Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings and salutations everyone and Happy Fathers Day to all of those for whom the term applies. I figured it was time to repent of my “slacker” ways and get a letter out to all of you. Let’s see, the last time we spoke was in February. “Oodles” have transpired since that time. For one I now hold a Masters degree. It has always been a dream of mine to be a professional librarian and it feels fulfilling to complete such a long held goal. I spent so much time in the library as a kid and as such such institutions have always played a special role in my life.
Like of many of you I have discovered and embraced Social Computing over the past several years and am grateful for the opportunity it has blessed me with to reconnect with old friends. It is such a powerful and unifying tool, allowing the world to grow smaller, of which I am a big fan of.
A couple of weeks ago I had to do what was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. Snowflake, who was the loyal family dog of eighteen years, had a horrible accident, lying down in some fire coals burning her paws and parts of her mouth. The poor thing was already suffering with three bad legs, deafness and bad eyesight. The accident was the fault of no one, just an honest mistake made by a loving dog. The poor thing had lived a fruitful, joyous life and was simply tired, having given all she had to those she loved and to fulfilling the sense of adventure and enthusiasm she had.
The night of the accident I gave her a blessing and I had the strong impression that it was time for her to go and she had lived a good life. I blessed her that her pain would be minimal and that she would have the strength to endure this trial. Most of all I blessed her to know that she was loved. We took her to the vet the next day and he felt we should give her a chance. In my heart though I knew her time was short. After about a week the poor thing was in pain, a shadow of her former self. My heart went out to her and my only desire was to put an end to her pain and suffering. I gave her one last treat, loved her and the wrapped her in her blanket that my Mother had given her for Christmas. She enjoyed the ride to the Humane Society, especially the breeze but she was tired. As I handed her over to be put to sleep she looked at me with her loving eyes and with a smile as if to say thank you. Afterwards as I placed the wrapped, lifeless body into the back of the Explorer the tears came and stayed for awhile. I still say goodnight to her and think of her playfulness, but miss her still.
It has been a running joke for quite awhile that we should get a kitten. Every time I would go to Petsmart I would make sure to visit the cats. Several times we saw ads for free kittens but whenever we would call the kittens would already be gone. I even saw some in front of Wal-Mart one day but figured I should do my shopping first only to find the kittens gone afterwards. Finally, we were blessed to call on an ad that still had some kittens. They were located on a farm eight miles to the east of Eaton. It was worth the drive. We now possess a wonderfully energetic tiger cat named conveniently enough, Tiger. He is a playful and loving little fellow who is helping to ease the pain of the departure of Snowflake.
On other fronts, the vegetable garden is doing very well after a “herky, jerky” Spring weather season. I have been the primary keeper of the garden for about eight years and have loved every minute of it and learned so much. A bit of a gentleman farmer I must say. I enjoy working in the yard and planting not only the veggies, but also flowers and an array of all things that grow. I love the canning and bottling that goes with it too.
My time right now is mostly spent looking for a professional position. I am sure there is more school in my future as I was especially like to further my studies in history. Most Academic positions have the benefit of free classes so that is what I am hoping for but, if not I wouldn’t mind a public library position near a college. In the meantime I read, listen, watch and observe just about everything I can get my hands on or access to. I have a personal goal to always be reading a work of classic fiction and something non fiction that gives me a greater sense of clarity and understanding and haven been very consistent in that goal over the past several years. Two years ago I made the goal to read a biography of each of the Presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints going backwards and am currently set to begin the Biography of Heber J. Grant.
With that I bid each of you adieu and hope life is treating you well. Know of the love I have for each of you.
Love,
Steve
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Fresh Fruit, Corn on the Cob and other Musings
Musings! I love that word! A friend of mine used it the other day and I just coudn't wait to use it any longer. Some words are like a pair of old comfortable socks: No matter how worn or,let's just say colorful, they fit just right. Goldilocks wasn't the only one who was particular. Truth be told, she was just a woman who knew what she wanted.
Nothing tastes better than the bounty of fruits and vegetables that can be found come Spring and Summer. Fresh Strawberries are my personal favorite followed closely by a juice peach. You know the type of peach I'm talking about: The kind where the juice runs down your chin as you take a bite and the flavor explodes as you reach close to nirvana. The other day I bought a fresh pineapple and cut it up. Mixed it together with some cantalope and watermelon. Heaven!
