And, I did it!
I blogged every stinkin' day, whether I had something to say, or not!
Well...now ya know what kind of guy I am.
Beaner....it was your challenge, and you didn't get every day, didja!!
See...being retard....retired lets you do all sorts of exciting things...
world travel, exotic excercises, reading time.....
It's amazing.
Anyways, the month is over, and I will now return to only blogging when I have something to say...just like Mr. Ed. The talking horse. From when..
Ah, never mind.
So, thanks for reading, both of you, or so. Though I did actually get the odd reader from, say, Russia, and Vienna, and India.
That is really cool.
I know...they were probably looking for info on old gray dogs....
So what!!! I count them as avid readers, even if they only looked once...
'kay. C'ya.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
AAAAAAAAAAARGH..AGAIN!!!
MAN!
Frustration. Confusion. Anger. Frustration again.
I just got a late notice for a bill I don't owe, for a product I never bought.
About 2 months ago, our identity was stolen. Just a little.
Actually, someone got ahold of a credit card number for a card we no longer used, or even had any more.
With just a number, they managed to order about 1500 bucks worth of stuff. In about 3 days!
Now, people who do this kind of thing are not always genius caliber, say, like the folks of Ocean 11 (or 12, or 13..).
So, being rather dim witted, they ordered the laargest, most expensive item, which was a projector from the Infocus Corporation, and had the company deliver it to us. Here. On our front porch.
DUH.
Did they think that we'd somehow be able to divine their whereabouts, and make a special delivery to them? Hmmmmmm...
Anyways, after calling the credit card company, and Infocus, and then both companies about a dozen times, I thought we were done with it.
Right. First, the nits at Infocus didn't want to take the package back. Then, they didn't want to pay for return shipping. Finally, and this was today, 2 months later, I get another bill from them.
What? Why do companies like this seem to prosper...they really don't know what their left hand is doint to their right.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh!
So...I have to make another call or three.
Wish me luck. Please...
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Frustration. Confusion. Anger. Frustration again.
I just got a late notice for a bill I don't owe, for a product I never bought.
About 2 months ago, our identity was stolen. Just a little.
Actually, someone got ahold of a credit card number for a card we no longer used, or even had any more.
With just a number, they managed to order about 1500 bucks worth of stuff. In about 3 days!
Now, people who do this kind of thing are not always genius caliber, say, like the folks of Ocean 11 (or 12, or 13..).
So, being rather dim witted, they ordered the laargest, most expensive item, which was a projector from the Infocus Corporation, and had the company deliver it to us. Here. On our front porch.
DUH.
Did they think that we'd somehow be able to divine their whereabouts, and make a special delivery to them? Hmmmmmm...
Anyways, after calling the credit card company, and Infocus, and then both companies about a dozen times, I thought we were done with it.
Right. First, the nits at Infocus didn't want to take the package back. Then, they didn't want to pay for return shipping. Finally, and this was today, 2 months later, I get another bill from them.
What? Why do companies like this seem to prosper...they really don't know what their left hand is doint to their right.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh!
So...I have to make another call or three.
Wish me luck. Please...
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
WOW....WHAT A DAY!
WELL...
That's that. Another granddaughter. Wow. Three so far. And six grandsons.
Wow. Are we getting old!
This grand stuff is truly cool, though. Honest. Try it, you'll love it!
The grandkids we've been blessed with are pretty exceptional. To a kid, they're decent, polite and well behaved. (mostly..).
And, full of life. Whether we're in Charlotte with Becky's 5, or hangin' here at home with Jess's, they keep us moving!
We're lucky enough to have 5 acres here, with woods in the back. This is a great playground. Used a lot, for sure.
This year, we built a tree fort. The Mckinnis kids are already talking about next July when the Madeira kids come to call. There will be many, many "storming of the forts".
Actually, me and Deb spent a little time up there ourselves...what a view!
Felt like we were dating again...even snuck a little beer up there....hee hee..
We rigged up a bucket on a rope...for the kids, of course...
