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A month or so ago, I learned that there were several homeless people who attend my church, PBC. I was bowled over by this. Not that people are homeless. I know this is a reality. What surprised me was that we had people who were part of our church community who did not want to…
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Over the last few years I seen a growing interest in gamification of life. There is part of me that wants to say the whole idea was silly. Who needs their real life to be turned into a video game where you are accumulating points and badges. Shouldn’t we direct our lives based on results…
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Libby and I used to talk nearly every night. Often for a couple of hours. The topics varied greatly: basic logistical issues, smoothing over relational friction, concerns weighing on our hearts, big ideas, silly dreams. Honestly the topics almost didn’t matter, it was having someone to share life with. It’s been three months since we…
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My father taught me the value of simplicity. He didn’t need to update an item if it was still working. He didn’t need to purchase something to impress others. Dad was suspicious of people who attacked problems with complicated solutions. Complex solutions typically demonstrated that people were using the wrong paradigm. He would often say…
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I like variety. This shows up in in the food I eat, the music I listen to, the books I read. I enjoy when my world expands, to have new and different experiences. I believe there is a lot of good in this, and yet, I found myself wondering about the cost. Less than 200…
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I think the very best amplifiers are like wire with gain. That is, they add or take away nothing from the sound quality. They just boast the signal enough to drive the speakers. An amplifier that does this requires the source and speakers to be well matched. Often times, people will choice an amplifier that…
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Early this morning Libby went home to be with the Lord. As in life, she was tenacious in her passing. It was peaceful, but she fought to stay with us as long as she could. We already miss her terribly, but are so glad that the suffering is done and that she will never have…
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Gaye, our primary hospice nurse stopped by today, even though it’s her day off. She believes that Libby is in her last hours based breathing patterns and several other indicators. We have been jumping between being unspeakable sad, in a numb disbelief, and brief periods of joy as we remember together what a blessing Libby…
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Libby’s strength is waning. This is very hard, but we are so grateful that Libby is comfortable and at peace. This is a vast improvement from confusion and restlessness of Tuesday. We can’t begin to than you for your prayers. Libby’s body seems to be giving up the fight. Her breathing is more erratic, and…
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Today Libby had a good morning and early afternoon. She had a sense of peace and wasn’t confused. We really appreciate your prayers. Yesterday was a heartbreaking day. Libby didn’t want to drink anything. Her breathing was very slow. She was confused and unable to communication without extreme effort. When she wasn’t sleeping she seemed…
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Last night we thought Libby had a couple of weeks. Things seem to be progressing way faster than we expected. We believe that we are counting the time remaining in a small number of days. The hospice nurse observed that they often see with their younger patients that they stay at a high function level…
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A bit more than a week ago Libby’s brother Andy, my sister Marilyn, and my mother Anne flew into town to visit and likely to say goodbye in person. The following day we have a gathering with around 80 close friends. We didn’t plan a program of any sort, we just wanted to hang out…
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Libby and I were introduced to the idea of hospice several years ago by several friends and later learned a bit more from the book Dying Well by Ira Byock. It seemed to both of us that hospice was a great idea. That toward the end of life to make sure the quality of the…
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There are many reasons to travel. Some people travel to get new experiences. Others to discover the human condition is universal. Travel can be an expanding experience. It’s also possible to travel in a little “cocoon” which doesn’t move you out of your comfort zone and is merely entertainment. I appreciated the article 20 things…
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Maui is more touristy that I like. The culture (except around the eastern coast) feels more like California than Hawaiian: go-go, play hard, have lots of fun, rather than a more lay back and enjoy life as it comes to you. If you are looking for recreation rather than relaxation, Maui would be a great…
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I love the Big Island. You get a more more diverse experience than any of the other islands. General Hawaii Information Hawaii: Off the Beaten Path by Sean Pager is a bit dated now, but I have found it to be the best single guidebook which covers all the Hawaiian islands though hotels and restaurants are…
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Kauai is a the very definition of a lush tropical island. Several movies were made here. Life in Kauai runs on a Hawaiian schedule which is slower than a typical US location. Years ago a grant was given to widen the bridge between Princeville and Wainiha from one lane (cars have to take turns) to each direction…
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Part of Mark’s Backpacking Guide TL;DR One of my joys has been introducing people to backpacking and wilderness experiences. Some people love it, others just couldn’t adjust. They were too used to climate controlled environments, were scared of wild life, and wanted a modern bathroom. Other “city people” jump right in and get into the…
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The following are rather incomplete notes I have made about facing sub-freezing temperatures and snow with a focus on backpacking. I am not actively maintaining it, but if I run across something really great I add it to this post. In my youth I regularly went backpacking in very cold weather (e.g. daytime high <0F,…
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The following is a list of books which I can directly tie to specific and significant changes I made in my life. I have put all these books on my goodreads “changed-me” shelf. I also have a list of books I plan to re-read… some of which will likely end up on this list. I…