Summer solstice

Well, I've never . . . actually, I guess I can now say I have!! This weekend at the "camp" we could hear some mighty bizarre hootin' and hollerin' from the Outdoor Education Centre along with the beating of drums. As my parents and I discussed this we figured it sounded like a group of witches. I decided not to point this out to my daughters for fear it would scare them.

Imagine my surprise when another child at the playground told them about the "white witches" up at the centre! Is it just me, or is a witch a witch? If you don't worship God, then you worship satan.

It most certainly opened up the dialogue . . . with everyone for the entire weekend.

Can't help but say I was curious about what they were doing chanting at 4:00 a.m., but I wasn't curious enough to get close. I was creeped out incredibly and was blasting my praise music in the car every time I went through their sales tents full of new age "stuff".

It was (and is) reassuring to know that our God is far stronger than anything satan can send our way. Sadly, they will be returning for the next four years. Guess I won't be rushing up on this weekend annually!

World Cup

I must say that I'm LOVING this World Cup so far. I'm thrilled that I have Rogers Digital so I can watch all the games (albeit a day later). The coverage has been wonderful.

I only wish I had a leaning towards a team in specific.

Thomas will be pleased to know that I've got my daughters considering Germany; however, they seem to have their own favourites in Argentina (my youngest Shannon leans this way) and Brazil (Becky can still be trained I'm certain).

I think they're all attractive! :D

Cute green bug

Just wanted to share this picture of a really neat-looking bug that I saw at our trailer. Truthfully, I took the picture a couple weeks ago since I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger and haven't been able to go up regularly.

Anyone recognize this little guy?

The truth about our "camp"

Well, seems as though being an Easterner is fairly identifiable when the term "camp" is used to describe our trailer. Heard my father use the term today and was called out as an Easterner immediately.

Anyhow, here's the real story of our first weekend at the camp.

We arrived to find our 1979 trailer had a leaky skylight. Yes, this was immediately repairable with duct tape, so we could stay the weekend. We were so excited!

On Saturday, dad decided to get the hot water working. In doing so, we flooded twice (massively) and were just thrilled to get back to where we started . . . running water, albeit cold.

We discovered there are public hot showers, but my daughters also discovered that when you turn the handle the wrong way to turn the water off . . . the handle comes off and water sprays everywhere!

Sunday was relatively uneventful. The trailer is in Mansfield (near Alliston) and we decided to go searching for a buffet to make Dad happy. Found one in Barrie!

Went for a walk with my daughter on Monday, whom I was able to buy a nice pair of rubber boots for on Saturday at Canadian Tire, but their stock was basically gone so although she was dry, my sneakers are still drying I think. Here's an idea of the depth of the water on the "path".

Monday, however, my mother discovered that when you shift to get the toilet paper, the water attachment comes off the toilet and gives a mighty fine spray. Fortunately, my handy father "fixed" it so that when I went, I discovered it to be the coldest bidet I've ever used (also the ONLY bidet I've ever used).

I actually questioned my mother as to whether she had been praying for patience again or something. Seems that every time one of us prays for patience, God tests it. I guess He just decided last weekend was a good time for a pop quiz.

Can't wait to go back tomorrow!!

Future Beautician

Well, my parents bought a trailer and we had our first weekend together in it last week. As it was bloody cold, we had to entertain ourselves indoors. My youngest, Shannon, decided to help my father with his hair.

Isn't she talented?

I take it back!

I think I'd rather be working this week! What a week it has been. Between my two girls they've had five medical appointments of one type or another, three soccer practices, track and field practice, two badminton practices after school and a tournament on Friday, not to mention the soccer tournament in Lincoln this weekend!

Add to all that my parents bought a trailer last weekend so Mom and I have been madly trying to get things in place to get it set up, I babysat Mercy on Monday while Jen and Nadja were in hospital, plus I've been getting ready for a big fund-raising gig this Saturday (where I will run after Shannon's second game on Saturday in Lincoln).

So much for this week of "vacation".

Bad things in threes?

So, of course this was my last week of work, but I got a call on Tuesday that there was an opening for a minor day surgery, I've been waiting for, on Wednesday. I took the day off (again, in my last week) for the surgery. All went well and I was home by 10:30. I had a small nap and awoke to a call from Shannon's school that she had a lunchtime soccer injury and couldn't walk. I loaded her (read lifted) into the car and brought her home. I THEN had an appointment with my GP. I mentioned Shannon's injury and he told me not to take it lightly so I spent 6 1/2 hours in emerg to find out it was really a muscle thing. Needless to say, my day off was long and miserable.

