Well, I’m in kind of a writing slump again. I’ve had a few things to write about, but I just haven't been in the mood. So I'm forcing myself again. In the past, I’ve forced myself to write when I didn't feel like it and it sort of opened a floodgate and all kinds of things came pouring out, so we'll see what happens.
Last Saturday we went to Mom’s for lunch. Brenna had spent Friday night at her house and Saturday morning they made cookies. The cookies were for Brenna’s birthday which is today, April 8th. Happy 13th Brenna! My daughter is a teenager. That feels pretty weird. Brenna told me she has a violin recital on the 24th so I’ll have to be sure and get the exact time and place so I don’t miss that.
On Sunday we went to Bobbi and Mike’s for Easter dinner. Mom was there and also Brad and his family, everyone except Daniel who is Brad's oldest. He had to work I think. We had a good time and the kids had their Easter egg hunt, even though two of them are in college now.
Basketball season is all over with now. The men’s championship game was on Monday, Duke just barely beat Butler, only winning by two points. The women's final game was on Tuesday. Uconn won as expected, but Stanford really gave them a tough game. Stanford actually led for a majority of the game and Uconn only won by six points. There is quite a history between those two teams. The last time Uconn lost a game was back in 2008 when they lost to Stanford. Stanford only lost two games this year, both times to Uconn including the championship game. That was an exciting game but I wish the Huskers had been playing.
Last week, DJ, Brad’s daughter, had emailed me and asked if I would bring my saxophone to Bobbi’s house on Easter and play for everyone. She didn’t get to come to our Christmas party last year when I played for the family. She plays the sax now at college. I told her instead of playing on Easter Joni and I would have everyone over sometime this summer and I would play then. Then I found out she’s going on an internship to Connecticut and will be gone all summer. I told her she’d just have to wait until next Christmas then. I already let it slip about playing this summer, though, so I doubt if Mom will let me out of it now. I need to start practicing again. I started using slightly heavier reeds and I was surprised how tired my lip and jaw get. The heavier reeds will give more control over the tone though once I get used to them.
Okay, that’s it for now. see you next time.
Matthew 28:1-6 1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Journal - News, Weather, and Sports
Yesterday, I called my case worker, Cindy, at Health and Human Services with a few questions. First I asked about the new health bill and how that might effect the Medicaid program. She said there have been no changes. Apparently even though President Obama signed the bill, it’s till kind of up in the air as to what will happen. Also, most of the changes that are supposed to be implemented won't take effect until 2014.
Last week, when BCBS denied me they suggested something called CHIPS. I told them I never really liked that show very much. Just kidding, Chips is some kind of insurance program but I thought it was specifically for children. I asked Cindy about it and she said there are two programs called Chips. The one BCBS was talking about is actually handled by BCBS and it’s for people who can’t get insurance. The drawback is that it usually has very high premiums. I was kind of planning on that anyway so I guess I will look into that further and see what happens. Unfortunately, that means I have to contact my arch enemies, BCBS, again.
The third thing I asked about was Medicare. I had heard recently that when you become eligible for Medicare you have to pay a hundred dollars a month for it in the form of a deduction from your social security. That isn’t necessarily true, however. Any amount you have to pay for Medicare is based on your income. She said that my income is below the maximum so I won’t have to pay anything for it. I still have another year before I am eligible, though. I forgot to ask her if that is the same in every state.
Last Thursday, I filled out an application online to renew our food stamps since they are getting ready to run out. They don’t call it food stamps anymore. Now it’s called SNAP. Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program or something like that. Isn’t it funny how we always try to put fancy names on things? I guess the name “food stamps” is kind of outdated, though. These days they give you a debit card and each month they just deposit more credit to your account. We’re getting closer to that cashless society every day. Anyway, since I called Cindy yesterday, she went ahead and went over the application and asked what she needed to ask about that to finalize it. It was all so easy. I can’t help but think how much trouble I had with that same system in Dallas.
The weather is shaping up very nicely here in Nebraska. Our temps have been in the sixties and are starting to push into the seventies now. Unfortunately, spring in Nebraska means wind. I remember when we moved up here at the end of April last year. We had some pretty powerful wind storms in those first few weeks. Those were kind of scary but our house proved to be very strong. It isn’t insulated very well, but it's solid.
I was a little sad last night. If the Huskers had won their basketball game Sunday, they would have been playing Oklahoma last night. I was looking forward to that game, but instead Oklahoma played Kentucky. Oklahoma won, so the last four teams in the tournament are Oklahoma, Connecticut, Baylor, and Stanford. Connecticut is the clear favorite. They are the returning champions and have won every game for the last two years. Maybe Baylor will knock them off in the championship game.
Well, that’s all the updates I have for now. Until next time, keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars. Bonus points to whoever can tell me where that phrase came from.
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Job 11:18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
Last week, when BCBS denied me they suggested something called CHIPS. I told them I never really liked that show very much. Just kidding, Chips is some kind of insurance program but I thought it was specifically for children. I asked Cindy about it and she said there are two programs called Chips. The one BCBS was talking about is actually handled by BCBS and it’s for people who can’t get insurance. The drawback is that it usually has very high premiums. I was kind of planning on that anyway so I guess I will look into that further and see what happens. Unfortunately, that means I have to contact my arch enemies, BCBS, again.
The third thing I asked about was Medicare. I had heard recently that when you become eligible for Medicare you have to pay a hundred dollars a month for it in the form of a deduction from your social security. That isn’t necessarily true, however. Any amount you have to pay for Medicare is based on your income. She said that my income is below the maximum so I won’t have to pay anything for it. I still have another year before I am eligible, though. I forgot to ask her if that is the same in every state.
