In My Own Backyard

I’m sad to see that Summer is dusting off her luggage and starting to pack it up and head out of town. I love you Summer!  You will be missed by me.

Now that the University of Central Missouri is in full swing I want to share with you what flew over the other day.  We live almost on campus.  I knew the first home game for the football season was going to be special. In cahoots with Whitman Air Force Base they were planning on a fly over of the B2 Bomber as our National Anthem finished.

I went outside with camera in hand hoping the Stealth would go over my house so I could get a pic of it.  We see and hear them all the time and our street is a common course for them.

So, all of a sudden the traffic mysteriously got quiet and I could hear the young man sing the last line of our National Anthem.  I turned my camera on as he sang out and I stood up to get ready.  All of a sudden the B2 came over low and loud and I nearly dropped the camera.  Even my dog started barking at him and chasing him down the yard.  It’s the best I could do……

amazing aircraft
here it is after it passed over…. all stealth – like

The weather this summer has been mild for the most part. To me, anyway. My husband does not like summer, so he is happy it is ending. (he doesn’t like winter either)

Other happenings in the backyard ——-

Enjoy!

Cate B

School Days!

Well this coming Monday is the beginning of a new school year in The Burg.  The University of Central Missouri begins classes and I begin watching my wee grand girls once again.

Am I ready?  Well, it depends what perspective you take.  I think I’ll take God’s perspective and just love on them.  It’s the best I can give them and me.

This year the oldest – four years old – will be gong to a pre-school, in September, a few days a week.  I think she will enjoy that and that means Penny June and I can bond deeper.

I love the transitional period when school begins for all ages.  I love driving through campus and seeing the parents carrying refrigerators and boxes and bedding and sad faces trying to look happy when they say good bye to the children.  I don’t take pleasure in their conflict but I am excited for the students and sad for the parents.  I had many tears when we drove away from our kids. 😦

Our campus here just opened new dorms overlooking the football field and a Starbucks (for those who have yet to experience real coffee) and a Spin Pizza – all open to the public for all to enjoy!

University of Central Missouri - store
University of Central Missouri – store
New dorms and shops - UCM
New dorms and shops – UCM

Any of you have university campuses in your town?

What are your experiences?

Enjoy!

cate b

Thinking Too Small

I’ve mentioned before that I have a passion for seeing people progress into their destiny.  For seeing their potential and hopefully I can encourage them to get there.

I am not a professional in that area.  Heck, I don’t even know what to call it.  It’s something that I can do.

Let me tie the title of this post and the paragraphs above, together.  Bear with me on my thoughts here.

Today, I went to a function in our lovely town.  It was a Christmas event where people dressed as characters from Dicken’s era.  Some set up in shop windows weaving a basket or drinking tea, etc.  Some were on the streets strolling around town.  Some were singing Christmas Carols and some were carrying instruments to local businesses.  There was a cart pulled by two horses that you could ride in around the town.  There is to be a tree decoration and lighting in about an hour.

All great ideas but poorly attended.  The very dreary weather and penetrating dampness could have been a factor.  We went into the old courthouse building, mostly to get warm, but some students/faculty from University of Missouri encouraged us to go inside for a hot drink and cookies.  We did, apprehensively.  You see, our town is a University town.  But not for University of Missouri.  We have UCMUniversity of Central Missouri.  We went in and I asked the people if they knew they were in Mules territory.  We all laughed.  I was secretly trying to scare them.  No where did we see recruiting for our beloved UCM.  Just a banner on the courthouse lawn. 🙂

Now, I know I’m new to town and I am still new to the way of thinking of the Mid-West.  I admit that. But I just couldn’t help it, as I walked around I saw potential.  I saw potential in the community, the locals, the ones not even connected to the University.  I realize that towns in the midwest are likely not to be connected geographically – there are a lot of farms out there – like a vast ocean between towns.  But The Burg is the county seat.  I could see building up this type of event to the point where more people will want to come.

So now, where I’m really going with this.  It got me thinking about my own life and potential.  I think too small.  I get ideas of things I can do or see others with their ideas and then I get discouraged.  I actually talk myself out of those dreams and desires and ideas.  They look too gigantic and just down-right impossible.  But are they?

