Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Hand Dryers in Restrooms ~ Interesting
So the newest email that is arriving from a number of friends states…
“Everyone in the cleaning industry has always been told that hand dryers in restrooms are not sanitary, they spread germs and bacteria around. I always thought that this just came from the paper companies because they are loosing sales to the hand dryers. A couple of years ago, I was working with a rep, and I noticed that after he washed his hands and noticed that there were no paper towels, only a hand dryer he left the restroom with wet hands. I asked him about it. He said that hand dryers blow a lot of germs and bacteria around. He also told me to take a look under the hand dryer next time I was in a restroom. There is a filter underneath the hand dryer that is supposed to be cleaned on a weekly basis. I looked at one and it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. It had layers and layers of caked on gunk (disgusting). Since then I will not use hand dryers in restrooms. Now this is where the story gets really interesting. The schools and universities that have had the H1N1 (swine flue) outbreak this year are being told by the health department that they have to take out all of their hand dryers and replace them with towel dispensers because the hand dryers are spreading disease. Please pass this along so everyone knows not to use hand dryers.”
Being the Detective I am - I looked this up on Urban Myths - http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/medical/a/hand_dryers.htm
and also
Hoax Busters
http://www.snopes.com/medical/swineflu/handblower.asp
As of November 9, 2009, both state that they are looking into it...
I want to go on record here and state that the Hand Dryer is DANGEROUS for some obvious reasons. But there is more to it than a dirty filter.
I can testify to the fact that, as a man, walking into the Men's Washroom is down right dangerous! The room is hot and moist... the Toilet is often not flushed... there is urine everywhere around the toilet seat and on the floor... and the surface stuff is drying - filling the air with "stuff molecules". The Urinal is often almost over flowing with a mixture of other men's Pee mixed with butts and gum and other stuff... it is dark in colour, stinking...and evaporating...
After I am done... I wash my hands and then leave the place using a tissue form my pocket... or a paper towel to open the door...
I NEVER TURN ON THE AIR BLOWER... that is simply circulating the smell of Hot tihS and Hot ssiP that has been air born for the last number of hours in that small cube called a bathroom as the wet stuff is evaporating. Turning on the hand dryer circulates all of the heavy molecules at a very high speed so you can breath a better mixture while drying your hands. In fact I try not to breath if some one else has turned on that blower, but holding your breath that long when you really have to go is downright dangerous. And standing at the Urinal, breathing into your own elbow while doing your thing is kind of ridiculous and dangerous.
The next best thing is to breath only through your teeth... not your nose... and then spit long and hard for the next 25 minutes after leaving the bathroom...
The alternative is to blow your nose hard - and if you don't the image of the tihS and eeP Icicles hanging from your nose hairs inside your nose and other nasal cavities can pretty much ruin your day... and you can smell the Icicles for hours afterward...
In regards to bacteria in the air... I am not sure... but I think that God gave us the ability to detect bad smells to keep us away from where bacteria might be - that way we survive as a human race...
Going into a closed, small, stinking, tihs and ssip smelling bathroom with a hand dryer is just plain stupid... but turning it on is tantamount to insane!
The email’s content warns of a dirty filter. That filter may be dirty – but if you don’t turn on the hand dryer – you still breath and the only filter you have are the long nose hairs – with icicles.
Now the real issue is... one time when I tried to leave the washroom... I had dutifully washed my hands... dried them with towels or whatever... then reached out to grab the door handle to exit... to find the tihs of another man wiped on the bright and shining handle... HE DIDN'T WASH HIS HANDS and NEVER HAS in his ENTIRE Lifetime!
After touching that handle I almost stayed inside - except I couldn't hold my breath any longer... and I gagged!
Now how many times have you washed the grime off your hands then left the bathroom at the restaurant to go to your table... pick up your hamburger and put the other man's "stuff" - whether you can see it or not... all over your hamburger...
That is kind of like licking that door handle in the Men's Washroom...
I watched a man stoop over while taking a woman's hand... and kiss her hand... “Good Lord, does he know if she has washed her hands or not...?” But that is another rant for another time!!!!
So… YES Hand Dryers in Public Bathrooms are Dangerous.
A simple conclusion can be arrived at. It is all about the old days. It seems to me that the drafty old outhouse was the answer... Any smell and evaporation went out through the looses boards, knot holes in the door and the drafty ceiling… even if the smell came up through the hole you sat on. It left the small room in a heart beat – or two.
If I can make one small appeal to the nem that read this. Clean up after yourself. Flush when you are done. Wipe up what you mess up. And as a precaution pull out your own shirt tail with your hand, grip the door knob as you open the door with your own shirt… then polish lightly before you leave.
What do you mean… “You DON’T want that “stuff” on your shirt tail?”
Well neither do I… NEITHER DO I!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.blogger.com/www.murraylincoln.com/
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
“Give Up All Hope of Having a Better Yesterday”
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Setting this article up…(first by Murray Lincoln, Grandpa of Emma Lindsay, Father-in-law to Bruce Lindsay and the proudest Grandpa EVER!)
Yesterday, on a brilliantly, bright and sunny day a few hundred people gathered to watch the Playoff Game in the Saturday morning Kinsmen Football for ages 9 & 10 year olds.
My wife and I gathered with all the rest to witness the playoff game between the Steelers and the Eagles… the best two teams of the city! Our Granddaughter plays for the Steelers and has done very well as the only girl playing. I mean on all teams there is only one girl – and that is our Emma.
The game was very close… but in the end the Steelers lost to a little bit more powerful team… just a little bit (and whole lot more lucky!).
The game was very close.
Bruce has written the following to me with the idea that maybe we could publish his letter to Coach Joey” for all to read. But today’s Blog is Bruce’s letter to me as well.
Thanks Bruce… thanks a million!
“Give Up All Hope of Having a Better Yesterday”
By Bruce Lindsay
Hi Dad
I thought I'd send you a copy of the letter I've written to Emma's great coach. He is a High School student who is off to University after this year so won't likely coach Kinsmen Football again any time soon. I think it touches the heart of the whole winning and losing thing. You know how feelings come out in a championship game, even with 9 & 10 year olds. Nearly the whole team was crying at the end. What does a coach say except that he is proud of their effort? I know Coach Joey was crying on the inside too.
Last week when the senior team lost, the coach told me that two angry dads called him to accuse him of losing the game because of calling stupid plays. Coach John was actually feeling down already and the irate parents made it worse. Coach John told the dads that if they felt that way, they are welcome to coach next year. He said, “That usually shuts them up pretty quick.”
I told him he needs to see things as they are. The football team is made up of little boys who got very cold little hands and couldn't hold on to the football as well as normal. It is November after all.
