Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee

Misty Hollow Carving
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Today’s Blog Post
Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
My friend Joe sent this along my way via an email. It is so good I decided to re-publish it again in this Blog. In his account it was a mother demonstrating with her daughter. In the account below there is a Father, a Chef, that is talking with his daughter. Author is unknown at this point in time.

Some of my friends are facing adversity and obstacles of all kinds. At times they feel like they can not take one more step. Maybe this simple account will help them.
Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
A certain daughter complained to her father about her life and how things have been so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that just as one problem was solved another arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently wondered what he was trying to do. She had problems, and he was making this strange concoction. In half an hour he walked over to the oven and turned down the fire. He pulled the carrots out and placed them in the bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in the bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her he asked. "Darling what do you see?" Smartly, she replied. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee."

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee.

Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee. Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"

He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water. However each reacted differently."

"The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak."

"The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened."

"The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer."

"Which are you," he asked his daughter. When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with the smallest amount of pain, adversity, heat you wilt and become soft with no strength?

Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? A fluid spirit. But after a death, a break-up, a divorce, a layoff you became hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but you are so bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart, internally.

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean does not get its peak flavour and robust until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. When things are there worst, you get better. When people talk the most, your praises increase. When the hour is the darkest, trials are their greatest, your worship elevates to another level. How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
A Young Woman and Her Father who is a Chef
http://www.cwowfoundation.org/carrot.html

A Young Woman and Her Mother
http://www.learningplaceonline.com/living/inspiration/cup-coffee.htm

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

700th Posting - Going Up and Coming Down

Misty Hollow Carving
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Today’s Blog Post
700th Posting - Going Up and Coming Down
Oh my hands hurt… I can hardly type! My arms hurt so bad that I can’t hold them above my head yet. My ankles are killing me. I am bruised from head to toe. I am old!

But I am able to do big jobs with a little help… and did I ever get great help yesterday from so super friends and neighbours.

Three old guys together took down the better part of a 45 foot high tree. Still some to go… but the hard part is done. At least the high part is done.

There is nothing like dangling from a shifting perch that changes as the wind blows.

The great advantage is that I love heights. I love soaring with the birds… at least sitting with the birds.

On this my 700th posting on this Blog… I offer the photos following. If each photo is worth a thousand words… this will suffice my typing abilities today – when everything hurts so badly. Yikes.

Thanks to Fernand and Stewart – old guys that work hard!

~ Murray Lincoln ~ http://www.murraylincoln.com/ 
http://www.murraylincoln.com/ 

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Deep Tragedy of G20

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Today’s Blog Post
The Deep Tragedy of G20

Yesterday as I was in the Chinese Restaurant at 2 PM I had no idea of what was taking place just a few miles south of where we sat. Outside the restaurant there was a festival taking place with hundreds of Chinese folk celebrating. It was a party. Our food was delicious and the day had been wonderful.

Earlier we attended a wonderful church service at the Global Kingdom Ministries. The music was amazing, the Pastor was on fire and the dozens of old friends would not stop hugging my wife and me! We had come home again to people that loved us no matter what! I am still glowing from these hugs!

And little did I realize that I would be drawn toward the Black Bloc. After writing about the Idiots – yesterday… I found an email in my In Box from someone connected/concerned for these folks.

Meet “Marvin McLean” who sent me a link to a site that is declaring that all that the Black Bloc did was either infiltrated by Police or led by the Police. Marvin pointed to the site out of concern. But he did it through the “Pray for Leaders Today” Blog Post that I do each day – in my Ontario Provincial Chaplaincy roll (the other job that I have besides Misty Hollow Carving – see http://prayforleaderstoday.blogspot.com/  )

I watched closely all that I could of the TV and listened to the radio reports last evening as we returned from the day in Toronto. My heart ached for all the folk involved – and specially the hundreds that were arrested. The last report that I heard it was close to 450. Today it was stated that since June 18, 562 people have been arrested.

Each one is someone’s son or daughter, husband, wife, or friend. There have been more that 2000 affected deeply by these arrests. Lives have been changed and the families deeply hurt.

Why?

Attitudes, strong willed people and crisis moments that have led us to believe that some terrible people were involved in doing some terrible things.

Now Marvin points to the possibility that our Police have done some of the damage to get others going. He points to the Web Site that had some evidence of the Quebec City riots where they found that the Police were actually involved… and the evidence was the shoes that the protesters were wearing! Please read http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=19928  for more information.

WHY did it all happen? From my simple and sidelined approach it is all about accusations. Unfounded and unproved accusations. One side has screamed insults that have stirred the other side. One pushed and another shoved. Then someone did something stupid.

Now someone else is cleaning up.

My Ontario MPP leadership will be paying for this big time in the political world. They passed a quiet law that allowed the police to do whatever was needed in the up coming Protest – back at the beginning of June. That was just discovered this past weekend.

I can report that out community is deeply bruised by what has happened. It will take some time for this to heal. They are cleaning up today – quickly – as we want tourists to return.

That is kind of like hoping the song birds will return after the War is over and the last cannon has been fired!

My prayer today is… “God help us all… leadership… protesters… and public. We need your understanding of Peace.”

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bloc
http://prayforleaderstoday.blogspot.com/
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-27/police-arrest-224-g-20-protesters-day-after-violence.html

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Black Bloc Idiots – Dressing Up and Sneaking Around

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Today’s Blog Post
The Black Bloc Idiots – Dressing Up and Sneaking Around

How can any one be so stupid as the people behind and below the Black Bloc? Bent on stupidity and destruction they tore through the streets of Toronto reeking havoc yesterday… and perhaps even today again.

Dressed in black and not making any comment to press or people around them they mingle with legitimate protestors… then strike at symbols they hate… banks… big business and the like. Anything that they deem to be something that has hurt their world is their target. Mind you they are the judges and the jury and the executioner. They are the law and the enforcers of law – above all the others that are around them.

Then down the street they shed their black clothing and blend into the crowd acting like “normal” people chanting singing and walking together.

The Black Bloc are cowards to the MAX. They are afraid of getting caught.

They are also thrill seekers that get close to the edge and then run away. Take off their hoods and they are very likely wimps that work at everyday jobs that they hate… live with their mothers that dominate them and are oppressed by wives that despise them.