Last Thursday, I filled out an application online to renew our food stamps since they are getting ready to run out. They don’t call it food stamps anymore. Now it’s called SNAP. Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program or something like that. Isn’t it funny how we always try to put fancy names on things? I guess the name “food stamps” is kind of outdated, though. These days they give you a debit card and each month they just deposit more credit to your account. We’re getting closer to that cashless society every day. Anyway, since I called Cindy yesterday, she went ahead and went over the application and asked what she needed to ask about that to finalize it. It was all so easy. I can’t help but think how much trouble I had with that same system in Dallas.
The weather is shaping up very nicely here in Nebraska. Our temps have been in the sixties and are starting to push into the seventies now. Unfortunately, spring in Nebraska means wind. I remember when we moved up here at the end of April last year. We had some pretty powerful wind storms in those first few weeks. Those were kind of scary but our house proved to be very strong. It isn’t insulated very well, but it's solid.
I was a little sad last night. If the Huskers had won their basketball game Sunday, they would have been playing Oklahoma last night. I was looking forward to that game, but instead Oklahoma played Kentucky. Oklahoma won, so the last four teams in the tournament are Oklahoma, Connecticut, Baylor, and Stanford. Connecticut is the clear favorite. They are the returning champions and have won every game for the last two years. Maybe Baylor will knock them off in the championship game.
Well, that’s all the updates I have for now. Until next time, keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars. Bonus points to whoever can tell me where that phrase came from.
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Job 11:18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Journal - Sunday
Sunday was a pretty good day. We went to church as usual and had kind of a special treat. We had a minister from the African Congo visiting. Our church is very active in the Congo, sending money to support missionary efforts over there, and also sending people from our own church to volunteer. Anyway, that minister, who’s name I cannot pronounce, gave us a short sermon in his native language while his interpreter translated for us. It was interesting, and it really drove home the fact that people are really the same all over the world. His sermon was no different than what you might hear in your own church.
After church, we came home for a quick lunch of bacon and French toast, one of our favorites, and then it was off to the new school in Gibbon for a play. Bobbi’s stepson Elliott had one of the leading roles in “Oklahoma", and he really did a great job. That was my second play as a blind man and sometimes it's hard to follow the story, but I enjoy the music. The new school has a nice little auditorium, which we never had at the old school. We always had to use the cafegymatorium for everything.
It was about 4:30 when we got home. It was a really beautiful day. I’m not sure what the temperature was but it was the first time I really enjoyed going outside since last fall. When we got home I actually opened up a couple of windows in the house and the air and sunshine coming in felt wonderful. We grabbed a bite to eat, then I took my shower and started waiting for the game to come on.
It was the big game between Nebraska and Kentucky in the sweet sixteen round of the playoffs. It was the last basketball game of the day and wasn’t schedule to start until 8:30, but the previous game between Oklahoma and Notre Dame went into overtime, so Nebraska started late. It was a little after nine when it finally tipped off.
Well, it was another exciting game. I have to admit, I didn’t really think theLady Huskers would have too much trouble with Kentucky, but Kentucky really came out fighting. The score was pretty much even through the first half, but then Kentucky rallied and finished the half with a ten point lead.
The second half was all downhill, with Kentucky pretty much controlling the game. They extended their lead to nineteen points an the Huskers just couldn't seem to do anything. I began to lose hope. With just a few minutes left in the game, with nothing to lose, Nebraska began to fight. Kentucky's nineteen point lead dwindled down to seven. But the rally came too late. The final score was Kentucky 76 and Nebraska 67. I never really got the impression that Kentucky was the better team, itt just wasn’t Nebraska's night. All of Kentucky's shots seemed to fall in, and all of Nebraska's seemed to fall out.
And so, the magical season ends. It’s a bitter disappointment after coming so close, but I'm really proud of our basketball team, as I'm sure all Nebraskans are. Good luck next year!
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
After church, we came home for a quick lunch of bacon and French toast, one of our favorites, and then it was off to the new school in Gibbon for a play. Bobbi’s stepson Elliott had one of the leading roles in “Oklahoma", and he really did a great job. That was my second play as a blind man and sometimes it's hard to follow the story, but I enjoy the music. The new school has a nice little auditorium, which we never had at the old school. We always had to use the cafegymatorium for everything.
It was about 4:30 when we got home. It was a really beautiful day. I’m not sure what the temperature was but it was the first time I really enjoyed going outside since last fall. When we got home I actually opened up a couple of windows in the house and the air and sunshine coming in felt wonderful. We grabbed a bite to eat, then I took my shower and started waiting for the game to come on.
It was the big game between Nebraska and Kentucky in the sweet sixteen round of the playoffs. It was the last basketball game of the day and wasn’t schedule to start until 8:30, but the previous game between Oklahoma and Notre Dame went into overtime, so Nebraska started late. It was a little after nine when it finally tipped off.
Well, it was another exciting game. I have to admit, I didn’t really think theLady Huskers would have too much trouble with Kentucky, but Kentucky really came out fighting. The score was pretty much even through the first half, but then Kentucky rallied and finished the half with a ten point lead.
The second half was all downhill, with Kentucky pretty much controlling the game. They extended their lead to nineteen points an the Huskers just couldn't seem to do anything. I began to lose hope. With just a few minutes left in the game, with nothing to lose, Nebraska began to fight. Kentucky's nineteen point lead dwindled down to seven. But the rally came too late. The final score was Kentucky 76 and Nebraska 67. I never really got the impression that Kentucky was the better team, itt just wasn’t Nebraska's night. All of Kentucky's shots seemed to fall in, and all of Nebraska's seemed to fall out.
