SUNDAY, MAY FIRST - MAY DAY!!!

 SUNDAY, MAY FIRST - MAY DAY!!!

MAY DAY!!

As a kid (prompted by our mother - of course), my sister and I could make May Baskets.  We took a regular sheet of paper (colored paper was best), made it into a cone shape, cut some flowers, or flowering branches, put the flowers in the cone, and left it on the neighbor's doors.

***
According to Wikipedia:
This tradition was popular through the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with children or sweethearts. The custom was to knock on the door, yell “May basket!” and then run. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss.

Louisa May Alcott wrote about May Basket Day in the late 1800s. In the 1920s, some bold schoolchildren hung a May basket on the White House door for First Lady Grace Coolidge.

The May Day basket is still a cherished tradition for some Americans, although it’s not well known today. To make a simple May basket, fold a piece of colored paper into the shape of a cone. Then fill with wildflowers! If you don’t have colored paper, roll up and secure (with tape or a staple) a paper plate. Draw on the plate with spring colors and fill it with flowers!”

Two years ago I made May Baskets for friends.  This year since I’m on a trip to Arizona I won’t do it from my neighbors, but maybe my sister and I can make some May Baskets for her neighbors.  (I might make some "late May Baskets" when I get home!!)

SOME SAYINGS/HAPPINESS:

Often people attempt to live their lives backward;

they try to have more things or more money,

in order to do more of what they want,

so they will be happier.

 

The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first

be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.

*****

Happiness is a conscious choice,

not an automatic response.

*****

For every minute you are angry,

you lose sixty seconds of happiness.

*****

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness,

not because they never found it,

but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.

*****

But what is happiness except for the simple harmony

between a man and the life he leads?

*****

There can be no happiness if the things we believe

in are different from the things we do.

*****

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements in life when all we need to make us

really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.

*****

JOKES

I was relaxing in a Jacuzzi the other day when my wife pointed a finger at me and gave me a really angry look… … I knew I was in hot water.

***

A friend suggested putting horse manure on my strawberries.  I’m not doing that again, I’m sticking with whipped cream

***

Unfortunately, my obese parrot just died; but that’s a huge weight off my shoulders

***

A:  My memory is so bad.

B:  How bad is it?

A:  How bad is what?

***

I lost my wife’s audiobook.  And, now, I’ll never hear the end of it!!

***

My son didn’t cope well with going to jail.

He refused to eat or drink, he complained about everything.

So, we never played Monopoly again after that!!!

***

BOSS:  Can you work on Saturday?

Me:  I’ll be late as public transportation is very slow and off schedule on weekends

BOSS:  When can you get here?

Me:  Monday

***

My friend keeps saying “Cheer Up.  It could be worse, you could be stuck underground in a hole full of water.  I know he means well.

***

My wife thinks it’s weird when I stare at the window during a heavy rainstorm.

It would be a lot less weird if she would unlock the door and let me in.

*****

NATIONAL DAYS

May 1, TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - May 1-7, 2022 - National Today

I know some of you have been teachers or married to teachers.  (And, I was a teacher).  Show them some love this week!!!

May 2, INTERNATIONAL HARRY POTTER DAY - May 2, 2022 - National Today

The Harry Potter series encouraged kids to read.  

May 3, National Teacher Day (nationaltoday.com)

If your teachers are still around, drop them a note!!!

May 3, NATIONAL TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES DAY - May 3, 2022 - National Today

I don’t remember wearing two different colored shoes, but I like the idea!!!

I do remember intentionally wearing two different colored socks!!!  I suppose I was maybe 11 or 12 and my parents were going to a wedding - and I had to go along.  It was summer and I would rather be almost anyplace other than a wedding for people I didn’t know.  But, as I remember it, the ceremony was fairly short, and the reception was great with cake, punch, and more.  

(Joke - I went to the wedding of two antennas last week.  The wedding was so-so, but the reception was excellent!!!)

May 4, Star Wars Day (nationaltoday.com)

Okay - what a great take-off on “May the Force be with you”!!!!  The first Star Wars movie was in 1977.  And, it was an amazing success.  

My research found this:
“This is it. This is where it all began. George Lucas delivered one of the all-time cinematic classics in 1977 with Star Wars, later subtitled to include Episode IV and A New Hope. Fox famously had little to no faith in the movie. It's easy to take for granted now but at the time, this didn't seem, on paper, like a blockbuster waiting to happen. But Lucas delivered the goods in a way nobody could have possibly predicted. It became, without exaggeration, the biggest movie the world had ever seen. To date, the movie has earned $773.3 million globally. That would be tremendous even today. But when the relatively tiny $11 million budget is factored in, one could still argue this is the single biggest cinematic win in history. Not to mention the untold millions it generated in merchandise sales. Much of which went directly to Lucas since he locked up the merchandising rights in what has to be one of the great business moves in the history of Hollywood as well.”

