Another edition of the Vinyl Resting Place with Willie B
10pm – 12am

I decided after church today that I would go for a walk through the Sacred Grove.  With Elizabethe in California, it seemed like a suitable thing to do.

Prior to taking my walk, I enjoyed a delightful morning at church.  The kids in Primary were wound-up and wrestless.   Although it must have been tough for their teachers, for singing time they really belted out the songs.

We had a long choir practice followed by a quartet practice at Mark’s house.  It is less than one week away for our first performance.  (For those in Palmyra, it is on December 5th at 7pm at the L.D.S. Church on Temple Road which is south on Stafford Road and runs between Stafford and Rt. 21.)

After finishing dinner and baking a dessert for tomorrow’s Family Home Evening, I drove to the Welcom Center and prepared to head out on my walk.  I had no sooner entered the grove when a familiar face came towards me.  It was Paul O’Donnell.  (Paul, it was nice seeing you today.)  We talked for a while and he continued his way and I began my walk.  I pointed out a hornet nest high in the trees not far from where we talked.

Hornet Nest

I’m glad I took my walk when I did.  First, it was a treat running in to my good friend Paul.  Second, it was quiet and peaceful and gave me a well deserved break.

Alone in the Grove

I never really feel alone in the grove.  No, I don’t feel paranoid either.  But, being in the Sacred Grove when nobody else is around is a special treat.  I always feel my Heavenly Father’s love in the grove and I feel his spirit near.  It is one of those places where you can sit, ponder, read, pray and listen.  In this world today, there are few places you can do that.

Dusk and Moonrise - Sacred Grove

I sat there until I knew I best head back to the parking lot so the site missionaries aren’t sending out a search party for me.  The moon was out and the scattered clouds behind the trees made this duo-toned scene that I did the best to capture with my camera. 

Moonlit Creek - Smith Farm, Palmyra

I hope I never take for granted that I live this close to the Sacred Grove, or the Palmyra Temple, for that matter.  It is nice to be a 5 minute drive from both of them.  It was also neat to come out of the grove on a trail that faced the temple.  The temple was lit up and it was like coming through the woods towards a glowing campfire. 

Milkweed Pods

The plants took on a different hue with the dusk’s light.  The milkweed and dried reeds along the creek almost had a glow about them.  I probably could have stayed a bit longer, but the light was fading quickly and so I grabbed one last shot before heading back to the car.

You do so many things to ensure your baby’s health during and after pregnancy, by eating right, avoiding drugs and breastfeeding. But have you had your baby’s spine checked for nerve interference?

Often a newborn’s spine can be harmed during the birth process.  A normal, uncomplicated delivery puts 90 lbs. of compressive pressure on a newborn’s delicate spine.  One medical study of 1,250 babies examined 5 days after birth showed that 95% had spinal misalignments related to the birth process, causing lowered immunity, poor digestion, and sleeplessness. 

Babies are gently adjusted using low-force techniques equal to the pressure on a touch-tone phone, reconnecting their nerve system, giving them a great start in life.     

 To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

I thought I’d give you the start to finish in one set.  I’ve been organizing the photos from the remodel and picked a few that show the complete progress.  Click on the thumbnail to see the full-sized pic.

Brent had to stop by the atm.

When you do what you have always done, you will get what you always have got.

That’s good advice for people who wonder why their life is stuck in a rut.    I have to wonder why so many people don’t get this simple concept.   You want to grab them by the shoulders and look them in the eyes and say, “Well then stop doing it.”

It’s like the guy at the Seven-Eleven store buying lottery tickets.  He wonders why he can’t buy a house, drives a car that is held together with baling wire and duct tape, and he owes half of his friends money.  Yet, when you suggest he saves that $20 bill he says, “Yeah, but I could hit the big one tomorrow.”

So, get away from your s0-called-friends who drag you down.  Exercise some self-control and start thinking about tomorrow.  Dress for success.  Find someone who is very successful and befriend them and listen to their advice.  Find someone else that life has dealt them a hard-blow and give them meaningful service.  Resolve to be the best you can be.

And, for Pete’s sake, watch what you put on social network pages.  Really, is that how you want to be remembered?

So, here’s a confession… I once got involved with Amway. 

