Out of the mouth of the dog

I don't know what happened Saturday night, but Jen was running all over, just a hootin' and ahollerin' about something. She had bought that morning a really cute hat, kind of a beret, and I must say she did look quite fetching . . . for a human and all. Anyway, I don't know if that was the cause for all the silliness. I wonder why Jen bought that hat; in fact, I wonder why humans buy any clothes at all. And not just one outfit, but they buy many clothes, and look different everyday! They also take baths just about every day. Four times a year is four times too many for me. I just don't get it. And going to a special room to answer the call of nature-don't they know how much easier it is just to squat any old place and do what you need to do? So weird!!
Anyway, my name is Rufus. I am a 20 lb. pomeranian mix (very handsome) with red hair and dark eyes. My eyes are really brought out by the black streak of hair on the side of my face. I like romantic walks to the convenience store, and laying belly-up on the couch. Check out my profile on e-harmony, or check my MySpace.

Just published in a local magazine!!!!

A friend and I headed north this past spring, driving along the beautiful Big Sur coast on CA State Hwy. 1. We enjoyed some fabulous food and spectacular scenery. We took our time getting to Big Sur, stopping first at the Santa Barbara courthouse for a panoramic view of the city from the clocktower, then on to Pismo Beach to ride ATVs, then riding horseback over the dunes in Oceano, rock-climbing in San Luis Obispo, and then enjoying the road to Big Sur. We had already had a full and fun day, so we headed home to Santa Clarita, but we could easily have extended our trip and visited the world-class aquarium in Monterey, taken in the sights at the Santa Cruz boardwalk, and even driven up to San Francisco. When one is feeling adventurous in San Francisco, there are opportunities aplenty to go and make some adventure for yourself. You can walk or bike across The Golden Gate Bridge, row a boat at the picturesque Golden Gate Park, ride a bike around the park, climb up the steps to Coit Tower and enjoy the wild parrots, and you can take great photos to remember your adventures in San Francisco.

Jen and the justice system

I've gotten summoned for jury duty. Not only do I not need to know much about the law, but I don't even need to know much English. Call me what you will, but if I am ever involved in a criminal court case, I want the 12 people deciding my fate to understand all the facts, and all the whos and whys and wherefores. I'd want my jury to speak English well. I'd want them, the people who will decide if I'll live in a jail cell, or pay a hefty fine, to understand all that is said.
I had jury duty last year. I had to get up early to drive to a train station so I could take a train into the city, where I'd have to get off and walk a mile before I got to the courthouse, where I got to sit around and wait for an hour. In those quiet times, you wonder, "Why, when I haven't done anything wrong, am I being forced to sit here and waste my day?"
My mind goes back to the day some thug stole my dad's bike. After the bike was recovered by the police, the thug who stole it was still loose, (probably stealing other people's bikes), and because of some law that I'm unfamiliar with, the police were holding my dad's bike. So my dad, who had done nothing wrong, was being punished by being unable to ride his bike because the bike was in jail while the thug who stole it was out running around.

God's kingdom on earth

The church. Separate, holy, chosen. I've begun reading the episittles to the early churches to learn how I, as a chosen member of God's ordained church, one who was chosen from eternity past, am to relate to other members of God's chosen and eternal church. I also want to learn how to relate in a loving, dignified, compassionate, God-honoring manner toward all men. The first thing I'm examining is prayer on behalf of others, especially for fellow Christians, praying always that we all will mature in the faith and in the knowledge of our God. For those who doubt, Jude says to show compassion and mercy, praying that all men would come into the marvellous and beneficial knowledge of God, and that all would be saved and be welcomed into the glorious afterlife He has prepared for those who love Him.
So, for all my fellow believers, know that I am praying on your behalf to our great God. For those of you who doubt, know also that I am praying on your behalf to my great God.

Different in dignity, at the beach

This weekend, my Sunday School group had a beach day. There were many groups of people there, gathered together for many different reasons, and as my husband and I scanned the crowd for our group, we knew just what we were looking for-a group of Christians representing Christ. We were looking for a group that would be distinct from the other groups in their conduct, speech, and dress. We quickly found our group. They were having fun, and we joined in on the fun as soon as we got settled at “camp.” Amidst the people playing Smashball, the kids running quickly into, and out of, the water, and the large and lively soccer/dodgeball game we had going, there were shrieks of laughter. Even on this day of pure fun, we realize that as Christians we represent Christ to the world-we are His ambassadors-at all times. This becomes quite evident in large crowds. Looking for our group, we knew we were looking for a group acting and playing with patience and joy. We were looking for a group who spoke kindly to one another, even in the crazy soccer game, with foul shots and missed kicks. We were looking for a group dressed with dignity, appropriately clothed for a fun day at the beach, showing modesty and dignity in all areas of conduct, speech, and dress.

