Hounds Come Home

 

I don't know what came over me.....a pair of One-year old female Redbone Hounds now reside with us.  I have to plead temporary insanity. 

 

 

We had a male Redbone a little over 10 years ago.  We called him Beauregard -- Beau for short.  I have written about him.  He may have been my favorite dog we ever owned.  I'm not sure why.  I think it must be in my blood to like hounds.  It was Beagles and Bassets as a kid and Redbones as an adult.

 

 

 

Belle has a scent.  Beautiful classic trailing pose.

 

 

My grandfather on the maternal side was from Missouri.  He grew up with hounds.  His brother, my great-uncle Bill, raised hounds for many years -- mostly Walker's and Beagles.  At one time he probably had as many as 40 of them.  He was known throughout the Ozarks for the quality of his dogs.

 

 

Sadie posing for the camera.

 

 

My wife has been wanting a dog ever since we have been without one -- which has been several years.  She watches the Buy/Sell sites and the papers for them all the time.  Yesterday, she sent me a text about someone wanting to give away these two Redbones.  I think she knew my weakness for them.  I resisted going to look but, finally gave in.

 

Twinkies.  Litter mates.

 

 

I feared that if I looked I would bring them home.  I could list a dozen reasons not to get them.  But, I obviously gave in.  They needed a new home.  They had been well fed and given proper medical attention but, they just didn't have any room to run and be dogs.  It took me all of 30 seconds to make up my mind.  Sadie and Belle have a new home.

 

The squirrels don't have a chance.

Repetition

Have you ever noticed
All the things you do
Are the same as yesterday;
There's not much new?

We get out of bed
Then shower and dress,
Eat a bite
Then spread some stress.

We go to work,
Get our coffee cup,
Head down the hall
To fill it up.

We check e-mail
And then Facebook,
Look at the calendar
Then take another look.

Go to meeting one
Then meeting two,
It's the same old things
There's nothing new.

Then off to lunch
With the same old crowd.
Head to the local dive
Where it's nice and loud.

The afternoon
Is much the same;
Around and round
It's just a game.

Head home from work,
Do some laundry,
Fix some food
And watch t.v.

Just like Spring,
Summer, Winter and Fall,
The cycle goes;
On a treadmill, all.

I wonder if
We changed something
If the sky would open
And the birds would sing?

We can't expect
A single thing new
If it's all the same,
These things we do.

Naturally Failing the Credibility Test

I know that I have harped lately on the failure of many to apply critical thinking skills.  One of the things that stands out to me is how many people reject the arguments concerning Global Warming and yet accept the propaganda that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are bad and natural/organic is good.

I personally believe, based on scientific evidence, that we are seeing a climactic shift.  I reject the notion that it is caused by the activities of man.  It is a natural cycle fueled by the sun's activities.

I also believe, based on scientific evidence, that GMO's are a positive for feeding mankind.  GMO's reduce the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides which means less potential harmful chemicals in the environment.  Our digestive tract is designed to extract needed nutrients from the food we ingest and the waste (harmful or useless compounds) is passed from our body.  The yields of crops managed by purely mechanical means (which requires either more hand labor or more machine labor) are typically lower because of harmful pests that remain unchecked or because of incomplete eradication of competing plants (weeds).  So, we produce more food with fewer chemicals through manipulation of the plant's genes.  Note that this manipulation is with naturally occurring genetic material that is duplicable through natural propagation once the initial modification is made.  If the gene splicing is harmful to the plant it will not survive and certainly will not propagate.

But, people are gullible.  They accept arguments that sound reasonable if they fit their preconceived ideas.  The most effective lies are those that are nearest to the truth. 

If you want to argue against Global Warming, argue against the causes.

If you want to argue against GMO's, argue against monoculture cropping systems at the expense of species diversification.

With advances in technology come new challenges that must be solved.  Focus on solving the issues, not on stopping advances that are good for man.

A Chance Encounter and Misunderstanding

A few weeks ago I was sitting in the Terminal at Nashville International Airport waiting on my flight home.  It was a Saturday morning and I was just relaxing.  I was early for my flight and there weren't many people so there was lots of room.  I was reading a book.

After awhile people started gathering and a young lady sat down the row from me and also was reading.  Shortly afterward a young man, obviously a musician because he carried a guitar case, sat across from her and they started visiting.  Not long after another musician type sat down as well.  I spoke to the young man with the guitar and asked if he was headed to a gig somewhere.  It turned out that all of them were on their way to Dallas to play for an engagement as the band for Gwen Sebastian, a former winner of "The Voice."

I asked where they were from and it was all over.  The young lady said that she was from Springdale, Arkansas, and wondered if I knew where that was.  I said yes and named a few small towns in the area.  We struck up a brief conversation at that point.  She never mentioned her name and seemed evasive at times -- enough to really pique my curiosity.  It turned out she played fiddle and guitar and sang vocals.  If she hadn't been evasive on some of the questions, my interest would have quickly waned and I would have gone back to reading.

As we boarded the plane I pulled out my phone and did a Google search based on the clues from the conversation.  It turned out that she was Jenee Fleanor, who plays fiddle, guitar and sings back up for Blake Shelton.  That is how she ended up playing with the group for Gwen Sebastian -- Blake was busy with a new season of "The Voice" and she had some open dates and the Shelton connection got her a gig with Sebastian I guess.  She backed Blake at the 2013 ACM's....

In my focus on my Google search I didn't realize that she had sat down in the seat behind me and in doing so had glimpsed my phone with her photo on it from the search.  I guess she thought that I was stalking her although I wasn't.  I just was exercising my natural curiosity.  It wasn't long before I realized that she had changed her mind and moved to the back of the plane with the other musicians.

When we landed in Dallas I spoke to her again, by name, and apologized, saying that curiosity got the best of me.  I then wished them an enjoyable time in Grapevine at the Gaylord Texan where their engagement was.

You never know who you might meet.

Here's a sample of her music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouElhFcOxG4&list=PLtJS3g04CETYblu-pTUn-WeFKcS1309bc&feature=share

New Music

Many of you who read this blog know that I play the guitar and sing.  It is primarily for my own enjoyment, relaxation and unwinding, but occasionally I will do something for church.  Since it isn't part of my vocation it is often difficult to spend much time learning new songs.

Lately I have had a little more time on my hands so, I've starting trying to learn some new stuff.  After all, most of what I know are songs that were popular back when I was in college when I had time and more inclination.  Things have changed a lot since then.