Haven't had any cob corn yet. Everytime I pass the bin at the grocery store people are ripping through it like ravenous wolves. I secretly thing they are just preparing for Christmas shopping. I like my cob with some melted butter, a smittering of red pepper flakes and maybe, if I am feeling dangerous, a dash of tabasco sauce. (I must admit I grow habaneros each year to make habanero jam, a pleasure that is near and dear to my heart.)
Nothing tastes better than the bounty of fruits and vegetables that can be found come Spring and Summer. Fresh Strawberries are my personal favorite followed closely by a juice peach. You know the type of peach I'm talking about: The kind where the juice runs down your chin as you take a bite and the flavor explodes as you reach close to nirvana. The other day I bought a fresh pineapple and cut it up. Mixed it together with some cantalope and watermelon. Heaven!
Haven't had any cob corn yet. Everytime I pass the bin at the grocery store people are ripping through it like ravenous wolves. I secretly thing they are just preparing for Christmas shopping. I like my cob with some melted butter, a smittering of red pepper flakes and maybe, if I am feeling dangerous, a dash of tabasco sauce. (I must admit I grow habaneros each year to make habanero jam, a pleasure that is near and dear to my heart.)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The Big Bad Wolf
One of my favorite towns in Northern Colorado is Windsor. There is just something about the place and people. Everyone I have ever encountered are friendly and have a salt of the earth quality. I've always told myself if I settled here that I would make my home in Windsor. I recently have been volunteering at the Windsor Severence Public Library, a library I would make special trips to Windsor for because I liked it so much. As such, I was left with a heavy heart for those who suffered at the hands of this week's twister. If any community has the heart to come back strong it is in Windsor. My thoughts and prayers are will all of those who suffered loss at the hands of Mother Nature.
Windor Tornado Footage
Windor Tornado Footage
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Jicama and Quinoa
Jicawho and Quinowhat? No, these are not nonsense words a pulled from the nether regions of my brain. They are also not a pacific island detective team. So, you asks yourselves, what are they Steve? For the jeopardy class you are probably way ahead of me. Have I told you of my affinity, dare I say passionate romance for all things trivia. While there are oodle of useful, efficacious facts and procedures logged and categorized in my noggin there is a special place, sort of a secret garden, guys room reserved simply for useless yet agonizing (if one cannot remember, even if it is on the tip of your tongue) facts, names, details, recipe ingredients, and anything else one can think of and some you can reaching to infinity. Sometimes I literally ponder where it all began. It is at that moment my head aches and a cloudy glaze covers my eyes. I was riding flat on my back in an ambulance once, the EMT requesting my telephone number and the only thing I could remember was my library card number which a repeated over and over. Go figure! (It is 23455001917482 by the way.)
Oh yes, where was I? Jicama and Quinoa. Both are wonderful and adventurious alternatives to things like Potatoes and White Rice, or Rice in general for that matter. The Wonder Twins (Ambigious 80's reference)have the advantage of not only be good for you but also being owners of a euphoric taste. Weight has been a challenge all of my life but it has never been a result of not liking healthy foods or a willingness to try something new. (Well, to be honest, I have not alway be a subscriber to such openmindedness. As a child I would only eat potatoes in one pure form, that of the mashed potato. It was a dogma. French Fries were heresy!)Healthy living is a process not an event. In, what I find very faith affirming way it very much reflects repentance. When patterns which herald the restored gospel come into focus, It is like one of those pattern pictures where a person stared until the image leaped forth into clear view. If our vision is focused and true the world and larger yet the universe testifies of Christ at every corner. When I toil in the garden, it is as if I am being tutored by the Savior as I watch infant plants struggle to grow under my nuture and care until they reach maturation. I see it when I become frustrated so completely frustrated with myself, filled with remorse, on the verge of self pity and loathing only to recognize that lasting endurance come from holding my head high, taking step forward even into the darkest night, no matter if I feel as if I will crumble, a broken man. And why is that? Because of my Savior. He lifts me up in a manner undenably literal. He is in a Mother who has sacraficed, forgiven and shown me compassion my entire life. He is in siblings that stand beside me and remind me how blessed I am to be counted among them. He is in friends who never quite given up on me and help me to see things in myself that left to my own devices I remain a mystery in the dark. But most of all I see him when I reach beyond myself to lift and comfort another. The special events and markers of life are magesty to behold but so often it is the moments along the way, whether it be the moments of contentment, often quiet and overlooked or the moments of peace and reassurance when life swirls around us that make the journey worth it. Most of all it is the memories we share with one another and the bonds we create with one another that are of infinite worth, a value that reaches into the eternities.
My head hurts, but in a good way.
