Woolly End Renovations

Today started another renovation project at "Woolly End" House.  The whole indoors is dusty and messy from the tear out of the carpet and the beginning of installing real wood floors, 2 3/4, 4 and 5 inch boards, tongue and groove.  Of course there was the proverbial "discovery" of an anomaly that the original wood floors in the dining room and kitchen were 1/8 of an inch higher than the new floor, requiring another visit to Home Depot for a 1/8 inch underlayment.  But we are underway and halfway through the install of the living room at this writing.  Numerous obstacles have arisen like the stone fireplace trim was not quite 3/4" above the subflooring, some of the lumber was warped, etc., etc.  Normal stuff.  It may be months before we are truly finished but we are started!

My Favorite Sergeant - Jonathan Fiore

Jonathan was promoted to sergeant this past week (effective July 1).  When he was a groomsman in a military wedding this weekend, I took some photos of him in his uniform and his medals!  We're proud of him.

Branch B. Rickey

Speaking of Baseball, Commissioner Selig has announced his retirement effective 2012.  As a result of that announcement, several names will be mentioned as his potential successor.  One of those, Brian Ross, Sr. Editor, of Minor League Baseball News postulates in his article that the President of the Pacific Coast League, Branch B. Rickey, who is commonly called "Branch Rickey, III," is an apt candidate.  Brian's assessment of Branch, as a great visionary and good for baseball, is one in which I heartily agree.  Branch's reputation is one of honor, integrity and grace; his values -- truth, excellence and fair play; and his training, from his grandfather and father's knees -- teething on baseball, weaning on history and learning compassion, equity, and dependability towards his fellowman (and woman).

I have been blessed to call him my "boss" and to be considered his colleague and right-hand in his work as the President of the Pacific Coast League.

Minor League Baseball News - MLB Commissioner

2009 Baseball Winter Meetings - Indianapolis

Baseball held its Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana December 7-10, 2009.  What an amazing choice -- northern city, with skywalks connecting the hotels, shopping, restaurants.  A clean city with a dusting of true winter but most enjoyable for the variety of venues close in to the Convention Center. 

Two highlights for me were the Indianapolis Art Museum with its juried paintings, sculptures and glass exhibits which include a Monet, several Gaugins, a Remington and two Chihuly vases.  My favorite by far was the Benson painting, Sunlight.  A woman standing and shielding her face from the sun bathed in white light.

The second was the Soldiers Memorial where toy soldiers stood guard over the light strewn monument.  At night the buildings to either side had a pyramid of green rectangles topped with golden stars.

St. Petersburg

The Pacific Coast League held its Fall Meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida in mid-October.  Minor League Baseball University, held at MiLB Headquarters, and the PCL GM Seminar, held at the Renaissance Hotel, were the two integral parts to the continuing education process.  Each club in the 16 team league led a 10 - 15 minutes segment on a topic of interest.  Some of the ideas included a mug club, reading program for kids, crisis management, etc.


Frank accompanied me on this trip and we were able to spend an extra day visiting the gulf coast, as well as Frank and I under the Banyan tree, seeing the sailboat races, posing for pictures in my new straw fedora and Frank loving the sea.

The Best Letter Carrier

Nicke made her debut as an "official" letter carrier for All Hallows Eve -- quite the hit with some of the "regulars."

Gratitude Journal

Saw this article today and counting sheep has not helped. Talking to the Great Shepherd looks to be much more promising!

Gratitude is an attitude so missing from our nation. But let's not blame them in general, and look at ourselves, and from my perspective, me in particular. Keeping a Gratitude Journal is something I started a few years ago; however,not having developed it into a regular habit, I can't say if it impacts the quality of my sleep. This is something for meditation oh about 10 pm tonight!

http://stress.about.com/b/2009/10/19/feel-grateful-sleep-better.htm

Colorado - CSU

Returning to Colorado Springs on October 10 at 7:40 pm in an ice / snow storm was a piece of cake as far as the flight was concerned.  The roads however were a different story.  The City failed to spread sand in advance of the event and pileups of cars, trucks, semis and emergency vehicles occurred all over town.  Again, we arrived to our home safely.  Upon arrival, a yellow tag was on the door from the Utilities department -- there had been a "leak" in our meter outside so the gas was turned off.  Surprise! Our indoor environment was almost the same temperature as outdoors with the indication that it would not improve until a utility worker arrived to turn the gas on.  After 5 hours of radiation heating from a log fire, the interior warmed to a frosty 52.  At 2:00 am the representative of CSU arrived and restored life to our furnace and our fingers and toes.  By 4:00 am we were warm enough to climb into bed without becoming icicles.

