Scribble and Scrambles - Ha, Ha, Ah

Today must be fun with words day. I have gotten several really great jokes via e-mail.

Or I may just be in a bubbly kind of mood. Either way, I really love to laugh.

Sometimes it seems really callous to laugh and enjoy life when the economy is tenuous, when people are sick and dying, when endangered species are losing ground.

You know, all those things really bother me.

But I've spent a long time trying to right wrongs and fix people's brokenness. And I've learned that I can't fix people, nor can I truly right a wrong. Unless it's one I committed, but even then I'm limited.

I can offer arms to hug, fingers to wipe away tears, ears to listen, a heart to ache, and prayers. But I can't undo or restore anything.

I can rest and refresh in God. Receive joy in knowing the King of kings will give me an audience and listen to my needs and concerns.

Celestial artwork arrayed in the heavens delights my soul. God's creativity and sovereignty humble me and inspire me. I can offer what I have and who I am to those who need a touch from heaven. I can point to the God of the universe as their protector, strength and salvation.

I can delight in life's quirks and in people who are the epitome of quirk. I can laugh out loud and suck in life. I can dream and delight and savor. Part of me thinks that this is what I was created to do. Not walk a careful line, shaking my head at the wrongs in the world, but embracing with enthusiasm the rights.

I hope today brings you joy and a smile if not an outright har, har, har.

Scribbles and Scrambles - Cave Dwelling

The theme of the trip to Minnesota seems to be caves. So that's what I'll focus on today.

First, I must say that the cave tour and swing dance event was pretty fabulous. If you are ever in St. Paul and are dying to get a fix of ganster lore there's the link.

The first order of cave business is to report that no one was injured at swing night. Nor did we see any ghostly gangsters. The legend claims four men were yelling minutes before an eyewitness entered the room and saw three Tommy-Gunned messes and one holding the smoking gun. However, once the police got involved, all was cleaned up and the shooter and shootees didn't exit the cave. Rumor has it that the shooter likely got out eventually, but the shootees remained behind, buried in the sand.

After the tour, we took lessons. The girls in our gaggle out-numbered the males so they danced with other gentlemen.

A couple of the guys were labeled creepy.

I think I'll cover what makes a guy creepy to a young lady sometime in the near future. Because there were far less attractive men who danced all night, while the ones with the creep labels were looking for partners. So if you are a guy looking for a great girl and they run from you, come back and we'll see if we can't help you figure out how not to send out creep vibes.

And speaking of creepiness...we did not see a bat in the cave.

Until dinner the next night. New to we Iowans was a phrase uttered in annoyed sibling in Minnesotan - "Eww! You have a bat in the cave." Followed by the mother's comment, "Go get a Kleenex."

Very creative and guaranteed to be overused here.

Scribble and Scrambles - Rob Speaks

My hubby Rob is sitting next to me and staring over my shoulder as I check my long weekend's worth of communication.

Since I'm still a little punchy from the trip and late/early (whatever you consider two a.m. to be) homecoming, I'm going to let him heckle me and share it with you.

First, he doesn't like the name Scrambled Dregs. I turn and shoot him one dagger (he can't see both eyes) and say. "Hello! It fits me. You know my randomness, lack of focus and easy distractibility?"

"No, I think it should be named 'Sunshiny Day with a Chance of Angry Eyes'."

This is in reference to our fun with threats. We refer to angry eyes and bodily harm often. It's kind of a sick game. One of my favorite things is to get a healthy set of angry eyebrows from one of my family members. Though always in jest, my peeps can each pull off a very crabby countenance.

To picture what this might look like...think big wrinkle in between the eyes and the inner eyebrows nearly meeting while sloping downward. Usually the focus is intense and somewhat beady, and there is likely an exaggerated pout. Angry eyes usually come about when one is bested in a battle of wits or humorous insult.

I suppose this quest for angry eyes comes from my family of origin wherein we love a good pratfall. Couldn't be genetic in Rob, though. His is learned behavior as his family is kind and gentle and asks, "Are you OKAY? Can I get you some ice?" when someone falls. My family gets to that eventually, after all the hooting and giggling dies down to that popcorn hiccup aftershock you get when you've been laughing real hard.

Okay, things have just gone to a different and disgusting level. Youngest daughter heard her father and I laughing so she just joined us with her flatulence machine. Which has inspired Rob to particpate in PETA unapproved cat teasing. Wonder if he'll be sporting any new wounds in the very, very near future?

Hope your Monday is a gas.

Scribble and Scrambles - Thursday Thoughts on Wednesday Night

I'm stepping away from the computer for a couple of days. No, my hubby didn't take the computer away.