Oh yes, where was I? Jicama and Quinoa. Both are wonderful and adventurious alternatives to things like Potatoes and White Rice, or Rice in general for that matter. The Wonder Twins (Ambigious 80's reference)have the advantage of not only be good for you but also being owners of a euphoric taste. Weight has been a challenge all of my life but it has never been a result of not liking healthy foods or a willingness to try something new. (Well, to be honest, I have not alway be a subscriber to such openmindedness. As a child I would only eat potatoes in one pure form, that of the mashed potato. It was a dogma. French Fries were heresy!)Healthy living is a process not an event. In, what I find very faith affirming way it very much reflects repentance. When patterns which herald the restored gospel come into focus, It is like one of those pattern pictures where a person stared until the image leaped forth into clear view. If our vision is focused and true the world and larger yet the universe testifies of Christ at every corner. When I toil in the garden, it is as if I am being tutored by the Savior as I watch infant plants struggle to grow under my nuture and care until they reach maturation. I see it when I become frustrated so completely frustrated with myself, filled with remorse, on the verge of self pity and loathing only to recognize that lasting endurance come from holding my head high, taking step forward even into the darkest night, no matter if I feel as if I will crumble, a broken man. And why is that? Because of my Savior. He lifts me up in a manner undenably literal. He is in a Mother who has sacraficed, forgiven and shown me compassion my entire life. He is in siblings that stand beside me and remind me how blessed I am to be counted among them. He is in friends who never quite given up on me and help me to see things in myself that left to my own devices I remain a mystery in the dark. But most of all I see him when I reach beyond myself to lift and comfort another. The special events and markers of life are magesty to behold but so often it is the moments along the way, whether it be the moments of contentment, often quiet and overlooked or the moments of peace and reassurance when life swirls around us that make the journey worth it. Most of all it is the memories we share with one another and the bonds we create with one another that are of infinite worth, a value that reaches into the eternities.
My head hurts, but in a good way.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Welcome Back
I now have a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Science. Yeah for me!
So, what have I been doing since last we spoke? Lots let me tell you but I won't. I would actually like you to stay awake long enough to finish reading this communication.
I love Netflix! I don't think I have any reason to enter a video store ever again. I like all films but also like indies and foreign films which can be sometimes hard to find. Netflix gives me greater selection in this regard. The relaunch of Doctor Who is the bee's knees. I thought it was hokey as a kid but it is amazing what CGI can do. I already have far too many shows that I enjoy. Some of my favs need to be canceled. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a couch potato. I rarely have the television on just to have it on and usually if I watch something it is on the internet or dvd.
Amazon Marketplace is so useful and I prefer it to e-bay for selling things. I had quite a few television seasons on dvd and sold all of them. Much cheaper to rent at a flat rate and let the wonderful people at Netflix worry about storage. I've sold quite a few books as well. What a great way to make some extra cash.
Since I seem to be focusing on all things entertainment, Is anyone else excited for Indy 4? I know I am. Good stuff! Haven't seen Iron Man or Prince Caspian yet but they are on my list.
I love springtime. The garden is planted. It is one of my most favorite activities. Haven't had a chance to watch too much baseball though.
So, what have I been doing since last we spoke? Lots let me tell you but I won't. I would actually like you to stay awake long enough to finish reading this communication.
I love Netflix! I don't think I have any reason to enter a video store ever again. I like all films but also like indies and foreign films which can be sometimes hard to find. Netflix gives me greater selection in this regard. The relaunch of Doctor Who is the bee's knees. I thought it was hokey as a kid but it is amazing what CGI can do. I already have far too many shows that I enjoy. Some of my favs need to be canceled. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a couch potato. I rarely have the television on just to have it on and usually if I watch something it is on the internet or dvd.
Amazon Marketplace is so useful and I prefer it to e-bay for selling things. I had quite a few television seasons on dvd and sold all of them. Much cheaper to rent at a flat rate and let the wonderful people at Netflix worry about storage. I've sold quite a few books as well. What a great way to make some extra cash.
Since I seem to be focusing on all things entertainment, Is anyone else excited for Indy 4? I know I am. Good stuff! Haven't seen Iron Man or Prince Caspian yet but they are on my list.
I love springtime. The garden is planted. It is one of my most favorite activities. Haven't had a chance to watch too much baseball though.
Blog Reboot
Evolution is the natural child of experimentation and growth. As such I am redesigning my blog, simplifying it really and making it more efficent and efficacious. I am a tinkerer. (Is that even a word?) This blog is really meant as a personal blog where I can connect and share just about anything. The same goes for my podcast and webcast. Not much will change with the other two.
