Category Archives: Thought

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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We could learn a great deal from observing the weather

Charecteristics, Community, Relationships, Thought, , , ,

As I stand in my kitchen watching the snow fall outside, I think about how beautiful it is. Pure white snow falling … blanketing the landscape. I remember many moments from my childhood … playing in the snow. I smile. Then, my adult brain jumps to the need to shovel the sidewalk and clean off the vehicle. I start to ponder the condition of the roads as the wet snow accumulates and the temperature drops.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

There are millions of people who have never, nor will ever see snow. They may live in regions that do not get cold, let alone cold enough to snow. There are many who live in regions who will never see a hurricane. Some regions rarely get rain.

Let us ponder rain. There are regions of this world where people die from lack of access to clean water. They are in desperate need of rain. There are regions of this world where heavy rains are common. There are areas that experience devastating flooding. Hurricanes have ravaged many lands. A springtime rain shower is rejoiced in some regions. The thought of rain is often dreaded in some areas of our world.

Rain, the thought of, sight of, mention of can invoke an extremely wide range of emotions in many … depending on where they live.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

Let us ponder snow. Snow acts as a blanket for the ground and causes the ground to freeze thus killing wintering insects, their eggs and larvae plus slowing down noxious weed populations. Rain is great, but snow is heavy and soaks deep into the ground and adds nitrogen and trace nutrients to the soil. We cannot overlook the childlike wonder involved with playing in the snow. Likewise, extreme amounts of snow can cause tremendous problems … blocking roadways, trapping people in their homes, bringing down trees and powerlines, freezing water pipes, just to name a few problems. Snow, the thought of, sight of, mention of can invoke an extremely wide range of emotions in many … depending on where they live.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

Lack of a weather element can lead to problems. Excessive occurrences of a weather element can lead to problems. Just like weather elements, a person’s emotions in excess or lack thereof can lead to problems. We cannot control the weather. We can, however, control our emotions.

You may be the only sunshine a frozen heart receives today. You may be the only shelter a battered soul receives today. Keep in mind that “a little goes a long way”. Being encouragement for someone does not mean you have to flood them with all your “insights”.

We could learn a great deal from observing the weather.

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My Checkup

Health/Fitness, My Life, Thought, , , , , ,

It is not common knowledge of what occurred 2 years ago in my life. I do not broadcast my personal life to the world. My doctor noticed some “not normal” things at my yearly checkup. Some “levels” were off in my blood work. That led to me visiting a doctor at the Kirkland Cancer Center. Take a moment to process THAT one. The doctor there noticed some “not normal” things in their blood work as well. I then had a bone marrow biopsy done. PAINFUL. For the first year, I had regular visits and blood work done. Each time, things seemed “okay”.

Today, I went for a 1 year checkup .. Okay, 2 years from the first visit .. I feel fine. The results were clear. I have nothing to worry about.

I am sooo full of emotions.

Today, the clinic was full. Many different people at different levels/stages of various “illnesses”. Some … Some clearly have been in some harsh battles. I am overjoyed that I did not have to schedule any more visits at the Kirkland Cancer Center. I am overjoyed that I am “healthy”. I also feel some guilt … for “being” healthy. I know, to some, that sounds crazy. I know many people who have not been able to say those words. I am blessed. I am very blessed. I know that God has a purpose and a plan for me. I am still a dad to a … get this … ALMOST 18-year-old … yeah, let THAT sink in.

I could ramble on about other things that would only fill up space and “beat a dead horse”, as the phrase goes. I have shared what I feel led to share.

God is THE God of Love..