My heart broke. I ached for him. As a soccer coach, I know how tough it is to not win. I know how coaches give their all to teach the players how to do their jobs. They rejoice with each success and try to be patient through the setbacks, all the while knowing that parents are losing patience and second guessing every move they make. I don't know if it counts as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but coaches need to have a quiet place to go to heal too.
Bruce
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 7, 2009
Dear Coach Joey
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for the excellent year our Junior Steelers have had. Thank you for all the time you have spent with all these little guys and the care and professionalism you have shown from day-one.
Thank you especially for choosing Emma to be your kicker. When you made the decision the day before our first game, I know there were parents questioning your decision. After all, she didn’t make a single kick last year. Thank you, THANK YOU for not giving up on her! Thank you for believing in her, and patiently sticking with her, even when she got no points in one game.
In the first game of the season, she kicked 3 extra point converts and has believed in herself ever since. Each game she improves. She set a Junior League record of 5 converts for 10 points in our first playoff game and, I believe, showed everyone that she is the best in the league now, kicking 3 more in the final. This year she went from a player who really wasn’t sure if she wanted to play, to a determined, confident player who believed she could help the team in many ways. She is confident in herself because you showed confidence in her.
Please don’t feel bad about losing in the final. As a fellow coach, I know there will be times you beat yourself up about it and wonder if you could have done things differently. I know there might even be parents who blame you or somebody else on the team for losing it. But remember that we all have to move on. I like to say we have to ‘give up all hope of having a better yesterday’. Personally, I thought we would win, with Emma’s converts being the difference in the game. It looked that way at half-time.
I hope that this letter will be like a cold glass of water to help you swallow the bitter pill of losing that game. Remember the good stuff. We went 7 & 2 this season. That is simply amazing! We had a great team and a lot of fun. We went to the finals and lost a great game. The lead changed 7 times. Every player left it all out on the field. It was a classic final.
Way to go Coach!
Sincerely;
Bruce Lindsay
Proud Dad of #62 Emma Lindsay, Steelers left guard and kicker.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Setting this article up…(first by Murray Lincoln, Grandpa of Emma Lindsay, Father-in-law to Bruce Lindsay and the proudest Grandpa EVER!)
Yesterday, on a brilliantly, bright and sunny day a few hundred people gathered to watch the Playoff Game in the Saturday morning Kinsmen Football for ages 9 & 10 year olds.
My wife and I gathered with all the rest to witness the playoff game between the Steelers and the Eagles… the best two teams of the city! Our Granddaughter plays for the Steelers and has done very well as the only girl playing. I mean on all teams there is only one girl – and that is our Emma.
The game was very close… but in the end the Steelers lost to a little bit more powerful team… just a little bit (and whole lot more lucky!).
The game was very close.
Bruce has written the following to me with the idea that maybe we could publish his letter to Coach Joey” for all to read. But today’s Blog is Bruce’s letter to me as well.
Thanks Bruce… thanks a million!
“Give Up All Hope of Having a Better Yesterday”
By Bruce Lindsay
Hi Dad
I thought I'd send you a copy of the letter I've written to Emma's great coach. He is a High School student who is off to University after this year so won't likely coach Kinsmen Football again any time soon. I think it touches the heart of the whole winning and losing thing. You know how feelings come out in a championship game, even with 9 & 10 year olds. Nearly the whole team was crying at the end. What does a coach say except that he is proud of their effort? I know Coach Joey was crying on the inside too.
Last week when the senior team lost, the coach told me that two angry dads called him to accuse him of losing the game because of calling stupid plays. Coach John was actually feeling down already and the irate parents made it worse. Coach John told the dads that if they felt that way, they are welcome to coach next year. He said, “That usually shuts them up pretty quick.”
I told him he needs to see things as they are. The football team is made up of little boys who got very cold little hands and couldn't hold on to the football as well as normal. It is November after all.
My heart broke. I ached for him. As a soccer coach, I know how tough it is to not win. I know how coaches give their all to teach the players how to do their jobs. They rejoice with each success and try to be patient through the setbacks, all the while knowing that parents are losing patience and second guessing every move they make. I don't know if it counts as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but coaches need to have a quiet place to go to heal too.
Bruce
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 7, 2009
Dear Coach Joey
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for the excellent year our Junior Steelers have had. Thank you for all the time you have spent with all these little guys and the care and professionalism you have shown from day-one.
Thank you especially for choosing Emma to be your kicker. When you made the decision the day before our first game, I know there were parents questioning your decision. After all, she didn’t make a single kick last year. Thank you, THANK YOU for not giving up on her! Thank you for believing in her, and patiently sticking with her, even when she got no points in one game.
In the first game of the season, she kicked 3 extra point converts and has believed in herself ever since. Each game she improves. She set a Junior League record of 5 converts for 10 points in our first playoff game and, I believe, showed everyone that she is the best in the league now, kicking 3 more in the final. This year she went from a player who really wasn’t sure if she wanted to play, to a determined, confident player who believed she could help the team in many ways. She is confident in herself because you showed confidence in her.
Please don’t feel bad about losing in the final. As a fellow coach, I know there will be times you beat yourself up about it and wonder if you could have done things differently. I know there might even be parents who blame you or somebody else on the team for losing it. But remember that we all have to move on. I like to say we have to ‘give up all hope of having a better yesterday’. Personally, I thought we would win, with Emma’s converts being the difference in the game. It looked that way at half-time.
I hope that this letter will be like a cold glass of water to help you swallow the bitter pill of losing that game. Remember the good stuff. We went 7 & 2 this season. That is simply amazing! We had a great team and a lot of fun. We went to the finals and lost a great game. The lead changed 7 times. Every player left it all out on the field. It was a classic final.
Way to go Coach!
Sincerely;
Bruce Lindsay
Proud Dad of #62 Emma Lindsay, Steelers left guard and kicker.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Understanding this poor guy...
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Understanding this poor guy...
So what’s with the Superman Photo/Costume – you crazy old fool!!? Let me explain…
A few weeks ago now our Ontario Government passed a new law that disallows anyone driving from using their “hand held anything”. It is for our own good I am sure. Many are distracted with what they are doing other than driving.
In an earlier post I mentioned some idiot friends of mine that regularly “Text” on their phones while driving full speed down the road. The part that drove me nuts was that I was in the vehicle with them – not driving!
Well lots has changed now since the new law. To our cell phone we have added a Blue Tooth ear piece so that if and when the phone rings I simply have to reach up and push the button on it – in the middle of my ear. To a cop it kind of looks like I am scratching my ear… but it is really me picking up the phone.
Now the fact that it nearly scares the beejeebbies out of me when the phone rings – RIGHT IN MY EAR – is another safety factor that the law didn’t count on.
To add to the humor of it all… only my daughters have my cell number(other than my wife) – and when she is with me – no one calls. To test it out I call my daughters, who are at work, and answer with, “What can I do for you Dad?” “Oh nothing I just needed to talk to someone as I was driving” is my reply.