This is a planned mini-whirlwind fun-fest.

Tomorrow night I'll be swing-dancing in a cave. Odd, I tell you, and it sounds extremely dangerous. There will no doubt be stories I can share next week. And hopefully, they will not involve serious injury -- just entertaining near misses.


And, no, the picture will not even be close. Imagine instead, flailing arms on the female form. The male might be bent double grabbing at the foot that just got stomped. Causing the female form to let out a few unladylike har,hars and trip over her own size 8's.

Who says fun has to be pretty?

Serials and Scenarios - Stuck in the Middle

Author Virginia Smith visited a few months ago. Click here to read her interview.

My Review:

As a woman without the benefit of sisters, some of Stuck in the Middle was almost a foreign language to me.

It did make me both relieved and more than a little sad that I don't have a woman or two in my life who helped shape me from birth.

Smith does an excellent job in making the birth order, sister love/angst big as life. I enjoyed spending time with the sisters when they clicked and not so much when they didn't, which is very similar to the way I feel around real sister units.

Joan, the middle daughter, was the focus in the novel. I found myself almost wanting to protect her from the circumstances in the story.

If you like characters that step off the pages, or kind men, or dogs, you'll probably enjoy Stuck in the Middle as much as I did. Of course, if you have a sister or two, you should probably check into "Stuck." Twenty-somethings who are looking for a ministry fit might find some common sense guidance within "Stuck." The spiritual themes were not overbearing and were realistic.

Overall a pleasant, fun and poignant read.

Scribble and Scrambles - Behind the Smile

Thanks, for your comments yesterday.

This really minor crisis in huge scheme of things has got me thinking.

As you well know, this is always a little scary.

How many people do we encounter in an average day who have some trauma hidden behind their smiles?

Is the waitress who pours your coffee struggling with her marriage? Does her stomach drop to her shoes and her mouth dry into a desert as she unlocks the door to her iffy home?

The smiley guy who changes your oil...is there something growing in his body that is going to make itself known too, too soon? Right now, though, he's just dealing with vague symptoms and an optimistic attitude.

Did the guy with the cellphone pressed against his face who cut you off in traffic just lose his job?

The cleaning lady who vacuums your cubicle, the one with the twisted knuckles, has an adult son with a gambling problem who keeps hocking her stuff.

The picture perfect family who vacationed in Europe over Christmas...what do those white smiles hide? The perfect hair, the designer clothes, the luxury sedan...all cover-up brokenness.

We're all havenots. If it isn't money, it's health. If it isn't health, it's a heart that is broken a little bit everyday. If it isn't a broken heart...then maybe it's one that has broken one too many times and settled into a puddle of malaise.

But those of us who have Jesus, we have the great equalizer, the wonderful counselor, the great physician, the almighty God, the great I Am dwelling within giving us hope and a future.

Look into the next eyes you see. Beyond the smile. Does that person need something from Jesus? Is that person you?

I'm praying for you guys, even if I don't know who you are.

The picture is a snapshot of a blessing. The little guy on the phone turns 25 next month. There is not a prouder mother on the planet. He has overcome, he has trusted God, and he has grown into a man who is changing the world. His buddy is one of the greatest guys in the world, too. God has blessed me with people who knock my socks off, challenge me and inspire me. That's pretty much what this life is about.

Scribble and Scrambles - A Prayer For a Dark Monday

Though the accountant calls with nauseating news regarding our tax return, I will trust God.

Though the American economic situation has reached the midwest and the pressure and uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring is pressing a little too close to home, I will trust God.

Even though all the "known" avenues of security and quick-fix have dried up ... I have no choice, I will trust Him.

I will praise Him for providing what He has and for promising to provide in His time.

I will praise Him that the unsettling call was from the accountant and not a doctor.

I will praise Him that even though tomorrow is uncertain, my future is not. I know where I will spend eternity.

I will praise Him for the huge, fluffy snowflakes today, following sunshiney spring yesterday. These changes are a reminder that He is in control and does not behave as I prescribe.

I will praise Him for purring cats, a reminder that He creates with humanity in mind. For why else would a cat purr, but for a human to receive comfort or pleasure?

I will praise him for the laws of the land. Because they help protect me, even when I don't like them.

I will praise Him for His mercy and His discipline. Without His mercy I would be crushed. Without His discipline I would be a fool.

I will praise Him that He is more powerful than a phone call and a tax law. I will praise Him that He has made me His child and promises to meet my needs from His bank accounts.

Now. I feel better.