Get Dirty!

 

So… Cleanliness is next to Godliness, they say, but let me be the Devil’s advocate for a moment, please, and bear with me down the winding path.

One of the factors leading to my “cool grandma” status, is allowing the grandchildren to get dirty, do messy stuff, and use my tools. There are days you would be horrified to see the mess left in the wake of grandkid projects, but they are so happy when they’ve successfully created something.

We all know cleanliness may be next to Godliness; however, God is also a Master Creator, and I’ve never worked with a creative person whose work area was “clean.” 

If you are a painter, there are always paint splatters, paint brushes, your clothes, the floor, your hair, and whatever else you touched that needs to be cleaned.

If you do crafting, its always the glue, the tiny scraps of whatever you cut, stuff that fell on the floor and stuck to your shoe, leftover pieces that need to be cleaned, and the "stuff" the vacuum refuses to pick up.

If its woodworking, it’s the sawdust, the stain, and splinters in your hand. Heck, I can’t even draw on the sidewalk without being covered in chalk dust.

You just absolutely cannot bring something new into this world without some mess. Just ask an OB nurse if you need confirmation of that!

So, what is my point?

If you hold on too tightly to the admonishment that cleanliness is next to Godliness, you may expect your life to be simple and easy. Everything in its place, nothing to worry or complain about. You may expect to live your life on Easy Street, and end up being very frustrated when things don’t go according to your plan.

Therefore, I ask you to consider this perspective. Being created in God’s image makes us creators, too. And, as I said, creation is messy. This is why sometimes our lives seem so complicated. There are always problems to be dealt with. Things are put in our path, both good and bad, that we never expect. "Stuff" changes all of the time. We have to learn how to be the engineers and architects of our own growth, the explorers that carve out the path when we can’t see what lies ahead, and most importantly, mentors to assist those brave (or foolish) enough to follow us.

I guess my point is – Get messy. Get dirty. Get involved!

Life ain’t easy, so share what you know, support who you can, and work together to creatively follow the path to happiness.

 

 contributed by Melody Lowe

SNACKIN'

 

Well, this will give me good reason to eat one of my favorite snack foods! March 14^th is National Potato Chip Day!  We all have that one food we just can’t turn down, and for me it is the potato chip (or a version thereof – chips, nachos, cheezits, straws, etc.)

My most recent favorite is the kettle-cooked variety. It’s changed through the years as trends and availability have changed. I recall my mother making trips to find Sterzings chips before they were available in our town. She would drive at least 100 miles round trip to buy her chips. (Hmmm… maybe this chip craving is genetic?)

Lately, many restaurants have offered “home-cooked” chips. I haven’t gotten up the courage to make my own, but I might try that one day. (My recent homemade Crab Rangoon Pizza was a winner!)

And also happening March 31 is National Tater Day. (Do you see the pattern here?)

Another of my favorites is the twice-baked potato (or sweet potato). Doesn’t matter if it’s plain, cheesy, or loaded. They are all good. There must be a million potato recipes on the internet. Maybe I should get all of my grandchildren together and have a “Potato Day” and have each one pick a recipe for us to make. (Don't judge me! Yes – we can have a day where we just eat potatoes!)  And then maybe, whichever one is their overall favorite we could serve at our Easter meal.

It's okay. Give yourself permission to celebrate potatoes! (And aren’t you supposed to plant potatoes around Easter? I need to look that up!)

 

 

 

Contributed by Melody Lowe

 

 

 

Cursive Writing…

Why? Why!? Why is our culture turning its back on this art form? 

I don’t understand it!

I love the feel of a fine pen moving across the paper as it captures my mind’s thoughts and transforms them. It’s a very satisfying feeling. It opens the imagination.

I’m not talking about the scribbled shopping list, or the messy reminder on the post-it note that was written in a hurry. I’m talking about true thoughts put to paper, perhaps in a journal that you use each day. Your family will cherish the thoughts you shared in your journal someday. They show children and grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) a side of you they may never have known, your history, your growth, your life. Every person I know who has inherited a set of journals has been extremely grateful for the memories encased within those sheets of paper.

