A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness. -Brenda Ueland, journalist, editor, and writer (24 Oct 1891-1985)
Source: www.wordsmith.org
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Last night the International Spy Museum and the Gallaudet University Museum held a special night hosting the Deaf and ASL community. I would have liked to attend but was unable to do so. I still think it is a fantastic display of reaching out to a segment of our society that is often not given the consideration due them. I applaud the 2 organizations for making this event a reality and hope it was a positive experience for everyone. It also makes me ask the question, “What can I do for the Deaf & ASL Community here in Allegany County?” I don’t have an answer, but at least I am asking the question which is the first step toward an answer!
When I was a student I always preferred it when a text was easy rather than difficult. Peppermint Patty displays that logic in the cartoon shown above. I love her last comment, “I hate it when you have to know what you’re writing about …”
It is entirely too frequent a happening these days when people write on a topic and don’t have the correct facts. Sure writing “off the cuff” may take less time and appear to be less effort. The downfall in this logic is that we end up confusing or misleading those who read what we write and have no idea the negative consequences that are caused when others act upon what we write.
As a Hospital Chaplain, I have make written entries in the medical record of every patient I visit. When I am making the entry I never know ahead of time who will read that entry, when they will read it, or what they are looking to find as they read it. My response it to make sure the entry is correct and concise. Most patients don’t ever see the charting in their medical record. Their healthcare is enhanced when the record is correct and that is why I strive to 100% accuracy in what I write.
The pictures above are of my two dogs after getting home from being groomed last night. Scooter’s appearance did not change much, but he smells oh so much more pleasant. Lexi on the other hand had fur styled and cut so that it is all event. With shortening the length of her hair, she looks almost like a totally different dog.
Owning a pet is a responsibility. You need to make sure their needs are attended to in a decent fashion. When I read reports of abuse or neglect with animals, I get angry. Pets give so much appreciate to their owners when you care for them. Yesterday was an example of that for me, as both dogs acted like they felt better being clean. Just as I feel better when I am fresh from the shower. Dogs are not that different from people.
The tale of Scooter & Lexi
This is the tale of Scooter and Lexi and how they came to share a home together. When Scooter (a basset/beagle mix) needed a new forever home Basset Rescue of Old Dominion took him aboard. Eventually he moved to Cumberland MD to live with a mild-mannered chaplain. Scooter himself was mild mannered at the time except when left alone. Then his separation anxiety kicked in and he caused a lot of damage and worse yet, risked injury to himself. After his new owner tried several comfort tools to no avail, he decided to look for a companion for Scooter.
This is where Lexi enters the picture. She was living at the Allegany County MD Animal Shelter where her owners surrendered her. She is a schnauzer/terrier mix. She was one of 4 dogs the shelter people thought would be good companions for Scooter.
Scooter having been in a shelter previously, would not interact with any of the dogs because he was afraid he was being left behind. So, the mild-mannered chaplain picked Lexi out of the team of 4 ladies.
She was the right choice! From the moment they arrived home they interacted peacefully with each other. The first full day they were alone, there was no damage in the house!! There has no damage for over a week!!
So out of one dog’s anxiety about being left alone, two dogs have found each other and now live where they know they are loved.
The dog I am holding was named “Scooter” until Sept. 2 when I adopted him from the kind folks at BROOD-VA. (They are a basset rescue organization and have a great mission and lots of great volunteers.)
I have named him “Clark” driven by my passion for Superman history. Here I am at my friend Dan’s house and he took this picture of Clark and I so I could share it with people.
Clark seems to have taken to me and our home from the very first moment we met and he came inside the home after our trip from WV where I picked him up. He is the cutest basset I have ever gotten to know. He is well trained which is an accomplishment with that breed. He loves belly rubs and treats which is common for bassets. He can play shy but when he opens up he is ball of energy.
I turned 60 the day I picked him up so I will always remember my 60th! Getting to know and love him will be my labor of love this holiday weekend!
H O P E
Whenever we are in a disaster no matter the source we feel vulnerable. This message created by The United Methodist Church reminds us that God is with us wherever we go.
I thank Joshua and the folks at United Methodist Communications for offering us this reminder today wherever we are!!! Amen!!
I am proud of The United Methodist Church for our long history of being involved in disaster recovery! I borrowed this post from the denomination. Our UMCOR is already mobilizing resources for assistance as the hurricane subsides.
Even though I can’t help personally my church will stand in for me offering valuable assistance,
Never let the opinions of others keep you from becoming the person God called you to be. Never let the opinions of others keep you from doing the ministry God called you to do
The dog pictured in this post is scheduled to join my household when his adoption is complete. I have prayed diligently over the decision to adopt because I will be making a life-time commitment to his creation of God.
During this discernment process, I have learned to lean more on faith and less on logic as I make this decision. So, I don’t have my new companion yet, and I am already learning from him. Isn’t life a treat?
The United Methodist Church posted this image on their Twitter feed today. I love the visual reminder it gives us that everyone no matter color, creed, or any other quality makes them deserve to be mistreated in any manner.
As I move forward through the week I will monitor myself to hopefully ensure that I am not practicing racism in how I interact with others!