As you may have noticed I really haven't touched any of these since february. Why? School is stressful, at least that is the excuse I tell myself. I am all graduated now and on the job hunt so I'm back at it. Let's pray I am more consistent.
I have strived to send a weekly letter to family and friends and I will again strive to get back on top of that but monthly. That is a much more realistic expectation. Expect for the return of the letter, my podcast and webcast sometime in June.
As you may have noticed I really haven't touched any of these since february. Why? School is stressful, at least that is the excuse I tell myself. I am all graduated now and on the job hunt so I'm back at it. Let's pray I am more consistent.
I have strived to send a weekly letter to family and friends and I will again strive to get back on top of that but monthly. That is a much more realistic expectation. Expect for the return of the letter, my podcast and webcast sometime in June.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings! Colorado right now is experiences a moment off warmth after a long deep freeze. I am happy to announce that I have begun my final collegiate semester. Yahoo! I am eager to complete my studies if for no other reason than it will mean spring is here. What a wonderful thing spring is. That is not to say that there are not things about winter that I don’t enjoy. There is nothing prettier than a fresh sheet of snow. As of late I have been filled with the desire to try snow shoeing. It looks like it would be a blast. Skiing and snowboarding has never really appealed to me but the idea of hiking and just exploring sounds like tons of fun. It’s always fun to expand one’s horizon.
I did not get the Government publications position I went for but as a result have received the opportunity to interview for a couple of other positions as a result including one with the music library. All three are Library Technician positions that don’t require a Masters of Library Science but would be good for experience and allow me to have a position while waiting for a Librarian I position. Librarian I is the entry level for Professional position. There is about a 10-15,000 dollar difference between the two levels. Closing on completing my degree one of the biggest things I have been pondering is where I would like to apply. I would like to stay in the West, preferably close to family or at least a major Airport. I think I am going to start by getting a Road Atlas and circle all of the areas I am interested and go from there.
After losing so much weight I have let myself chunk up a bit more a result of slipping into so old bad habits but have committed myself to getting back on track. I have the skills and the knowledge but as is true often in life it is all about application. I love to walk which will always hold me in good stead and enjoy eating healthy foods and being active. Carrot anyone? One either moves ahead or begins to regress. There is no time when one can rest on their laurels. That was for me but I hope I can be an example to all of you that life is about hope, optimism and picking yourselves up no matter how many times you fall.
With that, I hope all is well with each of you and life is treating you well.
Love,
Steve
P.S. Enjoy my soothing tones and chiseled good looks in this week’s podcast and webcast.
Greetings! Colorado right now is experiences a moment off warmth after a long deep freeze. I am happy to announce that I have begun my final collegiate semester. Yahoo! I am eager to complete my studies if for no other reason than it will mean spring is here. What a wonderful thing spring is. That is not to say that there are not things about winter that I don’t enjoy. There is nothing prettier than a fresh sheet of snow. As of late I have been filled with the desire to try snow shoeing. It looks like it would be a blast. Skiing and snowboarding has never really appealed to me but the idea of hiking and just exploring sounds like tons of fun. It’s always fun to expand one’s horizon.
I did not get the Government publications position I went for but as a result have received the opportunity to interview for a couple of other positions as a result including one with the music library. All three are Library Technician positions that don’t require a Masters of Library Science but would be good for experience and allow me to have a position while waiting for a Librarian I position. Librarian I is the entry level for Professional position. There is about a 10-15,000 dollar difference between the two levels. Closing on completing my degree one of the biggest things I have been pondering is where I would like to apply. I would like to stay in the West, preferably close to family or at least a major Airport. I think I am going to start by getting a Road Atlas and circle all of the areas I am interested and go from there.
After losing so much weight I have let myself chunk up a bit more a result of slipping into so old bad habits but have committed myself to getting back on track. I have the skills and the knowledge but as is true often in life it is all about application. I love to walk which will always hold me in good stead and enjoy eating healthy foods and being active. Carrot anyone? One either moves ahead or begins to regress. There is no time when one can rest on their laurels. That was for me but I hope I can be an example to all of you that life is about hope, optimism and picking yourselves up no matter how many times you fall.
With that, I hope all is well with each of you and life is treating you well.
Love,
Steve
P.S. Enjoy my soothing tones and chiseled good looks in this week’s podcast and webcast.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Dear Family and Friends
Happy New Years everyone!