Oops I forgot to tell you that the Blue Tooth thingie not only answers my cell phone call coming in, but it also calls out as well. When I need to I touch the button in the middle of my ear… the wee machine then gives a little bing bong… and the nice little lady inside that wee machine asks me if who I would like to call. I simply say, “Call Dana”, to which she asks, “Did you say, ‘Call Dana’, to which I reply, “Yes.” The wee little lady inside my ear canal then does her magic… the small tones then can be heard connecting me with my daughter.
I am not really sure if that wee lady is in the Blue Tooth… or in the Cell Phone in my pocket?!?!
Now some of you that are as old as and older than me can remember that busy-body woman in the rural town that was known as “Central”… and when you cranked the old phone box it woke her up to then connect you with the outside world. The one in my ear now does the same – only she is not big and fat like the other “Central” was… she can’t be… she is only ½ x ½ in size and that includes her casing!!! And if she is in my pocket I feel sorry for her!
Further….
“Aunt Bobbie” sent us an email yesterday with the following story in it. It totally sets up the rest of what I need to say about my new world… of gadgetry… small machines and my reactions.
I thought about the 30 year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a Blackberry that played music, took videos, pictures and communicated with Facebook and Twitter.
I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.
That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.
My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.
The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife as everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. Seems I have to take my hearing aid out to use it and I got a little loud.
I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-ul-ating" You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then when I would make a right turn instead, it was not good.
When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.
To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.
The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop.
I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused but I never remember to take them in with me.
Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual.." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look.”
What more can I say!?! I am now Superman! I have bifocals for my X-ray Vision, a super sensitive ear piece to let me hear anything – anywhere at anytime… so YES… the Photo is true!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
So what’s with the Superman Photo/Costume – you crazy old fool!!? Let me explain…
A few weeks ago now our Ontario Government passed a new law that disallows anyone driving from using their “hand held anything”. It is for our own good I am sure. Many are distracted with what they are doing other than driving.
In an earlier post I mentioned some idiot friends of mine that regularly “Text” on their phones while driving full speed down the road. The part that drove me nuts was that I was in the vehicle with them – not driving!
Well lots has changed now since the new law. To our cell phone we have added a Blue Tooth ear piece so that if and when the phone rings I simply have to reach up and push the button on it – in the middle of my ear. To a cop it kind of looks like I am scratching my ear… but it is really me picking up the phone.
Now the fact that it nearly scares the beejeebbies out of me when the phone rings – RIGHT IN MY EAR – is another safety factor that the law didn’t count on.
To add to the humor of it all… only my daughters have my cell number(other than my wife) – and when she is with me – no one calls. To test it out I call my daughters, who are at work, and answer with, “What can I do for you Dad?” “Oh nothing I just needed to talk to someone as I was driving” is my reply.
Oops I forgot to tell you that the Blue Tooth thingie not only answers my cell phone call coming in, but it also calls out as well. When I need to I touch the button in the middle of my ear… the wee machine then gives a little bing bong… and the nice little lady inside that wee machine asks me if who I would like to call. I simply say, “Call Dana”, to which she asks, “Did you say, ‘Call Dana’, to which I reply, “Yes.” The wee little lady inside my ear canal then does her magic… the small tones then can be heard connecting me with my daughter.
I am not really sure if that wee lady is in the Blue Tooth… or in the Cell Phone in my pocket?!?!
Now some of you that are as old as and older than me can remember that busy-body woman in the rural town that was known as “Central”… and when you cranked the old phone box it woke her up to then connect you with the outside world. The one in my ear now does the same – only she is not big and fat like the other “Central” was… she can’t be… she is only ½ x ½ in size and that includes her casing!!! And if she is in my pocket I feel sorry for her!
Further….
“Aunt Bobbie” sent us an email yesterday with the following story in it. It totally sets up the rest of what I need to say about my new world… of gadgetry… small machines and my reactions.
I thought about the 30 year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a Blackberry that played music, took videos, pictures and communicated with Facebook and Twitter.
I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.
That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.
My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.
The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife as everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. Seems I have to take my hearing aid out to use it and I got a little loud.
I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-ul-ating" You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then when I would make a right turn instead, it was not good.
When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.
To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.
The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop.
I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused but I never remember to take them in with me.
Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual.." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look.”
What more can I say!?! I am now Superman! I have bifocals for my X-ray Vision, a super sensitive ear piece to let me hear anything – anywhere at anytime… so YES… the Photo is true!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Mystery of the Golden Calf
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
The Mystery of the Golden Calf
The Mystery of the Golden Calf has bothered me for a long time. For me as a Canadian that was born and raised in the western part of Canada and connected to all things rural – Cows and Bulls were part of my life. They were not something that a person “worshiped”.
Yet in the midst of the initial days of the escape from Israel the People of God stop for 40 days and 40 nights at the base of a mountain and then build a bovine made of gold… to worship. They do this because their leader has left them unattended for too long.
One of these kinds of mysteries will pop up in your life time every once in a while. This is a fascinating one that surfaced again when the latest National Geographic Magazine arrived.
The Nat Geo article explains at length the finding of the hundreds of thousands of Mummified Pets (animals) in Egypt. The Links below will provide the article for you to read on line.
One of the creatures that was revered was the Bull… an Apis Bull. The people lived near Memphis, Egypt which is now Mit Rahina…. South of the present day Cario.
From the Nat Geo article – Quote…
“And some animals were mummified because they were the living representatives of a god. The venerable city of Memphis, the capital for much of Egypt's ancient history, covered 20 square miles at its largest in about 300 B.C., with a population of some 250,000. Today most of its crumbled glory lies under the village of Mit Rahina and the surrounding fields. But along a dusty lane, the ruins of a temple stand half hidden amid tufts of grass. This was the embalming house of the Apis bull, one of the most revered animals in all of ancient Egypt.
A symbol of strength and virility, the Apis was closely linked to the all-powerful king. He was part animal, part god and was chosen for veneration because of his unusual set of markings: a white triangle on his forehead, white winged patterns on his shoulders and rump, a scarab silhouette on his tongue, and double hairs at the end of his tail. During his lifetime he was kept in a special sanctuary, pampered by priests, adorned with gold and jewels, and worshipped by the multitudes. When he died, his divine essence was believed to move on to another bull, and so a search for the new one began. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was transported to the temple and laid on a bed of finely carved travertine. Mummification took at least 70 days—40 to dry the enormous repository of flesh, and 30 to wrap it.” end quote.
Isn’t that interesting? The people that Moses leads away from the slavery situation that they are in… do not easily give up what they knew best… worshipping a Bull.
There is much to think about here. It is possible then that a portion of the People Moses is leading were from the area of Memphis and knew much about the practice and processes used then. They knew about the Bull and worshiped this Bull.
However this was not God’s plan for them. He was not pleased and showed it.
