All This Is Is Greed

One of my favorite columnists, Beth Kassab, took on the current "David and Goliath" local controversy in her column this morning.

On one side we have an 81 year old woman Julieta Corredor,who has owned a condo here in Orlando for over 30 years.

On the other side we have Westgate Resorts, the time-share giant that has torn down everything around her condo in order to build a new $24 million project.  Mrs. Corredor's condo is still standing because she refuses to sell.

She bought the condo over 30 years ago and paid $154,000 for it.  The property appraiser lists the condo's current assessed value at about $25,000.  Westgate has offered her $150,000.  She refused the offer.  In the meantime the Westgate workers have "accidentally" bulldozed a portion of the condo wall.

Westgate Resorts is owned by David Siegel, husband of the Queen of Versailles, Jackie Siegel.  As you know, they are building themselves a world famous 90,000 square foot home here in Central Florida that has 21 bedrooms, 6 swimming pools and 11 kitchens.

Mr. Siegal is holding firm.  "We lose two parking spaces.  Big deal."  And he says about Mrs, Corredor, "All this is is greed.

It seems to me that Mr. Siegel could garner some great publicity by being a bit more generous and/or creative.



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Man Carving His Own Destiny

It is primarily the emotions called forth by a place of beauty which the artist must seek to convey to others.  - Albin Polasek



 Dave and I love the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park, Florida.  The gardens are loaded with all kinds of sculpture and the beauty of the place, even before you enter the museum, is overwhelming. But my favorite, by far, is this one titled "Man Carving His Own Destiny."  Not only is it beautiful but it reminds me to be proactive.

I've had some health issues the last few weeks and, as you know, navigating the health care/health insurance system is crazy-making.  But I keep reminding myself of this guy chiseling his own way out of his predicament.

And that's what I'm doing along with lots of help from other people. Because, of course, this guy couldn't have done it without Polasek.


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The Crocs Are Now Evangelists

I love the comic strip, Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis.  One of the story lines has to do with man-eating crocodiles.  It's my favorite.  The women and children crocs are normal.  The men are predators and really, really stupid.  (Exampled by their "baby-talk.)  The women and children have excellent vocabularies.

Since the crocs aren't bright they fail miserably at catching their prey.  There is even a zebra living next door who's pretty nonchalant about the chase.

So in this strip the crocs have become door-to-door evangelists.  They're dressed like Mormons but they could be most any denomination - that knocks on doors.   I think there's actually a theological thing going on here because I've had folks come to my door eager to tell me about "dying tonight."

One of my favorite plot lines a while back was Larry (the croc,) desperate because he couldn't support his family, got a job at Starbucks.

Surprisingly he fit right in but then they had to fire him when he ate one of the customers.


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Derek Zoolander

Derek Zoolander

I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking.  And I plan to find out what that is.  - Derek Zoolander

Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.  Derek Zoolander.

Ben Stiller is a world famous actor/director.  I used to love his mom and dad,  Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, do stand up comedy.

A while back, Ben Stiller created this crazy character, Derek Zoolander.  He's the opposite of Ben.  Derek is ridiculously good looking and Ben is not.  Ben is smart.  Derek is clueless - but full of self confidence.

Here are a few Q & As from Vanity Fair's interview with Derek Zoolander.

What is your greatest fear?  Being torn apart by a werewolf.

Ben Stiller

Or wrinkles.

What is your greatest extravagance?  Botox for my toes.  It's called "Toetox"  It's really big in Korea.

What would you say is your greatest achievement?  Being the first in my family to graduate from modeling school.

What is your most treasured possession?  I own a rare, pre-Colombian eyebrow pencil.

Who are your favorite writers?  Kiehl's and Neutrogena have really informative Twitter feeds.

I can't imagine Ben Stiller talking about himself this way. But I actually know some people like this.  And, like Derek, they don't know they are clueless.


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Hereafter

The February issue of Vanity Fair (that I bought from the library for 25 cents) has a one page pie chart/article/poll on the afterlife.   I've often wondered what Vanity Fair folks think about the hereafter.

