing I was not where I belonged.

Then came 1984, and the letter from my Swiss grandmother, sent in 1967!

I was planning my return to Europe.

So, yesterday, I was thinking about genetics.
I have four adopted Russian children, whom ranged from 5 to 10 years old at adoption.
So plenty of time to be damaged, or not, by the environment.
And all four are so different!
One Laplander, one Siber-Scythian, and two Cossacks.

If one views a child as a fired bullet and that first ten years of life as the barrel, which points and directs the rest of their lives ... then life becomes predictable!
But two of my grandchildren have missing parents and yet they are carbon copies of those missing parents!
How is this possible!?!?!?!?

Genetics?

How can a child, whom has never known his father, so perfectly emulate facial and body expressions unique to that missing father?  Or, a daughter, the missing mother?

You have to then admit that there is more to genes than just physical aspects.  There are also behavioral traits passed on as well!

So, now I can understand that my love of the mountains and solitude more than likely came from my father - and somehow my love for Switzerland.  Too weird but how else does one explain likes and desires, which can not even be expressed - yet are "known"?

Much of who and what I am I know are the product of my Danish great-uncle, my Scottish grandmother and my Hutterite mentors as a college student.  With plenty of room for my own screw ups in life!  Having amnesia can be a blessing!  But, by examining my reactions to things, I can estimate that there is some now forgotten/sub-conscious history there!  So, I love Italian car styling but am at the same time repelled by them!  I know my first three cars were Italian, but no knowledge as to why or what went wrong with them!  And I find that so was my Swiss uncle's!

It can't be all environment ....
And there are NO coincidences in life.

Planning

This is going to sound like a weird post .....

So, I am finally recovered enough for me to get back to my planning for my end.
The new lawyer is less than quick, getting my paperwork complete however.
And yet, maybe none of this is necessary - should I get a transplant .....

Given my druthers, in the event of death, I would just as soon be thrown out with the trash.
So meeting with a funeral parlor, today, to find out what the laws are.

Yeah, God ran a set of spurs across my backside - a less than subtle reminder over the weekend -  that I had already died of suffocation once this year!
Darn lungs pulled another shutdown on me!
Such an undesirable way to die!!!!!!
To drown in your own fluids - retch!

I met with the funeral lady.
I could not help but notice the striking resemblance to the Banshee of Gaelic lore.

She nervously commented, that in all of her years, she had never had a talking customer!
So, I switched into funny Kris mode, to put her at ease.
It worked and she was laughing so hard, she was having to take breaks to catch her wind!
Yeah, I can be hysterical,if I want to be ....
Which ain't often, that is for sure.

So thought you might like a comparison number here:
$2,727.50

That is for the stripped down minimum.  You are cremated in a cardboard box, they cover all paperwork and transportation. Luckily, as my life was failing at the beginning of this year, I started saving money and already have more than enough - with a taco festival to follow the inevitable memorial service ..... probably at the church I have buzzed in and out of since 1992 (for many years I worked in and out of Cork, Ireland and home).

Well, since I just bought a new car, I am thankful for those moneys I had set aside!

Now, to get the car paid off for GG, if life last enough I will try and pay her mortgage off too.  Best way to avoid this state's greed in death taxes!

One Hundred Miles

Well, the day had to come, in which I have to face my PTSD, and drive move than just a few miles.
I have done one 25 mile drive a month ago, but terror was so bad I could not drive back home!
Yeah, not pleasant!

So, Oldest Daughter, was holding a BBQ and I opted to drive.
I was a mixture of terrified and excited.
But, I held at highway speeds for the 50 miles down there and back!
I also drove all of us up to Bonnie Lake to shop a sale at their Ben Franklin craft store.
Daughter had arm loads of stuff, grandchildren found toys and slippers.
For me, they had a new travel watercolor set by Koi.
Added some small paper pads and a few water brushes and I am ready for Colorado, again.

And that was really what the drive was about, doing distance.
I have to drive 250 miles each way to the memorial service.
Yes, I am still stressed over this, and only 24 days to prepare!

Oh, yeah, the BBQ was great.
Burger building bar.
And awesome potato salad ----- :)

So, very successful day with number one daughter!
And while enjoying our time together, next youngest daughter, was writing a piece on the internet about living in a toxic family!
No reason to assume she is referring to her Russian family, they only killed all of her siblings and then left her to die on the Siberian ice sheet in mid-winter!
My guess, due to her narcissism, she thinks me evil and not even remembering the HORRORible teenager she was.
sigh ....
No, it is always someone else's fault with her.
All of her decisions.
Life just is not fair!
I dearly love her, but next to my last God-Daughter, she is the hardest teen I ever had to deal with!

As you might remember, not so long ago, troubled God-Daughter surprisingly appeared one night at my door.  Bringing gifts and gratitude!
I am still moved by this.