I do not intend to conduct a lengthy Bible Study with these words. You can do that yourself with the Links below and use it around the Coffee Shop for your conversations.
I simply point to the way that these Chosen People carried over the habits into their next life – to their detriment. So much of what they had lived like was completely woven into the fabric of their lives. They could not stop being who they had become.
Who they had become was not necessarily who God had wanted them to be. They had lived in relative safety in Egypt for a long time. And in doing so they had not known any other way.
This is so much like we have become in the Church today. We have been so long in the culture of what we accepted as a Norm for Christians – that this is all that we can present to a world that is hurting and looking for an answer.
Yes I am still mulling over the message from “The Shack”. In the book it so strongly points to RELATIONSHIPS over INSTITUTIONS. At least that is what I caught. In building the Mega Million Dollar Debt – MMDD places to worship God – I seriously fear that we have lost who he is or what it is all about.
Willie’s story about Mack has deeply stirred me again(in “The Shack”). I have had these thoughts for a long time as I watched corrupted men lead. They bothered me. Now out of the Blue at the right time The Shack has opened a door to much more thought!
Thanks again Brenda! Whoah!
Taking a serious look at the Apis Bull… the Children of Israel did something really stupid… they carried a “whole lot of Bull” along with them!
The church today has carried “a whole lot of Bull” with it as well – into most of what it does. The Bull the church has isn’t the Apis Bull either… it is the power trip Bull, the MMDD Bull, the lack of relationships/look at the back of someone else’s head Bull and think that is Christian.
Not long ago a very mean man died. He thought of himself as a Christian. In fact he shoved and pushed his kind of “christianity” on other people(small c intended). I experienced the wrath that came with my not doing what he stated I should do. I suffered his “meanness” and had to live with it.
This man’s meanness was felt by many. I saw a young person vow that he would never attend church again – or subscribe to that kind of “christianity”. The man was so full of the Bull of Power and Control that it killed others.
It is so sad to see the total affects of all of this Bull. The children of this fellow do not attend church. Why would they?!?
I think God has a problem with THAT kind of BULL in Heaven. And if the person doesn’t get rid of it before they leave… well what are the alternatives…. ??????
Okay, Okay… I am ranting now. The book, “The Shack” and the stories of the Apis Bull, mummification of a Bull, and all the rest has started me thinking again….
Thanks Brenda… sheesh!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
Crossing of the Red Sea
http://www.arkdiscovery.com/red_sea_crossing.htm
Nat Geo Article – Animals Everlasting
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/animal-mummies/williams-text
Golden Calf
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246635/jewish/The-Golden-Calf.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf
The Apis Bull
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apis_%28Egyptian_mythology%29
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
The Mystery of the Golden Calf
The Mystery of the Golden Calf has bothered me for a long time. For me as a Canadian that was born and raised in the western part of Canada and connected to all things rural – Cows and Bulls were part of my life. They were not something that a person “worshiped”.
Yet in the midst of the initial days of the escape from Israel the People of God stop for 40 days and 40 nights at the base of a mountain and then build a bovine made of gold… to worship. They do this because their leader has left them unattended for too long.
One of these kinds of mysteries will pop up in your life time every once in a while. This is a fascinating one that surfaced again when the latest National Geographic Magazine arrived.
The Nat Geo article explains at length the finding of the hundreds of thousands of Mummified Pets (animals) in Egypt. The Links below will provide the article for you to read on line.
One of the creatures that was revered was the Bull… an Apis Bull. The people lived near Memphis, Egypt which is now Mit Rahina…. South of the present day Cario.
From the Nat Geo article – Quote…
“And some animals were mummified because they were the living representatives of a god. The venerable city of Memphis, the capital for much of Egypt's ancient history, covered 20 square miles at its largest in about 300 B.C., with a population of some 250,000. Today most of its crumbled glory lies under the village of Mit Rahina and the surrounding fields. But along a dusty lane, the ruins of a temple stand half hidden amid tufts of grass. This was the embalming house of the Apis bull, one of the most revered animals in all of ancient Egypt.
A symbol of strength and virility, the Apis was closely linked to the all-powerful king. He was part animal, part god and was chosen for veneration because of his unusual set of markings: a white triangle on his forehead, white winged patterns on his shoulders and rump, a scarab silhouette on his tongue, and double hairs at the end of his tail. During his lifetime he was kept in a special sanctuary, pampered by priests, adorned with gold and jewels, and worshipped by the multitudes. When he died, his divine essence was believed to move on to another bull, and so a search for the new one began. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was transported to the temple and laid on a bed of finely carved travertine. Mummification took at least 70 days—40 to dry the enormous repository of flesh, and 30 to wrap it.” end quote.
Isn’t that interesting? The people that Moses leads away from the slavery situation that they are in… do not easily give up what they knew best… worshipping a Bull.
There is much to think about here. It is possible then that a portion of the People Moses is leading were from the area of Memphis and knew much about the practice and processes used then. They knew about the Bull and worshiped this Bull.
However this was not God’s plan for them. He was not pleased and showed it.
I do not intend to conduct a lengthy Bible Study with these words. You can do that yourself with the Links below and use it around the Coffee Shop for your conversations.
I simply point to the way that these Chosen People carried over the habits into their next life – to their detriment. So much of what they had lived like was completely woven into the fabric of their lives. They could not stop being who they had become.
Who they had become was not necessarily who God had wanted them to be. They had lived in relative safety in Egypt for a long time. And in doing so they had not known any other way.
This is so much like we have become in the Church today. We have been so long in the culture of what we accepted as a Norm for Christians – that this is all that we can present to a world that is hurting and looking for an answer.
Yes I am still mulling over the message from “The Shack”. In the book it so strongly points to RELATIONSHIPS over INSTITUTIONS. At least that is what I caught. In building the Mega Million Dollar Debt – MMDD places to worship God – I seriously fear that we have lost who he is or what it is all about.
Willie’s story about Mack has deeply stirred me again(in “The Shack”). I have had these thoughts for a long time as I watched corrupted men lead. They bothered me. Now out of the Blue at the right time The Shack has opened a door to much more thought!
Thanks again Brenda! Whoah!
Taking a serious look at the Apis Bull… the Children of Israel did something really stupid… they carried a “whole lot of Bull” along with them!
The church today has carried “a whole lot of Bull” with it as well – into most of what it does. The Bull the church has isn’t the Apis Bull either… it is the power trip Bull, the MMDD Bull, the lack of relationships/look at the back of someone else’s head Bull and think that is Christian.
Not long ago a very mean man died. He thought of himself as a Christian. In fact he shoved and pushed his kind of “christianity” on other people(small c intended). I experienced the wrath that came with my not doing what he stated I should do. I suffered his “meanness” and had to live with it.