Yet under the hood they are someone special taking on the establishment that they work for but hate.

I think there must be some sort of sexual release or high from doing this kind of thing.

I knew a minister one time that had to leave the ministry. He was caught doing really weird things in a small town in Canada where he was the pastor of a well established church.

After his wife went to bed and the town was slowing down he would dress up in black clothing… don his black stocking hat… and cover his face with a black cloth mask. Then he would sneak around to the different homes of people that he knew and ones that he didn’t know – peeping in their windows and getting as much mental data on them as he could. He knew more about each person in town than they wished he would know.

One night after many sightings he was caught by the police. They dressed up in black as well and followed him.

Can you imagine the disgrace that his wife felt after they caught her husband sneaking around and frightening the community the way he did? She was mortified.

He was sneaky when I knew him and sneaky later on in life.

Sideline… he did enter ministry again in a Para-church organization… as a minister with a different group. In that work he became legitimate… kind of… if you didn’t know his background.

But who would trust him from then on?

If you knew that a neighbour was involved in the Black Bloc and had attended the protests and been involved – would you hire him tomorrow? Would you let them get involved with your daughters?

Not likely. Right?

They are idiots and are growing in numbers. They are idiots that have played way to many computer games that they are now believing they are the characters that they play with.

What a crazy world it is!

This morning some people are going to dress up fancy. They are not going to look like they look during the week. They will drive some distance and then get out of their cars… mingle with people they hardly know… then enter a big building… oh boy… how dangerous they are…

Ooops wait a minute… They are people that are going to church. They are pretty harmless and have pretty much stuck to themselves this week. Dress funny on Sunday… but harmless.

But wait a minute… the people that are of the Black Bloc and the Sunday Morning Christians… might be similar… at least some of them… Hmmm? They are different when they are all dressed up… compared to what they are when they don’t wear those outfits… Hmm?

Come on Lincoln… is this posting about the Black Bloc – or Christians? Hmmm?

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bloc

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Sound Cannons and Idiots

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Today’s Blog Post
Sound Cannons and Idiots

“Check, Check, Check…” followed by “Testing One, Two, Three…” is something almost everyone knows in the world of public gatherings using an amplifier and sound system. These words are used to help the sound man get the right balances and settings just right.

Often in certain settings you will find someone that doesn’t know exactly what they are doing… and the feed back will be a blast that no one will forget. Suddenly there is a screech that can set people jumping and quickly holding their ears because of the horrific scream that enters the room… actually not a scream but a very high pitched sound that is just plain horrible.

Should the sound man do it once he can be forgiven. If the idiot does it the second time he will get glares. If it happens the third time people leave the area until the stupid so and so gets the thing right. There is always angry people at this setting. Great way to set up a Church Service for the Love of Jesus to be spread around.

Now some really smart sound person… or one really turned off former church person probably invented this newest “weapon” that will be used today in Toronto. It is the Sound Cannon to help disperse the crowds that are intent on attacking the Summit area of the G20 meetings.

When these things are aimed at folk that are approaching a forbidden area the sound is almost sickening. Some have said that they feel upset stomachs and cannot hear after the blast.

There could be ear damage – big time!

Now there are some side things to consider. Should the typical lunk-head that drives his car up behind me with his speaker sound turned way up… so that I can hear his favourite tune in my car with the windows rolled up… be in that crowd - it will not affect him much. He will think it is good music. Wahooo! Go dude!

But should the persons in the Sound Cannon’s range have hearing aids in… they will likely die from the pain. Check this out with the Seniors in our church that complain when the music is too load. (Most are dead now so you might have a problem getting a witness in this area.)

The fact is that the ear splitting sound that is produced is unbearable is well know. Certain home protection systems use this method. It is said that the burglar will want to vomit before he steals anything.

The G20 Protestors will stand and take the Sound Cannon Shot and then sue the Police and Government for all its worth… because they cannot now hear anything correctly.

Today will be a very interesting day to say the least.

Have you ever wondered that the Protestors are the Idiots that are responsible for all the security issues around these kinds of meetings? All the extra money that is spent is because the people that are spoiled brats screaming and ranting because they don’t agree.

As a parent it was simple. When the kids did this… you simply gave them a time out.

Sound Cannons will do there job… but why not just take these dudes to a far away room and let them scream loudly?

Now the other thing that is good about these idiots doing their stuff… their actions have stirred the local economy – wherever they do their stuff by Billions of Dollars… some one gets paid these dollars to do this work. Getting paid is good. And an extra Billion dollars injected into Ontario’s economy is nothing but good for one weeks protesting!

Bring it on boys and girls… we love it. Plus seeing your ranting and weird faces on TV is better than good. The MMA fights that are banned in Ontario couldn’t touch the TV ratings that the idiots in the streets of Toronto are going to get. Wahooo!

I cannot wait for tonight’s news. Police 6 – Protestors 1… it will be better than FIFA stuff – and that is almost too exciting for words!

Does God care? Too funny! He is a patient parent. Last week he sent a Tornado and an Earth Quake to our area… now we are seeing the idiots come making more noise. We still don’t get it!

Bring it on… bring it on…

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/25/g20-sound-cannon.html

Friday, June 25, 2010

Buddy Boy and Dog Face at the Summit

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Today’s Blog Post
Buddy Boy and Dog Face at the Summit

Yesterday the Toronto TV Stations were reporting on the fact that a man had been arrested, his dog taken to the pound and his car was fully taken apart – at least its contents were strewn all over the sidewalk beside his car.

Why?

Well its seems that he was way too close to the G20 Summit Site in Toronto… and he looked suspicious… at least his vehicle did… and when they started inspecting what was inside – BINGO! All their suspicions were confirmed. This guy’s car was loaded with stuff that could be dangerous!

This is Summit Season in Toronto and Ontario! We are being Summitized and excessively loaded down with almost every cop in Ontario and North America focussing on two sites. One is in Huntsville and the Deerhurst Tourist resort… and the other is downtown Toronto.

The dude in his car, close to the Summit Site in Toronto, I call him ‘Buddy Boy’ was way too suspicious for the on guard coppers. So he was pulled over. The cop has been highly trained and alerted to suspicious looking vehicle and what to do with them.

