Articles in the ‘Uncategorized’ Category.
Susi and I have worked fairly extensively with Habitat for Humanity in in at least a dozen places such as Columbus, Ohio; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Tucson, Arizona; Molepolole, Botswana; Tarija, Boliva; Phang Na, Thailand; etc. It is always comforting and encouraging to us that no matter where we go, we find the same formula: Along with other volunteers, work side-by-side with families to build simple, decent houses that they purchase with the help of an affordable mortgage, providing secure shelter and myriad other benefits that come from enabling people to dream and grow.
Nonetheless, some differences are very notable. For instance, try as you might, you simply cannot make this picture with the mountain as a backdrop in Columbus, Ohio! This is one of many in the 01-19 RCW Habitat Build album that show the gorgeous settings in which we get to work.
Susi and I tend to invite and encourage just about everyone we meet to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. But, right now, we especially wish you could join us to work here in this beautiful place!
Our blog got a bit text-heavy for a while, but we finally regained the ability to post photos once again. We post our pictures in “sets” on our Flickr site, and then list them in the sidebar shown on the right of every blog page under the heading “Photo Albums 2012”. Click an album link to open a post right here in the blog where you can see the photos by clicking on one of the little thumbnails. For a better viewing experience, click on the “View slideshow >” link and you will be transferred to Flickr for a full-featured slideshow. Naturally, you can see a larger version of the individual photos included in these articles by clicking on them.
Those of you in the software world won’t be surprised to know that it was a “dreaded upgrade” of the WordPress blog software that caused a break in the Flickr Photo Album plug-in we use to tie photos from our Flickr site to our blog. As usual, although a bit of rooting around on the Internet found a workaround, there is no word about an upgrade to the plug-in to handle ongoing WordPress upgrades. So far, so good, but always a bit uncertain when working with open source and free software.
Pastor John Fife
Reverend John Fife is Pastor Emeritus of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, having retired in 2005 after leading a dynamic, activist community for 35 years. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2012, he preached a wonderfully stirring tapestry of memories and challenges that I have transcribed here with his permission. May we all read it, and feel stronger individual resolve to do our part to make the world a better place for every single one of God’s people.
Continue reading ‘Called to GREAT THINGS’…
We’re approaching the end of our first week here in Tucson on Sunday – and having a blast! As my Dad stated, “I guess we’re as busy as we want to be” . Opportunities abound at Rincon – which I call a retirement community on steroids – for all kinds of physical exercise groups, art and crafts, games and fun events – not including the work we will be doing with Habitat for Humanity Tucson or exploring the city and surrounding national and state parks. Although we cringe at a boring blog entry of “what we did today” – I’ve done just that to share why we chose to return to Tucson. Caution – read at your own risk… Continue reading ‘We’re Off and Running!’…
…One is silver and the other gold.” This old girl scout song does highlight one of the pleasures of this trip for us. Rarely have we been interested in returning to a travel spot we have visited before, but our experiences at our Rincon and HfH Tucson made it easy for us to want to return. Continue reading ‘“Make new friends, but keep the old…’…
To counter the monopoly pricing power naturally held by utility companies, Ohio’s deregulation allows consumers to freely choose a natural gas supplier. The local gas company still gets paid for delivery service to your home, but you can shop among many qualified suppliers for the best gas price. Although the optional program requires wading through a bit of arcane complexity, it can be worthwhile, possibly saving hundreds of dollars a year—especially if you know this little trick to help determine which type of plan to choose. Continue reading ‘Choose your natural gas plan wisely’…
While I mean no disrespect to all whose lives were profoundly impacted by the September 11 terrorist attack, I feel numbed by, and even somewhat resentful of, the deluge of media coverage of the 10-year anniversary of this historic tragedy.
For instance, NPR’s All Things Considered ran 11 related segments totaling over 67 minutes on the six days before the official day of 9/11 commemoration. Conversely, although the War on Terror has already taken the lives of 8,351 US soldiers and contractors (Costs of War) – nearly 3 times as many as the direct victims of the attacks – program archives show only 4 remembrance segments (10½ minutes) in the 6 days leading up to Memorial Day.
