Despotism, Anarchy, or Free Will

I don't like to be forced.
I don't like to be pushed into something.
I don't like being pressured into an involuntary situation.

Many places in this world are ruled by tyrants and despots. The inhabitants of these areas don't only have rules and regulations which are necessary to keep order; they are not influenced and guided; they are forced and manipulated.

I don't like anarchy either. Laws of the country are necessary for order and balance. Guidelines and instructions in a work place, an organization, and even in a home are there for our safety. Religious commandments work the same way, they keep us dedicated and safe.

So what do I like?

I am all for free agency.
I like the words freedom, choice, and free will.

Our 4 yo munchkin, Emma, weighs only a few pounds but has the will of ten strong bulls. You don't pick her on the nose. When she says, "I will what I will" - we listen. We may smile a little, but we hear what she is saying.

Being able to choose is a gift. Learning about consequences is important. There are obvious oppositions in all things in this world. Without that, how could we learn to choose right from wrong? How could we know when we have made a wrong choice?

Little Red Ridinghood's scary experience with wondering why her grandmother had such large ears, eyes, and mouth seem ridiculous and obvious as we read the fairy tale. She must have seen that it was a wolf and not the grandmother, but think about it; making choices in real life is not always that easy, is it?

One thing I do though, I force myself outside my comfort zone. It is so uncomfortable, so difficult, but sometimes necessary for growth and learning. Besides, it's me forcing . . . well, myself, and I know I may change my mind if I want to.

Today's water color is a peaceful nature picture.

Everyday Miracles

Everyday miracles happen every day. I believe there are many opinions as to what a miracle is, who brings it about, and who is blessed with experiencing one.

In our family we witnessed a miracle yesterday. A new little munchkin was born into the family. She is beautiful, sweet, and just right. For three and a half days she struggled to come into this world to be with her expecting, loving parents. If that's not a miracle, what is?

I believe that miracles happen all around us. We are guilty of not seeing them, not noticing their presence, not understanding where they come from.

Checking the Internet I read that a miracle is a supernatural event, a divine event not ascribable to human power, but attributed to saints and religious leaders. What do you think? Do you observe and notice miracles in your life? On a Wednesday? Or Thursday? Even without a saint or religious leader present?

If we can develop thankfulness and humility, if we observe divine care and believe in a God who knows who we are, if we take time to smell the flowers - then we may be more open to discover miracles in our daily lives.

In the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905 (book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Brock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick), the Jewish milkman, Tevje's oldest daughter, Tzeitel, falls in love with Motel, a poor tailor. Motel is overjoyed and energetically sings the following song to his beloved, believing it to be a miracle that God has brought them together.

Lyrics to Wonder Of Wonders :

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
God took up Daniel once again,
Stood by his and side and- miracle of miracles-
Walked him through the lions den!

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
I was afraid that God would frown,
But like he did so long ago, at Jericho,
God just made a wall fall down!
When Moses softened Pharaohs heart, that was a miracle.
When God made the waters of the red sea part, that was a miracle too!
But of all God's miracles large and small,
The most miraculous one of all
Is that out of a worthless lump of clay,
God has made a man today.

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
God took the tailor by the hand
Turned him around and- miracle of miracles- Led him to the promised land!

When David slew Goliath (yes!), that was a miracle.
When God gave us matter in the wilderness, that was a miracle too.
But of all God's miracles large and small,
The most miraculous one of all
Is the one I thought could never be:
God has given you to me.

Love is definitely a miracle.
Today's water color shows the wonder of our beautiful nature.

The Hotel "Looby" and Other Funny Places

Arnfinn and I will forever call a hotel lobby "the LOOBY" after seeing it spelled this way on a sign at a beautiful hotel in Israel. Signs in different countries are often funny and enlightening if you take the time to look at them. I admire people for learning different languages, but sometimes I wonder if they consult a second reader and spell-checker before they have a sign made at a print shop.

I always look for interesting signs posted here and there. At our recent visit to Amish areas in the USA I found many hand written signs. I like their down to earth informative and amusing way of writing things.

Same with a cult restaurant in Oklahoma called Meers. We went to this hole-in-the-wall hamburger place in the boonies. Cats were everywhere outside, the floors were crooked and lemonade was served in canning jars. But the hamburgers - wow, great tasting meat and a fun atmosphere. 

Their signs were funny. Like always I got my camera out and took photos of the signs. Oh, well, we all have strange things we like to do on vacation.

Below is a list found online, proof that I am not the only one who notices funny sounding sentences posted around the world.

Enjoy!

At a Budapest zoo:
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD, GIVE IT TO THE GUARD ON DUTY.

Cocktail lounge, Norway:
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.

Doctor's office, Rome:
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.

Hotel, Acapulco:
THE MANAGER HAS PERSONALLY PASSED ALL THE WATER SERVED HERE.

Car rental brochure, Tokyo:
WHEN PASSENGER OF FOOT HEAVE IN SIGHT, TOOTLE THE HORN. TRUMPET HIM MELODIOUSLY AT FIRST, BUT IF HE STILL OBSTACLES YOUR PASSAGE THEN TOOTLE HIM WITH VIGOUR.

In a Nairobi restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.

On the grounds of a private school:
NO TRESPASSING WITHOUT PERMISSION.

On a poster in New York:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP.

In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKENDS TOO.

A sign seen on an automatic restroom hand dryer:
DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH WET HANDS.

In a Indian maternity ward:
NO CHILDREN ALLOWED.