Now it appears Buddy Boy was perhaps a kind of kook that lives in his car with his dog, Dog Face. But no one is saying anything more. He likely is having to wait until the busy cops that are sweeping the streets for suspicious vehicles and people are through to know what might happen to his dog and vehicle.

Get a grip dear friends… Buddy Boy is from Newfoundland and was heading through Toronto on his way to Fort McMurray to meet his Uncle who has a job waiting for him.

Buddy Boy didn’t know that a rattle trap old car would be looked down upon by a copper on a bicycle. In his home town, the RCMP don’t ride bikes… they drive cars. He was looking for something to eat and with all the road closures he kind of got sucked into a vortex of traffic nightmares and ended up in the wrong place!

Get a grip, Dog Face needs Buddy Boy! Let the poor sucker get on up to Sudbury where the air is fresh and the world is different – more like back home.

Oh sorry… he would have to drive by Huntsville on the way… and those coppers are everywhere along that highway in case Mr. Obama’s motorcade would be passing the old clunker that Buddy Boy was driving.

For Pete’s sake, Mr. Obama has a relative living in Burlington, Ontario! He has driven in Ontario himself… he knows we have lots of Buddy Boys here… with their Dog Face!

Yikes…

I was suppose to drive into Toronto this Sunday. Yikes! My old car looks much worse than Buddy Boys. My one redemption is that I will have a Old Granny in the front seat and another not so old Granny in the back seat. I do carry extra oil for the old car… double yikes!... and some lawn chairs…

Not sure I want to go now… hitting the media buzz might be kind of fun though… Hmmm?

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128087603

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Rumble from Inside and Roar from Outside – God Help Us

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Today’s Blog Post
Rumble from Inside and Roar from Outside – God Help Us

I went to bed last night totally exhausted. Yikes what a day!

During the day we had gone through the shocks of having an Earthquake be felt in our city and then in the evening the news flashed across the TV Screen that a potential Tornado was heading towards our city. The rain was coming down in a heavy sheet – for a few minutes reminding me of the Peterborough Flood just a few years ago.

That is a little much for our small city.

At the time of the rumbling of the Earthquake I was sitting at my display table in the lower level of Peterborough Square. I was demonstrating Tatting and Lace making. The place was directly below the Galaxy Theatre complex. There was lots of building above where I was sitting.

As I was speaking to a person at that moment I heard the sound of deep rumble that lasted longer than a passing heavy vehicle. In fact it seemed as if there was a very large truck passing over where I was sitting. But it was bigger… and all around me. It was not only a sound but things seemed to shake a little and then it was gone.

As a boy I lived quite close to the railway tracks in east Regina. Often when the big beasts of locomotives rumbled by you could feel the ground shake – and you certainly could hear them pass by!

That is what it reminded me of… a deep rumble.

The person that I was talking to stopped and looked up and then went on asking more questions. She felt it too. We continued to talk not knowing that perhaps we should have rushed outside and panicked.

It wasn’t until later that I heard what had happened.

Then in the evening, my mom came to my office door more than a little concerned as she told me of the news of the approaching Tornado to our city. The TV had interrupted its broadcast to warn us all. She had her purse in hand as well as a flashlight. She shuffled into the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat… waiting. I guess because it was the smaller room upstairs, it was the safest. She had her two prize things – her purse and her flashlight… and she was situated in the toilet. Mom hates being caught outside the toilet when she has to … well… you know! Being caught in your room without access to the bathroom is not so cool!

She failed to see the comedy that I saw in it all… with her sitting in the bathroom. Ahem!

What a day!

Are you ready for this…?
On the other side of life some of my friends are going through pure Hell in their relationships. I think that I could handle it if there was only one couple facing the deep struggles of marital problems.

At this moment I am facing three very desperate situations with three very frustrated Husbands. In each case their wife is leaving or has left with little or absolutely no concern for their kids, their families, their husband and their life.

In two of the situations there are other men involved. In one of the situations she says there is not – she is just having fun, being set free for a change with this new man!

Two of the situations are minister’s wives. In the other situation she feels she is a minister and being married to this “critter” holds her back from knowing God’s best.

What a bunch of Crapola! I have never heard such a confusing way of thinking than what is coming from these women!!!

Usually it is unfaithful men... you know the kind that are running helter skelter and dipping into something or someone younger. Usually it is the man that is the jerk that leaves his kids and his poor wife – for someone that will make him happy.

Right now three homes are being shaken from inside by deep rumbles within and roars without… by idiot actions of selfish people.

At least two of the homes are being affected by the roar from outside as another man that has come in to take possession of his new find… his newly conquered woman. Each of them thinks she has found new freedom… but instead she has found a NEW MASTER… and hasn’t got a clue.

The women think it is about a relationship. The new guy thinks about another one that he has conquered in bed!

In the three situations there are a total of seven kids watching what mommy is offering as her best example. They are seeing what mommy says they should do when they grow up and become adults. And these kids are crying… not understanding what the heck is going on! They had nothing to do with what mom is doing… absolutely nothing!!!!

Do you think that these kids will attend church again… if this is what God does to your mommy?

Then another couple just called and asked that my wife and I meet with them. Same stuff all over. This time there are four little kids involved.

Yesterday I experienced two close calls – and Earthquake and a Tornado. So did these families.

Yet – these husbands are now going through the absolute destruction of all that they have worked hard to achieve for their families – and particularly their spouse.

In a couple of situations the wife met the other persons on the Internet. In one situation the wife met someone on the Internet that led them to that someone special. Do you wonder at my reservation to people spending too much time on the Internet?

Now I am sorry if what I say next offends you… and the wording should be ‘cleaned up’… but there is no better way to put it… nothing strong enough to express in my world… and I slip down to their level to say it…

I think God is totally turned off with this “BULL SHIT” that he sees going on in his name and under his assumed umbrella of protection.

God has cried with seven kids that do not understand what mommy is doing or why. And God help four more that are going to see real soon that another parent that is no longer there…

That is 11… eleven… ELEVEN children that are messed with really stupid and selfish decisions! And if you think that using the words B*** S*** is too strong – please let me know what should be said.