Well, time to get my day going!

What Do You Value?

What is it you cling to?
What is it you value?
When the chips are down ..... ?

Philippians 3:1-6

Welcome Consistent Concepts
Remind ourselves whose we are!
Who God is.
What the Gospel is.

The world offers: Sex, "Security", "Happiness".
God offers: Joy, Peace, Righteous - in Jesus.

Watch Out For The Crazies
So many of us lean on Jesus + "something else" for salvation.
Yet the Gospels are quite clear:
Jesus + NOTHING else is what brings salvation!

The "Dogs" are probably evil doers, encouraging reverse circumcision.
Historically, dogs are Gentiles and unclean ones.
Judaizers are the false teachers.

If you can say you are a Christian, then finish this sentence, something you do:
"A REAL Christian _________________"

The blank represents your belief of a non-essential attached to the basis of salvation!

Christian Characteristics
Circumcision of the heart.
Trust is in Jesus!
Not anything else!

Walk Away.....
From SELF confidence.

Before his experience of meeting Jesus, Saul was very sure of himself and what his god demanded.
He put his trust in his heredity and nationalism.
Circumcised,
Works driven,
A Blue Blood, if you will.

And then he realized that all he clung to, he had to abandon all to follow Jesus!
He has to discover what God values.
And, be reworked from the inside - out!
Then he chose to be a Jesus Follower.

The quicker we learn these lessons, the easier it will be for us to follow .....

Musical Saturday Morning

Freuchen

Dropped by the local second hand store, to see what was new.  And I found a cookbook by Dagmar Freuchen, Cookbook of the Seven Seas.  I grabbed it because something about it struck and ancient memory- and irretrievable at the moment.

So last night, as I continued to recover from a horrible dialysis, I opened the book and was transported back to 1966.  It was spring break and I went to Denmark to see what was there.  Like my Danish uncle, the people of the country were very friendly and helpful to this almost teenage tourist!  I loved my week in Denmark!  Though everyone seemed to furnish their bed and breakfasts in Danish Modern and I am more of an antique kind of guy.

My highlight of the trip were the museums!

In particular, one dedicated to Danish explorers.
Amongst the heroes of Scandinavia is Peter Freuchen.
He was an Arctic explorer, but really traveled the world!
His writings fired my imagination, of places I knew I would never go.
But, then I am a dreamer at heart.

And here was a cookbook by his wife! 
Of things he liked to eat from his travels and at home!

As I read through the recipes, I was saddened.
Almost none of them are on my rather strict diet.
But it was a fascinating read and memory.

I will definitely go back and reread it when I able to go five minutes without having this unbelievable dizziness and nausea problem!

Yeah, your prayers are really needed .....

What To Do?

I am in the throws of indecision!
What to do, what to do, what to do?

Back before my next to last surgery, in December, my cousin sent me a book.
Her husband had a book published and sent me an autographed copy.
My reading was a bit backed up at the time.
The concussion and further brain loss in October really set me back!

So, last weekend, I had a chance to start on it.

First went well.
Easy to follow along.
Then came a passage, which I did not appreciate.
And rather quickly what had been a good read, tuned into a slasher/porno work!!!!!

What am I to do?

I see him in a few weeks.
What do I say?
I have no intention of reading further of this POC!
But do not wish to insult him !

email me your thoughts on this!

Blow-up

GG is back at it again!
For weeks she has been acting weird, I figured building up to something ... shudder!
And yesterday she blew!, all .over me.

She needed a 100 foot power cord and told me to go get one.
No, her knees were hurting too badly, she was going to just rest.
So, I went off to McLendon's in White Center.
But everyone, and their mother, were standing in line there, for a plant sale!
One and a half hours in line!
Gasp!
It was as bad as buying cheese in Russia.

So, 3.5 hours later, I was home again.
And she is busy ransacking my stuff.
And mad, as only a redhead can be!

Yes, she found my coin collection.

As I pointed out to her, the was from my inheritance.
Didn't matter, I was spending money she did not approve of.
Apparently, my retirement money is now hers and not mine.
As are my patent royalties.
My inheritance is hers and not mine as well.
Seemingly, her money is hers and not mine either!
Nice double standard there.
But, she has had this problem for decades, though to a lesser extent than yesterday!

Doesn't matter, I am dying and it will all be her's and the kids at some point in the next year or so ...
In any event.
It is just so sad.
She really does not understand.
And she does not listen, at least to me.
 
I guess the product of never having had any respect for me .....

Freedom To Be A Slave

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis, is a famous prayer which first appeared around the year 1915 A.D., which embodies the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi's simplicity and poverty.