So, an 11 million budget returns a 700% profit!!!  

***

Thursday, May 5th NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - May 5, 2022 - National Today

Every day should be a “day of prayer” - but this day is specially set aside:

“The National Day of Prayer that we know today was founded in 1952, and it was co-founded effort between the United States Congress and President Harry S. Truman.

The holiday was signed into law by President Truman, and every president since has signed a proclamation that encourages Americans to pray on and celebrate this day. The national holiday has always been the first Thursday of May every year since it was founded in 1952. It stands as a day that continues the decision-making of the country’s founding fathers, which used the morals from biblical lessons in difficult situations.

1 Timothy, chapter 2, verses 1 and 2 say “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

I do encourage you to pray today, and maybe be part of a community prayer event!!!!

***

May 6, NATIONAL NURSES DAY - May 6, 2022 - National Today

In my senior years (with two major surgeries, and regular check-ups), I’ve learned to appreciate nurses more.  (It also is the start of National Nurses Week).  I’ve met some awesome nurses who really care about their patients - like AA - and others - like AH who was the ‘gatekeeper’ for her doctor and managed to challenge me to remember that ‘Love Wins”!!!

*****

May 7, 14, 21, and 28: If you are in the area!!!

The Brushy Creek Brass Band and the Walburg Boys are playing at the Walburg Restaurant every Saturday in May - starting at 7:00 pm.  Definitely a fun time!!!

*****

Have an awesome week!!!  

LOVE WINS

Karen

Dr. Karen White

Professor Emeritus

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT

SATURDAY STORY, EMMALEE AND PENNY - LAST CHAPTER!!!

 EMMALEE AND PENNY SATURDAY STORY APRIL 30

I’ve been writing fiction on Saturdays.

This is the last in the story of Emmalee Smith and Penny Krause - teachers at Mount Hood Community College (where I taught from 1980 to 1982)

*****

Last week.  A group went apple picking in Hood River Oregon.  Penny, a biologist, found a pond that was having some problems and took water samples.  But, coming home she was nauseous and sick.  She called her friend Emmalee at 6:00 a.m. and passed out in the car going to the hospital.

*****

Emmalee had dozed off in her chair in the waiting room at Legacy Mount Hood Hospital in Gresham Oregon.  What woke her was that she was being paged.  “Emmalee Smith, please come to the emergency room reception window”.

She jumped up and ran to the window.  

She said, “I’m Emmalee Smith, you paged me?”

The clerk smiled, “Yes, you can go see your friend now.  She’s in room 325.  Go through the double doors and take the elevators on the left to the third floor.”

Emmalee quickly answered “Thank you”, ran back to her chair, grabbed her sketch pad, and headed to the elevator.

*****

Penny Krause remembered little of her past ten hours.  She was sick.  She called Emmalee to take her to the hospital.  And from there there was nothing.

And, now she was in a hospital bed with a tray of food in front of her.  She did remember waking up in the hospital bed with an IV in her arm and an IV pole next to her.  A nurse had greeted her warmly.  

The Nurse said “You are looking pretty good.  How are you feeling?”

Penny smiled “I’m hungry!  But, first a couple of questions.  Where am I, how did I get here, who are you, what’s wrong with me, and can I have eggs and bacon for breakfast?”

The nurse laughed, “My aren't you the inquisitive one!!  Let’s see.  You are in Legacy Mount Hood Hospital in Gresham Oregon”.

Penny broke in, “I teach about a mile from there at Mount Hood Community College”.

Another laugh by the nurse.  “You were brought here early this morning, I think a friend brought you.”

Penny again broke in exuberantly “That must have been Emmalee”.

The nurse continued, “I’ll let the physician assistant, Megan Pieper, tell you about what was wrong (and now seems to be fixed).  It’s three in the afternoon, but I think I can get you a special order of bacon and eggs.  Oh, I’m Helen Osman, and years ago, I started college at Mount Hood Community College and finished my nursing degree at Portland State University and I’ve been working here for five years.  What else can I answer this morning?”  

Nurse Helen Osman had a twinkle in her eye as Penny was recovering quickly.  

