FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - TWO MINOR VICTORIES (NO, I DON'T KNOW)

 FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - TWO MINOR VICTORIES 

Yes, it is Flag Day (and I have written about that yesterday).

Life is full of lessons.  We never stop learning (or at least that is what the experts say).

Some lessons.

NO

Throughout my life I’ve had trouble with saying “no”.  

The situation generally is like this:  a person asks if I could help with something - or even an online group asked for money and support.  My most recent incidence was I was asked (in an email) about playing in the Austin Community Wind Ensemble for the summer.  I replied with one basic word (plus other fluff) - “maybe”.  To me, maybe is a fudge word - I might be interested, I might consider that, I may or may NOT participate in this group.  

So, I said “maybe”.  (Maybe I should have said “no”).

The next email from my friend was “The group rehearses on Tuesday nights in Austin at the Covenant United Methodist Church from 7:30 to 9:30. We could really use you on the tuba part this summer.”

Yup - to praise me is definitely softening me up.  (“We could really use you this summer”)

I live in Georgetown and I’m 76 years old (oops - that is an excuse).  I don’t like driving to Austin - yes, I’m showing my age and silently approving being older.  

So, I went to a rehearsal.  It was a nice group.  It has been around for many years.  There were about six people I know playing in the group.  The rehearsal was a fast paced one - going through about 20 pieces of music (mostly marches and patriotic music for the Fourth of July).  Most pieces I had played before.  The other tuba players were friendly, and I did like it.  

(Do you sense my wavering - I could do this.  They need me.)

Then I disappeared for two weeks on my trip to Arizona and National Parks.  Playing in this group popped up in my mind periodically on my trip.  I knew it was a good group, probably a fun group, one I’d like to play with.  It might be a great group if I lived half-a-mile from the rehearsal side.  My brain (which I have learned to ignore when somebody has asked for me help) was screaming “No”. 

Another tuba playing friend had been asked and she just had said “No”.  (And she lives a lot closer).  Would I offend anybody is I said “no”? 

It is hard for me to say “no”.  But I did say “No” this time - and I’m glad I did!!!

Part of that has to go to my central core.  What is important to me?  What is God calling me to do?  I believe I’m to promote LOVE - that is Agape Love.  I could do that if I played with this group.  

*****

Aside - in the past month, I’ve exercised less.  I have a goal of walking at least 6,000 steps a day (or about three miles) - and I’ve missed that goal more than I’ve made it.  I need to take care of my body if I am to be effective.  If I want (and seem called) to live a longer, happier, fulfilling life, I need to be aware of my body.  

*****

So, three nights ago, I returned to the group - with just my music folder and returned it.  I said “no”.  Not this summer.  

During the year I will spend my Tuesday nights with the Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra.  But, now for the summer I will be at the Georgetown Recreation Center - walking and exercising - and keeping my weight off.  (And the BPO rehearses about eight miles away).

“NO” is not a bad word if I want to be true to myself.  What would Jesus do?  I don’t think Jesus said “no” very frequently - but I said it!!!

*****

Aside - in Connecticut, I practiced with the Cheshire Symphony on Monday nights, the Quinnipiac University on Tuesday nights, my church brass group on Wednesday nights, the Hamden Symphony on Thursday nights, and during basketball and hockey season, I generally played for athletic events with the pep ban on Friday and Saturday nights.  (I guess I had trouble saying “no”). 

*********

My second lesson recently is saying “I don’t know”.  That also comes at a price for me.  If somebody asks me a question, I like to answer the question - even if it is irrelevant to me. Yes, I can Google the question and people will think Dr. White knows a lot.  (Dr. White knows how to ask questions on Google).

I am curious. I like to know.  But there are times that I don’t know.  This happens in my spiritual thoughts.  Does God accept Muslims, Hindis, Buddhists, etc. into Heaven?  

“I don’t know”.  That’s not a cop out - it is my truth now.  Ten years ago, I knew the answer - “God only accepts those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”  

John 3:16 was the ultimate answer: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Or John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Now I am taking the concepts that God is LOVE - God loves ALL of us.  God’s ways are not our ways.  John 10:16 says, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. “

God is infinite, all knowing, all powerful, all loving - and I can’t come close to understand that perfect love that God has. 

