The Church On The Hill

YIELD

Members of this family have worshiped in homes of various denominations throughout the years.  As for Veltirea and her children, the chosen faith without hesitation or discussion was Baptist, period.  I was never discouraged from asking questions about religions.  There are notable differences but similarities as well.  I will say there wasn't much discussion about Catholicism in my family.  In fact, let's say there was none. My parents and grandparents never took me to the Cathedral of Saint Paul. It was a BIG church we passed on our journeys of the day.  It was a mystery and I wanted to solve it.  I wanted to go inside the church.  My time eventually arrived to walk through the doors. I was studying architectural and engineering technology at Saint Paul Technical Vocational Institute - TVI (what is present day Saint Paul College) and given an assignment to visit this behemoth of a church structure.  I'll say it's big for Midwest standards.  Up close I saw this mysterious place in a different light.  I found the exterior to be dirty and old.  The interior was cold, large and rigid.  Not quite what I envisioned in all the years I saw it from a passing vehicle.

The Cathedral of Saint Paul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the Cathedral live and in color on a rainy Saturday morning in March. Some years back the entire structure was refurbished.  I must admit the building looks much better now.   Feel free to take a look at the website for the church.  http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

Time To Do This

Iowa Cooley -- 5th Generation

Hey!!  I did take a pause for the cause.  I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted something here.  I may have been inactive for a moment, but this blog is alive and kicking.  Writing posts for Tim's Tales and Stories is the one thing I can say I enjoy doing without hesitation.  Sharing the family history and pictures is of paramount importance to me and there's more to come. The best way to know the history of this family is to tell the tales that have been told to me.  I'm on it.  We've got a big birthday celebration approaching for Mom.  That gathering of family ensures a fun time will be had by all.  There's more coming.  Just wait...you'll see.

Maurice Is Eighteen

Happy 18th birthday to Toyia Lynn's baby, Maurice.  

 It goes without saying, but your family loves you very much.

Photos by Maria E!

Looking out

Photography is something many in this family enjoy and do well.  I saw this picture by Maria Elena and knew it had to be posted to the blog.  That woman has an incredible eye.  I like what she's able to capture in her photographs.  Yep, she another talented member of this family.  

I like her subjects

Great piece of old "current" events

Music never dies

This old house

I'm impressed with all of her pics.  There are many more on her facebook page and I'd really like to post more.  I have a feeling there will be another posting of her pictures in the future.  Keep taking great pictures, Maria.  I'm loving them!

I Laid Down My Burden

Raspberry Island on the Mississippi River

Sunday morning I decided to take a walk around my neighborhood.  One of the places I explored was Raspberry Island.  I've been there many times before, but it's usually to walk around, look at the river and move on.  I did things differently this time.  I actually spent time sitting by and enjoying the views of the river and city from the island.  I'm glad I did.  Being near water is always something I liked to do.  River, lakes or oceans; being near water is something I never grow tired of doing.

Live on stage

It was one of those unplanned events that was a good one.  I will be doing it again before the cold weather sets in.  A fun time was had by me.

The Nightlife

I do enjoy the view.

Moonshadow, Moonshadow...

Early morning moon shining brightly

So the past couple of mornings I've been awake to check out the "Blue Moon."  It's important to take a moment or two and check out the world in which we live.  This picture doesn't show very well, but the Moon was a beautiful sight to behold.

Please Take A Look...

He's the MAN

I know this is typically where I would write about family stories or share one of my own.  I had to share this.  I have no idea how many will see this, but if ONE person views this clip it's worth it.  I cannot stress the importance of how we should PAY ATTENTION and not get caught up in the okie doke. 

Check it out.  You may learn something you didn't know was right in front of your eyes.

I wore this in 2008 and I intend to wear it again in 2012.

JURY DUTY: Day One - WTH?

In the state of Minnesota you can receive a summons to serve on jury duty IF you are a licensed driver, have been issued a state identification card or you're a registered voter.  I qualify for two out of the three, so I received a summons in May.  That time wasn't good for me. I don't mind doing my civic duty and all that good stuff.  I postponed until July, which worked better for my schedule.