Helen picked up the phone next to Penny’s bed and called 4221, the number to the cafeteria.

Penny could only hear Nurse Helen’s side of the conversation.

“Yes, I have a patient who would love to have breakfast.  Is that possible?” (she waited a second), “That’s great - how about two eggs - just a second.”

Helen covered the phone and asked Penny how she wanted her eggs - and Penny said ‘over medium hard’.  

Helen continued on the phone to the cafeteria, “Yes, she wants her eggs over medium-hard, and - just a second.”

Helen asked “How much bacon and do you want it crispy or chewy.”

Penny had the answers “chewy” and “lots”.  

Helen passed that information on.

Next, she asked Penny about something to drink?  

Penny had been trying to cut out sugar to help lose some weight, but today was different.

Penny answered “A super large Dr. Pepper with some ice and a cinnamon roll with extra frosting for dessert”.

Helen finished passing that information on as Emmalee entered the room.  

Seeing Penny sitting up and happy, Emmalee said “Penny you look radiant”.

Penny gleamed.  “That’s because I have an awesome friend who, so I heard, brought me to the hospital early in the morning”.

Emmalee panned, “That sounds like one great friend.  I hope to meet her some day.”

Penny, Emmalee, and Nurse Helen all laughed at that.  Emmalee slid around the IV pole and gave her friend a big hug.  “It's great to see you alive!” she said.

Nurse Helen took Penny’s blood pressure and checked the rest of her vital signs. “You are healthy - and once the PA comes by, I’m thinking you’ll be dismissed.”

Emmalee suddenly blurted, “I have to show you this.”  She grabbed the Oregonian Newspaper out of her purse and showed Penny and Helen the picture taken yesterday when Emmalee, Izaak, and others saved the boy at Multnomah falls.

Helen asked them what happened.  Emmalee and Penny were more than happy to explain about the boy who slipped off the ledge and into the Multnomah Falls gorge and was slipping almost into the falls where he would be smashed against the rocks hundreds of feet below.  Emmalee talked of their friend Izaak making a rope out of belts and how Emmalee climbed over the ledge and rescued the boy with the belt rope.

They talked about Apple Picking.  

Penny sat up all of a sudden “That was it.  That pond had some poison, some toxin.  I got hit hard because I took the water samples.”

Helen nodded but wanted the PA to give the analysis.  Emmalee also was hit with the poison theory and said “I bet that is what is wrong with Roger Johannsen.” 

Helen asked, “So which apple orchard was this?”

Penny answered: “The Farm Place just outside Hood River.  We had a group of seven people picking apples.  And, I thought the pond was dying and smelly so I decided to take water samples.  I have the samples back in my lab on campus.  I started the analysis last night after we got home.

Helen said “I’ve been to the Farm Place in the past.  My kids love the petting zoo.”  She added a bit sheepishly, “and I like the great baked goods and foods at their shop!”.

And, as the three were talking, the physician assistant, Megan Pieper came in.  Fortunately, the floor was fairly empty so Helen didn’t have to rush down the hall to check on others.

The PA explained, “Yes, Penny, you are right on.  You had arsenic poison.  We hit it hard with antibodies and you already are much, much better.  And, yes, you could have died.  When settlers moved into the region one hundred, and fifty years ago, some thought that maybe there would be gold on Mount Hood and other mountains.  At that time, arsenic was used to wash and purify the ore at the mining site to see if it was worth mining.  My guess is that somehow one of those old mining sites has been leaching arsenic into a stream.”

Megan looked at Penny’s fingernails. They were polished, but Megan grabbed a scalpel and scraped off the paint on one of her nails.  She apologized as she scraped, “I hope you have this color at home.  I hate to wreck your latest nail coloring”.

Megan said “Umm - just as I expected.  You do have some poisoning and probably arsenic poisoning.  Normal colors under the fingernails have fine lines that stretch across the nails, but arsenic and a few other toxics change those lines into circles or blobs of white.  See here the blogs under your nail.”

She held up her hand and her nails were not painted and pointed out the fine white lines under her nails.  

The PA went on. “If others have been in the water they may be contaminated, and as that water eventually runs into the Columbia River, that isn’t good.  And, if the water comes off Mount Hood, there might be an old mine or excavation that is leaching arsenic into the streams. We’ll need to contact the Oregon Department of Public Lands to check that out.”

Emmalee immediately got on her phone and searched for ‘The Farm Place’ in Hood River.  Finding the phone number she called it.  It was a busy Sunday afternoon and it took a while before Emmalee got connected with Frieda.