According to Father Kajetan Esser, the author of the critical edition of St. Francis's Writings, the Peace Prayer of St. Francis is most certainly not one of the writings of either of the St. Francis's. This prayer, according to Father Schulz, in Das sogennante Franziskusgebet. Forshungen zur evangelishen Gebetslitteratur (III), (1968), pp. 39-53, first appeared during the First World War. It was found written on a card jn the observance of St. Francis, which was found in a Normal Almanac. The prayer bore no name; but in the English speaking world, on account of this holy card, it came to be called the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis

by an anonymous Norman c. 1915 A.D. Peace Prayer

Lord make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred,
Let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, Joy.
O Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
As to console;
To be understood,as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 Galatians 5:13-26

In Jesus we are called to freedom from:
- Obedience to the Law of Moses for salvation.

- Desires of the flesh
(Idolatry, Sorcery, Fits of anger, Disagreements, Drunkenness, Orgies, etc)

- Devouring one another
(Serve one another, Not judging one another)

In Jesus we are called to freedom to:
- Serve one another, through love.
(Service in the form of slavery to one another)

- Live by the Spirit
(Learning to listen, Using your heart, Learn to know His voice)

- Love as Jesus would love
(Servants heart, Sacrifice)

- Do as He did
(see Philippians 2)

What's In A Name?

I have been cursed with many names through my lifetime.
Originally, the product of living under Cold War rules.
It was like living in witness protection.
Only the bad guy you are hiding from is the product of American paranoia, not reality.
Though father lived in fear the majority of his life!
Soviets, Americans, ex-wives .....
Only the Soviets and ex-wives were actually a danger to him!
And father lived under at least half a dozen names that I know of.

So, every 3 years, roughly, we were moved to new locarions.
New homes, new friends, new names!
I never actual have gone by my name except until father's death.
Much easier not having to explain US laws which governed us as Paperclip citizens!
So complicated!
And no one believes you until they actually look into the maze of law and rules we are governed under.

So, I went by nicknames for the whole of my life.
Chip, Scotty, Chris, Kris, Cris, Flake, Dork, Nerd and a host of derogatory terms!
Yeah, the first five by family, the remainder by teachers and co-workers!
When you are not exactly on this planet mentally, well I was lucky to get Flake.
And my friends all went with Dork usually....
It is easy to tell the difference between derogatory and affectionate - "dork-isms"!
Well, and then there is, Bird-Beak!

As I slowly work on laying out a series of paintings, which name do I use?
I finally have decided on my Grandmother's.
Her birth name was Scott.
I was called Scotty because of my flaming red hair.
Of course around 15 all of that beautiful red hair turned - brown!
My mother was so freaked out she took me into emergency.
And Scotty no longer fit real well.

And I want to honor my favorite step-mother's name, Ivie.
Hmmm, Scotty Ivie?
Only way to get more Scotch would be to use Angus MacAngus!
MacIvie?
Scott MacIvie ..... ?
Luckily, I am months away from finishing another picture.

But what of my Plattner grandparents?
My father dishonored them in life.
I was never allowed to even know them!
His brother and sisters were my only key to there being any living family in Switzerland.
It stung when I found out the grandparents had died.
The death of my cousin and uncle hammered me hard.

I guess there is always Ivie Plattner.
But that might sound a little non-male-ish.
One of the artists I talk with, suggested KJP.
But that was used back before World War I by an Austrian Plattner.
And there are tons of painters named Scott.
Even Tschech, my ultra secret birth name the Americans gave me.
The government changed our name following my birth, no idea why.
But there are noteworthy Tschech painters.
And I am not related to anyone named Tschech!
Sigh ...

Well, I have time to figure it out.
But I am pretty sure I do not want to use my name or initials
I really do not want to even be identified with my father ....
As my pastor told me one time, when I asked how do I honor my parents?
His reply was, "don't tell anyone you have parents!"
Yeah he had crossed swords with them a few times .....

Well sorry for the blathering.
It is the only thing on my mind today other than the tremendous pain I am living in because of the dialysis.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday I am in good shape though.

Musical Saturday Morning

Car Back!

On Tuesday, I dropped my new Toyota off for parts installations.
I got it back last night!
As I told my oldest daughter, "I pimped my ride!"
Then I had to tell her to ask her husband what that meant!
LOL !

SO, I:
Had side moulding installed to protect against door damage from others.
Door edge protectors to protect other from my doors.
Threshold stainless steel plates to protect against feet.
Stainless steel side stair so grand kids can get in!
Mud and snow moulded floor inserts to keep the carpet from disaster.
Rear storage area cover.
Rear cargo net to keep inside when the rear door is opened.
Rear bumper stainless steel guard topper.
Undercoating.
Paint coating.
Full roof rack.
And the real pricey item was a 3,500 pound hitch and wiring so I can tow  a small trailer next year.

All that is left to do is a winch and full skid plates!
But that will wait to see if I survive into next year first!

My long term goals are hazily to play in the mountains again, running amok with my sluice box and teaching bigfoot to play cards ....