*****

So, saying “No” is okay (at least for me); and saying “I don’t know” is also okay (at least for me).

LIFE IS GOOD

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

I CAN ONLY LOVE GOD AS MUCH AS THE PERSON I LIKE THE LEAST.

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME - TO LOVE JUSTICE, TO SHOW MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD.

*****

Karen Anne White, June 14, 2024

(Happy 50th anniversary Connie White)

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 - FLAG DAY

June 14, 2024

Flag Day is tomorrow - June 14, 2024 - but we can start the celebration today

(Are you old enough to remember three-cent stamps?)

June 14 (this Friday) is Flag Day

Flags have been around “forever.” Early flags were largely family flags—coats of arms. Certain nobility had their flags.  Many flags existed in the pre-United States colonies, such as the coiled snake with the encryption “Don’t Tread on Me.” 

President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. But it wasn't until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.

The story of Betsy Ross and the first American Flag is a fascinating tale, but it's important to note that it is a subject of historical debate:

“The story about the creation of the American flag is shrouded in as much legend as fact. Elizabeth Griscom Ross, better known as Betsy, was a seamstress who lived in Philadelphia. According to legend, George Washington employed Betsy to embroider his shirt ruffles. His knowledge of her skill led to a meeting on June 1st, 1776, when he, accompanied by Colonel George Ross and Robert Morris, presented Betsy with a rough sketch for a flag. Betsy’s descendants claim the three men requested her to create the depicted flag. At BetsyRoss’s suggestion, Washington re-drew the design with five-point stars rather than six-point stars.

Generations of the Ross family passed down the story of Betsy Ross’s involvement in creating the first official American flag. In 1870, William J. Canby, a grandson of Betsy, recounted the story at the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Betsy Ross's legend and the flag's creation spread until most Americans accepted it as canon. Historians, however, have another viewpoint of the story. In the years since this tale first came to light, historians have not been able to verify the claims of Canby, even after numerous and vigorous searches through diaries, letters, and journals of the Continental Congress. No record exists of a flag being discussed around this time. While many Americans still believe that Betsy Ross was responsible for the first American flag, and while it makes for a nice story, sadly, it is most likely false.  (Oh No - there goes another one of my American beliefs)
https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/long-may-it-wave-the-evolution-of-the-american-flag/the-legend-of-betsy-ross

The story also goes that Washington wanted a six-pointed star - but Betsy Ross deftly snipped a five-point start in one cut!!  https://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html#google_vignette

There were thirteen stars—one for each colony—in a circle, so no state was more important than any other.  

When Kentucky and Vermont became states in 1796, the flag was altered to 15 stars and 15 stripes!!!  

Theoretically, when a new state was added, a new star was added, but the thirteen original strips became the standard. (We could have a flag with 50 stars and 50 stripes!!)

I was born (as many of us were) under the forty-eight-star flag. Then, in 1959, Alaska was added, and Hawaii was added in 1960, and we have had the fifty-star flag ever since.

There are plans for flags with fifty-one stars (and more) to keep the symmetry. (I’m unsure if we will ever have more than fifty -maybe Puerto Rico).

*****

And then, there is the Pledge to the Flag: 

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God."

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag should be rendered by standing at attention and facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform, men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand over the heart. Uniformed people should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

*****

Flag Day has additional memories for me.

My Grandparents (George and Stella Youtzy) were married on Flag Day in 1911 (both lived to age 78 and were married for 48 years)  My parents were married on Flag Day in 1940. Getting married on Flag Day - 1974 would be nice.  (Not a good move - anytime we had an anniversary, my parents celebrated with a BIGGER number!!!)  My mother (Helen White - lived to 98, and my father to 97).  They were married for 70 years. 

My ex-wife hated that we were married on Flag Day, even though we had been married for 47 years! Oh well, this year would have been 50 years!  

*****

You're a grand old flag

You're a high-flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave

You're the emblem of

The land I love

The home of the free and the brave

Ev'ry heart beats true

Under red, white and blue

Where there's never a boast or brag

But should old acquaintance be forgot Keep your eye on the grand old flag

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, June 14, 2024 (or June 13, 2024!!)

