Monday Musings - April 25, 2011

1. Going back to work after a week away is hard. It gets harder every year it seems as I truly begin to evaluate the point at which I will no longer have to work at a job everyday to enjoy the life I desire.

2. The rain and gloom of stormy days makes the days of blue skies and sun more enjoyable.

3. Kids are fun to enjoy at Easter.

4. Easter Eggs Hunts can be very competitive.

5. Where did you go over Spring Break? I spent a week in exotic Elkridge. It sure isn't Napa.

Happy Easter 2011

6. I've heard about sta-cations--where people vacation at home. I think I've just completed a wor-sta-cation where I worked my tail off staying at home for a week!

7. Riordan has been back from his walk-about for over a week now--and we are still paranoid about his disappearances around the house. The other day we could not find him in his usual spots and nearly called 9-1-1. We did find him sleeping peacefully under the covers--yes under the covers, on one of the guest beds.

8. Chaos. That's what happens when a freak thunderstorm pops up in the middle of an Easter Egg Hunt. I know there are still some eggs out there waiting to be found.

9. I'm reading a new book which theorizes that the Last Supper actually occurred on Wednesday rather than the more traditionally held Thursday of Holy Week. I know that some time ago, when I looked at the the gospels in detail that I felt much the same--there was too much stuff happening between sundown Thursday and 9 AM Friday for it all to work. The book is titled: The Mystery of the Last Supper and it is written by Colin J. Humphreys.

Easter 2011

Easter Lily in front of the Fireplace

It is here.

He is Risen.

Tell everyone.

Don't let the moment slip away--it hasn't happened before nor since.

It is truly special--and upon this one event, everything hinges.

Some say that Christianity is too rigid--because we believe that it is our way or the highway.

Show me a belief system that isn't.

Muslims kill infidels.At least Christians aren't doing that much anymore.

Hindus and Buddhists profess their way is the only way, too.

I think it is the inherent definition of a belief system/religion to be somewhat exclusive.

Ah, but I forget--we live in a country where first and foremost everyone believes that their way is right and that when confronted with the idea that they aren't right about something, they continue to believe they are right despite the evidence.

There is an advocate for everything--no matter how hokey.

I'm an advocate for the Risen Son.

Take that world!

Deny it all you wish--try to find a hole in the history--it hasn't happened yet.

It is not there.

Jesus rose from dead--by himself.

No one before, nor since has done that.

The God who came to us in Christmas is the God who redeemed us at Easter and desires a personal relationship with us every day. He wants a personal relationship with us so greatly, that he died for us.

Happy Easter. This is where the story didn't end--but where it began again.

Spring clean-up

I love heading off to the dump with stuff that no longer needs to be around the house.

Actually, I don't like to actually dump the stuff, but rather I prefer to recycle it all. Our dump is truly a recycling center and the over whelming majority of what I take there is recycled.

The other day, I was able to take a huge couple of truck loads of branches to the center to be recycled into mulch. I had my truck piled as high as I ever had it during those runs--but I was able to remove the stuff in two big loads.

I have also enjoyed using my chain saw--and although I now own five blades for it, I now know where to get them sharpened both conveniently and inexpensively. So I actually have three sharp blades and two dull ones right now--look out trees--you are gonna wish I wasn't armed and considered dangerous!

Actually, there is almost no harder tool to use than a dull chain saw.  Think about it.

Chris has been working her tail off too. I am very pleased with the amount of work we have accomplished so far--but with a house and yard--it seems there is always something more to do out there.

Watching the World Turn Green

I have been far more aware this year of the greening of the landscape.

I notice every day how the trees have gone from bare, to the reds of the leaf buds and now to the light greens of the newly growing leaves.

Mixed among the multitude of flowering trees, they provide a peaceful, yes, bucolic setting.

Chris reminds me every time I mention how green everything is getting, that I've said that before.

But it is true--I never really noticed the progression before, maybe it is just because I never really took the time to notice the progression of the season. It always seemed like one day it was bare winter-ravaged landscape, the next it was blooms, leaves, and spring.

This year, I am enjoying it more.

Watching the rebirth.

The colors which rival the autumn which everyone seems to appreciate so much.

I think the colors of renewal are far more exciting that the colorful robed trees that usher in the season of winter.

But, that's just me.

I'm enjoying it all--and the smells of the springtime too--the blooms on the breeze and the smell of freshly mowed grass.

Springtime Flowers in the Yard

Dogwood in the Back Yard 2011

I have been off this week enjoying the yard and the weather--which has been mostly tolerable.

The other day, even in the rain I was out putting down sod over the holes in the ground created when I removed the stumps. I wanted to get the grass down while it was still damp--because I believe it will take better that way.

  All along the way though, I have been enjoying the flowers in the year--my classic favorites the weeping cherry tree, the dogwood at the back of the yard, and my four bleeding heart bushes are absolutely magnificent right now.

Bleeding Heart in the Side Yard 2011

The flowers of springtime are especially beautiful to me as the days are still cool and the trees are not yet fully in leaf--these flowers and all of the flowering trees in this area provide a burst of color and life accompanying the spring rebirth.

I have already mowed--and the lawn needs another mowing this week. It is good that all of the plants are springing to life--and warming my heart as I pause--amid the hectic pace of my life, to notice them.

Weeping Cherry in Magnificent Bloom 2011

The weeping cherry is especially full and beautiful right now--a pink snowball of color right in the middle of my yard.