God help us…!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Repeating the same mistake over again… is really hard

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

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Today’s Blog Post
Repeating the same mistake over again… is really hard
A story in one of my mom’s magazine tells of the 1930s and a woman’s experience of working in the Central Office of a Telephone company. You may remember the kind where a long row of Telephone Operators sat facing a black wall of phone jacks and a mess of black and red cords that she would use to connect one party to the next.

That was back when the ring at home was something like “One Long and Two Short” rings, and your neighbour could be “Two Longs and One Short”. And if you were unlucky “busy Beulah” would pick up the phone at the same time you took your call and then listen to all that you were talking about. You could hear her breathing!

Anyway… in the story, the former Operator told of one day when a man called into the Operator and asked the correct time. The Operator that took the call glanced at the Telephone Office Clock and gave the man the answer he needed.

Now stop for a minute and remember – when you needed the correct time – you called Central and the Operator would give you the time on Central’s clock. That way almost everyone connected to Central had the same time.

This particular day the man called again and again. Each time he was give the latest time… which the Central Office had been changing as well.

One Operator became a wee bit concerned why the same man had called a number of times to check the time and asked him – who he was and why he had called back so often.

His reply brought giggles to the Telephone Operators that day.

The man said, “I am the guy that sets the Town Clock and it seems to be changing… so I call and you girls give me the correct time.”

After he hung up they burst into laughing. Their clock was set according to the Town Clock that was not far from Central by looking out the window. Whatever was shown they adjusted their clock inside to match… which then was given in the next phone call from the man. He then changed the Town clock to match what they gave him. They then reset their Central Clock to the new Town Clock time – which was likely different when the man changed it again… who then called back to get the new time… which was different from the Town Clock by a little bit.

In their little world the time was never quite right in that the reference points were always a little off. When no one was right – everyone was wrong.

This simple story came through loud and clear today as I sat at a table in the Peterborough Square demonstrating Lace Making.

I was making a Tatted piece using an old pattern that someone had given me in a very old book. As I worked on it trying to figure out what was wrong… I could see that I had used the pattern and faithfully done exactly what I should have done… BUT it was all screwed up!

There was a mistake in the Printer Pattern in 1905!! DUH!

How many people had made the mistake over and over again – BECAUSE the Publisher and Printer had allowed and duplicated the mistake??! Dozens or maybe more… who knows!

As I sat at the table a pretty YOUNG LADY came to speak with me. She had beautiful little girl with her who’s name was Betty. Betty had big brown eyes and grinned when I talked to her. She told me she was 4 years old.

As the mommy talked to me she told me that she was only just 18 years old. She did not work and she did not go to school now. She couldn’t go to school as there was no place for her with a little girl.

She also told me that she was pregnant again.

I gulped a little and didn’t know what to say.

She then told me everything. She was kicked out of school just after she turned 14 years old. Two weeks later she found out she was pregnant. Think of it for a minute… just left her 13th year and now in the first month of her 14th year… going to have a baby.

She said, “When I knew I was pregnant I was too embarrassed to go back to the school, I didn’t have anyone to talk to… so I stayed home and waited… then I had her” pointing to Betty.

“Lots of my friends have babies too. They are about my age…” she went on…

I gulped again.

In the Telephone Operator’s Office it was a repeated Time mistake… with poor reference points. In my Tatting Pattern it was a mess because someone didn’t catch that one mistake…in 1905 and people have been repeating that same mistake over and over again!!!

Now in front of me was this beautiful young lady, Rebecca, who had stopped school in Grade 8, never graduated, but stayed home to become a much older Lady than her years would be… very quickly.

The only reference points she had were also messed up just like her life is now… with little hope of going back.

How can a girl of 18 with two kids sit back into a Grade 8 Class? I can only imagine how hard that would be to cope with. Many of her former friends are having their Graduation Parties now and heading to University. She needed to talk today.

Her daughter will be in Kindergarten next year. In a very few years she will read better than mommy.

I gulped again.

Repeating the same mistake over again… is really hard. Nothing Funny about that at all!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/ 

Below... situated in front of the Crop Circles Store in Peterborough Square - meeting people - lots and lots of people.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Sweet Pause for the Mind Circus

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Today’s Blog Post
A Sweet Pause for the Mind Circus

So have you ever heard of George Raymond Wagner?
How about William Edward Maguiness?
Or - Elizabeth Mary Furness?
And William Lawrence Boyd and Robert Emil Schmidt?
Or better yet – and harder to guess Bob Keeshan, Robert "Nick" Nicholson and Lew Anderson?

If you are about 60 years old and a bit younger you will know these folks well… though you may not know them by name.

Let me give you some more hints before I tell you the whole story.

George Wagner was known by another name and he also had an attitude. This quote might give it away..
“George Raymond Wagner was born March 24, 1915 in Butte, Nebraska. For a time, he and his parents lived on a farm near the village of Phoenix in Holt County and probably in Seward County before they moved to Waterloo, Iowa and later Sioux City. When George was age seven, his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he associated with kids from a tough neighborhood.” End quote

William Edward Maguiness had a name change… quote
“In the late 1920s clarinetist he formed a dance band, under his real name. A nightclub owner didn't like how "Edward Maguiness" looked on his marquee, so he impulsively changed the bandleader's name to the shorter and snappier "Ted Mack." The name stuck.” End quote

Elizabeth Mary Furness was better known as Betty Furness and was specially known for the words, “You can be sure if it’s Westinghouse”, saying the words as she stood in front of a Refrigerator.

William Lawrence Boyd and Robert Emil Schmidt – kind of had something to do with cowboys – but were not really cowboys.

Bob Keeshan, Robert "Nick" Nicholson and Lew Anderson made a lot of noise but never said a word… but someone/everyone understood them.

I would like to ask you to not read any further if you can… then come back after one hour with/for the answers…

One hour Pause…. Here…

Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda
Yadda Yadda Yadda

George Raymond Wagner was known as Gorgeous George – one of the first Best Known Professional Wrestlers in the 1940s and 1950s.

William Edward Maguiness had his name changed to Ted Mack – the host of the “Original Amateur Hour” on Radio and TV. He had the dancing cigarette packages on stage.

Betty Furness was a model and movie star, and TV show host… who was best known of her work with Westinghouse and what she said about them. It was all about endorsements – way before Tiger Woods!

