I was reading The Upper Room this morning, and the writer referred to a Bible passage that I am familiar with by virtue of having sung a piece of choral music based upon it. The actual verse begins at 1 Corinthians 2:9; it is paraphrased beautifully in the music. Thanks to You Tube I found a clip, although it doesn't credit the composer. ) :
Anyway, a song for Sunday:
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard,
Nor has it ever entered into the heart of man,
The things God hath planned for those who love him.
One of my favorite spirituals, this is one of the songs that plays quite often on the soundtrack that I carry around in my head. This particular version is performed by Allison Krauss (whom I consider a national treasure) and Gillian Welch.
The video clip, from the film, "O Brother, Where Art Thou" doesn't do much for me, so my suggestion is, just listen and enjoy. And have a wonderful Sunday.
The following piece of music is one of my favorites. It reminds me of my mother, the source of my love of music and the amazing woman and talented musician that she is.
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My life flows on in endless song;
Above earths lamentation I hear the sweet though far off hymn That hails a new creation: Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul— How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth; What though the darkness gather round! Songs in the night He giveth: No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging; Since Christ is Lord of Heavn and earth, How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it; And day by day this pathway smoothes Since first I learned to love it: The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, A fountain ever springing: All things are mine since I am His— How can I keep from singing?
Lyrics: Robert Lowry (1860) Melody: Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908)
Today's lesson comes from an extremely boring, typographic error-filled legal response to a lawsuit pending against my employer. Here it is -
"Substantial evidence means more than a scintilla but less than a preponderance."
Well, if you have to read through one of these documents, my thought is, at least learn something. Plus, wow, they used the word "scintilla!" I will probably remember this lesson(though I may forget the rest of the crap in the extremely boring, typographic error-filled document). Just thought I would share.
It's not unusual for me to wake up with music running through my brain. Seriously, I have woken up singing. This morning's music is a piece that I was fortunate enough to learn and sing under the direction of its author, Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer. Dr. Boyer was a Professor Emeritus at UMass Amherst and one of the editors of the hymnal, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", which is filled with traditional African American spirituals. Which white people can't sing too well, but under his direction, WOW, we sounded great. WOW. I loved every minute of it.
This clip is of one of his compositions, It's My Desire. It's deceptively simple, really fun to sing, and it IS my desire to be like Him. Him being Jesus.
Unfortunately the first phrase was cut off in the video - ) :. Let me fill it in: It's my desire to be like the Lord, ...
The rest of the lyrics:
It's my desire to be like the Lord,
It's my desire to be like Him. (repeat)
It's my desire (To show that I care), to be a friend (Doing my full share),
'Til the end (Though it is so rare), through rain and wind (To kneel in prayer).
It's my desire (To be a soldier), yes it is (For His great cause),
To live my life as He did His.
The note that the soprano hits twice near the end, that's actually written into the music, and Dr. Boyer called it a "high hoo". I love that - a high hoo!
As I was looking around for a clip of this to post, I learned that Dr. Boyer died last year at the age of 73. R.I.P., my friend, I look forward to more great music in heaven!
I guess I should give an introduction to this blog entry. So first, the back story. I work in county government, in the planning office. My job is as a technician, which means I interpret rules regarding how people are allowed to use their property. Which means people get pissed off at me pretty regularly, but I digress.
When I started working here, we were in the middle of a serious real estate boom. Wow, looking back I don’t even know how we were able to handle the workload, and I'm not exaggerating. Developers were buying up farms left and right, slicing and dicing and shoe-horning as many houses as could possibly fit into the smallest areas imaginable. The county had so many applications for land use that we had to schedule the usual monthly public hearing on two consective nights, and even with two, those hearings would last until the wee hours of the morning. That was about 5 years ago.
Fast forward to 2010. As you drive around the county nowadays, you will see many partially built out developments, as well as “for sale” signs advertising “Approved Subdivision – 448 lots” or “225 lots” or “137 lots”; you get the idea. Construction here has gone from boom to bust, just as it has in many places across the country.
