Friday, February 7, 2014

February 7, 2014 Friday!

Aerobics with Kathy Smith.  Still tired from all the snow shoveling and dancing.  I was reading in a magazine how important yoga is to keep your joints and muscles from getting old and not moving the way we want them to, even to brushing your teeth later on in life.  I don't know about you, but I have to keep brushing my teeth.


Judges chapter 3 - Othniel does not come immediately to mind. Or not at all.  He was a judge in Israel that broke the slavery the Israelites were in under Cushan-Rishathaim for 8 years.  He doesn't sound familiar either.  The important thing to remember here, the study writer says, is that God uses people to do wonderful, heroic things for his people.  The glory goes to God.  Maybe he has used you to do some wonderful thing for someone, we need to tell them it was God acting through us.


2000 - On this day, the company accountant came in.  This guy was so kind and helpful and a good Christian.  He shared his faith with me because he knew I try to be as well.  Over the 19+ years that I worked with this guy I thought he was great.  When I was retired I discovered different and was terribly disappointed in the way he handled the situation.  I try to remind myself that he worked for the company.  The bosses behavior didn't surprise me, but I thought better of the accountant.  I guess end of job options are never easy.


Parenting - On this day, also, my daughters girlfriend is mentioned. They were best friends since kindergarten.  That friend had a sex change operation and is now an exceptional young man, married to a girl that has two boys from a previous marriage.  It is almost like remembering two different people, that are equally wonderful, but they are the same person that has created a life that fits them better.  I believe that these are also free will choices that God has given us the ability to make.


Book club - Ok this book is called The Nine - Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court. by Jeffrey Toobin.  This might not be my choice of reading material but I am going to challenge myself.


Wyoming, Jackson City:  interesting place to visit I think, have you been there?
Jackson Hole was originally populated by Native American tribes including the Shoshoni, Crow, Blackfeet, Bannock, and Gros Ventre. John Colter entered Jackson Hole during the winter of 1807/1808 during the return journey of the Lewis & Clark expedition. The area became a prime area for trappers and many famous mountain men traveled through the area in the early 1800s. These mountain men are responsible for many of the names in the valley including Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and Sublette. David Jackson gave his name to the valley after a winter spent on the shores of Jackson Lake.
As part of the Hayden Expedition of 1871 and 1872, William Henry Jackson took the first photographs of the Teton Mountains and Yellowstone. His photographs, along with the sketches by Tom Moran, were important evidence to convince Congress to protect Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park became the first National Park in 1872. Grand Teton National Park was created in 1920 and greatly expanded in 1950 through the generous efforts of John D. Rockefeller, who purchased and then donated over 30,000 acres.
The Town of Jackson was named in 1894. Some of the early buildings remain and can be found throughout the area of the Town Square. The Town of Jackson elected the first all-woman city council in 1920.
The first ski town was built at Teton Pass in 1937 and Snow King Resort was established in 1930. Teton County now boasts three excellent ski areas including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, Grand Targhee Ski and Summer Resort located on the West slope of the Tetons, and Snow King Resort.
The Town of Jackson is the county seat of Teton County and the only incorporated municipality in the region. Less than 3% of land in Teton County is privately owned. 97% of the 2,697,000 acres in Teton County are federally or state owned/managed.
In 2009, the Town of Jackson was designated as a Preserve America Community. This designation recognizes that, as a community, we protect and celebrate our heritage, use historic assets for economic development and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

February 6, 2014 Thursday

Took the morning off.  After Pilate's, snow shoveling and ballroom dance lessons yesterday, I'm pooped.


Psalm 55 - " I said,"Oh that I had the wings of a dove?  I would fly away and be at rest."  We all have days when we think that don't we?  Life on this earth brings both days, good and bad.  Those of us that can let go and let God have an advantage.  It's not a private club, you can join.


