Ok I have to admit I've sort of fallen away from my 31 in Thirty-One.
I've been nearly consumed with finishing my bee hive. Yes it's done and in place!!!
I'm praying some bees will make it ' home' soon but if they don't I'm ordering some.
They should arrive April 24th.
How cool, huh?
Ok I'll try to tackle a few more things from the list.
Be patient.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Day 16... Making Sushi
Andy had another suggestion: make sushi.
It has been about six years since doing it but I gave it a go through Tim's help who had some of the paper.
I think it turned out pretty good.
I want to try a dessert sushi.
Does that sound good?
It has been about six years since doing it but I gave it a go through Tim's help who had some of the paper.
I think it turned out pretty good.
I want to try a dessert sushi.
Does that sound good?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Day 15.... A Morning Delight
Nate & Jamie gave me this idea, ''go one morning down to 1000park Cafe and enjoy a cup of their pressure brewed coffee along with one of their cinnamon rolls.''
Saturday morning it was. I biked over and found the place ready to be enjoyed. The pressure brewed coffee was only so-so...but the cinnamon roll was much better than expected. I thought it looked a little dried out & hard but I was wrong. It was soft, flakey, & warm. Delightful.
I arrived well before the mid-morning rush and enjoyed my time very much. That's the kind of thing I could get into.
Thanks for the idea, friends. Next time you are back in W.L. we'l have to enjoy it together.
P.S. What's your favorite bakery or cafe?
Saturday morning it was. I biked over and found the place ready to be enjoyed. The pressure brewed coffee was only so-so...but the cinnamon roll was much better than expected. I thought it looked a little dried out & hard but I was wrong. It was soft, flakey, & warm. Delightful.
I arrived well before the mid-morning rush and enjoyed my time very much. That's the kind of thing I could get into.
Thanks for the idea, friends. Next time you are back in W.L. we'l have to enjoy it together.
P.S. What's your favorite bakery or cafe?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Day 14... Literary enjoyment
Nicole suggested reading Les Miserables if I hadn't yet read it. She said that reading the book and seeing the live production on Chicago were two of her favorite things from 2011.
Although I had the wonderful priveledge of seeing Les Mis on Broadway I've never fulfilled my desire to read the book. So today I jumped in. I won't promise that I'll finish today or even this month, but I'll be working on it.
So far I've really enjoyed it.
I desire that our home be as open as that of the Bishop's who says, ''This is not my house; it is the house of Christ. This is the home of no man, except him who needs an asylum. I tell you, who are a traveller, that you are more at home here than I; whatever I have here is yours. .... Your name is my brother.
P.S. What is your favorite work of fiction?
Although I had the wonderful priveledge of seeing Les Mis on Broadway I've never fulfilled my desire to read the book. So today I jumped in. I won't promise that I'll finish today or even this month, but I'll be working on it.
So far I've really enjoyed it.
I desire that our home be as open as that of the Bishop's who says, ''This is not my house; it is the house of Christ. This is the home of no man, except him who needs an asylum. I tell you, who are a traveller, that you are more at home here than I; whatever I have here is yours. .... Your name is my brother.
P.S. What is your favorite work of fiction?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Day 13... Learning my wife...
Josi & Ryan retracted their lick a frozen flag pole idea and replaced it with this: ''Engage in fanciful & heart-felt conversation with your wife.'' They included a list of 15 questions we could make use of as we conversed. So tonight we ate at a brand new Mexican (her favorite) restaurant and learned eachother. I learned what she most appreciates about me. She learned what makes me feel loved. I learned her favorite memory of the last 9 months. She learned about what I regret not doing.
Thanks friends for the suggestion.
What have YOU learned recently about your best friend?
Thanks friends for the suggestion.
What have YOU learned recently about your best friend?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Day 12... Cashing in on Adventure
One of Emily & James' ideas was to go geocashing. If you don't know what that is.... Think GPS assisted scavenger hunt.
I've done this before but not in our area.
So my wife and I took the adventure of looking for cashes.
