Science Experiment?

A month or two ago I was telling a lady in our church about our abundance of fruit flies. She told me how they took care of the problem at their house, and then proceeded to describe the trap you see in the picture (or something like it). Basically you get some fruit or veggie scraps or anything the flies would like and put them in a jar. Then create a cone out of paper, making the smallest part pretty small. You tape the cone to the jar. What happens is that the flies will go down the cone, attracted to their favorite smells, but they can't get back up!

So finally on Friday morning, annoyed by flies everywhere, I made a trap, using some left over tomato sauce, a lemon piece, and a few cucumber rinds. My evil plan worked! I now have quite a few flies (those little dark spots) and the food is molding nicely.

But by yesterday I started wondering what exactly was going to happen next. I didn't remember that part. I wrote this lady and asked her if the flies would die off by themselves soon or what. She wrote back and said they will NOT die off by themselves (after all, they've got plenty to live off of). In fact, if you want an interesting science experiment, you can wait a week and watch the larvae crawl up the jar and see the little baby flies! But that's not what these people do. No, they microwave them. I never would have thought of that. That kills off all the critters. Then you can put the even more potent smelling mixture back to catch more, and sooner or later empty it and start with fresh stuff.

So I just put it in the microwave and haven't looked at it yet. I don't love fruit flies, but it still seems like a cruel way to exterminate! Maybe they don't feel anything. Perhaps it just reminds me too much of some of the human extermination methods I read or heard about at the Yad Vashem (Holocaust) museum in Jerusalem. But of course these are flies, not people. Okay. I'm going to go check the results of my coldblooded deed. Be right back...

Ughhhhh! I don't see any sign of survivors, so I guess it worked! It actually doesn't smell too bad, so I'm going to put it back out in the hopes of catching more victims. Too bad for them that they're not smart enough to see all the corpses and flee from the coming destruction!

"The Professor"

Cheeky has taken to jumping up on my desk when I'm studying, no doubt feeling deprived of all the attention he deserves. So I've started calling him the "professor," because it looks like he's supervising my work! Now if I could just photoshop some little spectacles on him!

"Scents"itive Subject

Last night was the first rehearsal of the new orchestral season. I was excited to get back and see everyone and dive into some very cool music. My location as a lone, tall, and unique instrument tends to vary by concert. I'm often near the percussion, but once in awhile, like last night, I was placed in front of the bass players, and between the cellists and violists. All was fine until the violist closest to me sat down and a distinct body odor assailed my nostrils. I don't know her by name, but I've seen her before from afar and remembered her accent. I think she's German. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt, and if you know about the difference in European hygiene and shaving practices versus American, you'll perhaps understand some of my revulsion. Fortunately, I either got used to it quickly, or there were enough other smells and sights around to distract.

THEN the cellist to my right sat down. He was a large bearded man who might fit well in a "Fiddler on the Roof" set. He was wearing shorts and flip-flops. I didn't notice that fact until the odor of stinky feet greeted my nostrils and I searched for the source. He had kicked off his shoes and his slightly dirty and pudgy feet were enjoying their freedom. Aaaagh! Fortunately, the conductor said he wants to place me near the percussion next time. There I only have to worry about the German pianist, who also seems to be a stranger to deoderant. What is it with Germans?? That's another subject...:-)

During the break, the question came to me: How close do you have to be to someone relationally to tell them they don't smell good? Obviously, I wasn't going to tell either one of these strangers they stank! But what if it's someone you know -- a friend, a fellow church member, a co-worker, a student, a teacher, whatever? When is it, or is it ever, acceptable to tell them? I mean, probably most people with frequent body odor are totally unaware of it because they're used to their own smell. After I've worn a new perfume or scent a few weeks, I don't smell it anymore, so I'm almost suprised when someone remarks on it.

Is it more hurtful to have a friend confront you about this, or to have it come out at some odd moment in a surprising way? Probably nobody wants to be the one to confront, but doesn't genuine love do uncomfortable things sometimes?

