Monday, October 29, 2012

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Musings "Jesus, Home for the Holiday's?"

For the first time in almost a year I've had to take a sick day. It's kinda nice, because it's giving me more time to rest, but it's also frustrating, because I'm tired and don't feel good, so I"m not doing anything. Sigh, moving on.

As part of my "quiet time" I've been reading a book I was loaned called "The Emotionally Healthy Church" by Someone or Other. In it the author lists Jesus' emotions recorded in the New Testament  As I was reading this one phrase caught my attention. "He was furious at the crass commercialism in the temple (John 2:13-17)" p. 79.

The phrasing is awesome, "crass commercialism".

But it got me thinking, if Jesus was ticked enough to drive people out of the temple because of their "crass commercialism" what would He do with our Holiday's today? Specifically Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas.

I realize there is a difference. Most Churches don't sell Easter candy, or Christmas decorations, on the front steps saying "you need this to worship properly". But what about Easter egg hunts and bunny suites? Would He laugh and be like "Dude, you're in a pink rabbit costume, that's ridiculous " Would He help little kids find the eggs? Would He like the balloons or Broadway acts of the Macy 's parade best? Would He watch football? Would He dress up like Santa and hear the wishes of children?

Or would He be disgusted by the commercialism and sweep things off store shelves, shattering ornaments and lights? Would He weep because we're lost in busyness and we just don't get it? Would He publicly chastise us and call us to repent?

Truthfully, I don't know. I kinda think He'd do all of those and more. Laugh and participate with joy, correct and admonish where needed, weep where there's pain and darkness. But mostly I think He would want to hang out. Spend the day with the family, meet us where we're at. Maybe help serve the food and wash dishes. Maybe get a game of two-hand touch going in the afternoon.

On Sunday's the sign at Hilmar Lumber switches from the normal advertising, to messages from God, if you will. One that's been up there for years is something like, "Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God".

Thing is, inviting Him can be risky. As Mr. Beaver says, "It's not like He's a tame lion." What if He does decide to "drive out the money changers"? Would we be able to show our face in public again? 

This unpredictable wildness can make it hard to interact with Him. Making Him that relative no one really wants around, but is extended the invitation out of obligation. But that's not what He wants. He's not a prize to be stuffed and hung above the mantle. 

What do I think He would do about our Holiday's if He were here? I think He'd show up green-bean-casserole in hand saying, "Hey, You invited me. I'm here. I showed up, so don't ignore me. Let's hang out, eat some food, catch up on life and go from there."

And if we do that, the rest will fall into place.


Thursday, October 18, 2012

Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving?

Putting Christmas stuff out at work. SERIOUSLY IT'S MID OCTOBER!!!!!!!! The sad part is, we're not even one of the early one's. Some places have had it out for months now almost skipping Halloween. And forget Thanksgiving, you know that holiday where we celebrate, parades, football, and gluttony. (Don't get me wrong, I love and fully participate in all three).

Are we so impatient and consumer driven we can't wait until Thanksgiving to get ready for Christmas? I understand enjoying the holiday's but come on. Staring so soon robs them of what makes them so special; a set amount of time of anticipation and stress. There is something sacred about that month between the Fourth Thursday in November and December 25. Stop trying to rob me of that joy. Starting the season sooner cheapens it.

I refuse to have my holiday's soiled and here by officially protest and boycott Christmas in October. Or even early November. If  you see me caving and considering purchasing Christmas decor  or hear me humming carols before Thanksgiving, please just knock me out cold turkey.

My plan, to enjoy life as it's here, specifically one holiday at a time. So who's with me in protesting the retailer distortion and destruction of the holidays?

No, I don't actually expect a response to that call to arms. That would be weird. But let your back burner simmer it for a bit. I think you'll find I'm right.


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

To Everything....There is a Season

Photo Thanks to Leila Jewell
For all those tired of the heat, and worried that fall will never come, fear not. I have it on excellent authority that by Mid October it will be too cold for swimming.

Who is this infallible source of hope for sweat drenched humanity. Mom. "Is her tailbone hurting?" I hear you ask. Nope. (I know because I asked her the same question). Her knowledge comes from a source more reliant. "What?" I hear you ask, "There's something more accurate than that?" Yup. Childhood memory.

 Apparently, when she was a little girl she always wanted a swim party for her birthday. (My grandparent's had a fantastic pool in Fresno. I think Mom lived in it during Fresno summers as a child). It could be hot right up to her birthday, but on the actual day it was always too cold to go swimming.

I will confess I have been disheartened about the weather myself. I enjoy having seasons, it's harvest time for pete's sake, that means it should be fall, not unending Indian Summer. But the other day at Hilmar Lumber I heard one of our regulars commenting on how in the '50's he'd always be swimming in the canal in October because it was so hot. Truth or not, I couldn't say. But if he was unfazed by the weather, why should I, who has only seen 27 summers fret?