And so, the magical season ends. It’s a bitter disappointment after coming so close, but I'm really proud of our basketball team, as I'm sure all Nebraskans are. Good luck next year!
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Journal - March Madness
If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll know that I have recently become very interested in basketball. This is all because of what the women's team at UNL has done this year. As I have mentioned before, they are the first basketball team from Nebraska, men or women, to advance to the sweet sixteen round of the playoffs.
I decided it would be interesting to create a bracket of the sixteen teams and track their progress through the rest of the playoff schedule. Of course, there are plenty of brackets available online, for download and printing, but those don’t do me much good. The brackets just don't make any sense if you can't see the lines. What I decided to do was create my own bracket in a spreadsheet.
I actually had a hard time finding out who the sixteen teams were, however, and which ones were playing each other. The brackets that are available online would, of course, have all that information, but like I said, my screen reader doesn’t interpret them very well. I was finally able to piece my bracket together by reading various news articles about the basketball playoffs. I have learned more about basketball in the last two days than in my previous 39 years. Here are the sixteen teams:
In the Kansas City Region:
Oklahoma versus Notre Dame.
Nebraska versus Kentucky.
In the Dayton Region:
Connecticut versus Iowa State.
Florida State versus Mississippi State.
In the Memphis Region:
Tennessee versus Baylor.
Duke versus San Diego State.
In the Sacramento Region:
Xavier versus Gonzaga.
Stanford versus Georgia.
You may be asking yourself, “Who or what in the heck is Gonzaga?” I asked myself that very same question so I looked it up. Gonzaga is a private Catholic University in Spokane, Washington. So there, you learned something today.
The last time I talked basketball I said that all sixteen teams were coming together in Kansas City for the final tournament, but I found out that was wrong. As shown above, there are four different cities, each hosting four teams. I guess they do that so they can get through the games more quickly, or maybe so more fans have a chance to watch a game. Each region will end up with one winner, and I’m assuming those Final Four teams will come together somewhere. Actually, I think I read that the finals will be in San Antonio.
At the time I am posting this, the Memphis Region and the Sacramento Region have already played their first round of games, but I’m not telling you who won yet. The Lady Huskers play Kentucky tonight. Incidentally, I read that this is also Kentucky’s first trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Too bad one of them has to go home after this. Hope it’s Kentucky, though. Connecticut, or Uconn as they are called, are the big favorite in the playoffs. They are the returning champions and have won their last 74 games, which is basically every game for the last two years. I don’t like the thought of the Huskers playing against them, but I don’t think the two will meet unless they both make it to the championship game. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I would kind of like to see that matchup. But we can't look too far ahead, first they have to get past Kentucky.
I know most of my readers are not basketball fans, I'm not either come to think of it, but this is what’s going on in my life right now, so I wanted to make a complete record of it.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
I decided it would be interesting to create a bracket of the sixteen teams and track their progress through the rest of the playoff schedule. Of course, there are plenty of brackets available online, for download and printing, but those don’t do me much good. The brackets just don't make any sense if you can't see the lines. What I decided to do was create my own bracket in a spreadsheet.
I actually had a hard time finding out who the sixteen teams were, however, and which ones were playing each other. The brackets that are available online would, of course, have all that information, but like I said, my screen reader doesn’t interpret them very well. I was finally able to piece my bracket together by reading various news articles about the basketball playoffs. I have learned more about basketball in the last two days than in my previous 39 years. Here are the sixteen teams:
In the Kansas City Region:
Oklahoma versus Notre Dame.
Nebraska versus Kentucky.
In the Dayton Region:
Connecticut versus Iowa State.
Florida State versus Mississippi State.
In the Memphis Region:
Tennessee versus Baylor.
Duke versus San Diego State.
In the Sacramento Region:
Xavier versus Gonzaga.
Stanford versus Georgia.
You may be asking yourself, “Who or what in the heck is Gonzaga?” I asked myself that very same question so I looked it up. Gonzaga is a private Catholic University in Spokane, Washington. So there, you learned something today.
The last time I talked basketball I said that all sixteen teams were coming together in Kansas City for the final tournament, but I found out that was wrong. As shown above, there are four different cities, each hosting four teams. I guess they do that so they can get through the games more quickly, or maybe so more fans have a chance to watch a game. Each region will end up with one winner, and I’m assuming those Final Four teams will come together somewhere. Actually, I think I read that the finals will be in San Antonio.
At the time I am posting this, the Memphis Region and the Sacramento Region have already played their first round of games, but I’m not telling you who won yet. The Lady Huskers play Kentucky tonight. Incidentally, I read that this is also Kentucky’s first trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Too bad one of them has to go home after this. Hope it’s Kentucky, though. Connecticut, or Uconn as they are called, are the big favorite in the playoffs. They are the returning champions and have won their last 74 games, which is basically every game for the last two years. I don’t like the thought of the Huskers playing against them, but I don’t think the two will meet unless they both make it to the championship game. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I would kind of like to see that matchup. But we can't look too far ahead, first they have to get past Kentucky.
I know most of my readers are not basketball fans, I'm not either come to think of it, but this is what’s going on in my life right now, so I wanted to make a complete record of it.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Journal - BCBS Blues, NCAA Pinks
Well.
