Review of "The Noticer"

"The Noticer" is the newest book from author Andy Andrews. It is the story of main character, Andy, and a man called Jones. I was really excited to see this new book as I loved “The Traveler’s Gift” by Mr. Andrews. The book reads as if Mr. Andrews is telling his own story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading from that perspective.

The story revolves around the lifelong relationship with Andy and Jones, but also weaves other stories alongside. Jones portrays himself to young Andy as a “Noticer”. By way of explanation – Jones explains that he notices things others overlook and his gift is to “give perspective – a broader view.”

All of the characters we meet have some issue or challenge they are dealing with and seem to have given up all hope. These are things that every one of us face as people living in this world. Jones seems to appear out of nowhere to offer this “broader view” and to help the individual see their life in a very different light! The stories are all easy to follow and Mr. Andrews has done a wonderful job of intertwining them into the main storyline. There is nothing eerie or ghostlike in the character of Jones. Actually – it would be more aptly described as almost angelic, but that’s not really true either. Jones has a very rare gift and his use of it enriches the lives of all he meets. I enjoyed the story but more than anything was challenged to be a “Noticer” of people and try to see them through a broader view, seeing beneath the surface. Jones is the best friend that everyone wants to have in his or her life. The challenge is for each of us to strive to be that person and to notice those things that we all try to hide but are still just under the surface.

Energy Independence Day

One of our Senators, John Cornyn, is hosting an Energy Independence forum. The goal is to get feedback from bloggers about their thoughts on the U.S.'s reliance on foreign energy and people's feelings on some of the solutions that have been offered. Here is my "two cents worth"~~

Energy Independence

The United States has been a world leader in many areas - technology, science, farming, production, aid in times of trouble or disaster, but there is one area we should not be proud of leading. That is the amount of fuel consumed that is purchased from governments or countries that profess to be allies but in truth are the opposite. Reliance on another for fuel makes us a slave to that entity. Consumers find they are very vulnerable to price changes that are basically at the fancy of the controlling entity.

As a nation, the U.S. should be researching and finding ways to lower dependence on foreign oil and become more self-sufficient. There are areas with oil deposits that are available, but are "off limits" because of a "Preservationist" attitude in the environmental world. A different school of thought should be one of Conservation. Conservation says that the land use should be maintained for all. Conservationism is the thought or teaching that sustainable use of the resources available is done while maintaining the natural beauty, habitat for wildlife and plants, and integrity of the area. Think controlled harvesting of trees vs. clear cutting. Controlled harvesting is done by cutting a certain number and specific age of trees to maintain the natural forest. This allows the impact to be minimized on the land, animals, climate, etc. of the area, while offering an economic incentive to make the best use of the resources.

One of these areas is the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge - ANWR for short. There are those who would say that this area is the last wilderness and should be kept absolutely pristine for future generations. Construction and maintainence of the Alaska pipeline is an example used to support their position. Unfortunately, it does not support that position at all. An article published by the University of Michigan entitled "The Environmental Effects of the Alaska Pipeline" discuss the impace the pipeline has had overall on the state of Alaska and the area surrounding it. The pipeline has had a huge economic impact on those living in the state, but much less of of an impact on the flora and fauna of the area. The area around the pipeline has not had a detrimental effect on the caribou migration or population as was widely touted at the time. Nor has the pipline had a huge negative effect on the other wildlife in the area. 1

Exploration and drilling in ANWR could promote similar benefits but there are some additional factors to consider. In a news article published at ANWR.org, an overview is given of a bill introduced by Minority Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Don Young. "Minority Natural Resources Committee Chairman Don Young introduced HR 6107, The American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD). The bill calls for the opening of the 10-02 Area of ANWR to responsible oil and gas development and uses the funds generated from oil production taxes to set up an Alternative Energy Trust Fund to promote the development and production of alternative energies."2 The last statement bears repeating - The funds received from taxes on the oil production would be used to set up a Trust to promote the development of alternative energy sources to lessen dependence on oil as a fuel source. This program would receive funds from oil development to find ways to lessen the need for oil development and would not cost the American taxpayer one dime!