William Lawrence Boyd and Robert Emil Schmidt, the kind-of cowboys were Hopalong Cassidy (Boyd) and Buffalo Bob Smith (Howdy Doody Time).

Bob Keeshan, Robert "Nick" Nicholson and Lew Anderson – were the First, Second and Third Clarabell the Clown. Lew Anderson, as the final Clarabell was the only Clarabell that spoke – and it was only two words with a whisper… “Goodbye, kids” – on the very last show at the very end.

Clarabell made lots of noise with his crazy horn. I have one on my bicycle now that makes the same sound!

WOW! What a rush for me to read these over! I remember it all! Yikes!
It is funny… these days the old stuff keeps popping back into my thoughts. It is like a circus inside of my head at times. I never have to pay to get in… I just close my eyes and I am there. Talk about wild.

But the really funny thing is that you have just experienced it again. Your own circus has had a troop of actors and special people marching around in your mind as well.

Now all together kids…
Buffalo Bob: Say kids, what time is it?
Kids: It's Howdy Doody Time!


It's Howdy Doody Time.
It's Howdy Doody Time.
Bob Smith and Howdy Do
Say Howdy Do to you.
Let's give a rousing cheer,
Cause Howdy Doody's here,
It's time to start the show,
So kids let's go!
(The Tune is of the “Ta-ra-ra_Boom-de-ay”)

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wagner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Mack_%28radio-TV_host%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Furness
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Boyd_%28actor%29  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bob_Smith
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta-ra-ra_Boom-de-ay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarabell_the_Clown

Monday, June 21, 2010

A Medal of Restraint – Hokey Mokey!

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Today’s Blog Post
A Medal of Restraint – Hokey Mokey!

Peter Worthington is a fairly reliable source most of the time – from what I have read. This time he has caught my attention with an article posted June 19, 2010 in the Toronto SUN… (you know the SUN Papers (all over Canada) – the ones that has not a lot of reporting about other stuff than Sports… and is filled with advertisements by the millions.)

If you sum up the feeling that you get from the SUN – it is a grunt and scratch paper for grunt and scratch kind of guys.

If you don’t like grunting and scratching, you will likely not read this paper… except maybe if it is a “Complimentary Copy” planted in a coffee shop… like it was yesterday. It was left on the table next to us. I carefully looked around to see if anyone was going to retrieve it… then picked it up to thumb through while we drank our coffee.

My wife looked over my shoulder as well and stated the obvious, “They sure do put a lot of sports in this paper… and LOOK at the advertisements!”

On the side… with everyone protesting about everything… and specially the amount of trees that are being killed… the SUN Paper must have killed a Gazillion Trees with this edition!

Sorry I got distracted…

Worthington’s article pointed to the fact that some one in their brilliance has proposed that Soldiers in the War be given a Medal for not having shot their guns off… and not having killed a Civilian. This is primarily to be given out now with the War in Afghanistan – where Soldiers must be popping off people that shouldn’t be popped off.

Now I may be wrong about this… but Soldiers are well trained as to how to operate their fire arms. They can take them all apart and reassemble. They can prepare them to fire. They fire them. They carry them. They know how to place the sights on someone and take them out. They know what the enemy looks like… kind of… and it is usually a person that is carrying a rifle or a bomb or is driving a rattle trap of truck or car right towards the Soldiers with the intent to BLOW UP the BOMB inside.

I don’t think I am wrong about that. So far most reports that I read have well trained Soldiers are ready to kind of… well… kill that miserable enemy with one shot preferably. Sights locked on… enemy in range and Kerpow! The enemy is gonzo!

But major leader has suggested the following. Peter reports…
Quote “British Maj.-Gen. Nick Carter, commander of NATO forces in southern Afghanistan, apparently came up with the idea of a “courageous restraint” medal, which Gen. Stanley McChrystal is said to be considering for U.S. and NATO forces.” End quote

“Courageous Restraint” – okay??? Seems a little weird to me. Maybe I am just a little off kilter here… but a highly trained Soldier that doesn’t lift his gun and doesn’t want to shoot… could be in danger… and could be dangerous.

All kinds of thoughts pop into my mind on this one.

Suppose… I am Soldier and the dude beside me is also a Soldier… and enemy advances and is almost on us… and my gun jams… he puts his down and smiles… GOING FOR THE BIG, NEW, “MEDAL OF RESTRAINT”… and we are dead! He gets the Medal and I don’t!

Something weird about this mental picture.

Nick Carter likely has a reason for this kind of suggestion. Maybe his men are simply finding it easier to pop off anyone that even looks like a guy that might carry a gun, a bomb or whatever. After all these dudes don’t play fair... they don’t dress up like the GI Joe Doll and carry a real gun! These poor soldiers are simply firing at random.

What does get reported is when one of our own Soldiers gets killed and another body comes home in a coffin – all medaled up and given great honor!

I don’t think another medal will make a difference. I think that bringing home the Soldiers NOW is a REALLY GOOD IDEA… before more are killed. I think we could have done that over 150 dead Soldiers ago!

I really don’t think that anyone will change a culture like Afghanistan to become Democratic… Westernized… structured like us.. yadda.. yadda… yadda! It aint gonna happen.

They have lived like this for so long that no one can remember when it started. They will not allow other religions to be practiced. They expect it all to go their way. They will not change.

“He was so proud of what the Forces were doing. He loved helping the people of the villages that they patrolled… we are going to really miss him!” said the deeply grieving mother of the dead Soldier.

If he wants to help quit the army and do it another way. I mean some of us don’t carry a gun or fight… or were trained to fight. And we can help people everywhere. Why can’t they do the same thing?

Am I anti-war? Nope! Some wars will be necessary. Many people will get killed. Bad stuff happens.

But something is wrong if you suggest that the Soldiers should stop shooting their guns and then give them a Medal! DUMB!

When thinking goes this way… someone needs to stand up and shout… “IT IS TIME WE LEAVE – NOW!”

The people that make the guns and bullets have a market. They don’t want the war to stop.

Politicians have a job to do arguing whether we keep the war up or not!

DUH! It seems so stupid that even one more Soldier is wounded – let alone die over something that doesn’t make any sense!

And a “Medal of Restraint” just pushes me over the edge. But maybe… just maybe… it is a good thing. When everyone realizes what is being suggested… they will stop and get out. It could be over.