Little post, big thought

Last night, I was reading John 17, and in verse 11, Jesus asks His Holy Father to proect His children. "Protect them from what?", I wondered. The answer came in verse 15, "protect them from the evil one who wants to cause disunity."

The dog gets a word in

Jen is out to lunch--literally, so I'm taking this opportunity to make my voice heard. I'm Rufus, the family dog, and true master of the house. My life here at the M house is pretty adventurous. First, there's that 80 lb. monster of a dog, Luke. He belongs to Jen's parents. He's a guide dog breeder, and since he's all "intact", he's also a show dog. His granddog won best of show, and Luke is quite stunning himself, so he's proud as a peacock. He sure cuts a fine figure, but he's still running on empty, 2 cans short of a 6-pack, one brick shy of a load. In other words, the lights are on, but nobody's home, if you know what I mean.
Then there's Ginger, Jen's sister's dog from Bigfoot territory. Ginger is a dainty little Yorkie, much closer to my own size and completely unintimidating . . . especially with the little ponytail (dogtail?) in her hair.
Jen is pretty fun, but she wears me out, what with the long hikes and short walks, and the jogging beside her recumbent trike, the kayaking, Corvette rides, baths, and for some reason she and Mr. M are always throwing soft stuff near my feet as if they expect me to bring the stuff back to them. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, DON'T THROW IT ACROSS THE ROOM AND EXPECT THE DOG TO GET IT FOR YOU!! GOSH!!!!
Also, Jen likes to have what they call kids over a lot. Sometimes they are nice and gentle, sometimes they hide my food all over the house, and sometimes they just plain wear me out, running around like chickens with their heads cut off, poking me, and yelling like Banshees.
Today, one of these kids gave me a bath. Then she and Jen chased after me with towels, trying to dry me off. Then I laid in the hammock with the kid and we read Peter Rabbit.
I think I hear Jen's car, so I'm just going to go lay on the couch and play innocent. Bye!!!

My prayer of thanksgiving

God, thank you that you are always true to your Word. You will faithfully fulfill all your promises. You have promised to provide for all the needs of your children, and not to leave us as orphans. Thank you for the special care and compassion you show for the lonely, for widows, and for orphans. Thank you for your promise to settle the barren woman in her home, and to set the lonely in families. Thank you for the instances I see of your faithful, consistent, and caring fulfillment of these promises in my life and in the lives of those I love. You have settled me very happily in my dear little home with my loving husband and our little red dog. You’ve further given me many special friends with young children, and given those friends the graciousness to “share” their children with me. Thank you for remaining faithful and true to your promises forever. Thank you for the little “family” you’ve made consisting of 3 women of different ages, from 3 different churches, with 3 different cultural backgrounds. Thank you that I can trust you to do the same for me if I’m left with an empty home. I know you’ll fill my home then, as you do now, with love and laughter.

Who goes there?? Identify yorself!!!

I just read from a very reliable source that you don't need to have a Blogger account to leave a comment. I believe that you don't even need to have a name. I'd love to know who out there in the wide world is reading my blog, and what you think of it (as long as you like it!) Please comment, even if it's only once, just to justify the time I spend on the compooper, or as many of you know it, the personal confuser. Long or short, fat or skinny, comments of all racial and religious backgrounds are greatly appreciated. Muchas gracias.

Reading friends make the best friends

I was in my dear friend's room last night, which is filled with books on theology and practical Christian living. My friend's books are well worn, underlined, and highlighted with notes on the pages. Besides the great books themselves, I love reading my friend's notes, and seeing what ideas were important enough to her to underline. This gives me a panoramic and telescopic view of her heart-her innermost thoughts, feelings, struggles, prayers, desires, loves.
A mentor of mine once said, "Show me a woman with a Bible that is falling apart, and I'll show you a woman who is not falling apart."