So now (finally!) we in Kent County have a potential bright spot on the horizon – one of the approved subdivisions, as yet totally unbuilt, has been sold and a plan is being brought forward to turn it into a Solar Energy Facility. I personally think this is a brilliant idea. First off, we get to expunge the formerly approved subdivision, which was supposed to have had 216 homes on 148 acres. And that was only Phase One. Here’s what the proposed subdivision was planned to look like:
Not only do I love the word “expunge” (EXPUNGE!), but it’s like getting out a big eraser and wiping the slate clean – powerful. Second, we get to have green technology in its place. 148 acres of solar panels. I think we are going to get some mileage out of the positive publicity surrounding this project. Third, the design of this project has a tiny fraction of the impact that a housing development would have, for so many reasons. Of course less traffic, but also less impervious surface so less stormwater runoff ( a HUGE concern in an area that is flat as a pancake and whose soils are not exactly arable), and the spaces between the panels will be planted with clover, so ostensibly no mowing necessary. So far it sounds great. Here’s the preliminary proposal for the solar farm:
Now, when the Planning Officer first received this application, the name of the project was “Tuscany at Carpenter Bridge”, which is the name of the company that owns the property. Sort of sounds like a restaurant, doesn't it? My boss asked the developer to give it a name that better reflects what the new use would be, to which the developer replied,”What do you want to name it?” To which my fellow technician Kathy and I replied, “K.C. and the Sunshine Farm!” K.C. being Kent County, and c’mon, it’s a catchy name. However, it seems that the new name will be Renewable Solar Energy Farm at Carpenters Bridge.” Where’s the fun or imagination in that? Pfffffffffffffffffft.
The developer is stating that 320,400 panels will be installed, and will generate about 64 megawatts of power. That is purportedly enough to power 1800 homes for a year. The power will be added to the existing “grid”, though, so a consumer won’t know if they are buying solar power or not. Still, knowing that your "grid" has a solar farm has some cache, don't you think?
The application is scheduled for public hearing at the beginning of September, and I’m planning on attending this hearing just so I can hear what the public has to say. I can’t be positive, but I think the chances of this being approved without a lot of onerous conditions are quite good. Quite good. This is the kind of thing that government officials want their names attached to. Like I said, good press. And I’m fairly certain the neighboring property owners will be happy about it as well. Much happier than they were when the 216 homes were approved in 2006.
Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.
Do a little dance, Make a little love, Get down tonight, Get down tonight, baby.
Before I go off to visit the family and then visit my friend Gladys at the nursing home, I thought I would share some beautiful music. The following video is a clip from Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee celebration, and features the Saint Paul Cathedral choir singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You", the traditional Irish Blessing, music composed by John Rutter:
I hope you enjoy. What a peaceful way to start the week. Amen.
I love America! It's a great privelege to live here, for too many reasons to list. So Happy Birthday to my country and I hope she enjoys many more. She's looking good for a 234-year old!
The following is from The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. Of course it seems appropriate today, but I can't think of an inappropriate day to give thanks for her, and keep in mind that we need to do better. Note: when the prayer is read aloud, the words in italics are the congregational response.
Almighty God, giver of all good things:
We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. They restore us, though we often destroy them. Heal us.
We thank you for the great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them. Forgive us.
We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them. Inspire us.
We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light. Enlighten us.
We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again. Renew us.
Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name. Amen.
Not that I was looking to buy a new car, but as fate would have it, my old one was paid off and a friend was in need of a gently used, dependable vehicle. After learning that, the rest of the details fell into place rather quickly.
So, out with the Scion Xb, which I had fondly named Midge (the Midget-mobile).
In with the Scion Xd, which I have fondly named Little Eva (you know, of 'The Locomotion' fame).
And in with new car-itis. Here are the symptoms, in case you are looking for a diagnosis:
You leave for your destination with time to spare. No hurrying, one wouldn't want to get into an accident!