I remember using a cassette recorder to capture what was being played on the radio.  Most of it I didn't care to learn but, there were a few gems.  When I caught one of them I would play it repeatedly to transcribe it to paper and begin the memorization process.  Then, I would spend hours figuring out the chords so that I could play it.  I tried my best to make it sound like the recording artist but, of course, never quite succeeded.

Today, it is a very different proposition to learn new songs.  If it is something that I know the title, or the artist, or even a phrase, I can look it up on the Internet.  I can listen to YouTube videos and print off lyrics with chords already written on it and then play along from the printed music to the video as it plays.  It has certainly shortened the cycle to add new music to my repertoire. 

Sometimes the chords on the printed sheets don't exactly match the music.  There are mistakes.  After all, someone probably went through an exercise very similar to the way I used to learn music to create those sheets with chords.  The system isn't perfect but, it's much better than what I used to go through.

Here's a link to one I've been working on this morning.....

http://youtu.be/dYsc15s0IDM

Burning Daylight

Today's the day we change our clocks
'Cause the gov'ment says we should
It doesn't save a bit of time
Though they told us that it would

Out here we get up 'fore the sun
And work 'til it's long set
I've never seen a changing clock
Affect the length of it yet

It reminds me what my Grandpa said
When he woke me from the night
Get up and dress and eat a bite
We don't wanna burn no daylight!

It Fits My Preconceptions, Therefore It Must Be Right!

I've written here before about critical thinking skills.  I was taught early on to examine carefully the things that I hear and see for accuracy rather than to just accept they are what they seem.  It is usually easier to detect something fraudulent by sight than by reading, although with digital image enhancement, that may not be so.  I'm thinking about things we actually observe in person.  Of course that assumes you aren't observing a magician at work whose entire performance is based on misdirection and deception.  But, for purposes of this brief post, I want to focus on the written.

We all have a tendency to accept things that agree with our preconceived notions of how they should be.  The Internet and other forms of electronic media such as television have made it very easy to mislead large numbers of people in a very short period of time.  Some businesses are base totally on the simplicity of manipulating the masses.  One that comes to mind is The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  Their commercials are built around apparently abused and mistreated animals, yet it has been shown many times that the money they collect through such advertising is spent primarily on salaries and lobbying efforts.  Less than 1% of the funds they collect actually go to help these mistreated animals according to most credible sources.

This happens with political ads as well.  Politicians have made an art of appealing to the preconceptions of their target audiences -- especially when painting an image of their opponents.  Most people readily accept the message without carefully examining it for the truth.  For whatever reason, most people are pretty gullible.  Perhaps it is rooted in our "herding" instinct -- that desire to follow a leader and to live within the safety of numbers.  It is easier to follow along than it is to lead.

I guess my point is simply this:  If we see or read something that fits our expectations, we rarely question its validity.  We need to be much more critical in our thinking.  Test it.  Check it.  Look at it from different perspectives.  It is a little easier for those who base their lives on an Absolute Truth.  For Christians, the Bible offers us pretty clear guidelines against which we should measure all things.  As our society drifts toward Atheism, the ability of the nefarious to perpetrate fraud will only grow.  One need look no further than Washington to see plenty of examples.

Musically Connected

Music inspires
Or, can sooth the soul
It tames the wild beast
Or, can rock and roll

It expresses our heart
Or, the thoughts in our mind
It can lighten our mood
Or, 'cause tears 'til we're blind

It can tear down the walls
Or, say, "leave me alone"
It can pierce our ear drums
Or, be mellower tones

It can be personal
Or, make us part of the crowd
It can be soft and low
Or, unbearably loud

It can be background noise
Or, the focus of all
It can be played alone
Or, a huge music hall

Music connects
One soul to another
It crosses all bounds
Makes us sister and brother

Remember the Alamo

Today marks the anniversary of an auspicious event in the history of Texas.  On this day in 1836, the valiant Texians fell to the Mexican army led by Santa Anna. (For a brief history of the battle follow this link.)

Why was the Battle of The Alamo important?  It bought time for General Sam Houston to organize the army of the new Republic.

Sometimes the battles we fight seem to be for naught.  We give our all, yet we often don't see the difference.  Sometimes the difference that we make is realized by others.  Sometimes we change the course of history by our efforts.

As Charlie Daniels likes to say in his Tweets and Facebook posts, "Let's all make the day count."

Calving Season

It is calving season for us.  It was my goal this year to shorten our calving season to less than 45 days.  So far, in the first 11 days, we have had 1/3 of the cows to calve.  I'd say we are on track to possibly be as short as 30 days.

For those of you not familiar with ranching, length of calving season is important.  The more uniform the calves are when you go to sell them, the higher the price received and the greater the average weight.  It's all about the distribution curve on the weight.  A 30 day season is a very tight distribution whereas a 90 day or longer season is not.  Play with the numbers, do the math, it works.

I am very pleased.  So far it looks like we are having cloned calves.  They all look alike.  Below is one of them -- and if you've seen one, you've seen them all....

The only question is heifer or bull calf?

So far we are about 50:50.  Imagine that......

There is nothing better than to see the babies out playing in the pasture. 

The Instinct to Hide

Cows are "prey" animals.  They evolved in the grasslands and were subject to predation by lions or wolves or other large predators.  In spite of our efforts to domesticate them, they retain the basic instincts of prey animals.

Recently I posted a photo on Facebook of a newborn baby calf that was lying curled up on the edge of a creek.  I included the caption, "Pretend you can't see me.  Momma says I can't move."  That photo is below.

There was some concern expressed that something was wrong with the baby.  Why would a mother hide her baby and then wander off and leave it?  It is because she is protecting it.

Below is another example of a hidden baby.  I spotted it from across the pasture and zoomed in at the highest magnification I could with my Nikon 55-300 mm lense.  Can you see him lying in the fence line?  His mother is about 400 yards away grazing -- pretending to ignore him.

I wasn't certain that it was a baby but was pretty sure, so I drove a little closer.



Again, I am zoomed in at highest magnification.  Now it is clear that it is a calf lying next to the fence.  Each of the photos below is just a little bit closer.

 

 

The photo below shows that the "hiding" instinct begins even before the calf is born.  Below, you will see a newborn, still wet from birth, lying just at his mother's feet.  She had the calf in the brush to minimize the exposure to potential predators -- such as the black vultures in the tree above her.



 

 

The photo below is of the black vultures.  They will clean up the afterbirth, but if given the chance, they will also attack the calf.  Turkey vultures aren't usually a problem because there generally are only one or two birds at a time.  I have seen flocks of the Mexican Black Vultures that had over 30 birds.  They are extremely aggressive and will attack even as the cow is giving birth.  It is important that she be in a place where she is protected from them.