Same as Above
So take heart my miserable Californian friends. (Specifically those on the coast). The cool weather is coming. Soon I'll be griping about cold mornings, jackets and layers, and ice on the windshield, but rejoicing in coco, blankets and foggy mornings.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Seasonal Strangness

We have now entered that weird time of year where you want your car heater on in the early morning and your ac on by noon.  Yes strangeness is in the air, "Whut you goin' to do?" 

Digging a little deeper: can you reference this quote?




Sunday, September 16, 2012

For Those Who Like Math

Rev Barton on Romans 5:12-21; "It's like Adam is one part of an algebraic equation that's about to be canceled out." 

I'm pretty sure that was Divine Intervention for my high  3 + n = -175 school sister, as she finishes Algebra 1 and starts slugging her way through Algebra 2.  


Thursday, September 13, 2012

I Gots Culture

Today via discussion with a friend I realized that the town of, blink-and-you'll-miss-it, Stevinson has more culture than Bakersfield. Not that I expect much from the city "affectionately" known as CA's armpit, but still I was shocked.

 Can you imagine never eating clam chowder and not knowing about homemade ice cream?!? The second one left me speechless; around here even the cows know about homemade ice cream! Don't believe me, head over to Hilmar Cheese and watch the video.

Oh just in case anyone's reading this for the first time, I don't actually live in Stevinson. Or Hilmar for that matter. I live near a much bigger city called Livingston.

Friday, September 7, 2012

The Last Supper a True Miracle

Tonight I had an epiphany. On the night of the Last Supper Jesus was working an awesome, mind blowing, unrecognized miracle. "Well, of course He was" you say. "Everyone knows He singled out Judas as the Betrayer and called Peter's Denial.  What else do you call predicting the future."

But I'm not talking about that, nor am referring to the BIG MIRACLE He was setting the stage for. No I'm talking about one that's crazier.

Have you ever stopped to look at the famous painting of the Last Supper? If not take a look at the picture that I have posted for educational purposes. There's a version hanging by my stairs. (The one posted. Don't know if you can tell from the photo, but that's glitter around the clothes. I've never seen another version quite like it. And the frame, which you can't really see, is wood. Pretty sweet.)  Anyway, on my way to bed I noticed something, you have a tiny table with twelve uncouth guys crowded around it, and not one spilled glass. What are the odds? It's a Miracle I tell you, there's no other explanation.

That night with all the crazy stuff about to go down, with His friends about to Betray Him and Death awaiting, Jesus made sure not to stain the table cloth or waste the wine. Amazing isn't it?

What can I say, He pays attention to details.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Central Valley Tea Time?

Thanks to how my works schedule is I had a natural three day weekend. I decided to stay home but pretend I was on vacation. After our water randomly shut itself off last night, I decided to take myself to breakfast. The water came back on in the middle of the night, but I decided to stick to my plan anyway.

Tea Shop in England
It took me 30 groggy minutes to decide I wanted tea and scones. Unfortunately there aren't a plethora of tea shops around Livingston so I decided to settle on the closest thing around, Starbucks. I know, I know, not the same at all. But I really didn't feel like driving to Jantz's on the far side of Atwater, I was hungry.

After staring at the unhelpful menu that only lists iced tea, I gave up and let the cashier help me figure out what the blazes I wanted. Chi Latte, translation, chi tea with milk. (I always put milk in my tea, but whatever.) Apparently they don't normally put sugar in the drink. I must have paled because he asked if I wanted sugar. I said, "yes, a little." I then was asked if two pumps was ok. Pumps? for sugar? What the blazes?!? You don't pump sugar, you either spoon it out of a bowl or plop a nice symmetrical cube in your tea.

I had no guide to go by. What's a pump of sugar equate to, 1 cube? 1 spoonful? If he'd asked how many cubes I could have told him. Heck even how many spoonfuls. Floundering out of my element I said yeah assuming the Starbucks guru's were all knowing and wise. After scorching my tongue I realized two pumps was not enough. I sat there eating my coffee cake, lamenting the fact that I hadn't been able to doctor the tea myself. I was quite disappointed. (In all fairness it did get slightly better as it cooled).

Conclusions:
1) I miss Europe and Felton California.
2) Next time I'll be sure to bring the sugar cubes. 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Chronologically Speaking

Today at work I was asked "shouldn't you be in school?" After stating I'd been done with school for quite a while I was informed I looked about 16.

If that's the case, maybe I do act my age after all.

Monday, August 20, 2012

1 800 PRAYER?

On Saturday a co-worker received a recorded message from an 800 number saying that "they" thought God wanted them to pray for my co-worker, so to be on the prayer chain hit 0. (Or some number).