Top this off with a visit to the walk in clinic yesterday with Shannon to find I'm more educated about asthma than the doctor.

NOW . . . my 2 month old niece Nadja has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia or something similar.

Please pray for Nadja that she heals and is released in good time.

Oh, I wish I were eight again!!!!

Happily unemployed!

So, here it is Sunday night (or Monday morning, depending on how you look at it) and I am here under the premise that I do NOT have to get up early to go to work. I am now officially unemployed and have two weeks (potentially . . . another story here) before I start school.

I am very eager about the education part, but poverty isn't at all appealing!

I must be crazy!

Easter every day?

Well, the Easter weekend is pretty much over for me. The girls are off tomorrow, but I must work. It's been a great weekend. It started with a Good Friday pancake breakfast and church service with reflections on the cross. It ended today with my playing a catholic mass at 9:00, grabbing Becky from our church where she was in nursery for first service and running to join Shannon, my parents and my brother's family at Mom and Dad's church for 11:00 where I could get some spiritual nourishment post-mass. We then came home, had a feast, watched part of video 2 of the Gospel According to Matthew, napped and then watched the rest of video 2.

With all this good Christian fellowship (eating), worship and reflection, I wonder if I can continue to have Easter daily or if in a week or so I'll be back to my content self, having forgotten the discomfort Christ endured for us? Will I continue to be a Peter who knows Jesus, but who will deny him when the chips are down?

I know only time will tell, but I am certain of one thing: We, as a Christian family, MUST continue to share the Good News that Jesus Christ DID rise from the dead and that he is sitting on the right hand of God our Father and will return for his flock! Whereas Jesus had such a passion for us, we must continue to do His work on earth and have a passion for lost souls.

May we continue to increase His flock.

Eagle Cam

I've become a bit of an addict to the Eagle Eye Cam http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/ from British Columbia. This is just so cool. You just keep watching this mama eagle to see if she moves off the eggs at all, how she's surviving herself etc.

Popularity

I find it rather frustrating at this time of year that I go to a church that is so 21st century (praise band-no organ) that they don't see a trumpet as a necessity at Easter. So, here we go again. I'm playing in a church in Elora, denomination unknown right now except to say that it will probably be yet ANOTHER boring Easter service. I have had no less than five phone calls from churches as far away as Toronto looking for a player.

I guess I should look at the bright side in that it's a paying gig.

Translating English to German to English

My brother Luke has a friend, Thomas, in Germany who just started a BLOG. Luke forwarded to me the link to it, but translated in English. That was humorous enough, but I noticed in the sidebar that "Luke and Jen" translated to "Hatch and Jen".

Anyhoo, upon clicking that link I found this hilarious translation:

I like of poison...

But, I must admit, I like cake A plumb bob more!!!

I'm telling you, I was laughing so hard when I first saw this, I nearly peed myself.

Small world

I joined (okay I crashed) brunch with my parents, a couple from their church and the guest speaker that attended their church today. There seemed to be a lot of chat about Belleville (where I've been once, briefly) and the churches there. I remembered then, that the couple my parents have recently gotten to know are from the Belleville area.

Flash back to August 2005, when I was in Belleville area, I asked this Paul guy where to go to church there, since it's his hood. He told me the name of a church, which I didn't make it to since I had to pack up my campsite at the campground he told me about and make it to my daughter's soccer game, but he told me he was singing that weekend if I did make it.

Flash forward a little to where Paul confessed to me that all didn't go so well with the singing as he had a technical malfunction at the junction.

Today, I discovered that said couple, Sharon and Harry Hitchin (sp?) not only knew Paul, but they told me what a wonderful singer he is (I can confirm this as I heard him with the Chaps), but they mentioned the last time they heard him sing and the techincal issues that plagued.

Confirmation that God's world is small and yet overall is so big.

Change

Why is it that we, as a huge generality, are so afraid of change? We are so comfortable in our present surroundings and situations, that we're not at all interested in rocking the boat.

Consider me and my job. I work as a receptionist in an accounting firm. I love talking to people daily, so you would think all is tickety boo, but it really isn't. This isn't a job that leaves me feeling fulfilled at the end of day nor does it make me feel financially fulfilled, but that's another story.

So, I'm considering going to school . . . again! Problem is, I'm afraid to upset my comfortable (at least not uncomfortable) life. I'm so afraid of the unknown that I'm not sure I'll take the leap of faith.

Please pray with me that God will make His path known. I believe that He has made it clear that He will not provide another job unless I get some more education, but I don't know if that means He wants me to remain in my present job.

HELP!!!

Good News!

