R.I.P...

Turner, Log Cabin


Log Cabin Turner expired suddenly on Saturday, December 17, 2011, in the midst of turning a pancake on the griddle at the Randy Honcoop Family Home. Log Cabin Turner began somewhere in the east part of the country, but was transported by shrink wrap and Log Cabin syrup bottle to the Honcoop Home at the beginning of his career. A lowly freebie, he, through a delicate balance of strength and flexibility, enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the utensil hierarchy, far surpassing the abilities of many other more expensive and sophisticated pancake turners. He served the Honcoop Family well for over 10 years, and was a favorite – in fact – THE favorite. Never was a turner found to duplicate his skills, even when it was observed that he was suffering from small cracks in the backbone. He continued to valiantly serve in this state, until complete backbone failure occurred.

A committal service was held in the garage as Turner was laid to rest in a big blue bin, then wheeled curbside.

He will be sorely missed.

In lieu of cards and flowers, please petition Log Cabin Syrup for more free pancake turners. The world needs more turners like Log Cabin Turner.

In praise of automatic doors...

The other day I left the grocery store in the rain...Actually, this could have been any day, and likely all the days that I have gone to the grocery store this year...and all the more reason for this post.

I had a cart, albeit the small one, loaded with bags, my purse on my shoulder and another bag on my other wrist...Oh, how I loved it that the door automatically opened for me!! Such a pleasure! Such a help!

For some reason, that day it brought to mind nightmarish scenes of holding on to two toddlers, a stroller containing an infant, and hands full of purse, diaper bag and purchases while trying to get in, or out, of a door...

Those were the days.

And during those days, we sometimes did without rather than shop at stores without automatic doors.

And since those days, I have never lost an appreciation for automatic doors. I use them whenever I can! They are an unappreciated luxury...To walk out of the store, cart full, hands full and have the door open widely before you to walk outside with out impediment? Luxury, I say, LUX-UR-Y!!!

I just the love the feeling that the doors part before me, and I play a little game sometimes to see if I am faster than the doors...You know, see if I have to wait for them. And then, to make my joy complete, I head out to the car my hubby bought me, which has{drum roll} AUTOMATIC DOORS!! A push of the buttons and they open before me. I'm getting really good at timing it so that I don't even break stride, just walk right up, put my packages in and get in to drive away...

It's AWESOME!

I have noticed some stores in The Big City have a set of auto doors, and a set of manual doors...And quite a few people choose the manual doors. Why?

I get the funny feeling that they believe that shouldn't use the auto door...And that's because...uh...they are going green and refuse to use more energy? Uh...they are trying to get more exercise? Uh...it's only for people in wheelchairs, scooters, or for strollers?

Far be it from me to get between a scooter chair and the automatic door...I would NEVER do that! But for the love of all things efficient, why WOULDN'T you use the hands-free door?? Talk about saving energy! You can be getting out your list, putting away your keys, texting your friend while you enter the store, never breaking stride!!!

I repeat: It's AWESOME!

And so today, I salute the under-appreciated Automatic Door...Don't take these luxuries for granted. Take time to enjoy it the next time you use one.

Amen.

Disaster in Japan...

I have been stunned by the photos and videos of the devastation wrought by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I look at the landscapes blanketed in debris and wonder, "Where do you start?"

There must be such despair -- and yet, reportedly, "Japan retains decorum in face of pileup of catastrophes". I was amazed at the responses of the majority of the people.

Read about it here:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014497196_quakereact15.html

Sounds quite a bit different than New Orleans after Katrina, doesn't it?

Truly, the Japanese are the ultimate example of "keep calm and carry on"... I admire that.

"We value harmony over individualism", said Minoru Morita, a well-known Tokyo-based political commentator. "We grow up being taught that we shouldn't do anything we are ashamed of. It is these ideas that make us."

This article has caused me to ponder the individualism that we Americans so value. I do believe that we have lost the willingness of individuals to sacrifice for the common good. We're mostly looking out for number 1...the common good comes after that, if anything is left.

The Japanese subvert their individual will, which benefits the common good -- but it seems they do it so as not to be shamed, more than to do good wherever their hand finds it...Decisions are made by concensus; there's little room for self-expression...You go with the majority.

Our cultures are so different, and yet, we are still alike -- in tears of loss, in heartbreak over loved ones, in hope or despair of the future, in fear of more suffering...

I pray for Japan.

An unbelievable story...