 

 



 

 

Sometimes it is almost comical how a cow will hide her calf.  Below, you will see one that is hiding behind a stick.  You would be surprised though, how easy it is to miss the calf at a casual glance -- especially if you are used to seeing an object there -- the stick.



 

Aren't God's creatures amazing?!

 

Sometimes

Sometimes I'm lazy.
Sometimes I work too hard.

Sometimes I'm creative.
Sometimes I can't get out of my rut.

Sometimes I'm leading.
Sometimes I just want to follow.

Sometimes I'm organized.
Sometimes I can't find anything.

Sometimes I'm at peace.
Sometimes I am on a short fuse.

Sometimes I'm happy.
Sometimes I want to soak in self-pity.

Sometimes I'm consistent.
Sometimes I vacillate from one thing to another.

Sometimes I'm talkative.
Sometimes I need silence.

Sometimes I'm stuck on something.
So, I think I'll make a change......

Soggy Pastures

Over the past few weeks we have had a lot of rain.  When I try to put into perspective just how much rain we have received I am shocked because where I grew up, it would be about a year's worth.  One of the spells that came through dumped 11 inches on our ranch and flooded the creek.

Keep in mind that the bottom of the bridge in the above photo is at least 12 feet above the creek bed -- that is to the bottom of the beams which are about 18 inches -- so, the water had to have been about 14 foot deep to cover the bridge.

I am having to feed hay to the cattle this time of year too.  That means muddy tractor tracks in the area in front of the barn and hay lot and out to the feeders in the pasture.  It is quite the mess. 

Unless necessary to feed hay or supplement to the cattle, I try not to drive in the pasture when it is so wet.  The grass turf is actually pretty firm and I can drive over much of it without even leaving a track, but there are places where the water stands in marshy areas that can be pretty soft.  If you hit one of those with the tractor it leaves some deep ruts that you have to live with for a long time.

Where I grew up in the Texas Panhandle, we would receive 14 - 16 inches of rain in a year.  It usually came in the Spring or late Summer.  Here in East Texas, the rains come in the late Fall and Winter and then into the Spring.  It is the Winter rains that cause the problems because of having to feed the cattle.  The rest of the year there is plenty of grass and hay isn't needed.

I am not complaining about the rain.  I do wish that I didn't have such a mess where I've driven the tractor through it and created a few mud holes.  All that rain is really why we moved here to Northeast Texas.  It grows lots of grass and grass is what the cows eat. 

I don't really know the point of this Blog Post except to say, it rains in this part of the world.  I'll end with a few more photos.

An Evening Walk

Sometimes it is only the quiet stillness that draws me to the woods.  Yes, I enjoy hunting, but not so much the "kill" anymore.  It is the chance to sit quietly and listen to the light breeze rustling dried oak leaves that leads me across the pasture and over the creek.  Barking squirrels signal my approach -- warning that danger may lurk in my presence.

It is gratifying when after only a short time the small birds accept me as harmless and flit from branch to branch in the trees over my head.  The occasional armadillo or other small animal of the woods edge often wander by, oblivious to my presence -- or at least, unalarmed. 

Suddenly an arrow crosses the sky.  It is a small flight of Canvasback ducks headed toward the shallow pond across the meadow.  The silhouette of their passage is barely marked across the fading light of the setting sun.  The whistle of their wings the only sound they make as they head to night's refuge.

In the distance a pack of coyotes signals approval that the light of day is fading and it is safe to come out for the nightly run in search of rodents and road kill.  Their yipping chorus sharply breaks the near silence of the evening.  Soon they are answered from the hill to the north.  Calls answered and replied speak volumes that only they understand.

I sigh and begin my walk back to the barn.  The gathering darkness signals time to return for supper.  Maybe tomorrow I will wander back into the woods where time stands still if only for a few moments.

A Special Kind of Crazy

Sometimes I will sit and write something just for practice.  Yeah, I know that sounds weird to most of you, but I suspect a few of you writers out there do the same thing.  Below is one of those pieces:

Age has a way of bringing certain things into perspective.  Take time for instance.  When we are young time seems to drag but, as we grow older it seems to move ever more quickly until looking back, we feel as though events that occurred many years ago were as though only yesterday.  Yes, time is relative.

Perhaps it is the early onset of dementia but, I could have sworn the glass of ice water beside my keyboard was full only a moment ago.  I filled it from the refrigerator and brought it to my desk with the thought that I would want something to drink shortly.  It was full when I sat it down.  Now, at least a third of it is gone.  I am certain that I didn’t drink it….or did I?

To look at my desk you would certainly wonder about me.  It is cluttered with notes, printed documents, mail, memorabilia, paperclips, pens, and well, just stuff.  Much of it needs filed.  Some is clutter that is undealt with due to laziness I suppose.  Yet, I know what is here and where it should be.  The family leaves it alone – perhaps fearing what my reaction might be, but also with the knowledge that it is mine, I put it there and I know where it is.

Things have moved. 

It happened just this afternoon.  I got up from my desk to do something – I don’t even remember what it was – and when I returned my “stuff” wasn’t the same.  I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but something was moved.  There was no one here but me.

I know that I’m not losing my mind.  In fact, today was a productive day.  I office from home and today was an office day.  I accomplished numerous tasks that had been on my to-do list for weeks.  It being the first work day of a new year may have helped to motivate me.  After all, starting the year right is the right thing to do isn’t it?

I really don’t know what accomplishing a lot of work today has to do with a sane mind, but it makes sense to me.  After all, if I was going crazy I wouldn’t be able to do my job would I?  Hmmmm….maybe they are unrelated.  Then why do I feel this uneasiness?

I look around my desk and again spy the glass of ice water.  It is almost empty now except for the melting ice sitting in a lump in the glass.  That always annoyed me since I like to chew the ice.  That one giant chunk of fused cubes is difficult to chew.  You have to bite off pieces before you can crunch down on them.  But, I’m distracted.  Why is the glass now almost empty?  Am I so distracted with my thoughts that I don’t even remember taking a drink?

Suddenly I am cold.  I was cold earlier.  In fact, as I think about it, I got cold about the time I noticed that something had been moved on my desk.  I was shivering.  It has been colder outside today so, I got up and checked the thermostat.  It was set on 72 – right where it should have been.  I put on slippers and a sweatshirt and drank a cup of hot chocolate.  That warmed me up.  Now I am still wearing the slippers and sweatshirt but, again, I’m cold.  I am almost shivering.  The thermostat hasn’t been moved and the temperature in the house is still 72.