On Monday I got a letter from BCBS saying that they have denied my application for insurance. Last week, they had asked for records from Doctor Hargrave. We mailed a copy of that request to her office in Dallas on Friday the 19th. The denial letter I got on Monday was dated the 19th. They asked for the records but didn’t wait to get them. They didn’t even mention the records, they said I was denied because of my pre-existing conditions which they have known about all along. Is it a coincidence that their denial letter was dated just two days before Barrack Obama signed the new health bill? No, I don’t believe in coincidences, as I have mentioned before. I don't really think there is anything in the new health bill that would have a direct effect on my case, but BCBS wasn’t taking any chances I suppose. Well, I kept saying that I wished they would make a decision, one way or the other and I got my wish. What's next? I have no idea. More waiting. I'll just have to wait and see where God leads me next.
That was the bad news. Now for the good news! Nebraska won their second round game against UCLA on Tuesday night! It was a pretty exciting game too. Well, the first half was, anyway.
UCLA struck like lightning in the opening minutes of the game and took a 13 to 4 lead very quickly. The Lady Huskers battled back, though, and tied it up at 15 before going on to take a ten point lead. The first half ended with a five point lead for Nebraska. UCLA came out fighting again in the second half and came to within one point, but it was all Nebraska after that. UCLA never gave up, they kept scoring points, but Nebraska was just too much for them. The final score was 82 to 70 or something like that.. Nebraska was hitting the three pointers again. They struggled with that in the first half, but started hitting them almost at will in the second. And not just one or two players, either, I think seven or eight different players hit three point shots.
With this win, Nebraska advances to the sweet sixteen, which is just a fancy way of saying there are only sixteen teams left playing for the national championship. Those sixteen teams come together in Kansas City this weekend. Nebraska is supposed to play Sunday night against Kentucky, but no time was set yet. This marks the first time a Nebraska basketball team, men’s or women’s, has made it to the sweet sixteen. Pretty amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if they won the national championship? Even if they don’t, I hope they can keep having this kind of success for many years to come. What a boon to the University and to Nebraska sports. Seeing any Husker team do that well really leaves me feeling in the pink. Wasn’t that a clever tie-in to my title?
For those of you who don’t live around here, my hometown of Gibbon, which I live very close to now, built a new school and began using it this year. Gibbon is a small town so they only need one school for all grades. The old school, where my siblings and I attended, and also where my parents and their siblings attended, and where my sister's kids have attended, has been standing vacant this year. I know they really neded a new building, but it’s sad to think of the old school just sitting there empty.
Now it sounds like someone may be interested in doing something with it, though. There is an email going around to everyone in Gibbon and the neighboring towns with a link to an online survey. The survey asks several questions about what kinds of activities or services the people around here might be interested in. Maybe they are thinking of using the old school for a community center or something like that. That would be awesome if they can pull it off, although it honestly doesn’t seem like there are enough people around here to support something like that. I sure wish them lots of luck in their venture though!
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
On Monday I got a letter from BCBS saying that they have denied my application for insurance. Last week, they had asked for records from Doctor Hargrave. We mailed a copy of that request to her office in Dallas on Friday the 19th. The denial letter I got on Monday was dated the 19th. They asked for the records but didn’t wait to get them. They didn’t even mention the records, they said I was denied because of my pre-existing conditions which they have known about all along. Is it a coincidence that their denial letter was dated just two days before Barrack Obama signed the new health bill? No, I don’t believe in coincidences, as I have mentioned before. I don't really think there is anything in the new health bill that would have a direct effect on my case, but BCBS wasn’t taking any chances I suppose. Well, I kept saying that I wished they would make a decision, one way or the other and I got my wish. What's next? I have no idea. More waiting. I'll just have to wait and see where God leads me next.
That was the bad news. Now for the good news! Nebraska won their second round game against UCLA on Tuesday night! It was a pretty exciting game too. Well, the first half was, anyway.
UCLA struck like lightning in the opening minutes of the game and took a 13 to 4 lead very quickly. The Lady Huskers battled back, though, and tied it up at 15 before going on to take a ten point lead. The first half ended with a five point lead for Nebraska. UCLA came out fighting again in the second half and came to within one point, but it was all Nebraska after that. UCLA never gave up, they kept scoring points, but Nebraska was just too much for them. The final score was 82 to 70 or something like that.. Nebraska was hitting the three pointers again. They struggled with that in the first half, but started hitting them almost at will in the second. And not just one or two players, either, I think seven or eight different players hit three point shots.
With this win, Nebraska advances to the sweet sixteen, which is just a fancy way of saying there are only sixteen teams left playing for the national championship. Those sixteen teams come together in Kansas City this weekend. Nebraska is supposed to play Sunday night against Kentucky, but no time was set yet. This marks the first time a Nebraska basketball team, men’s or women’s, has made it to the sweet sixteen. Pretty amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if they won the national championship? Even if they don’t, I hope they can keep having this kind of success for many years to come. What a boon to the University and to Nebraska sports. Seeing any Husker team do that well really leaves me feeling in the pink. Wasn’t that a clever tie-in to my title?
For those of you who don’t live around here, my hometown of Gibbon, which I live very close to now, built a new school and began using it this year. Gibbon is a small town so they only need one school for all grades. The old school, where my siblings and I attended, and also where my parents and their siblings attended, and where my sister's kids have attended, has been standing vacant this year. I know they really neded a new building, but it’s sad to think of the old school just sitting there empty.
Now it sounds like someone may be interested in doing something with it, though. There is an email going around to everyone in Gibbon and the neighboring towns with a link to an online survey. The survey asks several questions about what kinds of activities or services the people around here might be interested in. Maybe they are thinking of using the old school for a community center or something like that. That would be awesome if they can pull it off, although it honestly doesn’t seem like there are enough people around here to support something like that. I sure wish them lots of luck in their venture though!
