OFF TO AFRICA

Son-in-law Dan leaves soon for East Africa. Follow his adventures on the Lahash.net website. I always get a little nervous when he makes his semi-annual visit to the partners in Africa. After all, I have a daughter and grand-daughter remaining behind. I'm always glad when he returns safe. I know he is in God's hands so I keep reminding myself of that. When our children were small it was nice when they were all at home in the nest. Now they travel on a whim. Do they ask my permission? No. Should they? No. I felt in greater control when they were young. I know, my feelings of control were an illusion. I keep reminding myself of that. With every stage of life comes renewed commitment to God. I suppose when I am 95 they will worry about me.

NATIONAL DEBT: A FIVE MINUTE PRIMER

See this CNN article on the national debt. What can I do? Have no personal debt, and establish a rainy day fund. It may be needed.

OREGON CITY YARD SALES

We spent Saturday morning walking the hills of old Oregon City, stopping at multiple yard sales. It was the one weekend each year when the whole town tries to get organized and sell their junk. The most enjoyable part of it was admiring the historic houses. Many of them have plaques identifying the original owner. Some have been designated as historic landmarks. Those fortunate few receive a property tax discount for 15 years. The yards around the homes are the most interesting. Some have traditional grass, but many look like a jungle. This photo is representative of a typical side yard. It looks as if you tried to walk through, that vines would grasp you about the head and neck. In fact, most of their children under the age of two are lost in such a manner.

"MATCHES MAN"

Animals in a home can be a blessing and a curse. We have two cats; an evil, black & white tom cat (Nike) who reminds me of Osama, and a mild-mannered grey cat (Tofie) who reminds me of a sick, spoiled teenager.

We did not ask for either cat. Nike was an orphan in a box, found by my daughter when he was about 3 weeks old. We had to purchase a special bottle and formula to feed him. In the beginning, after being fed, he would lay on his back with a swollen kitten belly and eyes closed in contentment. It was only later that he turned evil.

Tofie was found at a family gathering in Coquille, Oregon. We found out later that the neighbor boy in Coquille had been mistreating her. Consequently she ran away and was found by my nephew Andrew on the front lawn of my parent’s home. We ended up taking her home to Portland, since the other family members were not in a position to own another pet.

Tofie is not evil, but she does evil things. By that, I mean she does not intentionally throw up on the carpet three times a week after eating a bowl of dry cat food, and running like a bandit when we attempt to catch her between retches to toss her out the front door. We have taken her to the vet, and are currently feeding her hair ball formula and trying to limit her intake, so please don’t accuse us of cat abuse. Her favorite thing is to jump on someone and “make biscuits” on their stomach. Except for the vomit, she is a good cat.

Nike is evil. He reads the daily comics and studies Bucky the cat in great detail. He practices bad thinking and doesn’t care what you think. We had him fixed years ago, and I don’t think he has ever forgiven us. To put it bluntly, he is not a Christian. He daydreams of taking flying lessons and crashing large planes into tall buildings. Need I say more?

We also have a black and white Boston Terrier. Her name is Pekah Boo. Normally, a female Boston should weigh in at about 18 pounds. Pekah is a hefty 40 pounds. Needless to say, she is strong, like the women in Minnesota. However, unlike the women of Minnesota, she cannot handle the cold very well, and would not survive even one day outside in the winter. She lives in the house and has access to the outside through a doggie door that she can barely squeeze through. We have to lay down old bath towels when it rains. Paw prints have a way of showing up on a wood floor. We have two animal houses in the backyard. Both are heated by an electric light. The cats love it, but Pekah is afraid to go in either house. I have never met a dog that is afraid to enter a dog house. It doesn’t make sense. I live in a human house, and I’m not afraid to enter my house. Perhaps she thinks she is human.

Another unusual trait Pekah has is a lisp. She tries, but cannot talk correctly. “Bad thing” becomes “bad ting.” “Love you” becomes “dove-oo.” I normally wouldn’t know this, but Lin is the dog interpreter. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know when Pekah is sad or happy, or wants to go to the office for the morning. Lin tells me when Pekah wants to gorge out on a bowl of leftover macaroni and cheese, or a pile of chicken bones. I have no idea what the dog is thinking.

However, when it comes to the hard things, I step up to the plate. Pekah sleeps on the floor by my side of the bed. It is my job to cover her up at night when Lin pokes me. Pekah tells her to poke me and do my job. I also am the Matches Man. I keep a little book of matches on my nightstand for those special evenings following her overindulgence of wieners or a large ham bone. It is not unusual to be awakened out of a sound sleep. I imagine it is somewhat like putting smelling salts under the nose of a person that is unconscious and near death. I know that if it ever happens when camping, I would bang my head on the ceiling of the camper. There isn’t a lot of head room. Thankfully, that has never happened. At home, however, I have on occasion, sat straight up in the middle of the night, with only one thought—to find the matches. The smell always hits me first, and by the time it drifts over to Lin she is gagging as well. My groping in the dark usually knocks my cell phone or glasses onto the dog below. She is sleeping soundly, of course, because a dog never seems to be aware of flatulence. She looks at me quite perturbed for disturbing her lovely dream.