HUH?!? 

I wanted to call back and say really? God has an 800 number now?  So the whole talk to Him whenever, wherever thing is out? Now I need cell reception or I'm screwed?

And isn't an 800 number a little I don't know, boring when it comes to God. I mean come on, this is the God that once spoke through an burning inanimate object (bush), and another time used a donkey to get His point across  This is the Guy that backs a kid with rocks over a heavily armored giant. He created the kangaroo for Pete's sake, you'd think He could be a little more original than a recorded message.

I thought He was a bit more personal than that anyway. Doesn't the Bible say He knows the number of hairs on your head? Maybe He's decided to streamline?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not mocking people who actually care about others and pray for them. Prayer warriors are awesome and the church needs more of them. (Especially for people like me). If you think someone need's prayer DO IT! What are you waiting for praise, applause? If you want to let someone know you care, great, just try to do it personally. Like Jesus would. A recorded message from an 800 number is just creepy.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to say all these things. (Which is why you get my snarkiness now). When we tried to call back the call could not be completed; the number was unreachable. Thank God that's not really the way things work.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

My Summer Project

Coming all too soon for my procrastinating self......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT8FltR6wm8&feature=youtu.be

Who Knew, I LOVE WATERMELONS!

Pretty sure I've mentioned this before, and I'm positive I will mention it again, but it's amazing how much fun the simple things in life can be. They may be more enjoyable than something complex.

Take for instance an over ripe watermelon. Growing up in CA I'm afraid I've become a bit snobbish about the condition of my fruits and veggies. Growing up in the country I've become rather an elitist. Gone is the age of even a wrinkled our sour apple in winter being a treat. Grown and transported all over the world, even out of season one can enjoy fresh fruit whenever. But nothing can change that the best fruit (and veggies I suppose) is fresh off the tree, vine or out of the ground.

Tuesday night, Em decided we should eat the pick the watermelon from the garden and eat it with our dinner. I pointed out Aunt Judy had one in the fridge from Costco, but apparently it's not the same. I had my doubts, the melon had been "ready" for a bit and I wasn't sure I'd want to eat it. But it did seem like a waste to leave it there so I quickly thumped it to make sure it sounded like a 3 year-olds stomach.

Since it passed the sound test I plucked it and carried it inside where Emily promptly cut it. Sure enough my fears were true the prize was "going south." Mushy is the only way I know how to explain it. I despise mushy fruit. My friend however, put a cheerful face on things and very diplomatically told me it was very sugary. Uh-huh.....

Being there were two of us, we knew the entire melon would be waaaaay too much. (Aunt Judy was out for the evening). Somehow we got on the topic of throwing half of it out my 2nd story bedroom window. Unfortunately new screens were recently put in so that nixed that. However, the idea of smashing the watermelon delighted me, and I decided we were going to do it. Even if it was less than epic.

Our first attempt was to throw it at my bounce back hoping it would rebound and smash. Problem, I currently do not have sandbags holding it down and the melon was too much weight for the light metal frame. Our second attempt was to simply throw it on the ground and I must say it worked smashingly. (Just for you Aunt Judy).

 It gave a satisfying thwap as it broke into smithereens. In that instant I knew growing watermelons had been worth it. The ones I'd given away had made me feel like I hadn't wasted money. (Can't remember if I bought a watermelon plant this year or if they grew from last years dismal attempts. If I did it was a grand total of 89 cents!) But it wasn't until I smashed that puppy that I delighted in the fruits of my labor.


If you've had a bad day and need a pick me up, destroy a watermelon. It's simple, sticky and rejuvenating. Don't believe me, give it a try, you may be surprised by the joys of being artless.


Disclaimer: This author of this site does not encourage the vandalism or destruction of other's property. All watermelon smashing should be done in one's own yard. 




Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Time to Pay it Forward

There are many things I didn't realize as a kid. But one thing I knew, being a grown up meant work. What kid wants that? So when asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I wisely said I didn't want to grow up. And to a certain extent I've succeeded. As my family likes to say, "you're only as old as you think you are."

But I can't completely hold back the clock. I am an adult. A fun loving, childish one perhaps, but a grown up all the same.

I work 40 hour weeks and volunteer on the side. Conclusion, it's EXHAUSTING! I don't know how my parents and grandparents did it for so many years. But they have, and still do.

I can't say I have the work ethic, or stamina of the WWII generation. I can't say I have the energy or tenacity of Mom. Heck, I don't even have the servants heart of my little sister. I've barely started contributing to society and I'm ready to throw in the towel.

But I won't. I can't. My family has worked hard for generations.If Grandma was up at 4:00 am without fail making Grandpa's coffee every single day, how can I do any less. (Take this statement literally and you're missing the point. For the record, I don't get up that early, nor do I have any plans to start).

