On this page you will find recorded what I found significant during the past week as well as my thoughts about those events and other reflections.

Last Friday afternoon turned quite busy for me. After lunch I went foraging for food for Mikey and I. After putting things away I fed my little friend and then picked up The Weight of Glory, a compilation of talks given by C. S. Lewis. They were actually sermons he was invited to give at various religious services and which drew large attendance. The introduction by Walter Hooper was, in itself, a revealing commentary on the man Lewis was. Hooper was the editor of the book, an American who went to England to visit Lewis, expecting to have tea with him and ended up being his companion for the last three months of Lewis's life. I am fascinated with C. S. Lewis and reading the stories that show his humor, wisdom and humility serves to deepen my admiration of the man. He knew he was an exceptional person and lived in comfort, yet treated all as equals. When asked if he took naps in the afternoon he replied "No, but occasionally a nap takes me." So, in some ways he and I are alike. He was highly educated (unlike me) but blessed with common sense. As a matter of fact, I would say that his wisdom was based primarily in common sense.

On my return to the house I found that Lana had sent some new (to me) information on our Pro-Life ministries. That triggered some additions to our parish web pages and a couple follow-up emails.

In my young and single days I had become a fan of science fiction and read a ton of paperback books while in the navy. That probably grew out of my fascination with Grimm's Fairy Tales and Hans Christian Anderson as a child. In recent years I have gone back to reading the fairy tales of  C. S Lewis (Narnia) J. R. R. Tolkien (Rings) and yes, J. K. Rowling (Potter). I have also read the Science fiction series of Lewis (Space Trilogy) Now, thanks to the wonders of cable TV, we have the Si-Fi channel and the many entertaining shows available there. It sure beats the glut of so called "reality" shows, witch are anything but and glorify sex, greed and selfishness to the point of absurdity. Ok, science fiction is not real but it is more of a classic fairy tale than the "reality" shows and it does not pretend to be "real". Like the fairy tale the good ones (not the horror story variety) often have a noble theme and portray the triumph of good over evil. We are what we eat and that applies to the mind as well. It especially applies to our children as their young minds are forming the values that will stay with them the rest of their lives.

On  Sunday Dominick and Sarah met me for Mass and afterward we went to Ashford House for breakfast. I indulged my self with the Eggs Benedict. We returned to my house for a short visit and to allow Dominick to change from his Church clothes into shopping clothes. He also borrowed my circular saw so he could do some work on his fence. It was good to see them. Shortly after, Tom came by for a visit. He had to come out to a store near the house to get a new power supply for his computer. The old one was "fried" during one of the recent storms. It pays to have "connections". This connection happened to be a boy friend of Caitlin who was kind enough to take the power supply from his own computer and try it in Tom's  confirming that a new one was all that was needed. We had a very nice visit, enjoying the ambiance of the garden before he returned home to install his new purchase.

After a little reading, I grilled a few beer brats and dished up a bit of German potato salad. It was a great meal near the end of a great day. Anne Marie and Dominick drove to Florence, KY to see a couple of Anthony's games and reported a win on Sunday. Marc Has registered for full time attendance in graduate school but has sent out a number of resumes. In the event of landing an attractive job he will drop his courses and work towards his masters degree on a part time basis. He went for an interview on Monday and was invited back for an extended interview on Tuesday.

Monday Dan called and invited me to lunch with Karen, Ana and himself. Afterward I went with them to the new house, now officially theirs. They brought ceiling fans, some specialty fixtures and upgraded designer switches and outlets that electricians from Dan's company will install in the next few days. They will also have painters in since the builder offers any color along as it is white. Their swimming pool is to be installed in a few weeks and they are taking bids on a patio and other cement work. The house is beautiful will be even more so after all the outside work is done. Leave it to grandpa though to bring up a new concern. They are at the end of a cul-de-sac and the lots are pie shaped so that at the street, the driveways almost meet.  I asked if they are going to have snow blower wars this winter. They decided that maybe they would suggest to their neighbors to blow all the snow to the center of the street, a large circle at that point, and create a mountain of snow for sledding. (I am sure that there is plenty of room for snow.)