As a writer, I have many different pens and various types of paper. Finding the right combination for the project I am working on is important to me. When the pen flows freely, so do the character’s thoughts, the scenes, the plot twists. Yes, it can get messy. There is a lot of editing going on as I write. Many strike-throughs, a lot of words crammed in between lines, and related ideas squished into the margins for another chapter. Taking the time to do this – in cursive – brings the pages to life for me, and allows me to create in written form what I have imagined so I can share it with others. There is power in it.

Why is there power in it? The act of physically writing things down on paper is associated with more robust brain activity in multiple areas and better memory recall. Yes, there is science behind this, and personal satisfaction.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210319080820.htm 

I frequently ask my grandchildren if they are learning cursive writing at school and it seems a bit hit and miss. I keep telling them that any note I leave for them will always be written in cursive. It will be my secret code, and if they can’t read it, they just might miss out on something special. After all, how many hieroglyphics and symbols are considered “dead” languages because people can’t decipher them? Yes, maybe it is just a receipt on that ancient clay tablet, but what if it’s directions to something incredible? We won’t know until we learn the secret code. Let’s make it simple for future archaeologists! Keep cursive writing alive!

contributed by Melody Lowe

New Year's Resolutions - Yes or No?

Every year, many of us take the time to reflect on our lives and set New Year's resolutions. Whether it’s a goal to lose weight, save money, or learn a new skill - setting New Year's resolutions is an opportunity to create meaningful milestones in our lives and make positive changes.

New Year's resolutions can be a great way to stay motivated and focused on personal growth. They can help us stay accountable for our goals and remind us of the progress we’ve made over the course of the year. It’s important to remember that New Year's resolutions are not meant to be overwhelming or unachievable, but rather achievable goals that will help us reach our desired outcomes. Take it in baby steps! Don’t set your goals so high that they drive you crazy and the whole process begins to feel negative. Whether you use resolutions or not, the point is to give yourself a reset point, and be comfortable in moving forward.

Happy New Year!

contributed by Melody Lowe

And once all of the presents have been opened, you hear the words...

I just can’t believe it when I hear somebody speak these words! 

The crazy thing is, this is one my goals.

Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a goal. I’ve heard about bored housewives, how does one become that?

I have never in my life been bored. I suppose I probably said that when I was a kid, as a lot of kids do. But certainly not since high school have I ever been bored, there’s just too much to experience and accomplish.

First off, just staying ahead of housework keeps one busy. And, all of the errands that must be completed, and if you have young children there are all kinds of school activities to put on top of “just keeping up.”

But all of that aside, I have always found things that I wanted to do or wanted to learn to keep me busy. I love to read and to spend time writing. I enjoy many shows that provide education. As a child I loved it when Jacque Cousteau or Marlin Perkins would be on television. I enjoy watching Jack Hanna (I was fortunate enough to meet this gentleman), Albert Yu-Min Lin, and many programs on the History Channel, National Geographic, or PBS.

I was thrilled when the internet came into being. I’m a self-described internet gypsy. I’m always looking up something and wandering from page to page to page learning about new things – or old things that I find of interest. I’ve met some really great people this way.

 Every job that I’ve ever had, I had to learn something. My current “day job” is challenging and ever changing, so learning happens every single day. And, I can’t even imagine what career path I might have taken had the internet been available to me in my youth. The possibilities are endless so how could I ever be bored!

(And just in case you are bored, do your own gypsy hop to this site.)

Then there is my DIY side. I enjoy experimenting with many types of crafts. I’ve tried a lot of things; crocheting, embroidery, quilting, paper quilling, painting, kitchen crafts, fudge-making, the list goes on and on. The flip side of “crafting” is doing things in my home, like wallpapering, painting, plaster repair, installing tile, and this list also goes on.