Man.....retirement's tough, but someone's....
Okay, I'll shut up about it...
Anyways..
We'll be checkin' out the new rugger later today, and Jess is comin' home tomorrow.
God is good!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
That's that. Another granddaughter. Wow. Three so far. And six grandsons.
Wow. Are we getting old!
This grand stuff is truly cool, though. Honest. Try it, you'll love it!
The grandkids we've been blessed with are pretty exceptional. To a kid, they're decent, polite and well behaved. (mostly..).
And, full of life. Whether we're in Charlotte with Becky's 5, or hangin' here at home with Jess's, they keep us moving!
We're lucky enough to have 5 acres here, with woods in the back. This is a great playground. Used a lot, for sure.
This year, we built a tree fort. The Mckinnis kids are already talking about next July when the Madeira kids come to call. There will be many, many "storming of the forts".
Actually, me and Deb spent a little time up there ourselves...what a view!
Felt like we were dating again...even snuck a little beer up there....hee hee..
We rigged up a bucket on a rope...for the kids, of course...
Man.....retirement's tough, but someone's....
Okay, I'll shut up about it...
Anyways..
We'll be checkin' out the new rugger later today, and Jess is comin' home tomorrow.
God is good!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
SHE'S HERE!!!
JADE DEBORAH MCKINNIS
8 POUNDS, 3 OUNCES OF FIGHTING IRISH (TOUCH OF SCOT)
FULL HEAD OF DARK HAIR
ARRIVED AT 11:05 AM TODAY, 11-27-2007
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER (AND FATHER) ARE ALL DOING WELL.
PRAISE GOD!
8 POUNDS, 3 OUNCES OF FIGHTING IRISH (TOUCH OF SCOT)
FULL HEAD OF DARK HAIR
ARRIVED AT 11:05 AM TODAY, 11-27-2007
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER (AND FATHER) ARE ALL DOING WELL.
PRAISE GOD!
JADE IS ON THE WAY!!
HERE SHE COMES!
At long last, our youngest daughter is having her youngest daughter!
It's been all of 9 months, can you imagine that?!!
Actually, it seems a bit longer, probably because she was ready weeks ago.
So, at 6:30 this A.M., when Jeremy called with the news, we were more than ready. Deb immediately jumped into the car to watch the kids, and I immediately went back to bed for an hour.
I have to hold down the fort while she's gone, ya see. Clean the house, feed the dogs, do the blog...I tell ya, it's never done!
So, here I am, doing my work, holding down this here fort. It's pretty lousy weather today, so fort holding is definitely not the worst thing I could be doing. Down the road, they're putting up a new house, a real monster, and I feel for the guys who have to work outside in 30 degree rain, and 20 mph winds.
I'll take house sitting. And blogging. Quite the man, eh?
Oh well. Where were they when the icy winds froze the water on my face and firecoat in the middle of those zillion winter firefighting nights??
Probably glad they weren't me, I'm thinkin'.
Okay. So, please, all you prayers out there, 1-2-3-PRAY!
For Jess, for the baby, for safe delivery of both back home to us.
Jess had complications for the first time with this pregnancy. A tear in her uterus had all of us concerned for the first 4 months. It's the kind of thing that could be really serious if it gets worse at the wrong time. Like now.
So. Golden arrows, please. Thanks.
We like having her around. You listening, Lord? I know you are.
Okay. I'll update this when Jade arrives. Stay tuned.
At long last, our youngest daughter is having her youngest daughter!
It's been all of 9 months, can you imagine that?!!
Actually, it seems a bit longer, probably because she was ready weeks ago.
So, at 6:30 this A.M., when Jeremy called with the news, we were more than ready. Deb immediately jumped into the car to watch the kids, and I immediately went back to bed for an hour.
I have to hold down the fort while she's gone, ya see. Clean the house, feed the dogs, do the blog...I tell ya, it's never done!