This man’s meanness was felt by many. I saw a young person vow that he would never attend church again – or subscribe to that kind of “christianity”. The man was so full of the Bull of Power and Control that it killed others.
It is so sad to see the total affects of all of this Bull. The children of this fellow do not attend church. Why would they?!?
I think God has a problem with THAT kind of BULL in Heaven. And if the person doesn’t get rid of it before they leave… well what are the alternatives…. ??????
Okay, Okay… I am ranting now. The book, “The Shack” and the stories of the Apis Bull, mummification of a Bull, and all the rest has started me thinking again….
Thanks Brenda… sheesh!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
Crossing of the Red Sea
http://www.arkdiscovery.com/red_sea_crossing.htm
Nat Geo Article – Animals Everlasting
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/animal-mummies/williams-text
Golden Calf
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246635/jewish/The-Golden-Calf.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf
The Apis Bull
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apis_%28Egyptian_mythology%29
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Dealing with “The Shack” and its personal ramifications…
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Dealing with “The Shack” and its personal ramifications…
The “Cagey Pastor” will not read this book! The “Powerful Bishop” would never admit it if he did. The manipulative leader would never recommend this one! This book has likely stirred up hornet’s nest in the religious world.
Brenda gave me a copy of this 250 page book entitled “The Shack” and questioned me what my opinion might be after I read it. She personally is re-reading it for the second time. Thanks again Brenda. Thanks for blowing my mind!
The nasty instruction at the back of the little book requests that the reader not give away the story line… or tell too much of the plot contained within. That is kind of like surprising me with a Birthday Cake, lighting the candles and then telling me that I can’t eat the cake… or blow out the candles. How mean can that be!
You cannot give a story teller a story and then not let the guy not talk about it.
I found the book masterful in the weaving of the complicated story parts together. It is however filled with enough theology that will sink the average pew sitter. I think they will fall asleep many times before they complete it – something like church. That part is funny for me.
The weaving of simple but fascinating dialogue between the key characters with the main dude – is nothing short of great. Who would have thought that a person could actually ask the questionsas he does and get the answers that he receives – from God?
Yep – the supporting actors in this book is/are God Himself – or Herself… which is why most Leaders in the Theological World would or may object – “You don’t talk to God or have God talk to you! You must listen to us tell you what GOD TOLD US and LET US INTERPRET IT FOR YOU!”
To actually have people think about God differently is amazing! But you have to read the book in order to know why I see it as amazing.
The great danger is that churches with really big debts now, and people not wanting to take on the church’s debt load, might suffer from people building personal relationships with God and not a building. And if these same people that SHOULD SUPPORT a CHURCH find out that there is more to life than the relationship of looking at some one else’s head accompanied with a grunt or a silly comment at the end of the church service… watch out because attendance could go down… along with offerings and all that terribly, needful stuff that makes the Church Factory keep going.
I strongly suspect that the changes happening in society as a whole have been matched by a book that tells the truth. And that is why it is so perfect now with thousands upon thousands reading and savoring it.
Recently I was sorting through my books with the thought of getting rid of them to unsuspecting pastors that are young and starting out brand new.
When I opened one box the brightly coloured book was glaring out its title for me to take a look inside. The Title was “How to Get Your Church to Give More!” No kidding! I remember reading that as our church started to dwindle in numbers and money from death and unhappy campers. Both were leaving and taking their tithes, offerings and $2.00 amounts with them(some considered all these to be the same…ha!)
I laughed to my self as I flipped through this book and its ideas again. I could not think of one minister that I could give it to. So I put it in the recycling bin… for the garbage. I sure bought some silly books with real money looking for a Fast Fix to growing problems.
I know of churches that have “mega million dollar debt” – “MMDD”. Having people question if they are able to worship God in the MMDD church or not… and maybe find that what takes place there each week is simply a distraction from God… could be dangerous.
Paul “Willie” Young asked me to think about things that are not easy to think about! He stated it in such away that I could not miss it. It took me longer to read this little book because of the things Willie made me think about.
The one big question is – “Is this story true?” I know what Paul states… but in my mind it is absolutely true – somewhere.
So if these words above get you thinking and maybe even wanting to read what is in the 250 pages… I feel good about that.
I would love to send a copy to the Pope… and to Bishop locally. I would love to know what the top dog in our own organization feels about what he reads there. And locally I would love to hear what the pastors of churches that should obey, are thinking about it. I wonder if there will be any book burning of this one in months to come?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
http://theshackbook.com/
http://windrumors.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Dealing with “The Shack” and its personal ramifications…
The “Cagey Pastor” will not read this book! The “Powerful Bishop” would never admit it if he did. The manipulative leader would never recommend this one! This book has likely stirred up hornet’s nest in the religious world.
Brenda gave me a copy of this 250 page book entitled “The Shack” and questioned me what my opinion might be after I read it. She personally is re-reading it for the second time. Thanks again Brenda. Thanks for blowing my mind!
The nasty instruction at the back of the little book requests that the reader not give away the story line… or tell too much of the plot contained within. That is kind of like surprising me with a Birthday Cake, lighting the candles and then telling me that I can’t eat the cake… or blow out the candles. How mean can that be!
You cannot give a story teller a story and then not let the guy not talk about it.
I found the book masterful in the weaving of the complicated story parts together. It is however filled with enough theology that will sink the average pew sitter. I think they will fall asleep many times before they complete it – something like church. That part is funny for me.
The weaving of simple but fascinating dialogue between the key characters with the main dude – is nothing short of great. Who would have thought that a person could actually ask the questionsas he does and get the answers that he receives – from God?
Yep – the supporting actors in this book is/are God Himself – or Herself… which is why most Leaders in the Theological World would or may object – “You don’t talk to God or have God talk to you! You must listen to us tell you what GOD TOLD US and LET US INTERPRET IT FOR YOU!”
To actually have people think about God differently is amazing! But you have to read the book in order to know why I see it as amazing.
The great danger is that churches with really big debts now, and people not wanting to take on the church’s debt load, might suffer from people building personal relationships with God and not a building. And if these same people that SHOULD SUPPORT a CHURCH find out that there is more to life than the relationship of looking at some one else’s head accompanied with a grunt or a silly comment at the end of the church service… watch out because attendance could go down… along with offerings and all that terribly, needful stuff that makes the Church Factory keep going.
I strongly suspect that the changes happening in society as a whole have been matched by a book that tells the truth. And that is why it is so perfect now with thousands upon thousands reading and savoring it.
Recently I was sorting through my books with the thought of getting rid of them to unsuspecting pastors that are young and starting out brand new.
When I opened one box the brightly coloured book was glaring out its title for me to take a look inside. The Title was “How to Get Your Church to Give More!” No kidding! I remember reading that as our church started to dwindle in numbers and money from death and unhappy campers. Both were leaving and taking their tithes, offerings and $2.00 amounts with them(some considered all these to be the same…ha!)