But what about the radical religious people that are hurting everyone… and killing each other… and acting weird?

We have enough of it here in Canada! We need not go over there.

Downtown Toronto and some parts of Ontario now are completely nutso! The Authorities have erected fences and done stuff to make life really weird for anyone living there. AND THEY ARE NOT DOING THIS BECAUSE OF TERRORIST FROM AFGHANISTAN! They are worried about our PROTESTORS from Canada who break things, bust thing, hurt police officers… they are just plain crazy people.

I don’t think a Medal of Restraint will make a difference… I really don’t.

What a weird world I live in! A Medal of Restraint – Hokey Mokey!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/peter_worthington/2010/06/19/14450081.html

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father’s Day – Dads

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Today’s Blog Post
Happy Father’s Day – Dads

The funniest thing that I have witnessed in a long time… happened yesterday at Costco. We were there to make a mad dash through the store for a last minute purchase for the local soccer team BBQ.

Standing near the fresh flower display was a very old man with his wife, his daughter and son-in-law. The question being asked to the older man, who was likely in his 80s, was, “Dad which bunch do you like? You need these in your room… it is a great Father’s Day present!”

The poor old guy looked like he would rather be in Home Depot – not being caught in this compromising situation having to decide on which flowers should be in his room! Good Lord lady… wake up! Men don’t want flowers for Father’s Day! In your late 80s – you kind of steer around the flower part… because they will soon enough be on your coffin!

Give us tools! Give us a place to make saw dust happen… then we will be happy.

I was showing my carvings one place lately. A sad old man walked by and kind of grinned as he held on to the pieces I had on display. I asked him if he had carved. His answer was “Yep, used to do a lot of it until they took my tools away… they thought that I might hurt myself… wasn’t safe… might cut myself and then die… dumb… dumb… dumb!” Then he walked away.

Sure… take away his tools… then try to convince him he should have beautiful flowers in his room. REALLY DUMB!

Buy him an electric drill or something that stirs his memories of being vibrant and alive. Spray a little oil or Varsol in his room… let him feel the saw dust… that will make him come alive.

I almost interceded for the old guy at Costco… but I didn’t have time to stop. Sheesh!

I gotta run… gotta celebrate with some of my friends today.

Happy Father’s Day to all of you!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Up date on Katie Journey– June 19th Communication

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Today’s Blog Post

Up date on Katie Journey– June 19th Communication
Evelyn Wilson - June 19, 2010 at 8:19am

Subject: update june 19
good morning everyone.. if you are in the Trenton area, there is a yard sale/silent auction at 117 dufferin, wow they have lots of great stuff- thanks to all who have donated to that :)

please pray for katie today- she has not been able to keep anything down since last night. she has done a lot of sleeping since Thursday ( which the doctor said would happen) so she is getting a good sleep most of the time. also pray that she does not get a fever , if she does we must take it to the ER immediately.
despite how she is feeling she still has a wonderful attitude and is really postivie .. it is because of your prayers, comments, gifts and vists that have been so very helpful.

I stopped by the Puffer house ( where they are holding the yard sale) and three of Katie's friends were there who have shaved their head in support of Katie. Girls you are BEAUTIFUL! thank you
I had a chance last night to attend part of the Scott Reid Memorial Golf and auction last night in our area. Scott was a fabulous guy and bball player who lost his battle with cancer a number of years ago. They raise money to help families whose members have been diagnosed with cancer. It was a great evening ( thanks Tara and family) to see how one family is paying it forward. you can check out their web site ( cant remember it but google the Scott Reid foundation and you will see what they do and who Scott was) . It was a fun evening for me to "get out"

once again thanks to everyone who has contributed dropped off so many different gifts and everything. It is muchly appreciated.
If you wish to visit- please call ahead . we love each and everyone of you and the word Thank you seems so inadequate for everything that has been done for our family. but THANKYOU!!!!

love Katie, Evelyn, Brent, Jacqui and John

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Friday, June 18, 2010

Katie’s Family and the Mystery Person’s Family – June 17th Communication

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Today’s Blog Post


Katie’s Family and the Mystery Person’s Family – June 17th Communication
The following is a tremendous glimpse into two families that are facing cancer. One is Katie’s family. The other is a Mystery Person’s family.

Katie’s family is portrayed in the message from my friend Evelyn, her mom.

The Mystery Person’s story is not able to be told yet. There is a demand for secrecy!

Read on…

Katie’s Family
Katie is 15 years old, the same age as my grandson Clifford. Right in the prime of her life, the cancer has struck. The vibrancy that is usually there has been intercepted by this new reality.

Katie has two siblings, Jacqui and John. Her mom and dad are Evelyn and Brent. Although Katie is the one that has the cancer – everyone is deeply affected. The world has turned upside down for everyone in the Wilson family.

But as you read this latest message I am asking that you notice the way that community has come around these folks. It is amazing to see what has happened.

One thing to note is the fact that a certain drug that they are going to be using is very, very, very expensive. At $2700 a vile, with at least 5 needed, that will cost this family $13,500 for the first treatment. YES – it will cost the family because our Ontario health care system, OHIP, will not pay for it. If Katie needs more than this she I know they will be sure that she gets it.

REALITY… the Wilsons will need a medical and financial miracle to cover this and costs of travel back and forth to the hospital.

From Evelyn Wilson - June 17, 2010 at 11:03pm
Subject: update on Katie
Hi everyone.. first of all THANKYOU all for everything!!!!!!!!!!!
We have been blessed by the generosity of everyone. We have been blessed by the many gifts and outpouring of support. We now own a laptop. Katie has one and I now have one.. thanks to those who contributed to that..