Here are a few of the questions and thoughtful answers:

 Which one of the following kinds of immortality would you most like to have?  The number one answer was "Doing something important that is remembered by history."  This sort of amazes me.
What do these people mean by "important?"  By the way, 9 percent said "Having lots of descendants.  I don't get that answer either.

 Which things would you most like being named for you after you die?"  Most of the respondents said descendants. I actually have this covered.  Three of my grandchildren have been given my name.  But when I read the question I was thinking more like a cancer clinic or a university in Africa - but that's just me.

Which are you better prepared for - retirement or death?  Both received about the same number of votes.  But it's pretty clear that most Americans aren't much prepared for either one.

Do you think science will someday prove whether the afterlife exists.  30 percent said yes.  67 per cent said no.  I think, in my lifetime anyway, we'll just have to keep the faith.

Most people who have had a near-death experience report having seen loved ones, God or heaven.   27 percent of the respondents said these people are delusional.  But a whooping 63 percent said they've had a real glimpse of the afterlife.  This pleasantly surprises me about Vanity Fair readers.

To whom or what would you send someone trying to find out what life after death might look like?" 61 percent said a religious figure.  But one response option was a New Yorker cartoon!

And finally:

If you could be reincarnated...which of the following would you choose?  34 percent said their own grandchild.  (What?) But a close second was "A healthy dog with loving owners."

So there you have it folks.  These questions will make for exciting dinner conversation tonight.


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Hospitality

In Forum this morning, my friend Charlotte led a discussion on Hospitality.  She's big on it.  In the 20 or so years I've known her, she and her husband have welcomed all kinds of people into their home.

Hospitality is their gift.

She had us start out discussing the derivative of hospitality.  It comes from the word "Hospes" which has to do with both host and guest.  But other, more familiar terms are Hospital, Hostel and Hospice.

The Bible is chuck full of hospitality stories that usually have to do with taking care of scary strangers - who sometimes turn out to be angels.  And sometimes they don't!

My sister-in-law, Sandy,  has this gift of hospitality.  Also my daughter and husband who welcome friends and stranded strangers at the drop of a hat, have this gift.  My friend Nancy used to have us Power Rangers meet regularly in her lovely home where she always had delicious treats including huge pitted dates which I think she had there just for me.  And now that she is quite ill and unable to do all of these special things - she's still having us over!  And her home is still the warm, loving, safe place for us that it's always been.

I could go on and on but you get the idea.  Some of us think that we need to wait until we get the right house, or the big fancy dining room and matching salad forks.  But that's not what hospitality is about.

Following is a quote Charlotte gave us from the book "Making Room" by Christine Pohl:

Although we often think of hospitality as a tame and pleasant practice, Christian hospitality has always had a subversive counter cultural dimension.  Especially when the larger society disregards or dishonors certain persons, small acts of respect and welcome are potent far beyond themselves...Recognition involves respecting the dignity and equal worth of every person and valuing their contributions, or at least their potential contributions, to the larger community.


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What the World Eats

Yesterday I was reminded that about 40 per cent of deaths of children around the world are caused by starvation.

This reminded me of a beautiful but sad book my friend, Nancy, gave me several years ago.  In it are photos of specific families from all over the world, showing everything they have to eat in a
typical week.

The book also lists statistics such as how much meat a person eats per year in various countries.  In the United States we each eat about 270 pounds of meat.  In Bhutan each person eats one pound of meat per year.  In the Sudan it is too low to measure.

It also lists average life expectancy.  As you may know, we are not at the top.  The Japanese, for one, outlive us and they eat far less food than we Americans do.

Google this book and check out some of the photos.  We can do a better job of sharing.


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Ferris Beuller's Day Off

Ferris Then.

This summer Chicago will celebrate the 30th anniversary of this film.  All of the $300 passes for the 3 day celebration have sold out. You can still buy tickets for some individual events - but they are going fast.

Or, you can do what we did this afternoon.  Rent the movie from iTunes for $2.99 and watch it again.  Be sure to get up and dance when it's time for "Twist and Shout."