It doesn't matter if I don't have their endurance, or drive. What matters is I remember; it's my turn to pay it forward. 

Sunday, July 8, 2012


“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.”

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Monday, July 2, 2012

Home Life

The last couple days have been fantastic. "Why?" I hear you ask, because I have finally gotten to go swimming! Shameful, isn't it, it took me until the beginning of July to get to a pool. But now I've taken the plunge and (hopefully) will do it more often with the remains of summer.

And the fantasticness is just beginning. After 7 pm today I'll have two days off of work in a row (thank you Founding Fathers!) and I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be home! 


To top it all off, there have been people around. Yes ladies and gents, the Home Ranch is being used in the way was meant, to host people. The yard's a long ways from being finished, and I'm working out hosting quirks, but there's been life at the Ranch. And I found out last night it's going to continue! Life is good.


Hm, maybe I should start writing visiting dates down on the calendar. After all, I'd hate to overbook...



Tuesday, June 26, 2012

And I Quoth

Valley Land Alliance posts a weekly quote about farming on their website. I've decided to rip off the ones I like and make them appear on here from time to time.


“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer.”
- Will Rogers

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sauceless BBQ?

Last night at the Merced County Fair I ordered a BBQ pork sandwich. They handed me a roll with dry, sliced pork on it and pointed to a table with BBQ sauce. I pumped sauce, but it was the strangest BBQ I ever ate.


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Life is Like a Semi

The question I know you're all thinking, "how's your summer going?" My reply would probably be something along the lines of, " You mean besides working on Tuesday, taking a 24 hour trip to SLO for graduation on Saturday/Sunday, getting slightly fried at that four hour fiasco, or grating my knuckle good enough Mom ordered me to not bend my finger for the last week? It's been completely restful and rejuvenating. How's yours?"

The real answer, life's been crazy as usual and I'm beginning to realize my wishful thinking of things slowing down is an illusion. Yesterday was the first Tuesday since my summer ambitions blog where I've been home. In fact it might be one of two in June because next week is, THE DENTIST! (Something I'm not necessarily looking forward to.)

Yesterday however, was fantastic. My plan had been to mow and water. May I just say the lawn really, really, really needed to be mowed. I'd missed a week when I went to Santa Cruz, and then I came back had to work and sliced my finger so the grass had been allowed to grow unchecked for about two weeks! It was ridiculous. Please pause here for a moment gentle reader and recognize, I don't have a lot of pet peeves, but unmowed lawn is one of them. Drives me NUTS.

Anyway mowing, yes that was my plan, only come to find out one of my Dad's guys had taken it upon himself to mow and weed eat around the house! (May I just say, Zeke is a yard wizard. I must learn). And Aunt Judy watered. So I had the morning to do other stuff like bake cookies and start going through paper's in my room. I know, I know, amazing right.

A moment of summer going as planned.

Alright, alright, I know what you really want is pictures of my apparently nice looking yard. Fine, I'll post them on here, right after I take them. Just a sec.................(Leila stop counting, it's a figure of speech).


So clearly I figured the drip tape out. Well mostly, the pressure reducer leaks a little so it;s not on there quite right, but otherwise it works beautifully. The flower's in front of the roses are flourishing.

I have come to discover that where I'm getting ok at not killing plants in the ground, when it comes to potted plants I'm rather inept. They do well for a while and then it's like spontaneous combustion, they just die. Thankfully Aunt Judy is quite good at keeping them alive and it's thanks to her the front looks so good. (See top photo for proof).

Anyway, that's my update.


Conclusion, I need to find moments to balance out the craziness. I can't suddenly halt a fast moving semi going downhill and life's not just going to stop because I want a break.

Looks like it's time for me to head out. Here's to another day.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Quote for Thought

I wrote this quote on a scrap of paper. Something about it (and possibly my state of mind at the time) grabbed my attention. I found it while cleaning and figured if I put it on here I could trash the scrap. So, here it is.

"It was fighting. Real fighting, bloody, dreadful fighting. This was  not a song, not a poem; it was blood and shit and shrieking men and screaming horses." p 330 Shadowheart by Tad Williams

And for the record, typing without your pointer really throws things, I'm consistently one letter off. Darn that cheese grater!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Summer Time

It's SUMMER! And I don't just mean because we're now in the upper 90's. No, it's summer because it's June and according to Nicole's calendar, June is summer.

I realized today I sort the seasons by month, no matter what the calendar says. According to my brain:

June-Early August is Summer. 
Late August-September is Indian Summer. 
October-midish November is fall. 
End of November-February is winter. 
And March-May is spring.

Why do you care, you probably don't, it was just a random thought I decided to share.