I apologize for the delay in the updates.. the hospital has BANNED facebook so I cant get on fb to update..but we are looking into a rogers rocket stick or bell one so that we can override that...

so we are now home for 2 weeks ( well we will be heading to OVPC in 10 days... yippie)
Katie has done incredible this week. She began her chemo treatment on Monday and finished her first week on Wednesday. The drugs she is on this cycle is Doxorubicin and cisplatin. They tell us these are the two toughest of the drugs and the tougest week of all is this week. so she has done absolutely incredible .. she has been sleeping lots and has been nauseated but has not been "sick" which we are very greatful for. Today she got an injection of Neulasta which is a drug that has proven to be very successful in treating those who have chemo .. it is a very expensive drug( $2700 per vile and Katie will need at least 5 of them) ( if you are looking for a cause.. ask your MPP or your MP why such a successful drug for cancer is NOT covered by OHIP)
so we are looking forward to 2 weeks off before we begin another round they say that next week will be a rough week for her and the following week ( when we are at camp) should be a good week for her and they have said it is the best week for her to be at camp with regards to how she will be feeling. .
The protoccol is that we do the Doxorubicin and Cisplatin ( Monday- wednesday we can have homecare come in and administer the expensive drug ) then have 2 weeks off then we go back for a drug called Methottrexate ( high dose) for Mon- Thursday then have fri- sunday off then back for another Mon- Thursday Methotrexate then off till the next Monday for Mon- Wed Doxorubicin and Cisplatin then 2 weeks off and start it all over again. But each Monday when we go up to Toronto if Katie's blood counts ( white) are not high enough we will be pushed back a week. They will look at doing surgery after the 15th week after they do another cat scan, body scan and MRI. so that is our new routine for a while. It is a 31 week process ( without any delays)
so once again please continue to pray that when we drive to TO that her counts are good .. it will not be fun driving to TO only to have to turn around and come home. WE are continuing to trust and know that God has everything in control and He has been with us this first couple weeks and we know he will continue to walk with us thru this journey

again we thank each and everyone of you and all your comments, thoughts, donations and mostly your prayers. we are so blessed with a great family and friends. The hospital staff is incredible and they have taken to katie ( they usually dont get them this young ) and they are spoiling her and loving on her wonderfully. They are all so impressed with the outpouring we have recieved. It is a testimony of what a great community we are from...

thanks for your patience in waiting for an update..

on the homefront- thanks to my family and some friends who have come and helped "sterilize" the house

jacqui was asked to perform today at THS year end assembly- she sang a song she wrote ( I am hoping that someone taped it) and has been asked to sing O Canada at her graduation . We are very proud of her

John has recovered nicely from the accident and has been a huge help around the house as well as jacqui! They are sacrificing so much right now and we appreciate those who have been reaching out to them as well so they are not forgotten during this time.

we love you guys

Katie, Evelyn, Brent , jacqui and John

The Mystery Person and Family
ON THE OTHER SIDE… I am watching a family deeply affected by selfishness. Someone is caught up into having their own way about everything. The Cancer of “Selfishness” is ripping and tearing the fabric of family apart. Side affects are lust and affairs. The Mystery Person, in particular, is simply blowing my mind with the decisions that are being made. This person knows better and is destroying everything.

So as you read this today… I ask you to pray for two people…
1.) Katie and family
2.) The Mystery Person and family

Both represent the tragedy of a cancer… Katie’s cancer is very dangerous. The Mystery Person has a different “cancer” but even more lethal… “Selfish” which is under the guise of spirituality.

Both families are going to need intervention.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Lang Village - Today

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Lang Village - Bright Eyes - lots of talk... gotta run... more later

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Catching Up with what I have missed

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Today’s Blog Post

Catching Up with what I have missed
The day was perfect. A slight breeze, brilliant sunshine, the green field and the bright red berries hanging from the plants. Wow! Can it get any better?

I was in the “Strawberry Fields Forever’… and like the Beatle’s song… it almost is a dream.

Yesterday I was with the love of my life doing what she loves the most – picking strawberries. Amazing – simply amazing.

This is not something that I haven’t done for so long I cannot remember. Actually I am ashamed to tell you – that I do remember.

For 42 years I have been too busy. I have been always working, running, doing. I was a ‘human doing’ for way too long. Instead God’s plan was for me to simply be a ‘human being’. But professionally – I had to maintain the ‘Doing’ part!!! If not I would not have been paid… at least that was what I had convinced myself.

As I was on my hands and knees the smell of the ripe, red strawberries flooded my every sense. I reached under one plant to retrieve the hand full of berries and they were so ripe that my fingers plunged into the juicy, plump fruit. So I had to eat them.

A number of times I reached under the strawberry bush to pick what I thought was three or more berries at a time… instead it was ONE BERRY that filled my entire palm. The first one was the biggest berry I had ever seen… so I ate it. I did that for about four more of these giants until I didn’t want anymore.

Sorry I didn’t get any photos of these ones – as my hands were too juicy and red to handle my camera!

The smell again… reminded me of a time many years ago. In fact it was 42 years ago in New Brunswick… 42 years ago this very week that the memory came back again.

Alida and I had been married in September 1967. The memory was made in June 1968. She was very pregnant with a very plump baby who would arrive in about a month’s time. That baby would be Dana.

Alida and Dana made up a fairly large size picker. In fact I can also say that the two were somewhat uncomfortable bending that low and being that “big”. So Alida found it far more comfortable to go on her hands and knees on the straw bedding looking for the strawberries.

With that posture her hands were getting red… so were her knees as she crawled along… but so was her maternity shirt as it dragged along over the berry bits in the straw.

42 years later, yesterday, that memory flooded back as if it had just happened. What a rush! I was young again. I was with my beautiful wife… we were giggling and having a ball… just like the old days of so long ago.

The regret kind of nudged me as I walked back to the van with the six huge baskets we had picked. I felt that I had missed something for along time. It was then that I wished I had not been so busy for so long.

Over the last 12 years I have been way too busy. I have tried to solve the problems of so many by listening to them, encouraging them, being with them… while Alida has gone about picking the Strawberries and doing what she could by herself. She has come home from these outings of berry picking and said to me many times over… “I wish you could have come with me…” then shrugged her shoulders and went on with life.

I was foolish and way too busy. All the people that I tried to “help” are only distant memories now. I cannot even remember most of their names. Only a few are good friends now. Most are gone.

As we placed the six quart baskets in the van… Alida took my hand and squeezed it… she giggled… and said “This was so much fun having you with me!” I gulped and wished that I had been here for the last 42 years – instead of “doing” whatever.

Not long ago I stood with a man that had just said ‘good bye’ to his lover. They had been married for over 50 years. His regrets were so many that it overwhelmed me. He sobbed. “I wish we could have done more together. She wanted me to… but I was always too busy… just too dam busy!”