Eventually, the blessed smoke fills the room and our gasping changes to normal breathing. We usually fall back to sleep in a short while. Sometimes I think our nights are more exciting than our days.

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

It is a little disconcerting to see your age reflected back to you in the faces of those you haven't seen for 45 years. Time is not kind. We had 85 students graduate from Bandon, Oregon in 1966. This was a small representation of some of us who met last weekend in Vernonia, hosted by classmate Bud Dow, who happened to be temporarily away when this picture was taken.

TIMMY MOUSE

You don't get a chance to hold a baby mouse very often. Lin did that and much more. Read it here.

GRANDCHILDREN

There's nothing like an afternoon in the sun with grandchildren. They like riding in the wagon. Lin gave them a tour of the backyard. She explained the plants and talked about the joys of shade and cool grass. They don't hold still very long, and they don't stay small for long.

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

Relationships matter. You can be the most successful of all your peers in financial planning, but if you accomplish that goal alone, it is in vain. Building relationships is more important than building a solid financial future.

I occasionally meet an older person who has no connection with any family members. After talking with them for a while I can usually determine what might have been the cause. Sometimes it's a history of alcoholism. Other times they are just plain mean. Sometimes there are multiple layers of dysfunction that have pushed away everyone they meet.

The most important relationship you can have is with God. I'd hate to reach a ripe old age and have all my financial ducks in a row except knowing where I was going to end up after I die. Not knowing would take the fun out of growing old. I think that not having made peace with God would lead to all sorts of anger and dysfunction.

When you make peace with God at the beginning of your financial journey, it makes the whole experience enjoyable.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

The next step is to educate yourself. As I mentioned previously, you can begin by subscribing to a financial resource such as Money. Read everything you can, and focus on what you are familiar with.

From there, you will find your horizons expanding into related subjects. Eventually you will be somewhat knowledgeable. Never hesitate to ask questions. Look for financial classes at the local community college.

The big payoff to you is that you will eventually have the ability to self-direct your investments. It is a payoff, because you can choose no-load mutual funds instead of paying an investment advisor to handle your money. If you want to buy individual stocks, you can use an internet service such as E-Trade, which charges far less commissions than a full service brokerage house.

STICK WITH MUTUAL FUNDS

A big mistake we make when we start saving money is to not leave it alone. Once the account balance reaches a certain level we begin thinking where we could invest all that cash. It is very tempting to start buying and selling stocks.

There is only one way to purchase individual stocks, and that is to buy and hold. Otherwise, it is just a sophisticated form of gambling. In my opinion, the vast majority of the public should avoid individual stocks. It is too risky.

A much safer method is to purchase mutual funds. It spreads the risk. Instead of investing in just a few stocks, a mutual fund allows your risk to be spread over thousands of companies with a small amount of money. You won't have the big gains of an individual stock, but you won't have the potential for big losses either. If you educate yourself, you can use a no-load company such as Vanguard. If that scares you, go visit a financial advisor. However, be prepared to pay a commission, typically $5.75 for every $100 invested. There are mutual funds for every level of risk.

Just before the 2008 economic downturn I invested a large sum for an older couple. The market at the time was red hot. However, because of their age and ignorance regarding finances, I recommended a mutual fund specializing in government securities. Prior to this time their money had been in CDs. Shortly afterwards, the market crashed. Their investment, however, continued to earn almost 6%. Their risk tolerance and age dictated a conservative approach. If they had been able to educate themselves and self-direct their money, they would have saved even more by not paying commissions. For them, however, they made the right decision.

It's never too late to get started. Read the Wall Street Journal. Subscribe to Money magazine. Take charge of your financial future.

AVOID PYRAMIDS AND GET RICH QUICK SCHEMES

When I was 14 years old, a friend of the family approached me about selling soap. It was called Zif. As he explained how it worked, I thought it sounded pretty good. I paid him $12 for a starter kit, and then hit the streets selling soap. The real money, however, was if I could get others to sign up. I would get a percentage of their start up money, as well as part of their soap sales, and those under them, and those under them etc. I lasted two days. I decided I wasn't a salesman. I didn't know it at the time, but that was my first exposure to pyramid sales.

