Category Archives: Day to Day

November 5, 2009 · 10:32 am

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

It is “garbage day” today.  I realized this as I was rushing out the door to go to work.  So, I grabbed the bag of garbage from the kitchen, the three things I”d put close to the back door for the next trip outside and my keys so I could start the car with the remote starter.  It didn’t start on the first push of the button from inside the house. 

I got to the bin, jerked open the frozen lid and noticed that some creature had managed to grab part of a bag through the split in the partly broken bin.  So, I leaned in and while throwing the stuff I had in my hands into the bin, I also pulled the ripped bag back into the inside so that it wouldn’t get stuck and stay there when the bin was emptied. 

I threw everything into the bin.  Including my keys.

My rushing resulted in me having to grab a new garbage bag, removing the spilled contents of the ripped bag plus all the other bagged garbage from the bin.  There, at the bottom of course, were my keys. 

At least I discovered the loss before the truck emptied the bin. 

But I think I should just slow down a bit and maybe not multi-task quite so effectively.

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November 2, 2009 · 7:53 pm

I still have so much to figure out.

I am thinking through – or trying to – my personal theology of work and daily life (my understanding of God’s relationship to my world).  Trying to figure out and appreciate the activity of God in the daily parts of living; you know, my relationship with Leo, the family, visitors, the grandkids, study and work and how my faith mixes with all these things; where God is in this ordinary daily stuff and what he wants from me.

I do not have it all sorted out.  So this might just sound confused or extremely boring and I really do not want to bore you.  So skip this if you want to read someone who has it all put together.

Sixty years and I still have so much to figure out. Continue reading →

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Filed under Day to Day, Family, grandchildren, Reflections, Studying, Writings

October 25, 2009 · 4:45 pm

Indulgences

I am waiting in the airport in Calgary, in the Maple Leaf Lounge.This is a good place to wait if you have studying or reading to do.  It is quiet and there is free tea and coffee and other things.  Leo decided that if I was going to travel, he would get this little perk for us.  And it is well worth it.  Otherwise airports are no fun at all!

Anyway, I am on my way back to Saskatoon after ALIVE, our church’s adult retreat.  I’m not sure if these things should be called a retreat since in the true sense of “retreat” it was not.  We did a lot of visiting, some worship with music and we heard God speak to us through Ruth Hill.

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Ruth and I have known each other since back in the Congo.  Now it seems we are on a similar sort of faith journey, discovering that in our late 50’s/early 60’s, we are hearing God call us on into new endeavours that involve study. 

We also both have a weakness for chocolate and after spending our free time on Saturday in our books studying, happened to head out into the hotel corridor at the same time. We drove into downtown Canmore thinking we’d walk around and browse some shops.  Instead we just happened to walk by a Creperie within the first block and were divinely led inside to enjoy some wonderful crepes – Chocolate and Nutella.  What could we do but indulge?

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October 23, 2009 · 3:22 pm

Life

Right after work tonight, I hit the road and head for Saskatoon to board a plane to Calgary then drive again to Canmore. I hope to make it to my hotel there by 10:30 or so. We’ll see. Last time I estimated the time it would take to get up to Kingsfold, I underestimated by a good hour. Of course I got lost and it was snowing and raining so hard it was easy to miss my turn off.

So, I guess we will see. I will get there when I get there.

I am attending Alive,an adult retreat (which usually means over 50, you young things that do not fit the description) Ruth Hill is speaking and since we did time together in the Congo, we always have lots to talk about.

And I am now waiting for the School Dental Program people to arrive so that I can finish a job that ended up being a bit too complicated for them. I do not want to have to speed too fast on the way to Saskatoon and my meeting scheduled for there at 6 before my plane leaves.

Such a hectic life I lead. Sometimes it seems as if the crazyiness comes totally unbidden and unplanned putting an end to all my nicely timed out schedule.

Life. Is Too Full Some Days.

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Filed under Day to Day, Dealing with stuff, Travels, Worship events

October 14, 2009 · 10:43 pm

O Mother,Where art Thou?

Today was quite the day. It was one of those morning when I sedate little kids so we can get some simple dental work done in a more pleasant way than the wrap and let scream method.  It is actually pretty hard to hold down a little kid that does not want a needle.  They become suddenly incredibly strong and make totally unpredictable movements.  Lovely when trying to do a mandibular block – and dangerous too.