Last evening I thought about that a lot. I promised myself… that it will never be that way again.

We have a few good years left… and I intend to spend it with the one that I love... the way it should be spent… living… loving… and laughing. If I seem too busy to talk to you… well I am. If you can’t get me on the telephone… leave a message. I am busy now… way too busy catching up with what I have missed.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/ 

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Other Side of Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace – Devine Excitement

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Today’s Blog Post


The Other Side of Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace – Devine Excitement
I suppose I need to tell the other part of yesterday’s story. You know – “Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace”… the one that I posted yesterday.

Well the day started with the drive to Brighton, Ontario. We only found the Swans and the Tree Swallows by accident. That part of the Peace-filled Day came after tremendous excitement. Talk about Roller Coaster ride of emotions. I needed the Peace after the Ride!

Our reason to get down to Brighton was all about a place called Waddington’s – the ultimate Antique Dealers dream place. The Ultimate Antique Collectors place as well… and a place where the two meet with their flashing Antique Auction Flash Cards… you know the one with the big number on it so the auctioneer can see how who you are. But you are only known by a number.

Waddington’s is tucked away in an industrial plaza of sorts… a place where big trucks and warehouses are struck. It is in the south of the main area of this little town.

Being not far from Toronto it attracts dealers from that area.

Being tucked into the heart of “old country” the furniture and the old stuff is amazing. Almost everything is from estate sales from the look of it… and very good estates at that.

Now back up for a minute. The journey to find the “antique auction at Brighton” has been my wife’s for a number of years. But being trapped in the pew each Sunday with her husband preaching each week to her (and the congregation) she has not been able to get there. To get to this antique auction was one of Big Items on her check list.

On Sunday morning we were able to tick it off our list… but then put it back on the list again as she stated with a twinkle in her eye, “WE ARE COMING BACK!”

Now there is something about an auction that is hard to describe in words in this blog. In fact it is almost impossible to capture the excitement!

The fast talking and fast moving auctioneer moved rapidly from item to item. If you turned to ask a question the item was sold before you turned back. Two and sometimes three people kept ahead of him… just barely… holding items up… holding their hands up and touching the furniture item with the other… or lifting the box full of unlisted items that went in a heart beat.

This was so exciting! This was so exhilarating! This was so dangerous! Rubbing your nose at the wrong time put you in. I raised my camera to shoot a fast photo at a moment and the auctioneer looked at me to see if I was in at $950 for the table! Yikes… I barely avoided his eyes and scooted to a less conspicuous place for the next shot.

This auctioneer was amazing really. It was good to just see him in action.

If I only would have had about $5000 extra I would have flashed my hand a dozen times! If only….

Instead I found another short path kind of back in the corner to a whole other area of things that were for sale. They had already been up for auction at an earlier time and for one reason or another they were left behind. BUT IT WAS AMAZING STUFF! And YES I did buy some of it! Who wouldn’t?! It was only a dollar a piece and sometimes even less.

I grinned from ear to ear as I paid next to nothing for stuff that was priceless for me.

I do admit by that moment as thousands of dollars were rippling through the audience of flashing cards… I thought the $29.35 that I blew seemed like nothing at all.

WOW what a place! Alida was beaming from ear to ear! She said it again just in case I missed it the first time… “YES WE ARE COMING BACK AGAIN!!!!”

It was 11 AM. Most of my Churchy Friends were sitting and listening, doing Churchy stuff… another sermon at that minute, a few more prayers…etc. The Presbyterians would be closing their church service and the Pentecostals were just getting warmed up.

And I was walking out of Waddington’s with my bag full of treasures!

Every once in a while my wife and I meet the Pastor and his wife from that small town. We asked them if they had ever been to Waddington’s. Their answer was kind of funny. “Never heard of it…” she replied.

But then again… when you are in church a lot… you can’t get to these places.

And my wife doesn’t have to sit there each week anymore. She has this check list that the two of us are working on.

Some ask how we can do this kind of thing? Well it is easy. Look at the list and make a decision which one we will do next. Toss a picnic lunch together, then toss Granny(my mom) in the car as well. And off we go.

It is way too much fun! I almost feel guilty… almost… but not quite.

AND you should see my stuff… amazing stuff!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/ 

Monday, June 14, 2010

Oh the Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace

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Today’s Blog Post
Oh the Peace, Peace, Perfect Peace

As we sat beside the still water the only sound was a far, far, far away motor boat putting across the bay. When I looked up it was very small on the horizon. There was no wind. It was perfect peace.

This was our mini holiday in between stuff happening.

It was about then that we discovered the beautiful swan swimming in the water out from the shore. Perfect peace was all around us. It was an envelope.

It was at that still and perfect moment that the small bird swished by my wife’s head… just inches away. I looked to see where it came from. There, behind where we were sitting, was a bird house mounted on the giant tree. In the house was a small beak peeking out. Within in seconds the beautiful blue green bird was back again with another treasure of a beak full of bugs.

This was my very first encounter with a Tree Swallow. What entertainment! We watched for about an hour – swish, swish, swish… was he and she ever a busy bird… and these chicks were hungry.

With the simple bird book that we have I also found out the Swan was a Mute Swan, making no noise other than a grunt.

We watched the bay further out. There bobbing on the water was a whole family of Mom, Dad, and babies. Way to far to get a clear photo.

As we ate our lunch we were thankful for the calm of the day. The weather was perfect… not too hot … not too cold… a little sun… no rain. What more could I ask for.

At the moment that we sat there other people were in church. Ministers somewhere, like I used to be, were busy preaching sermons that might be listened to… worrying about offerings that may not be big enough… and thinking about who might object today to what was stated in the announcements.

I am a retired minister, enjoying days away from the grind of church.

Why can’t church be on the side of a bay watching beautiful birds entertain? I think Jesus would have been with me yesterday instead of a hot and humid church… with people folding their arms and motionless.

I made a video of the Swans. You can see it on YouTube at the address listed below. We discovered a whole family further down the shore – close up… what a joy!

I have to run now to meet about 200 excited Grade 3 kids again. They are already climbing aboard buses. It will be busy today at Lang Pioneer Village.

I love the Perfect Peace… oh the Perfect Peace..

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
My Video - Brighton Swans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYjx7hCfB9k