In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN EVEN A FOREIGNER IF DRESSED AS A MAN.

Hotel room notice, Thailand:
PLEASE DO NOT BRING SOLICITORS INTO YOUR ROOM.

Hotel brochure, Italy:
THIS HOTEL IS RENOWNED FOR ITS PEACE AND SOLITUDE. IN FACT, CROWDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD FLOCK HERE TO ENJOY ITS SOLITUDE.

Hotel lobby, Romania:
THE LIFT IS BEING FIXED FOR THE NEXT DAY. DURING THAT TIME WE REGRET THAT YOU WILL BE UNBEARABLE.

Hotel, Yugoslavia:
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

Hotel, Japan:
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.

Taken from a menu, Poland:
SALAD A FIRM'S OWN MAKE; LIMPID RED BEET SOUP WITH CHEESY DUMPLINGS IN THE FORM OF A FINGER; ROASTED DUCK LET LOOSE; BEEF RASHERS BEATEN IN THE COUNTRY PEOPLE'S FASHION.

Supermarket, Hong Kong:
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE RECOMMEND COURTEOUS, EFFICIENT SELF-SERVICE.

In an East African newspaper:
A NEW SWIMMING POOL IS RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE SINCE THE CONTRACTORS HAVE THROWN IN THE BULK OF THEIR WORKERS.

Hotel, Vienna:
IN CASE OF FIRE, DO YOUR UTMOST TO ALARM THE HOTEL PORTER.

A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.

Hotel, Zurich:
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

An advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist:
TEETH EXTRACTED BY THE LATEST METHODISTS.

A laundry in Rome:
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.

Tourist agency, former Czechoslovakia:
TAKE ONE OF OUR HORSE-DRIVEN CITY TOURS. WE GUARANTEE NO MISCARRIAGES.

The box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong:
GUARANTEED TO WORK THROUGHOUT ITS USEFUL LIFE.

In a Swiss mountain inn:
SPECIAL TODAY - NO ICE-CREAM.

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

Could I be Amish?

I have thought about it? Could I be part of a special society, a certain religion, a secret undercover group, a following fighting for distinctive rights, a anthropological gathering in a remote mountain area. Yes, certainly. I could be many things. But what I have chosen so far in my life is what I am now.

When I was a young teenager I wondered what it would be like to be a nun. I was a thinker. I read Scriptures and good books. My teacher at school probably wondered what I was reading. She let me know I needed to lighten up the way I wrote my essays. It was probably affected by heavy reading and became old fashioned and did not sound like a young girl's writing.

I am fascinated by people who dare to live a life they choose. I admire them even though I may not always agree. I have a daughter who fights for people's right to have food and housing. She fights for freedom and for the right to choose. I admire her for her bravery and stamina. For a long time she spent a day each week cooking for the homeless and the poor. Fruits and vegetables and other food items were collected the day before from various friendly grocery stores and she spent all day cooking a vegan buffet - all you can eat for almost no money. Arnfinn and I visited her at the localities she cooked at; a large kitchen and eating room lent to her and her friends by the local police. I helped her collect boxes of food from the stores and we ate her delicious food.

I admire those who dedicate their lives to their neighbors; those who give freely of themselves, those who spend hours and days taking care of the less fortunate, the downtrodden. I look up to people who spend their lives making this world a better place for those around them. These are God's children who understand what charity is all about.

I have made choices in my life. I am part of something big, a faith, a way of living that makes me happy, and a trust in God that makes me feel loved and safe. I can understand the Amish. I can relate to monks and nuns. I get it that a person would go outside their comfort zone to help someone in need. A profession like Médicins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders could be something I would go for had I not had an enormous family at home to take care of. That or maybe another humanitarian aid organization.

And I am grateful for the many great examples out there. I am uplifted to know there is still much goodness in the world.

Arnfinn and I just visited Jamesport, Missouri - a quaint little Amish town. At a flower auction held by the local Amish community I spoke with an elderly man who asked if I was Heidi from the book (by Johanna Spyri). I told him I was. He then proceeded to speak in the language of the Amish to see if I could understand. I think he was really surprised when I could understand what he was saying.

Photos from our visit and one of my water colors of an Amish place.

Procrastination My Foot

Yes, I know. My poor, dear readers haven't heard from me for several weeks. I have been living out of a suitcase in different hotel rooms. Writing blogs have been put off due to lack of computer, time, organization . . . excuse, excuse . . .
So I have returned to the old country. Here at home the dryer is now broken, the printer refuses to speak to my computer, and to top it off the over-worked dish washer has finally gone the way of all the world. Today I am rescuing the old, faithful dishwasher for dirty dishes and doing them by hand. The counter is full of them, spread out to dry.

The love of my life reminded me of the word procrastination when I tearfully emptied my heart to him, feeling all sorry for myself yesterday. Oh, such a negative word, but one that rings true now and again, especially on days crammed with unfinished projects, broken machines, and too many things on the to-do lists.

I must admit that there are days when the chores and obligations are overwhelming that I feel like putting them all in a box and shipping them off to Timbuktu. But fortunately Arnfinn is good at pushing me in the right direction.

I know I always write pretty words about how beautiful spring is, but this time of year also means hours of gardening and cleaning up. Monday we worked together in the garden all day. Working together to get things in order is bonding, pleasant and fulfilling.

So, Heidi, up and jump. Projects are not living, walking, breathing things. You have to take hold of them, work with them, and often, carry them along. But so much happier I will be at the end of the day.