St Julie hosted one of their "Remembering" liturgies Monday evening. A dedicated group of parishioners organize event and Deacon Mike Kiley always presides. Families of recently deceased parishioners are invited but anyone may attend. It is primarily for the support of those who are grieving and also provides an opportunity of prayer for the deceased. The service provides an opportunity for sharing which is often continued afterward while sharing coffee and cake. There are also pamphlets available with information on grieving. I had donated a couple prints by Jean Keaton depicting Jesus comforting people and as usual people asked where they could get them. I am always happy to provide the information. See Keaton Prints

My Sharing was with Maureen and her husband and it was discovered that we were both adopted. That of course turned our conversation to a new direction. She was adopted in Ireland at the age of seven by American parents and has made two unsuccessful trips back to find family there. When I told her my story she wanted information on the organization that did the search for my family. I am always glad to recommend the Adoption Database and their No Find - No Fee service. I paid nothing up front and made a $100 donation when my Cecora family was located. They now require a $25 registration fee and if successful, a fee of $175, still well worth the cost.

Liz is learning one of the tasks required to do the weekly update of the parish web site. We are finally at the point where, if I could no longer handle the web site, there are others to take it over. I used to figure that God could not let me die because the parish web site would die with me. I think my insurance is gone. There are still things to keep me occupied like sending out the weekly newsletter and adding "special" pages. Our youth group had their own web site but the webmaster is off to college and there is no one to keep it up so we will step up with additional pages on the parish web site, Fortunately, Bob will take up the slack there.

I just read something by C. S. Lewis in which he said that there is no such thing as a "normal" life. For years I have been saying that "Life is what happens while you are planning something else." You can't count on being prepared for what is coming next but you can be prepared to handle the unexpected as best you can. I better believe that because I am the personification of the unexpected ... starting all the way back in 1930.

Lewis was addressing university students in WWII England, addressing the question of whether they should be in school or in the military defending their country. Many felt they should wait for "normal" times to be engaged in higher learning and the arts. He told them that if they waited for "normal" times, no one would ever get to school.

On Tuesday afternoon Anne Marie and Dom returned from their Kentucky trip. At the first game they had "lawn" seating. "Lawn" is in quotes because it was more like straw due to the lack of rain in the area. However, they were able to move to more comfortable seating after the game started. It was in this game that Anthony got ejected. He had had trouble with this particular umpire in the past due to the umpire's attitude that he should not be questioned even if his calls are obviously wrong. Several weeks ago, he was obviously anxious for the game to end and with two strikes on Anthony he told him that he better swing at the next pitch because it would be a strike. The ball came well outside the strike zone and Anthony let it go by. It was called a strike by the umpire. In Saturday's game he did the same thing but Anthony reached way out and hit the ball to center field. Unfortunately, it was caught. When Anthony went to retrieve his bat the umpire said, "One word from you and your out of here". Anthony just glared at him and was thrown out of the game. He said. "I didn't say anything" but the umpire retorted, "You didn't have to!".

During Sunday's game, the umpire was at first base and at one point, when Anthony had had a hit, the Umpire said, "let's call a truce". He said he didn't realize Anthony's parents were at the previous game and apologized, telling him he will never do that to him again. Anne Marie has a photo of the two talking and laughing at first base. I am sure that it would have developed differently If Anthony had lost his cool with him. Sometimes it pays to turn the other cheek.

Anne Marie also spoke of Marc and his job interview on Monday. They told him they were very impressed by the cover letter of his resume. They were also impressed by his professional appearance and the answers he gave to their questions about his career goals, saying, in effect that hi goal is to enjoy his work and promote the goals of his employer. I told Anne Marie that I was impressed with the recent thank you note he wrote as well. 