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Journal - Basketball, Blogs, and Birthdays
First off, I need to make an addendum. I talked about Grandma Gladys the other day and totally forgot one of my favorite things. For longer than I can remember, there was a sun catcher hanging in Grandma’s big kitchen window. It was kind of a basic flower shape, a round center with evenly spaced petals around it, all in red and orange. The frame of the design is very heavy, maybe pewter or something similar. I have that sun catcher now and it is one of my most favorite possessions. Unfortunately I can never get it to stay in a window, it’s always falling because it is so heavy. Don't know how Grandma kept it hanging all those years.
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. I noticed something about my screen reader, System Access To Go, the other day. It used to be that when I typed hmm, it just said the letters instead of actually pronouncing it. Now he actually says hmm the way a person would. Evidently they are making little improvements in the program. If I spell that with three m’s instead of only two he still just says the letters, though.
Sunday was Nebraska’s first game of the NCAA tournament for the women’s basketball team. Nebraska controlled the game pretty much from the start. They had a 13 point lead at halftime, and ended up beating Northern Iowa 83 to 44. They hit ten 3 pointers, which is good. Someone said they were having trouble with that earlier. Kelsay Griffin scored the 2,000th point of her 5 year career. I don’t know much about basketball, but I know it takes a lot of baskets to make 2,000 points. The next game for Nebraska is tonight at 8:30 versus either North Carolina State or UCLA. I don’t know how good those teams are but I can assume that each game will get more difficult as the weaker teams are weeded out.
The song I can’t get out of my head this week is “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum. My favorite food of the moment is breaded chicken patties with swiss cheese on a hamburger bun with green olives and potato chips on the side.
I’ve really been enjoying writing book reviews for my blog “Reviews From The Deep”, and I'm really pleased that some other people have been enjoying it too. I already mentioned last week that Joni's friend Benning talked about it on his blog, “Benning’s War”, and on Saturday my Friend Ensign Ro also mentioned it on her blog, “In The Center Of The Roof.” She gave me some good feedback too that I think will help me write more interesting book reviews. Incidentally, Ro is, like me, blind, and if you want to see the world from the perspective of a blind person, you should definitely read her blog. She’s much better at describing the “blind experience” than I am. In fact, you should go do that right now. I’ll wait for you here.
All done? Good! Also I should mention Joni’s blog, "One Voice - Write Right." Joni mentions both of my blogs all the time and suckers, I mean “gets” people to read what I write. Thanks honey! If you’re interested in becoming a writer, Joni’s blog is for you, she always has lots of hints and tips for budding writers. Also, she posts her own, original poetry every Sunday, so check it out.
Speaking of Joni, today, March 23rd, is my sweetie’s birthday! Now, let me think, how old is Joni this year? 28? No, too young. 47? No, way too old! Oh, I remember! Joni is 39 this year. Happy 39th birthday, honey! I hope you have a really great day!
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Psalms 4:6-8 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. I noticed something about my screen reader, System Access To Go, the other day. It used to be that when I typed hmm, it just said the letters instead of actually pronouncing it. Now he actually says hmm the way a person would. Evidently they are making little improvements in the program. If I spell that with three m’s instead of only two he still just says the letters, though.
Sunday was Nebraska’s first game of the NCAA tournament for the women’s basketball team. Nebraska controlled the game pretty much from the start. They had a 13 point lead at halftime, and ended up beating Northern Iowa 83 to 44. They hit ten 3 pointers, which is good. Someone said they were having trouble with that earlier. Kelsay Griffin scored the 2,000th point of her 5 year career. I don’t know much about basketball, but I know it takes a lot of baskets to make 2,000 points. The next game for Nebraska is tonight at 8:30 versus either North Carolina State or UCLA. I don’t know how good those teams are but I can assume that each game will get more difficult as the weaker teams are weeded out.
The song I can’t get out of my head this week is “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum. My favorite food of the moment is breaded chicken patties with swiss cheese on a hamburger bun with green olives and potato chips on the side.
I’ve really been enjoying writing book reviews for my blog “Reviews From The Deep”, and I'm really pleased that some other people have been enjoying it too. I already mentioned last week that Joni's friend Benning talked about it on his blog, “Benning’s War”, and on Saturday my Friend Ensign Ro also mentioned it on her blog, “In The Center Of The Roof.” She gave me some good feedback too that I think will help me write more interesting book reviews. Incidentally, Ro is, like me, blind, and if you want to see the world from the perspective of a blind person, you should definitely read her blog. She’s much better at describing the “blind experience” than I am. In fact, you should go do that right now. I’ll wait for you here.
All done? Good! Also I should mention Joni’s blog, "One Voice - Write Right." Joni mentions both of my blogs all the time and suckers, I mean “gets” people to read what I write. Thanks honey! If you’re interested in becoming a writer, Joni’s blog is for you, she always has lots of hints and tips for budding writers. Also, she posts her own, original poetry every Sunday, so check it out.
Speaking of Joni, today, March 23rd, is my sweetie’s birthday! Now, let me think, how old is Joni this year? 28? No, too young. 47? No, way too old! Oh, I remember! Joni is 39 this year. Happy 39th birthday, honey! I hope you have a really great day!
Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Psalms 4:6-8 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Journal - Too Much Time
Is it any wonder I’m not crazy?
Is it any wonder I’m sane at all?
Well, I’m so tired of losing, I got nothing to do
And all day to do it.
Styx – “Too Much Time On My Hands”
So last week I got another letter from BCBS. The last letter I got a couple of weeks ago asked for my general health medical records for the last five years. The letter I got last week asked for records from my eye doctor for the last five years. Now why on earth couldn’t they have asked for both of those at the same time? Because they are being deliberately difficult, that’s why. I suppose they’re hoping I will just give up on the whole thing if they drag it out long enough. No such luck, BCBS, I got nothin’ better to do. Joni took the letter to the library today to make a copy. We’ll have to mail it to Doctor Hargrave in Dallas. Poor Doctor Hargrave, my file is absolutely huge and they’re going to have to mail or fax all that paperwork. I know they’ll be glad to do it, though, they’re good people.
