Roots

A few weekends ago, Bruce and I visited Church of the King in Berkley, MI, and got to experience a service in their new venue at the Southfield-Lathrop High School. It was a dynamic service and I was favorably impressed with the way the church members totally transform the school lobby and auditorium into a professional and contemporary area to gather and worship. And,... in the lobby, ...there is a wall of windows, with about 5 tall beautiful flowering hibiscus plants.

These hibiscus plants reminded me of the one Samantha gave me last Spring for Mother's Day... because the hibiscus is one of my favorites!! My plant is actually three plants, about 6 feet tall, with stems woven together, and is intended to be a house plant. When Samantha first gave it to me, it was full of gorgeous blooms!

I love my hibiscus, and because I'm not typically successful growing things, I did a google search to learn how to care for her (...yes, she is now affectionately known to me as Cynthia :-D ). One of the articles I read said it was important to replant her in a pot that would be about 30% larger than the one she came in, before she outgrew it, so she would have room to grow. Otherwise, she would become rootbound.

So what's rootbound? Rootbound is when there is no effective space for new roots to occupy. One of the first symptoms of being rootbound is, in fact, that plant growth slows despite favorable environmental conditions (light, water, fertilizer, etc)."

I sure wanted Cynthia to be healthy, and to grow, so I hustled off to Home Depot, and bought her a big new pot.

The article warned, however, that hibiscuses are very sensitive, and that this change would initially cause some trauma to Cynthia, ...and did it ever! Leaves started turning brown and dropping off dramatically, and some of the new little buds never opened, but also fell off.

I was concerned.

For months, my beloved plant went downhill. She made a half-hearted effort to bloom again, but only 3 flowers made it to fruition. Not only was she not 'growing', I feared she was dying. She was looking pretty feeble, in spite of my attempt to perk her up with string of twinkle lights.
But I have continued to water, feed, and nuture her (and even, um, talk to her). In spite of my lack of horticultural prowess, she's been hanging in there.

And this week, I finally see new growth appearing on the naked branches, and her falling leaves have drastically subsided. So I am hopeful that she's turned the corner, and is heading back to her happy place.

The hibiscus article I read said, "At times we have been amazed to see the difference in our flowers once the plants had room to grow larger root systems to provide the hibiscus with all the water and nutrients they need." That's what I'm counting on!! Go Cynthia!

So, a lesson from the plant kingdom, and maybe even the Heavenly kingdom... though up-rooting can be a bit traumatic, don't get rootbound. Stretch out, and keep blooming.

Troy

Well, the BIG weekend for Steeler fans everywhere is finally here!! The news stories on all of our local news have been headlined every day by what's going on in Tampa in preparation for the Super Bowl. Bruce has been watching REPLAYs of all of the past Steeler Super Bowls and Championship Games on the NFL Network for 2 weeks. I am ready for this game to begin.

Leah told me about this great and inspiring article on nfl.com about Troy Polamalu... one of our favorites on the team! Here is a link to the article in case you missed it:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80e68a8d&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true&icampaign=SB43_Tue_2column_1

So glad that Troy had a great game in the AFC Championship!

Our daughters are ALL super Steeler fans. And... our youngest, Samantha, lives in ... TROY !

Steelers in Space

Gotta love dem Stillers!

Steeler fans are die-hard and go to great lengths to see their guys play... hope this Pittsburgh Fan got to view the game somehow... maybe by,... satellite.

http://www.truveo.com/Steelers-Space-Fan/id/2201822174

FIt to a Tea

Bet you never wondered why a 'teaspoon' is called a teaspoon, or a why tiny little round candles are called 'tea lights', or what's so special about a 'tea towel'. So, today, while I prepared a pot of perfectly brewed Monkey Picked Oolong / Silver Needle blend tea and measured out 3 'teaspoons' of the leaves , the little 'tea light' went on in my brain. The 'tea-spoon' began as a measure for brewing a cup of tea!

With the popularity of coffee in this country, tea has been long over-looked. But it's making a comeback. Actually, tea has been recognized for its medicinal and taste benefits for centuries. It began as a beverage for emperors, and became a sought after commodity in Europe, enjoyed mainly by the aristocracy. As it became more available to the masses, it was still highly valued as a social centerpiece. Porcelain tea sets were so important to British families, the mistress of the house would dry them herself with a special linen cloth--her 'tea towel'.

I've wanted to cut back on the caffeine and coffee, and found that teas are varied and flavorful, and I've come to prefer tea over coffee. I am most intrigued by the health benefits of tea, and it's great to think that I'm actually enjoying something that's good for me!