As our grandchildren move from the world of academia we are reminded of the struggles in finding a place in the world. One would think that having selected a major course of study that the path would be clear. It isn't that easy. Education is merely the equipping one's self with tools. Now the person is faced with finding a use for these tools ... a life's work. I recorded my thoughts about work, "Why do we Work?" about 5 years ago. In that musing I said, "We work to provide goods and services which are the fruit of our particular talents to others who have different talents. In doing so, we use the resources that God has given to us to the benefit of all His creation. Thus, we are rewarded in the satisfaction of work well done and sharing with others. Our reward also includes the ability to obtain goods which are created by others and shared with us. The money is a token for barter and a by-product of work. It should never be the primary goal. When it is the primary goal, it is counterproductive and corruptive."

"Get Rich Quick" schemes can be made to sound very attractive. Some are not much more than pyramid schemes which promise rapid assent to the top. However they, unlike a true pyramid, are unstable since they are not founded in the basic principals of business anchored in the laws of supply and demand. Just because you can sell refrigerators to Eskimos doesn't mean you should. My daughter, while still in school, landed a part time job doing phone surveys. Her first evening on the job revealed that it was a scam to set up appointments for salesmen. She said, "I can't lie to people" and did not even go back for her pay. My youngest son took a job that promised huge commissions. However, he refused to use the tactics of his employer saying "I just can't treat people that way/" He was fired. I am very proud of them both.

Marketing is not convincing someone that they should buy something they don't need although that it the aim of many so-called marketers. They are "hucksters" and "snake oil" salesmen. You don't need an education to be this kind of charlatan and having a conscience is a definite drawback. 

Marketing is the art of finding out what customers need and fulfilling that need at terms beneficial to the seller and the buyer. When working in construction, Kelso-Burnett Co had many long term customers, commercial and industrial firms who hired us repeatedly for upgrades, remodeling and expansion. They knew we had their interests at heart. A healthy repeat customer was worth their weight in gold. It made more sense than making a killing on every job and then trying to find new customers. Our goal as a company was to be the best, not the biggest. These long term relationships also made my job a joy. I fulfilled a need of our customer,  helped maintain their prosperity as well as Kelso's and provided more than adequate support for my family. I loved my work. I slept well at night.

Of course the fact that Kelso valued their employees as an invaluable asset to business helped as well. Medical insurance coverage was considered essential and that was proved to true on more than one occasion. You don't think it is needed except as one friend found when at 28 years of age he had a serious stroke and was several years in recovery. Even then, the company went beyond that which was merely required and provided for his family until he was able to return to work. Kelso was an exceptional company.

The fact that my grandson Marc was almost taken in by flattery and almost took the bait for a get-rich-quick is what triggered this burst of idealism. To his credit, he decided not to take the low road and will continue to seek a path which is more in tune with his abilities and higher standards. I am sometimes accused by myself and undoubtedly others as being an idealist and not in the "real" world. But, that is where I want to be. The ideal is deemed to be impossible only because you and I don't pursue it with sufficient diligence, inviting others to join us.  We are proud of you Marc.

Speaking of pursuing the ideal, Wednesday evening there was a meeting of the St Julie Community Life Board. As usual it was a spirited meeting with much going on and much being accomplished. And, as usual it resulted in changes and additions to the web site. Thursday morning I took Mikey to Touch of Class and then went on to Bible Study. The group grows with each new session and we had to add more chairs to accommodate the group. I came home to work on the parish web site. A hint of all the activity can be seen on the home page. It is hard to keep up with everything that is going on. I am gratified and excited to be a part of it all.

Marc flew to Pennsylvania to be with his brother this weekend and then to drive home with him next week. The season will be over for Anthony but for him it is ending on a strong note.  In a game Friday evening he  he was 2 for 3 with a HOMERUN!

It has been a great week. The weather has been very pleasant and the garden beautiful. I pray that your week has gone as well as mine. Oh yes, the icing on the cake ... in an email, my younger brother John Copeland said ... "Finding a brother has enhanced my life greatly." Thanks John, you made my week.  

More next week ...
and 'till then, ... 

Let's be more kind than we need to be.

Grandpa Don Plefka 

Anne wanted everyone to be 'Nice'.
This button was in one of her dresser 
drawers I cleaned out in August of 2004

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