Similarly, Continue reading ‘Overwhelming 9/11 Anniversary’…
Jerry & I obviously were labeled – newbie RVers at our first camping site – and rightly so. Did you know that an RV can hook up to either 20, 30, or 50 amps at a campground? Based on Dave’s recommendation, we asked for a site with 30 amps which was cheaper than using the 50. But our check-in gal insisted on assigning us to a 50 amp because she was concerned where the rig would fit. Continue reading ‘Here’s $4 – Let Me Feel How Hot That Cord Is’…
Dave probably regretted that last comment after he got the 4th call from Jerry & I on our first day out – that’s in spite of all the “how to” and checklists that Dave prepared for us: we have a departure list, the arriving list, the hour before arrival list, checking the tires and batteries lists, connecting water and electricity lists, appliance manufacturers list, toad (the term RVers lovingly refer to the car towed by an RV) hook up and toad detach list, and a few more he threw in just in case we needed them.
Although Dave’s brother, Jerry, is a quick study and ready to help any way he can, this journey without Dave has emphasized how much of a team we are and how many things Dave was doing on our journeys that I had no clue he was doing.
So, even though Jerry & I chuckled at the list that began with, “Wash the windshield, if necessary”, thank you Dave, for all the details you’ve given us to keep us rolling down the road!
Love,
Susi
Our elected representatives are playing a silly game of chicken with the country’s reputation as they continue their publicity grab over the debt ceiling. Please tell them that we expect better. You can find links to send them messages in my previous post. Regardless whether or not you agree with my stance, please contact your representatives and insist on better behavior.
Here is the message I just sent to all of them:
Honorable ___________,
I am glad that we are finally taking some serious steps to reduce overall spending.
I am terribly dismayed that the process has devolved into a silly game that politicians are playing for political gain. While it is not one-sided, I think that the Republicans are being far too noisy and recalcitrant.
Tax loopholes are EXPENDITURES just like any other government policy. Tax loopholes need to be closed as part of a process to reduce federal spending. The artificial designation of closing tax loopholes as tax increases is silly grandstanding.
We elect our representatives and pay them handsomely. Please do your part and act like adults who are truly committed to the good of the country. Sensible discussions of the real problems and clear solutions can and must be found.
Thank you,
Dave Bezaire
I imagine many share my sense of unease as the political situation in the Mideast becomes more and more volatile. Our hearts go out to those hurt in the conflict, and we feel angst about the future directions new leadership might take. Now, with talk of military intervention in Libya, I begin to worry that we might be pulled into yet another difficult, expensive, civil war that will guarantee the ugliness of many dead people at our hands, and a further deterioration of our nation’s status in the world community.
Worry hardly seems an adequate response, so yesterday I sent messages to our elected representatives stating my strong opposition to the use of military force. Although I passionately stated my belief, I had precious little “meat” to support my argument. I was pleased to read George Will’s March 8th article, On Libya, too many questions, and sent another round of messages today referencing it.
I encourage everyone to consider these issues carefully, and to make your voice heard. Our elected leaders need our input so that they can make good decisions on our behalf. Easy to use forms are available, so it takes just a couple of minutes to send a note.
Although I would hope that each person sends their own words, I want to make my feelings clear, so here is the text that I sent to my elected officials:
Dear ___________,
I strongly believe that we should avoid military action in Libya. Please carefully consider the questions posed by George Will in his March 8th article, On Libya, too many questions.
We must avoid engaging in yet another ugly, costly civil war that will result in many dead people at our hands, and a further deterioration of our standing in the world community.
Thank you,
Dave Bezaire
One of the deeper fears Marie ever mentioned was, “losing my mind”. She was at peace with life and ready to face death, but having seen many friends with dementia in their later years, she clearly knew what she did not want to endure. So, it was ironic — and very scary — that her final disease was brain cancer. Continue reading ‘Thank you, Marie’…
My father had a spokesperson for the past 62 years, and we thought it only fitting that as we honor my mother today that she continue to speak for him. This is a note that Marie dictated two weeks before her death. Continue reading ‘Marie Havens Eulogy by Susi’…
Marie Havens
Marie Havens
Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.
- Henry Ward Beecher
June 23, 1927 – January 6, 2011
Beloved wife of Tom Havens
Loving mother of Susi Havens-Bezaire and Tom Havens
Obituary
Eulogy by Dave Bezaire
Continue reading ‘Marie Havens Eulogy by Dave’…
Dear Friends,
Susi and Dave enter this holiday season with a profound sense of the importance of family and friends in their lives, and are very happy to be able to include all of you among that group!
We hope that you enjoy reading our family update letter.
We wish you abundant blessings and peace this holiday season and throughout the coming year,
Dave & Susi