You’re probably thinking that everyone my age at some point has got involved with Amway.  Well, you’re probably right. 

I learned some valuable things from it.  Let me share them with you.

1. There are no get-rich-quick schemes.
2. The richer you are, the harder you will work at getting and staying rich.
3. If it is too good to be true – it is.
4. Multi-level marketing is the hardest way to get rich.
5. Since it requires hard work to get rich, you better find something you enjoy doing and get rich doing that.
6. Getting rich at the expense of can lead to legal trouble or even criminal charges.
7. Never invest what you can’t afford to lose.
8. What may work for you, may not work for me.  We all have different talents, likes and dislikes.

Now, here are some other things I’ve picked up along the way regarding success:

1. Any work, even fast-food, is better than no work.
2. I’d rather be digging ditches or picking up litter as long as I am providing for myself.
3. Self-esteem is directly linked to self-sufficiency.
4. Don’t fool yourself thinking that you’ll meet successful people in a club or a bar.  Successful people are too busy to sit around drinking.
5. Never let your employer, supervisor, or client, see you smoking a cigarette, drinking anything other than water, milk or a soft drink, or doing any sort of drugs. (This includes pictures you post on the Internet.)
6. Don’t smoke, drink or do any sort of drugs.
7. When doing business-to-business transactions be on top of the game and be honest.
8. Never do anything that would bring embarrassment to your parents.
9. Choose friends who live the type of life you live, or would not mind living.
10. Recognize true friends.
11. Be friendly to everyone.
12. Shun evil.
13. Believe in the truth.
14. Choose the right and let the consequence follow.
15. Be confident.
16. Be humble.
17. Define success and work towards your definition of success.  If along the way you discover your goal is not what you want, change your goal, change your direction of travel, and proceed.
18. If you get knocked down along the way, get up and start all over.

 Here are some questions for the ones who haven’t quite figured out what success is and how to get there.

1. Are you employed?  If not, what are you doing to make yourself employable?
2. What is your long-term view of life? (You do have a long-term view of your life, don’t you?)
3. When was the last time you gave meaningful service?  (example:  helped an elderly person by doing yardwork for them, gave of your time working for a charity, etc.)
4. The last time you had time on your hands, what did you do?   Did it help you get ahead?
5. Did you pay a tithe?
6. Did you give to the poor?
7. Did you pay yourself by setting aside some money for your future?
8. Do you have a budget (written down – otherwise, the answer is, “no”)?
9. Subtracting 8 hours per day for sleeping and 2 hours per day for eating, what do you send the other 14 hours doing?
10. Is the activity that takes the most time (see last question) helping you get ahead in world?
11. Does your success hinge on other people?  If so, who are they, and why does YOUR success hinge on them, and what do you have to do to break free from their control?

Now go, and make it happen.

There hasn’t been any “copying and pasting of news” this week – it’s been a busy one with a lot of deadlines. It’ll return come Monday. I also went to the launch on Baker Street last night of Trading Places, a new book by award-winning photographer and all-round good chap Steve Bloom. Also my dad. So that’s why posts have been scant: but it’s Friday, so I thought I’d cheer you all up with a few tips on how to survive the Christmas do…

The Christmas party: that perfect time to let your hair down and throw your reputation to the winds. What other time of year can you mock your boss, flirt with your co-workers and dance in your knickers, all at once?

But as legions of office drones know, that opportunity comes with a priceless hangover.

A good story was told by Adam, of High Street, Cardiff city centre. Things went wrong at his old job when fire fighters got more than they bargained for in a call-out.

Adam said: “My old work, a now-defunct bank, had a Christmas party in the office in 2003. There was a buffet, an awards ceremony for the year’s work, and karaoke machine, with added smoke machine.

“So the party was in full swing, people singing, people dancing and the smoke machine smoking. After about two hours of this, some men dressed in fireman outfits arrived at the office. Some of the female staff – including managers – assumed these were strippers.

“They started, well, gyrating around the men, trying to take off their ‘outfits’. The thing is though, they were actual firemen: the smoke machine had set the alarms off.

“Not surprisingly, that was the last Christmas party we were given in that office.”