The thought crosses my mind that I am having a paranormal experience.  I have heard it said that the temperature drops when a “ghost” is present in the room.  It interests me that I have such a thought since I long ago completely dismissed the idea of ghosts.  I don’t believe in them. 

That’s not to say that I don’t believe in other things that might be considered to belong to the Spiritual Realm because I do.  I believe in angels and demons.  I believe in the Holy Spirit.  I believe there are many things that are completely unexplainable in the physical but are real nonetheless.  I believe there are spiritual connections between individuals.  If anyone is paying attention it seems obvious.  After all, how many times have you received a phone call from someone you had been thinking of only moments before – someone that just popped into your mind for no apparent reason?

But, the missing water is physical – not spiritual.  The moved items on the desk – I still haven’t quite put my finger on what exactly – are physical.  I’m either crazy, or someone is messing with me.  That is the only explanation.  I’m obviously crazy since no one else is around.

I think that I shall embrace this craziness.  Why not?  Anyone can be normal.  It takes someone special to be crazy. 

Tombstone of Bygone Days

The old barn stands silently in the weeds, a reminder of once prosperous times, decaying with time. The red-rust streaks have almost overtaken the dull metal gray that when new, shown silvery-bright in the sunlight.

Piles of once upon a time harvest equipment covered with painted white streaks left behind by myriad sparrows and other residents of the tall weeds mark the last resting place of the retired. Crumbling failures of technology replaced by better ideas, these formerly proud marvels testify to the evolving genius of creators who molded them to their purpose.

This island among the straight rows of residue left behind by the giant green monsters of modern, efficient agriculture is merely a bookmark in the evolving saga of feeding the world. A period to a single sentence in the history books but, an obstacle to advance, this tiny refuge to small denizens is only temporary.

Soon, even these tombstones of bygone days will fall to the needs of the many fulfilled by a few.

Chris

Wet Leaves

Wet leaves
They stick to your feet
And follow you in
Where they aren't s'posed to be

Wet leaves
They cling to your hair
Then fall to the floor
Leaving mess everywhere

Wet leaves
They stick to your clothes
When you brush them all off
They might stick to your nose

Wet leaves
They lay on the ground
And when you walk o'er
It makes nary a sound

Wet leaves
They are wet from the rain
As it soaks in the ground
Where the waters all drain

Wet leaves
They cover the earth
Making food for the worms
Until Spring's new birth

Hauling Them to Town

Today, we hauled the calves to the livestock auction.  They don't sell until tomorrow, but, it is a special sale and they are expecting about 8,500 head of cattle so, we had to schedule delivery.

That meant that we got up really, really early.  The alarm went off at 4:30 and we were headed to the ranch before 5:00 a.m.  We don't have many, so it only took two loads to get them all there.  I unloaded the 2nd load at about 7:15. 

You know, as a child I never quite understood what a "big deal" it was to sell the calf crop.  When Grandpa sold his calves it was important because that was when he got paid for the year's work.  He also was a farmer, so harvest of the crops was much the same.  Only a farmer truly understands how you work all year waiting for the harvest.  They don't have a weekly, or monthly paycheck like most people.  They get paid once each year -- when they sell the product of their labor.  It's a big deal.

I know that I wrote about this on Monday, but, it brings the concept of Thanksgiving into a whole new light.  It has changed my perspective.  It is a celebration of the harvest.  It is the "paycheck" that you have been waiting on.  It is a "Hallelujah Chorus" time of year.  It is something that I wish every person in this country could understand. 

We take our food for granted.  Convenience is a blessing and a curse.  Thank a farmer for the harvest.

Is it Profound or Just Controversial?

I enjoy stirring things up on Facebook.  Those that know me well realize that I sometimes say things to provoke a discussion -- well, for some, it would be an argument.  I don't necessarily desire to be argumentative, but I almost always learn something when there are opposing view points to a subject, especially if those involved are passionate about the topic.

Politics is an easy one.  Religion is too.  I sometimes find it humorous at how quickly things can go from "playful banter" to the edge of anger. 

Passion is a good thing.  Uninformed passion is dangerous.  I think there is a lot of uninformed passion within our country today regarding politics.

Just the other day it was pointed out to me that you can't "win" an argument with reason when the other person is arguing from emotion.  They are unable to hear and understand logic when the pounding of emotion in their ears is as loud as a Bass Drum in the Fourth of July Parade.

I often say that I'm not really trying to "win" an argument; I merely want to provoke thought.  I like to have my own ideas challenged for the simple reason that it helps me to clarify my own thinking.  If I am wrong, I want to know.  If I am right, I want to be able to articulate my ideas clearly and succinctly.  If the truth is somewhere in the middle (which it often is), I want to "see" that and thereby gain wisdom.

I suppose my "quest" for understanding is selfish.  In the process I have offended almost everyone I can think of in my circle of Facebook Friends.  Hopefully, they have been challenged in their thinking.  After all, critical thinking is a skill that is much needed and woefully lacking in society today.  So, I will keep on making my "profound" statements on Facebook and stirring a little controversy here and there.  Hopefully, my offended friends and family will forgive me.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17

I Really Wanted to Get Political

This Sunday morning I am finally sitting down after a couple of weeks break to write another post.  There is much that needs to be addressed regarding the political scene in this country but, I think I will leave that for another day.  I must admit though, that it is tempting.

Instead, I want to focus on the approach of Thanksgiving. 

I have never been much on holidays and yet, Thanksgiving was always a special time to me.  When I was a youngster it always signaled quail hunting.  It was a time of family being together and eating too much food.  It was a time of transition because it often was accompanied by a blast of cold air from the North that brought traces of snow.  In other years, it might be warm with lingering hints of summer.

Thanksgiving was a time of cattle on wheat and corn pasture instead of summer grass.  It was a time of completion for the cotton harvest.  It was a time when my grandfather used to go deer hunting in the Hill Country -- and I always wanted to go with him but, wasn't big enough.  Quail hunting was the consolation I suppose.

Thanksgiving meant pecan pies and pumpkin pies (not my favorite) and turkey with giblet gravy for the mashed potatoes.  It was green bean casserole and cranberry sauce and other specialties that each of the family cooks was known for.  It was kids being kids, men watching football and (yes, we were very traditional) women cooking and then cleaning up the dishes. 

Tradition.  That's the word.  Thanksgiving was always tradition and it revolved around family.