“Hello, Frieda”, started Emmalee.  “This is Emmalee Smith.  I was with Izaak Cortez’s group yesterday.  My friend Penny took water samples from the pond and she got arsenic poisoning.  I’m thinking that might be the problem with your husband Roger.  Penny almost died but did quickly recover.  Please check it out, now.  And put up ‘no trespassing or ‘toxic water’ signs to keep people away from that pool.’

There were a few questions from Frieda about Penny and the poison and the situation, and then Frieda thanked her and promised to get back to her.

And, just then, a lady from the cafeteria came into Penny’s room with a plate of eggs and bacon.  

PA Megan finished with Penny and said “Penny, you can go home.  If you have any symptoms, even minor ones, call the hospital and get checked out, but I think we’ve negated the poison.”

Megan continued, “The hospital will inform the Oregon Department of Public Lands and even though it is Sunday, we have an emergency contact number.  They will get on this probably the first thing tomorrow.  This is definitely a public health crisis if it is on a pick your own orchard that thousands of people could visit.

Penny grinned and asked, “Can I eat my breakfast first?”

They laughed, and Emmalee said, “Hmm - it looks like they gave you extra bacon just for me”.

Another laugh.

Megan and Helen left the room while Penny ate her breakfast and proclaimed, “That just might be the best breakfast I’ve even had”.  

Helen was back in about five minutes with Penny’s robe and things.  “You are dismissed.  I’ll wheel you to the lobby and you can go home.  I’ll be back in ten minutes after you get dressed and take you downstairs”.  

Penny mocked in surprise, “You mean, I can’t keep this awesome hospital gown to wear to class tomorrow?”

Helen deadpanned, “We’d have to charge you an extra thousand dollars if you take the wonderful designer gown from us”.

They laughed.

Helen helped Penny get into the wheelchair, and pushed her to the elevator and down to the first floor. Emmalee ran to get her car while Helen waited with Penny.

They all said ‘goodbye’ as Penny climbed into Emmalee’s car.

“Wow”, said Penny - “that was a scare”. Then it was like a ton of bricks fell on her.  “And, I have water samples in a lab on campus.  And, Raymond was complaining of itching, I think he got into the water too.”

Emmalee said “I’ll call Izaak and he can pass the information on to Raymond and the rest of the group.

*****

Raymond hadn’t been able to eat much.  He was still nauseous and his feet still itched.  He figured he would take time off from work tomorrow and get it checked out.  

He was surprised when Izaak called him and heard about Penny’s bout with arsenic.  He too had been in the water, but not as much as Penny.  He went to an emergency room at Providence Medical Center and said he has arsenic poison.  Of course, the clerk said how he knew, and he relayed Penny’s situation.  They took his word as to the diagnosis and gave him a urine test and inspected his fingernails, both of which indicated arsenic poisoning.  His case was not serious.  They treated him with some antibiotics and soon he was on his way.  

*****

Roger Johannsen on the other hand had a serious case of arsenic poisoning and Frieda left one of their sons (Erick) in charge of the Farm Place and took Roger to Providence Hospital in Hood River.  Because of his longer-term exposure, they put him on antibiotics and hospitalized him overnight and by Monday morning he was much better, but still very weak.  

*****

The Oregon Department of Natural Resources flew drones over Mount Hood.  The drone controller flew over The Farm Place, found the contaminated stream, and followed it up on the mountain.  Along the stream where there normally were grasses and trees, it was bare.  Soon, the drone found the source of arsenic.  Later that week helicopters dropped a team in hazmat suits at the source and they neutralized the toxic, and also neutralized the various streams that came off the mountain (including the one that went through Johannsen’s orchard).

Emmalee and Penny were hailed as heroes on campus because of their rescue of the boy.  Penny was also recognized for her stellar work on the water samples.

All’s well that ends well.

*****

Over the past nine weeks, I have written 59 pages on Emmalee Smith and Penny Krause.  Maybe not a novel, maybe not so good, but a nice long tale!!!

I’ll try something new next week.  (If you want the entire 57 pages, let me know!!!  karenwhite06517@gmail.com) 

Okay, I’ll try a new story next week.

Pollyanna Karen

April 30, 2022

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 - I (GASP) AM A BIBLE EDITOR

 FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 - I (GASP) AM A BIBLE EDITOR

I’m not sure I want to write about this - but there are things I take very seriously, and things I don’t accept out of the Bible.  Maybe they are cultural things set in the first century that just don’t apply today, or … maybe I should be accepting those scriptures. (But, by doing this, I'm thinking I'm "editing" the Bible - what I accept and what I don't accept.  