Now, that my circumstances allow, I’m also enjoying some travels. It’s fun to go to new places and learn about those communities. I’ve trained my grandchildren well in these adventures and they’ve learned we are going to do something we can’t do at home, and eat in a “real” restaurant, not a fast-food place. We are going to read a book we’ve not read before, or watch a movie we’ve not seen before. They are beginning to appreciate these experiences over material things.

Back to my goal of being bored … There is always something to do, something to learn, or some place to go so it will take me a very, very long time to reach the point when “I’m bored.” I don’t know if I can even achieve this goal!

 

Contributed by Melody Lowe

Merry Christmas

 

HEY YOU! Yes, you! Stop for just a minute.

Enjoy this pause in the hustle and bustle of preparation and merry-making. Give yourself a moment to take a deep breath, look at the friends and family surrounding you, and enjoy a minute of gratitude and peace.

…

Breath and enjoy the moment…

…

I now return you to the chaos of Christmas with all of its many frustrations and blessings.

I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

  

Contributed by Melody Lowe

Tis the Season...

...for many types of celebrations - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and others, but today I'm focusing on Yuletide.

Since prehistory, the Winter Solstice has been a significant time of year in many cultures and marked by a wide variety of festivals and rituals.

Yuletide was the pagan celebration of the season for many Germanic-based cultures and can last anywhere from weeks to months. All of us have borrowed traditions from Yuletide without even realizing it. Consider the Twelve Days of Christmas! This is the period from Christmas until January 6^th, and I personally refuse to take down my decorations at home until this date. After all, there’s some German in my ancestry.

Perhaps you have a fireplace. Do you burn the Yule Log? This seems to be more of an English custom. Again, this goes through a period of about 2 weeks (or the 12 Days of Christmas) to signal the onset of Winter and provide light on the longest night of the year, as we begin to look forward to the return of the sun.  You may also partake of some wassail around the fire – or maybe you just prefer your favorite wine.

Do you have a Christmas tree, or wreath or other evergreen in your home? Join together with friends and family for a Christmas feast? Join others to loudly sing songs of revelry? All traditions related to Yuletide.

As you ponder what fun activities you may partake of this Christmas season, here’s a link to one in our community you may like to participate in. Hospice of Davis & Wapello Counties “Longest Night of the Year” service.

May you enjoy all the blessings of this holiday season no matter how you celebrate it!

Merry Christmas!

contributed by Melody Lowe

 

“Hot Cross Buns” – it’s a classic!

I recently had the opportunity to attend a “string” concert at our local high school. It involved grade levels 5-12, showing off their skills in the violin, viola, cello, and bass. I hadn’t been to anything like this for a while, and I greatly enjoyed it.

It carried me back to the fourth grade, in the weeks following the city-wide band and orchestra concert.

The image of the young instructor/conductor leading the groups reminded me of my first encounter with the new young instructor/conductor of my day – Steve Miller.

I remember meeting in the small room across from my fourth-grade classroom, and discussing what instrument I wanted to play. I chose the violin, and I remember him measuring my arm to make sure I would even be able to play it. I did, not necessarily well, and my orchestra career was relegated to just the 5^th grade year. (Hey, don't judge me! I’m not musical… I write!)

As the fifth-grade students performed for the first time, I leaned over to my daughter and whispered “I learned that same song when I was in fifth grade,” and she just laughed, while my youngest grandchild gazed in complete awe and wonder, completely mesmerized by the performances. I wondered if the beginner music curriculum had evolved at all, or was “Hot Cross Buns” just one of those classics that every music student learned. Probably so. Wouldn’t it make for a fun event if on a given day and time, all the beginner students across the United States played it together, as a promotional event to maintain music programs in our schools?  It would take a very passionate conductor to coordinate that, but every parent would love it!

Even if you don’t have a school age student involved in the music programs, I would encourage you to attend one of these types of local events. Not only is it fun, it is inspiring to watch the wonder, awe, dedication, and brilliance displayed by these students.

contributed by Melody Lowe

 

Finding a Career Path

Let me tell you, choosing or changing careers is never easy.