We found one in our cemetery and then met up with Tim (see Day 2) and his wife for some more searching around town. It was a beautiful day and after several successful finds we got distracted by the thought of ice cream. Idea grew into action and we had wonderful ice cream cones.
Thanks for the great idea Davenpizals.
Come visit sometime... We'll g-cash together.
P.S. I took today 'off' and didn't tackle any of the ideas... I was too busy celebrating my 11323rd b-day.
I've done this before but not in our area.
So my wife and I took the adventure of looking for cashes.
We found one in our cemetery and then met up with Tim (see Day 2) and his wife for some more searching around town. It was a beautiful day and after several successful finds we got distracted by the thought of ice cream. Idea grew into action and we had wonderful ice cream cones.
Thanks for the great idea Davenpizals.
Come visit sometime... We'll g-cash together.
P.S. I took today 'off' and didn't tackle any of the ideas... I was too busy celebrating my 11323rd b-day.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Day 11.... DIY Project with what you've got.
Andy's idea was to do a 'Do-It-Yourself' project without buying anything.
The beehive we worked on would have qualified but I had to buy some screws and I'll have to get a few more things.
So, I used some scrap wood that I had already brought home from work and worked on a bird house. I make it nice & tight with some caulk and used some old paint and gave it coat. Overall it's not great but I did the best I could without buying or borrowing anything. Hmmm. I guess that's what birds do.... They build a DIY house without buying anything.
(I've gotten really spoiled at work with the nice saws and nail guns.)
The weather should be nice so we'll be hanging it up to provide a home for the recently returning migratory birds. I saw the first robins on Feb. 28th, the same day I started our spring plantings in the cold frames. We already have several things germinating!!!
Anyway, thanks Andy for suggesting a productive evening.
The beehive we worked on would have qualified but I had to buy some screws and I'll have to get a few more things.
So, I used some scrap wood that I had already brought home from work and worked on a bird house. I make it nice & tight with some caulk and used some old paint and gave it coat. Overall it's not great but I did the best I could without buying or borrowing anything. Hmmm. I guess that's what birds do.... They build a DIY house without buying anything.
(I've gotten really spoiled at work with the nice saws and nail guns.)
The weather should be nice so we'll be hanging it up to provide a home for the recently returning migratory birds. I saw the first robins on Feb. 28th, the same day I started our spring plantings in the cold frames. We already have several things germinating!!!
Anyway, thanks Andy for suggesting a productive evening.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Day 10...A Coffee Induced Sunrise.
Yes, even the sun needs a cup of coffee to get going, especially when it has to rise an hour early.
I admit, I took a day off yesterday and didn't tackle any of the ideas. We did start working on a bee hive though, which would kind of qualify for one idea.
Today's idea was from Kaitlin...
''Wake up early, make some great coffee, bike to a nearby place to watch the sunrise. Read the following blessing. All with (your wife) of course!''
So we dared to try this on the morning of Day Light Savings... I admit we sat at the table the night before and discussed which hour we'd need to get up.
For future reference this date is the best for seeing the sunrise. You might 'lose' an hour but you don't have to 'get up' as early.
Anyway, we got up, made some coffee, packed some blankets and biked over to the lake. It's called Pike Lake and I like it a lot. (I hope to fish there this summer).
We sat on the bench and enjoyed our morning. It was brisk but not overly cold. There we're plenty of birds about and we especially enjoyed watching the ducks.
The sky was perfectly clear and the sun seemed to push the out of the sky and replace it with yellow.
We read the poem provided by Kaitlin, which I also enjoyed. (I wish there was more poetry in my life)
"A Morning Offering" -
John O'donohue
"I bless the night that nourished my heart
to set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.
All that is eternal in me
Welcomes the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.
I place on the alter of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Waves of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.
May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.''
I admit, I took a day off yesterday and didn't tackle any of the ideas. We did start working on a bee hive though, which would kind of qualify for one idea.
Today's idea was from Kaitlin...