What should Thanksgiving mean?  I think that we weren't far off in how we celebrated and continue to celebrate even today.  I do think that most have lost connection with the things that created that celebration.  There are many people who no longer understand the cycles of farming and ranching that they have completely lost touch with where our food comes from. 

Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest.  The hard work of tilling, planting and cultivating the fields finally culminates in the harvest.  Thanksgiving celebrates the bounty of the fruit of our labor.  It is a time for thanking God for the bringing in of the crops to the storehouse so that the "lean times" of winter would be lessened by what was grown.

This year, I have the privilege of harvesting the fruits of our first year of our small cattle operation.  The calves are going to town to be sold at auction on Wednesday of next week.  It is one week and a day prior to the day we celebrate Thanksgiving.  My children and grandchildren and in-laws will be coming in for a few days as well.  This will truly be a traditional Thanksgiving at our house this year....except, we plan a meal of beef instead of turkey.

Sound Bites

Instant information, instant gratification, pervasive electronic resources -- they all lead to life lived in sound bites.  Have you ever noticed that people only listen long enough to hear what they want to hear?  It happens in one-on-one personal communication, it happens when an e-mail contains more than one topic, it happens in news stories and it happens when I post something on Facebook or on this blog.  The focus of attention only lasts until a previously held belief is either confirmed or challenged.  That fact becomes obvious in the comments.

Politicians and news commentators are well aware of this.  They speak in sound bites.  They want brief phrases that are complete thoughts -- self-contained.  Stringing together a cohesive chain of reasoning in order to build a complete thought is ineffective because attention spans are short.

Why do we have such a short attention span?  I think it is because the American culture is one of instant reward/instant gratification.  Very few know how to work in a sustained manner to achieve a goal anymore.  Is it because everything we could ever want is at our fingertips for the asking?

I don't have an answer.  I suspect that our educational system is partly to blame.  After all, most tests are True/False or Select the correct answer.  Essay answers are almost unheard of because, I would guess, it requires a lot more work on the part of the teacher and is more subjective in nature.  Instant answers are the norm.  Because the material will be tested as instant answers it is often taught in sound bites.  Have you ever heard a teacher say, "You may see this again?"  It is a clue that the sound bite you last heard will probably be on the exam.

Do we not teach reasoning skills because of laziness?  I'm sure if any educators read this they will take exception to my comments.  In reality, I am just wondering -- speculating.  I don't know the answer.  But, I will admit it is difficult to stay with this train of thought for very long.

Who do you think will win the big football game today?

A Coalition of Minorities

As I have thought over the past few years of the success of the Democratic Party in this country in winning elections, I have been befuddled by their ability to win with an economic policy that is so clearly Socialist in nature.  With the failure of Socialism to maintain healthy economies within the countries where they have ascended to power it should seem clear that the policies are those of failure.  So, why then do they continue to garner support?

I have come to the conclusion that it is simply this:  They have learned to offer to minority groups that which is nearest and dearest to them in order to gain their vote. 

If you examine the makeup of the Democratic Party I think you will find, not a cross-section of the U.S. population, but a disproportionate representation of minority interest groups.  By exploiting the "hot button issues" of these groups, the Socialists have retained power, and in fact grown their power base, by encouraging aberrant behavior that leads to more minority groups they can represent.

The single largest coalescent group in America, the hard-working Judeo-Christian middle class, is losing power simply because it is outnumbered by this coalition of minority groups.  This group was once called the silent majority.  The problem is now that their silence and willingness to embrace a diversification of beliefs and cultures -- their willingness to give a chance to the disaffected -- has allowed for the rise to power of those who would exploit the weaknesses in the human character by appealing not to higher instincts, but to the lowest common denominator of the disaffected groups.

The result will ultimately be the demise of this country as we know it.

Liberals vs. Conservatives

I have found that those who profess to be of the Liberal persuasion are often highly educated and think of themselves as intellectuals.  Those of the Conservative persuasion, on the other hand, are often business oriented and frequently have foregone advanced degrees.  What does that tell us?

There are a number of ways to look at this particular issue.  The best, I think, would be to look at the exceptions to the rule.  Are there those who are highly educated and considered "intellectual" who have a distinctly Conservative bent?  I think the answer is yes and names such as William F. Buckley, Jr. and Anne Coulter come to mind.  How about those who are less educated but have a Liberal bent?  Union members come to mind.

Let's look again at the first case -- Liberals with higher education and intellectual delusions.  When you dig into the background of many of these individuals you find either an angst rooted in guilt for the crimes of previous generations or, a "victimhood" mentality that is rooted in alleged grievances over past events in their lives.  There are still others who are merely cynical politicians who would dupe the ignorant because it is much easier than attempting to fool someone more knowledgeable.

What about the "typical" Conservative?  It appears to me they are usually business oriented and focused on "getting ahead" in this world financially.  They are primarily of the persuasion that less government is better.

Now, for the exceptions.  Highly educated Conservatives typically are those with no axe to grind.  They don't view themselves as guilty for their own "crimes against humanity" or for the alleged "crimes" of their predecessors.  They have a healthy self-image and feel that they alone control their destiny.

Liberals with less education, such as many Union members often see themselves as being the "little" guy against Big Business.  However, their collective bargaining is a tool that ruins many small businesses and favors Big Business.  Small businesses cannot afford the high wages demanded or the special privileges negotiated by Union members so, they don't survive.  Interesting isn't it?  The very vehicle created by "labor" to combat big business favors Big Business....

What does all of this amount to?  Liberals vs. Conservatives is more about feeling powerless vs. desiring empowerment.  I choose to empower myself.

Another way to look at this is in the philosophical beliefs of the individual.  This is often expressed in the form of religion.  I think there is a higher percentage of those with strong religious belief -- i.e. Judeo-Christian beliefs -- that fall into the Conservative category.  These are usually voters with strong social issue orientation such as anti-abortion, etc.

On the other hand, many Liberal voters are focused on anti-Judeo-Christian agendas.  They favor homosexuality, abortion, etc.  They hide those particular agendas behind a cloak of standing for the oppressed.  Their fervent issues-oriented philosophy is spectacularly bigoted against those who do not believe as they do, but have traditional values.  I find it extremely interesting that those who are first to cry out about race or other bigotry are often the most bigoted in their beliefs.