If you are interested, here are some general qualities of the four main types of tea:

White -- the least processed tea, very high in antioxidants (studies show that antioxidants in white teas help to reduce the risk of cancer, particularly lung, colon, and skin cancer, and also strengthen your immune system and help with metabolism), very low in caffeine; excellent for hydration of the body and the skin, which acts naturally to reduce the signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles); aids in detoxifying your body. A cup of white tea only has about 1% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee.

Green -- very high in antioxidants that boost the immune system and may help to reduce the risk of cancer (polyphenols), particularly lung, colon and skin cancers, helps to regulate your blood sugar, resist cavities and gingivitis, and it is good for your skin. Green tea also contains EGCG complex, which is very good for metabolism.

Oolong -- help to lower the intake of fat content from high-cholesterol meals and increase metabolism (this is why it is known as "diet tea"). The tannic acid in Oolong teas also helps to lower cholesterol levels. Good for the skin as well. Typically a very relaxing drink, although it does have a slight amount of caffeine.

Black -- Medical research suggests that black teas assist in lowering cholesterol, preventing the absorption of cholesterol into the blood, gently stimulating the heart and circulatory system, keeping blood vessels soft, regulating blood sugar, and lowering blood pressure. It can help prevent heart disease and strokes. Contains 20% of the caffeine in coffee.

And, all tea includes fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the formation of plaque.

Good tea doesn't come in bags from the grocery store, but from a good tea store which sells loose leaf teas, which are higher quality and fresher. They can tell you how to brew each specific tea, too.

Keyboard Shortcuts

I spent about an hour the other day trying to find my old 'cheat sheet' that had keyboard shortcuts for punctuation, foreign language and symbols. There are lots of ways to use the number pad (for Windows) and/or just simple key stroke combinations for laptops (MAC and PC).

I never did find my old faithful list, but found a quick Internet search led to several listings online. None of them are as user-friendly as the one I've misplaced, but in case these would be helpful to anyone else, here are the links...

For MACs http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codemac.html
For PCs http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html

Next time I 'lose' my 'cheat sheet,, I'll just use my 'cheat blog'/. BTW... the photo has nothing to do with the posting,... I just wanted to make it a little more interesting.

Who-rah!

Ever been to a big parade celebrating the return of a hero(es)?

I was at the parade for the first Steeler Super Bowl victory, way back when. It was such a big deal that the mayor declared the day a holiday, and the businesses gave their employees the day off. And, in spite of the frigid temperatures, and long.... long... wait for the team to arrive, all of the fans stayed there for their opportunity to cheer for their city's heroes, and to be a part of the big celebration, and to claim some of the glory, almost as if we had something to do with it. The excitement bordered on worship as fans sang the Stiller song and called out the names of the players riding by.

This memory was sparked by something I recently read in Jack Hayford's book, The Reward Of Worship. Hayford is describing a scene from the book of Revelation (chapters 4 & 5), which he says is an account of the apostle John witnessing the moment when the Son of God, the Lamb, having defeated sin and death, returns triumphantly to the Heavenly realm to take His throne. The Heavenly fans have been waiting, and watching, maybe even holding their breath. But when the Hero returns, they break out in spontaneous praise, and worship. They can't help themselves.

There's much I don't understand about the book of Revelation, but having read this, it was as if a light went on in my little brain, and I gained a new pespective. Having experienced a little of fanaticism for our football team bringing glory to our town, I can only imagine the eurphoria inspired by the victory of the Christ, bringing salvation to the human race.

Hayford says that while the book of Revelation arouses speculation on its symbolism and end times prophecy, it is at its core a book about worship. When the heavenly beings continually declare, "Holy, holy, holy...", it's not because they are mindless robots caught in a habit, but they are so awestruck, tongue-tied maybe, that it's all they CAN say.

And, while it's great fun to cheer so fervently for the Steelers, the Penguins and the Nittany Lions, it's life-changing to cheer for the Lamb.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I used to have a sign on the wall of my office that said "Bloom where you are planted". It was meant to be a reminder to me to make the best of each situation and to do my best to thrive wherever I found myself.

We have a crabapple tree in our yard that blooms each Spring with glorious pink blossoms. When it's in full bloom, it evokes a sense of hope in the coming spring season of new birth after the dark, dreary, cold winter.

We're well into Fall now, have had some frosty mornings and even a few snow flakes. And we've also had some unusually warm weather for this time of year. But in spite of the above average temps, I didn't expect to see this when I opened the garage door ...

One branch of our little crabapple is in bloom! It's pretty, but odd. So, of course, I googled "crabapple trees that bloom in fall" and found that while it's not usual, neither should I call Dean Cain to come over and shoot an episode of Ripley's Believe It, Or Not.