Chicago Museum of Art

Matthew Now

It's interesting that Matthew Broderick went on to star on Broadway and in films in an entirely different persona from Ferris.  To me he seems to be a nice, quiet, but extraordinarily talented, middle aged actor and singer married to super star actor and fashion maven,  Sarah Jessica Parker.

Dave asked me what is the big appeal Ferris continues to have.  For me it's about finally, after a lifetime of hard work, being able to take a day (or a decade) off and have fun.

Like today when I watched and thoroughly enjoyed this movie again.




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Earn. Save. Give.

This is a book written by my friend, Jim Harnish.  The title sounds to me like the book  Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  But it's entirely different.

Jim's little book is based on the sound teachings of John Wesley who, in turn, based his words on the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus said a lot about money.

Some folks get mad at Jesus because they think he wants us to give away all of our money to the poor.  He doesn't.  (Except, apparently, for that rich, young ruler.)  He wants us to be responsible and take care of our families (Except for his disciples whom he asked to give up everything and follow him.)

Jesus especially wants the poor to learn how to earn, save and give.  (I think he wants us to help them do this.)

In his book, Jim tells us he was raised by parents who taught him to be responsible with money.  He's lucky in that respect.  Sometimes we tend to think that those who aren't responsible with money are bad.  But, I think many of the teachings in the Bible are confusing and contradictory.

My husband, Ken, after he entered the ministry, had no interest in making money or saving money.  He honestly believed that, if he did what he was called to do, God would take care of us.  Sometimes when I led seminars on family life I'd say "Ken Crossman went to Harvard Business School for a time but he's a graduate of the 'God Will Take Care of Us School of Finance.'"  He loved hearing me say this.

Early on we went to counseling about the money situation and what came of it was a Tithe Account.  This meant that Ken agreed to only give away money that was in the account - not money that didn't exist.  Even then the kids would say "Dad can't afford to do weddings and funerals because he gives away 150 percent of what is given to him."  And he loved hearing them say this.

What's the point of all this?  Only that we're all different and all called to different things.  Being responsible about money is very important to me and I'm grateful to be in control of my finances.

But some of those wild and crazy gifts Ken made decades ago are still blessing other people.  Lives were changed.

He was also very good at Eat, Pray, Love.


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A Big Methodist Meeting

Every four years United Methodist leaders from all over the world get together for a meeting called General Conference.  This meeting is happening next week in Portland, Oregon.

Like every other mainline denomination, our legislative body is struggling with some serious social and economic issues.  Also, like every other denomination, we look to the Bible for guidance.  However, the Bible is not like an instruction manual for my Camry.  It's much more complex.

Several years ago writer A. J. Jacobs wrote a New York Times best selling book called The Year of Living Biblically.   It's hysterically funny reading about how he tried his best to follow all the "rules" in  the Bible.  Turns out, it couldn't be done.

What we've really relied on, since these 77 books were put together in one volume a couple of thousand years ago, is "interpretation."  But big problems occur when your expert and my expert differ on interpretation.

Last week when Dave and I had the privilege of attending my grandson, Henry's, confirmation in Atlanta, Georgia, we heard the minister say something simple but profound to Henry and the almost one hundred other 12 to 13 year olds who were committing their lives to follow Jesus.

The essence of it was, you can't possibly keep the hundreds of  commandments in the Bible.  But if you love God and love other people and love yourself,  you will figure out the rest of it.

I think this is an excellent reminder for me and for this top legislative body of the United Methodist Church.  


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Stylin'

My style

I have a thing about clothes for little old women.  That's because I am (1) Little, (2) Old and (3) a Woman.  You've probably read my rants about trying to find a swim suit.  The sizes that fit me look like they were made for a Sports Illustrated cover.  The suits for my age are too big and all have skirts.

And so on.  My friends have a style about them and look great.  But when I go to the mall I see men and women in pastel.  Beige shorts and a pink top on a very white person with very white hair make that person disappear.

This past week my daughter sent me these stylish photos from something called Advanced Style, Older and Wiser.  The photographer, Ari Seth Cohan,
shot these photos all over the world.  He's tying to show an attitude - and I like it.

Only the first photo is my style - but I like that the other photos are of oldies who've obviously still got it!

Style that is.


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