1999 - On this day, two things stand out.  First I cleaned the yard.  ON FEBRUARY 6?  really?  must have been a banner winter, right?  Only thing I'm cleaning this year is snow off the driveway and walks.  Then second thing was I bought a cell phone.  It was the first one and now I can't imagine not having one.  I still have friends that are fighting the cell phone being on all the time, or texting, or any of the conveniences of weather, GPS etc.  that I don't seem to be able to live without anymore.  When did you get your first cell phone?


Parenting - There are some things that we are incapable of helping our children with.  Other people and friends are better resources for them, I think because we are often too close to the problem, or maybe we are the problem.  I am so thankful to those who stepped in for Nicole when she couldn't or wouldn't come to me and were there for her.  I wonder if it would be a good idea to have that conversation with your child to let them know of someone who would be willing to help that they could go to, and then let that person know. 


Book club - Our next book is The Nine by Jeffery Toobin.  I think I have that right, but its not coming up on my nook.  Might have to buy the book.  Anybody read it?  Have it at home?


Wyoming Jackson Hole -  let's get the background:

Geography[edit]

The "Sleeping Indian" is a series of rock formations on Sheep Mountain in the Gros Ventre Range on the east side of Jackson Hole
Elk in wild
The valley is formed by the Teton Range on the western side and the Gros Ventre Range on the eastern side. Grand Teton National Park occupies the north-western part of the valley encompassing much of the Teton Range as well as Jackson Lake. The town of Jackson, Wyoming, is at the southern end. Between them lies, on U.S. Route 26, "Glacier View Turnout" offering a view of Teton Glacier on the north of Grand Teton,[2] and the National Elk Refuge, home of the largest elk herd on earth. The Snake River threads through the entire valley from its headwater in Yellowstone in the north to the mouth of the Snake River Canyon at the southern tip of the valley. Blacktail Butte is a prominent landform rising from the valley floor. The average altitude of the valley is over 6,500 feet (2,000 m).


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

February 5, 2014 Wednesday

I did Pilates with the ring.  There are so many different ways to exercise, you really need to find what works for you.  Walking is the best from what you hear now.  If you do want to find a video for days like today when you would rather not go out,  try an online site called Gaiam for yoga and pilates and much more.  There are all ranges and abilities.  Just a suggestion.  I also see snow removal on my near agenda.


1 John chapter 3 - God knows everything about you, and forgives you through his son Jesus Christ.  Now you just need to forgive yourself.  It is a burden to go through life regretting something in your past.  I think, we all have them.  I believe God forgives me, still answering to myself.


1983 - On this day, I flew to Florida for a vacation.  I stayed with my cousin Peggy a few days and with her parents, my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Don.  The weather was so/so, I went to the beach and got sand blasted one day, but it was a memorable visit.  My Aunt and Uncle took me to all their favorite cafeterias for lunch and my uncle regaled me with stories of my dad.  Dad had died at age 40 when I was only 13, so, it was nice to hear from his brother, what a great guy he was.  My aunt and uncle and cousin Peggy are gone, but this is a nice memory of a week spent with them, in a mostly warm place.  Take a vacation!  Call someone you haven't talked to in a while!


Parenting - I take from the lack of response that you have as many motivational tools for offspring as I have.  Rewards stop working after age 18 I think.


Book club - finished My Antonia.  It was our classic read, I enjoyed it, a little slow, but relaxing.


Wyoming - Jackson Hole, Hey they do sleigh rides!  For those of us in Michigan we don't have to go that far this year;

Settlements[edit]

The only incorporated town in the valley is Jackson, sometimes also mistakenly called Jackson Hole itself. Other communities in the valley include Wilson, Teton Village, Moran Junction, Hoback, Moose (Moose Wilson Road), and Kelly. On the west side of the valley, Teton Pass crosses the Teton Range providing access to Victor and Driggs in eastern Idaho and Alta, Wyoming on the western side of the Tetons. Numerous elk use the valley as grazing range during the winter, and sleigh rides are offered to tourists. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King and Grand Targhee Resort ski areas, and nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks are major tourist attractions throughout all seasons of the year.

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February 4, 2014 Tuesday worse winter ever.

Started out with Jillian again, she finished, I didn't.  Just have to keep working up to it.