Conservatives are often labeled with the well-deserved self-righteous label.  They focus on legalism rather than the reality of life.  Liberals are often labeled with being "anti" traditional values.  This is well-deserved as well because their focus is typically solely on themselves.  I realize that Liberals will not agree with this assessment, but, I believe it nonetheless.  Their core agenda is focused on a specific issue such as homosexuality or abortion.  They profess to defend the oppressed because they feel that they are oppressed.  Liberalism encompasses the fringe elements that wish to band together.  They do not represent the majority, merely a coalition of minorities.

Is there a middle ground?  I doubt it.  We have an extreme bi-modality in beliefs in this country today that is a result of moral relativism.  There are those who believe in an absolute standard of truth and those who do not.  Between those two extremes there is no middle ground.

Raining Leaves

There is a giant oak tree in our back yard that creates a pleasant space of coolness in the summer, away from the blazing sun.  It is a Willow Oak and was estimated by someone who should know to be about 300 years old.  I have no clue as to its age, I just know that it is very big. 

As you look up into its massive branches it is difficult to realize how large it truly is.  I hung a rope over the lowest limb last summer to make a swing for my grandkids.  I tied a hammer to the end of the rope and threw it as hard as I could in order to get the rope over the limb.  After several tries I was able to work the rope so that the weight of the hammer would drag it over.  It was barely heavy enough to do so.  It took almost 25 feet of rope to reach from the ground to the limb.

When it rains excessively as in this part of the country it is sometimes prone to do, the weight of the water in the limbs creates the risk of them breaking and falling.  In the brief time we have lived here, two have poked holes in the roof and one fell on a patio chair and crushed it.  The task of keeping the twigs and other debris cleared from the yard is continuous.

The tree is home to numerous squirrels.  It is enjoyable to watch them scampering around on the branches.  Sometimes there will be 4 or 5 of them playing chase along the limbs high up in the canopy.  Last year there was a nest in a hole where a limb once grew many years ago and which is now hollow.  It was interesting to view the young squirrels as the developed and ventured forth from their snug home.

The leaves have started turning color on the tree.  It is a mixture of yellows and greens and tans.  Today, as the rain falls and the breeze stirs the branches, the most advanced of the changing leaves are turning loose and helicoptering to the ground.  It is a literal torrent of leaves falling and yet, looking up into the soaring branches, it is difficult to tell that there are any fewer than there were weeks ago.

Oh, the labors of Fall.....

"Don't Order Chinese From a Mexican Restaurant"

The title is a quote of McGee on NCIS tonight.  It was in response to Dinozzo's comment regarding an uneasy feeling in his stomach.  Of course the reference was more a way of stating that he felt all was not well rather than he wasn't feeling well.

It is good advice though.  Would you go to a dentist to have your car checked?  How about going to a barber to get fitted for a new pair of custom boots?  You may get what you asked for but, it is highly likely the level of expertise will fall well below the level of your expectations -- perhaps to the level of total incompetence.

In case you haven't guessed, I'm thinking ObamaCare.  Oh, I think it goes by another name -- something like the Affordable Care Act.  Why, oh, why, would anyone think the government and a bunch of lawyers would know anything about health care??!  Even worse, why would anyone think the government would understand the concept of affordable??!  They can't even balance their own checkbook.  It makes about as much sense as going to a Mexican Restaurant and ordering Chinese food.

Still the Writing Bug

For whatever reason, I still have the writing bug.  It seems there isn't much substance to what I am writing, but sometimes my meandering thoughts turn into something that I at least deem worthwhile -- public opinion is another matter.

I wonder if there is finally enough momentum building to hold the Administration in Washington accountable for their malfeasance and criminal activity?  The backlash in the Heartland is certainly growing.  I wonder if there is similar growing discontent on the disconnected coasts of this great country?

Why is there such a difference in attitude and thought between the people in the agricultural areas of the United States and those in the cities?  Is it the Protestant work ethic?  Is it adherence to Christianity?  Is it a "closeness" to the land?  I wish I knew.  It might help us to solve the seemingly irreconcilable differences between us.  Instead, the map remains distinctly red and blue -- not so much to mark the vote along party lines as it is the difference in culture and thought patterns.  The voting is symptomatic of a deeper cultural rift.

Elected officials have learned to play to the cultural differences.  Power accretes to power.  Do the values of elected officials reflect the values of those they represent?  Or, is it that the elected officials reflect the values of the geographic area they represent in order to gain power?  I suspect it is power that drives, not the values.

If that is the case, there really is no difference in members of either party.  They merely wear the cloak of the sheep over their wolf hide.  "We the people," is no longer home to the seat of power, it is a "fig leaf" covering for the unconscionable acts of the few to submit the many to tyranny.

How do "We the people" return to our role of holding the reins of power in this country?  That is the question we must all face and answer within our own hearts.  What price freedom?  What cost submission to those who would rule autocratically?  Slavery is not always chains.

Normally Abnormal -- Or, Do I That Backward?

I really don't know what normal is anymore.  Just when I start to see the edges of the rut rising on either side, they disappear into a trackless wilderness.  Well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration -- but, not too much.

I am really not good at routine.  I want variety.  And yet, I find myself trapped within patterns of behavior that grow repetitive with time -- until they change.  Then, I find myself trapped within new patterns that become repetitious.  But, something upsets the pattern and change occurs until I find myself once again trapped within a pattern.....but, then, I repeat myself.

The familiar is comfortable.  The familiar leads to no place new.  So, if you don't like the way things are quit doing the same old things!  Do something new and different.  Escape your rut.  Head out across the trackless wilderness.  But, it's a good idea to leave a few breadcrumbs just in case.....

Sometimes I deliberately try to escape my rut.  I start to see the same old familiar pattern and I just decide to do something different.  A few times in the past I have escaped the rut with a career change.  No, not just a job change -- a career change.  Talk about send you skidding off across the landscape -- that will do it.  There are other times, though, when I have been kicked out of my rut.  The biggest one was being fired from a job of nine years.  Sometimes big companies just like to change things because they want to.  It may not have anything to do with performance.  It might be they just don't like honesty....

There are other times when the daily routine is interrupted by unexpected events.  It could be a visitor, an illness, a death, or, maybe a sick animal.  It can be backed up plumbing, a limb falling through the roof, or even a simple phone call.  OK, enough of examples.  You get the point.  What is routine?

I office from home.  That in itself throws a kink in things quite frequently.  Especially since I am rarely there; I am usually out making customer visits or sales calls.  So, what in the world is the point of this post?  I guess it is that I can't decide whether the normal for me is abnormal or, if I am just abnormally normal.  Does it really matter?

I think it is time to escape this rut.