I'm thankful for: 

• the man who came in spite of road conditions, 
• the wind was not blowing,
• we had wood and a fireplace in which to burn it,
• this was only the first day of the intense cold so the water pipes were not exposed to deep cold,
• hot chocolate, tea, candles and warm blankets
• electricity and heat!

Bryson City Tales

Beginning his medical practice, Walt Larimore landed in a small Smoky Mountain town called Bryson where he records the experiences not only of a country doctor, but veterinarian, and psychologist.  The simplicity of life in this rural village and the descriptions of nature are well told. 

Desiring to live in such a quiet and uncomplicated place, stimulates reflection on bucolic times and regret for loss of locales which generated meditative contemplation.

Pumpkin Pumpkin - Old Colorado City

Saturday, October 3 the pumpkins are coming, the pumpkins are coming!  Boy did they grow large.  The winner was right at 1000 pounds and several were over 800 pounds.  Amazing that anything edible would grow that large and require a forklift to move it.  We all had to pose by the pumpkins -- Frank and I were there in the morning completing some Christmas shopping.  Rhonda and I went later in the day once she finished her seminar. 

We also visited Deb's Coffee Shop for a perfect cup of coffee and bread pudding as well as Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, the first and original site for the Company.  Michael Garman's store and the Honey Store were also on the itinerary.  Tomorrow we hope to visit Garden of the Gods and maybe the Pioneer Museum.

Girlfriend Visit

My best friend from school, Rhonda, came to Colorado for a Compassion Advocate retreat this weekend.  During her off-hours we toured the headquarters for Compassion International, a child advocacy program for children in countries without enough food and clothing to reach their full potential.  This ministry not only provides for the physical well-being of the child but calls the child to Jesus Christ.  The statues at the headquarters building were donated to the organization and represent children from all continents coming to Jesus who cares for them.  Rhonda has traveled to Nicarauga and Dominican Republic to visit children she has personally sponsored.  After the tour at Compassion we went to the Air Force Academy and walked through the Visitor's Center and then hiked the tree-lined trail to the jet-inspired Cadet Chapel.  Following that we drove on to the USOC Headquarters in Colorado Springs.  While there we had a guide explain the purpose of the Olympic Committee and the National Governing Bodies, the sports that train in Colorado Springs as well as the facilities available here.  We rarely see each other so spending the time together and enjoying the blue skies and purple mountain majesties was a real treat!

Staff Orientation

September 28 and 29, two days of inspiring, invigorating and exhausting time spent in Staff Orientation for the Pacific Coast League, will lay a wonderful foundation for next season and the years to come.  The meetings held in the library of the Old Town Guest House in Old Colorado City were conducive to discussion and examination of our practices and patterns of work. 

Our first topic was the book Moose on the Table led by John and resulted in evaluating issues which were underlying preparations for next year.  We came away from the meetings with a fresh perspective and ready to move forward with the 2010 Season preparations.  My job will continue to be one of administration and oversight for the business operations of the League.

Estonian Lace - Mittens with Nancy Bush

On Saturday and Sunday September 26 and 27, the PPKG sponsored workshops by Nancy Bush.  Saturday was an Introduction to Estonian Lace.  Nancy Bush walked us through knitting a sampler with a Lily of the Valley pattern.  Cheryl, our over-achiever, completed, blocked and brought her sampler to the next day's class on mittens, which is the yellow pattern below.  Sunday we learned a braided cast-on and stranded color knitting of a cuff.  Traditional colors are white, black and red.  Estonian culture has a tradition that the red strand of color (symbolizing the life blood) surrounding an opening of a garment (sleeve, hem or collar) protects the person from evil.  My thoughts immediately turned to the story of the Exodus and how the shed blood of a lamb applied to the door posts protected the Israelites from the Destroyer.  Then on to Rahab and the red cord hung outside her window preserved her from harm during the invasion of Jericho and last on to Jesus Christ who's blood applied to my account preserves me from death and the Destroyer.  Traditions have an element of truth and this one certainly harkens back to centuries past.

