Shai's Virtual Pen

The commute to our classes today was along back roads rather than via the freeway we usually take. There is a section of road along our usual route that is being worked on and they have completely cut off traffic asking everyone to choose alternate routes. The section of road being reconstructed is specifically regarding the railroad crossing at an intersection with a particularly rough surface. I am thankful they are fixing it, though I detest the back road because there is quite often, coincidentally, a train that comes through just as we need to cross. The train has made us late to our classes countless times because it travels so painfully slowly that sometimes ten minutes will pass. If we have the unfortunate incident of leaving last minute, we are 'toast', so to speak. And so on this rainy Bellingham morning, we left ten minutes early just in case the train that crosses the back roads is snickering along the rails like a vindictive snail. As we progressed on our back ro

The instructions seem simple enough. Step one: Disconnect the battery.  Use an 18mm combination wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal so nothing zorches while you try to solve your mechanical puzzle in the rain. Got it. Now, where is the 18mm wrench? Not in the toolbox. Not on the workbench, either. In the van? No. Truck? Nuh-uh. Vice grips will have to do. At this point my precious hubby, driven by guilt in watching his wife tackle the pickup in the rain without appropriate tools, steps in to help. He successfully loosens the bolt on the battery and finds that a lovely light show ensues when you accidentally turn the nut too far, thus connecting with the positive battery terminal with the negative. It's pretty on many levels - pretty uncomfortable, pretty irritating, pretty embarrassing... Step two: Remove the air intake and filter. This is easy. A thumb screw, two electrical connectors, and air filter to remove. No tools needed here. I feet like a prof

Disclaimer: no foul language was used or harmed in the making of this blog excerpt. The wind has picked up and temperatures have dropped here in the shaded part of the United States, otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest. Rain is looming. Therefore, fate deems it the appropriate time to begin replacement of my truck cap and rotor. My husband would do this if he hadn't sprained his hip last week. I realize, as I peer into the engine cavity, why a sprained hip might dull the mechanical enthusiasm in the replacement of these particular parts. The cap and rotor are located pretty close to dead center between the wheel wells and up close to the firewall. Mechanics under 6 feet tall would nearly need to be dangled mid air to avoid leaning on a potentially breakable engine part while attempting to access the cap. Considering I am not 6 feet tall, nor a mechanic, my task this morning has me scratching my head a bit. Sprained hip? I attempt feeble repentance at questioning my husband&#

On this summer-like day in Fall I mowed my lawn before an audience of ambitious hornets buzzing to gather all they could before real Fall arrives with all of its chilly down pours. This may perhaps be the last mowing of the year, but that is what I thought when I last mowed. We shall see. Whatever the matter, it was enjoyable exercise at least. Not knowing when the last mow of the year will occur spun my mind in contemplation; we never know when the last time for anything will be. That being the case, wouldn't it be prudent to conduct ourselves with kindness, especially with ones we love? We hope to have a lifetime, but there are no guarantees. And if we spend our lives trying to speak kindly and walk in patience we may well live long and happy lives with few or no regrets. However, if we live life speaking our minds with no buffer of kindness or patience, whatever lives we live, whether long or short, will leave a scattered mess of regretful debris. Life is not a reality show.

Here I am, finally, brushing the dust off of this old blog site. Thank you, Mark Henderson, for being so unintentionally inspiring! Some have asked about the publication of Crayons in the Toaster, which has seen so many delays. We are closer than ever. That being said, we still need to work out some kinks. My hope is to have it completed before the New Year rolls in. Fall has successfully vanquished the imposing fires that intruded upon our usual climate here in the Pacific Northwest and I must say I am happy for it. I won't complain about the rain but rather blow it heartfelt kisses for wiping the air clean of smoky haze. Additionally, with the change of seasons comes home schooling and with home schooling comes that longing look I generally cast out the window as I wish to be out in my garden. But there, again, I cannot complain. I enjoy teaching and the girls enjoy home schooling. Moreover, I am somewhat content with the view out my window that is now free of haze, thanks to