Rainy Weather

It rained last night and the timing was perfect.  I sowed winter rye grass in my pasture just before the rains came.  Well, to be more precise, my son-in-law sowed part of it when they were here last weekend and I sowed more this weekend.

The rain was a little harder than I had hoped.  We received a few perfect gentle showers and then it came in a couple of "frog stranglers" that probably washed the seed around in the pasture.  It will make for some interesting patterns of growth.  The seeds are light enough to ride on the water as it washes across the field until it pools and there, they will wash against the shore of the tiny puddles until the sun comes out and dries them.  I will be able to see all of the low spots in the pasture because of the way the rye grass will grow.

It makes me think of how people are subject to similar occurrences.  Things occur in our lives that send us drifting at times unless we are rooted into the soil.  We drift until we settle into a pool that no longer reflects where we should be, but where we have gone due to our lack of an anchor.

The lack of anchor is most obvious in those who have drifted into crime, or dependence on drugs or alcohol.  It is less obvious in other areas but, there nonetheless.  Bad habits, chronic destructive behavior and perhaps even homelessness are symptoms of the drift from being caught in the currents that wash over us.

The only solution is to be anchored in something that can withstand those currents.  For me, that anchor is Jesus. 

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world rather than on Christ.  Colossians 2:6-8

The Writing Mood

Sometimes I get in the mood to write.  That mood doesn't always correlate well with ideas about which to write!  That's when I just start typing and see what happens.  It might be a totally random post or it might turn into something that somehow fits together into a cohesive whole.

As you might have guessed, this is one of those times.  It is my second post for today and I am typing away without yet knowing where I am going.

I think it is all the political stuff buzzing around in my head.  There is so much discontentment today with what is going on with our government -- from all sides of the political landscape -- that I see momentum building for change.  If you set a pot of water on the burner to boil and keep the lid on it, pressure begins to build until eventually, the water vapor tries to escape.  If you just leave the lid lightly on, the steam escapes around the edges and eventually the water boils away.  But, if you clamp down on the lid -- such as with a pressure cooker -- the pressure rises until it eventually escapes by blowing the lid off the pot.

I think the pressure in the political pot is building right now.  I don't see it escaping.  When will it explode?

There is a movie coming out soon called, "Ender's Game."  If you haven't read the book I would encourage you to do so before the movie comes out.  It is actually the first book in a series.  I enjoyed the book a lot but, not so much the sequelae. 

I mention "Ender's Game" because in the series of books by Orson Scott Card there is discussion of the political undertow which is fomented by two of the characters who become known as Locke and Demosthenes in their anonymous role as political pot-stirrers.  It is a commentary on how the written word can create the environment for upheaval, coup or, revolution.

Perhaps that is why I have the urge to write.  I like to stir the pot.  But, my reason for stirring the pot is more to stimulate thinking, not to encourage political upheaval.  If people will learn to think critically about what they hear and read, they will begin to see the patterns of power and how some would manipulate the masses for their own gain.  That manipulation is irrespective of political persuasion.  Follow the money.

This week it was announced that George Soros was signing on and providing a sizeable contribution to promote Hillary Clinton in a bid for the Presidency on the Democratic ticket.  I am continually amazed that the party that promotes itself as looking out for the poor, the disenfranchised and downtrodden is controlled by some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.  Believe me, it isn't because they are altruistic in their motivation, it is because they are among the guiltiest at amassing wealth at the expense of those very individuals they pretend to protect. 

The Republicans are just as guilty.  Power flows to money.  Money manipulates power -- regardless of political party.

Maybe that IS why I write.  I want to combat the concentration of power in the hands of the large multi-national corporations.  I don't have the money to do so, but, I can write.  Hopefully there will be some who are persuaded to question their support of those who have been corrupted most by the greed which drives power to amass more power through manipulation of wealth.  Don't blindly follow.  Don't believe those who say you are powerless to do anything.  Fight against the corruption that controls.  Vote.  Write letters.  Engage others in conversation about the things that really matter.

Which brings me to the One thing that really matters.  Until people understand and recognize that there is an overarching Truth, they will fall for anything.  That Truth is Jesus.

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

Changing Seasons

I always enjoy the change of seasons.  I think most people probably do.  I enjoy seeing the leaves turn from green to oranges, yellows and reds.  I like the coolness on the breeze.  We have not yet seen frost in our part of the world but it is coming soon.

It isn't just the Fall that is enjoyable.  I also like the transition between the other seasons.  The move from Fall to Winter and then Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer and finally, Summer back to Fall.  Each one is a welcome transition. 

Is it that we get tired of the sameness?  Maybe it is an innate sense for the need to change.  Or, maybe it is just the cyclical realization of the fruits of progress.  There is a bit of agriculturalist in all of us.  The changing seasons signal to the farmer that there is a proper time for all things.  Spring is for planting, Summer for growing, Fall for Harvest and Winter for rest and preparation.

We all experience such things in our life no matter our occupation.  Each new job brings a time of learning, a time of productivity, a time to experience the fruits of our labor and a time of preparation for whatever is next.

Our life is the same.  We are born into a Spring of learning and wonder.  We grow and mature through a Summer of career and productivity.  We mature into a Fall of enjoying the fruits of our labor in retirement, children and grandchildren.  We then enter into the Winter of life where rest comes.  The real question is then one of preparation for the next cycle.  What comes next?

For many people today, the next, sadly, is merely the end of life -- at least in their own mind.  They have nothing to look forward to because they believe only in themselves.  It is only those who believe in God who see the twilight of life as preparation to enter into the next Spring which is one of Eternal Life.

I see myself as being in late summer and entering into the Fall of my life.  I want to remain productive and fruitful as long as I can.  But, I am confident that I will eventually enter the Winter knowing that it is merely the final preparation for eternal Spring.  Are you?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”  John 14:1-4

Technical Difficulties

I can't get into my primary e-mail account this morning.  The hosting service is experiencing Technical Difficulties.  Don't you just hate when that happens?

Actually, it is probably a gift.  E-mail has come to dominate so much time in the corporate world that it is often difficult to accomplish anything for responding to or, creating e-mail. 

It is easier than a phone call because you don't have to deal with all the polite conversational things that we always go through on the phone.  The trouble is that what might take 5 minutes in a phone call ends up taking half the day in e-mail traffic.

But, there is always the individual for which it is good to have a written "trail" so that there is accountability.  Phone conversations sometimes have the wonderful distinction of deniability.  "That's not what you said," comes to mind.  If it is written, there is little doubt as to content although possibly of intent.