The career path I wanted to take in high school didn’t work out. It takes a lot of college money to be an architect! My family didn’t have the means to provide a college savings plan and I wasn’t comfortable going deep into student debt during that recession!

So, I pivoted and took a job at the local hospital. It turned into a career as I continued to advance my knowledge and skills, working my way up from being a “runner” delivering supplies to the patient care units, to being a business manager. I worked there more than half of my life until a change in leadership forced a change upon me.

I had to start a new career, for I wanted a career, not just a job. I needed to be challenged, and feel like I was making a difference for people. I was fortunate that Bob Kramer was hiring at that time. He has been my mentor, my business partner, and my friend. I will be forever grateful of the opportunity and support that Bob has given me. I love this job, but it isn’t and wasn’t easy. It was a BIG learning curve with lots of tests and annual education requirements, and I embraced the challenge, and continue to meet new challenges every day. I am always learning.

In today’s job market, there are just as many challenges for those dipping their toe in for the first time, or those looking elsewhere for the job they want. Those students whose families have thought ahead to provide education dollars are fortunate. With the expansion of how funds can be used in 529 plans, they have more options. They need those options as the scope of job types is growing every day. From corporate jobs, to gig work, to being an entrepreneur, the choices are endless, and searching the internet brings up new possibilities every day.

I encourage you to help your students understand the opportunities before them, and guide them as they navigate the path to their dream career. And never hesitate to reach out and use the professionals and resources available to support you in this planning.

 

Contributed by Melody Lowe

 B.I.G.

I have been blessed to have been introduced to many people who have given me a great deal to be positive about. One such person is entrepreneur expert Lee Brower, who always goes BIG!  He Begins In Gratitude every meeting we’ve been in. 

This activity has stimulated my gratitude attitude towards my meetings and the day.  In fact, I write those things I’m grateful for in a gratitude journal each day.  Many involve my family, my health, and my faith.  Lee even said there is scientific evidence that this activity will kick in dopamine in your brain after doing this activity for 3 consecutive weeks.  It will actually make you feel better about yourself.  

So, consider Beginning In Gratitude with your friends, acquaintances, and loved ones, and writing your own gratitude journal.  You will be amazed at what this can do in your life.

 

Contributed by Bob Kramer

 

 

 

 

Are you Ready?

“If I didn’t like you so well, I’d wish bad things on you!”

That was one response I recently received when someone asked me if I was ready for the holidays, and I responded with a resounding “yes.”  (I’m almost always ready for the holidays.)

No, I don’t get in a hurry to put up the Christmas decorations. I wait until Thanksgiving weekend to generally put them up. However, I do take my sweet time in removing them. I like the “merry and bright” feelings they bring to my home. Having spent many years being Mrs. Claus to my husband’s Santa, it wouldn’t bother me personally to have them up all year. (And a few things are!)

I received the aforesaid comment because my Christmas shopping was done by Halloween. I would say on average I generally have at least 80% of shopping done by that time each year. This year I ran into some super sweet sales, so I got more done than usual. I just need to pick up stocking stuffers once the stockings are hung!

I start shopping for next year’s presents right away. I snag wrapping paper at deep discounts, I watch for “big” items to be marked down. I check out clearance sales. I gather in things all year long. Sometimes it’s a challenge to keep it all hidden, and you might not get a present until the next year if I forgot where it was, but it keeps my own Christmas spirit alive and well all year round.

I am not the Queen of Organization. I am not OCD about it. I am not “scheduling” it. I just simply like to think ahead. That way my budget doesn’t take a big hit in November and December and I’m not worrying about paying off credit cards in January. Christmas expense has been sprinkled throughout the entire year so I don’t feel “a Christmas bite” in my gift-giving. I can sing along to the Christmas music while I’m wrapping, instead of grinch grumbling about how much money I spent as I open yet another roll of tape. (I love tape – my children hate it!)

And yes, you should always be thinking ahead! It’s not just Christmas I plan ahead for. It’s birthdays. TAXES. Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses. Vacations…  You have to plan for the fun things, and the not-so-fun things as well.