With pyramids, the people who get in first make the money. This type of marketing is still around in many forms. Another name for it is multi-level marketing. When I was a young adult, Amway was big. The appeal was always about how much money you could make, or how you could own your own business. In my opinion, if you want to be a business owner, choose a legitimate career.

However, there are much worse critters out there, called get rich quick schemes. These will suck out all your blood and leave you dead on the highway. They appeal in a very base way to human greed. As my dad used to say, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

My sister lives in a small Colorado town. A man came through selling investment opportunities. It was very convincing, especially since so many townsfolk were signing up. In the end, many lost their entire life savings. The greatest danger is in thinking that it can't happen to me, because I'm too smart.

Some of the sharpest minds in the financial world let themselves be taken in by Bernie Madoff. It seems like every week I read similar articles of innocent people losing their retirement savings. A friend of mine heard about a glowing investment opportunity on Christian radio. He lost all his retirement ($200,000) and owes the I.R.S. $10,000.

There is a lesson here for all. Be very careful. Make sure they are not appealing to your greed. Be aware of investments that put time constraints on you. Make sure they are licensed with your state. All companies and representatives selling securities are required to have a securities license in their state. Take a look at the overall picture. As I said previously, if it is sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

BE A CONTRARIAN

When it comes to keeping up with the Jones', be a contrarian. This is a popular word in the financial world, usually referring to someone who sells stocks when everyone else is buying, and buying when others are selling. I'm using it in the same way, but in the context of consumerism.

The world is spending, so I will not spend. The slogan "You deserve a break today" is targeted at you, the consumer. What they are really saying is treat yourself right by eating at McDonalds. A contrarian would hear that slogan and say, "I'm an independent thinker and will not be sucked in to cheap advertising." If you do eat at McDonalds, do it on your own terms; not theirs.

My problem is that I think I am immune, but the next day find that my actions tell me otherwise. Being a contrarian is a state of mind. In the 70s the most visable contrarians were the hippies driving VW buses. Some of them even rejected cleanliness. They made a whole subculture out of it. Now we are mainstream grandparents.

Remember the reason for being a contrarian is to start on the road to financial freedom. Small decisions have lasting consequences. Passing up a latte and taking your own thermos to work can make a substantial financial difference after a few years, even though it seems inconsequential now.

One way to strengthen your resolve is to picture yourself as a nonconformist. Deliberately choose what you will conform to. Hopefully you will choose cleanliness, unlike the early hippies. Honesty is another good trait. As you review all the values of your peers, it will become apparent what to avoid and what to embrace.

Don't be overly concerned about your image. If you worry about what others think, stop it. Get your kudos from the knowledge that you are making wise financial decisions. That is much more rewarding than outward appearance. I like the cat picture. Cats do what they want, when they want to. They don't care what others think. Be a cat, but not at the expense of others.

LIVE BENEATH YOUR MEANS

I don't think it is possible to follow the advice of the two previous blogs unless you learn to live beneath your means. I spoke with a friend from Panama who related to me that in their culture, it was demeaning to purchase and wear used clothing. I immediately could see the implications of that thinking. They would have less money to spend on more important things. Of course the interesting thing about that is that they consider the clothing to be more important than many other things in life. I value health care, nutrition, and a college education for my children. They value looking stylish. Which is more important?

A high school teacher told me last week about her feeling of distress in seeing some students wearing $200 jeans to school. What hope of success in the world does a student have who places that kind of value on clothing? We can all hope that they will eventually grow up. Sometimes it is hastened by the school of hard knocks.

I think a key concept to financial success is deferred gratification. We're talking major deferral, like 30 years. Not everyone can see themselves even living that long. Their philosophy is to enjoy it now. I can understand the short term thinking, but don't happen to agree.

Let's look at cars. The cheapest car you'll ever own is the one you are currently driving. That factors in repairs. There is a point at which it may make economic sense to upgrade. I got rid of my last two cars because the cost of the repair was way more than the value of the vehicle. If you do upgrade, wait until you can pay cash.

Living beneath your means will enable you to contribute to a Roth IRA. Most accounts will allow a $250 deposit to start. Everyone should have one.

Don't take away the idea that I value old clothes and cars. My clothes are decent and I wash my car every Saturday. More thoughts in the next blog.

PAY OFF CREDIT CARDS IN FULL EACH MONTH

A recent article on credit card debt stated that graduating college students have an average credit card debt of $2,500 to $3,000. That is in addition to student loans averaging $24,000. What a way to start your life!

The best way to handle credit cards is to have one major bank card, and to pay it off in full every month. Of course that puts limitations on its use. If you don't have the money in the bank, then don't use the card. That raises the question, "Why use the card if there is money in the bank?" The short answer is, don't use it. Use a debit card. A debit card is like an old fashioned checkbook. If the money isn't in the account, then the card will not be accepted.


