An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Every home has the potential to have some extra uninvited guests. I am speaking of pests, bugs, or critters, and the like. But there are some things you can do about it. This episode is all about how and why you should. 

In this episode, I have the privilege of an interview with Ryan Burke who works with a locally owned company called bug blasters. Ryan is a straight-shooting guy who is happy to answer questions and share ideas on why and how to manage the pest who are undoubtedly sharing your home with you.

Questions-Business and Contact information for Bug Blasters can be found here: https://bugblasterspestcontrol.com/

There have been some amazing things done in the name of science. Some, that today, seem absolutely ridiculous. Some seemed like a great idea - at the time. Some that actually proven to be great ideas.

A few that could make your head explode with disbelief or amazement. Check it out….

There are a lot of ‘Sciences’. Some are more legit than others. But let's focus on one of the most important to us personally. Medicine.

Medical science is one of those that has had some amazing ideas. Incredible advances, and seemingly miraculous cures – and a few that have proven to be – well just stupid. 
No doubt – most have made some kind of perfect, scientifically proven, and logical sense – at the time.

But arts and sciences – even the sum of human knowledge – has and will continue to change.

Covid, climate change, flat earth, is our reality a computer simulation, is there a God?

The best one can do is try to seek truth (yes it’s out there) and make an informed judgment – and then go with what you’ve got.

But, all need to be cautious of being too cock-sure of what they think they know. We need to be grateful that even our scientifically proven facts can sometimes turn around and slap us in the back of the head – and teach us more. 

There – that’ll fix ya!

Got a story about 2 sisters who aren’t that well known, but probably ought to be. 

Let’s take a moment to set the stage…

It was not until the mid to later part of the 20th century that most folks were able to travel from coast to coast in the US without a lot of preparation, plenty of fortitude, and a hefty bankroll. 

In 1916 the United States was on the verge of entering WW1 and the Van Buren Sisters - Augusta (24), and Adeline (22), were known affectionately as Gussie and Addie. This pair was quite non-traditional for their time. The impressive and talented women were active in the suffrage movement, and they wanted to help in the war that everyone was coming. 

They were ‘Outdoorsy ‘and adventurous they knew how to fly, box, race horses, and - - they loved to ride motorcycles. The sisters knew they’d never be allowed on the front during wartime. But, they could be very useful if they would be allowed to serve as motorcycle dispatch riders, carrying messages for the commanders – the soldiers used for this duty could be freed up to fight.

But they knew they’d have to prove it would work – that girls could ride as good as boys - because with the way things were in 1916 it was never going to happen. At least not without a big push. Women just didn’t do things like that back then.

The secret life of a spy. Anonymously watching an enemy, quietly passing information, dodging detection, living heroically, stoically, and quietly - and staying under the radar.

Well, most spies are probably like that. In fact, most spies might describe their lives as discreet and somewhat boring – unless they get caught. 

But, that’s the point right – avoid detection, don’t attract too much attention.  

Would you be surprised to learn that there are a few spies in our history who were not at all the ‘unknown hero’s” that no one ever knows? Let’s take a brief look at a few of our countries most useful intelligence assets (spies) that you didn’t know you knew.

Here is a story that shows how completely different people are in the way they interpret what they witness – In how they comprehend what they see.

Every person experience’s life differently. There are a lot of things that shape our perspective. We have different histories. We have divergent interests. We do not value things the same way. One has a passion for this – and the other for that. One has a fear of something, and someone else loves it. Attitudes, education, awareness, religious and political philosophies. The overall perspective for every person is just not the same.

Have you ever meet someone who thinks they know it all? I have, and I can tell you those people really annoy people like me who really do know it all…. OK

Everybody knows something – and if you speak with the most learned you’ll find – if they are honest with you – they will admit there is much more than they know they don’t know than there was before they began their studies. They find that the more they learn the more they know they don’t yet know.

In fact, most of us are Cocky enough to think we know better, and profoundly unaware of our ignorance.

 A story I heard when I was young that brings it all back into perspective.

Rod Allen shares the story of miracles in his life. How, along with the support and love of neighbors, he and his wife were able to face the potential loss of the 18-month-old son.

Rod talks about the feeling of helplessness, have to watch his son through the glass as his condition deteriorated. Being brought to a point of humility where he and his wife had to accept whatever the Lord was going to bring about for them – even if they did like it, or felt it might be too much to bear.

This story is told from a profoundly Christian perspective. However, anyone will be able to relate to the story and the lessons and insight the story provides us.

You may not have heard of Violet Jessop – But, you should have. She is one of the luckiest – (or, depending on how you look at it perhaps unluckiest) – people who have ever lived. Her life was hit, up-close and head-on, in 3 well-known disasters at sea.

-The Olympic

-The Titanic

-The HMHS (The Brittanic)

She continued working at sea for another 35 years after the sinking of the Britannic and retired in 1950 to Suffolk, England. A total of 42 years on the sea.

In 1971, at the age of 84, Violet passed away

She Survived, and thrived, in an amazing life.

This episode begins with a story about a dreaded monster named contempt. And, how in spite of a wise wizard's message that the monster is a liar, the people reject the wizard and choose to keep the monster.

Contempt is defined by Webster as ‘the act of despising: the state of mind of one who despises”. “Lack of respect or reverence for something” or someone. There are a lot of other words that might describe the weapon of contempt – Scorn, Disdain, Fear, or Hate to mention a few. 

Most people are generally good.

Please allow yourself the chance to believe this in spite of what the broadcast, print, and social media; and the politicians tell you. They make their money by keeping your attention and motivating you with contempt - you can bet the message is skewed – even your favorite talking heads are telling you their opinion mixed in with a few carefully selected facts. Doesn’t necessarily make them bad or wrong – but they should be taken with clear eyes and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Vizzini (as played Wallace Shawn), a character from the classic film “The Princess Bride” famously said …

“Haha! You Fool, you fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous of which is, ‘never get involved in a land war in Asia,’ but only slightly less well-known is this: ‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!’”

There is another classic blunder that Vizzini failed to mention. Perhaps because he died shortly after declaring the first two. An additional ‘classic blunder is surely “never involve yourself in a love triangle”.

Triangles - When it comes to analogies and the revealing and explanation of wise ideas and practical concepts, triangles are very common.

You have your fire triangle - Fuel, Oxygen, Heat.

The education triangle – Student, Teacher, and Parent.

And, so many others.

I have another triangle I’d like to share with you. A three-sided analogism that helps us understand a very critical, but often complex part, of human existence - Love and Relationships.

Yes, that’s right – a love triangle!

But, not like the one that everyone knows as a ‘classic blunder’.