An Exerpt that moved me to tears
(and I'm re-publishing it because I was just reminded of Mary's pain and the reward)

" The young woman felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She gazed into the piercing eyes of the aged holy man, but she really didn’t want to hear his haunting warning about her Son and their future:

This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many…, a figure misunderstood and contradicted—the pain of a sword-thrust through you—but the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are. (Luke 2:34-35 Message,)

Everything was fine until the unexpected teen pregnancy. Her fiancé wasn’t the father of the child, but he still agreed to marry her in an awkward an earlier-than-planned marriage ceremony.

Her abrupt disappearance to spend several months with an older relative some distance away launched a storm of speculation back home. The tongue-wagging among the hometown busybodies only increased when she returned with obvious changes in her physical appearance that could only mean a baby was coming.

(The favorite phrase traded across tables, shared at the village market, and whispered from ear to ear at public events was “hurry-up wedding.”)

Then came the emergency do-it-yourself baby delivery in a small country town far from home and separated from the rest of her family and friends.

These were the circumstance neighbors speculated on and were more than happy to repeat.

Years later, she would read a handwritten letter from someone who was her Son’s closest associate in His final years on earth. It began, “To the elect lady…´(2John 1:1, emphasis added). Although the letter did not bear her name, she knew John had addressed it to her.

Mary was “elected” or chosen for her unique task and mission in the same manner that you were chosen by God for a unique role of your own that only you can fulfill.

HOW MANY WILL BE AFFECTED BY YOUR OBEDIENCE?

She was not merely appointed to an “office”; she was chosen for a mission, designated for a function, reserved for a destiny.

Her obedience, along with the lifelong obedience unto death of her Son, Jesus, would affect billions of lives and countless generations. How many will be affected by your obedience or disobedience to the Master’s election?"

And here I have to stop and go contemplate what I’ve read…my husband has already spotted where we can buy the entire book..he has now left the house to go buy it!! I really want to read this book by Eddie Long, The Elect Lady.

(Click the book for a hot link to Bishop Long's website. It sends you to Amazon to purchase. If you're like me and can't wait...Barnes and Noble carries it also!!

I receive no reward for this endorsement other than the good feeling I get when I share a valued resource with friends!

A Farewell to Vacation

I just tried my hand at an ode -- but I'm not in poetic mode, muse has fled the airport in despair. Maybe the change from sea breeze to mountain air has fried my brain the way it frizzed my hair. I have serious hair problems in the tropics!!! I have mountain hair!

Yesterday, I tried to get Bob and Kiko, the little capucine, asleep on the little jungle patio at our B & B. But they both opened their eyes when I walked toward them. Kiko more so than Bob.

This morning I fed Kiko banana left from my breakfast and he as so happy that.... well let's just say he was VERY happy!!!

So now, I'm at the airport debriefing...trying to set my brain to face civilization again. Wondering which of the habits we've acquired here are possible to keep at home. Some of them, yes.

For example, I love the continental breakfast. It would be really easy to do....just get my derriere in gear each morning. We even have the patio to eat it on, ala Costa Rica. I brought back the small seat-type hammock. I'm going to get that strung up...if I have to climb the tree myself!!! Then, I have to find a half hour or so each day to sit and relax!! Possible. Not easy, but possible.

We're both more relaxed. Knowing things are well at home helps....Rob and Christy are so very reliable to tend the church. With Rodney, Rob, Rachel & Company, the music is always well-done. (Yes, Debbie you are included here!!) Jorge (Lidna, that's not YOUR Jorge!) keeps an eye on the house and the church with help from Kenny.

We thought this visit to Costa Rica was a one-time thing, based on where the plane tickets were most economical. We are finding, however, that we really like the place, the people, the culture.

I only need Mel Gibson to donate his beachfront property in Playa Casilla and we'd be able to start ministry!!! :) Who's ready to migrate with us???? (I know, I'm out of my mind! But God sometimes has strange plans!)

Do I look crazy?? Okay, only a little!!!

Conversation between Costa Rican horses

Soledad: Look what we have now! Two aging, chubby Americans.