''Wake up early, make some great coffee, bike to a nearby place to watch the sunrise. Read the following blessing. All with (your wife) of course!''
So we dared to try this on the morning of Day Light Savings... I admit we sat at the table the night before and discussed which hour we'd need to get up.
For future reference this date is the best for seeing the sunrise. You might 'lose' an hour but you don't have to 'get up' as early.
Anyway, we got up, made some coffee, packed some blankets and biked over to the lake. It's called Pike Lake and I like it a lot. (I hope to fish there this summer).
We sat on the bench and enjoyed our morning. It was brisk but not overly cold. There we're plenty of birds about and we especially enjoyed watching the ducks.
The sky was perfectly clear and the sun seemed to push the out of the sky and replace it with yellow.
We read the poem provided by Kaitlin, which I also enjoyed. (I wish there was more poetry in my life)
"A Morning Offering" -
John O'donohue
"I bless the night that nourished my heart
to set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.
All that is eternal in me
Welcomes the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.
I place on the alter of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Waves of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.
May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.''
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Day 9...Letters of Gratitude
Rachel's thought was for me to write four people a letter of encouragement and gratitude expressing how they have played a significant role in encouraging me toward Christ.
So I did.
I hope it is indeed an encouragement to them. I certainly am grateful for their friendships.
I love the reminder to be grateful.
Thanks Rachel.
P.S. Who would you write? Maybe decide to write a leeter to someone you are thankful for. I bet they'll be blessed.
So I did.
I hope it is indeed an encouragement to them. I certainly am grateful for their friendships.
I love the reminder to be grateful.
Thanks Rachel.
P.S. Who would you write? Maybe decide to write a leeter to someone you are thankful for. I bet they'll be blessed.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Day 8... A Talk with a Counselor
Another of Lana's ideas was to go talk with a counselor. It went ok. Nothing surprising or especially interesting. The advice was exactly what I expected.
It's tough not being understood, isn't it?
It's tough not being understood, isn't it?
Day 7.... A Letter addressed to my wife.
One of Lana's ideas for me was to write my wife a letter and mail it to her.
So I did. It was a surprise and she seemed to appreciate it. Enough said.
So I did. It was a surprise and she seemed to appreciate it. Enough said.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Day 6.... Sketching a Sketch
Jeremy, a structual engineer suggested I ''Draw/sketch/paint an interesting building or bridge'' in my area.
Although I am an awful artist I knew immediately what building I wanted to sketch. About 1/3 of a mile from our house sits an old cabin on wheels. Think covered wagon but a small 1 room school house instead. It's about the size of a hay wagon for all you farm folks. It has always intruiged me. I'd love to live in a tiny house like that for some period of time. I won't post the sketch I drew. Although I enjoyed the observation process... like I said I am no good a drawing.... I think I cried once in college when we had to do some in-class drawings.
Anyway... Jeremy, when you come to visit I'll show you my favorite structure and bridge.
Although I am an awful artist I knew immediately what building I wanted to sketch. About 1/3 of a mile from our house sits an old cabin on wheels. Think covered wagon but a small 1 room school house instead. It's about the size of a hay wagon for all you farm folks. It has always intruiged me. I'd love to live in a tiny house like that for some period of time. I won't post the sketch I drew. Although I enjoyed the observation process... like I said I am no good a drawing.... I think I cried once in college when we had to do some in-class drawings.
Anyway... Jeremy, when you come to visit I'll show you my favorite structure and bridge.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Day 5... To Ponder the Bicycle
I was immediately excited when Dan suggested I write 31 sentences about bicycles and bicycle riding.
I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the process and how difficult it would be. I only finished 21 statements but I look forward to writing the final 10 in the next 25 days.
I won't share them all but here are a few.
'Bicycle riding can be incredibly enjoyable and heart wrenchingly difficult- at times simultaneously.'
'Bicycle riding is frequently misunderstood.'
'Learning how to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage that is recognized as note worthy yet highly undervalued.'
'The joy of bicycle riding grows in proportion to the number of people riding together; the inverse is true of automobile driving.'