I’m still working out regularly on the exercise bike, five days a week. My workouts are up to forty minutes and I’m starting to see some progress. My fat l'il belly isn't quite so fat as it used to be and my muscles are stronger. I’m not going to make my workouts any longer because I’m afraid I’ll start to get bored with it. Instead, I'll work on pushing harder. Also, I'm not eating as much junk food as I used to. In fact I don't really eat snacks at all anymore, only once in a while. Come to think of it, I usually eat snacks when I’m up late at night writing my blogs. I’ve got crackers and cheese tonight. I guess it’s easier to take care of yourself when you have lots of free time.
I missed the Big 12 basketball tournament games because I never was able to find out when they were being played. I have found out since, however, that Nebraska won their first round game, but lost in the second round to Texas A&M. Texas A&M went on to win the tournament. I don’t know anything about basketball so I'm confused about something. Nebraska was named Big 12 champions for having the best record, but Texas A&M won the tournament and was named Big 12 tournament champions. What’s up with that? I’m having trouble finding out when Nebraska will be playing in the NCAA tournament coming up later this week, so if you know please tell me. All I have been able to find out is that they are playing Northern Iowa in the first round, don’t know when, though. Oh, I also found out that Nebraska's Kelsay Griffin was named Big 12 player of the year or something like that. She really is good from what I can tell on the radio.
I had quite a mess on my hands today. I was messing around with some of my audio books and dropped a whole stack of CD’s on the floor, about fifty in all. It took me a good hour and a half to get them back in order again. That’s okay, it gives me something to do.
On a final note, my friend Benning, okay he’s Joni's friend from her online writing classes but he's been reading a lot of my book reviews over at “Reviews From The Deep”. Anyway, he said some nice things about my book reviews on his own blog, “Benning’s War.” Benning is very much up on today’s issues and if you like to keep up to date you should go take a look. And don’t forget to leave him a note to let him know yu were there. Bloggers like getting comments, it makes us feel validated.
Psalms 39:4-5 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Is it any wonder I’m sane at all?
Well, I’m so tired of losing, I got nothing to do
And all day to do it.
Styx – “Too Much Time On My Hands”
So last week I got another letter from BCBS. The last letter I got a couple of weeks ago asked for my general health medical records for the last five years. The letter I got last week asked for records from my eye doctor for the last five years. Now why on earth couldn’t they have asked for both of those at the same time? Because they are being deliberately difficult, that’s why. I suppose they’re hoping I will just give up on the whole thing if they drag it out long enough. No such luck, BCBS, I got nothin’ better to do. Joni took the letter to the library today to make a copy. We’ll have to mail it to Doctor Hargrave in Dallas. Poor Doctor Hargrave, my file is absolutely huge and they’re going to have to mail or fax all that paperwork. I know they’ll be glad to do it, though, they’re good people.
I’m still working out regularly on the exercise bike, five days a week. My workouts are up to forty minutes and I’m starting to see some progress. My fat l'il belly isn't quite so fat as it used to be and my muscles are stronger. I’m not going to make my workouts any longer because I’m afraid I’ll start to get bored with it. Instead, I'll work on pushing harder. Also, I'm not eating as much junk food as I used to. In fact I don't really eat snacks at all anymore, only once in a while. Come to think of it, I usually eat snacks when I’m up late at night writing my blogs. I’ve got crackers and cheese tonight. I guess it’s easier to take care of yourself when you have lots of free time.
I missed the Big 12 basketball tournament games because I never was able to find out when they were being played. I have found out since, however, that Nebraska won their first round game, but lost in the second round to Texas A&M. Texas A&M went on to win the tournament. I don’t know anything about basketball so I'm confused about something. Nebraska was named Big 12 champions for having the best record, but Texas A&M won the tournament and was named Big 12 tournament champions. What’s up with that? I’m having trouble finding out when Nebraska will be playing in the NCAA tournament coming up later this week, so if you know please tell me. All I have been able to find out is that they are playing Northern Iowa in the first round, don’t know when, though. Oh, I also found out that Nebraska's Kelsay Griffin was named Big 12 player of the year or something like that. She really is good from what I can tell on the radio.
I had quite a mess on my hands today. I was messing around with some of my audio books and dropped a whole stack of CD’s on the floor, about fifty in all. It took me a good hour and a half to get them back in order again. That’s okay, it gives me something to do.
On a final note, my friend Benning, okay he’s Joni's friend from her online writing classes but he's been reading a lot of my book reviews over at “Reviews From The Deep”. Anyway, he said some nice things about my book reviews on his own blog, “Benning’s War.” Benning is very much up on today’s issues and if you like to keep up to date you should go take a look. And don’t forget to leave him a note to let him know yu were there. Bloggers like getting comments, it makes us feel validated.
Psalms 39:4-5 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
Monday, March 8, 2010
Journal - Perfect Season
Saturday’s basketball game, Nebraska vs Kansas State, was another exciting one. I turned the game on a little late. There was just a few minutes left in the first half and Nebraska was down by eleven points. Uh oh! By the end of the first half, Nebraska had narrowed the gap to seven points. This was the final game of the regular season, and Nebraska was playing for a perfect, undefeated season. It looked like they had their work cut out for them.