So how does the humble worker bee prevent getting into pickles like these? Here are some ideas. Which type are you?

FOR THE NEW GUY

You have got to be extra-careful. For you have just entered a parallel world, in which your every move will be scrutinised to fit with the ‘banter’ of man-all-man employees who’ve been spending longer with each other than their wives for several decades.

So if you’ve been waiting for that perfect time to share your secret love of musicals, discuss French theatre, come out as gay or, worse, as a vegan, your first Christmas party isn’t it.

And beware, because it will seem like a good idea when you’re nine pints down and standing on the table without trousers or dignity.

Instead the best policy is cower in the corner, if possible with other trainees, and talk about ludicrously safe subjects.

Think along the lines of cars, ties (not shoes), bitter (not lager) and possibly politics, but make sure you tow the standard line: “Just how bad is that Gordon Brown?” Or you could stick to the ergonomic management keyboard:

FOR THE NEW GIRL

You’re over here. The punch is over there. In the middle is overweight Gwyn from accounts who always puts himself deliberately between you and the photocopier so you have to squeeze past.

This should be as good a hint as any not to drink anything. You’re young, fresh-faced, intelligent and unknown to you most people in the office are competing to be you, or worse, especially in Gwyn’s case.

So if they get you drunk, you’ll slowly turn into them: following the downward course until spring, when someone even younger and prettier comes in and sure enough, you want to be her.

Or, worse, you’ll canoodle in the corner with lovestruck Gwyn who, come 2010, will make sure he’s not only blocking the photocopier, but also the vending machine, water cooler and door.

But you’ve not got the same option as the New Guy. You can’t lurk in the corner with the fairer sex and a G&T, because unlike office guys, who mumble into their pints and keep eyes on ties, office girls will make sure they’re heard.

So it’s a no-go, especially if they have any gossip on Gwyn. The best bet is to flirt briefly with everything in the room – and walk away with your head held high.

FOR THE SAD HACK IN THE CORNER

You’re the only person older than the boss, so to rub in the fact you didn’t succeed even more you’ll be asked to toast him/her. If you’re sober, this will be an excellent exercise in brown-nosing. If you’re not, it’ll be an exercise in damage limitation.

You will be inclined to make a cruel joke. Do not bend to this temptation. It will probably come out wrong, meaning after 26 years of the same old story at the office do, you’ll be repeating yourself again in the new year. Someone else will get that promotion, and you’ll be stuck counting down the days on your free calendar to the next party.

You’ll also be inclined to do your famous boss-impression. Unfortunately, its fame is probably due to an in-joke among your younger colleagues, and isn’t actually funny. Plus, impressions at office dos are seldom better than that dance Ricky Gervais did in The Office. Often, they’re worse.

So don’t do it. And especially, please, don’t try and impersonate Ricky Gervais. Just no.

FOR THE BOSS

Finally, if you’re the boss and you’ve not been told about the office party, it could be a surprise do for you.

Be prepared to walk through that door after ‘urgent business’ calls you in to be greeted with party poppers and bubbly by the whole staff. By the time they’ve finished stroking your ego you won’t be able to get your head through the door.

But it more likely means you’ve not been invited.

So a word of caution: have a good think about how well-liked you are. Do you bend, bad breath and all, over the hunched shoulders of your well-meaning employees and whine you-could-probably-do-this advice in their ears?

Do you give motivational speeches standing on tables where you use star-charts and words like “self-fulfilment”? Do you keep everyone on past 5.30pm in the name of “building a community spirit”?

If any of these things apply to you, you are probably one of those Hated Bosses you’ve heard so much about. Your best bet would be to stay at home with your kids. They’re too young to realise how irritating you are yet.

Willie B hosts a Vinyl Resting Place Thanksgiving Special

First thing I did this morning was to bake one of my rich gooey cakes.  This one had pecans in the crust.  The plan is to take it to dinner at the Morse’.

I took Elizabethe to the airport this morning with a couple of stops along the way to deliver some gifts to some of Elizabethe’s visiting teaching ladies.  Traffic was nice and light so it was a breeze.

I did a lot of organizing in my office when I got back to the estate.  Every time I would make a trip to the house, I’d carry something else back to the office.  Bit by bit, the breakfast-nook is getting cleared out.