Dolores: Ai! This man can't even get on. Did you see? She gave him a shove to get him up.

Soledad: Here she comes. Can't get on either. Senor Daniel found a traffic bump she can climb on. There she goes. She made it.

Dolores: This guy doesn't know what he's doing. I'll just take a little break here in the street.

Soledad: Okay. Headed for the beach. But wait this crazy woman is taking pictures of my butt!

Dolores: Maybe I can rake this guy off at the fence. Darn!! He hung on...just scraped his leg a little.

Soledad: She thinks she's a cowgirl, but I almost hit her head on that tree in the alley.

Dolores: This guy is making strange sounds trying to get me to speed up. Good thing he doesn't know what he's doing. I'll just keep plodding along.

Dolores: Should I speed up a bit? Just to keep up with you guys.

Soledad: Up to you.

Dolores: I gotta go....and this guy won't even let me stop for a minute for a potty break. Strange noises again! What does a girl have to do for some privacy around here.

Soledad: She's worried that Daniel won't be going to school when it starts Monday. Ai! The questions these Americans ask.

Dolores: Now he's telling stories about wild dogs in some place called Ecuador. I think he has a phobia about dogs.

Soledad: Almost finished. My back hurts.

Dolores: I'm just tired of these cityslickers!

Soledad: Yikes! Now she can't get off. Come on lady that leg has to swing over the saddle to the other side!!! How long do I have to stand here!!!

Dolores: I think he's gonna just sit up there all day!!! Come on, man, get down. Oh here she comes. Does she really think she's gonna lift him down??? Heaven help us all!!

Soledad: They did it! Both of them. I think they're in one piece too. She's walking funny though.

Dolores: I'm walking funny!!! Where's the pasture. What does a girl have to do for some rest around here.

First Impressions




One always assimilates the new by comparison, contrast and associations with the familiar. It struck me right away, before we even landed that San Jose reminds me forcefully of Quito.

The first thing that made me smile was the juxtaposition of the Denny's and the Fiesta Casino. I realized that Denny's was the fancy restaurant associated with the Casino. A few miles later the same phenomena occurred. Another casino, another Denny's.

Our first hotel in San Jose was homey, clean and quite lovely. The patio was a virtual jungle complete with parrots and a little capucine monkey with a sad face. (I'm trying one more time to upload more pics. If it doesn't work this time, it'll have to wait!!)

We got acquainted with San Jose a bit before heading to the coast. San Jose is clean and well organized -- except for traffic. Traffic in Latin American counties is.... well traffic in latin America!!! The people are quite friendly. Bob blended immediately. They mistook him for a Tikko right away! Me? Well, what does one do with red hair that shouts "Gringa?"

Having quite a lovely time. Although on the road to the coast, I was stopped by an efficient traffic cop. Ma'am, did you know you're doing 94 kph? In Costa Rica the limits are 80, 60 adn 40. You are in an 80 kph limit. The law says, and he shows me the book, there is a 50,000 colon fine for speeding. This has to be paid at a bank and there will be 30% fees added for processing. I'm gulping, eyes wide and very respectful. He gives me the whole spiel and I think I'm had. (About $130.00 American) Then he says, "First time in Costa Rica?" Gulp. "Si!" Well, I'm going to just warn you this time. "Gracias, Gracias." "But no more speeding." "Si, senor! No mas." (No picture, I didn't dare.)

And relieved...we head on down the road. For some reason, my foot is considerably lighter the rest of the way to the coast. It just won't go faster than 70-75 to Samara!!!

Nice, polite people, these Costa Ricans. Very effective!

Anatomy of a crazy day!

This is me at 1:36 A.M. this morning. It's had been one of those days!