I couldn't believe this story...but it IS for real.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/03/04/mich-high-school-basketball-star-dies-winning-shot/

No one in that high school will ever forget that day, or that young man...It is such a sad loss -- but you KNOW that the young man died happy, probably as happy as he had ever been...An unbelievable ending for a short life, that was well-lived.

God bless his family, and his many friends...

Perhaps I was a bit too harsh...

...in my review of Disney World.


Oh, cynical, hypocritical me, the one who likes to watch movies with HAPPY endings, railing against the artificiality of Disney World! (Blush!)


I have to agree that it is joy to watch wonder-filled innocents meet Cinderella and Mickey, and see their faces light up at the marvels of a fantasy world come to life.


And there's nothing wrong with having fun either -- hours and hours of just plain, laughing fun...


Okay -- I was too harsh...So I want you to know that while I have my reservations (not the hotel kind), I do not condemn the Magic Kingdom nor its aficionados.


Mr. Walt, and Mickey -- forgive me for diminishing  your contributions to the world.

Christmas isn't what it used to be...

At the end of a good day of celebrating with my family, I’m pondering that Christmas isn’t the highlight of my year – like it used to be. Don’t get me wrong – today was a WONDERFUL day! We enjoyed the kids, the laughter, the gifts that were thoughtful in generous and joking ways. Last night we had The Turkey Dinner. My parents came to share it, and we laughed and joked as we rode through town looking for crazily lighted houses. Before this week, the shopping and the decorating, the music programs, even the baking heightened the anticipation...Fun in itself to prepare for these few days of celebration.


But tonight, I’m thinking that it’s not the big event it once was – and feeling the usual post-Christmas letdown...Wondering if there was more I should do to build to a greater climax for the Christmas celebration. In the midst of my pondering comes the realization that I’m looking forward to my regular life tomorrow...Puttering around the house, picking up the happy messes of paper and boxes, and used dishes – evidence of fun already had, then walking the dog in the chilly air, sipping coffee while I contemplate what chores I will attempt...I like the everydays too.

In fact, I think I’ve come to the place where Christmas is not THE highlight of the year because I’ve become so much more content with my life...so much quicker to appreciate the good along the way: the peaceful everydays, the intermittent family gatherings anytime they come, the time to invest in friendships throughout the year...It’s really not that Christmas has diminished...It’s more that the moments as they happen have become more appreciated, more enjoyed, more precious...

I will still always love the glitz and fun of Christmas. It’s a special time where the whole world smiles together, and expresses their goodwill. But it’s not the only time, the only day...I’m glad to be in a place in my life where I am content with the CONtent of my relationships, my occupations, my blessings – and do much better at appreciating them any day.

Friday Night Lights...

I like football, but I LOVE high school football! I used to know very little about football. I remember when my boys first began playing I had trouble choosing whether to yell, "Go Defense!" or "Go Big O!" When I first started noticing pro football, I told my sister that I supported the Tennessee Titans because "I liked their outfits". She was chagrined by that one.

I’ve come a long way, baby! Having sat through 11 years of school football games ,watching my boys, I learned a lot and that’s where I came to love the game. Of course, it helped that the varsity coaching staff at our school was all about character and team work, and quality effort...A great group of guys to be role models made it a great experience for our boys. I think, more than any other sport, football requires each person making their contribution, however lowly or unseen, to bring success to the team as a whole...And therefore, every team member is valued, and quality effort is appreciated. It’s a great life lesson, and our boys were schooled in that doing something they loved to do.

High school football seems a lot more honest to me than other levels of the sport. Here you have a group of guys thrown together by location, not because of their calculated contributions by ability, and they must make the most of all their skills to achieve success. They grind it out, literally, every day of the season, practicing giving their all physically and mentally. In good years, they become a unit that enjoys the satisfaction of being more together than the sum of their parts, whether winning or losing. Some years they get the "gravy" of winning...Every year they get the benefit of learning more about life.

So I love to see the effort, the drama, the coaching staff’s leadership under those Friday Night Lights...It’s my favorite! I miss seeing my boys out there, and my love for football has increased to the point where I am looking for college games, and pro games to watch. In fact, the other day I caught myself spouting off to son, Jess, about how I think it unfair that Seneca Wallace, who is just not a quarterback, hasn’t been allowed to develop as a wide receiver. The SeaHawks could have used one of those too... "Get a QB back up who can carry it," I said, "and let Seneca play ball, at least!" When I realized what I had said, I qualified it to Jess with a "but what do I know about football..." and he reassured me that I had come such a long way that my comments were actually valid.

I felt quite proud of myself – and decided to not make any comments about the new lime green out..., I mean jerseys!