Why is it being summer note worthy? Because summer means swimming, BBQ's, late sunsets and baseball. Summer is heat, sweat and misery. Summer is smores, ice cream and air conditioning. How could you not be excited?!?

I'm stoked! Although that might not last long if I don't get to go swimming soon. But for now I'll enjoy it.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Kids Creativity

My first Tuesday without KidZone found me exhausted napping at the Subaru dealership in Capitola as my oil was being changed.
KidZone was definitely a learning experience for me this last year. The biggest challenge was probably coming up with weekly crafts. Yes, you heard right, I, Nicole Alvernaz, had to be crafty once a week. Sometimes the craft was just cool and had nothing to do with the lesson, like when we used tennis balls to make pumpkin puppets. (Thanks Mom). Other times we were so tired and out of ideas the kids got a coloring page and word search. Oddly enough they seemed to enjoy it. Go figure. 

Some days the craft was a show up and make it work, other days well.... I think the picture speaks for itself. I must have spent a good 45 minutes crumpling pieces of paper bags, and wetting them through. By the time I was done I had paper bags drying all over the kitchen. It was ridiculous and made me question my sanity. Doing all of this without a second thought, what kind of a monster had I become?  

That day we were studying the 10 Commandments. The craft, on old looking animal hide/paper right a simplified version of the 10 Commandments and decorate. Which the kids did. However the real creativity came out later as some of the kids decided the 10 Commandments needed some additions. The following photos are what they thought was missing.





 I've got to admit, some of them are brilliant! Particularly the junk food and pizza ones.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Summer Plan aka No More Chicken With Head Hacked Off

To all my avid readers, I apologize in the large amount of time in between posts. Things got extremely hectic in the weeks leading to Mother's Day. They ended with me informing my Mother not to be surprised for the next 100 years or so; something she is quite ok with.

Since then I have been recouping. (Yes it was that crazy. Besides, in my being in the second half of my 20's I'm practically ancient. Working 'til 11 or midnight and then getting up and going again at 6-6:30 am takes it's toll when you're my age). It's been strange to have time to relax after work, and to a certain extent, I haven't known what to do with myself. It's going to be even stranger once KidZone let's out for summer (this is our last week. Yes! I mean....) as I find myself with an actual day off!

Between sleep deprivation and sudden time on my hands, my brain has gone haywire and I find myself, you ready for it? THINKING. I've been thinking about the craziness of the last couple months, what I want to accomplish this summer, and even about tackling Sunday School at Church next fall.

Conclusions, my life is a mess, I keep running from one thing to the next and don't take time to do things like, my dishes, (poor Aunt Judy), or clean my room, or wash my car, or bake/cook, or work on various random projects I have either started or been meaning to get to. So much to do, so little time.

So this summer my goal is to reset my life. Take some time to rest, and actually get stuff done so I don't keep having to run around like a chicken with my head hacked off. The spurting blood is a pain to clean.

That's the plan anyway. Who knows, maybe posting this will make me stick to it for once. 

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Compulsive Pastime

My yard inspiration has now become an addiction. Every Tuesday, (my day off), at the very LEAST I mow and water the lawn. Thursday, finds me planting Wednesday's free flowers. So much to do and so little time... Mornings and evenings have either myself or Aunt Judy watering.

And my addiction isn't contained to the Home Ranch. Driven by this new compulsion, I not only got veggies for the garden at the Hill, I kept them alive in my back porch, for WEEKS and delivered them alive and healthy! Of course Mom and Dad were taking too long getting them into the ground causing me to have visions of dried up, neglected plants.  Finally, distraught, I took it upon myself to plant them with the Little Girls.

It was fun, although the girls despaired over the cherry tomatoes, and were confused why in the world I got so many different types of peppers. I took the leftovers. (These, and wild growth, might be the only plants we have in our garden if my experiments with seeds keep failing...) I'm interested to see how things grow, particularly Heidi's strawberries. They were looking a little peckish, but we'll see. Either way, she picked them out and planted them herself.

As to my success rate at keeping plants alive, we'll, it's been mostly good, if I buy pregrown plants. (The seed thing is really not working. I don't know if it's my patience level or what). I have learned some lessons though, like don't keep plants in a closed car on an 80-90 degree day. Especially if they're a tad dry to begin with. And watering the snot out of them later to make up for it doesn't work either.

For the record, this bed now has more flowers in it.
Anyway, yard work is, work. So to make life easier I decided to put in a drip line, how hard can it be? It's actually shockingly simple. I put it together, and it worked. Water flowed. Which was my problem. Flowed, not dripped; I had half a dozen mini Old Faithfuls going off in the flower bed. Those were my 1/2 gallon per hour drippers for the little flowers, meanwhile the 2 gallon per hour drippers on the roses are, dripping, very slowly and steadily. Houston we have a problem.