If you are following my advice from the previous blog, and spending less than you make, then you can use the credit card for convenience, such as Internet purchases. Another reason would be to build up air miles so you can fly free to see Grandma. It also builds your credit rating, so when you buy a house the lender likes what they see. Learning to use a credit card responsibly is like a teenage boy learning to handle a rifle-- you can get hurt if you don't do it right.

I suggest you start your child out at about age 12 with their own checking account and debit card. Spend some time teaching them how it all works. Later help them get a credit card from the same institution with a $500 limit. Put the fear of God into them about paying it off in full every month, and carefully supervise what happens until you have the confidence that they understand how to use credit. Don't let your child be one of those college graduates with a big credit card balance!

SPEND LESS THAN YOU MAKE

Over the next few blogs I will be offering one piece of financial advice per blog. The first rule is to spend less than you make. It sounds simple, but you would be surprised how easy it is to begin spending more than you earn.

For example, if one spouse is suddenly laid off, there is a substantial drop in income. However, if there is not an immediate drop in spending, you find yourself suddenly spending more than you are bringing in.

If you were cutting things close while both were working, it is easy to start making up the difference by relying on credit cards. It's just temporary, you think, until you are called back to work, or manage to get another job. The problem is that you have started down a slippery slope ending in bankruptcy unless you can turn it around.

The key is to anticipate the problem before it rears it's ugly head. One way would be for the two of you to agree that you will limit your expenditures to the income brought in by one spouse. I'm using the example of a married couple.

There is a big advantage to doing that. First, it allows you to begin saving a nest egg for future investments, like your first or second home, or perhaps for the kid's college fund.

Second, it allows that spouse the freedom to quit work if there is a family emergency, or a need for child care, or health issues.

Third, it prevents you from putting yourself in a position of being financially overextended if there is a crises.

If you have even a small financial nest egg, it give you breathing room while you work out your plans. If the emergency never happens, you have the beginnings of a retirement fund.

In real life things are never that easy, and you may already be in a situation where you need both incomes to just survive. In that case, I suggest you make some hard decisions. It may involve downsizing, or looking for another job, or one spouse working two jobs. None of those choices are easy, and may not be practical. However, it is better to be proactive now than to let circumstances dictate your destruction later.

Here is a funny Steve Martin SNL skit that goes along with the theme.

MAY 21ST and Twitter

If you have been unfortunate enough to drive by one of Harold Camping's billboards, you have seen the announcement of May 21st as the rapture of the church. I was dismayed, and grieved. It gives Christianity a black eye when a professing Christian goes off the deep end. How much better if he had preached repentance! Oh well. Not to mention that the theology of the rapture has only been around about 200 years. The traditional church doctrine teaches the return of Christ in power and glory.

On a different subject, I encourage you to give twitter a try. I've been doing it about a month. You are limited to 140 characters per entry. It's like a mini-blog. You'll find me if you search for hungerisgood. Reply to one of my entries, and I'll "follow" you.

GET READY FOR A LONG ROAD BACK

This month's Money magazine interviews economist Carmen Reinhart. History shows that recovery from a severe financial crisis can easily take ten years. I highly recommend this article if you want to educate yourself about what is going on. Carmen makes a lot of sense and is refreshingly easy to understand.

RICE AND BEANS

March is Rice and Beans month! Sponsored by www.lahash.net. We are eating rice and beans (with spices, vegetables, etc) for 30 days. You wouldn't believe how many variations you can cook using just those basic ingredients. It is a way to identify with our brothers and sisters in East Africa, as well as contribute to the food needs of the orphanages that Lahash partners with. If you want recipes, go to http://www.eatriceandbeans.com/. Of course this is only day three, so I may have some much stronger opinions of rice and beans by day 30.

MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL DEBT

The Sunday Oregonian PolitiFact column has some alarming facts about the national debt. Basically, if we eliminate all discretionary government spending, the national debt will still increase over one trillion dollars in the next year.

An editorial in the same issue by Tom Coburn emphasizes the short time we have to correct this coming fiasco. It is titled, "Leadership and Our Looming Financial Crisis." He makes the interesting statement that just as Nixon (a Republican) normalized relations with China, so it may require a Democratic president to push through legislation to reign in the mandated spending on medicare and social security.

If elected officials lack the courage to push through unpopular cuts, we are facing a future with 20% unemployment.

I have been very concerned about the national debt for 20 years, and now my nightmare may become reality.

HOLIDAYS

Holidays and grandchildren seem to go hand in hand. Micah enjoyed cleaning the remains of cranberry salad off the serving dish. The transition of joy is being passed to the next generation. In our early adulthood we had great fun watching our children discover the world. Now we are watching their's do the same.