A plant (tree) that blooms out of season is usually caused by some stress during the normal growing season, which throws off the tree's internal mechanisms that control flowering. So, when temperatures and/or rainfall repeat the conditions present during the normal bloom time, the confused tree produces flowers.

We were pondering this phenomenon. The tree's response to stress and changes in its environment, was to bloom! It dug deep into its xylem and phloem, and instead of shutting down, it made pretty flowers. This is certainly contrary to the pattern I see in my own reaction to stressful or confusing situations... I fret; I hyperventilate; I get, well, ... crabby.

The Fall blossoms won't be producing any fruit... we've got some yukky cold weather forecast in the next few days which will likely put an end to the blooms. But, I've read that the Spring flowering of the flowering crab probably won't be adversely affected by its Fall florescence. It will adjust and adapt and recover from the stress, and be back to its old self by Spring, and it most likely will flower and bear fruit in due season.

And so, for however briefly, the contrast of the pretty pink flowers amid the backdrop of the brown and bleak landscape is a reminder to me that perspective is pretty important. If we tap into the hope that lies within us, we can bloom in spite of the season, and may even look a little prettier in the process.

Rewards of Honor

I went to the post office today to buy some stamps and found it was closed. I remembered then that it is Veterans Day, and I was glad that we have set aside a day to honor the veterans who have served our country.

A few weekends ago, Bruce & I traveled to Washington D. C. to visit our daughter and son-in-law. Ashley and Nate took us to the Iwo Jima Memorial, which we had driven past many times, but hadn't stopped to read the plaques and to reflect on the sacrifice of so many in one of the fiercest battles of WWII. While we were there, several bus loads of veterans who had fought in the Pacific Theatre arrived and assembled in front of the monument for a group picture and for some reflection of their own. They became the living part of the monument.

After the photos and the hushed conversation, they spontaneously broke into a poignant and loud rendition of "God Bless America". These men, heroes every one, weren't focusing on personal loss or the horrors of the war, but they were blessing the nation they served and reiterating the freedoms they fought to preserve.

Two days later, American citizens exercised the right to vote for the next president of the United States, as well as many local and congressional leaders. So many men and women who have served/now serve our country in the armed forces are part of the reason we can.

Grass Roots

With all of the hype about the National Conventions for the Democratic and Republican parties, and who will be whose choice for VP candidate, you gotta realize that while so many well-known people are in the spot light, there is lots of talent out there that goes unnoticed by the general public.

It came to my attention by a good friend of ours that there is a grass roots campaign a-brewin' which you may not have heard of. While I post this tidbit of interest here in my blog, I disavow any responsibility for its contents. You can click here to see the recent news coverage...

http://www.thelopezfamilyonline.com/play.php?first=Bruce%20J.%20&last=Edwards

It takes a minute or so for the video to load.

(Thanks, John!!)

Ping!

Upon occasion, I have had problems with my computer and/or Internet connection. Because my computer network savvy is very limited, I have spent many hours on phone calls with my ISP or software providers, learning ways to resolve my computer issues. One of the first things the Help Desk folks try to establish is that I'm actually connected to my server. To do this, they 'Ping' our DSL modem. Ping works by sending “echo request” packets to the target host and listening for “echo response” replies. Thus the technician can determine that all the appropriate signals and stuff are getting through, and that the connection is working well.

I was thinking about this recently as I read a new book by Margaret Feinberg. She has become an author whose works resound in my soul. The book is The Sacred Echo. It's is about prayer, but it's also about hearing God answer you back. Kind of like a Holy Ping.

I don't say that lightly, because so much of what Feinberg describes as sacred echos in her life and her prayer journey causes me to remember and deeply reflect on my own. She tells of how God has often used repetitive events and themes in her daily life, like an echo, to get her attention and draw her to Him. She shares real life events and thoughts that challenge me to revisit some areas I've set aside.

Reading this book caused me to check my 'connection' to my Source. While I often send out those "echo request" packets, I need to listen for and to identify the "echo response" replies. Feinberg shares how the repetitive nature of a sacred echo hints that something important may be going on, prodding her to consider, and investigate, how God is at work in her life.

I just finished the book, but I'll be reading it again. And probably again after that. Mostly because of what her expressed thoughts generate in mine. It's not just for women, either. Eleven of the fourteen book jacket promotion commentaries were written by men.

Fowl Play

OK, this will be the last one. I promise. Probably.

Big story on the news last night... Jogger Attacked by Wild Turkey.

It got my attention.

In a city park, no less. Hmmm. What's going on with all of these turkeys all of a sudden? Aliens??