After consulting the All Knowing Man With the Beard, I discovered I need a water pressure suppressor. To test this theory I got some pressure regulated drippers. Sho' 'nouf, he was right. So now the hunt is on to find the right "thang".

Friday, April 13, 2012

Watering for Rain


It had been a dry winter. Not a lot of rain, so Daddy rented a sprinkler system to make sure the ground wouldn’t be bone dry by the time it came to planting. About a week after he was done the rains came. Buckets of it; almost two inches in as many days, with thunder, lightning and hail. 


Daddy said he was feelin’ real good until it rained; He says it shows God’s got a sense of humor. He was able to laugh as he said it. We got off lucky. The almond farmers weren’t so lucky. Some got hit real bad, depending on where the thunderstorms stuck.

There ain't nothin' anyone could do, but wait, pray and see what's gonna happen next.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Must be Spring

Water's in the canal. It's supposed to rain tonight, but summer's comin'.

The other night I was driving home, the moon was full and glistening off hotbed plastic making it look like water. It was AWESOME! It looked kinda like this......Only brighter and shinier.

Wish you could have been there to see it.




Sunday, April 1, 2012

Weekend Warrior

I took this from my brother's Facebook Wall. Even though I wasn't in it, it's awesome, check it out!


"The little sisters wanted to make a short film so one afternoon and a little help from the big brothers and here it is for your enjoyment. Comments and Sharing is encouraged."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlc0TFfdzKE

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Green Eggs and Ham a Deep Theological Book

"I would not, could not, in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not on a train.
Not in a tree. Not in a car.
God, just let me be!"

Wonder if Doc Seuss ever realized how accurately he summed up man's response to God. Or God's response to man. With a relentless, creative, patient love He tries to show our stubborn selves something amazing and fantastic.

"You do not like it so you say.
Try it! Try it! And you may.
Try it and you may I say."

The decision is ours, and guess what happens when we finally concede...yup, He was right. Again. It gets annoying sometimes. He always wins the argument. Then again if God was losing arguments to me He really wouldn't be worth following. Just saying.

Man, I've been awake waaay to long. I'm seeing theology in Green Eggs and Ham and I haven't even read the book recently!!!

If this seems to be random that's because it is. I'm not even sure how I arrived at this point at 11 pm. But I did.

And now it's sleep time. Good night world.


Monday, March 5, 2012

Work Code Trumps Campus Rules

Today I wore a red polo and had a blue handkerchief hanging out of my pocket. I consider myself an equal opportunity wearer of all "gang" colors.

I also get to carry and use my knife at work. Gotta love hardware stores.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Hot Beds, Hypocrisy, and a Forehead Flick


It’s hot bed season. What used to be one of my least favorite seasons as a high schooler. Where I understood the reason, I greatly disliked having to leave right after church, change clothes and uncover the hot beds. Moving sandbags and rolling muddy, wet plastic was not what I wanted to do on Sunday before lunch. (Putting the plastic back is easier as long as there isn’t any wind. If it’s windy it’s like trying to “hold the waves upon the sand”).

Recently I’ve heard a lot of people talk about farming in nostalgic terms. Truthfully, living in the country and growing up on a farm is great! Nothing can beat the feeling of moist, freshly tilled soil between your bare toes. But I think the labor associated with farming is lost. There’s a reason so many people get off the farm, it’s a lot of work for questionable results. You never know if you’re going to have a good crop and good price or not. It’s been said, “Farming is the greatest gamble of all.”

 Think of it this, way, if you have a plant it needs to be taken care of; it needs sunlight and water and good nutrient rich soil.  Now a plant, like a child, doesn’t just need water and sunlight on a random, when I feel like it basis. If it doesn’t get what it needs, it dies. So you have to water it several times a week. If you decide to go on vacation you need to get someone to water that plant, otherwise it could die. Even when you take care of a plant, they don’t always make it.

 Now multiply that one plant by about 200 and you have the basics of farming. It doesn’t matter if it’s the weekend, the weathers crappy; you want to go on vacation or are sick, the plants still need to be taken care of. As the farmer, you have to take care of them; it’s in your best interest. (Shocking concept I know).
When hot bed season rolls around, Dad get’s understandably on edge. If you’re not careful, it’s really easy to burn a bed. There’s a fine balance between keeping the beds warm enough and letting the excess heat escape. (That’s why we open and close them). I am a farmer’s daughter that means if I can help Dad relax by opening hot beds I will; this is what I do, for better or worse, in sickness or health. And neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor wind shall deter from doing what needs to be done.