I had just finished the first case and was measuring up the dose for the second child when I got a phone call.  Zaka’s day care was on the line.  He needed to be sent home since he had a “pink eye” and was not welcome to stay.  They could not reach his mom.

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Well, the other day, Zaka’s mom had her purse stolen and although she found it and all her ID and cards were left alone, her cell phone was smashed.  Today she was in class at SIAST and it is pretty near impossible to find someone there it seems.  The messages I left on the program head’s phone got no response. 

So, I sent a staff member over to the day care and Zaka spent the morning at my office.  At first he was having a great time but several hours later he was very bored and getting noisier and noisier as he played in the waiting room with our big blocks. I needed to get him out of there so that I and my staff would be able to work in the afternoon.

So, off we went to the golden arches for a drive through lunch.  Could not locate his mom but we did find Uncle Christian who was still at home and volunteered to watch him for the afternoon even though he would have to miss his own classes. 

Then it just so happened that Zaka also had a dental appointment with me in the afternoon. At 4.  Thought for sure that his mom would remember and in going to pick him up to bring him for the appointment would discover that he was now at my house with his uncle.  It got close to the time of his appointment but no mom. So, Uncle brought him over. 

It really is not so great to be left at Grandmas when Grandma is the dentist and a filling is needed.  Mom was really the one he wanted by that time.  The dental visit was a bit less than a success. We did get a temporary patch job done and then I packed Zaka up and took him back for more time with uncle so I wouldn’t miss a hair appointment.

Finally, just before 6, mom showed up. She called Christian to see if he could give her some help with her computer and when he said he was at home looking after Zaka, she was pretty surprised. Poor mom.  She was upset that she had caused such a lot of work for all of us because she had no phone and because she had forgotten an appointment. 

Life as a single mom trying to go to school gets very complicated when the boy gets sick. 

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Filed under Day to Day, Family

October 9, 2009 · 8:33 pm

Thanksgiving

There are many things to be thankful for – a long week of work is done for one thing. 

Today I was working in the operating room – just regular dental work on sort of irregular people I guess.  From a tiny little girl of 17 months to a mentally challenged adult.  It is hard to really know how long I did today will last.  There are a lot of if’s that could make things go well – or not- such as, if brushing happens, if weaning is done from the bottle, if the FAS child gets care from a parent with enough energy to instil consistent habits.  So, time will tell.

And then, back at the office and a patient comes in with some pain that is hard to diagnose.  But she trusts me so she comes and we talk and hope that we can get it sorted out and treated.  Without it costing her more than she can afford.  I can’t do magic of course but I can take some time and talk and let the patient know that I will do the best I can to figure out what is causing their pain. 

Sometimes cost is such a limiting factor in treatment.  Not that all available treatments and marvellous technology inevitably leads to better health but not having the necessary money for simple treatments sure is a serious limitation.  And I have to discern my role in this; what is wise to carry myself and what I need allow the patient to take responsibility for.

So, that was mostly how my day went. Work plus an appointment later with my spiritual director.  Something between us seemed to connect well today.  It seemed as if God was there providing some wisdom that I needed to hear. 

All this caused me to get home rather late tonight.  I was wondering what on earth to fix for supper when Christian came in and said that Leo had called and was socializing with some of our friends down at one of the bars and to call him.  Went for wine and wings and nachos.  As good as supper for me.  Good times with good friends are something to be thankful for as well.

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Filed under Day to Day, Dental

September 26, 2009 · 2:34 pm

So this is Saturday

I have just returned from a shopping trip to the mall with my daughter-in-law and my three grandchildren. 

Ahhh… the joys of shopping with children.   They were pretty good actually but I have gotten used to hunting around in shops at my leisure.  We spent time in the play area.  That’s not an area I usually visit. 

But  I did find a pair of dressy shoes that fit my wide, wide feet.  Now I’m set for the gala event I am attending this evening with the purpose of meeting up with a dental student I wll be mentoring over this coming year.  And I’ll get to visit with our past summer student and his wife as well as visit with Sara and her dental student boyfriend. 

Then I turn around and drive home – I think.  Unless it is just too late and I’m too tired.  My kids always seem to allow me to sleep over if I need to.

