Sunday, August 10, 2025

Preparation for Absence.

 Preparations for Absence.

 

Have you ever thought about all the things you do in a day that are actually necessary? Yes, we all goof off some each day, but if the household includes any critters, we have to consider the things that keep them healthy and happy. Around here it is only two dogs and sixteen hens, but they matter. Also, we have a trash day schedule. Not a biggie, but still. Have a feeling Jennifer won’t have to worry about unlocking the main gate for Blake to mow and weed eat unless we get some more (highly unlikely) rain this month. And then there are the peculiar quirks associated with the actual running of appliances around here. The microwave oven happens to pull an inordinate amount of electricity, so the coffee maker and microwave cannot be running at the same time. One or the other, but not both. Will try to remember to mention this to Jennifer, but the old woman should be back in the house quickly enough that it won’t matter. Only spending overnight in the hospital.

 

Two hens are broody right now and really don’t want to get off the nests in the little brooder. Neither welcomes any “intruders” for laying eggs either! And Thelma, the turken, has been hopping the front fence in order to look for another place to lay her eggs. For a while, she made a nest in the iris bed out front and each day required a trip out there to pick up her egg. Such fun—Easter egg hunting can be year ‘round!

 

The Kindle app on my notebook has been telling me that it has no internet connection. Frustration. Jenn said that it has something like one thousand books downloaded on it. Oh well. Reading for me is what TV is for other folks. Eventually maybe the old woman will get the necessary steps down to ridding the “library” of the finished books and a quick look at the ones recently downloaded.

 

It looks like some schools are learning that the electronic tablets and other technology are doing more harm than good for students’ ability to learn. In Sweden they are going back to real books and actual writing papers because the reading and writing levels fell so drastically without books. Well, duh. Just because we CAN use technology does not mean it is the best. We have at least one school here in WF which has an F in scholastic leveling. Our entire system is lacking when children can’t read and write before they enter the sixth grade. Won’t even tell you the story of the young woman who came to me to ask if she could quickly learn to read and write since she was given a sports scholarship to MSU but was unable to accept it because the coaches always had someone else to do her school work for her. That is beyond sad. It is outrageous. That is the system failing.

 

Was talking to a friend about how many children are in WF and have zero books in their homes. Our parents read to us and had us sit on their laps and learn about turning pages to get to the story. Can you believe how many children have never learned to sit and turn pages on a real book? The time spent with children is never wasted when we read to them.

 

Lately my study has been involved in the Torah lessons, but you will be spared more of that for a bit. Sterling and his silly sister talk about the lessons and the commentaries that sometimes disagree on what the scriptures say—at least in my opinion. He believes that these fellows that are lifetime students in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic have a better understanding of what things mean. That is probably true, but when it all boils down to it, a pattern was laid out in the seven holy days and then in the signs given by Christ. It is always possible to try to fit puzzle pieces in the wrong spots, but sooner or later, it all comes down to the Law: One God, His son, the Word, and the love that was given to us with grace. If we have love for God, love for our fellow man, and care for others as much as for ourselves, we are probably doing our best to please God. Anyway, that is my hope.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

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