When the second half began, Nebraska took over. Within just a few minutes they had an eleven point lead and never looked back. Kansas State came within six points at one point, but that was as close as they got. Nebraska won the game 82 to 72 and finished the season with a perfect record of 29 wins and 0 losses, the first Big 12 team to do so.
My computer speakers came on Friday, several days earlier than I expected. It’s always nice when something happens sooner than you expect it to. I also got a headphone extension cord so Adam and I can plug into the cord instead of directly into the speaker. I think that will help the jack in the speaker not wear out so quickly. Joni rarely uses the speakers for anything, so the cord can just stay plugged into the speaker all the time, and Adam and I can plug into the cord.
I’ve been noticing something odd about my screen reader, System Access To Go, lately. I had noticed some time ago that when I delete things from the computer, they don’t go into the recycle bin. Later on, I discovered that the deleted files are going into the bin, but when I look in there, SA To Go tells me the bin is empty, even though it’s not. On Saturday I emailed Serotek, the company that makes SA To Go, to ask them about that.
It looks like spring is finally on its way! Most of the snow is melted and the temperatures are gradually climbing into the forties and fifties. When we went to church on Sunday, I only wore a light jacket instead of my winter coat and it felt wonderful. Also, the geese and cranes are arriving by the hundreds. My hometown of Gibbon sits about 3 miles north of the Platte River, and our house here on the turkey ranch is about 5 miles south of the river. The area in between is a major stopping point for migrating geese and cranes. I think mostly they go for the river, but quite a few of them are landing in the harvested corn fields around here to pick up scraps of corn too.
We had a very thought provoking message at church this week. It was about following Christ as a nation. It was Pastor Tim this time, instead of Pastor Mike, but he does a nice job too. He talked a little bit about September 11, quoting from an interview that someone had with Billy Graham’s daughter, Ann. The interviewer asked her how God could let such a thing happen. Her response was that God is deeply grieved over it, but we have spent so many years now asking God to get out of our schools and out of our government, that God, being the gentleman that He is, has calmly backed off. That's a pretty scary thought, but it makes a lot of sense.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, and the people he chose for his inheritance.
When the second half began, Nebraska took over. Within just a few minutes they had an eleven point lead and never looked back. Kansas State came within six points at one point, but that was as close as they got. Nebraska won the game 82 to 72 and finished the season with a perfect record of 29 wins and 0 losses, the first Big 12 team to do so.
My computer speakers came on Friday, several days earlier than I expected. It’s always nice when something happens sooner than you expect it to. I also got a headphone extension cord so Adam and I can plug into the cord instead of directly into the speaker. I think that will help the jack in the speaker not wear out so quickly. Joni rarely uses the speakers for anything, so the cord can just stay plugged into the speaker all the time, and Adam and I can plug into the cord.
I’ve been noticing something odd about my screen reader, System Access To Go, lately. I had noticed some time ago that when I delete things from the computer, they don’t go into the recycle bin. Later on, I discovered that the deleted files are going into the bin, but when I look in there, SA To Go tells me the bin is empty, even though it’s not. On Saturday I emailed Serotek, the company that makes SA To Go, to ask them about that.
It looks like spring is finally on its way! Most of the snow is melted and the temperatures are gradually climbing into the forties and fifties. When we went to church on Sunday, I only wore a light jacket instead of my winter coat and it felt wonderful. Also, the geese and cranes are arriving by the hundreds. My hometown of Gibbon sits about 3 miles north of the Platte River, and our house here on the turkey ranch is about 5 miles south of the river. The area in between is a major stopping point for migrating geese and cranes. I think mostly they go for the river, but quite a few of them are landing in the harvested corn fields around here to pick up scraps of corn too.
We had a very thought provoking message at church this week. It was about following Christ as a nation. It was Pastor Tim this time, instead of Pastor Mike, but he does a nice job too. He talked a little bit about September 11, quoting from an interview that someone had with Billy Graham’s daughter, Ann. The interviewer asked her how God could let such a thing happen. Her response was that God is deeply grieved over it, but we have spent so many years now asking God to get out of our schools and out of our government, that God, being the gentleman that He is, has calmly backed off. That's a pretty scary thought, but it makes a lot of sense.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, and the people he chose for his inheritance.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Journal - Odds and Ends
Well, I ordered some new speakers for the computer today. It’s gotten very difficult to make my headphones work, and I know it won’t be long before they don’t work at all. Naturally, I tried different pairs of headphones, but that’s not the problem, it’s the jack in the speaker. It really sucks to have to spend money on something like that, but I have to be able to use headphones at the computer. Without them, I won’t be able to hear well enough, and if I turn it up louder everyone will have to listen to it. I’ve been agonizing over this for the last five days, so I kind of feel better that the decision is made. They should get here early next week.
I also ordered Joni’s birthday present. I think she'll really like it, it's a…
Oops! I better not tell. Somebody who reads this might tell her what it is.
On Tuesday Joni and I ran into Gibbon to visit the doctor. We’re not sick, we just needed to give her that paperwork for BCBS. I’ve only been to this doctor a couple of times so there wasn’t much. She made copies for us, then we took it over to the post office and mailed it. So the ball is back in their court again. Can’t wait to see what they say next.
I’m looking forward to a good basketball game tonight. The Lady Huskers are playing Kansas. Kansas hasn’t had a very good year, but Nebraska played them earlier this year and, from what I’ve read, Kansas almost won. Also, it sounds like Kansas has to win this game to get into the NCAA tournament so they will be fighting hard. Nebraska is in the tournament no matter what so there’s no pressure. They still have their record to think of, though. Nebraska is two games away from a perfect season. I wonder if the basketball team has ever done that before?