I laughed to my self as I flipped through this book and its ideas again. I could not think of one minister that I could give it to. So I put it in the recycling bin… for the garbage. I sure bought some silly books with real money looking for a Fast Fix to growing problems.
I know of churches that have “mega million dollar debt” – “MMDD”. Having people question if they are able to worship God in the MMDD church or not… and maybe find that what takes place there each week is simply a distraction from God… could be dangerous.
Paul “Willie” Young asked me to think about things that are not easy to think about! He stated it in such away that I could not miss it. It took me longer to read this little book because of the things Willie made me think about.
The one big question is – “Is this story true?” I know what Paul states… but in my mind it is absolutely true – somewhere.
So if these words above get you thinking and maybe even wanting to read what is in the 250 pages… I feel good about that.
I would love to send a copy to the Pope… and to Bishop locally. I would love to know what the top dog in our own organization feels about what he reads there. And locally I would love to hear what the pastors of churches that should obey, are thinking about it. I wonder if there will be any book burning of this one in months to come?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
http://theshackbook.com/
http://windrumors.com/
Monday, November 2, 2009
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Dealing with On-Line Mourning and On-Line Death
I first experienced an “On-Line Death” in the fall of 1991. The impact was very strange for me. I had never felt the feelings I had with this particular death
To explain better I need to tell you the circumstances of what was taking place.
The Internet as we know it today in 2009 had not evolved to what it is now. There was no Google, no MSN, no Facebook, no actual on-line – immediate connection as we have now. Instead we had our computers dial into a HUB somewhere – hopefully locally and then the local connection provided some kind of world connection that was larger than the local. It was mainly used for getting needed files to make your computer work better.
I had lived in Scarborough just prior to this 1991 time in my life. In April 1991 we moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan about 1700 miles west and north of the last home.
I had been involved in an on-line Pastor’s Discussion Group that had to be dialed up, and then a Packet of Mail downloaded to your machine – along with my machine sending out a new packet or freshly written letters/files to the kind of ‘Post Office’ that in turn gave everyone the mail I sent.
Even describing this old fashioned, 18 year old method seems odd today!
One of the pastors on the group was older and had retired. His son was actively serving in a church. This older man always had such great information and ideas in any discussion the group was carrying on. Each time I saw his name and what he wrote I had great appreciation for his wisdom.
For about a year we grew to know each other better. Then his messages stopped being included in the mail packet that I downloaded each day.
It was about a week later that his son came back on-line again and explained that he had been away from posting because of the death of his dad and the week long funeral preparations that took place.
As I read his words I was stunned and almost without breath as I realized that a long distance friendship that I had grown to love and respect was suddenly gone. This friend had died without me knowing about it. It was very sudden and without warnings of any kind.
It was my first On-Line death and mourning. I mourned for someone that I had never met… knew only by his wisdom and wished I could have met him personally. I knew his mind and spirit but not his physical.
Today the Toronto Star reported by way of Denise Balkissoons article that Facebook has instituted new rules within this rapidly changing social networking group.
Denise states… quote…
“On Tuesday, Facebook announced that profiles of the deceased would remain online, with a few adjustments. Only people already on the dead person's friends list will be able to find them in name searches, and the profile will be locked to new comments. The decision came after a slew of users complained that Facebook's "suggestions" function – a list of people an algorithm thinks might be your friends – kept suggesting they connect with dead loved ones. Presumably, pages of people known to be deceased will now be kept out of the feed.” End quote…
The automated programming kept suggesting dead people might be my new friends. Yikes!
The whole new world of Social Networking through the computer and on-line means has changed my world. I am deeply affected by what is happening but at times without the ways and means to deal with it. I am not sure how to deal with death or approaching death of a friend by email… or FaceBook.
A few days ago one of my friends named Harold contacted me by Facebook. I am part of a large group that knows him well and that has supported him in whatever way we can as he has been struggling with Cancer for about 18 months now. Again I know him well because of his writing… and his ideas… his clarity of thought… his love.
His last message reads as follows… quote…
Subject: Thank you for your love and prayers
Because of my declining physical health I cannot keep up my contacts with email or FaceBook. It probably is not long until I see my Saviour face to face and I look forward to renewing our relationship, but most of all see our Saviour together.
Thank you for continuing to pray for me, Yvonne, and those the Lord gave us to enjoy all these years. He has also blessed us with so many wonderful relationships with His family.
I am not at all informed by the Lord when that date will be. Only He knows. Just know that you and all your wonderful kindness and love has meant so much to us and when the day comes someone will inform you. In the meantime keep on keeping on in your faithfulness to the One who never fails.
God bless you and keep you until that day dawns and the shadows all flee away!”
“Harold”
End quote…
As I have read these words over and over again it started to sink in.. my friend Harold will be gone soon. If something amazing doesn’t take place he will be gone before Christmas 2009.
I don’t know how to deal with this kind of thing. Even with all my years as a minister I am at loss as to how to deal with these On-Line Feelings. Any kind of email cannot be delivered to a friend that is going or now gone. And any contact with family is not always possible. It was Harold that I knew well… not always the family. Now he will not be able to write anymore.
The Future…
I have come to realize that my struggle may be because I have two feet in the old world where we dealt with this death idea in another way. But my grandkids and great grandkids will see it differently than I do… and will know only this one way.
There is a permanence with this Blog. My ideas and words will drift around the Internet forever. Some snippet of my thinking will always be there.
The original idea was to write words that would help my grandkids know me better – someday when they need to. However I realize that it may well be something unnerving for them as Grandpa Lincoln speaks to them over and over again after he is gone.
I need to say one big thing now… before I forget… Clifford, Emma, Jonathan, Thomas, Michael and Christopher – I love you six unbelievable kids! I only wish that I could have lived about 150 years to see all of you grow up and do the amazing things you will do. But that will not likely happen. For now… just know that I believe in all of you. You are amazing!!!
Someday when you read this – I will be gone. I hope you will understand that Grandpa sure knows what you are going through.
One more thing… when you can… go fishing for me. I love fishing. I loved taking you fishing too and will be there some how to see you catch one big for me.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/718254--online-mourning-evolves
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
Dealing with On-Line Mourning and On-Line Death
I first experienced an “On-Line Death” in the fall of 1991. The impact was very strange for me. I had never felt the feelings I had with this particular death
To explain better I need to tell you the circumstances of what was taking place.
The Internet as we know it today in 2009 had not evolved to what it is now. There was no Google, no MSN, no Facebook, no actual on-line – immediate connection as we have now. Instead we had our computers dial into a HUB somewhere – hopefully locally and then the local connection provided some kind of world connection that was larger than the local. It was mainly used for getting needed files to make your computer work better.
I had lived in Scarborough just prior to this 1991 time in my life. In April 1991 we moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan about 1700 miles west and north of the last home.