You no longer use your foot to close the door when you have your hands full. You gently push it shut with your hand (after emptying one or both), even if it means setting things on the ground to do it.
You park way the hell out in left field, far, far away from 'the crazy people' in the parking lot. Yippee, extra exercise, and unforeseen benefit!
You feel insulted (or worse) when a bird poops on your car hood. Don't they know it's new and that is inappropriate behavior?
You don't eat in the car. You don't leave litter in the car. You don't leave anything in the car.
You make time to wash your new girl on the weekends. Vacuum, too. Maybe even wax.
Oh, dear, I've got it bad right now. Let's see how long this lasts. I predict a cure in 3 months or less. A cure usually being a ding in the door, a scrape on a hubcap, or some such thing. Also known in my life as...customization.
I made that one up, aren't I funny? I have since learned that there is a Delmarva version of this joke -
Me: Guess what? You: What? Me: Chicken Butt!
Of course in kindergarten there was also this classic -
Me: I can make you talk Indian Talk. You: How?
First Grade
Me: You come over Here and sit Down.
For some reason, I equated this "joke" with getting away with cursing. It was told with gestures: pointing at 'you', then motioning for 'here' and then pointing 'down', which meant...H-E-double toothpicks (heeheehee). So naughty!
Fourth Grade
Me: What's the difference between a bike? You: Let's just insert the sound of chirping crickets here. You have no idea what I'm talking about. Me: An orange, because it's round! You: That's supposed to be funny? Me: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sixth Grade
Me: Two elephants were sitting in a bathtub. One elephant says, "Where's the soap?" The other one replies, "No soap, radio!" You: Haha?
This is the joke where you have more than one person in on the telling, and they agree to laugh with you when you deliver the punch line. The punch line that makes no sense. So the 'mark' feels like they should laugh, even though they don;t understand what's funny. Yup, it's mean and it's been going around for years and years.
Ninth Grade
Question: What do you get when you cross a gondolier with Helen Keller? Answer: A Venetian Blind.
I actually made this one up. If you've ever heard this joke, you have me to thank. Or blame. Yup.
Tenth Grade
The Flagpole Sitter
A guy is sitting at the top of a flagpole. He tapes a note to the top and starts to laugh. The more he laughs, the more the pole sways. The more the pole sways, the more he laughs. It gets to the point that he is laughing so hard and the pole is swaying so much that he can't hold onto it any longer; he lets go and is sent flying through the air, then hits the ground with a splat. Dead. So one of the guys watching this just has to know what could be so funny on that note taped to the top of the flagpole. He shinnies up the pole, reaches the top, reads the note and starts to laugh. The more he laughs the more the pole sways; the more the pole sways, the more he laughs. Finally he is laughing so hard and the pole is swaying so much that he can't hold on any longer; he lets go and is sent flying through the air, then hits the ground with a splat. Another guy dead! Well, yet another guy is watching and he can't believe what's happening, so he REALLY has to know what the hell is so funny at the top of that flagpole. He gets to the top, reads the note and starts to laugh. The more he laughs, the more the pole sways and the more the pole sways, the more he laughs. Finally he is laughing so hard and the flagpole is swaying so much that he can't hold on any longer; he lets go and is sent flying through the air, then hits the ground with a splat. Dead! Another one! Well the next guy on the ground absolutely can't believe what's happening. He shinnies up the pole, etc., etc.
This joke/story actually has no ending. It just goes on and on and on and on...ad nauseum. Seriously, if you have the stamina you can keep it going for hours. It can be embellished however you like. The king of this joke was a kid I grew up with named Eddie Patrick. We just thought the whole thing was hysterically funny, no matter how many times he told it. Probably had something to do with our illegal recreational activities at the time.
In my 20's
Me: Why do you wrap a gerbil in duct tape? You: WTF? Me: So when you f**k it, it doesn't explode.
I include this to indicate how messed up I was in the '80's. How embarrassing. A grotesque and shocking joke, unless maybe you're a teenage boy. Obviously I was looking for attention, especially the kind you get when you make people uncomfortable. There were other, even worse jokes I told back then...this is mild in comparison. The good news - I'm not that person anymore. Thank God.