When I received the summons I noticed the directive in BOLD CAPS informing prospective jurors to leave communication devices (phones, pagers and pda's) at home.  I didn't like that part but those are the rules.  Uh huh - yeah right!  Though instructed to leave them home, some people brought their phones, used their phones AND they were loud when they did!  If asked to guess I'm sure some would say those people were from the hood, because it's believed hood folks never follow rules and are always loud.  WRONG ANSWER!  I watched as a few business men and woman whipped out their phones and began using them. You know the type that believe they're PRIVILEGED or entitled?  I tried to ignore it, but one joker - MR ANDERSEN insisted on letting me and the rest of the prospective jurors in the pool know all his business by speaking loudly into his phone. I wasn't there for all of that noise.  I cared less than a damn about his agenda or clients and I didn't want to hear it. I decided to ask the two Ramsey County employees in charge of this three ring circus about the usage of phones.  I approached their office, knocked, opened the door and stepped inside.

DO NOT BRING COMMUNICATION DEVICES: PHONES, PAGERS, PDA'S

The world was totally different behind that door.  It was cooler and quiet!  MR ANDERSEN, Susie, Megan, Holly, Becky, Crissy and Peter weren't in there running their mouths on their cell phones.  I asked the civil servants for some clarity on the no phones policy.  "We try to enforce the rule, but some don't comply.  We will take their phones before they enter the courtroom," said Miss Lady sitting behind the desk.  To which I replied, "So someone like me, that follows that rules, has to listen to the dumb-asses (Yes, those are my words) that didn't follow the rules?"  She shrugged her shoulders and repeated the answer.  I didn't like her answer the first time and the second time it kinda pissed me off.  I gave my standard, "Oh - okay" and out the door I went to reclaim my seat in the jury assembly room.  I made certain to give MR ANDERSEN one last extended mean look and sat down.  I picked up my book continued reading about my hometown's past with notable criminals.

My two books

I'm not sure how much time passed, but the next thing to happen was the calling of names for a case.  Several names were called, including MR ANDERSEN.  HA!  The big mouth had to shut it up and get off the phone.  Phones had to be turned in before being escorted to the courtroom.  He didn't appear to be too happy at that time. He turned off and turned in his phone before leaving to sit on a case.  Meanwhile, yours truly was excused for the rest of the day.  I found this to be a form of justice well served.  I'm going back tomorrow.  We shall see what it will be.

UPDATE

The next day I was asked by the by the jury room supervisor, "Did you bring your phone?"  Huh? Say what?!?!?  I'm the only one to follow rules and dude asks me if I BROUGHT MY PHONE???  Oh hell to the nah!  I looked him dead in his eye and said, "No, I didn't.  I paid attention to the rules and left my phone at home."  This is what he said, "I told you yesterday you could bring your phone.  It's fine for you to bring it.  If you're called for a case we'll take it from you at that time.  You mentioned your elderly parents yesterday (Oh, I did say if I had elderly parents and left my phone at home and couldn't contact them, it would seem all others should leave their phones at home.  I forgot I told him that.) and it would be okay for you to have your phone to stay in touch with them."  I stood there blinking.  I didn't think he listened to what I said the day before.  Yes, I thought wrong.  It was obvious I didn't listen to him.  

I showed up at the courthouse for three days, checked in each day, was asked if I brought my phone (each time I said I did not), read my book and was home by 12:00pm.  I wasn't called for a case and that was fine with me.  I did as I had been instructed to do and all went well.  I think it was within a week of completing jury duty that I received a check in the mail for my services.  All in all the experience was a good one.

 ...and I got mileage!

 

 

Monday Morning Moon

                                                                Monday, June 4 at 3:00am

It's Janet, Miss Jackson If You're Nasty

This is a good mix!  Check it out and get ready to move your body.

And Life Is Like A Song

I had been wondering what I would write?  How it would be told?  Which family member would be the focus of the story?  I found my inspiration on facebook.  When I read Jen's post I knew she would be the person I wanted to spotlight.   Funny thing is I didn't have to write a word.  She told her story much better than I ever could. I simply copied and pasted what she had written.  To my Cousin Jen,  keep doing that thing you do oh so well - SUCCEEDING IN LIFE!

P.S. - I think you can sing this song with conviction when you get that third degree!!