I had been involved in an on-line Pastor’s Discussion Group that had to be dialed up, and then a Packet of Mail downloaded to your machine – along with my machine sending out a new packet or freshly written letters/files to the kind of ‘Post Office’ that in turn gave everyone the mail I sent.
Even describing this old fashioned, 18 year old method seems odd today!
One of the pastors on the group was older and had retired. His son was actively serving in a church. This older man always had such great information and ideas in any discussion the group was carrying on. Each time I saw his name and what he wrote I had great appreciation for his wisdom.
For about a year we grew to know each other better. Then his messages stopped being included in the mail packet that I downloaded each day.
It was about a week later that his son came back on-line again and explained that he had been away from posting because of the death of his dad and the week long funeral preparations that took place.
As I read his words I was stunned and almost without breath as I realized that a long distance friendship that I had grown to love and respect was suddenly gone. This friend had died without me knowing about it. It was very sudden and without warnings of any kind.
It was my first On-Line death and mourning. I mourned for someone that I had never met… knew only by his wisdom and wished I could have met him personally. I knew his mind and spirit but not his physical.
Today the Toronto Star reported by way of Denise Balkissoons article that Facebook has instituted new rules within this rapidly changing social networking group.
Denise states… quote…
“On Tuesday, Facebook announced that profiles of the deceased would remain online, with a few adjustments. Only people already on the dead person's friends list will be able to find them in name searches, and the profile will be locked to new comments. The decision came after a slew of users complained that Facebook's "suggestions" function – a list of people an algorithm thinks might be your friends – kept suggesting they connect with dead loved ones. Presumably, pages of people known to be deceased will now be kept out of the feed.” End quote…
The automated programming kept suggesting dead people might be my new friends. Yikes!
The whole new world of Social Networking through the computer and on-line means has changed my world. I am deeply affected by what is happening but at times without the ways and means to deal with it. I am not sure how to deal with death or approaching death of a friend by email… or FaceBook.
A few days ago one of my friends named Harold contacted me by Facebook. I am part of a large group that knows him well and that has supported him in whatever way we can as he has been struggling with Cancer for about 18 months now. Again I know him well because of his writing… and his ideas… his clarity of thought… his love.
His last message reads as follows… quote…
Subject: Thank you for your love and prayers
Because of my declining physical health I cannot keep up my contacts with email or FaceBook. It probably is not long until I see my Saviour face to face and I look forward to renewing our relationship, but most of all see our Saviour together.
Thank you for continuing to pray for me, Yvonne, and those the Lord gave us to enjoy all these years. He has also blessed us with so many wonderful relationships with His family.
I am not at all informed by the Lord when that date will be. Only He knows. Just know that you and all your wonderful kindness and love has meant so much to us and when the day comes someone will inform you. In the meantime keep on keeping on in your faithfulness to the One who never fails.
God bless you and keep you until that day dawns and the shadows all flee away!”
“Harold”
End quote…
As I have read these words over and over again it started to sink in.. my friend Harold will be gone soon. If something amazing doesn’t take place he will be gone before Christmas 2009.
I don’t know how to deal with this kind of thing. Even with all my years as a minister I am at loss as to how to deal with these On-Line Feelings. Any kind of email cannot be delivered to a friend that is going or now gone. And any contact with family is not always possible. It was Harold that I knew well… not always the family. Now he will not be able to write anymore.
The Future…
I have come to realize that my struggle may be because I have two feet in the old world where we dealt with this death idea in another way. But my grandkids and great grandkids will see it differently than I do… and will know only this one way.
There is a permanence with this Blog. My ideas and words will drift around the Internet forever. Some snippet of my thinking will always be there.
The original idea was to write words that would help my grandkids know me better – someday when they need to. However I realize that it may well be something unnerving for them as Grandpa Lincoln speaks to them over and over again after he is gone.
I need to say one big thing now… before I forget… Clifford, Emma, Jonathan, Thomas, Michael and Christopher – I love you six unbelievable kids! I only wish that I could have lived about 150 years to see all of you grow up and do the amazing things you will do. But that will not likely happen. For now… just know that I believe in all of you. You are amazing!!!
Someday when you read this – I will be gone. I hope you will understand that Grandpa sure knows what you are going through.
One more thing… when you can… go fishing for me. I love fishing. I loved taking you fishing too and will be there some how to see you catch one big for me.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com
Source:
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/718254--online-mourning-evolves
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New From “Windows 7”
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
If you have followed the progress of my Web Site Yesterday Misty Hollow Carving’s Web Site hit a new all time record. It reached 12,358 hits in one month as of Yesterday! THAT IS 4215 more hits than in September!!! Woopieee! I have to stop holding my breath now!!!!
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Thanks a million!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
New From “Windows 7”
As I slipped into bed last night my wife looked at me and asked, “Why did we need that program? You said it was Windows 7 – when will they have Windows 8 ready? Why buy 7 if 8 is coming?”
“If there is a new one it will be called something like “Buffalo” or “Windows Supreme” – I think – not 8. It is away of marketing these programs and you have to have them to keep up.” I answered.
She was referring to the new “Windows 7” program that I bought for $114 the other day.
“Wasn’t the computer working O.K. as it was?” she continued, “It seems like you always needing to buy more things for the computer?”
I tired to explain that in 1991 when we were able to get our first second hand computer the system was running only on DOS. The screen was black with green font appearing on it. There was no colour available on that old thing. The last Church Office had a cool looking colour monitor with some called “Windows 3.1” on it – but it was fairly new. Some one had provided the church with a new computer that was then worth over $3500 – an unbelievable amount for anyone to pay out – let alone a church! But everyone was getting into it. My old black screen DOS based program worked well. I knew all the commands and it worked great.
I asked Alida if she remembered way back to 1993 when we saved the money and bought that first computer at the new Future Shop in Regina at that BIG SALE? She did. It was an amazing deal at $1100 for a new desk top with the new “Windows 3.1”. I told her that it was only about two months later that the “Windows 95” was released… and it costs a bit more but we bought it.
Then while we were in Regina they released the “Windows 98” which came on the next computer that we bought. The $1200 one was slow and we needed more space and power in the computer at that time… the small 40 Mega Byte hard drive was full. I was storing buckets of information on small diskettes that were now piling up. The new 175 MB Hard Drive was so much quicker and new RAM came with it!!!
In 1998 when we moved to Peterborough the desk top machine that we had rode in the back seat to protect it from excessive movement and the possibility that parts would shake loose. I had tweaked this one and built it the way that I wanted it increasing the smaller 100 Mega Byte Hard Drive with the then over 400 Mega Byte Hard Drive that was sizzling… With my computer background I had been able to keep up, stay ahead and be more tech-savvy than most.
The secretary at our church was using a type writer to peck out the text on the paper, cutting it out and then taping it to another piece of paper to make the church bulletin.
