October 18, 2002 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

   If you have an older version of Internet Explorer on your computer, you may have noticed that in the top right hand corner of the screen is a little globe, or world, that spins around.   This little world turns when the computer is in ‘thinking’ or ‘processing’ mode.  As long as the world continues to turn, you know that the computer is doing its thing, no matter how slow the machine works. 

   Often I reassure library patrons using the computers that as long as their world is turning everything is still working.  Amazing how patient a person can be as long as that little globe is still spinning on its axis.  It is only when that little world on the computer stops spinning prematurely that we have a problem, and then have to find a solution.

   Real life is similar to that little computer generated image.  We can patiently (though we’ll still grumble as we are human) wait out any difficulty, problem, blip or hiccup in our plans as long as our world is still revolving around its axis and around the sun.  Delays are easier to handle if we know that our world is still turning. 

   Seasons come and go, and the cycle continues.  Winter follows autumn, and spring does follow winter.  The earth turns and our lives continue along.   The crop is planted and later, the harvest is gathered in, and so the cycle continues.  While this year was bleaker than some years of the past, generally everyone was able to harvest something.  The year was not a total loss.

   Good times come and bad times come and the cycle continues.  In this season, we need to work together to ensure that that good times will return.  Everyone has a responsibility to do their part for our families, communities, nation and world.

   We are thankful that our world is still turning.  Let us cooperate with each other so that our ride on this earth is exciting and enjoyable.  

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-ON71Qif8M7dEd-xEgLgeovBppcVQKe/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

October 4, 2002 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

   As a early riser, I often get to watch the sunrise.  On one of my last days by the lake, I looked outside and noticed that the wind was blowing furiously, the waves were rolling across the lake, and the dark clouds were filling the sky.  Basically it was a dreary looking morning with no sign of a sunrise in sight.  Or so it appeared at first…

   While looking towards the south end of the lake I noticed that the field just beyond the lake has a slight dip.  In that small dip I could see a hint of red just below the cloud bank and just above the horizon.  A sign of hope!  The sun was still rising even though I could not see it, and the evidence was found in a rather unlikely direction (as far as I know the sun still rises in the east).

   Often that is the way our lives are.  Too often, when everything seems to be falling apart, all we can see are the dark clouds of despair, the rolling waves of bitterness and we are buffeted by the strong winds of adversity and calamity.  Plans that were falling into place suddenly fall by the wayside and we can only wonder why?  Dreams and goals appear to run into a brick wall and are stalled for no obvious reason.  Things go along great, and then, no matter what you do, nothing seems to go right.  The storms of our lives are raging.

  In dark dreary times, sometimes all we need to do is turn around to see the spark of hopeful anticipation peeking out from the darkness.  The sun will emerge again as those same rough winds blow the dark clouds away.  Better times are coming our way.  Are we ready to accept and enjoy them?

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uDUNeoAJVe4bv2Fq9BXOsxJIVB-EMl_G/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.