There is something about the Holiday Season that lends itself to reflection and introspection. Maybe it is the focus on family or tradition; maybe it is the fact that during this time we tend to look on things with a more compassionate gaze; or it could be all of the wonderful sites, scenes and smells of the season that arouse long forgotten memories. Often, for me, reflection and introspection comes in the form of a word. I have a unique relationship with words; at a particular time, place and situation a word may trigger a thought or image. In this vein, I have been thinking a lot about the word regret for awhile.
Funny thing regret, it is the manifestation lf all the things we quite haven’t let go of, or forgive ourselves for. I woke up on my birthday with the thought of; I am 36, yet a feel so young. I thought about friends who have been married for over a decade, parents of tweeners and some teens; those who haven’t been so lucky but have weathered the storm and those who didn’t and failed to find peace on this earth. In that moment, in my heart I felt gratitude but also a tinge of regret.
I regretted all the times I took things for granted in my life, not realizing how blessed and talented I really was. I regretted not cherishing the laughter and conversation shared with others, especially family and friends more than I did. I regretted not telling those same individuals how much they meant to me or better yet sharing a compliment. I regretted being to prideful and not letting others in when I felt inferior, overwhelmed or in over my head. This life, after all, is a shared experience. I regretted all the times in my life when I have wasted the resources and opportunities given me. Most of all though, I regretted making my life too often about what I wanted and how I felt and not about others, robbing myself of a broader influence due to being so doggedly focused on one possibility.
The funny thing is that I felt such a peace as I reflected on my regrets and the phrase cried out to me, “I’m still here with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart!” It is so easy to check out of life put it on “auto pilot” while we slowly atrophy socially and emotionally. It is as if this life is only about the harrowing and not about the growth. Repentance is when the struggling bud busts through the topsoil to behold the radiance and warmth of the sun. It is that radiance and warmth of the sun that I cherish as regret falls away. Regret allowed to stay too long becomes a cancer that leads to debilitating despair. As it decays by the effects of the sun the nourishment it provides in the form of experience leads to a perfect brightness of hope in which seeds long ago planted reach their eternal fruition.
I hope all of you are well and living lives of inspiration. I admire each of you very much in a myriad of ways. Your character and devotion instill greater hope and mercy.
Love,
Steve
There is something about the Holiday Season that lends itself to reflection and introspection. Maybe it is the focus on family or tradition; maybe it is the fact that during this time we tend to look on things with a more compassionate gaze; or it could be all of the wonderful sites, scenes and smells of the season that arouse long forgotten memories. Often, for me, reflection and introspection comes in the form of a word. I have a unique relationship with words; at a particular time, place and situation a word may trigger a thought or image. In this vein, I have been thinking a lot about the word regret for awhile.
Funny thing regret, it is the manifestation lf all the things we quite haven’t let go of, or forgive ourselves for. I woke up on my birthday with the thought of; I am 36, yet a feel so young. I thought about friends who have been married for over a decade, parents of tweeners and some teens; those who haven’t been so lucky but have weathered the storm and those who didn’t and failed to find peace on this earth. In that moment, in my heart I felt gratitude but also a tinge of regret.
I regretted all the times I took things for granted in my life, not realizing how blessed and talented I really was. I regretted not cherishing the laughter and conversation shared with others, especially family and friends more than I did. I regretted not telling those same individuals how much they meant to me or better yet sharing a compliment. I regretted being to prideful and not letting others in when I felt inferior, overwhelmed or in over my head. This life, after all, is a shared experience. I regretted all the times in my life when I have wasted the resources and opportunities given me. Most of all though, I regretted making my life too often about what I wanted and how I felt and not about others, robbing myself of a broader influence due to being so doggedly focused on one possibility.
The funny thing is that I felt such a peace as I reflected on my regrets and the phrase cried out to me, “I’m still here with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart!” It is so easy to check out of life put it on “auto pilot” while we slowly atrophy socially and emotionally. It is as if this life is only about the harrowing and not about the growth. Repentance is when the struggling bud busts through the topsoil to behold the radiance and warmth of the sun. It is that radiance and warmth of the sun that I cherish as regret falls away. Regret allowed to stay too long becomes a cancer that leads to debilitating despair. As it decays by the effects of the sun the nourishment it provides in the form of experience leads to a perfect brightness of hope in which seeds long ago planted reach their eternal fruition.
I hope all of you are well and living lives of inspiration. I admire each of you very much in a myriad of ways. Your character and devotion instill greater hope and mercy.
Love,
Steve
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