Date Night

I stylized this photo, of a garden wind mill, that I took in Palm Desert.

We awoke Saturday morning to a radio talk show and they were interviewing a speech therapist who had just seen the movie "The King's Speech". She was so full of praise for the accuracy of this true story that we thought we would check out. It is the story of King George VI (Father of present day Queen Elizabeth) who took the throne of England just prior to WWII. He was a stutterer from childhood and after many futile attempts to find a speech therapist who could help him, he found 'Lionel'. They became friends and the movie climaxes as King George gives his famous speech announcing that Great Britain was at war with Germany, hesitatingly, but nevertheless capturing the hearts of his subjects. Brilliant acting and knowing this is a true story makes for a fascinating movie.

I went to school with a beautiful girl who stuttered so bad she could, for all intents and purposes, not speak at all. But when she sang, it was stunning. The music flowed from her voice and her soul. I do not how historically accurate it is, but King George did not stutter when he sang and when he swore. This makes for some amusing moments in the story, but you may want to plug your

ears. :)

Oh, and bring Kleenex.

Winter Doldrums

We do not realize what we have until we are deprived of it for a while. I am talking about our gloomy weather. Are the days really getting longer? Can't really tell with all the heavy overcast. Is there really a sun? Can't tell. Have not seen it but for an hour or two since we returned from sunny southern California. 

I missed 'garbage day' yesterday. The garbage truck comes down our street first thing, around 7 am. I heard it just as the radio alarm went off. By the time I get some pants on and race out to the street, trash cans in hand, it is too late by about 100 feet. The driver is not a compassionate man so he will not let me run to catch up nor will he back up. I know what the problem is. We were on a 'Tuesday garbage day' routine in Palm Desert. It was always on a Tuesday. It did not matter what the holiday was or where it fell on the calendar, it was always on Tuesday. There is a conspiracy here to reduce garbage by confusing the homeowner with a constantly changing garbage day. At least it is working at my house. I am owed a discount for all the times they did not have to pick up my garbage because it was still sitting beside my house. 

I looked in the mirror this morning and noticed my tan is all but gone. I am turning pasty white like everyone else. My new beard stood out so nicely against the golden brown skin, a result of hours of hiking in the desert. Now, white on white is just not doing it for me. I will keep it though. It is like wearing a warm scarf when I step out into the cold, damp, dark, gloomy, depressing, oppressive, winter air. I am in the winter doldrums. Somebody turn on some lights. Please!     

A Flower Taken

It was one week ago yesterday that my friend buried "The most amazing woman."

We knew Vic and Marie very casually for a few years and then in 2006 they invited us to come to Palm Springs with them and spend two weeks in their rented condo. We  must have been a bit of a disappointment for them because I was laid low with recovery from surgery and neither of us are tennis players. Somehow we overcame those obstacles and become very good friends through a lot of sharing and good conversation. You cannot help but get to know someone when you live under the same roof for two weeks. When we got back, we remained friends and got together regularly. One thing that always struck me was the way Vic would say what an amazing woman Marie was. I gradually began to understand why, as did busylizzy who became quite close to Marie. 

At her memorial, some themes were repeated that we already knew. What you saw was what you got with Marie. Marie was 'low maintainance'. Marie's faith was strong and she lived it out. Marie was close to the Lord. 

The day before we left for Palm Desert was the last time I spoke to Marie. She phoned me to tell us to have a good time, and a relaxing time. She was so full of encouragement I could hardly get in the words I wanted to speak to her. I suspected it might be the last time I would speak to her so I thanked her and Vic for helping us discover the Palm Springs area and reminded her of all the good times we had there. I told her what a great encourager she was and how her positive spirit always lifted us up. I told her we would be praying for her. 

A few days before we came home, she passed away from this world into the arms of Jesus, her Saviour. 

Yesterday I spent a few hours with Vic. I had not seen him since the memorial and was expecting to see a shell of a man. But what a difference a strong marriage and a strong faith makes in a man's life. He has plans and dreams and always has been a man of action with more than enough energy. 

What he has left is a very wonderful and supportive family but the memories of his "most amazing woman" will carry him through.    

Sticking My Neck Out

In my dealings with my customers, I have to fight the urge to work on assumptions and I have to constrain myself from calling when they said that they would call. I dislike pushing myself on people so I tend to work with their agendas and time tables. I also dislike unfinished business so you can see how a job that is hanging over my head for that long would disturb me. 

One year ago we had to interrupt a wallpaper installation for a variety of reasons, one of which was my fault. More material had to be ordered, so, the customer said she would call when it had arrived. Having a job on the back burner for one year is highly unusual and it bugged me. But, she said she would call and I took her at her word. Besides, I knew that her powder room was incomplete, she would not hang the paper herself, and it would eventually bother her enough to get me back. It happened yesterday and we finally completed the job and billed her for not only yesterday's work but for the other work we did one year ago. She was very apologetic and I felt a bit bad as I could easily have initiated the completion had I been a bit pushy. But, I was not, and I feel better for it.

I have always found that trusting people results in them trusting me. Trust is not something you can buy or sell, but is earned. This couple has a large and successful home construction business and she assured us that there was more work coming in the near future.    

Cactus 3

I think you get the picture now. There an infinite variety of these thorny plants in the desert. Many time I wanted to reach out and test the texture with my hand and fingers, but, some of these thorns have barbs that will not release from the skin and then begin to fester. So I looked, but did not touch.

Cactus 2

I have only encountered cactus in two places in our province but when travelling in the desert, it is everywhere. It takes many forms but all of them are nasty. Whether in the garden, in the wild, or in the parks, these plants are rarely vandalized. The price one pays for messing with one of these is too high. Even the Yucca above, which, I suppose, is not a cactus, has very dangerous spines with sharp edges and points. Cacti make great refuges for all sort of birds and other critters.

If you come from rain forest country, as I do, there is an attractive beauty to these desert plants because they take on so many different shapes, sizes and colours. We have been in this desert in spring and that is when the cacti really shine with their various buds, blossoms, and fruit.

I have some more unique and interesting cacti to show you tomorrow.

Cactus