 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024 - ANTS

Well, not the kind of ants you're thinking - the insect kind.

Joke - how do you “finance” - have a picnic!!  (Find ants - get it??)

******

I haven’t studied ants, but I know there are different kinds—including Fire Ants—the ants that are likely to sting or bite you. (Or, the name for the Georgetown Granny Basketball team).) Since I’m not too concerned about real ants, let’s just figure out ‘standard’ ants (are there such an insect?)—black, not too large, not too small, common to backyards in the United States (and I’ll guess common in the rest of the world.)

They walk on the grass, over limbs and rocks. Frequently, ants might be in a line from point A to point B. (I’m not sure why, but there they are!!!.)

Supposedly, there is an order in the ant colony—one queen ant (like one queen bee) and some drone (male) ants that do nothing but procure the next generation of ants. The lower echelon is the worker ants, who gather things and carry them back to the ant hill. 

I remember Ant Farms being offered as a science kit.  Two panes of glass, maybe 2 inches apart - with soil and ants in between.  (I remember thinking - yuck - the glass would break, and we’d have ants crawling around in our house.)

There is an internal order (that I don’t understand.  The worker ants go out and collect appropriate food and bring it back.  As kids, we might have encountered obstacles between the ant and where ‘he’ was going (although we generally just stepped on the ants - especially if on a sidewalk).  The worker ants knew their duty and did the job.  Their DNA was programmed to do the job - so not thinking, they did what was expected of their colony.

They were going here and there - on a mission - doing something meaningful to the ant colony.

*****

(So, what is your point, Karen)

*****

Sunday, I went to Costco.  This was my first time attending Costco in Georgetown, Texas.  It opened last July, and I did not need to join Costco.  It is a big box store for bulk items.  I’ve read that it is the #1 wine retailer in the United States.

We (Connie and I) had been Costco members in Leander. I generally went to Costco for gas—three cents a gallon cheaper than other gas stations. (Sparky gets about 40 miles per gallon—and I think Sparky holds about nine gallons—so I could be saving about .27 cents if I filled my gas tank when it was empty. The old car got about 25 miles per gallon, so filling up with 20 gallons at 3 cents a gallon cheaper might save us 75 cents.  

For me, it is about 12 miles from the other side of Georgetown to Costco - so I’d be using up gas to get gas for three cents cheaper than the SpeedyStop that is two blocks away from my apartment. 

I don’t need to buy 48 toilet paper rolls at a time.  When our children were at home, it made sense to buy in bulk - but as a single person living frugally in an apartment - the $60 a year membership cost isn’t justified.

But, it was like an ant hill in Costco.  I arrived at about 11:45 (after church).  I searched for a parking place.  Even the overflow area was primarily full (but, of course, like all people, I wanted a spot nearer the entrance door!!!).

I have been having difficulty hearing lately. My right ear has fluid. On my trip up and down mountain roads, my ears popped frequently. It is just time to look at hearing aids. My sister suggested Costco for hearing tests and hearing aids. I had checked online - and supposedly, you can get a hearing check without being a Costco member - so I told the entrance guy that.  He suggested that the hearing center was in the back, so I went to the back corner - and worked my way forward.  (Unusual for me, I didn’t even stop at the various vendors giving samples!!!)

Finally, I found the hearing department (next to the pharmacy) - and only some of the way in the back.  The clerk said I needed to be a member to get checked, so I went to the membership desk and got a membership. Then, back to the hearing department.  I filled in some paperwork - and got an appointment for July 9th (a month away!!!)

*****

It seemed a million people were in the store—all like ants—all on a mission. There was little eye contact, and nobody said “hi” (although I was smiling and trying to). I guess I’m different.

The people “ants” flowed in and flowed out, all accomplishing some tasks before them. I could see some had shopping lists. I smiled at a man whose shopping cart was extremely packed.  

They went to the checkout lines (and patiently waited), and then many stopped for the $1.50 hotdog and 20-ounce beverage before leaving.  

Then, the human ants filed out.  The two checkers looked at the receipts and the customer’s shopping carts as people left the store and found their cars.

