Another Day ~ Another Viewing

Funerals seem to be the family mantra this year.  With the recent passing of Ila an entire generation of Grandmothers have passed away in our family.  It is a great loss.  I hope this is my last viewing this year.

Amanda Dickson, stanger and friend

Parleys Canyon is a steep little canyon that connect Salt Lake City to the mountain tops and Park City area.  East of Park City is a little community called Wanship.  This is the place I now call home, at least I live here.

For eight years I drove the commute down the steep and winding canyon to go to work.  Winter,spring, summer, fall and all the weather changes and beauty were just a part of the drive.

Each day I invited Grant Nielsen and Amanda Dickson into my truck to help me make it down the mountain.  They seem much more than just voices on the radio.  I listened to the news, traffic, weather and the personal stories they chose to share about their lives. No disrespect to Grant, but it was Amanda that help most, not all Grant, but most of my interest.

I became genuinely interested in what books she was reading, her family, what casserole she was going to try and found a great comfort in her voice.

On Sundays I listened to a prerecorded show that Amanda hosted “A Woman’s View”.  I would gather my hot chocolate or diet coke and head out to the truck, away from the family and distractions, to listen.

There was one show when I was angry, offended, and disappointed.  I chewed on it for a week or two and then decided Amanda needed to know I was hurt.

Odd, since she had no knowledge  that for seven years she’d been there through slippery roads, accidents, and beauty as an invited guest in my truck.

Much to my surprise she responded in a very kind manner and I turned the radio on again.

Her first book “Waking Up To a Happier Life: Finding Joy in the Work You Do Every Day.  With that book we started the “Buy it and Leave it Book Club”. When we find a book that we truly  love and see that is has value for all, each of us purchases five copies.  We write a little note where the author would normally sign and we “leave” the book somewhere.  We’ve covered the world with the books and often hear from those who have passed the book along as well.

The company I work for gave me the opportunity to take a different position that I could do from home.  My husband sighed with relief.  The daily drive worried him, sometimes, more than me.

I sent Amanda a little note.  My new schedule had me working while the show was on.  I said goodbye and told her I would listen when I had days off.

Then I saw Amanda on Twitter and she mentioned a new book was out.  I immediately went and ordered it on line and then realized that just was not good enough.  I fired up the truck and drove down Parley’s to get my copy.  I went out to the truck till it got dark and then headed home to finish the book. (I might add October is a little chilly to be reading in the truck).

The book “Change It Up! Looking Differently at the Change You Want – and the Change You Don’t” made me laugh and cry.  It’s odd, when I was reading it was her voice that spoke the words in my head and her laugh.  That has never happened to me when reading a book before.

My mother passed away this year and I even learned how to better understand the process.

Chances are I will never meet Amanda Dickson, the stranger whom I call my friend.  We don’t run in the same circles.  But she has changed my heart with her love and examples in life.

Her new book as been left on an airplane heading to Montana.  It’s been sent to a mission home somewhere in Argentina (sorry – it was not me so I don’t know the details)  My family members all now have a copy.  Next week, when we learn from other club members we’ll see where else the books have traveled.  It is fun and exciting and we have done over 30 titles now.

So why am I sharing this now?  Even if we aren’t ever going to meet and it makes no difference in the life of Amanda Dickson.  She will probably never even know this was written.  The point is this.  We are all a stranger in someone’s life and we are teaching them something.  We should be an “Amanda Dickson”.

Today I am going to take a good hard look in the mirror and decide what I am going to teach today.

Byzantine Art
In 313 AD, after hundreds of years of religious persecution, the Emperor Constantine finally recognized the Christian Church, and Byzantine art was born.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2251229/byzantine_art.html

So pathetic that one must laugh!

Why am I writing what no one reads?  Well, to be honest it was a goal.  Perhaps a very silly and unworthy goal, but a goal none the less.  So, because I am stubborn I will continue at least until I have fulfilled the promise I made to myself!

Today what is really on my mind is the whole theory of affirmations.  Honestly I have been thinking about them a lot lately.  I went searching for a list of affirmations and really I did not find many examples.

There seems to be a lot of information about the law of  attraction.  Oh wait, like maybe because I wrote that no one was reading the words that is the attraction – humm.  So exactly what can of affirmation is needed to bring  readers here to converse with?

“I am open to all types and kinds of people reading and commenting on what I write”

“There is value in what I have to say.”

“I am a better person because I learn from others.”

“I am open to happiness and change in my life.”

So please, universe, send readers with affirmations and new ideas.  Teach me.

All because there was a fly in the kitchen

Moods seem to be such a fickle thing in my life.  Today I yelled at the dog because there is a fly in the kitchen that I can not seem to get with the fly swatter.  I live in the country and flies occasionally get inside – so why the huge mood swing?

Maybe I really should wear a mood ring and see if the temperature of my hands give me any more control over my mood than my brain.

It does seem odd that maybe people with mood disorders were once just like me, but then there were six flies in the kitchen.

I tried keeping a gratitude journal I have to wonder if a mood book would help.  Do I dare ask my husband.

Moods seem pretty random.

Lee VanAmee’s Contributor Profile – Associated Content

http://www.associatedcontent.comuser/625237/lee_vanamee.html

I am a hunter.

I am a hunter.  I am not ashamed.  In fact, I take pride in being a responsible hunter.  I am part of a team of people who help ensure that animals stay wild, don’t starve to death and have livable habitat.  I am a hunter.

There are two reasons that I will kill an animal.  I will shoot to have food and I will shoot for safety.

I have a higher than average IQ.

I am not a barbarian.

Time to talk about wild life management

I am confused and perplexed about how wildlife management is completely successful and excepted when urban dwellers approve and considered deeply wrong when urban dwellers disapprove.

Looking at the proposed areas for wilderness areas and the great impact it will have on both communities and yet neither seems to be able to compromise or have a civil debate.

Recently while taking some photos of the big horn sheep placed in Utah to return them to their natural habitat, I was approached by a young man.  He said to me “Why can’t all those wolf killers come and take pictures of these sheep?”

I said nothing.  Then I looked at the dying forest because of the beetle infestation in the area and wanted to stand on a mountain top and yell – this forest will be dead within your child’s life time.  If you have any questions visit Island Park Idaho.  The dead trees couldn’t be harvested.  New ones couldn’t be planted because it was in a protected area. ~  The area they want to turn into wilderness in Montana is infested and the cycle repeats itself.

So ~ should we manage wildlife and resources ~ of course – If the world is screaming about global warming why are we willing to let forests die and by law – refuse to replant – why do we let the timber that can be used as a renewable source stand as a trophy to our stupidity?

A lot covered and not very well ~ I must be a little emotional today.

Broken chair, broken arm, broken spirit

It has been a day.  I got up, took my new medication.  Passed out and broke my chair, and arm.  Then somehow today it just kept going in downward direction.  I am hoping that tomorrow goes a little better.  I start work at 5:00 and hope to make it to at least 5:30 this time!

I am working on an article about a new song writer that I am excited about.  It is a new challenge and new challenges are good.

Maybe if I could look at today as a challenge instead of a disaster my life would be better.  I am going to need to give that some thought.

I have also been playing with the use of affirmations in my life.  So far I have not been able to get my teeth into it.  Time with tell I suppose.

13 Tips for Managing
The job of the manager consists of hiring, training and managing. Managers have a stressful, but rewarding career. They can take pride in their work and be proud of their employees. Here are a few management tips.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2176615/13_tips_for_managing.html