TALIA

Time to add another grandchild. This makes number three. Talia (dew from heaven) Pendo (love). It just gets better and better!

POLICIES OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE

So what do you think of all the press about the policies of the Federal Reserve? Should we go back to the gold standard? Since the economic crises, everyone seems to be more educated than they used to be. What is your opinion? Are we headed for another financial crises? Read this article about Ron Paul. He has a lot more influence now than before the elections.

YOUR STOCK MARKET PORTFOLIO

See this article in Fortune magazine. I'm riding this one out, just like I did when the market dropped two years ago. Timing the market is futile. What is your experience?

DOUBLESPEAK

Have you ever felt manipulated by language? It happens daily. Doublespeak is used to disguise, distort, or reverse the meaning of words, often by employing euphemism or ambiguity. For example, downsizing vs layoffs; freedom fighter vs terrorist; full-figured vs fat; visually impaired vs blind. I think the word you choose depends on which side you are on. I have found that I have to filter input through a doublespeak lens. Even then, I don't know how much gets through without being detected. I find myself second guessing the weather report.

Another interesting word is doublethink. It was coined by George Orwell in his sci-fi classic 1984. Doublethink is the mental capacity to accept as equally valid two opinions or beliefs that contradict each other. We see it everyday. One example is the man that has an affair and also believes he is committed to his marriage. He sees no contradiction, or perhaps rationalizes his behavior in some way. Rationalization is the bedfellow of doublethink. If you can define the rationalization, you can identify the doublethink.

When you face up to your contradictions, you either change one of the beliefs, or you adjust your philosophy of life to allow both to coexist. If someone points out to that person the original inconsistency and the corresponding lifestyle adjustment they made, their reaction can be extremely defensive. That's not surprising, since they are probably expending a lot of mental energy keeping everything balanced in their mind. We see this most often when someone is raised with certain moral values, and then rejects those values as an adult because those same values condemn their present moral behavior.

Have you been the recipient of doublespeak or a victim of doublethink?

DARK STAR SAFARI

Paul Theroux revisited Africa 35 years after teaching in Malawi. He traveled from Cairo to Cape Town, and along the way records the changes that have occurred. This is a discouraging book to read, because Africa has become "...hungrier, poorer, less educated, more pessimistic, more corrupt, and you can't tell the politicians from the witch-doctors."

It is just as interesting, however, to study the author. He describes himself as a loner, and thoroughly enjoys being where no one knows where he is. His encounters with various personalities along the way reveal inner struggles with loneliness, pessimism, and despair. Frankly, that trip would make me have those feeling too, but you get the sense that he planned this trip to escape from western culture one last time while his health is good. He has absolutely no hope for Africa's future, and he himself has no hope. It is a journey of a hopeless man traveling through a hopeless continent. His character reminds me of Jack London and Ernest Hemingway.

Before you say, "Forget reading that book!" I want to assure you that you will not be disappointed. Thoroux has a way with words that make Africa come alive in your mind. There is a reason he is recognized as a successful writer. If you research his life, you will find that the whole extended family is full of writers. (Why did he get all the genes?)

Most interesting is his opinion of aid workers. It convinced me that organizations such as Lahash are the only successful ones, because they are partnering with existing local ministries, as opposed to a top-down approach.

Read this book and give me your feedback.

REDEEMING THE TIME

Everyone likes to have time. Time for a vacation, time to work, time to play, time to be with the one we love. I have been thinking a lot about time. The old adage "stop and smell the roses" applies here. I have a tendency to plan into the future without enjoying today. A lifetime of doing that would be like the movie of the guy who goes into Bed Bath and Beyond and gets a remote control that allows him to fast forward through life. I can't remember the name of the movie, but it had a message. Are you having fun yet? Or is the fun always in the future?

TEN STOCK MARKET MYTHS THAT JUST WON'T DIE

Read this article by Brett Arends in the Wall Street Journal. Sometimes we assume that since a principle is usually true, that it is always true. These ten myths will knock the props out from under your assumptions.

CENTRAL OREGON

Lin took this photo on the hillside above our campsite. We were hiking to the top of the ridge when she noticed this snag. The terrain is amazing. The view of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking.

SLIDING TOWARD DEFLATION

Read this article by Paul Krugman. Deflation happens when prices start going down. You would think that would be a good thing. However, it's not. When prices go down, people put off purchases, knowing that next month the price will be lower. A reduction in purchases causes higher unemployment, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. My recommendation is to be prudent, but not over-react.