Mark chapter 12 - The Greatest Commandment -  Love God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind and with all your strength, and then love your neighbor as yourself.  Most, I think love themselves first, putting what we want for ourselves before anything else, like food and care.  Take care of yourself first, you can't help anyone else if you aren't happy, is a common statement that I have heard.   Jesus Christ and the American soldier are exceptions to this rule as someone once noted.  What do you think?


1982 - On this day, I got stuck in the driveway trying to leave for work, was an hour late.  AND my boss was off this day because he was at a Curling tournament.  Do you know what curling is?  Where they have a large round rock with a handle on top and they slide it across the ice to a mark, the one that gets closest gets points, much like bocci ball, but you are on ice with shoes and brooms.  Not making fun, I have heard it is very entertaining.  In fact, some friends of mine wanted to get a date for doing this, but the curling places are booked.  Now you know how popular it is.


Parenting - What motivational tools do you use with your off spring?


Book club - My Antonia, this segment should be under parenting.  Antonia, eventually marries and has 11 kids.  Happiest person in the world, proud mama.  She seems to know how to motivate her brood, they are working the farm, cleaning the house, etc.


Jackson Hole - Here is some more history:

History[edit]

The valley is thought to have been named after David Edward "Davey" Jackson who trapped beaver in the area in the early nineteenth century as part of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.[1] Though used by Native Americans for hunting and ceremonial purposes, the valley was not known to harbor year-round human settlement prior to the 1870s. Descriptions of the valley and its features were recorded in the journals of John Colter, who had been a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. After returning to the Rocky Mountains, Colter entered the region in 1807 in the vicinity of Togwotee Pass and became the first white American to see the valley. His reports of the valley, the Teton Range and the Yellowstone region to the north were viewed by people of the day with skepticism.
The first people to settle the region were Native Americans, then fur trappers, and then homesteaders. Because the soil is not ideal for raising crops, the valley was used for cattle. Tourism quickly became popular with the establishment of dude ranches.  HMMM DUDE RANCH sounds good!


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Monday, February 3, 2014

February 3, 2014 Monday

Been down with a cold, so this morning I forced the Jillian trainer on myself.  I got through the warm up.  Hey, I didn't have to tell you.  Sometimes you just do what you can.


Romans chapter 14 - this again about being judgmental.  We are all only responsible for our own faith.  I like to share mine, whether or not you accept it, is your business.  Yours and God's.  Those of us who have faith, want everyone to know why it gives us such hope, happiness and comfort.  We want to share it with you.  I know some people try other methods of sharing faith, some do more harm then good, again its about you and your relationship with God.  That is what this passage from Romans says.


2012 - On this day - Waynette, Ruth, Claudette and I went down to the Detroit Institute of Art to see Rembrandt's faces of Jesus.  It was very busy and there were long lines.  A tribute to Rembrandt and his subject.  I would think that many that were there, actually hunger to see the face of Jesus.  It seems we all have a different opinion of his appearance.  Rembrandt, of course, captured a deeper then skin appearance in his portrayals. The DIA is such an important part of our cultural life, you should go to the art institute, while it is there.


Parenting - Aaron and his wife Lisa had a baby girl last night!  Another life to celebrate!  Lisa is such a good mother, I am so glad she got a little girl to go with her beautiful 2 boys.  God answers prayer!


Book club - I love reading a good book.  When life is overwhelming, you can escape into someone else's joy or tragedy.  My Antonia is a great escape.


Wyoming!  Jackson Hole - Not ancient, but a lot of history here:
Jackson Hole, originally called Jackson's Hole, is a valley located in the U.S. state of Wyoming, near the western border with Idaho. The name "hole" derives from language used by early trappers or mountain men, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along relatively steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole. These low-lying valleys are surrounded by mountains and contain rivers and streams, which were good habitat for beaver and other fur-bearing animals.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable! 

Sunday, February 2, 2014

February 2, 2014 Sunday February!

