Posted in music, recycling

Bent, broken, recycled?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Two music stands. Foldable, black metal. One was folded up wrong. Other than that, in good, usable condition.

I wonder how much use they got? They were purchased with an instrument and the best of intentions. Learn how to play, practice, get good, and then who knows?

Maybe they did. Maybe they got real good. Leveled up. Bought better, heavier metal music stands. Better instruments. Better gigs. A career.

A more likely scenario: a few lessons, no practice, instrument slid under the bed. Years later, someone asks, “Why do we have these music stands? can we put them out with the trash?”

Does anyone keep track of how many of these stands are sold and how many are actually used? AI claims there’s no data, but the design lends itself to ending up in the back of many closets. Until it’s carried to the curb.

I hope someone picked it up. I should have. I didn’t notice how usable they were. I could have sold it or given it to someone. I hope it didn’t end up as scrap metal in a junk yard.

Posted in animals, garden

Bunnies

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As I weeded around the palm tree in the front garden, I was startled by two small creatures who darted out from under some ornamental grass. At first, I thought they were rats. My neighbor had rats. Now they’re in my yard?

They ran out from under the grass up onto the front porch, where I saw they were baby bunnies! No bigger than an avocado, they scurried off to hide behind a vertical welcome sign by the front door. I couldn’t seem them trembling, but I know they were scared to death.

Mama bunny often scurries out of the front gardens when I come out the front door. She’s been getting braver, working her way further in to plants she finds appetizing. I saw her today, by the fence gate. Had she taught her little ones where to go, what to eat, and how to run and hide?

Posted in neighbor, neighborhood

He’s painting his windows!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s six-thirty am. It’s just light enough to see. And what I see is my favorite neighbor painting his windows. That’s right, he’s painting his windows with a very small roller and a pan of paint.

Go back and read that again. He’s painting his windows.

You’ve read about my favorite neighbor before. If not, check him out. (You know, the one who ripped out his lawn, put lights in his driveway, painted his house white, and didn’t want visitors.)

I thought I would never write about him again. What else could he do? How far could he go? What was left?

And yet here we are. He’s painting his windows!

Okay, maybe he wants more privacy. Fine. What about curtains? Too much sunlight in the morning? How about some nice blinds? Peeping Tom in the neighborhood? I doubt it. If there is, call the cops.

So there you go. Another chapter in “the most interesting neighbor” saga.

Posted in morning

Spectacular sunrise and surprisingly good service

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The morning colors were spectacular. This is why I never want to miss the sunrise. It’s only for a moment, but the images stays in my mind for a long, long time.

As we round a corner, an idling truck is parked in front of a house. It’s 6:30 am, and a cable technician in a bucket truck is waiting to fix someone’s wifi?

Customer service is a big deal. Our lives are almost dependent on wifi, the internet, and connectivity. We need it for finances, medical care, education, and entertainment. But do we need it early Sunday morning?

  • Perhaps the customer does work finance in Asia, where it’s twelve hours later. Life goes on in different parts of the world.
  • For some, internet communication is their lifeline. They aren’t alone as long as they are connected. Without a modem, a wifi hub, and a computer, the world doesn’t exist. With those things, their world comes to life.
  • I suppose it’s a terrible inconvenience for some. Caring for children or parents can be difficult without some kind of entertainment. Most are not prepared for a disconnected world.
  • Plenty of folks are selfish. They want what they want and they want it right now. Like online gaming, movies to watch, internet news. What is there besides that? Not much. (Unless you like to read, play board games, exercise, and spend time with friends and family.)

I appreciate good customer service. If the cable provider wants to cater to my urgent and selfish needs, so be it. They make it happen. They make it work.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Let’s go check it out!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash

After a forty day tour of the promised land, the spies said, “It’s wonderful and abundant. Lot’s of people live there in fortified cities.

Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:30-31).

How often do I hear someone’s good news and immediately temper it with a, “Yeah, but…” or “Well, you know…” or “If it sounds too good to be true…” I for one am an expert at deflating someone’s excitement with skepticism and cynicism. I use those exact phrases.

I’m trying not to. Enthusiasm, excitement, anticipation are good things. Let’s assume the best!

In a similar way, we envy the nice things and experiences others have. You know, it’s okay for others to have fun, adventure, possessions, and family. It’s wonderful for them to be happy and fulfilled. And we can embrace that!

Let’s wish them the best. Let’s go with the positive. Let’s go check it out!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

On fire

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning “(Numbers 9:15).

I love the image of the cloud that covered the tabernacle during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. I never thought of the fire that went along with it.

