A Flyover Blog

What's Your Calling?

 

"There's a voice in the Universe entreating us to remember our purpose, our reason for being here now in this world of impermanence."

- Wayne W. Dyer

This is Disturbing

Our friend, Cathy, forwarded us this story about a pastor and his wife from Bonita, California, who were recently questioned by authorities for hosting a small Bible study in their home. The story is making the rounds on the internet and, understandably has religious groups up in arms. I find the story disturbing too, but what I found equally upsetting was the fact that several religious groups are using it to solicit money. I think you're supposed to assume that your donation will help them ward off the End Times. I am not suggesting you send a donation to anyone. If, on the other hand, you feel government in San Diego County has overstepped, I am providing you with this Wiki Link to Bonita's government page. You can send emails to whoever you want. Consider yourself informed.

Red Friday - May 29

  

Tech. Sgt Jeffery Mikaio makes a new friend during a visit to a Filipino orphanage where more than 20 Airmen donated schools supplies, athletics equipment and toys last month at Angeles City, Philippines. Sergeant Mikaio is assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

 

U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Clowney 

This Saturday: Fiber Days!

 

My two East Coast friends, Patty and Caron, are hosting their first ever Fiber Days event at Freehaven Farm  this coming Saturday, May 30th, in Simpsonville, SC. Caron and her wonderful farm have been featured by National Geographic; Patty is an incredibly gifted teacher. Together, they are  an unbeatable team. The theme for this Saturday's program is From Hoof to Handspun and Beyond. Attendees won't be bringing skeens of store-bought yarn; they'll be starting from scratch, meaning they'll begin by learning how to shear a sheep or llama.

Sadly, I cannot swim the Mississippi to attend, but I will be there in spirit tromping across the pasture, stepping in poo and flubbing up my assigned tasks in every way imaginable! Seriously, I am honored to know these two fantastic women. Here's a link to one of their YouTube videos called Warping A Rigid Heddle Loom. Don't ask me what that means cause I don't know. It's fascinating to watch, though. If you'll be in the greater Simpsonville area this weekend,  I urge you to attend. It'll be a day well spent.

Photo of handspun treasures courtesy of Freehaven Farm.

Wow

  

I accidentally stretched my brain over the holiday weekend.  Kinda hurt, but I think it was good for me.  It all started when I heard a radio promo for a new band, Chickenfoot. which features Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith, so I made a note to run on over to YouTube and check it out. On the way, I glanced at the remote section of AOL News - you know, the hidden place where they put real news as opposed to Hollywood gossip and IQ-lowering polls.  I like to read the real news, especially science and space exploration stuff.

So, I saw a headline about a breakthrough discovery which had a link to a YouTube video, so I clicked on it and found a nine-minute interview  with NSCL Senior Physicist Daniel Bazin about the discovery of a new Doubly Magic Tin Isotope. Yeah, I'm talkin' nuclear physics.  Two things imediately struck me about this video: 1) it had been on YouTube 6 months yet I was only the 217th soul to watch it, and 2) there were no comments. I realized I was hopelessly lost 10 seconds in, but Daniel Bazin was so enthusiastic about the topic that I watched the whole thing. Thank God, there were pictures. I really wanted to post a comment, but couldn't come up with anything weightier to say than "Cool" so I left it blank - and that's when I realized why the people who viewed it before me didn't comment either. We weren't being rude; we're just clueless.

So, I dare you to watch Daniel Bazin's interview. Why? Because his work is important. If your eyes glaze over halfway through, sit your kids down in front of the computer and make them stop texting long enough to watch it, too. Maybe they'll get it... Could happen.

You know, this may be the first time in internet history that Sammy Hagar and nuclear physics were written about in the same post. Cool.

A Thought for Memorial Day

 

"The brave die never, thought they sleep in dust:  Their courage nevers a thousand men."

- Minot J. Savage

 

 

It's Spring

 

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again."

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Red Friday - May 22

 

U.S. soldiers establish a patrol base during Operation Viper Shake (last month) in the mountains surrounding Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. The troops are assigned to the1st Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment.  

 

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller    

Bye Bye Flickers

 

On May 11th, I told you about the new residents at our house - a pair of gorgeous Northern Flickers. They excavated a hole in the tall tree that had been struck by lightning some time back, but was still more alive than dead. I worried a little about that tree, but hey, what are you going to do?  Last Wednesday night we had severe weather. A small funnel cloud and swirling debris were spotted by police in the street by our house, but Thursday morning everything seemed fine - no missing shingles, no broken glass. Thursday was a busy day so I paid no attention to the Flickers.

Late Friday afternoon, I went outside to do a little weeding before the next storm came in; we were already under a Severe Storm Watch. That's when I noticed the Flickers were missing. I discovered the reason why when I took a closer look at the tree. During Wednesday night's storm, it had cracked all the way across, just above the birds' newly built home. The Flickers were long gone; I'm sure Mr. Flicker got an ear full, too: I told you  not to build a house in that tree! The entire top of the tree was leaning  - think Nearly Headless Nick from the Harry Potter series.

 

Fearing it would come crashing down on top of the house, I started searching the yellow pages for a tree trimmer. Mind you, it was after 6 on a Friday. I chose Selvey's Tree Service for no particular reason. Mitch called while I lined up the next number (I didn't expect we'd find anyone willing to come out that night.) Owner, Brad Selvey was in Kansas City at a family graduation when he took the call. He phoned one of his men at home, who came right over. He determined that if the wind did snap the tree during the night the top would be supported by the others or would fall across the street, not the house. With a new storm bearing down on Springfield, we sent him home. Early the next morning, Brad Selvey and David arrived and had the tree down and gone in an hour. I was extremely impressed with this service; what nice men!  They did a fantastic job watching for traffic and clearing up the fallen limbs so that when the job was finished, you'd never know a tree was missing.  Thanks, Selvey Tree Service!

 

This Is May, Right?

So, the other day I jumped into the car to run a quick errand and discovered I forgot my wallet. Duh.  I quickly pulled into the next street and whipped into a driveway to turn around. When I glanced at the front of the house, I saw a Christmas tree - an obviously dead Christmas tree - standing in the front window all dried up and brown. Yeah, it was still decorated. My first thought was, these people must be dead and nobody knows. However, there were no newspapers piled up on the porch, no mail overflowing the mailbox, no buzzards circling the house. I was confused. Now, I look every time I pass the house to see if it's still there. As of yesterday, it was. I'll let you know if they replace it with a fresh one in December.