I had a case with several sibling students with B.O. and it was extremely unpleasant for other students. I finally wrote a letter and very gently broached the subject. I got no response and don't know if anything changed or not. In that case, their whole family was also afflicted. Sometimes I've encountered bad breath from voice students. Maybe I'll hand them a mint! In the case of hygiene and grooming, I think a child's mother has a huge impact. My standards were instituted by my mother -- shower daily, use deoderant, wear clean clothes (shirts washed after one wearing), and use perfume and/or scented lotion in moderation (I can't stand asphyxiating and overpowering scents on women!). I think it's especially nice for a woman to smell good; it marks her as a lady somehow. (And I'm rather partial to nice cologne or even scented deoderant on men, too!)

Well, this is getting ridiculously long, and it was only meant to ask the question: When is it, or is it ever, okay to inform someone of their body odor? Is it an insult or a kindness?

(And I hope this isn't the time when someone writes me and says, "I've been wondering how to approach you on this subject......." Ha ha, that would be mortifying. But I guess I'd rather know so I could correct the malady. However, since I do occasionally get remarks about my smelling good, I hope that is the usual case!)

Extraordinary Ingredients

I've been sort of thinking about the people I look up to as role models, spiritual giants, and vision shapers. You know, the people that have a great positive influence in others' lives, that leave a legacy for future generations. What are the ingredients that make up their day to day lives? What makes the difference between gung-ho, spiritual, world-changing Christians, and lukewarm, carnal, and self-occupied Christians? I'd like to be part of the first group, but see plenty areas where I need to "heat up"! As I considered traits of various spiritual giants, I realized that these are traits that my parents have exhibited over the years. Sure, they haven't changed the world, haven't written any books, aired any radio programs, etc, but they've influenced their children and those in their sphere of influence in a mighty way. Their quiet prayers have helped work many wonders, I believe.

Here are some "spiritual giant" traits I thought of. Feel free to add to the list!

1. They spend time in the Bible on a consistent, daily basis, allowing its truths to renew and mold their minds.
2. They memorize and meditate on the Word. They study it with enthusiasm, knowing it holds the answers to life and the key to the mind of God.
3. They rise early in the morning, using the morning hours to spend in prayer and devotion and then get other work done.
4. They avoid worthless entertainment in the form of TV, movies, and books. They understand the value of time and use it wisely, knowing they'll give account to God. They don't let the culture shape their minds.
5. They guard their words -- actually their thoughts, then their words, choosing words that build up, not tear down.
6. They regularly read great books, including devotional and literary classics, biographies, and history.
7. They invest in the lives of their children through diligent training, discipleship, and fun family times.
8. They avoid alcohol and other substances that dull spiritual sensitivity and breed folly. They honor their body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
9. They are good stewards of the money God has given them, and give generously.
10. They have an attitude of gratitude.
11. They are fervent and frequent in prayer.
12. They are faithful in gathering with the saints for worship and prayer.
13. They have a humble, servant's heart.
14. Love for God and others is the driving force of their life. They're not judgmental.
15. They consider activities in the light of eternity and the benefit of future generations.
16. They avoid any hint of sexual immorality, and help others toward purity through their conduct and dress.
17. They aren't afraid to speak the truth, even if it means going totally against the flow.

The Digger

My dad rented a Bobcat for the day to grade our still unlandscaped yard. Well, the neighbors' two year-old grandson has been entranced all day! He calls it a "digger." He spent several hours just watching, but when he actually got to get up with my dad ON the digger -- well, his little cup overflowed. He held on to my dad the whole time like he's doing in the picture. What a cutie! Later, when the machine was off and keys out, he got to sit in the seat and play with the controls himself. Who wants to play with a little plastic model after that?

"Easter Eggs" All Year Long!

Living next to a golf course has been interesting. As you can see, we've caught the "golf ball bug"! These are the balls we have collected from our yard and a few neighboring areas the past three months. My mom is the most enthusiastic hunter, getting all excited if she hears a ball hit a tree in the back. But even my dad will go back in the bushes between our yard and the course and come out with quite a few in his pockets! Our neighbors are just as bad. As a matter of fact, if they're gone, we have no particular convictions against drifting over into their property to collect the stray ball or two. :-) And I'm sure they'd do the same. (There's no fence between us.) A few balls have hit the house or roof; we're hoping they don't break a window! My window is a prime target. You may ask, "What do you plan to do with all these balls?" We don't golf, but for now they're serving mainly as a doorstop and conversation piece. :-)