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Filed under Day to Day, Dental, Family, grandchildren

September 17, 2009 · 5:28 pm

Thoughts

This morning I read in Mark 14 the story of the woman who poured expensive perfume over the head of Jesus while he was a guest at Simon’s house for dinner. So often when I re-read a story like this one, I come away from it with a fresh perspective on it.

The woman who came to that dinner – uninvited and subsequently soundly criticized for her action – came to worship the one who had given her something of more value than all the money she spent on that perfume. The story and the criticism she received reminded me that we all need ways in which to express our deepest feelings in worship of Jesus. Jesus recognized her action as worship and told his frugal followers (concerned for the waste) that her act of anointing was in preparation for his death. Of course they didn’t understand that his death was close at hand. And of course they had never seen anyone worship God in this way, spontaneously with an action coming from her heart, perhaps from her recent experience of love being poured out onto her hurts and sorrows as only God can. It wasn’t that the disciples and other followers were unused to expressions of worship, but worship had its prescribed forms that were to be followed and this just wasn’t the norm. This was lavish and messy and maybe embarrassing sensual.

I have been suffering from the effects of change lately. I think. The effects of living in changing times are not always glaringly obvious but I think that is what I am experiencing as we settle into anew rhythm of church life that comes with new staff. Things we used to do have no great significance to the newcomers but suddenly the change takes on new significance for me. There are things I miss; their absence makes me suddenly homesick for the old ways. Old habits suddenly take on meaning way beyond what they are worth. New patterns of worship are waiting for me to explore if I can embrace them; if I’m not too afraid to recognize that they too are ways of worship.

New ways of worship. They are going to happen. They need to happen. A new generation needs to find its own expression of faith and worship. Maybe it will look more like expensive perfume being poured out extravagantly to bless God in ways I never would have dared.

And then again, it could be that I am a bit like that woman, and the stuff I am longing for is the experience, sensual as it is, of pouring out my love to God in ways that others don’t always understand.

A short paragraph in Mark; the story of a woman that will be remembered – as Jesus promised. The words are stirring some kind of soul work in me.

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Filed under Day to Day, Devotional Reading, Reading, Reflections

August 14, 2009 · 9:21 pm

Vacationing

I think my posts will be sporadic over the next few weeks.  It doesn’t really seem as if a whole week of vacation has already passed.  It has been very good. 

The first couple of days were just spent around home.  I don’t think I got a lot done although, now that I think about it, I did clean out a closet and get ready to depart on my travelling camping trip,driving to Vancouver where I’ll meet Leo and Kieran for the cruise up to Alaska.

I also spent a couple of days out at Anglin Lake, a gift from my staff. It is one of my favourite places to go and, although it seemed busier than usual, was a wonderful two days.  It may have been busier due to the perfect weather.  I even swimming and sat on the beach.IMG_0233

Wednesday I left for Alberta.  There is another of my favourite spots there – Elk Island National Park.  The camping is great IMG_0391  and there are no bears resident to the park so I feel pretty safe camping there.  It is so close to Edmonton but so quiet.  This morning in the rain as I was leaving the bison were all over the road.  It took a few extra minutes to get to the highway but it is fun to drive through a herd of these huge animals that are at relative ease with vehicles.

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And now here I am at the Friesen’s in the field.  I  timed it just perfectly. This morning, I awoke at about 5 am to the sound of little droplets of rain on the roof of the tent.  Wisely, I pulled myself off my comfy air mattress and took down the tent, packed up the car and then finished my morning sleep inside the car in the parking lot before heading down here.  It has been raining all day.  I am happy not to be tenting anywhere tonight.  It has been raining all day and it is supposed to get quite cold tonight.  I could handle cold maybe but not cold and wet. 

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Filed under Day to Day, Photos, Travels

July 31, 2009 · 5:06 pm

Heading south

to the first ever Lanoie family reunion. I guess it is 100 years since the ancestors left Quebec for other parts, some coming out west and others heading down to the US.  I guess times were hard back in those days in Quebec.

So most of the kids and their kids are going.  I am almost packed; just waiting for my passengers to finish work. 

I won’t take my laptop with me on this trip.  I doubt that the little motel we are lodging in will have wireless anyway.  And I can give this a rest to do some serious visiting.  And I think all my grandchildren will be there. I am taking the camera for sure.

I should be back in this space on Monday night. 

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