THE 4 PERCENT RULE

Here is some more information on the 4 percent rule I discussed several months ago. The only suggestion I have to add is that your annual withdrawal each year should be 4% of the remaining principle, not 4% of the initial amount. There is a big difference. The worst case scenario would be a gradually decreasing nest egg. Theoretically you would never run out of money, because if your retirement reduces to just a few dollars, you are still removing only 4% of that amount each year. In the best case, your nest egg will return over 4% annually, which would allow your annual withdrawals to gradually increase.

CULTURAL POVERTY

Nicholas Kristof is a columnist for the New York Times. He has traveled extensively in the third world studying the effects of poverty on families. His guest column in the Oregonian May 25 titled, "When the Poor Spend Aid Unwisely," discusses how the very poor spend their money. The man of the house will typically spend the money they have on alcohol and cigarettes, leaving little for food or school expenses for the children. Because of this, the increasingly popular micro-loan programs are focused on the women.

The underlying theme seems to be that it is not so much the lack of money which creates the problem, as it is the personal values and spending habits of the men in the culture. Nicholas makes the point that we need to do a better job of directing aid money away from wine and prostitution and toward getting children in school and providing mosquito netting. I don't think the issue of deadbeat dads is confined to the third world. The recently popular Angela's Ashes describes the same issues in the urban poor of the early 20th century in the United States.

Drugs have always provided an escape from reality. In our culture it crosses all social classes, so it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with poverty. Perhaps it has more to do with a sense of hopelessness and despair. I don't know why the rich use drugs. Perhaps they are bored. Meth is the latest scourge, and it seems to impact both men and women equally.

Now we are in a crises. Mexico is in a fight for survival, fueled by the demand for drugs in the U.S. In Oregon, the state owns the liquor stores, and most states have a monopoly on gambling. I think there is a disconnect here. We dispense liquor and promote gambling, and crack down on others who want a share of the action. We have a government with a mandate to serve the people making millions of dollars on their addictions and weaknesses. Am I the only one who sees a problem?

April Showers, May Flowers

April showers do bring May flowers, but here in Western Oregon the showers still continue and it's almost June! At least we have green yards and lots of flowers. The plants love the cool weather. We finally planted tomatoes. Any earlier, and they would have drowned. I feel sorry for those who can't mow their grass on the one dry day we have each week. More wet weather is forecast, but I think we will have one dry afternoon this weekend so everyone can mow. I like the fresh air that the rain brings.

LAUGHTER

Laughter seems to be a natural anecdote for moodiness. Tuesday's Oregonian had an article about laughter yoga classes. People show up and laugh for about 30 minutes. No jokes, no funny movies, just laughing. I'm not sure I could get into the spirit of it. I like a good joke to get me started. Walking into a room full of strangers and participating in group laughter sounds almost wrong.

I think there was more laughter when families were larger. My mother was the oldest of seven, and family reunions were a gas. Uncle Howard was a master storyteller, and his yarns always began as a believable story, but ended with the listener as the victim of humor. My aunts were always quick to share funny stories and jokes. Consequently, laughter abounded when we all got together.

Perhaps it is more difficult to laugh when you only have two or three siblings, because there are fewer jokes and stories per person. We still have a good time, however, and someone always has a good story.

Proverbs says that a merry heart is good medicine. Remember that funny story, I want to hear it. If I get desperate I may have to attend laughter yoga class.

STARRY SPLENDOR

Here is another awesome photo. It makes me feel small. It makes God seem incomprehendable.

SPIRAL GALAXY

I retrieved this photo off the NASA website. It is 50 million light years away, so we are looking at what it was doing 50 million years ago. The center has a black hole of about 100 million solar masses. Our own galaxy's black hole is only a few million solar masses, so it is small by comparison. And to think that God merely spoke it all into existence.

SPRINGTIME

Spring is my favorite season. Flowers spring out of barkdust. You have no idea what is lurking beneath the soil. It also reminds me of new life. I like to be reminded of new life, since mine is getting less new every year. My son J.R. had an encouraging word, when he said, "Dad, you have a whole lot of deteoriating to do." He was referring to the next 20 years, of course. Time will eventually have it's way with my body, but for now I feel just like I did 40 years ago. That doesn't mean I have the endurance, just the feel good part. I want to feel good for a long time, so I can enjoy both my existing grandchildren and those yet unborn. I want them to enjoy the flowers with me. What is your favorite season?

ARIZONA SUNSET

SCENIC BEAUTY

This is a view of Mt Shasta at sunset. It was almost too dark, but the setting sun was reflecting off the snow, and we were able to get a decent photo. We took it from I-5 traveling North.

TRADITIONS

Once a year we decorate Christmas cookies. Lin makes them ahead of time, so by the time everyone arrives all she has to do is mix up the colors of frosting. Some family members are very artistic. Gitta made a Christmas tree, complete with framed walls (toothpicks). Erin designed an angel with a mustashe and announced it was me. I have a tendency to apply the frosting with less care, and then eat it if I don't like the results. What traditions do you enjoy?