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16.

That says “ALL”. All scripture is inspired!!

*****

Well, the following sounds cultural:

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.  1 Corinthians 14:34-35

(This is right after 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts hopes, and always perseveres.  I fully honor and accept 1 Corinthians 13, but don’t accept 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

And

And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.)

Love - but women must be silent!!

How about this one:

“But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety. (1 Tim. 2:11-15)

WOW - barren women can’t be saved?  Oh My!!!!  

*****

I fully accept Psalm 136:

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; (and more).

GOD’s MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!!!

If God is so merciful, why did he not let Moses into the promised land?  Because he struck a rock twice instead of once?  (And, when I compare myself with Moses, I am not even close).  I am a terrible sinner compared to Moses - can God’s mercy extend to me?  

Yes, I have been known to “pick and choose” positive verses. But, as a woman (at least according to St. Paul), I’m to be silent in the church, I’m to keep my head covered in church, I might be saved through childbirth.  

Romans 1: 26-27 says: (written by St. Paul)

“Women stopped having natural sex with men and started having sex with other women.  In the same way, men stopped having natural sex with women and began wanting each other all the time. Men did shameful things with other men, and in their bodies, they received the punishment for those wrongs.”  

I know a lot of gay and lesbian friends who love their partners deeply and have a commitment to each other.  

The verses above (Romans 1:26-27) flow naturally into Romans chapter 2, verses 1-2:

“So do you think that you can judge those other people? You are wrong. You too are guilty of sin. You judge them, but you do the same things they do. So when you judge them, you are really condemning yourself. God judges all who do such things, and we know his judgment is right.”

Americans and American Churches are stuck in this dilemma. Accept gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people - or not accept them.  Likewise, some American churches have a hard time accepting females and do not allow female clergy.  

I don’t know the reality.  I do know that God loves me; God has called me; God has blessed me; and that “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).  

I am not qualified to judge another person for whoever they are.  I don’t really know how God will handle this (and HALLELUJAH - HE/SHE/IT/PARENT/THE FORCE is in charge.)

I believe that LOVE WINS!!

I know that I am so finite I can appreciate God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy in my life but I can’t fully understand an infinite God.  But, I really don’t have it!!

Karen

April 29, 2022

(Joke:  Do you know why residents of the capital city of Minnesota are more spiritual than residences of the capital city of Texas?  Well, there is a lot about St. Paul in the Bible, and nothing about Austin!!!) 

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022, I CAN'T

 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 - I CAN’T

Henry Ford (of Ford Motor Company) has a quote: 

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't–you're right. Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.

I wanted the first part of that and didn’t know the second part of the quote existed!!

*****

I CAN’T

“I can’t do that”.  How often have you said that?  How often have I said that?  (And, sometimes the opposite is true “Karen, can you do that?” and I answer “ Sure” - and then I wonder how I’m going to fit that into my schedule.  

“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ (Matthew 5:37)

I am finding that as I age, I can get myself overbooked.  I like (need?) a 15-minute afternoon nap.  Maybe this nap is like a drug - if I don’t get my nap, I’ll go into withdrawal and be cranky.  But, there are times when I just can’t get my nap.  Like last Saturday at the Granny Basketball tournament, we played three games.  By halftime in the third game, my brain was screaming “NO”, but that wasn’t an option.  We were short-handed with only eight players (there are six on the floor in Granny Basketball).  

I had to say to myself, I CAN.  

Attitude is a good part of any situation.  “I can’t take this anymore” - basically means “throw in the towel, I’m done”.  How’s your marriage?  “I can’t take this anymore” - is leading to a divorce.

There is a neat t-shirt.  On the top line is the word FIGHT - but the “I” is in a different color, and the bottom line is CANCER - but the “CAN is in the same color as the “I” in the top line.  The implication is that “I CAN FIGHT CANCER”.  

“Don’t give up, don’t give in.”  You CAN do it!!  “Never say never”!!!

*****

I say LOVE WINS.  If in a situation, I see hatred winning, doesn’t mean I give up (or in a Star Wars reference -go to the “dark side”).  I MUST believe that love does win, and will win.

*****

And, a short note on the second part of Henry Ford’s quote: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.”

Every day I learn something.  By writing a blog every day I learn something, but by trying new things, I learn something.  

Like saying I CAN, and saying LOVE WINS, I say “I LEARN”.  

*****

Karen

April 28, 2022