In my 30's
A panda walks into a bar and orders a sandwich. The waiter brings him the sandwich. The panda eats it, pulls out a pistol, kills the waiter, gets up and starts to walk out the door.
The bartender yells for him to stop. the panda asks, "What do you want?" The bartender replies, "You come in here, order food, kill my waiter, then try to leave without paying for your meal."
The panda turns around and says, "Hey! I'm a Panda. Look it up!" So the bartender goes to the back room and looks up 'panda bear' in the encyclopedia. The passage read, "Panda: a bear-like marsupial originating in Asia. Known largely for its stark black and white coloring. Eats shoots and leaves."
This is one of my favorite jokes of all time. Very clever!
In my 40's
Me: If you're an American in the kitchen, what are you in the bathroom? You: Um, what? Me: European!
This one is from my ex brother-in-law, Todd, on whom I can count for good, clean jokes. I like my jokes clean nowadays.
The most recent joke I made up
So, a Bassett Hound walks into a bar, and the bartender says, "Why the long face?"
I crack myself up.
Yesterday
Me: Knock, Knock. Kathy: Who's there? Me: Smell mop. Kathy: Smell mop who? Me: You just said, 'smell my poo!'
Hmmm, on second thought, the evolution of humor? Not so much. Which to me, makes it even funnier.
I ate dinner with Mom and PJ this evening. After Mom went in to get ready for bed, PJ and I were sitting on the livingroom couch, watching the US Open.
Me: So did you use your Neti Pot* yet?
PJ: No, not on me, but I used it on Journey (and for those of you who know my sister, you know Journey is her youngest dog).
Me: What?? Did it work?
PJ: Well it went in one nostril and came out the other.
Me: You need to try it. On yourself.
PJ: Have you been using it?
Me: Yup.
PJ: Do you feel any different since you've been using it?
Me: Yeah, I think so. I think it helped get rid of my cold pretty fast.
PJ: Doesn't it go down your throat?
Me: If it does, then you have your head tilted too far back. It should just go in one nostril and come out the other.
PJ: Ew, ew, ew!
Me: Well, you did it to Journey...
PJ, laughing like a crazy person: I didn't do it to Journey! I can't believe you would believe that!
I was laughing so hard I was crying. So was she. What a hoot. But that's not the point of this story. The point, of course, is SHE LIED TO ME.
*Neti Pot - a small teapot-like vessel used to rinse out your sinus cavity by allowing water to flow in through one nostril and out through the other.
So there I was on a Friday afternoon, bored as usual. Winding down for the week. Oh hey, here's an email from my friend Mel! The one who used to work at the desk next to mine, the one who I trained as my back up, the one who is SO SMART and FUNNY. The one the Tax Office stole from me and refuses to give back, making my work life so much suckier (as PJ would say, 'but NO, I'm not BITTER').
Mel gave me the BEST blog name. Haha, and I checked right away and...it was available! But not anymore! So since I don't know how to change my blog name and not wipe out my few and far between fabulous posts, I started a new one. Let's just see if I can link to it.
So being new to blogging, and not wanting to ask for help from my lying sister, I found out yesterday that anything I post on Blogger will be ascribed to the same name; that is, if I am using the same email address. And now that PJ made a stink about my alias, I ditched it. No, no, not because of the stink. Just for consistency's sake. Crap, I love Helen Dunkel. Oh well.
No new sisterly lies to report today. Not yet. But it's only 6:40 a.m.
At least PJ confessed to stealing the blog name I threatened her with. I took too long in creating a blog. She thought I was making empty threats. The lesson here is, don't trust PJ, she will make a pre-emptive strike!
So I was forced to come up with a different name. And if you're reading this, then...you probably know my sister.
Let's just end with this for today:
I'm rubber, she's glue. Whatever she says about me, Bounces off me and sticks to - You Know Who!
