7 Quick Takes (two memes today)

Pop over to Jennifer's ConversionDiary blog (via the sidebar link on this page) and add  your seven mini posts to sum up your blogging thoughts for the week. Jennifer's list of participants for this meme is QUITE long, so while you're there you can enjoy surfing across the internet reading the entries of many others!

My Quick Takes for the Friday, June 25th, 2010


1) In our efforts to cut back on use of electricity in our home for the purpose of lowering our bill, we have encountered a minor (so far, FRIENDLY) debate in our family as to whether or not the use of the air conditioner is for "health reasons" or "comfort reasons". I'll say upfront that I personally subscribe to the latter's school of thought...but I'm wondering what YOU think on the topic. Some have expressed to me that when the temperatures reach 100+ degrees and it is humid (as has been our climate this past week) then using an air conditioner becomes a matter of health.  I do not think using ac's is healthy to begin with...but that's another debate...Anyway, it seems to me that it remains more of a means of "comfort" than "necessary for good health".    What say you?

2) Have you ever noticed that children are happiest when they are playing in and with natural elements? I know it's been said many times that "kids don't need store-bought toys...only a big empty cardboard box".
I'd have to say I agree with this somewhat as my kids become enthralled, focused, occupied, happy, and engaged most when they are playing with things like: water, dirt, sticks and leaves, rocks, wood, trees, etc...
I just love to watch them as they build, discuss, create, arrange, and delight in their surroundings!

3) Speaking of "dirt", my daughter told me a very cute joke the other day: It seems there was a group of scientists who were debating with God that they didn't think His "creation of life" to be all that impressive or awesome. They claimed that they too, had the power to create life by means of cloning, test tubes, etc...
God explained to the scientists that they hadn't really "created" life, but merely copied it, or RE-created it using things that already existed whereas when He creates, He creates from "nothing". The pompous scientists seem to rise to this challenge and said to God, "Alright then...you made man from dirt, so we'll make man from dirt...let us both go off and make man from dirt and You will see that our man is better than Yours".
"Ok, God said...let's begin". The scientists ran off and began to gather up buckets of earth nearby when they heard God's voice one more time. He said, "Wait! Get your OWN dirt first!" 

3) I have been thinking about the cultures of people who wear clothing that covers their whole head and bodies and yet live in climates that are very very hot. I tend to become a bit lazy when the humidity levels peak. As I was headed up to the garden the other evening (about 100 or so yards from the house) I found I really had to "push" myself to go water the crops at all. Our water faucets at the barn are broken and thus we've been hauling buckets to and fro from the hose at the house in order to nourish our crops. This has all had me thinking on what "strong character and make-up" these cultures of people must be to disregard the discomfort of wearing all of that clothing in tremendously high temperatures, while still working hard each day.

4) UGH...also involved in my current theme on "heat and humidity" is the fact that Husky/Border Collie dogs shed like the Dickens come summer time! Even with daily brushings, we are having such a struggle trying to keep our floors and home "fuzz free" from the coats of our beloved pets. Our dogs are outside in a field all day, but come in at night to sleep. Let's just say that I'm glad KIDS don't shed like dogs do or I'd be in BIG TROUBLE around here!

5) We have two birthdays coming up on Monday! It's the birthdays of "the Marys"! Two of our girls have the first name of "Mary" (Well, ALL of our girls have SOME form of "Mary" in their names, myself included...to honor the Blessed Mother) but we actually have a Mary Helen and a Mary Clare and ironically, they are born on the SAME day! (The younger of the two, Mary Clare was born at 11:35 pm, so she made it with less than half to spare to share in her big sister's birthday!) This little family quirk confused MANY people; especially those in medical offices and hospitals who often call us to inquire, "Do you know you have two children named Mary?"  (Ummm... YES)  and "Do you know that they are born on the same day?" (Ummm...YES)
"Are they twins?" (Ummmm...NO, I don't THINK so since one is born in the year 2000 and the other 2004!!!)

6) Said "birthday girls" above begin weeks ahead planning what they will request for their birthday dinner and what games we will play, what flavor cake, etc...people have suggested that we should do "two separate" parties or cakes or the like, so that we do not "deprive" either girl...however, the girls wouldn't hear of it for they LOVE sharing their birthdays together! They see it as being doubly blessed, not as being "jipped". (Is that a real word? Is that how you spell it?)

7) My AWESOME mother, who will turn 82 come July, took the WII Sports Age Fitness Challenge the other day...and she tested out at age: 33!!! Here I was, riding around on my high horse at home because I had tested at age 20...younger than either of my teens tested...and in comes my own mother to RIP the rug of victory right out from under my feet as she soars across the finish line with an age 49 years younger than her actual one!!!!! Well, as they say, "I come from good stock!"  YAY Mum!