A three year old kid was sitting in the back of a car eating an apple.  He noticed it was turning brown and asked his dad why?  His dad replied, “because after you ate the skin off, the meat of the apple came into contact with the air, which caused it to oxidize, thus changing its molecular structure and turning it into a different colour.”  There was a long pause and then the kid asked, “daddy are you talking to me?”
The way I communicate matters. As I recently read, “every meaningful relationship requires significant communication.”  Sometimes what is said may be right, but not right for the situation.
I must admit it is one of the reasons I write the way I do.  When faced with a choice of using a big word (ok it does not happen a lot as I don’t know that many big words, but it can happen), or one which more people know, I will go for the commonly used one.  My thinking is I would prefer more to get where I am coming from than limit it to those who understand what may be a mostly unheard of word.
Even then communication is more than what I say.  Some research shows that words only account for under 10% of communication.  That is why someone called Peter Druker said “the most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.”
I have mixed results with communication.  Sometimes I feel what I have said is understood, while at other times the response looks like “say what?” or “what you talkin about Willis.” (for those like me born last century).  The point for me is that it is not safe for me to assume what I say has been understood or taken the way I meant it.”  There are times I am told I said something I know I never said.  I think it is safer to say something I said was heard a certain way.
It is one of the reasons I think communication is so important.  The safest way to know I have heard what is being said is to repeat back my understanding of what was said.  I soon find out if I heard correctly or have missed something.
It seems this communication thing is a lifelong thing.  Sometimes I get it (I know for sure sometimes I am got – that was an attempt at humour) but for sure as said at the beginning, “every meaningful relationship requires significant communication.”

Well I am all dressed up for the part.  When I don’t really know what I’m doing at least I try to look like I do.
I am playing tag with another fella today.  Both of us are assisting the guys putting up the insulation.  If all I need to do is hand fellas the insulation sheets I think I will be ok.  Anything else and I may need some instruction.
The guy tagging with me is coming after he has completed his morning job.  He is retired too but assists on crossings.  You may have almost run him over.  He has actually identified those most likely to go closed to running him down.  They all drive big vehicles.
He gives me a hard time.  I know I ask for it.  I have found if I am going to give out, I need to be able to take it too.  With him I think I get it back with interest.  I asked one fella if he had been spending time with this guy.  His comment, “he doesn’t let up on you does he?”
In a word.  “No.” But that is ok.  I hear some great things that I know I can use in the future.  I am actually looking for stuff often.
It reminds me, there was a busker in town many years ago who said, “I don’t care what you give as long as you fold it neatly.”  I thought I can use that.  We had a group that I invited to perform.  They were great and people loved them.  I liked to give them what ever was given.  I said, “I don’t care what you give as long as you fold it neatly.”  It was the best we ever received.
So today I work for a few hours, then he takes my place.  Same in the afternoon except in reverse.  I take over from him.
It does not seem to stop.  Tonight I have people coming over for something I run.  I cover for several hours for someone who has kids tomorrow.  He has graciously volunteered to help the rest of the day.  That night people come over to something else I run.  Then we have to have our shed set up for Friday.  There is an activity here on that day.  It is due to the church being closed for the week.
I would say it keeps me off the streets, but it actually forces me onto the streets.
Still, time well spent I say.  

And so it begins.
I am posting later this morning.  I do this sometimes of a Monday but today is not the usual reason.  Today I opened up for people that are insulating our church.  Merril and I went down and opened up.  We made sure there were biscuits and drinks for the workers.  (I later mentioned to the guy in charge there was cake that needed to be consumed today.  He saw that as a challenge he was willing to accept). Their labour is free. 
We have done real well with the insulation.  The cost of it has been covered by donations.  There is no doubt it will be very welcome when done as the place gets incredibly hot in summer.  We have air conditioners and fans on to try to provide some cool.  We are hoping this will make a big difference not only during the Sunday service but for those that sit at tables waiting to enter the food pantry.
We were there earlier than those who arrived, and when stuff had been done Merril did a run to Macca’s for breaky.  Just as she was about to leave people arrived.  So Merril took orders.  Our worker who had donated his time ordered breaky and one other a coffee.  Merril and I were ready for breaky so we had it.
Our helper today is really good.  He had a nick name of McKiever who was a tv person who could do lots of stuff.  As far as I am concerned, he even looked the part.  Hi vis gear, good boots, and a workers helmet.
I was given a key for the fella in charge.  Keys are funny.  We could not get it to work on one door (I had Merril give it a go in case it was just me) but it worked perfectly on the other door (they are supposedly keyed alike).  That door is the designated entry and exit point.
Once all had been sorted and breakfast eaten, Merril and I went home.  Awaiting me was an email saying the granny flat could be started the 28/10.  We have banking to do later, lunch to collect from subway and tonight I am subbing at table tennis.
We feel like we need to be organized.  We are giving it our best shot.