How’s That Connection?
Managing relationships, is kind of like using a cell phone.
People who frequently do know where to get the best connection– where the signal is clearest–and they know where it’s not. An avid cell user can even tell you what the reception will be like without even turning the phone on. Geography, geology, meteorology all blend subconsciously into instinct.
The cell user learns because it’s important to them. It’s significant. It works that way for anything. You learn when you pay attention.
So a question worth asking, I think, is, “Where do I get the best connection with the people who are important to me?”
If you want a good connection–if it’s important to you–you simply have to do two things:
- Pay attention–where do you get the strongest signal?
- Go there.
The past couple of days I found that sweet spot, so I just pulled over and parked the car. Five bars baby.
The past couple of days I found that sweet spot, so I just pulled over and parked the car. Five bars baby.
There are posts, indeed entire blogs, where writers yammer on about their personal lives/dramas/issues/interests etc . . .without ever adding any value for anyone other than the author and maybe a few select significant others.
Fair warning: What follows might be just that.
I say “might be” because if you stick with me, I’ve also blended in a few fun links to:
- somebody who really knows how to play,
- the best chef/cook/caterer I know. He’s not only fearless (he’ll try anything) but he’s sharing what he’s doing and learning along the way,
- and a brand-spanking-new blog by (what I’m calling) a “Non-Traditional Grandma.” It’s no good visiting today. We just created it last night. But I guarantee, give her a month or two and you’ll love it–especially if you run with a, um . . .more mature crowd.
So anyway, back to the cell phone metaphor. After I parked the car, I got the strongest signal. This is what came through:
We started a frigid Saturday morning (-1 degree wind chill {no I’m not kidding}) with the annual community/Lions Club easter egg hunt. That’s Emma and Nora with the Easter Bunny at the park above.
Cute Kid Story
A couple of days ago we were looking out the window at all the robins and saw a bunny.
“Do you think that’s the Easter Bunny?” We asked Nora.
“No.”
“Well, why not?”
“The Easter Bunny is dressed up in a big bunny suit.”
Then we came home and decorated eggs:
Followed by a trip to my sister’s house for Fun
An outstanding meal, prepared by hands down the best cook I know.
A little little fun with Peter Answers, and building blogs . . .oh yeah, and drinking wine.
Then Easter Day, we went to church in the morning with Lisa’s parents. They stayed for lunch (nowhere near as good as Nick’s meal above, but still a pretty good roasted chicken. After lunch they stayed for a game of dominoes.
After awhile, Nora and I got bored with the game and decided to have at the Play-Doh. That’s my creation on the right. I love playing /creating with kid stuff. Maybe not as much as this guy, but still.
- No related posts
8 responses so far ↓
1 Shamoo // Apr 9, 2007 at 3:48 am
Yes! First comment! Looks like you had fun!
Ah, Shamoo, the other Skillet! Now I get it. Please forgive me. I didn’t know you ran in the same circles as that B-Skillet hoodlum.
I notice you’re having a little fun today scattering comments here and there. That’s nice. But the same goes for you. It’s time to get out on your own and start blogging. You’re smart too.
2 Mckenzie // Apr 9, 2007 at 5:32 am
Chris-
Cute, cute, cute pictures of all your family and Easter fun! And Nora’s (I love that name, by the way) story made me laugh. Kids say the funniest things sometimes.
Kenzie.
Thanks Kenzie.
CW
3 Lyrical Fool // Apr 9, 2007 at 6:34 am
This is a prime example of why I like you.
Sometimes the simplest connections are the best, as they lead to the simplest answers.
Rock on!
(And great pictures, by the way!)
Thanks Fool,
I like you too.
CW
4 Nick // Apr 9, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Chris,
Great post, my man. You really do have a gift, Mr. Blogstar. It makes me proud that our house provides you with such good “reception”.
That Charlies Angels pose by Nora made my whole day…..
Thanks for the props, Chris. Check out the new banner on my hovel of a blog.
I’m stoked to paddle on Sunday!!!
Nick,
1) I think your blog rocks. Trust me, keep writing about cooking (’n stuff) and people will come in droves.
2) Awesome header! I was thinking about that picture yesterday and how good it would look atop your blog. It’s perfect because it totally is you.
3) Props schmops I meant every word.
4) Can’t wait for Sunday either.
Later dude,
Chris
Nick
5 Jessica // Apr 9, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I’ve been drawn to your blog more and more these days, and what a treat it was to see the pictures from your Easter weekend! The pictures were not nearly as good as what you wrote, though. Wonderfully put, as so much of your stuff is. Wonderfully put. Especially your “Why stupidity is a good thing” article in last weeks Intercounty Leader. I hope you can post that one in your blog soon, it put a lump in my throat. Granted, I probably average about 3 lumps a day, but this one was caused by a sense of clarity.
Keep up the good work, I have a feeling I am not the only one feeling this sense of clarity after reading your posts.
-Jessica
Hi Jess,
All of my columns printed in the Inter County Leader are here as well. There are a couple of ways to find things:
Use the Google search thingee at the top of my sidebar (be sure to choose Chriswondra, not WWW)
Browse the archives (a tab at the top)
or just ask me for the link. Here’s the one to the stupid article: http://chriswondra.com/2007/02/06/why-stupidity-is-a-good-thing/
Thanks for the kind words, Jess. And don’t worry about those lumps (in your throat). Emotions, I’m learning, link us to Spirit. Listen to your emotions, and can learn to hear God.
Chris
6 Mark // Apr 9, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Chris,
I enjoyed your cell phone metaphor. Glad that you had a great Easter and that you are at 5 bars!
Thanks Mark.
CW
7 Shamoo // Apr 10, 2007 at 12:31 am
Gee, thanks Mr. W! I just like a little reconition here and there. (If I spelled reconition wrong, it’s your fault i hope you know).
Actually, i’m not allowed to have my own blog, so…yeah…
And me and B are tight like spandex.
~S to the H to the A to the M to the double O.
8 Jake Wisse // Apr 13, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I spend a lot of time on your blog, Chris, and find myself sending links to people that I think would find a particular article interesting. Heather Funne, for example, was raving about something you wrote (can’t remember which) that had to do with teaching, and said “Where did you FIND this blog?” not realizing it was you. (I don’t know how she didn’t realize it, your picture is on the top.) But I read every single thing you write.
By the way, I took that picture of Nick that he has on his blog. And levitated him on the surface of the water using only my mind and a rock.
Hi Jake,
Thank you so much for sending those links to people. That’s a funny story about Heather. If she no longer recognized me, the name at the top might have rung a bell, huh? (shrugs)
Thanks for your comments too. I really like the picture you took of Nick. You’ll have to teach me that Jedi levitation trick. I haven’t learned that one yet.
Later,
Chris
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