Category Archives: Life Notes

Pondering Skills

Charecteristics, Life Notes, My Life, Thought, , ,

I have been pondering my “skills” as of late. I have been pondering my “value” also. I have grown up around people with many skills and talents who have gladly shared their knowledge with me.

In my “single digit” years, I learned to crochet, cook, sew, and a few “crafty” things. My grannie, mother, and aunt taught me how to crochet. My grannie, mother, a very animated Italian grandmother, and my “unofficially adopted” Grandma Leddie taught me all sorts of things about food and cooking. We usually had a garden, so I learned gardening skills. Various family members have numerous “crafty” skills … including woodworking.

Many family members have, for all my life, have always had Labradors and fish tanks. Yep, I learned a great deal about having fish. And, naturally, I have a STRONG love for Labs. OH, and cats, yeah, we have always had cats. I LOVE cats. Recently, I had as many as 7 cats .. yes, at one time. I love animals.

Pictures. I LOVE taking pictures. Ansel Adams is my “photographic” idol. (Yeah, that was cheesy.) I have watched numerous videos. I have followed many actual photographers (not on Facebook, actually followed them in person.) I have a couple very nice cameras. For a number of years, I was Superintendent of the Photography Department of the West Tennessee State Fair. (This was NOT a small task.) I chatted with a internationally known photographer about what I could learn from him … he looked at me and laughed … He said, “William, you could teach my classes for me.”

Yesterday, someone yanked a cellphone out of my hand while making a snide comment, ”Here, let someone who knows how to take a picture do it.” (No, I did not hit him.) THIS is where my deep pondering started. An internationally known photographer, in his way, pointed out my photography skills. I have, over the years, had quite the exchange with various photographers. I even started a photo blog many years ago. Granted, that blog stalled … I need to recharge it.

Moving on

I started in college working with computers as a Lab Tech. I have worked many years in Information Technology. I have taught basic computer skills and MS Office usage in the corporate setting.

I am a trained cake decorator. I was, more than once, asked to teach the Wilton classes. (I declined each time. I just did not have an interest in teaching those classes.) I have catered numerous events. I have made a few wedding cakes. I do love baking and creating.

As for catering, there is that. In addition to cakes and food, I love decorating and arranging. Arranging .. I have been professionally trained in making floral arrangements. Prior to my “training” I did it as a hobby. I made all the arrangements for my wedding (yes, including the bridal bouquet). I have made the arrangements for multiple weddings (not just the cakes).

I was a Pampered Chef Consultant. I thoroughly enjoyed taking about food and cooking with people. I was a Creative Memories Consultant. Scrapbooking and card making are also joys of mine. Yes, I love “creating” things. There is even painting … but I won’t go into that right now.

I was a Youth Minister. I have taught children of various ages … Birth to college age. I have also been “The A/V Guy” in a few churches. (Oh, yeah, I have a strange love for creating video presentations.)

I have taught ASL (American Sign Language) to a few different adult groups over the years.

I was a P.A.T.H (Parents As Tender Healers) trainer for a few years also. This was the required class for all prospective resource (adoptive/foster) parents in the State of Tennessee. This was very much no small task.

I have been a server at various establishments in my lifetime. A pizza parlor started it for me in college. There was Raferty’s and Olive Garden as well.

SOOO. I love to cook, create, talk, make, talk, teach, help, share ….

Much to ponder ……..

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Sitting On The Kitchen Floor

Life Notes, My Life, Thought, ,

I am sitting on the kitchen floor with my back against the cabinets looking out the window. It’s an interesting perspective. Watching the wind blow the leaves in the trees. Seeing how the sunlight dances on the leaves. The occasional “helicopter” fluttering down to the ground. In addition to the music I have playing in the other room, there’s the sound of the neighborhood as the windows are open. I hear dogs barking in the distance. I hear cars passing by. I hear children laughing occasionally. My Zack is sitting here in front of me on the floor looking out the window as well. Zack has always been our protector. He’s a wonderful fur baby. It’s such a beautiful weather day. Pondering the various aspects of the roller coaster life I have lived … I know God has blessed us and tremendous ways.

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Broken Road

Charecteristics, Life Notes, Thought, ,

For many of us .. Life is a broken road.

There are twists, turns, bumps, holes, obstacles, and storms along the way. What we set our sights upon may not be the destination we are meant to reach.

Walking barefoot on a broken road is often painful. Many times, we don’t see the beauty along the path.

Detours that annoy us often keep us from greater dangers we never see. Forks in the road disrupt our intentions/plans. Each step we take .. Each path we follow .. Each adventure we live .. shapes who we are and prepares us for what we are created to do.

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The Path

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You are out for a walk. You see an interesting trail you have not taken before. Why not? You follow the new trail. This is new territory for you. You do not know what you will find. You do know the area, so you are pretty certain you won’t encounter any “wild” animals. Along the way, you step on a few rocks. You stumbled over a tree root. The occasional tree branch and bug finds your face. The humidity might be getting to you. Since this is not your planned route, you did not bring a water bottle.

Marty was soo excited to become a father. He read all sort of books. He was ready. He had everything worked out. The first week was different. The lack of sleep was not so bad. The first year was longer than he thought it would be. The second year was longer. Stepping on Legos in the middle of the night was rough. OH MY WORD! Potty Training! Sleepless nights were less often but still happened. The nightmares and the rocking back to sleep. Where did THAT attitude come from?!?! Wait, I can’t be at the ballgame and work at the same time! PUBERTY! DRIVING!

John was finally getting set into his new job. He liked the people. He enjoyed his job. The insurance was good. The benefits were good. He had his family taken care of. What do you mean my wife is sick? What happened? What do you mean her organs are shutting down? What is going on? How can I live without her? How am I going to tell our son? WHAT AM I GOING TO TELL OUR SON?!?! What am I supposed to do?

Every single person on this planet has a path. Some may choose to simply sit down and refuse to move. Some may be so focused on the path; they don’t see the surroundings. Some people dread the path.
There will be times for all of us when we come to a “fork” in the path. Sometimes, it may just be a 2-prong fork. Sometimes, I may be a 5-prong fork. Some people fall apart at the fork. Some people just keep walking down a path without hesitation. Some people “try” to follow multiple pathways at the same time.
There will be twists, turns, bumps, rocks, bugs, LEGOS, hurts, joys, sorrows, ups, downs, great days, horrible days, okay days ….

If you let fear keep you from going down your path, you won’t see the amazing scenery along the way.

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