Which is why, Sunday mid-morning found me sick and barefoot, in a white dress shirt and rolled up jeans, opening the ends of three rows of hot beds. Normally I rejoice at opening ends, because it’s easy; you only have to move one sand bag instead of 5 billion and roll a little plastic. I usually run from one end of the bed to the other enjoying the warm moist dirt. However when you’re not feeling well, a simple task can become an event rivaling Armageddon. 

My frustration grew and I, who had just served communion at church, found myself cursing as I wrestled with the uncooperative plastic and clothespins, telling it where it could go to get a warm reception. All while being as careful as possible to keep mud from splattering on my church clothes of course. The shirt came out ok, the pants; let’s just say Nicole keeping jeans clean is a lost cause…

Shortly after my outburst the humor of the situation hit me and I began to compose this, for others to enjoy the irony and hypocrisy of my life.


As I was driving home bits of a verse from James 3 popped into my head; “9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”


It was a flick in between the eyes. I had recognized my hypocrisy, but instead of being dismayed I was amused. Strike 2. It was then a choice was offered, do nothing and take a third strike or step up to the plate, swing the bat and admit there’s actually a problem that needs to be fixed.


I don’t like to strike out, (even if I do it on a regular basis), so this entry is a confession; a confession of hypocrisy and a lack of humility. For when my sin was pointed out, I laughed and I didn’t regret it. Not the brightest way to respond to the all Powerful, very Creative God. For that I am sorry m’Lord. Your chastising should not be slighted and taken as a joke.
I skipped out of church before the sermon because I wasn’t feeling well, and wondered if I was missing out, or getting away with something. Guess I got one anyway.

Friday, February 24, 2012

At Least I Don't Work at REI, Then I Really Wouldn't Have Any Money...

As I was driving home from work tonight listening to the radio I heard an ACE commercial about tomorrow's sale. It turned into a surreal moment as I realized not only did I know EXACTLY what they were talking about, I know more of the details. And those details have a direct impact on my life, unlike the voice-over guy to whom it was probably a vague sale that doesn't pertain to him. Unless he needs stuff from his local hardware store of course.

For my massive amounts of confused fanatical followers, welcome to the trenches of Nicole's life, they're easy to get lost in. Don't panic, you're in good company. I am not working at Hilmar Lumber aka ACE in Hilmar. In answer to your question, no this is not the job I was celebrating July 29, 2011. Unfortunately that company had to downsize. Thankfully I was able to find seasonal work (which is why I was able to visit KY) and when that was sputtering out, was offered a full time job at ACE. 10 cent miracle? I think so.

That was about 3-4 weeks ago and I have been learning about the wonderful world of retail since. The scary thing is when I was at Target recently I found myself envying them for being able to just scan things without worrying about what the skews are for things out in the yard or for various nuts, bolts, screws and nails.

And that brings us back to where I'm at today. A newly trained employee who can't remember the basics and now has sale details to master. On the other hand, I'm learning a lot about practical things like home repair and that's pretty sweet.

So despite my exasperation at the stretching that is my life, I'm actually happy to be working at Hilmar Lumber Ace, the helpful place.

The real challenge: not spend all my money on the fun toys. Working at a hardware store is like being a kid in the toy isle at Christmas five days a week!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Simply Joy

On my way home today I saw the coolest thing; two little boys in camo jackets doing donuts on a Kubota. The older one couldn't have been much older than 7 or 8. It was AWESOME! This is why living in the country rocks. 

Not that we were allowed to do such things as kids. Granted we probably wouldn't have just stuck to donuts and the potential for emergency runs would have increased dramatically. But still, it would have been a lot of fun. 

Yes, I am aware of the numerous ATV accidents that have occurred with children/teens and I am in no way condemning parents who choose not to allow their children to drive vehicles at a young age. (As I stated we were not allowed to). There is wisdom in that. I am simply appreciating joy radiating from that orange machine. Sometimes you need to enjoy simple, child-like fun. 

Don't believe me try it. You might be surprised at how easily you become amused. 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Green Ambition


February is here, and (until today) the feeling of spring was scenting the air; warm sunny afternoons of about 60, even a few bees. And like many I have been bitten by the green thumb bug. Ok, so maybe that’s a bit strong, but the weather has definitely made me want to go outside enjoy the sun and get my hands in the dirt.
    
I come from a line of people who enjoy doing yard work; Dad, Grandma A, Aunt Judy, Mom if she had her druthers, etc. they seem to find it relaxing. I’ve mostly found it taxing; pulling weeds, raking leaves, trimming bushes and trees. Never quite found that joy. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the end result, it’s getting there I don’t always appreciate.   

This last year the exterior of the Home Ranch went through a major restoration. (I must confess it’s nice to come home and not wonder if you can get in the door, or to have scaffolding out your bathroom window! Although the plastic over the windows was a nice touch for Halloween).