Illness

I have a neurological disease called spinocerebellar ataxia. My cerebellum (the bottom part of your brain that controls balance, eyesight, fine motor skills, muscle stability and speech) is closer to the size of a golf ball, when it should be the size of a tennis ball. The disease is degenerative, so it can only get worse, but the degeneration, according to several MRIs done over years, is progressing very slowly. The most obvious symptom is a tremor in my upper body. When my medicine is not working as it should, my head shakes and it can be difficult to walk. It is always difficult to handle small objects. My speech is somewhat slurred, but according to my friends, I do not sound drunk, like all the medical books say I should.
What I am learning is that God allows some things-even "bad" things-in our lives for our benefit. Because I cannot work nor have children, I am free to spend quality time with friends and family, I am able to do some nice things at home, I have plenty of time to read and pray, and I take nothing for granted; how many people really thank God when they're able to go to the grocery store, or make a smoothie, or carry a box for a friend? How many people are so happy for so long when a friend drops by?
My illness has caused me to find more joy in life, challenging myself by kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, working out, boogie boarding . . . things I might not have done otherwise.

One fateful Saturday and the following Sunday

My dearest spouse informed me Friday night that he had been looking at new cars, and that he wanted to put our faithful vehicle on the local auto fair lot first thing Saturday. So we woke early Sat. morn. (10 am), and washed ourselves and then went to get our car washed. We then took the car to the lot, but had to go home and get the spare key. We left the lot, went home and looked for the aforementioned key. Having no luck finding the key, he drove his car back to the lot while I followed in mine. We went to a hardware store and had another key made. (We later found the "lost" key in the drawer next to the one we looked in.) We took the new spare key to the lot, and as we drove up an Asian family was gathered around our car-the one sitting in the lot, for sale. Very providential, since this particular family was really impressed with the super-dooper stereo system. After playing salesman for 10 minutes, my good spouse and I went to get some food into our starving stomaches. On the way to our much needed lunch, the phone rang, my husband said, "We can be there in 6 minutes.", and we made a quick U-turn. The Asian family wanted to test drive the car. So, more waiting in the miserable heat and then a 2nd attempt to fill our bellies: burgers, soda, and a shared slice of chocolate torte (pronounced "tortie"). Then, a trip to Target for a photo album. We came home with a great photo album, plus an end table, plus a lamp. After organizing our photos and putting the end table in the right spot, we decided to look at new cars. Mr. M had already test-driven the one he liked, but he had yet to test the stereo to its full capabilities with his homemade test CD, and he needed me to come along to test the passenger seat. All went well, but a 3rd trip will be necessary before any money is exchanged. On the way home, we saw a sign for an auto show, so after making a short trip home to regroup, we decided to go to that auto show after another trip to Target for another photo album and a quick dinner. After running our last errands, the temperature had cooled to a crisp 95 degrees, so we had a nice time walking around at the car show, looking at the cool cars as the sun was setting. Finally, the time came to end our full day, and go home to sleep, perchance to dream. (The photo album turned out really well, and looks great on the new table.)
God showed His kindness and goodness to us in forcing my carless husband to drive my truck to church, allowing us to help my friend move. AND, on the way home from my friend's new home, we got a call from a lady who wants to pay cash for the car!!! We plan to celebrate by going to a "3rd Heaven" concert in the O.C.

Home Sweet Home

Wow! What a vacation! Well, the first and foremost amazing and wonderfully gratifying and overwhelming thing that happened was that my very dear travelling companion and friend made a CD for me. Each day was chock full of adventures, which I can no more recount than can a librarian recount all the books he/she has read. Highlights, we shared a pot of tea eveyday at a quaint little coffeeshop where we met and conversed with a local patron who was there every time we were. This nice man pointed us in the direction of a great hiking spot, so we spontaneously went for a long and exhausting hike at his recommendation. (It was more than worth every branch we tripped on and leaf we got in our hair.) To recover from that long and exhausting hike in the mountains, we went paddleboating at the park. One day, we found a great tidepool at the beach, after doing some death-defying rock climbing to get there. Despite the clouds and wind, we couldn't resist a dip in the motel pool. (After all, we DID pay for it!) Being people alive on the 4th of July, of course we saw a fireworks show or 5. We had a great view of several shows all along the coast.
One very prevalent theme of our little vacation was prayer and Bible reading. My friend and I prayed separately and we prayed together, we read the Bible, we read a book on prayer, and we wrote in our journals. And photos . . . we took hundreds of photos. We had an amazing vacation, and thank God for His kindness in allowing it.