Summer and Smoke

August has been definitely hot in Eastern Oregon along with smoke that has drifted in and out of the valley; a result of so many wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.  Not only fires in Oregon but California and Washington as well as smoke from multiple forest fires occurring in British Columbia, Canada.  A tragic waste in the devastation of nature, properties and lives..... and its not over with yet.  We welcome fall with its cooler temperatures and perhaps some rain.  Many places will rejoice in the advent of winter that will squelch embers with falling snow and blanket charred remains from devouring fire.

Meanwhile, we anticipate fall days ahead that will end stifling heat and bring a type of calmness to the land that only the season of fall can do.  I was able to get a few pictures of the horses that were on the hill that seemed oblivious to smoke but very interested in our two dogs as if to say, "what kind of creature is this??"

The photo below shows a smoke obscured valley, hills and town.  There have been days when the smoke was thicker than this picture shows and you kept house windows shut to keep the smell from entering the home.  We sympathize with those who have suffered loss in other areas of Oregon and elsewhere.  Grant County had its own experience with devastating fires three years ago that consumed forests and homes.  The wilderness fires left black twisted remains of trees that we still view today and residents who lost homes went on to either rebuild or relocate.  It makes us all nervous having had this community experience since smoke is an all too familiar sight jarring memories of a few short years ago.
 

There have been clear days to remind us to enjoy the beauty - whether it is a sunset, a sunrise, a storm cloud, or a simple butterfly.....

God bless you all dear readers and we'll meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, September 10th...

The Gift of Nola Ochs

In February of 2013, I wrote a story on "Belief and Nola Ochs" that bears repeating.  I would like to complete this story with an epitaph about this remarkable woman.  Nola passed away in December of 2016 at the age of 105 years young.  I state the word "young" since she lived her life not paying attention to what a birthday number says you should be.  Her gift or legacy that she leaves behind is a living definition of the quote, hope springs eternal.  She refused to believe an erroneous logic that says... you are too old.  Instead, she went on with her faith in God and in her dream to achieve her goal in higher education.  She made the Guinness World Records with the distinction of being the oldest college graduate in the world.
This video was made when she received her degree at 96 years of age and did achieve a Master's Degree in 2010.  Several of her statements in this video stand out to me.... "it is never too late to pursue your dream" and "the Lord willing".  I encourage you to watch this video and listen to Nola and her inspiring message.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hf7FQ38GKk

Belief and Nola Ochs 

An email article was sent to me recently regarding an 87 year old woman called Rose who went on to college and received a degree.  It is an inspiring and uplifting story that tells of one woman's quest to receive a college education.  In the process, she gains the respect and admiration of fellow students who applauded her spunk and wisdom.   Since I was curious to find out if the article about Rose was true or not,  I went on line to find out more about "Rose".  This is what I discovered in the process....  the story was written by Dan Clark who is a motivational speaker and the Rose story appeared in 28 different books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul.  I found no indication if Mr. Clark ever had the personal experience of meeting Rose in college and to be personally impacted to write about her.   Either way, the Rose story needs to be told since it speaks of the human spirit and how, if driven by a purpose and challenge will make the way for success in achieving that goal, despite age or background.  The below photo was attached to the story circulated on the internet about Rose.

Nola Ochs

I made another discovery when researching the article... the above photo is not Rose. This image with the “Rose" story is actually a snapshot of  Nola Ochs, who is a real-life inspiration. In 2007, she became the Guinness record holder as the world’s oldest college graduate at the age of 95 with a 3.7 GPA.   Nola graduated from Fort Hays State University with a General Studies Degree with an emphasis in History.  She also graduated with her 21-year old granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs. 

2007 College Graduate at age 95

Nola went on to pursue her master's degree in liberal studies from Fort Hays State University in the fall of 2007.  She received her Master's Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in History in May of  2010, making her the oldest recipient to earn her master's at age 98.

2010 Master's Degree at age 98

After receiving her Master's Degree, Nola applied for and got the position of Graduate Teaching Assistant in the History Department at Fort Hays State University.  She served in this capacity until the end of the first semester of 2011 and continued as a  History M.A. student at the University.  She celebrated her 100th birthday at the Fort Hays State University basketball game on November 15, 2011. At age 100, she began working on her genealogy project and is currently writing a book.  Ms. Ochs states that she has a good start on the book, which is about her life experiences, and will title the book,  "Nola Remembers".

Some of Nola's quotes:
-  I'm very gratified to have attained the distinction as the world's oldest graduate.  I would like to encourage people to keep on learning.  Our education is never complete.
-  I don't dwell on my age.  It might limit what I can do.  As long as I have my mind and health, it's just a number.
-  I give thanks every day for each new day that the Lord allows me to live and enjoy life to the fullest.
-  Most everyone has an inner desire....something they would like to do.  Maybe it seems impossible, but it isn't.  Today, there are so many options.  People will help you do almost anything if you want to do it badly enough.  The desire has to be intense, but I would encourage people to search their desires, to pick out one, and then get out and do it!
-  I've led a long, interesting life.  We went through the dust storms.  We had some difficult times in our marriage financially.  But it's been the Lord's will that I've lived this long life and I thank Him kindly for it.

I bring this true story to you in today's post about Nola Ochs as an example of what belief can do to fulfill a personal desire.  Believing is a force which encompasses the beginning of a desire and stirs it up towards an outcome.   To believe is to have faith, confidence and trust, which springs from an inward conviction and results in achievement.   Simply stated:
- We can each say, "I believe in You" to our Father of Lights and it will make a difference in our daily living, because.... HE CAN!
- We can each say, "I believe in you" to one another to make a difference in his or her daily living because.... YOU CAN!
- We can each say, "I believe in you" to ourselves to make a difference in our own inner being because.... I CAN! 

Nola lived out these three dynamics towards her goal - her core belief in her Lord, other people believing in her, and personally believing in herself that she could and would make a dream come true.


Join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, August 27th...


 
https://turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/02/belief-and-nola-ochs.html