WINTER PEACEFULNESS

Household pets love winter. All they do is lay around with the fire blazing brightly. If you disturb them, they look up as if to say, "Is there a problem?" Their visits outside through the animal door become much less frequent than during warmer weather. They don't like the cold, and they definitely don't like the rain. When you put cold and rain together our cat and dog both get a sarcastic view of going outside. "You expect me to do what out there? You don't do it outside. Why should I?" Fortunately, I am bigger, and I am the boss, so if someone needs to do their business, I gently but firmly take control. I don't really know when they need to go out, but there is an internal alarm in my head that begins quietly and increases in intensity if neither animal has made a move for the door after three hours. Speaking of taking control, I feel much more an authority in my house since the last human child departed. The only other voice is Lin, and she usually agrees with me.

BAGGAGE

Sometimes carrying a backpack is a good thing. Other times it is better left behind. I had a dream about mine. Tell me what you think it means:

My friend and I were standing outside behind the house. It was dark, but the porch light was on. The light reflected partially across the backyard. The snow was about 18 inches deep, but where we were standing under the eve there was just a skiff. We were going to head for a large tree at the back of the lot. There was a trail already in the snow which began at our feet and curved around to the left. I reached behind me and took my coat and pack off the hook and said, "I'll try it first." The air was cold. The first part of the trail was well worn, and easy to navigate. As I reached the point where the trail curved back toward the tree, the path became progressively less traveled, until finally there was only one set of footprints in the deep snow. I found I could stay on the path if I placed my feet in those tracks, because the snow was almost up to my knees. It was also getting harder, and I was beginning to feel the weight of the pack. Finally I had a revelation. I quickly ran back toward the house, and when I arrived I hung my coat and pack on the wall and told my friend, "There is only one set of tracks, leave all your stuff and just go for it." Without waiting for his reply, I turned and quickly retraced my steps. This time when I got to the deep snow, it was easy to follow those same tracks, but I did it running instead of laboriously walking. As I approached the tree's canopy I felt an intense presence of God, and since I was already running, I jumped the last six feet. Instead of landing, I awoke.

PHISHING AND OTHER SCAMS

My favorite witch quote is from Hansel and Gretel, "come closer, my dearie." Her entire house was made of candy in an attempt to trap unsuspecting children.

It's not much different today, with letters arriving in my email on a regular basis appealing to my greed with offers to get rich quick. If I were a child, candy would work, but as an adult I am now more sophisticated. Sometimes they appeal to my loyalty, claiming to be a friend stranded in England. The variety of appeals is endless and entertaining. It is tragic, however, when those more naive are trapped like a baby rabbit in the jaws of a coyote.

And then there are the phishing sites, drawing the unsuspecting to reveal their personal information.

Have you been the victim of a scam? So far I have avoided it. I have taken some precautions, such as freezing my credit, and using incredibly difficult passwords. Mostly, however, I have probably been lucky. I have found my suspicion almost becoming free floating. Lin asks for my wallet. I raise one eyebrow and hand it over slowly.

How have you been affected?

LORDS OF THE EARTH

Stanley Dale was an Australian commando in WWII. Don Richardson wrote this account of Stanley's life from childhood through his adulthood. Like Endurance, it is a study of leadership and what one man with an iron will can accomplish. Is there room for more than one leader in a small space? I'd like to get Teddy Roosevelt, Stanley Dale, and Ernest Shackleton together and then stand back and see what happens. (See my previous blogs on The River of Doubt and Endurance.)

Lords of the Earth follows Stanley Dale as he encounters and ministers to cannibals in Indonesia. This is not a book for the faint of heart. However, it is fascinating to read about a stone age culture and how it is changed when it encounters christianity.

EPIPHANY

Once in a while, perhaps once in a lifetime, something occurs that begins a dramatic shift in a person's world view. It's called an epiphany. The result is a long term change in how we relate to those around us, and if it is a spiritual awakening, it changes how we relate to God.

Here are accounts of three spiritual epiphanies:

C.S. Lewis (in a car on his way to the zoo)

In September, 1931, when Lewis was thirty three years old, he had a long discussion about Christianity with J.R.R. Tolkien (who was a devout Roman Catholic) and Hugo Dyson (a friend and committed Christian). That all-night conversation planted even more "seeds" in Lewis's heart. Lewis wrote in Surprised by Joy about what happened a week later as he headed out to a local zoo with his brother Warren: "When we set out I did not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did." Apparently sometime during that ride God touched Lewis's heart, and opened his eyes to Jesus' love and compassion. Was this his Damascus story -- conversion on the way to the zoo? Or was it a culmination of all the "seeds" that had been planted throughout Lewis's life? Only God and Lewis know for certain, but after his conversion, God certainly started to bless Lewis's life, including his writing.