• 8:00 a.m. leave for work
• 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - work
• 1:30 - 3:30 - errands, preparing for arrival of friends
• 5:00 p.m. go pick up rental car
• 5:30 p.m. first of guests arrive from O'Hare
  
• 6:00 p.m. Dinner
• 7:20 p.m. Home again, home again
• 8:00 p.m. Hubby leaves for Midway
• 9:15 P.m. Hubby calls; asks for help locating arrivals
• 9:20 p.m. Check airport arrivals
• 9:22 p.m. Call hubby back -- plane has arrived
• 9:30 p.m. Receive facebook message from one of the arrived party -- cell phone that hubby has # for is dead. no one else has hubby's cell #. Gave hubby's cell # to facebooking guest.
  
• 9:31 p.m. Called Hubby, gave location of guests...guest had already called per number given by facebook
• 9:33 p.m. Happy reunion of hubby and guests at airport.
  
• 10:45 p.m. Hubby arrives with party of 6 guests
• 11:05 p.m. Hit Mickey-D -- only place open for food. Feed guests!!
• 12:00 p.m. Pick up car for guests use
• 12:04 a.m. Take group of 5 guests to their accomodations
• 12:30 a.m. Take group of 2 guests to pick up rental car then to their accomodations
• 1:00 a.m. Return borrowed van to owner (One hubby drove to airport)
• 1:20 a.m. Arrived home
• 1:22 a.m. Facebook
• 1:45 a.m. Time for night-night!!!!
• 6:30 a.m. Will come toooo quickly -- must work tomorrow!!!! !

P.S. What did we do without technology. A dead cell phone-- the only phone number we had and the only phone that had our number -- the contact phone -- would have meant disaster. But Facebook saved the day. If ever I needed an excuse for FB, that was it!!!! Justified!

A lovely Afternoon

I'm sitting on my little patio (no roof, so it's not a porch) in front of the house. A beautiful, sunny, warm summer afternoon drinking a Caramel Collision Coffee Chiller, an invention of Pat Jamin, one of the proprietors of my favorite gourmet Cafe, Al's Cafe in downtown Elgin. I just had the thought, "Life can't get much better." Yet it isn't that EVERYTHING is so wonderful. I can think that "if only..." But the point is that this is one of those perfect moments in time. Relaxed. Sunshiney. Nothing major on my mind at the moment. Bills will be paid tomorrow. Lesson Plans finished later. That problem addressed next week. The other concern travailed over at another time. This moment is one of those perfect ones. Just me, the sunshine, my computer and the neighborhood in which there isn't another soul astir at the moment. Lovely.

Thank you God for an Oasis, a moment in time in which to enjoy your world, your work and contemplate the good things of life. Did I mention the Carmel Collision Coffee Cooler?

Thank you God.

P.S. Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of oneself?? It has to be a closeup -- unless one has octopi arms. The first pictures alternately showed: the wrinkles on my neck, the bags under my left eye (not even the under eye bags match!), my droopy left eye, eyes squinted too much, mouth drawn from trying to get the arms out farther for LESS of a close up. Finally my dear hubby emerged from the bowels of the house and agreed to snap this one shot. While I could point out the faults in this pictures as well, I shall not because at least it's not too closeup!! You will agree with me to ignore chubby arms an legs! Yes you will because I said so!

Did I mention that the Caramel Collision Coffee Cooler is delicious? And the day is sunny and bright?

Travel tales

Taste of Chicago today.

On the train via Chicago, the train begins to fill up. We know this through power of deduction. When three thousand people traipse through the car and try to take two seats while two of your party is in the bathroom, if you''re really sharp you'll figure it out: The train must be very full. I'm smart like that.

So the conductor comes on the intercom. "The train is filled past seating capacity. If you are not going all the way to Chicago, please stand up."

We look at each other. Even the 7-year old thought that was an odd request. No one in our car stood up. He only paused for a moment before he continued.

"Then please get off the train." We start to giggle, thinking it must be a joke. Nope. No joke. He continues.

"Deboard the train at this station if your destination is other than Chicago. This will now be an express train. We will make no more stops before Chicago. Please wait on the platform for another train. There is another train 20 minutes behind this one and will take you to your destination."

Well people, please get off. I don't want that train catching up with us!! I'm thinking. But I have to admit I was happy that we were now on an express train.

Don't think I'd be that happy if I'd been getting off somewhere other than Chicago!!!

