daily life as life goes on . . .

Gas Prices on the way up, . . . again

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So, we are in to Saskatoon today — a two hour drive.  As we enter Saskatoon we notice gas prices are at $1.299 per litre.  As we leave, they are now at $1.359 per litre.

The joy of electronics let’s a flip of the switch change prices on pumps and signs.  Unfortunately, for us travelers there is no flip of a switch on our gas tanks.  The car doesn’t automatically get better mileage as the prices go higher.

I can see a number of people looking for cars with better mileage.  And the prices on “gas savers” going up, while “gas guzzlers” go down in price.  Maybe I can finally get that 1/2 ton truck I’ve been waiting for!!

Priming for lawns

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Lsat night we visited a friend to mow her lawn. Her lawn mower was not working well. In fact, it would sputter to life and then die.

Down the street another friend had a lawn mower. We asked to borrow it. He came with his truck and the mower. As I began to mow, my friend asked if this neighbour knew anything about motors. He wasn’t sure he wanted to get into completely stripping a motor down and rebuilding it. But, he would look and see what could be done. We heard the motor cough and go, cough and go, cough and go! The possible problem was found, probably some air in the gas line.

All that needed to be done was to keep priming the motor until things kept running. I had tried priming the motor just once or twice and things just quit. But sometimes we need to constantly keep priming a situation until things get back to normal.

The lawn is done, a certain equilibrium has returned and the next time the lawn needs mowed I expect the mower will work.

Meeting machinery

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Today we had a church membership meeting. We discussed two issues. One was an almost rubber stamp type of thing. The other had many facets, any one of which could derail civil communication and end in endless discussion and perhaps acrimony.

Our chair (not the nice blue ones we have, but the chairperson!) carefully steered us through. He pointed out that we needed to deal with a present, and very distinct, motion. He was careful to not let other issues distract us. Much like I had learned in a coaching session earlier in the week – whenever another issue arises, plan to deal with it but leave it for another time.

Now, although there were definitely two sides that came to the table, we met in the middle. Not the compromising middle that is tepid and insipid (let’s add apathetic and apologetic). Rather, the radical middle that recognized differences but wanted to try an option that could be vital and visionary.

Sometimes machinery in the right operator’s hands works. Thanks, John!!

Whether there is weather

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We were outside today, working on our grass patches that didn’t make the winter.  Our anxiety has been that the next rain will come before the seed is planted.  The rain’s nourishment of the seed is vital.

So, we’ve watched the weather channel, listened to the news and gone online.  All indications were that rain was imminent.  I’m looking out the window on an evening sky with a few clouds.  But no imminent rain.

So, whether there is weather, I’m never sure.  Only God knows, and I guess that’s not a bad thing!!