May 31, 2012

Online Dating

 

This is one phenomena that the world could probably do without or at the very least change, in a great many respects.  I think that it is important to know the pitfalls that come with online dating.  There are the obvious pitfalls; such as the man or woman can lie about their age or send another persons picture, they can create a whole false identity online, and stranger still; this can be happening on both sides.

Even if you are the one that is being perfectly honest that 'military person' or 'comfortable bachelor' could be a twelve year old, a pretend soldier,  or worse still a guy or gal that is living on welfare checks or is married with children.  If your new found love asks for money then drop him like a hot poker especially if he lives or works in Africa or China. Believe me you are not going to get any monies paid back.  There are a lot of scams afoot on the net and you don't want to be conned believe me. You can find an article on the pros and cons of online dating here.  So there are obvious flaws in the system. 




Even if you get past all that and they are a good, hardworking, attractive person and you decide to meet each other at a neutral cafe....what then?  You meet and you just don't click or you sense something not quite right you couldn't recognize virtually.  What do you do then?  Do you go on and screen another?  Or do you hope that this one will work?  It seems to be a rather large gamble.


 There are many advantages to all the technological progress we have had in the last thirty years and I enjoy it all.  But when I really think about it, in the end online dating is precarious at best and dangerous at worse.  The girl or guy who is showering you with beautiful romantic phrases more than likely got them off of a sight like this  or this one


The old fashioned dating ideals just don't work anymore because everyone thinks they are too sophisticated for them.  But if we just utilize that whole 'June, spoon, moon thing' of days gone by; well our marriages might last till the 'death do us part' mark.  Perhaps we should start realizing  that a relationship is not an 'instant' thing but takes work and desire on both sides.  

It is most important to really understand just how vulnerable both parties are in the scheme of things and to tread lightly with each other.   Maybe, you could meet someone online and then proceed to date in a more traditional manner.  It would probably work out better if it was months of dating rather than weeks.  Here is a great article to read.    I would like to say that it is the norm for people to find their dream partner online but that would not be true.  More often than not people who date online 'settle' on someone rather than being alone for the rest of their lives.  I think that it all comes down to wanting to invest the time and stress it entails to find that special someone that will help make life more pleasant.  It would  truly be lovely to see more scenarios of young couples ending up as older married folks.

Here in Canada the best place overall to find a date is here, the second best is here,
this is the place you can find more mature company, and to find a Christian partner go to this site.  I believe for anyone living in the states you have the same alternatives although the addresses may be altered. 

Well, other than to say good luck and good dating that is all for today.







The Wee Few Thoughts Of Dylan the Dog 

Ruth took me out this afternoon.  Mom's friend, Ruth and her husband Alec, brought two big heavy things that looked like sidewalk pieces and put them in one of the places where all the green and smelly stuff grows.  I think people are very strange.   I wonder if the 'sidewalk' will grow?  




All the pictures and cartoons are stock photos except the one of Dylan the Dog which I took myself.

May 20, 2012

Ruminating Over Some Ideas




I would like to use this posting to ruminate over some ideas I had while in the garden at the back of my house after church this morning.  My girl friend Ruth owns the house and tends her lovely garden.  I watched Ruth digging, planting and watering while I sat in the garden.  I thought how peaceful she looked and in balance with nature she seemed; while tending her garden.   Then my thoughts went to the sermon I heard this morning. It was the first time in my life I understood the story of Ananias and Sapphira.   I now understand the meaning of  'Imitation Spirituality' (Acts 4:36&37 and Acts 5:1 to 4}.  There is a comprehensive explanation of the historical and biblical ideas in these verses here



When Ruth sat down for a rest in between tasks she gave me a little music box that she found at one of the stores here in town.  She said that when she saw it she thought 'now that is something Ruth (myself) would like.  Alec, Ruth's husband, kindly installed a right handed railing by the steps to my room downstairs. He also drilled holes and installed plugs so I could hang some more pictures.  



Now neither of these people worship the way I do; but they have a great part in helping me form the thoughts and ideas I have by being with them, conversing with me, and just being Ruth and Alec.  So I think you may be asking what has that got to do with the sermon she mentioned?  Well I can tell you this: every time they give of themselves, their thoughts, or their hearts, I feel as though they have given me a taste of positive spirituality. 

There are a lot of folk in my church community that do the same for me in other ways.  They make me see things from a different slant and it helps me see my faith in a positive perspective.  And now as a result of this sermon this morning I am thinking about just being saved myself as opposed to being saved and telling others the good news.  Thanks to pastors Beth and Dave, I often find myself waking up in the middle of the night going over some provocative idea or thought they may have put in my head.


Back in the garden I think of what a miracle all the flowers and plants are and how wonderful our creator must be to have 'invented' all the lovely things; in our garden let alone the world.  When people tell me that there are no miracles these days, I feel like showing them the garden here in my back yard. 


The Wee Few Thoughts of Dylan the Dog  

Ruth took me to the back garden today.  She lost hold of the my leash.  I sat for awhile thinking I might go for a run.  I looked up at Mom and noticed that she had picked up the leash.  She said 'Oh I am so glad you didn't run on the beds Dylan!'  I guess I am smarter than I thought.

    


The photos of the Columbine, the Lily- of-the-Valley, and the  butterflies were taken by my friend Alec Bruyns.  The photo of Dylan was taken by myself.  The one of the kitty is a stock photo.


May 4, 2012

Mother's Day on the 13th of May.


Mother's Day is coming up a week from next Sunday.  My own Mom passed away five years ago.  A memorial to my Mother is on my website here .  I designed the whole page myself as a tribute to her.


It doesn't seem to be a very big deal for those under 50 these days.  Each century has its own cuts on sentimentality.   In the past few years, they have claimed it is the recession but lack of money doesn't stop a person from using their talents to create a homemade card.

 I am thinking I just may treat myself in and around that day just so I don't get all nostalgic.  I find that if I am able to do that sort of thing it kind of makes things a little better.  I know my Mother would encourage it and probably want me to pick her up something too.   Maybe I will get some bangles for myself.  

When I think of Mother's Day, I remember giving my mother a little music box with a 18th century youth going around and around to 'Windmills of My Mind' I think.  I know that my Mother kept it in her china cabinet and it seems to have disappeared completely.   My Mother put our names on the things she wanted to leave each of us .  I know there is no one else in the family that has the same christian name as I do.  It is all too strange as is life in general.  At any rate; when I gave it to her she seemed truly delighted with it.