But economic use is not the only purpose or use of the area. Our world is driven by economy but it is not the only force. People want and need places to go that feed their inner souls as well as help their economic outlook. ANWR is one of those places but to maintain it for the beauty and the grandeur, a habitat for wildlife, and native plant life is not exclusive of an economic benefit. Why can't both sides benefit? It does not have to be a "win" for the oil development to the detriment of the natural beauty. Nor does it have to be a "lose" for oil development to keep and maintain the majestic vista and wildlife habitat. It can be "win-win" for both sides, if minds are open to explore the possibilities!

1http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section003_group001/home

2 http://www.anwr.org/Headlines/Chariman-Don-Young-Introduces-ANWR-Bill-Sparks-Many-Converts.php

One Year Later ...

It is hard to believe this started just a year ago! I have met some awesome people through the blogosphere and read some awesome blogs! I find it very interesting that people are the same whether they are in Texas, Florida, Alabama, New York or some foreign country (foreign to the USA). We have a lot of the same cares and concerns for the things around us - family, community, country, etc. The blog world has brought this planet a lot closer together. The connection may not come through a physical presence but the connection is just as important and sometimes more so!!! Thank you to all the blogging friends that have checked out this lady's thoughts on a variety of subjects.

Right now - I am trying to get this business going! It has been great and I LOVE doing it but it has taken a lot more time than I had anticipated! With all of the other things going on - blogging has taken a back seat. I do not want to quit but posts may be sporadic for a while.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Tag for 5

I was tagged by Kathy at Kathy's Klavier for the Meme of Fives

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.

2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

3. At the end of the post the player thn tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.



What was I doing 10 years ago? 1998
1. I was enjoying settling into a new home in a new town

2. Raising a 12 year old daughter and a 7 year old son

3. Staying home

4. Volunteering at church & school

5. Singing in the church choir



5 things on my to-do list today ~

1. Work at my job all day

2. Walk 10,000 steps

3. Meet my sponsor and attend a show with her

4. Prepare some items for other shows I will be doing for some other people.

5. Be nice to my dog.



5 Snacks I enjoy ~

1. chips and salsa

2. Chips and salsa

3. chocolate

4. chocolate

5. Chips and chocolate salsa (not really!!!)



5 Things I would do if I were a billionaire ~

1. Support different missionaries that we have sent out from our church

2. Do the things we want to our home

3. Build my husband a shop and a recording/writing studio

4. Buy new furnishings for our daughter and son-in-law for their new home

5. Pay for college for our son.



Five of my bad habits ~

1. laziness

2. letting housework accumulate

3. eating chips and salsa when I get home from work

4. Wasting time in front of the "idiot box" (TV)

5. Stacks of papers everywhere



Five places I have lived ~

1. College Station, TX (Aggieland)

2. Hale Center, TX (Home of Pete Laney)

3. Olton, TX (Spouse's hometown)

4. Muleshoe, TX

5. Dodge City, KS



Five jobs I've had ~

1. Admin. Assistant to an Asst. Supt. of our school district

2. Admin. Asst. to bank president and one vice president

3. Assistant Cashier at a bank

4. Customer Service/Music teacher ?? at a music store

5. Checker at a grocery store

Blogworld Media

I have 2 new links on my sidebar to Senator John Cornyn's site and blog. It is fairly new and is available for those in the blogosphere to read. Senator Cornyn and his staff are working to get his positions published for the people in the state to understand him. I would like to see the site continued after the election process is over. It would be a great source of information without the skewed perception from the main stream media.

Thank you, Senator Cornyn! We all know how busy you are and appreciate the time you're giving to us. The conference call last week was interesting for someone who's only been involved in politics at the local level.

On a different note - I was able to have my sponsor do the training show for the new Premier Design jewelry business I had mentioned in the previous post. We had a great time and a great show. She is a great source of information and encouragement. She has been involved in this for over 14 years and is still as enthusiastic today as she must have been when she started. The company has such high standards and is founded on true Biblical principles. I appreciate that about the leadership of the company.

My daughter was able to be here for a while and left the greatest compliment for me. Thank you, my darling girl! I love you more than words can ever express!!!