*****

It seems like organized chaos.  The people (like worker ants) had a purpose - and they did it and returned to their own homes (or ant hills).  

*****

At one time, that had been my life, too. My wife and I went to Costco and bought things we “needed” (or thought we needed—like the $800 wood pellet grill).  

There was an old movie that I had never seen but liked the title—“Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.” Maybe a town with a Costco is more than I need. Perhaps I need Madison, South Dakota, where I always saw somebody I knew in the grocery store. Maybe even Grand Island, Nebraska, with all the necessary facilities, or Winona, Minnesota, or Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

*****

But I am to love everybody - even all the shoppers at Costco - who are too intent on their shopping to smile.  Like ants, it seems they were on a mission.

Yes, Karen, LOVE WINS - and I have been called to be an ambassador for LOVE.

And, LOVE transforms - maybe we human “ants” on our assigned tasks can be transformed into loving, caring people - people who will smile, say “hi,” and “love their neighbors as themselves!!

Karen Anne White, ©, June 12, 2024

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024 - HOME SWEET HOME

 TUESDAY, JUNE 11TH  - COMING HOME

Yesterday, I wrote about adventure. Today, I’ll follow up with “Coming Home.”

I imagine Columbus and his crew returning after their journey to the “New World.”  How about astronauts - coming home after months (or years) in space

Oleg Kononeko broke the record for the most cumulative time spent in space after spending his 878th non-continuous day onboard the International Space Station. But he will return to Earth in September. (2024).  (It said “non-continuous days” - did he come home for a few days?)

Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holds the record for the most extended single stay in space, spending 437 days and 18 hours on the Mir space station between 1994 and 1995. His total time in space was over 22 months

Many soldiers spent several years serving their country.  (And, some even were prisoners of war and spent more time in confinement/jail)

The Lewis and Clark Expedition lasted from May 14, 1804, to September 23, 1806, and 862 days, two years, four months, and ten days. The expedition traveled more than 8,000 miles by land and water, on foot, horseback, and by boat.

It was hard for me to spend six days in a tent, tear it down, pack it back in Sparky (my car), drive to my next spot, and set it up again!

I did sleep well, but to be honest, my bed is a million times better than my camping cot!!!  AND—it is now warm in Texas, and my apartment has air conditioning, but my tent didn’t!!!

(Aside - you can skip this.  At age 76, if I have kept hydrated, I must get up and use the restroom at night - sometimes twice or thrice.  That’s not easy in a tent (I didn’t plan well).  I did have a cup that I used one night - but it didn’t have a lid - and it spilled on the tent floor. Leaving the tent to empty my bladder is different as a woman than it was a few years back as a man!!!  In the Grand Canyon, the overnight low was about 45 degrees.  Not “cold,” - but cold enough not to want to get out of my toasty sleeping bag and walk to a restroom.)  

I am mostly on a tight budget. I was out for six nights. If I got a cheap hotel or motel for $80 a night, that would be about $500.  

I was (at least to my evaluation) the “normal” Karen White.  I nodded and said “hi” to pretty much everybody.  I got some smiles back and maybe a few “hellos.”  I did get a “Guten Morgan” in Zion National Park.  The lady of the couple had a lanyard that had an address of DE - (not a . COM), which is German, so I greeted them with Guten Morgan and tried to converse for a few minutes in German - but I had to fall back to English reasonably quickly!!!

*****

I don’t know if I will travel similarly anymore.  On my bucket list, I want to visit a cousin in Seattle - but I’ll find a cheap flight and take the light rain close to her location. 

I haven’t given up on getting to Alaska - my fiftieth state - but maybe I’ll find a cheap cruise (or a friend to share the expenses).  

But, at this stage, I’m home and very tired. 

Writers have said, “You can’t come home again.” I think that means returning to your native home. For a home I left 15 days ago, yes, I can return. 

*****

And I found that I had shortness of breath when I hiked a little.  That scares me.  And. I hadn’t lost any weight.  

Now I am home—(sigh of relief)—and I am lying back in my recliner chair.  

Come on, Karen - you have to keep busy.

Don’t fall back into bad habits - keep going!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, ©, June 11, 2024

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024 - NEW ADVENTURES

 Monday, June 10, 2024 -New Adventures

I’m a big proponent of new adventures, from small events to big trips. Every year, I want to have something memorable.