We bought a new computer for the church and the necessary side stuff. It was a learning curve but I taught her how to use the new Publishing Programs (Corel Draw 7 and then 9 to be exact). What a difference it made. A whole new world opened up to us at the church.
When other pastors and folk in the church were having problems with their machines I made a little extra cash by repairing theirs and making the upgrades happen. That was fun and profitable.
Since 1998 I have crossed the border between Desk Top Machines and Lap Tops… never to go back again.
Just before dropping off to sleep Alida had listened to that long story. I know she was thinking… “Think of all the things we could have done on the house with that money!” But she didn’t. Bless her heart – she understands now as she checks her own email each day… and reads some of the stuff on her FaceBook. She is one cool Grandma!
Upgrading Again…
Yesterday at about 1:00 PM I began the installation of the new “Window 7” operating system. This morning when I crawled out of bed at 6 AM it was done. The warning on the screen as I began was that this could take several hours. It did! In my case it was about 13 or more hours. I was asleep when it completed its work.
It works like a dream this morning. And the new stuff that it has will take me days to discover it all. It is like getting that first “Windows 3.1” loaded computer way back in 1993… with so much to learn. That NEW FEELING is so much fun… oooieee!
For the other “techy-loaded-question-and-fearing” people – it was easy – except for the 13 plus hours to get the job done. I lost nothing on my machine. Everything is working good so far.
I have a mere 240 Gigabyte Hard Drive on this Lap Top. It had about 67 Gigabytes of free space when I started the Windows 7 installation. Now it is sitting at 71 Gigs of free space. Used Space was 156 GB and it now sits at 153 GB!!!
It required 16 Gigs of free space to install and then left me more space when it was done. I think that was good… I think! There was nothing left laying on the desk when it was done – no extra screws the way there used to be… (ahem!).
My granddaughter Emma came over the other day and asked, “Grandpa, can I go on to Webkinz?”
“No problem! For you I will do anything.” I said.
“Grandpa – your computer is so cool! It does everything!”
I grinned…
Wait till Emma sees what it is like NOW! Whoah! She doesn’t know what cool is! At 65 I am still way a head of the crowd… puffing a little… but I now have “Windows 7”.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
If you have followed the progress of my Web Site Yesterday Misty Hollow Carving’s Web Site hit a new all time record. It reached 12,358 hits in one month as of Yesterday! THAT IS 4215 more hits than in September!!! Woopieee! I have to stop holding my breath now!!!!
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Thanks a million!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blog Post for today…
New From “Windows 7”
As I slipped into bed last night my wife looked at me and asked, “Why did we need that program? You said it was Windows 7 – when will they have Windows 8 ready? Why buy 7 if 8 is coming?”
“If there is a new one it will be called something like “Buffalo” or “Windows Supreme” – I think – not 8. It is away of marketing these programs and you have to have them to keep up.” I answered.
She was referring to the new “Windows 7” program that I bought for $114 the other day.
“Wasn’t the computer working O.K. as it was?” she continued, “It seems like you always needing to buy more things for the computer?”
I tired to explain that in 1991 when we were able to get our first second hand computer the system was running only on DOS. The screen was black with green font appearing on it. There was no colour available on that old thing. The last Church Office had a cool looking colour monitor with some called “Windows 3.1” on it – but it was fairly new. Some one had provided the church with a new computer that was then worth over $3500 – an unbelievable amount for anyone to pay out – let alone a church! But everyone was getting into it. My old black screen DOS based program worked well. I knew all the commands and it worked great.
I asked Alida if she remembered way back to 1993 when we saved the money and bought that first computer at the new Future Shop in Regina at that BIG SALE? She did. It was an amazing deal at $1100 for a new desk top with the new “Windows 3.1”. I told her that it was only about two months later that the “Windows 95” was released… and it costs a bit more but we bought it.
Then while we were in Regina they released the “Windows 98” which came on the next computer that we bought. The $1200 one was slow and we needed more space and power in the computer at that time… the small 40 Mega Byte hard drive was full. I was storing buckets of information on small diskettes that were now piling up. The new 175 MB Hard Drive was so much quicker and new RAM came with it!!!
In 1998 when we moved to Peterborough the desk top machine that we had rode in the back seat to protect it from excessive movement and the possibility that parts would shake loose. I had tweaked this one and built it the way that I wanted it increasing the smaller 100 Mega Byte Hard Drive with the then over 400 Mega Byte Hard Drive that was sizzling… With my computer background I had been able to keep up, stay ahead and be more tech-savvy than most.
The secretary at our church was using a type writer to peck out the text on the paper, cutting it out and then taping it to another piece of paper to make the church bulletin.
We bought a new computer for the church and the necessary side stuff. It was a learning curve but I taught her how to use the new Publishing Programs (Corel Draw 7 and then 9 to be exact). What a difference it made. A whole new world opened up to us at the church.
When other pastors and folk in the church were having problems with their machines I made a little extra cash by repairing theirs and making the upgrades happen. That was fun and profitable.
Since 1998 I have crossed the border between Desk Top Machines and Lap Tops… never to go back again.
Just before dropping off to sleep Alida had listened to that long story. I know she was thinking… “Think of all the things we could have done on the house with that money!” But she didn’t. Bless her heart – she understands now as she checks her own email each day… and reads some of the stuff on her FaceBook. She is one cool Grandma!
Upgrading Again…
Yesterday at about 1:00 PM I began the installation of the new “Window 7” operating system. This morning when I crawled out of bed at 6 AM it was done. The warning on the screen as I began was that this could take several hours. It did! In my case it was about 13 or more hours. I was asleep when it completed its work.
It works like a dream this morning. And the new stuff that it has will take me days to discover it all. It is like getting that first “Windows 3.1” loaded computer way back in 1993… with so much to learn. That NEW FEELING is so much fun… oooieee!
For the other “techy-loaded-question-and-fearing” people – it was easy – except for the 13 plus hours to get the job done. I lost nothing on my machine. Everything is working good so far.
I have a mere 240 Gigabyte Hard Drive on this Lap Top. It had about 67 Gigabytes of free space when I started the Windows 7 installation. Now it is sitting at 71 Gigs of free space. Used Space was 156 GB and it now sits at 153 GB!!!
It required 16 Gigs of free space to install and then left me more space when it was done. I think that was good… I think! There was nothing left laying on the desk when it was done – no extra screws the way there used to be… (ahem!).
My granddaughter Emma came over the other day and asked, “Grandpa, can I go on to Webkinz?”
“No problem! For you I will do anything.” I said.
“Grandpa – your computer is so cool! It does everything!”
I grinned…
Wait till Emma sees what it is like NOW! Whoah! She doesn’t know what cool is! At 65 I am still way a head of the crowd… puffing a little… but I now have “Windows 7”.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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