Is this relevant?

This may feel like a disconnect to you.  That may be because you don't live in a community of great opulence and excess.  This does not extend to the so-called "worker bees" here.  Keep reading...

OK - got this e-mail and split my sides laughing like crazy at it's relevance considering the bigger picture.  Decided to do a parody on it that follows.  Check it out...  (names changed in original because contrary to the sarcasm, I am quite sensitive to the feelings of others)

Hi all,

You may or may not have heard that through a series of "fortunate" events our home is going to be featured in the MTV Teen Cribs show.  The show features teen friendly spaces and will also highlight our healthy/green home characteristics.  Our architect, Homes Fabulous, graciously recommended our home and after numerable emails, photos, phone calls, etc. we were confirmed to be included in their 2nd season.

At this point, all we know is that Tom and Sally will be able to have some friends present during the shoot.  The show is teen focused so we are not sure how much Tom we be able to be "featured."

We unfortunately will not be able to include the entire class and hope no feelings will be hurt.  The number of kids that can participate will be decided by the producers.  We may not know how many kids we can include until they walk through the house on Sunday evening, the 15th.  The filming is one week from today, Nov 16th. YIKES!

Best, br

Here's my response...

Hi all,

You may or may not have heard that through a series of "fortunate" events our home is going to be featured on KBOI Boise this week.  The show features middle income houses and will also highlight ours as the second foreclosure in the subdivision Chantrelle in Bellevue, ID.  Our bank, GMAC Financing, has graciously served us our papers after months of negotiating ad nauseam and restating that GMAC in fact, benefitted from government bailouts paid for by OUR taxes, they have turned a deaf ear.  Therefore, like flies to fly paper, KBOI is excited to have us on the evening news!

At this point, all we know is that Kami will be able to have some friends present during the shoot.  The show is family focused so we are not sure how much Kami will be able to be "featured."

Fortunately we WILL be able to include the entire class and know that no feelings will be hurt.  The number of kids that can participate will be decided by the producers.  So bring your entire family!  We will be serving a pot of beans and weinies and bush beer to celebrate the enormous impact this event has had on our lives.

The filming is one week from today, Nov 16th. YIKES!  I better get my boxes packed!

Best, wjn

A regular site in a redneck state...

This would be a typical Idaho vehicle on a Sunday drive after church.  Check out the back of this pint-size pickup; one beer cooler, one off road motorcycle and one headless, splayed out elk with it's four hooves stuck straight up in the air! 
What you can't see, is what this truck is following.  And the truck ahead of that.  A real western convoy of sorts and many more elk finding themselves in similar positions.  
I may need to relocate.  Rednecks don't mix well with my Starbucks.

Superior Scribbler Award

Well goodness gracious me!

I have just received this award from Super Superior Blogger John who, "Pick me... Pick me...", Picked me!! Such a lovely complement because I write my blog as a form of self expression to memorialize my personal moments and special thoughts.

I wish I could say that my blog is as interesting to others as it is to me. And I must admit that when I check my blog, I get get excited to see that someone has actually read my meanderings and has taken the time to leave a comment. In this special way, your time to read makes me feel heard. And your comment is your gift to me. I do love a great dialogue!

I met John on Twitter during the madness of our last election. He and I share many similar values and in coming to read and know him, I adore the warmth of his heart and the spirit of giving and giving back. His love for family, for the simple pleasures of life and desire to work with others to improve our world, make him a man who walks his walk. Reading his blog is like having a friend in the world that understands how I think. So thank you John for reading my blog in your spare time; single guy = what spare time? And thank for the brief glimpses into your blessed life. You are a day brightener.

So in receiving this awesome honor, there are responsibilities that go along with it. In the true spirit of "pay it forward", I will honor five others who I enjoy following. How fun this is to feel like queen for a day!

Each Superior Scribble must in turn pass this award on to 5 deserving Blogger friends.

Each Superior Scribbler must link the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way we will be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor.

Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog. It is difficult to pick only five because I think all of those I follow deserve this for endeavoring to share their journeys. Here are my selections...