It's too bad that we can't clearly understand each other.  That occurs even in face-to-face conversations.  Because of diverse backgrounds and experiences, communication is often difficult.  What one party says is not necessarily what the other hears -- or understands.  It isn't just a language issue, it is a "box" issue.  What I mean is that we understand things based on the context of our own life -- whether it be technical language, or just experiential understanding.

Discernment; that is what is missing.  How do you discern what is correct and what is incorrect?  Too often statements are taken on faith that the intentions are good and honorable.  There is only one way to gain discernment -- prayer.  God will grant what you ask if you ask in faith.  Just don't expect it to blossom in you full-grown and immediately.  Sometimes the ground needs plowed, the seed needs planted, the pant watered and the weeds cleared away before you "discern" that it is there.  That takes time.

²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  John 16:24

Halloween and Television

Why are we covered up with horror movies on television for the entire month of October?  What is this fascination with horror?  I don't get it.  I prefer to avoid them, but that means there really isn't much to watch.

The darkness seems to be growing.  Everywhere there is fascination with the occult and ancient religions.  There is talk of a one-world religion being debated within the United Nations.  I honestly haven't investigated to see if it is true -- the point is that it is being talked about.

Personally, I prefer the light.  I like daytime.  The best time of day is dawn as the light slowly rises in the east until the sun peeks over the horizon.  I fear that we are approaching sunset instead.

I pray that I will be a point of light as the darkness closes in.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

Homemade or Recycled?

Sometimes things accumulate that appear to have useful value and yet they are really just leftover from something else.  Some might call it junk and dispose of it without a second thought.  Others might take things to a recycling station to be melted down and re-combined into something else.  I guess I'm more like my grandparents who went through the Depression.  If it still has utility, I tend to save it until I figure out just how it is that I really need it.

We feed our cows a protein supplement that comes in a plastic tub.  The supplement itself is baked into a hard molasses based product.  We set the tubs out for the cattle to eat as they see fit and when they are empty we pick them up.  They seem to accumulate very quickly.

I have wondered for some time what to do with them.  I use a few for trash around the barn.  I have used them to set feed bags in so the "critters" couldn't get to them.  I have stacked them in the corner.

I decided that I could turn them into extra feed bunk space for my cattle.  They aren't ideal, but they work.

I just built a simple, but sturdy wood frame into which to set the tubs.  It seemed to turn out as I had hoped.  I just needed a couple more sets of them.

This past weekend my daughter and her family came to visit.  I decided the kids might enjoy helping me to build another one of these units and so we did.  Emma (6 years old) was a good help in that she could do lots of "fetching" and "holding" of needed items.  Eli (3 years old) wanted to do everything but wasn't quite big enough.  It turns out though that he is a "whiz" at putting bolts with the proper washers and nuts so that I could use them.  He would take a bolt out of the box, put on 2 flat washers and a lock washer and then start the nut on the end.  I have to admit that it was pretty impressive for his age.

Millie (15 months old) was supposed to be taking a nap but, our banging and hammering and sawing were keeping her awake and she decided to join us.  She found just the thing to keep her busy.  She pushed around a tiny buggy (I think it was a doll baby buggy) and loaded the wood scraps into it.  They made many trips around the garage as we worked. 

My son-in-law, Aaron, of course was in the thick of it.  I basically just said, "I want another one like that," and got out of the way.  It's nice to have good help.

The next day, after all had gone home, we set the troughs up in the pen for the cattle.

The cattle enjoyed the additional space.

Who needs expensive toys to keep the kids happy?  Just give them something useful to do and they are not only happy, they can see value in their accomplishment.

Creating Controversy

Sometimes the best way to find out if anyone is listening is to say something controversial.  It can't be "in-your-face" controversial, but a simple values-based statement.  Generalizations are usually a good place to start.

A simple one would be, "People get fat because they eat too much."  Try it and see what happens.  There will be people who react that it is really a hormonal imbalance, or it is lack of exercise, or it is eating the wrong kinds of food.  Probably there is evidence to back each and every position.  Ferreting out the truth is sometimes difficult.

Generalizations are handy.  It saves us from having to go into complex analysis and in-depth reasoning.  After all, simple is better, isn't it?

I think in many ways our society has become hyper-sensitive to accusation.  We live in the age of blame.  Statements that are meant as lazy generalizations are often perceived as targeted accusations of a personal nature.  Reactions are a result of personal offense taken when instead, the response should be introspection and examination of the truth contained in the statement.

I had a fairly volatile temper when I was young.  The years have burned off most of the volatility and it is much easier now for me to think rather than to react.  If confronted by something offensive I am learning to ask questions such as, "Why does this person think the way they do?", "What is the real issue here -- are we just looking at a symptom or at a cause?", "Is there data that I am missing that would change my position?", "Am I right and them wrong or, is the truth somewhere in the middle?"

When we fail to ask these and similar questions, we often jump to conclusions that are incorrect.  The offending person may be having a bad day and really meant no offense; they were just venting their frustration on a handy target.

I suspect there is something deeper in the tendency today to hyper-sensitivity toward perceived offense.  I believe it is rooted in selfishness.  It is rooted in the culture of I/me.  If the world revolves around me and someone doesn't see things my way they are attacking me personally.  The solution is to think of others.  We must care enough about others that we can see things from their perspective or we will eventually be offended by everyone.  After all, offense is our attitude, not theirs.

1 Corinthians 13

 

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

Allies and Frienemies

Have you ever heard the term "frienemies"?  It means someone who pretends to be your friend but is really your enemy.  I think it goes back to the old saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

It is interesting that sometimes in business your co-workers can be your enemy because they are either jealous of your success and wish to undermine it or, they are corporate climbers and willing to "throw anyone under the bus" if it advances their own position.  They are the most dangerous of types because they appear to be your friend and ally on the surface, but they will jump at any chance to undermine you if it suits their own cause.

That is why you keep them close -- not close in the sense of close friend, but close in the sense of you want to always know what they are doing.  If you can keep a close eye on them you can often offset or head off their efforts to undermine you.  It is admittedly a bit Machiavellian, but a necessary thing in the corporate world.

On the other hand, the people you often least expect can be your strongest allies.  They might be a competitor or they might be a customer.  Occasionally they are within your own organization.  Whenever you find one, you should do all in your power to help them to achieve their own goals -- unless of course they are your competitor and then they are probably your ally because of their ineptitude at their own job.

So, what does this have to do with anything?  I don't know, or at least won't publicly admit.  But, it brings to mind a Bible verse.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."  Matthew 10:16