James chapter 4 - It is a short book.  The reading today was about not being judgmental, sure it was written just for me this morning.  Gotta quit watching those Sunday morning talk shows. "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.  But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?'  Anybody else see themselves in this?


2004 - On this day, my boss's son used to be involved with the Wertz Warriors and the good works they did for Special Olympics.  At this time of year they always do a snowmobile run up north, through a lot of communities.  They take donations from people and it really makes a difference for a special group of people. The ride ends, I think, near Traverse City with a big party for the Special Olympians, who get rides on snowmobiles.  It is certainly a worthwhile cause, if you get a chance support them if you can.


Parenting - My brother David, was never high functioning enough to enjoy any activity like this.  He could neither participate in any sport activities or even watch others.  It is a special life to be involved with a child with special needs.  It is both enriching and heart breaking for families that are faced with this.  Fortunately, their are organizations and help available to make life easier for child, parent and family.


Book club - My Antonia -  Life was very different on the plains back in the 1800's.  If a girl got pregnant without being married, her life was pretty much over and the child had a rocky future ahead.  Now a days, it is much different.  Ever see the birth announcements in the paper?  I think half of the parents are not married, some just list the mother, some list both parents names.  I am not making judgment, I know a lot of children being raised in single parent homes.  It is a different time.


Wyoming - Jackson Hole -  Here is where its at if you are driving there;



Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

February 1, 2014 Saturday

They say you can still exercise when you are not feeling well.  Well I don't feel like it.  Haven't had a cold for a long time, hope its a longer time till I get another one.


1 Samuel chapter 1 - the story of Hannah and how she prayed to the Lord for a son.  When Eli saw her praying, lips moving but no sound, he thought she was drunk.  Eli answered her "Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him".  He did and she had a son, and the story gets more interesting from there.  God does answer prayer.


2001 - On this day, I had shipped a box of chocolate cake and ingredients for tuna salad to Florida.  My friend Chris, that I worked with for 20+ years has a birthday today.  When we worked together I always made a tuna casserole and chocolate cake for her birthday.  She moved to Florida and I didn't want her to not have her birthday lunch, but she had to make it herself.  This day had a lot of similar reports - a lot of snow, everyone sick with something, winter retreat to Michiluca and the boat show.
It is snowing again today, but doesn't the boat show sound good?  Not sure its going on now, but its always a nice reminder that summer will happen.


Parenting - I'm the caretaker at my house. (now)  With Mom in the hospital I was blessed that they are keeping her another day, maybe this cold will be better tomorrow.  She is well cared for and I can try and get better without worrying.  God does answer prayer.


Book club - My Antonia,  perfect day to probably finish this book.  I am enjoying it.


Wyoming , Jackson Hole to be precise.  Get your cowboy on!  Lets get a little background.

Overview[edit]

Jackson is a major gateway for millions of tourists visiting nearby Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the National Elk Refuge. Jackson is also in proximity to several ski resorts. On the southeast edge of town there is a relatively small but challenging ski-area known as Snow King, Jackson's original ski hill. It has steep vertical slopes and is night-lit. More famous is the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, 12 miles (20 km) northwest. Opened in 1966, it has abundant steep terrain and has one of the highest vertical drops in North America, at 4,139 feet (1,262 m). Grand Targhee, is about an hour away, on the west side of the Teton Range in Alta. Opened in 1969, it is accessed through Idaho over Teton Pass.
One of the large arches
of shed elk antlers
Jackson is host to a number of world-class arts organizations, including the Congressionally-designated National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and the Center for the Arts. The large arches of shed elk antlers at the four entrances to the town square are popular attractions.
As of the 2010 Census[4], The main industries which provide employment are: Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (32.2%), construction (8.7%), retail trade (12.4%), educational services, health care and social assistance (11.9%), and professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (11.8%).
The town is often erroneously referred to as "Jackson Hole", the valley in which it is located.
A strong local economy, primarily due to tourism, has allowed Jackson to develop a large shopping and eating district, centered on the town square.
Lots of places to see this month.  Get going!


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Christina!!!!