Grandpa Gary's Grab Bag

Time brings changes, part 2

2012-01-25T09:51:00.003-06:00

Heather made reference, in a comment, to a fine lady to whom time has brought change. Those of us who knew Frances, and there have been many, have enjoyed her. But we have also ached for her in these last years as her health failed and she was so weak. In spite of that, her spirit remained strong and she continued her labors when it seemed she wasn't able. I think we all felt it was best when she finally stepped aside. As Heather said, we would like to keep her with us to continue to enjoy her presence, but she has achieved what she has has spent so many years living for, she is now home. So Frances, thank you for your spirit, your life's dedication, your labors in our field and your time in our home.

Frances

1932 - 2012

Time brings changes

2012-01-23T10:06:00.005-06:00

We all know that with time there are changes. Some of those changes we like, some we don't. Of those we don't, some we just simply accept, and others we very grudgingly accept, if at all. There is a change that I HAVE to accept, but I don't like it one bit! There is a family that suddenly appeared about 8 years ago, that has come to mean a lot to the folks in this area. BUT... they are moving away! :( He is originally from Canada and he would like to be closer to his folks in their declining years, but mostly he has a job opportunity that he doesn't want to pass up, so they are moving this week to Canada, about 9 hours away. They are leaving a huge hole and will be missed, but they are leaving us with wonderful memories, and invitations to visit them!

So Darla, if you read this, yes, we will all miss you lots, but really do wish your family the best in your new venture. I hope you find much joy in your new life and that the change is actually for the better.

One thing about change is that we usually judge it by how it affects us personally. But sometimes we need to realize that maybe we are just a bystander and that the change is a benefit to someone else. And even though we don't like it, we need to be willing for it because of what it means to the other person, and even encourage them in that experience. A change can be a benefit in a lot of ways, and maybe that person is benefited by the change in ways we don't know. I've seen difficult situations as a result of change, that then resulted in spiritual benefit. So it is wrong to discourage someone just because the change is not to our liking, when in fact it is to the benefit that person.

What a difference a year makes!

2012-01-20T08:54:00.002-06:00

A little over thirteen months ago we were looking at this, 18" of fresh fallen snow.

Yesterday I took this picture, also from the living room window. It looks like it could be the first dusting in November, not mid January. Farmers are starting to be concerned about winter kill of hay fields due to lack of snow cover.

Can you believe it?!?

2012-01-19T01:15:00.001-06:00

I actually never thought I’d see the day… the day that a post appeared again on this blog. I walked away with no intention of ever looking back. I did not miss it. The only thing I ever missed was posting. Every once in a while I would see something to take a picture of and then think “what for? I don’t have a blog to post it on.” Or I would think of a story or a joke I could have posted. But mostly, I just plum didn’t miss it. In fact, I have seldom looked at other blogs other than Neisha’s and Mindy’s. So why am I back? Good question, because the same problems exist that drove me away in the first place. Two words describe the problems with blogs: Face Book! In this day and age, everyone wants instant gratification. You don’t get that with blogs. It actually is possible to have a ‘conversation’ on a blog. But people don’t use them that way, they would rather use Face Book for that, and granted, it does work better. But, of course, it also lets idiots out of the woodwork. In spite of its flaws, flaws created by Face Book its self and some users, people spend more and more time with FB and less and less time with blogs. That is proven by the fact that when I still had my blog, during the first half of 2011, whenever I would post I would get about 80 visitors the first day but I would be lucky to get more than 3 comments, if that. “Well, I really don’t have time”. Huh? You got time to spend ½ hour or more on FB, but don’t have 15 seconds to leave a comment on a blog? I saw a drastic decrease in comments, not only on my blog, but also on others. On top of that, on most of the blogs I visited, whether regular or seldom, the bloggers posted less and less, like a fraction of what they did a couple years ago. Instead of 3 – 5 times per week, seldom more than twice per month! This is not true of all, but most. So again, why am I back? I just really can’t say, I just don’t know. Probably because I keep thinking of stories I would like to write and with a blog it is easier to sit down and do it. I haven’t written a poem since I shut down my blog last July. Some may say that is a good thing. Will I ever again? Who knows. But… here I are, for better or for worse. For how long? Who knows. Will I regret starting it up again? Probably, I did after last time I restarted. Now I will have to return the favor and start visiting the blogs of others that I haven’t been to for a while, and even, heaven forbid, leave a comment! Oh mercy, how will I ever have the time? Oh… yeah… I don’t have FACE BOOK! So… welcome back to the returning visitors and welcome to new visitors and thank you all for your comments. I will try to be entertaining enough that you will continue visiting and be inspired to comment.