Imagine someone yelling, “The tabernacle’s on fire!” It could happen. Lamps and incense are constantly burning inside. Priests set fire to offerings and sacrifices day and night. Conditions are ripe for fire.

But this is different. Moses saw a bush on fire that wasn’t consumed. The people camped at the base of a mountain that looked like it was on fire. Now it’s the very expensive and painstakingly constructed tabernacle. God in the midst of his people is like fire. Sometimes it consumes. Sometimes it doesn’t.

The Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encountered God in a fiery furnace. They were not consumed. Elijah and Elisha saw the Lord’s horses and chariots of fire. Elijah was taken away, not consumed. When two disciples had supper with Jesus after the resurrection, their hearts burned within them, but they were not consumed.

But Nadab and Abihu were consumed when they set unauthorized incense on fire. Fire from heaven consumed Elijah’s sacrifice on Mount Carmel, along with the stones and water surrounding the altar. The heat of the fire consumed the servants who three the three men into the furnace. God’s fire consumed Job’s sheep and servants. “In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed” (Zephaniah 1:18).

Jesus was consumed with zeal for his Father’s house. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). So we don’t mess around with him. Yet his fire fills and purifies us, temples of his Spirit.

Just like the tabernacle.

Posted in dogs

Wait. What is that?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s just a dark spot barely visible at dawn in the middle of the road. But it’s different. It’s out of place. From fifty yards away, the big dog’s radar chirps and she’s on high alert. From a lazy walk to Defcon 5 in seconds. She stands up straight. Ears are up. Brow is crease. Nose is working at top speed. Tail sways. Hackles don’t go up. She saves that for other dogs.

What is it? Is it a small animal? Is it dead, or just leisurely crossing the road? Is it someone’s fast food trash bag? Or recycling that blew out of the bin? This is exciting!

I see the reality long before she does. It’s just a piece of palm tree that blew into the road during last night’s thunderstorms. It’s not till we get a few feet away that she gives up the thrill of the hunt. Her posture relaxes. Ears hang back down. She’s already looking down the road for the next target.

More specifically, she’s looking for the next bunny. She never misses one by the side of the road or on a lawn, even in the pre-dawn darkness. A pull or a pause signals she’s spotted one. The bunny sits perfectly still, as if that equates to being invisible. Spoiler: it’s not. She smells and sees them all.

She loves to follow birds and airplanes that fly overhead, too.

Even though it’s a familiar route, it’s always an adventure.

Posted in eyes, waiting

The waiting room: be thankful!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As I sat in the waiting room at the ophthalmologist for my annual appointment, I looked around and felt very young. At that moment, it seemed like everyone else there was at least twenty years older than me. Maybe they were. Maybe they weren’t. But it was definitely an older crowd.

As I sat and listened to conversations and comments, I heard many snarky, rude, and unkind comments going on all around me.

  • “They herd us in here like a barnyard.” (Not sure what he meant by that.)
  • “They don’t care how long we have to wait.” (They was five minutes after they arrived, checked in, and sat down.)
  • “Do you think the doctor’s even here? I don’t think he’s here.”
  • Her: “Did you bring your insurance card? I told you to bring your insurance card. You never bring your insurance card. Why don’t you bring your insurance card?” Him: “Is this my insurance card?”
  • “The last time I was here, I had to wait two hours. Two f****** hours.”

Nobody was happy. Everyone was outspoken about their unhappiness.

I thanked my doctor for taking good care of me. I am grateful for how my doctors saved, improved, and maintain my eyesight. For me, it’s an everyday miracle. If I have to wait a few minutes or pay a little more, its more than worth it. I can see!

Posted in zoo

A guide for the zoo

Posted on by William Douthwaite

We took three grandaughters to the Jacksonville, Florida zoo last week. Our membership got us discounted passes. The new manatee exhibit is amazing. But the thing that impressed me was the wandering zookeeper who let us know which animals were out to see.

We first walked to the tigers. One was sleeping in front of a window, the other was pacing across the way. The zookeeper pointed out the obvious: this is the male.

As we walked around the primate habitat, we saw her again, telling us, “The mandrills are out, and one of the silverback gorillas is at the base of the tree.” Sure enough, we saw all of those primates exactly where she said they would be. The silverback was only about 10 feet away. He was fascinating. He was also oblivious, chomping on some heads of lettuce.

This zoo has leveled up. Zoos are big, and you never know when your favorite animal may decide to wake up and wander close enough to see. A staff person to give you a heads up is golden. One person like that changes the whole experience.