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In solitary search of knowledge, we rob ourselves of perspective and walk past in ignorance the wisdom of experience. Several debates in my life right now have made this statement poignant to me on many levels. It reminds me that most of my issues on the grand scheme of things are minor compared to the problems many others are facing in the world today. It helps to remind me to listen more. And it reminds me of the important distinction between knowledge and wisdom, IQ and EQ. I pray that I can remember what Bonhoeffer calls the "danger" of missing the "essential" in ever expanding knowledge. "To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Theologian "It is no longer enough to be smart -- all the technological tools in the world add meaning and value only if they enhance our core values, the deepest part of our heart. Acquiring knowledge is no guarantee of practical, useful application. Wisdom implies a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential." "Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening ... when you'd have preferred to talk." |
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In honor of the occasion, a little winter fun. Enjoy! Feeling competitive? Enter your time in a comment. According to JigZone the average time is 1 minute and 22 seconds. |
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So, it's a little late to say Happy New Year, but I hope yours has started off beautifully. That said, I wanted to post a brief overview of the past year in our lives. January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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Shhhh....I'm taking over while they're not paying attention. They think that I'm just sleeping on the laptop as usual...if they only knew. Greg and Kendi talk about all their travels. Now it's my turn. The Saturday before Christmas, Paul and Elaine came to see us in the middle of a snow storm. I should have known something was up, but I just enjoyed the extra company and attention. I wasn't sure what to think when they threw me out into the snow on our balcony, but other than being a little cold on my paws, it was awesome. After that Paul and Elaine spent the night, and so I went in and curled up on the couch with them instead of sleeping beside Kendi & Greg like I usually do. Everyone woke up early Sunday morning, Kendi and Greg debated something for a few minutes, Greg made a phone call, and then we all visited some more. Then Greg and Paul left for a few minutes and came back with my favorite take out food, Chinese. So exciting. Kendi and Greg made me behave, but when the four of them were done eating, Paul snuck me some bits of chicken under the table. (I've got him wrapped around my little paw.) It was then that things started getting weird. As Paul and Elaine got ready to go, Greg just wanted to keep hugging me. I wanted down to say my good byes, but Greg handed me to Kendi, who then handed me back to Greg. Then Greg put me in my carrier. I'm used to that happening after Kendi gets home from work, or when those big green suitcases are getting filled, but I didn't know what to think about that. Soon we were all going to the parking garage and I was buckled into Paul and Elaine's Explorer. Then we left. Greg and Kendi waved, and we left. Not sure what to think about being taken away in such fashion, I fussed a little for attention. But then I figured, heck, they'll spoil me so what is there to complain about. I curled up on my warm felt blankies and went to sleep. I woke to find that we had stopped for chicken. That's right chicken. Man did it smell good. But then we started driving again, so I waited to see what was going to happen next. Soon we stopped to see Tinka and Jay and their "thinks he's so great" cat Boots. Boots is soooo old. Tinka and Jay gave me a new toy for Christmas. Then we went to Paul and Elaine's house and I got to see Patches again. Patches is old too, and gets a little snippy when I want to play, but she's okay. I like her. After a week of playing with Patches, Paul and Elaine put me in my carrier and buckled me into their car again. The trip wasn't as long this time. And when I was released, I was at Aunt Linda, Uncle Bob, and Bret's house. Greg and Kendi were there. I was so excited. They had a Christmas tree that I soooo wanted to chew on but Greg and Kendi wouldn't let me. So I played with my new toy and explored while they sat down to eat lunch. Aunt Linda had made something that they all seemed to like for lunch. It smelled like tomato sauce and pasta and veal. It smelled very yummy; but, food comes after exploring in my book. After they finished eating, they exchanged Christmas presents with each other, and I of course used the distraction to try more tree chewing, and then to find a dark place to sleep. Soon I heard Kendi and Bret calling for me, but I was too tired to care, so I curled up under a chair and slept. Greg pulled me out of my slumber a few minutes later, loaded me in my carrier again, and buckled me in our car again. I was so tired. I was not going to let them get away with this easily; so, I decided to let them know that I wanted attention by mewing a bit. I even got out of my carrier for a minute at one point and fell off the back seat before Kendi could zipper me back in. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up because we had stopped somewhere, Greg and Kendi each held me for a few minutes. Then they put me back in the carrier and we traveled some more. Soon, I was released and realized that I was home. Back to my fountain, my litter box, my food bowl...all mine. I cuddled with Greg and Kendi for a day or so, since I did miss them a little; but, they still haven't learn to play like Patches. Maybe next trip... ~Freyja |
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...continuing from the previous post. Wednesday morning, Greg and I made farm fresh eggs (courtesy of Mom & Dad T.) with toast for breakfast. Then we joined Mom E. in the waiting game for everyone else to either wake up or arrive. Grandma and Grandpa arrived soon, around lunch time, followed by Ryan, Christina, and Eowyn arriving by mid afternoon. It was wonderful to see everyone and to visit for a while. After Ryan, Nathan, and Mr. Bill got back from seeing the movie, Avatar; we had Ryan and Christina open their gifts as they were leaving the next day to visit with Christina's family for Christmas. It took us a while to finish dinner and get ready for gift sharing, but in the meantime Greg and I were able to teach Grandma, Grandpa, and Courtney how to play Skip-Bo. Then when were we all gathered and ready to go, Ryan and Christina opened their gifts from the family. Greg and I especially had fun watching them open the Steelers and Redskins baby gear we'd gotten for Eowyn. =) It was great to see the blessings that everyone shared with them. After that, Greg got to hold his baby niece for a few minutes and then it was time for bed. Thursday morning, we slept in a short bit, made breakfast, and got ready to send off Ryan and Christina for Christmas. Unfortunately at the time, Greg and I didn't know that they'd be joining the rest of the family for lunch out later that day. That said, when we found out we were grateful to be able to spend some more time with them before they headed out and so we got ready for lunch. Around 2:30pm the whole family minus a very sick Courtney had a late lunch at Cracker Barrel and then went back to Mom & Mr. Bill's house to see Ryan and Christina safely off. Poor Eowyn was not happy at having to wait in the car seat while Mommy & Daddy packed things to hit the road, though she perked up at and smiled at the attention from her Grandmother and Great-Grandmother while she waited. In the end, she had to come out of her car seat for a diaper change having just ate at the restaurant; which gave everyone one last chance to hold her before they hit the road. We saw Ryan and Christina off for South Carolina and then all rushed to change clothes in order to make the 4:30pm Christmas Eve Service. It was a beautiful service, and for me was the big hit that it was truly Christmas in midst of the world and it's trials and stresses. After getting back from the service we called Mom T. and Jay who was with her at the time to wish my family a Merry Christmas before their annual Christmas eve gathering. Then Greg and I passed around the Carmel snack mixed we'd made for everyone and it was game time. Grandpa, Grandma, Nathan, Courtney, Greg, and I played Skip-bo and Balderdash the rest of the evening. The highlight for us was having everyone in stitches while playing Balderdash. I don't think that I've ever seen Grandpa laugh as hard as when he had to read the word "collywobbles," which by the way, means stomach ache. It was a wonderful, laid back, and laughter filled Christmas eve. Christmas Day after everyone had woken up, we gathered for the traditional exchanging of Christmas gifts. Greg read the Christmas story from Luke 2, and then we opened our gifts. I was especially excited that Mom and Grandma liked Saturday morning we got up and packed things to go while Mom E. made a pancakes for breakfast. After sharing breakfast with Mr. Bill and Grandpa, we packed up our car, said our fare thee wells, and hit the road again for our 10 trip back to Northern Virginia. Thankfully traffic flow and weather were both on our side so that were were able to safely make good time home. All in all we'd had a wonderful visit complete with yummy cookies, Grandpa's fudge, and lots of quality family time. |
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