Seems an unwitting girl was just jogging along a trail in Highland Park, and a big turkey started attacking her. She fought back with her hat (of course!), and he eventually stopped chasing her and left her alone. The wildlife experts at the zoo thought perhaps a male turkey was out cruising for a mate.

Next thing ya know, we'll be seeing wild turkeys at weddings, trying to catch the bride's garter, or at dance clubs... doing the Turkey Trot.

More Turkey Talk

This turkey thing is really getting to me. I was grilling some dinner the other evening... bratwurst for Bruce, 98% fat-free hot dogs for me. The turkeys were there in the back yard as I was grilling. We've identified two separate flocks... they take turns feeding and waddling in the yard.

So, the first troop trouped by as I tended to the barbecuing victuals. They'd periodically glanced my way, gobble a little, eat some bugs and then went back into the woods.

Soon thereafter, the second family emerged, and they came a little closer, gobbled a little, and ate some bugs. One of the big ones, a mama I suppose, waddled over to the deck (I think she's the one who was at the door the other night). She looked up at me with those beady little eyes and clucked her little heart out, and then they all trekked back into the woods.

We sat down to dinner finally, and Bruce looked at me quizzically as I ate my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. My 98% fat-free hot dogs were, of course... turkey dogs. I just couldn't eat them.

Not the Raven

Once upon a morning dreary, at my desk, weak and weary,
Pondering many a quaint website, email and computer chore ,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door
- Only this, and nothing more.'

Or not. I got up from my desk to take a peek... what was rapping, rapping at my chamber door?

Nothing there, must have been a tree limb or something.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;
- 'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

Open here I flung the blinds, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
Out there stepped a stately... um, turkey... of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made she; not a minute stopped or stayed she;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched outside my chamber door -
Perched and gobbled just outside my chamber door
- Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Let's call her Lenore. Lenore the turkey. And Lenore has lots of babies! And she's got a turkey club. Not the kind with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo... but other mama turkeys with more babies. And they all have taken up residence in our yard.

Last year, we would occasionally see a turkey troupe cutting across our yard. We thought they were cute. But this year, what happened??? There's three times as many of them, and they are always there!!! Sometimes, I hear this strange clamour, and realize after a few moments that it's clucking. They no longer just trek across the yard on the way to grandma's house, they've established residency. Turkey feathers litter the back yard.

Yesterday, one was touring our back deck, and startled me at our dining room door as we ate dinner. This morning, Lenore and her turkeylettes were tap-tap-tapping at my window. When I looked at them through the blinds, they just stared back at me. I kind of felt like I was in the zoo, and they came to look at me.

I confess that I'll never look upon Thanksgiving Dinner the same way again. The deer don't even seem to hang around as much, now that the turkeys have taken roost. Will they ever move on, will they ever find another comfy patch of woods to call home??

Quoth the turkey... nevermore.

Dana and Tom

We had the lovely opportunity to share the joy of our niece's wedding this past weekend. Dana and Tom were married Saturday afternoon, with a traditional and symbolic ceremony at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oakland. Dana was a beautiful and lovely bride; Tom was a handsome and charming groom. And, the whole wedding party was picture perfect!

The wedding reception was at the Carnegie Museum Music Hall, which was conveniently right across the street. And there was lots of delicious food, fun, and Greek dancing!!

Dana and her brothers, Chris and Mark, grew up as our neighbors as well as our family, so it was special to share in the delight of the weekend. The new extended family is wonderful and we were glad to meet them and spend some time with them!

I Gotta Crow

I've been way behind in blog posting lately. More and more things have been clamoring for my time and attention this summer. No lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer around here!

So, I'm almost 2 weeks late for this particular post, but better late than never. Over the 4th of July weekend, I traveled to Michigan to help our youngest move her stuff into her new apartment. Happily, that Sunday was also the speaking debut of our oldest daughter at Church of the King. Leah has had opportunities to speak at functions both in college and at her last position at Northway Christian Community Church, but this was the first time she was the primary speaker in a Sunday service. Brad put her 'in the pulpit', and she didn't disappoint.

In fact, she delivered a poignant yet powerful message about dealing with fear (What if we were freed from fear?). All those years I 'preached' to her, and that Sunday, she taught me. And she touched me, and she inspired me. She spoke from her heart and from her own battle with fear and her words still echo in my head as I think about the encouragement she breathed. I even took notes.

You can listen to the message as a podcast on iTunes , or access it directly from the Church of the King website.

AND, she's got another article printed in the Threads eNewsletter this month, entitled When I Grow Up. Last month's edition had her article Quarterlife Questions. Threads is the young adult online connection of Lifeway.

I gotta crow. I feel a little like Peter Pan.