We are planning to plant a couple of trees to replace those we have lost during the past few years--a willow, a redbud, and potentially a dogwood are on the short list of trees to potentially grace our yard before the end of the week.

All good springtime trees--the willows are one of the first to green up and shake off the slumber of winter, while the dogwood and the redbud are both strong springtime performers. More color and more flowers for the yard.

Springtime should be even better next year.

Stumps No More

I love using equipment to rid myself of problems.

My most recent activity was removing 10 tree stumps from the yard using a stump grinder to turn them into mulch.

I have rented a stump grinder before--and it was an awesome experience turning tree stumps--those immovable objects in the yard that contact my mower deck and blades at those moments of inattention, into mulch and covering their hole with top soil and sod.

Instant gratification.  Green and gone.

The two largest stumps were the remnants of two dead tulip poplars I had felled two weeks ago--and so they will soon give way to green space. I still have to finish cutting and splitting them. Sadly, I learned my chain saw is too small to completely take care of one of them--so I will be looking to borrow or rent a larger chain saw.

The other 8 stumps were mostly remnants of juniper trees which suffered during the winters past--either being broken by the snow and ice, or disfigured as parts of other trees fell on them. Of course--there were a couple trees that Chris just wanted gone--like the apple tree that didn't produce edible fruit.

I had additional fun removing stumps for a couple of my friends as well--it is amazing how stumps seep to hang around in yards--a problem with no easy solution until we can finally rid ourselves of them. 

So in probably another five or so years, I will have to rent a stump grinder again--but for now, the mowing will be a whole lot easier and those low lying eyesores are gone!

Sunrise

The orange ball hung in the sky--
like a basketball as it pauses above the rim
after bouncing off the iron;
above the horizon, coloring the clouds
gracing the early dawn sky
with glow that made them alive
a flight of geese, silhouetted
flew across its face
while I was driving to work.

I watched the geese fly
skirting the trees--
they joined another flock
to begin their day
as was I--
speeding down the pavement
in my classic Jag on a rare outing
hurrying
on my way to work--
I could only take a snapshot
in my mind

I enjoy images like this as they happen
more
because they seem to happen less
or is it just
I notice them infrequently
I am lost in my own thoughts--
focused inward
I forget--
God's handiwork is better than
any painting in a gallery
fetching millions at auction.

I have be ready to see the scenes

Geese flying across the rising sun
they are still there
caught in my mind--
for me to replay
and be comforted and excited
about each sunrise--
every day.

Monday Musings - April 18, 2011

1. It is Holy Week--that period between Palm Sunday and Easter set aside to remember the sacrifices made for each of us.

2. Spring Break dawns with hope anew and thoughts of sleeping late.

3. Most heard phrase around the house: "Have you seen my . . . ?"

4. This date in history: 1775: The midnight ride of Paul Revere.

5. The Orioles have managed aseven game losing streak. Great--and after such a pomising beginning.

6. Heard in the lyrics of a song: "I'm really not a stubborn as I seem, said the knuckle to the concrete."

7. Today is stump grinder day!  The stumps that have been a problem in the yard are going to go away.

8. Passover begins tonight at sundown.

9. Ethan turned six this past week!  I have a six year old grandson! Am I old enough?

Spring Break 2011

Spring Break 2011 is upon me.


What are You Doing for Spring Break?



I am standing on the threshold of a week, which this year will not include a trip somewhere.

There is enough work to do around the house--I have visions of chippers and stump grinders and quality time with my chain saw.

If only the rain will hold up for a couple of days.

The smell of newly mown grass has energized me to be outside--doing stuff.

And there is a lot of stuff to do.

Although I have visions of being on a beach somewhere--reality says I will be in my backyard. It is like the line from the end of the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy reflects that she has learned: "if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!"

So for this Spring Break--my heart's desire is to be in my own backyard doing manly man things with powerful equipment.

Oh yeah--keep the six pack on ice for me, will ya?

Middle Class Tax Day Blues

Monday is Federal Tax Day--It is later this year, the 18th.

Talk about your classic no win situation.

If you get a refund--the government is giving you your own money back--and making you feel good about giving them a no interest loan.

If you have to pay (like I did) you look at the bottom line of hte tax bill and wonder if rocks can truly bleed and why it seems that the rich skate, the poor get hand outs, and all I do is pay, pay, and pay some more.

But, I am a good American and I pay my taxes. I am not even really trying to reduce my tax bute by sheltering money--which is probably stupid since probably everyone else is sheltering their money. And so, my bank account was debited yesterday for both my federal and state taxes owed!  I decided not to wait until the 18th.

When I spied my bottom line--not the tax due, but the total amount of taxes owed before subtracting withholdings--I was shocked!  I think some third world nations have GNPs less than my tax bill.

I know my total tax bite--(and I just realized that I forgot to add in my state tax bite) would be a good starting salary for some people.  Maybe I could just buy a teacher and not pay taxes? At least that way I would be able to know what my tax dollars are being used for.

At some point I'm worried that I won't be able to work because I can't afford the taxes. And I know I will never be rich enough to be at the point where I can avoid taxes altogether.

I despise tax season.

I fret about it from New Years Day until the returns are done and filed.  There is no joy in being confronted with the hard realities of being a middle class American in today's "turn the screws tighter on the consumer and tax payer" approach to government. 

Ugh! The frustration for 2011 is over at least. The payments are gone. I can wipe it from my mind until this time next year!