My brother Luke and his wife Jen had their second baby girl today, March 5, 2006. Her name is Nadja Praise and she weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz. Now Mercy, who will be one on March 15, is a big sister.

Congratulations Luke and Jen! Love you guys.

Theme song from the movie "Babe"

There's a catchy melody which is repeated throughout the movie Babe. I've always liked it very much. Yesterday, on my classical radio station that I've been listening to online at work I heard the melody done with organ and a brass fanfare.

My question, if anyone has the answer, is whether this tune was stolen for Babe or whether what I heard yesterday was based on the movie, i.e. which came first the tune or Babe?

Comfort

How do you comfort someone who doesn't know God? I was speaking to a client today who recently lost her husband and she was so broken. She was sobbing and sounded borderline suicide so I spent some time talking to her. I was trying to offer comfort, but she said she doesn't believe in God. Truly, if you don't believe in God, then there can really be no comfort can there and that's not comforting news for those who need it.

I'm rather distressed about this one. Any advice would be most welcome.

The Wayside Chapel

The story of The Wayside Chapel was told to me when I was quite young. I always enjoyed reading it over and over. Last summer I took my kids up to the beach and lo and behold we found The Wayside Chapel. Dad, this one's for you. Happy birthday!!

The Wayside Chapel

"An English schoolteacher, was in Switzerland and looking for a room to rent for when she would begin her teaching there the following fall. She asked the schoolmaster if he would recommed any. He took her to see several rooms, and when everything was settled she returned home to make final preparations for the move. When she arrived home, the thought suddenly occured to her that she had not seen a Water Closet (toilet) around the place. She immediately wrote a note to the schoolmaster asking him if there was a "W.C." near the room.

The schoolmaster was a poor master of english so he asked the parish priest about the meaning of the letters "W.C." and the only solution they could come up with for the letters was "Wayside Chapel". The schoolmaster then wrote the following note to the English lady seeking a "W.C." with her room.

Dear Madam: I take great comfort in informing you that a "W.C." is situated nine miles from the house in the corner of a beautiful grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people, and it is open on Sundays and Thursdays only. As there are a great many people expected during the summer months, I would suggest that you come early, although there is usually plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation, particularly if you are in the habit of going regularly. You will no doubt be glad to hear that a good many bring their lunch and make a day of it, while others, who can't afford to go by car, arrive just in time. I would especially advise your ladyship to go on Thursdays when there is an organ accompaniest. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heared everywhere. It may interest you to know that my daughter was married in the "W.C." and it was there that she met her husband. I can remember the rush there was for seats. There were ten people to a seat usually reserved for one, and it was wonderful to see the expression on their faces.

The newest attraction is a bell, donated by a wealthy resident of the district, which rings every time a person enters. A Bazaar is to be held to raise money for plush seats for all, since the people believe it is a long felt want. My wife is rather delicate so she can't go regularly: it is almost a year since she went last. Naturally it pains her not to be able to go more often. I shall be delighted to reserve the best seat for you, if you wish, where you will be seen by all. For the children there is a special time so that they will not disturb the elders.

Hoping to have been of some service to you, I remain,

Sincerely, The Schoolmaster"

"peer" pressure

Okay, so I've said before that I gave in to the previous peer pressure to start blogging, but I've hit a dry run. Now, said "peer" (read Paul) has pressured me once again to blog more (I know it was a sad cry for more postings on his blog, but that's another story). So, here I sit at 11:10 on a Sunday night with nothing to say. Okay, truth be told I have lots to say, but nobody really wants to hear any of that stuff I'm sure.

Hmmmm, here's what's on my mind right now: (in a thought balloon) . . . Surely wish I was in bed right now. Yep! It's bloody interesting eh??

Truly, here's what else is on my mind . . . Why can't I eat without getting some of it on my chest? I currently look like a toddler who ate without a bib. I've got drips and drabbles all over me. It was only a burger and salad, but it was surely messy.

I must look into surgical procedures to correct that hole in my bottom lip!

Yes, you (whoever you may be) should currently follow the link from my blog to Paul's to Jamie's to see his wife's wisdom teeth post-pulling. It's definitely easier on the stomach than picturing me eating!!!!!!

Kid brother embarrassed by me??

Imagine, my kid brother had a link to my blog on his blog and now my link seems to have disappeared. Should I take this personally?

Just because I'm still "undecided" for tomorrow and may vote "Green" to make a point doesn't mean I'm going to hell. Heck, the Liberal government just sent me a random $250 cheque this week to help with my rising utility costs. Guess I should just cash it with the knowledge it's the only one I'm getting right?

Watch out brother! I have old pictures I can scan and post and I'm not afraid to use them. :)