Oh, one more thing. Today is my big sister’s anniversary! Happy Anniversary Bobbi and Mike! I know you guys have many more happy years ahead of you. Especially now that most of the kids are gone! Hahaha! Have a great day guys!
Colossians 3:14 over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
That’s it for today. See you next time!
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
I also ordered Joni’s birthday present. I think she'll really like it, it's a…
Oops! I better not tell. Somebody who reads this might tell her what it is.
On Tuesday Joni and I ran into Gibbon to visit the doctor. We’re not sick, we just needed to give her that paperwork for BCBS. I’ve only been to this doctor a couple of times so there wasn’t much. She made copies for us, then we took it over to the post office and mailed it. So the ball is back in their court again. Can’t wait to see what they say next.
I’m looking forward to a good basketball game tonight. The Lady Huskers are playing Kansas. Kansas hasn’t had a very good year, but Nebraska played them earlier this year and, from what I’ve read, Kansas almost won. Also, it sounds like Kansas has to win this game to get into the NCAA tournament so they will be fighting hard. Nebraska is in the tournament no matter what so there’s no pressure. They still have their record to think of, though. Nebraska is two games away from a perfect season. I wonder if the basketball team has ever done that before?
Oh, one more thing. Today is my big sister’s anniversary! Happy Anniversary Bobbi and Mike! I know you guys have many more happy years ahead of you. Especially now that most of the kids are gone! Hahaha! Have a great day guys!
Colossians 3:14 over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
That’s it for today. See you next time!
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Journal - Basketball
I’ve never had much interest in basketball. I have mentioned before that football is the only sport that interests me and when football season ends, it’s a very long wait until it begins again. It is a testament of how bored I have become that I have begun listening to basketball games on the radio in the evening.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I do get bored sometimes, but the main reason I started checking out the games is that Nebraska’s women’s basketball team is having a really phenomenal year, far exceeding everyone's wildest expectations. As of this writing, their record is 26-0, and they are the Big 12 conference champions.
I’m sorry to say that I’ve only listened to two of those twenty-six games, but they were good. The game on Wednesday of this week was particularly exciting. They played Oklahoma, always an important game for Nebraska but even more so because Oklahoma has a good team as well. On that day, Nebraska was ranked number three in the country, and Oklahoma was 11. Also, on the previous week, Oklahoma beat the number 1 team, Connecticut.
Anyway, this was an exciting game that went right down to the wire. With only a few minutes left in the game, Oklahoma finally took a two point lead after trailing the entire game. For a while, they went back and forth; Nebraska would score to tie the game, then Oklahoma would score to take the lead, back and forth they went. Then one of the teams got a foul shot, I forget which, but then it was only a one point game. Nebraska would take a one point lead, then Oklahoma would go up by one, then Nebraska again. Talk about a nail-biter! Well, with less than a minute and a half left, Nebraska finally took control. A couple of the Nebraska players made some fantastic plays that broke Oklahoma's spirit, and Nebraska ended up winning by sixteen points.
Hummm. It occurred to me that if Connecticut got beaten by Oklahoma, then Nebraska would probably have moved up to number 2. I just went to check on that, but the polls are still showing Connecticut undefeated, so maybe I misunderstood something. Maybe they were saying that Oklahoma almost beat Uconn. Anyway, Uconn is still #1, Stanford is #2, and Nebraska is #3. Sorry for the confusion!
I bet it feels really good for the basketball program at Nebraska to be getting some attention. Those of you who don’t live in Nebraska may not understand how we are about our football team. We give the word fanatic a whole new meaning. And, it's always good for a university to get this kind of national recognition. It helps them earn more money at the basketball games, and draw more students from around the country. So kudos to the basketball team.
Now, is it football season yet?
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I do get bored sometimes, but the main reason I started checking out the games is that Nebraska’s women’s basketball team is having a really phenomenal year, far exceeding everyone's wildest expectations. As of this writing, their record is 26-0, and they are the Big 12 conference champions.
I’m sorry to say that I’ve only listened to two of those twenty-six games, but they were good. The game on Wednesday of this week was particularly exciting. They played Oklahoma, always an important game for Nebraska but even more so because Oklahoma has a good team as well. On that day, Nebraska was ranked number three in the country, and Oklahoma was 11. Also, on the previous week, Oklahoma beat the number 1 team, Connecticut.
Anyway, this was an exciting game that went right down to the wire. With only a few minutes left in the game, Oklahoma finally took a two point lead after trailing the entire game. For a while, they went back and forth; Nebraska would score to tie the game, then Oklahoma would score to take the lead, back and forth they went. Then one of the teams got a foul shot, I forget which, but then it was only a one point game. Nebraska would take a one point lead, then Oklahoma would go up by one, then Nebraska again. Talk about a nail-biter! Well, with less than a minute and a half left, Nebraska finally took control. A couple of the Nebraska players made some fantastic plays that broke Oklahoma's spirit, and Nebraska ended up winning by sixteen points.
Hummm. It occurred to me that if Connecticut got beaten by Oklahoma, then Nebraska would probably have moved up to number 2. I just went to check on that, but the polls are still showing Connecticut undefeated, so maybe I misunderstood something. Maybe they were saying that Oklahoma almost beat Uconn. Anyway, Uconn is still #1, Stanford is #2, and Nebraska is #3. Sorry for the confusion!
I bet it feels really good for the basketball program at Nebraska to be getting some attention. Those of you who don’t live in Nebraska may not understand how we are about our football team. We give the word fanatic a whole new meaning. And, it's always good for a university to get this kind of national recognition. It helps them earn more money at the basketball games, and draw more students from around the country. So kudos to the basketball team.
Now, is it football season yet?
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
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