Whittaker Chambers (in his kitchen)

I date my break with Communism to a very casual happening… My daughter was in her high chair. I was watching her eat. She was the most miraculous thing that had ever happened in my life. I liked to watch her even when she smeared porridge on her face or dropped it meditatively on the floor. My eye came to rest on the delicate convolutions of her ear – those intricate, perfect ears. The thought passed through my mind, ‘No, those ears were not created by chance coming together of atoms in nature (the Communist view). They could have been created only by immense design.’ The thought was involuntary and unwanted. I crowded it out of my mind. But I never wholly forgot it or the occasion. I had to crowd it out of my mind. If I had completed it, I should have had to say: Design supposes God. I did not then know that, at that moment, the finger of God was first laid on my forehead.

Charles Coleson (in his car)

I had the strange sensation that water was not only running down my cheeks but surging through my whole body as well, cleansing and cooling as it went. They weren’t tears of sadness and remorse, nor of joy—but somehow tears of relief.
And then I prayed my first real prayer. “God I don’t know how to find you, but I’m going to try! I’m not much the way I am now but somehow I want to give myself over to you.” I didn’t know how to say more so I repeated over and over the words “Take me.”
I had not “accepted” Christ—I still didn’t know who He was. My mind told me it was important to find that out first, to be sure that I knew what I was doing, that I meant it and would stay with it. Only that night something inside me was urging me to surrender—to what or to whom I did not know.

I have often wondered, do people have spiritual epiphanies away from God? I don't think they are as prevalent. Have you had one, either toward or away from God?

ISAIAH DANIEL

Meet Isaiah Daniel, our second grandchild. We enjoyed holding him and reveling in being grandparents on that first day of his birth. Now we look forward to many more years of enjoyment.

MONEY MAKING OPPORTUNITIES

Today I was staring at a picture on the wall and had a money-making revelation. It was a painting of a rushing river in the wilderness. You see them in every waiting room. I think they do that because when the nurse doesn't call your name in a timely fashion they are hoping you will lose yourself in daydreams of picnics and rafting experiences. It's the same reason that waiting rooms are painted in restful colors. It is not good if your blood pressure goes up higher than it already was. It was working with me. I was lost in a daydream of rushing water, and suddenly thought of a great opportunity for the right person to capitalize on it. You only need to have access to a rushing river, or waterfall, or pasture, or some other tranquil scene that transports the observer into a trance. It could even be an ant farm! You set up a camera and run it through a secure internet site. Those who join are given a password to access the video, and they run the signal to a framed flat screen in the wall. I can just imagine that first customer sitting in an office, figeting nervously. Then they happen to notice the painting on the wall. "Wait. Is that water moving? Is this some kind of trick?" People who are waiting to have their skin tumor examined are transported into a live world of action. When the nurse finally calls them, they are not only relaxed, but they don't care that it was an extra 30 minutes. They are waiting for the next raft of revelers to come around the bend. Meanwhile, the camera is sending out a 24 hour transmission to perhaps a thousand offices and homes, charging a nominal fee, which adds up to a sizeable sum. The possibilities are endless. The contracts could be set up similar to a cell tower, except the footprint would be minimal. If you are good with webcams, why not form a company setting up cameras in remote areas? Pay them $500 a month for camera privileges and make $5,000. Don't forget to send me 1% of the gross.

CENTRAL OREGON

Fall is the best season in Central Oregon. The nights are cold. Tonight it will be 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Days are blue skies and 65. The air is clear, and the mountains are all around. Morning walks are brisk. We have been staying at Eagle Crest just outside of Redmond every fall for about 15 years. It all started when Lin and I received an invitation for a time share presentation. We didn't buy one, but every referral to them generated "eagle dollars" we could spend in their restaurant. Lin's parents were the first, and they ended up buying a time share. Eventually that time share was passed on to a sibling, and we bought our own on Craig's List. Now the siblings can get together and enjoy the great climate. That reminds me of one of my pet peeves. I think time shares (purchased at the retail price) are a rip-off. The most a time share is worth is the annual maintenance fee. You can find them at great prices. Find your favorite place to go, and watch the internet for good buys. This economic climate provides an ideal opportunity.

FUN IN THE SUN (AGAIN)

Time for some fun in the sun. Here is grandchild Micah showing his camera face.

Lin drew the heart in the sand and with the sun at a very low angle it created some unusual lighting.

This photo looks like we are contemplating the meaning of life.

Don't you believe it.
We just tried to not smile.