In 2024, (the last two weeks), I went to two new state high points (New Mexico and Arizona), my sister’s 80th birthday, my first (and only?) trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Bryce National Park (and camped in a tent). I'm up to 15 state high points.

In 2023, I went to Big Bend National Park (and camped).

In 2022, I camped at Black Mesa (high point in Oklahoma), Mount Sunflower (high point in Kansas), and Panorama Point (high point in Nebraska). I also attended the Nebraska State Fair.

In 2021, I went to Guadalupe Peak (the high point in Texas) (also on my way to the Phoenix area - to visit my sister).  I also attended the West Grant class 1971 reunion in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.  (And visited the high points in Arkansas and Illinois).  (And in September, I started working part-time at Wesleyan Homes).  (Oh, I had “gender surgery”).

In 2020, I took the train to Phoenix - and we were delayed due to a body hanging from a railroad overpass!  I also worked from the primary early voting through the general election. 

In 2019, I went to my Fiftieth Year College Reunion in Winona, Minnesota.

In 2018, I moved out of my home (in Leander, Texas) to an apartment in Georgetown, Texas, and started meeting new people.

In 2017, I had major surgery (and I’m lucky to be alive)

In 2016, I retired from the University of Texas.

*****

Okay, you get the drift.  I like something significant and out of the ordinary to mark the passing of a year.

In traditional measurement, we had stones every mile (aka “Milestones”).  I like having something unique.

Do you have some special memories?  Maybe with your family?  Year 20XX was when <somebody> was born, graduated, married, or died. 

Some things happen that we don’t quite mark the occasion.  Maybe something like I made coleslaw for the first time, I met Rita and Mary.  I joined the Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra.  (Or I joined the Williamson County Symphony - Brushy Creek Brass Band - or Hamden Symphony Orchestra)

There are also the negatives.  I realized at the Grand Canyon that I was out of shape - and had shortness of breath.  (Gee, Karen, get in shape again!!!)

What do we do with time? At some point, time will cease in this life.  

Some days might “live in infamy” (like Pearl Harbor Day or D-Day) 

When did I first embrace “LOVE WINS”?   When did God become real to me? It seems to have been a gradual change.

LOVE DOES WIN

LOVE DOES TRANSFORM EACH OF US

Karen Anne White, ©, June 10, 2024

MONDAY, JUNE 3RD, 2024 - INSTRUMENTS

 MONDAY, JUNE 3,2024, iNSTRUMENTS

Last week, my sister and brother-in-law took me to the Museum of Instrumental Music (MIM).  It was extremely interesting.  

The museum was divided geographically - by continent.  

It seems that all cultures developed music.  There were things to blow into - maybe a hollowed out stick (like a flute or clarinet), obviously drums - cowhides stretched over a frame and hit with a hand or a drum stick). Instruments like violins, lutes, guitars, mandolins, ukulele- and then perfected by putting frets and tuning boards. 

Some had specific concepts like calling cattle, or leading troops into battle.

But behind the various instruments was an idea that stuck in my head.  Many instruments were used for some kind of religious ritual.  To me, it seems as all cultures recognized god, gods, or God. 

Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi “Inside each person is a ‘God shaped void’. 

Now in the Judeo-Christian tradition, that void is for “our” God.  But these other cultures have their own viewpoints - and their spiritual gods.  

Can there be just one ‘God’? 

I want to believe that there is an infinite, divine being that is so advanced that I can’t comprehend him/her/it/the Force/.  

I can take the “easy” route- being raised in the Judeo-Christian tradition-and the words of Joshua - “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord “.  

Can I take that a step further and suggest that Jeremiah 29:13 is true -“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart".”

As I go on my journey, I find I have to LOVE ALL.  They are marching to the beat of a different drummer. 

Maybe I don’t hear their drum, and maybe they don’t hear the drum beat I am following. That’s okay.

Karen, keep working on loving and understanding without hate or judgement. 

LOVE WINS - the love that I understand as God’s perfect, agape love. 

Love transforms. 

Karen Anne White - June 3, 2024