STUFF IN MY BRAIN - Now I wouldn't even be writing this if it weren't for John! I know what you're thinking; he's won this already! But he will continue to win it because his heart is huge and he has been so inspirational to me. Encouraging me to give blogging a try. He writes a "feel good" blog. What I mean by that is I think it is a world into his character and integrity; his love of life, family, love and giving back. He is all around fabulous! Now John - what in the world is a Mr. Linky List?

I GHOSTWRITE - Jody is a jewel. I met Jody while working my way through the internet mess of news and not-so-news regarding Raye Dawn Smith's case (she is the woman I advocate for that is wrongfully convicted). Jody is an amazing woman - she singlehandedly felt compelled to pick up the torch on this case and worked through all the mire to uncover the truth. The consequence of her findings have caused her family heartache because there are many who wish to bring her harm for uncovering the truth. She stands by her principals and is a fighter. Her new blog is a step back into her writing world and I am glad to see she's back at it full force!

SAS MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR - I love this blog. Sas is an excellent writer and I enjoy her blog for many reasons. The best part is that I agree with practically everything she says so I feel quite validated! Love she's from London. Bigger perspective and a bit like home. Well - not really - but kind of... hmmmm.

F8HASIT - This simply artistic blog is an interesting read. I think what drew me in was the photo of her mother. I want her to be my mother! Her blog is down to earth, an easy read and again very well written. She also has quite a large following and the comments are just as much fun to read.

BEARING FALSE WITNESS - This exceptional blog is written by a retired Lt. Col. and Air Force Pilot, former member of the FBI, English Professor and writer. Bill Newmiller is also President of the National Coalition of Criminal Justice Reform and a man of passion, character and integrity. His biggest challenge is the advocating for his son, Todd Newmiller, who has been wrongfully convicted.

I subscribe to many blogs and thoroughly enjoy every one of them for a variety of reasons. It is so hard to chose just five. Truly, anyone who pours their creative soul out on paper to share with virtual strangers deserves an award. It's all about learning to love each other despite our differences and I think blogging is the perfect forum to express what sometimes is difficult to say aloud.

You are all the best!

Starry Starry Night...

One of my most favorite autumn pastimes is to sit in our outdoor hot tub. I do this silently - late late at night. The middle of the night sometimes. It is my little secret really.

Because I live in a progressive mountain community, there are a variety of ordinances put in place to ensure dark night skies and very limited noise pollution. Actually, at night, it is pretty close to dead silent. You can only hear a faint few sprinklers going - a strange sound because most have been blown out to prevent freezing. It's getting bloody cold for sure.

The air carries the aroma of moist evergreens and the hint of burning wood. People lay warm and cozy in slumber.

And so I tiptoe out into the cold and across the grass. Crunch crunch under my feet... gently lifting the vinyl lid. Easing into the 106 degree water, I feel enveloped with warmth. It is like a comforting hug. And I feel held by something much larger than can be dreamt.

It is then, I can look up into the ink black sky and see the brilliant dance of the stars. The blinking satellites slowly moving around the earth. The fading tails of comets... shooting stars flying by. I make a wish. Another wish. And then another. It is at that moment I feel the grace of simplicity and how truly small I am within the enormous universe surrounding me.

Each star represents a soul to me. A soul departed but still twinkling with life, reminding me that I am never alone. And the universe, the heavens above, are the playground of souls burning ever bright. A warmth of reminisce. Comforting nostalgia.

It is a time I can connect with physical love lost and reconnect with emotional love held. There is no exchange of words. Call it a feeling. Very intimate. Just between me and the people I miss in the deepest parts of my heart.

It is also a time I connect with others who know not that I care so deeply. I envision them and send them the love I feel for them. My gratitude for their place in my life and how they have touched me. And my wish that we could spend a moment in time together laughing and sharing this vapor of a life.

I think it really is the time that I feel closest to God. And I converse silently with what His desires are for me. It is subtle and simple. And it confirms my path or directs me to other thoughts that lead me to new directions.

I don't sit still or find quiet much in my life. It is easier for me to be busy helping others to avoid my own pain, disappointment and sadness. But in this night time respite, I do find my peaceful center and with gratitude, the opportunity to appreciate the gift of my very presence in this beautiful world.