 It’s looking gooood. Between that, and Dad working at the Hill, I have been inspired to want to do something creative with the yard. Last summer a lot of ice plant and run away burmuda grass, was pulled out of old flower beds creating the possibility to plant flowers or something. (For anyone who’s curious, ice plant and burmuda know no masters, are very hardy and quite good at growing with little encouragement).

In the midst of all of this I also had some small success, (along with a several failures) of not killing some flowers I bought and keeping a few plants alive in the “garden”. Not only did I enjoy not paying for vegetables I don’t like to eat, it became a sort of challenge.

Turns out the area I picked to plant my garden, is probably the worst place in the yard soil wise. Years ago they put in a septic tank compacting the dirt; since then that area has been lying fallow leaving the ground like cement. And this is what I decided to claim. Aunt Judy and Dad suggested I might want to move it this year, but true to the spirit of Mom’s steadfast nature, I am determined to make this work. Which is why, a week ago found me with a shovel, cultivating by hand.

 I know, I know, me, doing real physical labor, voluntarily! Not only that but I’ve been going out consecutively this week to work a little here and there.  And I find myself excited and looking forward to it!?!

 I don’t know what the end results will actually be. But I’m sure it will create some interesting moments along the way. And maybe, just maybe, if you’re lucky enough I’ll share the “fruits of my labors” with you.

Now I am going to swathe myself in layers, and trundle out into the fog to see what a pick does to a lawn. At least the fog will make things quiet. Which will be a very good thing if I swing the pick amiss…

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Noble Ambitions, & Kentucky?


Welp, it’s been awhile since I’ve put anything of substance on here. (By substance I mean worth reading). Especially since my last “post” was written in the deleriums of sickness and captivity to my room.  

But it’s January, the month of new beginnings; a time to make changes, to set goals, to climb mountains, and swim oceans, at least that’s what I’m told. So, in the spirit of January, I am going to take the plunge and attempt, for the umptenth time, to find my muse and update this on a more regular basis. Ok, ok, it probably won’t last, but hey its the thought that counts right, I mean my intentions are good…

To business. Recent travels have “allowed” me to discover Santa Cruz in Kentucky. “Wait Santa Cruz? Kentucky?” Yeah, it’s about as random as it sounds. Friends + grad school = friends throughtout the country. So I got to visit Kentucky adding yet another state to my Contenental US collection.

“What is there to do in KY?” I hear you ask in disbalifef. Well, you can borrow movies from the Library, can’t beat free, go hiking through beatiful coutry to see awesom rock arches, and play in the snow. Gloveless. In jeans. At night, when it’s 20 degrees outside with wind. Minus the needles of pain as your fingers take 20 minutes to defrost it’s great fun. Oh, and eat at CRACKER BARREL, of course!



When the waitress took our order, I surprised my friend Emily, (aka the friend I travled Europe with), by ordering okra. I further surprised her by having eaten it before, at my college dorm of all places. Go figure. (Random fact, the waitresses take a series of tests about the history of Craker Barrel. The stars on their aprons are for a combination of how long they’ve been there and how much they know about the restaurant). The food was pretty good, but the best part was the awesome parkinglot sinage (see pics).  

Some people in this world feel at home anywhere, and some people find home no matter where they’re at. My friend Emily, I discovered, is currently the latter. I do not know how she manages to do it, but she has found the most  Santa Cruz of places in the South. No joke. What else can a pizza joint that’s called Mellow Mushroom be? I was teasing her about this one night as we were going back to her appartment. We walked into the hall and were instantly hit by the smell of, drumroll please, you guessed it, that “herb” commonly called weed. The timing was impecable! I busted up.

Lesson’s learned:

1   1)      People are much friendlier in the South, they actually talk to you. Dad would love it.
2   2)      Booking your connecting flight through Chicago, in winter, isn’t the brightest idea.
3   3)      My pony-tail is too thick for the body scanners. It has to be patted down.
4   4)      Being clad in a bright orange beanie, blue fleece jacket, snow pants, carrying a stuffed light-green back pack, and walking away from the crowd, toward the lone waiting car, makes you invisable to high-strung cops at the airport.
5   5)      It doesn’t matter where you go, once you know what to look for (or avoid), you can always find a little bit of Santa Cruz.  

Friday, January 20, 2012

Rain!

 The wind is howling past the windows to my tower. But that's just a random observation. The real joy, and purpose of this post, IT'S RAINED! Finally some wet to settle the dust. And now maybe what's left of the rye will actually grows.  What survived the dust storm has been sitting there for months, an inch or so from the ground for months just waiting for a sip of liquid from the heavens. And now it's finally gotten a drink. Unfortunately this means the weeds are also happier. If only there was an easier way to get callouses.