Travel Notes

There are two choices for behavior in an airport. Some people pretend it's their living room and proceed to talk loudly, chew wildly and fart with affinity. Or maybe I'm the one who has the affinity for attracting such people. A 25-year old (who acts like he's 16) sits in the row behind me in the gate area. I'm quietly working on my computer. I have the noise muted; I'm behaving politely. HE, on the other hand, LOUDLY informs his friend of every move he's making on his video game. It looks like the same hand-held game that my 5 year-old nephew managed very politely in the car. Only this character does a play-by-play of his effort. If a reality show ever included a play-by-play of a video game, switch the channel. Or shut the guy up if it's in person!!

"CAN YOU BELIEVE I JUST DIED ON THE FIRST SCREEN AT THE FIRST CHALLENGE IN THIS..." He goes on.

His friend responds quietly.

"NO YOU DON'T GET IT. I WAS ELIMINATED IN THE FIRST ROUND ON THE FIRST SCREEN AT THE FIRST LEVEL!" He screamed loudly enough to be heard three gates down in spite of maximum Sunday traffic at the airport. His laughter sounded like the screech of a stuck pig, only more annoying.

I got it the first time. Don't know why his friend didn't.

After devising and rejecting several scenarios in which he would be told (by me) to be quiet (not terribly politely but very effectively), I simply moved several rows away right by the window outside which the jets were warming up and right next to a two year old playing in the floor. Much more peaceful there!!

Oh yeah, the other choice of behavior for people at an airport. Act like me. Just like sheep. Don't disturb anybody. Don't tell the rude idiot to behave. Don't rock the boat. Just look the other way and keep grazing. Munch, munch. Baa Baa.

Travel Notes

I forgot my 3-1-1 today. I tried to get a 5 oz bottle -- only half full of hair conditioner through in my carry on. I must have lost the old Southern charm. She wasn't havin any of it! So with reluctance, I tossed a 5 Oz bottle half full of Mizani hair conditioner. That stuff is hard to find. It takes the frizz and the crimp out of my hair. So I'll be frizzy this trip.

Don't forget. It's 3-1-1. Let's see 3 oz of liquid in 1 1-quart baggie. Although I did have mine in a 1-gallon baggie and she let all the rest in. Warned me though. So I guess I'm half charmin'!!!

Gotta get this thing logged off. They should be calling for loading shortly.

More things for which I am Thankful

• That the windshield I saw splintered from the heat was not mine. (And that I'm able to pray for encouragement for the owner/driver.)
• That my house has some air conditioning, in my office, in the bedroom, in the den. Whew!
• That my car has adequate air conditioning...that works after about 20 minutes.
• That my inhaler worked well yesterday to clear my breathing passages in this humidity...and that I haven't had to use it today.
• That I have a job to drive to in this heat.
• That I have a lovely shower with which to wash off all the sweat I'm now capable of producing!

Are these "thankfulness" entries a bit like prayer meetings with prayer requests "prayer for dear so-and-so. You won't believe what I saw her doing?!"

I suppose I'd better behave myself!! But truly, I am thankful for these things that help me cope with the heat!!

Things for which I'm thankful

• That there is air conditioning at summer school which keeps the rooms less than 88 degrees That's truly a blessing when there is a 105 heat index outside.

• That I'm recovering from the effects of chemotherapy and am now able to sweat buckets!

• That my heat flashes are totally obliterated in the hot air...I don't even notice them at all. Maybe I'm not even having any. Maybe all the sweating is just from the heat.

• That I wasn't nearby when the road exploded from the heat. The scattered cement from the crumbled curb looks like it could have done some damage.

• That my car had no trouble going slowly over the 2 foot bump in the road created by the heat buckled pavement.

• That there is a bathroom located only 15 feet from my classroom door so I can run when 4 hours of continuous teaching without a break wreaks havoc with my system. (You guess which system!)

• That I'm still able to run -- okay at least trot a bit.

• Did I mention sweating?

• That it hasn't snowed in 57 days!
  