'I hope that bicycles are always a part of my life.'
What three sentences would you write?
If you're interested in reading all of my sentences let me know.
I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the process and how difficult it would be. I only finished 21 statements but I look forward to writing the final 10 in the next 25 days.
I won't share them all but here are a few.
'Bicycle riding can be incredibly enjoyable and heart wrenchingly difficult- at times simultaneously.'
'Bicycle riding is frequently misunderstood.'
'Learning how to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage that is recognized as note worthy yet highly undervalued.'
'The joy of bicycle riding grows in proportion to the number of people riding together; the inverse is true of automobile driving.'
'I hope that bicycles are always a part of my life.'
What three sentences would you write?
If you're interested in reading all of my sentences let me know.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Day 4....A Sun Rise
Jesse suggested a sunrise watching in Chicago over Lake Michigan.
So I took advantage of being in Chicago this past weekend and attempted a sunrise viewing.
Well....unfortunately it was overcast so I mostly watched joggers become slowly illuminated.
Rather than witnessing a lovely sunrise I learned a little bit about what it might be like to be homeless...
Knowing I'd just be sitting in the cold I bundled up in layers and wrapped a blanket around me.
I got plenty of weird looks as people drifted away from me. It was very obvious what they thought of me.
Oh well. It was a good experience.
So I took advantage of being in Chicago this past weekend and attempted a sunrise viewing.
Well....unfortunately it was overcast so I mostly watched joggers become slowly illuminated.
Rather than witnessing a lovely sunrise I learned a little bit about what it might be like to be homeless...
Knowing I'd just be sitting in the cold I bundled up in layers and wrapped a blanket around me.
I got plenty of weird looks as people drifted away from me. It was very obvious what they thought of me.
Oh well. It was a good experience.
Day 3... A Reading
Jacob, I have to say you probably gave me the easiest recommendation.... which is not a bad thing.
It only happened to be that I was already reading a book of essays by Wendell Berry.
Dear friends, if you haven't yet already read anything by this agrarian prophet please do so!
I've thoroughly enjoyed nearly everything I've read of his. These day's its a collection of his essays entitled "The Way of Ignorance".
I'm challenged, encouraged, and provoked to beneficial thoughts.
Thanks, Jacob.
Thanks Mr. Berry.
P.S. Jacob, I'll try to tackle your other suggestion too.
It only happened to be that I was already reading a book of essays by Wendell Berry.
Dear friends, if you haven't yet already read anything by this agrarian prophet please do so!
I've thoroughly enjoyed nearly everything I've read of his. These day's its a collection of his essays entitled "The Way of Ignorance".
I'm challenged, encouraged, and provoked to beneficial thoughts.
Thanks, Jacob.
Thanks Mr. Berry.
P.S. Jacob, I'll try to tackle your other suggestion too.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Day 2... A Rendezvous
Tim suggested a meet up at Rex's Rendezvous for a game of pool. We joined the Friday early evening crowd of smokers & cheap beer drinkers and waited for the table to open up. It didn't. Tim tried his hand against the previous winner so that we could play and unfortunately Tim was beat by the billiard regular.
I had to head home to start dinner for the wife so we didn't have time for a second go at it.
Tim, let's rendezvous again and give it ago. Don't forget to RSVP.
I had to head home to start dinner for the wife so we didn't have time for a second go at it.
Tim, let's rendezvous again and give it ago. Don't forget to RSVP.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Day 1...... 31 Kisses
Thanks to Rebecca ... I got to kiss my wife 31 times in thirty-one seconds.
What a way to start off the month huh??
I actually didn't know which to choose so I had my wife pick a number at random.... and guess what she picked.... yep... lucky me... 31 kisses.
She claims I didn't reach 31... Guess I'll have to try again.
What a way to start off the month huh??
I actually didn't know which to choose so I had my wife pick a number at random.... and guess what she picked.... yep... lucky me... 31 kisses.
She claims I didn't reach 31... Guess I'll have to try again.
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