About 3:30pm I headed over to Gary & Geri Morse’ home.  I met two of their sons – Joe and Bret.  Jeff and Karen Wilcox were also there.  We had a very nice dinner and sat around talking afterwards.  None of us are in to sports, so when you aren’t in to sports, you spend your time on Thanksgiving Day being sociable.

I’m amazed how much Gary and I think alike when it comes to the type of trouble we got into as boys.  I’m sure God knew exactly what he was doing by spacing people like Gary and me miles apart when growing up.    But, we survived our childhoods and now that our  own  kids are grown, we can tell those stories without worry that our kids might try the same stupid stunts.

Well, I can honestly say, I am thankful to be alive.  I’m grateful that I survived childhood.  But most of all, I’m thankful for all that God has given me – a loving wife, wonderful children, friends in abundance, a country where we enjoy more freedoms than anywhere else in the world, a nice home, a good career, my health, the talents I’ve been given, and I could go on, and on.

“Count your many blessings;
“Name them one, by one.
“Count your many blessings;
“See what God has done.
“Count your many blessings;
“Every doubt will fly,
“And you will be singing as the days go by.”

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving evening.

It’s Thanksgiving.  The time of year when we are supposed to reflect on all of the things we’re thankful for.

But sometimes, and maybe it’s just me, being thankful is hard.

With career, kids, husband and housework, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and start to take things (and people) for granted.

That’s why this Thanksgiving I’m focusing on being thankful for the little everyday things that I usually miss or dismiss because I’m too busy to notice.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for the big things–my health, my home, my family and friends–but I need to focus on the trees and not the forest.  The forest is too heavy for me right now.

So here’s my starter list for the day.  I’ll be adding to it via Twitter (@BeingSuper for you tweeps) throughout the day as all those wonderful little things pop up.

1.  I’m thankful that Non-Bio Daughter finally bought a car, so she doesn’t have to borrow mine anymore.  But for the love of Jesus honey, please slow down.

2.  I’m thankful that Boy! got his hair cut.  Now I can see his eyes and know what he’s up to.

3.  I’m thankful for Monkey’s nose.  It’s Michael Jackson-esque, always cold, perfect for kissing and a great source of entertainment at Steiner Haus.  I want to bite it.

4.  I’m thankful for Brent’s chest hair. Because you either dig the Magnum PI look or you don’t.  I totally dig it.

I’d love to hear your list of Little Things You’re Thankful For.  Send them to me via Twitter or leave in comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Dr. Brent Lipke DC

If you are pregnant one of the best healthiest things you can do is see a doctor of Chiropractic. 

Another great reason for Chiropractic care during pregnancy is that it is drugless and has no side effects, unlike drugs which can cross the placenta and harm the growing baby. 

Research has shown Chiropractic to help maintain pregnancy, control vomiting, reduce back pain and back labour, reduce premature contractions, shorten labor time by 60% , and reduce drug use by 50%.

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

I’m Dr. Brent Lipke, educating you to help you educate others !

Winter can be a great time for bird watching in the West of Ireland. Here are three of the more interesting birds I’ve seen recently.

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

This bird does not ‘belong’ in Ireland, let alone the West. However, as I was driving south through Galway and its terrible floods the other day, a large white bird caught my eye in a flooded field at Kilcolgan. I stopped and observed the Great White Egret for 10 minutes, before continuing on my way. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera, so here is a picture from the UK’s RSPB website.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Geese

North West Mayo carries internationally important numbers of this bird during winter, when they migrate south from Greenland. I saw five recently at Blacksod Bay, but, again, didn’t have my camera. The Iniskea Islands hold very large numbers of these during winter. Note the pale white / cream face on an otherwise black upper body head and neck.

Brent Goose

Brent Geese

Again, the North West of Ireland holds important wintering flocks of Brent Geese. I saw three on the beach at Dromard, Co. Sligo recently. That day, I did have the camera. Click on the picture to increase its size and note the Brent’s distinctive thin white collar, which is visible on the bird on the left.

With high-speed Internet, and my desk in my office, I was ready to test it out today.  10mbps down and about 900kbps up and I was cookin’. 

