I hope to be like Puddleglum,
That Marsh-Wiggle of late fame,
Who thought of everything the worst,
But managed all the same.
Though saying that no plan could work,
He bravely followed through.
While saying nay, he traveled on,
He stuck beside his crew.
He said, “You can’t, it mustn’t be,”
But when put to the test,
He took the pain, amidst the flame
And battled with the rest.
Now, if I go to Narnia,
Through wardrobe or some means,
I hope that I can be as brave
As Puddleglum, he seems.
I may have some German ancestry — my maiden Hungarian name means “German.”
At any rate, when we moved to southwest Ohio, just east of Cincinnati, I encountered some German surnames (or what I think are German) most of which were new to me. The most fun are those with three or more syllables, or lots of consonants strung together. Following are some of the names, and my attempt to give their meaning, if possible. If there’s anyone reading this who knows a better meaning than given, please correct me.
Baumheckel — Tree heckel
Dinkleacker — Spelt field
Ehrnschwender — Honor Schwender — wins the prize for most consonants in a row
Flottemesch — Fleet Human ??? — could it be sailor?
Lehmankuler — ???
Roderscheimer — from Roderscheim
Rothenhoefer — ???
Showalter — ???
Sorflaten — May be Swedish — The Surface ???
Okay, I didn’t do too well on those translations! If anyone can help, please comment.
Leaves are turning, leaves are falling,
Temperatures cooling, wind is calling.
Sweaters appear, furnaces warming.
The wind gives a bite, and sometimes it’s storming.
Charities gear up — the donations appear.
We think of the homeless, ‘specially this time of year.
Sometimes it’s raining, or mainly just chill.
Kids hoping for winter — snow sleds and their thrill.
Leaves in the gutters, leaves on the roof.
Autumn has come; shorter days are the proof.
Yellow, orange, red — these colors surround us.
Sunflowers and pumpkins; nature astounds us.
Thanksgiving is coming, and then we recall —
The Giver of all gifts has given them all.
One little squirrel scampered ‘cross the road.
He hurried on to add to his load
Of nuts and things for winter’s sting.
Two wild turkeys crossed the road,
Their necks were long and narrow,
But do their bones have marrow?
Three rabbits sat and munched the grass
The clover was their favorite —
It wasn’t quite Welsh rarebit.
Four deer stood staring by the road,
Until our car did scare them.
A hunter would like to snare them.
Five robins bobbed along the grass.
They find that grubs are great repast —
In winter, berries, if they last.
Until temperatures drop, the wasps are here.
I do not hold them especially dear.
If I leave them alone, I do not fear.
We drive onto a wooded lane.
They look at us with doe eyes,
For that is what they are.
Frozen in silence; they only stare.
Magical moments —
We silently watch each other, unmoving.
Until our car moves on —
Then they startle, leap, turn, and run,
Prancing, as if in a dance.
They say animals are dumb,
But that is only their tongues.
Their eyes bespeak some knowledge there,
Their beauty and grace a gift so rare.
I’ll never forget that stare.
One plant at a time,
I try to add beauty to this wretched world,
Envisioning a paradise
Of birds, bees, and bugs
(Except the itchy, painful ones).
One note at a time,
Then note upon note,
In harmonies I’ve sung with those
Who also strive for unity,
And making beauty.
One word at a time —
May I bring understanding,
Clarity, news, and views
That might, perhaps,
Change a life for good.
Yes, there’s pain and conflict,
Clashes, disagreements,
Strife and war —
But I want to open a door
To understanding.
“I came not to bring peace, but a sword.”
Truth will cause conflict,
So conflict there must be.
Does God sing in the universe,
One song at a time,
Making billions of songs
Harmonize?
Next to our church building is a building housing the school gym, meeting rooms, and other facilities. On top of the building sits a community [air raid] siren, which is tested every first Wednesday of the month at noon. I believe the main purpose of the siren system is to give warning if a tornado has been sighted in that particular county. Of course, it could be used for other warnings. You’re supposed to have a way (radio or otherwise) to find out what it’s about. I am grateful for those who set up and maintain a system to warn people of danger.
Today (first Wednesday of the month) we were worshiping at the 11:30 Mass in the church, and the siren blasted off at noon, before Mass was finished. The priest just keot going and the people acted like nothing was happening, except little kids who probably got scared by it. It IS quite loud, being perhaps 100 to 200 feet away. The first few times I heard sirens here, they were a bit scary, though I learned that the first Wednesday occurrence at noon is just a test. The real ones are scarier. My first one happened just after arriving home in the dark, under a heavy downpour of rain. I heard the siren and didn’t know what to do, being my first summer in the midwest. I called my son’s mother-in-law (we are quite good friends), and while on the call, I think the siren stopped. But it turns out, you are probably supposed to go to your basement to be safer.
The homily (talk by the priest) included a warning about being in a faction or “tribe” and losing sight of the overall transcendence of God because you’re bogged down in your own opinion, wanting to be right, or boasting about your own “tribe”. (This was inspired by the Scripture text: 1 Corinthians, chapter 3.) Many homilies or sermons, if the church is worth its salt, warn about attitudes and sins that are not pleasing to God, and/or not helpful to the unity of the church. So, be grateful when you are given a warning. It might save you and others a lot of grief.
On Saturday, we had dinner at our favorite (Cincinnati) chili place. They serve a lot of other things, but the word “chili” is in the restaurant name.
Since Dolly Parton had passed away four days earlier, the restaurant had a Dolly Parton theme. In evidence were Dolly Parton t-shirts, menu items, cowboy hats, pink balloons and other decorations, and silent videos featuring Dolly Parton were playing on the restaurant screens.
The little I know of Dolly Parton gives me a sense that she was an extremely generous, faith-filled, and delightful person, with a sense of humor, and known for her transparency. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
Regarding my cracked cell phone screen (see When Technology Failed), I am tempted to think it never happened.
We took the phone to a store that’s part of a chain that promises to fix all kinds of technology problems, including cracked cell phone screens. I had to sign a receipt saying that I gave them permission to access my phone (that is, they could, if they wanted to, see all my contacts, etc., which was a bit scary).
I promptly lost the receipt. When we returned to pick up the phone, it worked fine and I did not have to pay for the repaired screen (see article referenced above). There was no receipt on my part. The store has a record, but I don’t. I jokingly shook hands with the man at the counter, to “seal the deal.” There was a feeling of unreality about it for me, as if the whole incident never happened.
The Same Yesterday and Today, and Forever
The amazing and glorious thing is that no matter what happens in our world, God never changes. He keeps on being faithful, running the world, loving us, and is in control of all things. This does not mean an absence of suffering, but that He is with us through it all. He brings meaning and purpose to our lives, no matter how crazy things get.
Jesus is still on His throne!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
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