Happy birthday to me

It's really important to me, every year, to count my blessings on my birthday. Some would suggest it's just a good practice to do regularly anyway, but it is more important for me than that. My birthday is one of my two most vulnerable days of the year; the other falls close on its heels, but won't be a problem for me this year as I'll be driving home from MD w/ my loving bride on Father's Day.

Running on low power

I came home last night, and half my power was out. Finally realized, after talking with my wife's brother-in-law, that it could be a power company issue - as if I've forgotten everything I ever knew about household power. I have extension cords running all over the place to keep the fridge and freezer powered up, but no 220 devices are working. Fortunately it won't be hot today, and also fortunately, I have an electrician lined up in case the problem isn't with DP&L.

Did I forget to say "sigh"?

Even though power was out to the kitchen and freezer outlets, at least I was able to run heavy duty extension cords to each of them, so there isn't any danger of food loss.

Cycling links

http://www.mapmyride.com/blog/6-stretches-every-cyclist-should-do-5744/?utm_source=silverpop&utm_medium=email&utm_content=stretch_cycling_button&utm_campaign=newsletter&spMailingID=51545179&spUserID=NDgwMzMxMDkxODIS1&spJobID=940875036&spReportId=OTQwODc1MDM2S0

http://www.bicycling.com/training/tips/5-reasons-youre-not-getting-faster?cid=NL_BIK_-_05132016_&smartcode=YN_0008486955_0001552770

http://www.bicycling.com/food/recipes/make-these-healthy-homemade-sports-drinks

Seriously?

When I introduce myself, do people think, "What an unfortunate name!"?

 . . . What I can't stop thinking now that I know. Along with this:

Poetic justice.


This, too, shall pass, right?

"Thy will" challenges

I started to make a list, but then realized that the seven deadly sins would do as a great starting point, allowing me to focus on ways I tend, or that I see others tend, to justify myself/themselves as I/they indulge the ones to which I am / they are prone:

• Sometimes it can be hard for my faith in God to be thorough. What if I'm wrong? Am I not then depriving myself of some desirable thing?
• They are struggling so greatly with that circumstance. Surely it would better - or more just - for them to have whatever thing they seem to need?
• If people will not choose to do the right thing, we'll simply have to make them.
• I can't help myself. 
• God understands.

Being conscious of these, in the moment, can be the first line of defense against them.

Just wondering

You know how some people can't see things close up, and they're called "far-sighted," and people who can't see things at a distance are "near-sighted"?

For a while now, I've been wondering: do you suppose some people could be "clean-sighted"?

(If so, it's probably predominantly men.)

Yesterday and today

Yesterday was a day full of success and disappointment. The feedback we received from the government affirmed for me the difference that I have been making, passed through a period of frustrated sadness that I believe managed with graciousness, and concluded with a rehearsal that was a balm to my tired spirit. There hasn't been nearly enough sleep for the past three nights.

Today presents a potential for a difficult decision that may pit my personal goals and values against each other. I will pray for wisdom and, again, the grace to treat everyone involved - including myself - with the respect they deserve.