I do not see the whole picture.  I do not see the hows and the whens.  I give up way too easy.  I think most of us do.

I also have a firm belief that my dreams and desires do not start with me.  They start with the God that I put trust and faith and anchor my hoper in.  But do I really believe that?  I confess right now, that when I doubt and talk myself out of pursuing my desires and dreams, that I do not believe that they can happen.  That’s not good.  I’m my own worst enemy.

What makes me doubt?  The delays mostly.  I read an encouraging post today from a fellow blogger here: http://howleadersmanage.com/2014/12/06/go-the-extra-mile/

This part shined right out at me: “For the longer payment is withheld, the better for you. Compound interest is this law’s greatest benefit. While you wait consider it an investment in your character.”

Payment being what I dream and desire……my character is being greatly invested in.…. if I let that happen.  We really need to stop looking at delays and discouragement as failures.  Failures should be the very instrument that makes us succeed.  We need to get a new perspective on our life.  Many great people will tell you of their failings and how they were necessary.  We do not see the whole picture of our life – we just don’t.  But we can gain a new perspective.  A higher view, so to speak.  A God’s – eye – view.

I can do this.  I can dream and I can slow down and gain new perspective.  I can also encourage others that I see doubting and floundering around, on the verge of giving up.  Let’s help ourselves to rise up to new heights and let’s help those around us.  Every human being has potential to be great.

I’ll leave with this thought.  From the movie, Saving Mr. Banks, the main character, PL Travers, handed her driver (Ralph) a piece of paper for his daughter (who was disabled).  The paper had a list of names on one side:

download (2)

 

Even with their deficiencies, these people succeeded to greatness.

Now Let’s go!

cate b

A Bit of History in The Burg

After my last post, featuring this image:  https://wingedprisms.com/2014/11/21/friday-in-the-burg/

Brick Building - Go UCM Mules!
Brick Building – Go UCM Mules!

I did a little digging.  Well, that was after a couple of friends of mine pointed me in the right direction.

Seems that it was a Mule Barn back in the day – late 1800s, early 1900s – owned by The Jones Brothers.

Screen Shot 2014-11-26 at 8.03.08 AM

http://books.google.com/books?id=jDvQ3OBRm5YC&lpg=PA37&ots=JkGXKBMh9H&dq=Jones%20Brothers%20Mule%20Barn&pg=PA37#v=onepage&q=Jones%20Brothers%20Mule%20Barn&f=false

It is no longer a True Value Hardware store……. they have moved to another part of town.

I did find out that this building is registered as a National Historic building and apparently maintained by the National Parks Service.  I may need to research that some more……. it looks neglected in some respects.  Where is Teddy Roosevelt when you need him 😉

So there is one mystery solved.  If you drive around The Burg you can see mules here and there out in pastures.  My next quest will be to meet one, face-to-face.  I have never been close to a mule.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+a+mule&espv=2&biw=1419&bih=778&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=XuZ8VOyeFIenNtDSgagE&ved=0CDYQ7Ak
https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+a+mule&espv=2&biw=1419&bih=778&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=XuZ8VOyeFIenNtDSgagE&ved=0CDYQ7Ak

Enjoy!

cate b

 

Friday in The Burg

It is Friday.  The weather has warmed to a normal temperature.  The sky is blue and the sun is bright.

Tomorrow an old friend is stopping by for a night, with her daughter and doggie, on their way to a new adventure in the eastern part of our country.

I love catching up with old friends.  Facebook just isn’t enough.

I must go and prepare.  Here is a picture of a building I found in The Burg.  Honestly, I have no idea of the history of this painting.  If someone knows, please, let me know.  I have been fascinated by this since we moved here.

I love old brick buildings.  I love the hidden stories that can come from them………

Brick Building - Go UCM Mules!
Brick Building – Go UCM Mules!

Enjoy!

cate b

Early Morning Drive

The first day of a new semester at UCM  means my first day back with the girls.  Love the adventure.  So, while it was still dark this morning the hubby and I set off for The Burg.  Here is what we saw:

great clouds on the horizon
great clouds on the horizon

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you know you are in the mid west when.....
you know you are in the mid west when…..

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IMG_0677

Enjoy!

cate b

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