Nancy did an awesome job communicating her knowledge of the Estonian life, culture and traditions including the unique forms of lace and color work.  The two days were a wonderful cross-cultural education in history and art.

Baby Sweater and Market Bag

Finished two projects - a baby sweater (a little larger size due to worsted weight yarn and modified needle size) and a large market bag.  At one of the Pikes Peak Knitting Guild meetings, Angela taught the 5-hour baby sweater that takes approximately 7 hours to complete with the Vanna's Choice green.  I think it took me a wee bit longer, but it is finished all but a button for the closure.  Looks sweet!

The stylin' French Market Bag owes to the inspiration of Joanna with Needleworks by Hollyberry in Old Colorado City.  The class instruction laid the basis for getting started and amazingly the stitches in a brown and blue cotton basketweave and mesh stitches were addictive enough that voila!  The bag is now finished and ready to use when trips are made to the local farmer's market or the regular grocery.

Knitting Joke

My favorite and one shared with the local Knitting Guild is: 

A woman is knitting as she drives (which is totally unsafe, and I don't advocate it). Pretty soon, her speed has crept all the way up to 95 mph--and she passes a parked police car. The car gives chase. Officer Bob turns on his siren, but the woman, oblivious, doesn't notice him. Finally, he pulls up alongside her car and yells, "Pull over! PULL OVER!"

She looks at him, looks at her knitting, and yells--


"NO! It's a CARDIGAN!"

See the link for additional laughs:  http://www.anacleta.com/knittinghumor.html

Government Benevolence

What is the current form of the United States?  Socialist, Oligarchy, Democracy, Republic?  Just as Rome began as a Republic (ruled by law); so did these United States of America. 

As Rome grew, people desired more influence on the government.  Law wasn't as flexible to adapt to the desired behavior.  In the early to mid-1800's the young USA began a transformation, with the rule of the common man and the spoils system.  Quite incongruous concepts but nonetheless existing side-by-side.  Andrew Jackson invoked this "democracy" and since that time, this country became more and more "democratic" -- rule by the majority.

In the US and Rome this deteriorated into rule by the minority.  Rome was governed by a triumverate influenced by the Senate and  in the early 1960's the US Supreme Court decided that if one person wants to do something and the law forbids it, then the law should be changed.  The Constitution became a "living and breathing" document resulting in the rule by an oligarchy (rule by a select few). 

In 2009 the US lacks only a crisis to send it forward to the next step experienced by Rome, rule by the "benevolent" dictator for life.  In my lifetime CHANGE includes the desires of the majority no longer matter; special interests have the ear of the government; the finance arena, delivery service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors are indebted and controlled by the federals; the deficit of the annual budget has gone from 300 billion per year (before the enactment of TARP) to 1.7 trillion per year; all in less than one year.  Will the crisis that sends us into anarchy and a subsequent totalitarian dictatorship result from run away inflation?  Devalued money? Inability to produce crops to feed our people? 

If we aren't on the verge of financial collapse now, we well could be very soon especially should our leaders shove the pill of government controlled health care down the collective throat.  Government health care necessitates a regulatory agency with paper processing non-doctor bureaucrats making decisions on type of diagnosis, authorized form of treatments, prescriptions on allowed formulary lists, resulting in extended delays in performance of "appropriate" tests, medications, aspirin, etc.  Clerks will have the authority currently held by physicians; that government right to privacy act (bureaucratic paperwork we've endured at every doctor visit) will only mean your spouse won't know your conditions; however, everyone who has access to a government computer (secured or stolen) will know.  Privacy rights will be a thing of the past.  We will be servants of a state that watches over our health, our money, our food, our cars ... or are we already?

How did we come this far?  On whose watch did we lose our beloved Republic?  We think ourselves infinitely wise; yet, we have repeated history and failed to observe the trodding of our downward steps.

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

John Newton

Finished From Disgrace to Amazing Grace: John Newton by Jonathan Aitken. Wow! Well written and enlightening how much he influenced the future with his mentoring impact on three Williams: William Wilberforce (abolition of the slave trade and slavery in England); William Carey (first missionary from England) and William Cowper (hymnologist, poet).

Nancy Bush Workshop - Colorado Springs

On September 26 and 27, 2009, Nancy Bush will be presenting Workshops in Colorado Springs on Estonian Lace and Mittens. If you are interested, a flyer is attached for further information.