I hope your holidays are merry and bright, and that you also take part in some pre-planning to make your next year easier.

contributed by Melody Lowe 

November is National Gratitude Month

As I think about gratitude, and how it has affected my life, I reach back and consider all those people who have made a positive difference in my life, and that have made contributions that are inestimable. The impact and influence they have had on my life are permanently embedded, as I remember these people who showed humility and vulnerability in their leadership.

More than anything, I know that no one is perfect. I have been guilty of putting some people on a pedestal and thinking that they could do no wrong, whether it was their athletic prowess, perceived wealth and influence, or their intellectual gifts. The people that I have encountered in my life with the most positive influence were also those who seemed the humblest.

Humble does not mean weak or mild-mannered. Far from it. Humble people are gracious. They show how important all of the people are in the room. They go first. They call you by name and ask you about family and your friends, and know your concerns. They build lasting relationships because they want to know what’s in it for those around them, not what’s in it for themselves. When a task is given, they don’t act like they have to do it, they get to do it. For there is a time and place when we cross the line or encounter a physical or mental inability to contribute to others lives anymore because we are no longer able. Our mind may be willing, or we wish we could help, but the body can no longer take it. Maybe the mind may is suffering from some form of dementia or setback, and we can no longer confidently participate.

This month I am grateful for the humble leaders I have been privileged to encounter throughout my life so far. Do you remember a teacher along the way who shared with you that you never fail unless you give up? Or the business leader you worked with that displayed keen interest in you when you felt like a failure? He or she went through the same struggles or frustrations that you did. Or finally, the story teller who took you to a time or place that they had been, and the players and characters they talked about, and what an impression it made on you, to inspire and make the most of your life.

Everything I have and everything I am, is a gift from God, and a result of other people’s contributions to my life. I am eternally grateful for the humble people in my life.

 Contributed by Bob Kramer

Inspired Authenticity...

What do these words mean to you? What expectation is brought to mind when you read them? I’ll give you a moment to think about it before you move on.

… (imagine Jeopardy music in the background) …

I don’t know about you, but it’s the word “inspired” that gives me personal pause. It’s such a big word.

I’m not worried about the “authentic” part. I’m pretty much what you see. I believe, or at least I hope, that most people that we see as being of noble or moral character show us their authentic and true selves. That doesn’t mean we get to see or know everything about everybody – we are all entitled to our privacy, no matter what social media may imply on any given day. Some things are, quite simply, none of your business.

However, you will know when you meet an authentic person. You’re happy to spend time with them, you are comfortable in your conversations (and your silence), and you trust them.

If that person is not quite as authentic as they might like for you to believe, you’ll know it! Trust your gut instinct, the hackles on the back of your neck, your mother’s voice ringing in your ears... You’ll know! And learn how to recognize it in your online dealings, as well. Don’t be a victim of fraud or scams.

Be authentic, know yourself, and you will attract others that are genuine to your circle.

Now, let’s back up to the “inspired” part. Why does it give me pause? I suppose because it is so much more personal to me, and to you. Inspiration is not the same for everyone. There are many things that inspire me, large and small. Some are just fleeting thoughts whose only purpose is to redirect me to the “next thing” while others are big thoughts. Heavy, soul-searching thoughts. Inspiration that wants to make a big impact for people. A lot of people, not just my small world. The kind of inspiration that requires days of thought and focus because your heart wants to make a positive impact on someone else’s future.

Big or small, inspiration should induce a ripple effect. An effect far larger than any one of us can make by ourselves. Let your inspiration flow forth and compound with other ripples! If you don’t share what inspires you, you’ll never know what impact your thoughts may make.  Don’t ignore what inspires you. Give yourself five minutes in your busy day to share your inspiration and your most authentic self to help us all thrive in the chaos of our everyday lives.

I hope this blog can make a difference via its ripple effect as our contributors share their thoughts and inspiration with you, and you share the inspiration you find with someone else, and we all find some Inspired Authenticity that is resounding and speaks to our souls.

contributed by Melody Lowe