This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Nov
12
2013
Hyphens do matter:
I have noticed that more and more places are offering white hot chocolate, in addition to the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte and whatever other seasonal drinks are popular these days. Consider this a public service announcement: do not order the white-hot chocolate.
My heart was hot within me,
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
Psalm 39:37
Nov
7
2013
I recently wrote a blog post about my electric bill. The reason my bill is higher than my neighbors’ is that my house uses electric resistance heat. It is not unheard of, but it is unusual enough that people are surprised by it.
We are hoping to move next year. That implies that we are going to try to sell our house. Having an unusual heating arrangement may scare off some potential buyers. I am hoping to prevent that by making a flyer that people will see when they come to see the house.
Reasons why electric heat is better than a furnace:
Maybe it won’t persuade everyone, but it should at least reduce their prejudices against electric heat.
The only thing not on the list is cost. That’s because electric is not better than gas or propane on that point.
But it’s not as bad as people think. And since we switched to electric from heating oil (fuel oil), our costs have gone down. I do plan on providing the numbers so that potential buyers can see how much we spend to heat the house.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 19:6
Nov
5
2013
I’ve been wondering what would happen if corn stalks could run for office:
Four more ears! Four more ears!
And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
Mark 13:27
Oct
31
2013
I wonder why this idea never became as popular as the penny-based idea:
Actually, let me modify that – only the first half of the sign was popular. Not many people took advantage of the second half of the sign.
For if you turn away from following Him, He will once more abandon them in the wilderness, and you will destroy all these people.
Numbers 32:15
Oct
29
2013
The dentists and orthodontists around here will buy Halloween candy from kids so that the kids won’t eat it and they will have healthier teeth. Someone with a vested interest in unhealthy teeth should take advantage of that opportunity.
But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities
And lack of bread in all your places,
Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord.
Amos 4:6
Oct
24
2013
Our local electricity provider mailed us an informational flyer recently. They seem to have started a new program where they compare everyone’s electricity use and let you know where you stand in the rankings.
The last month’s ranking are deceptive, because we hadn’t turned the heat on much. The year-long comparison is better, because it shows our use across all seasons.
My first thought was We are winning! Our neighbors will never be able to catch up to us!
(Yes, I realize that lower is supposed to be better.)
I had many other thoughts next. I’ll try to make some semblance out of them and present them here.
2. I don’t care how much electricity my neighbors use. I use what I need, regardless of how much other people need.
3. We are a family of 6. I bet our grocery bill is significantly higher than average too.
4. Wait, isn’t the electricity company supposed to sell me electricity? Isn’t it counter-productive for them to persuade me to use less electricity? Is there a government requirement or incentive for them to do this?
5. That “Who are your Neighbors?” section is wrong too. There are not 100 nearby homes that have electric heat. Everyone I know around here has either natural gas or propane or wood stove or geothermal. We are the only ones with electric heat, which is obvious because the graph of the neighbors doesn’t change significantly in winter like mine does. Maybe the utility company is confusing geothermal with electric resistance heat.
6. I doubt the houses listed as “Most Efficient” are actually most efficient. They just happen to not use as much electricity. The utility is confusing volume with efficiency. We make good use of what we have, we just use a lot of it too.
7. It doesn’t really cost me $1707 extra per year, because the comparison doesn’t include those neighbors’ gas bills. Plus, maybe I get $2,000 worth of enjoyment out of my extra electricity. So maybe it’s a good deal.
I know we are efficient because our ranking during the summer months is right in the middle – and we are using electric oven and electric dryer and electric water heater and we are being compared with people who are using propane or natural gas.
But once the heating season starts, we will be ranked highest – 100 out of 100!
And your suggestions are nice, but if we really are $1700 over what we should be, a mere $300 savings won’t cut it. Do you have any suggestions for the other $1400?
Maybe if their campaign is successful, everyone will end up below average! That is their goal, right? Like the opposite of Lake Wobegon.
Moses also charged the people on that day, saying,
Deuteronomy 27:11
Oct
22
2013
At a conference/training meeting, I noticed the recycling bins in the break room
They look to be fairly typical, but – as someone who was in school during the 90’s – I felt something was missing. So, thanks to the magic of photo-editing software, I upgraded their recycling bins:
Also, I apologize for the grammar of the title, but if you understood the photos then you’ll understand why I wrote the title that way.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God.
Job 34:37
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