I had to take some kraft paper and put it over the windows.  The sunlight coming in causes some terrible glare.  I’ll have to talk Elizabethe into makeing some curtains for the windows, or find some sort of suitable blinds.

Office with Computers

It’s kind of a wiring nightmare right now.  I have to re-route cables and zip-tie them and make it neat, but hey, it is usable at last.

Elizabethe and I worked at the temple tonight.  When I got there, the parking lot was about empty, however, it was quite busy.  I had to learn some quick Spanish.  I think I butched it.  But, the Spanish-speaking guests thanked me for my efforts.   (Maybe it is time to breakdown and purchase Rosetta Stone software for learning Spanish.)

Today was pretty uneventful.  My morning walk was down to the dock and back.  Nothing spectacular to photograph.  The sky was kind of boring.  Clear.  No color.  No clouds.  And, it wasn’t cold enough to make the canal steam.  Oh, well.

There is no snow in the forecast either.  (And people in Utah and Idaho teased me about moving here.  You’ve already had more snow, but less precipitation than we’ve had.  Oh, and colder temperatures. )  That’s fine… we’ll get our snow and I’ll gladly shovel the driveway.  I’ll post the photos when it happens.

Every week the Vinyl Resting Place features tracks from old vinyl from nearly every decade of the twentieth century around theme most of the time.  Check it out on RadioMaxMusic 10pm ET.

Sometimes, in spite of how much practicing a musician does, mistakes will still be made.  I marvel at those who can play a difficult piece without a single mistake.  The link between my fingers and brain doesn’t work that way.  I can take a simple arrangement and play it perfect 3 times in a row and on the 4th time, totally fat-finger it.  Other times, I can never get it straight.  As much as I practice, it just comes out wrong.

Today was one of those days where I had to play a hymn that I couldn’t quite get it right.  However, when it came time to play it, the rough areas came out smooth.  I’m not saying I didn’t make a single mistake.  But, I made far fewer mistakes than I did when I was practicing.  This just goes to show that sometimes we receive extra help — divine help.

Years ago as a 20-year-old missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I remember a ward mission leader who was a machinist.  Brother Engle said the knew that God helped him at his work and made up for is inadequacies.  He said the equipment he used was only accurate to so many microns, but he was able to beat those tolerances.  I do not really think I understood what he was saying until this calling as ward organists.  Now I know what Brother Engle was trying to say.

Earlier this week Brent suggested we make Saturday night “date night” and he was going to cook for us. I was shocked because I didn’t realize date night was in his vocabulary, and I was also surprised Brent was willing to do something so nice, given my complete craziness as of late. Occasionally I catch myself acting crazy and realize how hard I must be to live with sometimes. Only 3 more weeks or so in the semester!

Anyway, back to dinner. Brent used our “fancy meals” cookbook to come up with some meal ideas. He decided on a “simple” soup and salad combo.

First up we had Frisee Salad with Baked Goat Cheese and Bacon. Goat cheese… on bread!! This salad course was all kinds of amazing. A wonderful pick by Brent. The man knows what I like.

The goat cheese was a necessary and delicious addition for cutting the tartness of the vinegary dressing. The bread was an artisan Bread dough baguette I made this morning. The only change Brent made to the recipe was to use canola oil in place of walnut oil because (his words), “walnut oil is balls expensive.” I support that decision. Salad was delicious regardless.

The second course was equally, if not more delicious. Brent and I tend to enjoy a lot of the same foods, but I think he’s more adventurous than I am when it comes to cooking. He often picks out recipes that I might not pick, assuming they may not turn out well if I made them at home. I’m glad he choose this Portuguese Clam and Chorizo Stew.

For the stew, Brent made a few substitutions. Fort Wayne isn’t a super foodie-friendly town, so we had to make due with what Brent could find:

• In place of smoked chorizo, he used some type of Boar’s Head spicy Italian sausage with paprika in it.
• He couldn’t find 4 dozen little neck clams, so he used half fresh clams, half canned clams.
• In place of piquillo peppers, he used roasted red peppers with a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Everything was wonderful, and I greatly appreciated Brent’s suggestion for date night. Now we’re resting on the couch watching some Netflix movies.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!