T-Shirts, Diction and other aspects of human miscommunication

I was walking down the street three feet behind hubby because . . . I was just too tired to move fast. We were headed for our favorite eatery Al's Cafe. Hubby was hungry and hadn't noticed. I was thinking about how strange it looked for me to be trailing behind....I was contemplating foreign cultures...when I looked up and read the back of his shirt. It read: "I wish to communicate with you." I laughed!!


In the grocery store, the clerk says: "Twizzers ur soup ur savor!"

I glanced at the counter and saw a package of red candy where the "Super Saver" of the day resides and shook my head, paying very little attention.

Another clerk came up beside her, filling the change bins or some such work-related thing. I heard but didn't focus: "Posted jer trash tickets?"

I'm digging in my wallet for my debit card and hear again: "Posted jer trash tickets?"

"I wonder what kind of trash tickets checkout clerks have to post..." I thought as I continued moving things around in my very large purse.

Her voice is getting irritated now. "Posted jer trash tickets?" I glance up disinterestedly to see what the drama is about, and the full wrath of her glare catches me full in the face. "Posted jer trash tickets?" She spits it at me.

"Are you talking to me?" I ask looking around for somebody that she might be yelling at.

"Posted jer trash tickets?" She repeats it forcefully.

"I'm sorry. I have no idea what you're talking about. Am I supposed to post some trash tickets somewhere?" Totally confused.

"Postejer trash tickets?" Her mantra continues.

"I don't have any trash tickets," I explain uselessly.

"To buy any," She says.

"No. I don't want any trash tickets." I reply.

"Postej?" she asks.

Light dawning, "Oh. You mean, Do I want to purchase postage or trash tickets." I blurt out.
I thought you said, "Posted your trash tickets"?

"That's what I said," she repeats. "Postejur trash tickets."

"No. I thought you said, POSTED YOUR TRASH TICKETS and you said, POSTAGE OR TRASH TICKETS." At which point she shrugs, obviously not understanding. And we both were relieved to be away from that "other" dumb woman who can't speak/understand plain English!!!

P.S. SIGH. (But hubby was with me. He says he didn't get what she was saying either!)

MUSICAL COMING

It's a sneak preview of "Down By the Creek Bank" coming June 14 at JCC. But of course I didn't grab my camera until the solo was finished. (Granddaughter in the brown dress) And then my camera cut out for a bit. So I added pics and the track.

The silent treatment

I am garrulous by nature. A few years ago I had laryngitis and was ordered voice rest for a week. Conversations did not happen. The silence in the car screamed at me, and I hated it. Maybe he didn't mind. I didn't ask.

But I think I'm not very good about the silent thing. So a few days ago, I was irritated about something and decided to try the silent treatment. I answered with short answers if he asked questions. I listened to what he said and responded very briefly. I only brought up immediately necessary matters. But finally after a couple of days, I got tired of waiting for him to notice that I was behaving differently. At least I thought I was behaving differently. Maybe my short answers weren't short enough. And maybe those necessary matters weren't really necessary at all. Maybe I just like to talk. Or maybe he just enjoyed the relative silence.

He hadn't noticed. So we talked. But by then, I wasn't really irritated anymore. I just wanted to quit being quiet. So we fussed for a few minutes and it was all over. No drama. And he had to take a nap before we could even continue. I think after 39.75 years of marriage, the silent treatment doesn't work.

Or maybe I haven't learned to be silent. I may not be good at it. I am by nature garrulous!!

A little bit of drama!

The Red Shoes!

Down by the Creek Bank
Coming...June 14, 2009
Don't miss the Musical!!

Bats in the Belfry

We had to hire our friendly animal trapper again. Racoons in the attic! He says he got everything and will release her into the forest where she can happily build a nest for those new babies she's about to have. Whew! Dodged that bullet. But sometimes I still hear noises.

I woke up feverish a couple of nights ago and to my horror saw the shadow of a bat on my ceiling, right above the bedroom. I stopped myself from screaming...just barely. I didn't want to make noise or movement and startle the very still animal. Then it moved a bit. And I realized that it was a shadow. So where is the critter?? Where's the source of light. I carefully turn my head. There's no light coming in the bedroom window to cast such a shadow. Oh! Just a minute. It's in the circle of light cast by our old people clock -- the kind that shows the time in digital figures on the ceiling. Then... Think, Phylis, think. Oh, it has to be tiny then. A funny shaped bug on the lamp of that clock.

Then the creature moved yet again. It's not a bat; it's a beetle! A beetle on the clock. Then it moved again and lost one pincher. At some point, my brain overcame the feverish stupor and figured it out.

"Shadow Animals." Made by black spaces between digital numbers projected on the ceiling and one malfunctioning brain.

And that boys and girls, is the end of the "Bats in the Belfrey" saga. You figure it out. Who has bats in the belfrey?

. . .

Warning: Humor May be Dangerous to Your Illness. The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. --Mark Twain

What is there about being ill that brings out the grouch in me? I'm driving home from the doctor yesterday morning grumbling -- yes, out loud -- about something that happened two or three weeks ago.

Coming home from work through the park, a couple of kids were standing in the street with their hands outstretched. I thought they might have a remote control in their hands, or a kite strings. One was standing on the edge of the street, the other blocking the entry to a small parking lot there. They were right at the beginning of a backward Z configuration with the lagoon on my right. I grabbed my cell phone to call the cops for the kids safety, but wanted to get past before I dialed. They didn't appear to be in trouble, had happy expressions like they were playing some role. As I turn down the long trunk of the Z, there's a man in the street. He's actually standing in the lane where oncoming traffic would be. I'm creeping along at about 3 miles an hour trying to figure out what's going on, when a woman starts yelling at me. She's blocking the lane I would have turned into on the final leg of the Z. And still yelling. Suddenly a line of bicycles appear coming from the parking lot that is behind me now. My car is now in the middle of the intersection, the woman is yelling stop, and I'm still confused. I slowly edge left trying to get out of the way of the bikes, which I do. No cyclist is ever in danger from me, but that woman sure was. I called the cops and left some innocent telephone intake person with my opinions about idiot civilians who place young children in the street, stand in the wrong places, don't have any identifiers to let motorists know what's going on, and try to stop traffic. Albeit for a good cause.

The irony? It was the bicycle leg of a triathlon for cancer!!

And now, weeks later I'm sick with influenza and fussing about it!!!

And now that I think about it, that's not such a good effort at humor!

Better luck next time!!

To Oink, or not to Oink

That is the question!

This morning I thought I had an allergic reaction to some perfume in my first hour classroom. It's happened before. I do my usual coughing, followed within an hour or two by sneezes and a raspy throat. By the time I left school, I had the congestion in my chest, well on my way to bronchitis which is a bit ahead of schedule for an allergic episode. Usually it takes a couple of days for the bronchitis to set it.

It's a beautiful day here. I came home and finished planting flowers, but really didn't have my heart in it. I just didn't feel very good. I quit when I got a headache, thinking that besides the sinus reaction, I had sunstroke as well. Then I began to feel warm.

And I decided to rethink it all. . . The thermometer is still only registering 99.2, but I took a couple of naproxen so a fever would be curtailed somewhat.

I shall go tomorrow and find out if I have that nasty little virus: N1H1. Wouldn't that be the irony of ironies? I've Poo pooed the media over reaction to this virus. And now guess who probably has it??? LOL It's good I can laugh on the keyboard, cause if I try in person, it sets off the coughing!!! hack! hack!!!

Oh did I mention that the absence rate at our school right now is somewhere between 6% and ???. Twenty-five kids were sent home today with a fever. And, trust me, our nurse doesn't send kids home for nothing. Do I hear school closing??? AND...guess who wouldn't get to enjoy the days off!!! Hack! hack!!! hack!!!

I'm going to bed!!! Keep well! Take the vitamin C...eat well, get plenty of rest...and drink lots of water!!! Hack!! Hack!!! Hack!!! Be glad you're not my neighbor!

Nighty-night!

Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:16
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.