So, here I am, doing my work, holding down this here fort. It's pretty lousy weather today, so fort holding is definitely not the worst thing I could be doing. Down the road, they're putting up a new house, a real monster, and I feel for the guys who have to work outside in 30 degree rain, and 20 mph winds.
I'll take house sitting. And blogging. Quite the man, eh?
Oh well. Where were they when the icy winds froze the water on my face and firecoat in the middle of those zillion winter firefighting nights??
Probably glad they weren't me, I'm thinkin'.
Okay. So, please, all you prayers out there, 1-2-3-PRAY!
For Jess, for the baby, for safe delivery of both back home to us.
Jess had complications for the first time with this pregnancy. A tear in her uterus had all of us concerned for the first 4 months. It's the kind of thing that could be really serious if it gets worse at the wrong time. Like now.
So. Golden arrows, please. Thanks.
We like having her around. You listening, Lord? I know you are.
Okay. I'll update this when Jade arrives. Stay tuned.
Monday, November 26, 2007
CRAFT FAIR(IES) AT OUR HOUSE!!
WOW!!Check out these pics from yesterday. We had the kids over, and Jess brought some stuff she bought.
Now, I am the world's worst crafter, especially when it comes to painting.
So, when she showed up with a bunch of pristine ceramic knobs, and announced that we would "create our own", thus saving about 10$ per knob, I , errr, scoffed. Said that it would never happen. Laughed.
So, they started working. Spread out newspapers, paint, knobs...
Then, like the kid in Huck Finn, I was sucked in.
Suddenly I found myself "whitewashing the fence", and liking it!
Well, I don't know if we gave Mckenzie Childs too much of a run for their money, but I kinda like 'em!
What ya think???
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Happy Sattiday!!
TO YOU.....
I hope all is better than well for you guys. I know that some of you weathered Black Friday shopping. Becky did it in Charlotte, and had some fun in Kohl's, and some un fun at Target.
Which is pretty much the same as it was in the Dark Ages, when Deb and I used to try it. Hit and miss, the good shoppers and nasty ones; kind of a frantic microcosm of the world in general.
Anyways, that's over, and now we head into the Christmas season, or, as the heathens put it, Xmas, or, The Holidays.
I guess in fairness, the holiday title shouldn't bother we Christians too much, since there really are several very different ones happening at this time of year.
But, the Xmas deal always chafed my butt.
The Saviour definitely deserves better than X for a designation.
He was a bit more than a chromosome, or a spot on a map.
Yet, He puts up with it. Free will and all that.
Once again, be glad I'm not God. Be a lot of ex-Xers.
Hey, I haven't done a Haikool in a while. Here's one:
Beaner shops Friday
Jessica stays warm at home
Kids are not the same
Brilliant, eh?
Okay, maybe not too, but so true!
And Steph is off the map. She hasn't returned our Thanksgiving Day call yet. Off on her personal planet again. Oh well. Come back soon, Steph!
Her husband left for Iraq again on Friday morning. We're praying for safe passage, and safe return.
Guess that's all for now. Feeling mellow, on this sunny, crisp day. Love our dogs, our country home, and the Lord, and look forward to church tomorrow! Praise God!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
I hope all is better than well for you guys. I know that some of you weathered Black Friday shopping. Becky did it in Charlotte, and had some fun in Kohl's, and some un fun at Target.
Which is pretty much the same as it was in the Dark Ages, when Deb and I used to try it. Hit and miss, the good shoppers and nasty ones; kind of a frantic microcosm of the world in general.
Anyways, that's over, and now we head into the Christmas season, or, as the heathens put it, Xmas, or, The Holidays.
I guess in fairness, the holiday title shouldn't bother we Christians too much, since there really are several very different ones happening at this time of year.
But, the Xmas deal always chafed my butt.
The Saviour definitely deserves better than X for a designation.
He was a bit more than a chromosome, or a spot on a map.
Yet, He puts up with it. Free will and all that.
Once again, be glad I'm not God. Be a lot of ex-Xers.
Hey, I haven't done a Haikool in a while. Here's one:
Beaner shops Friday
Jessica stays warm at home
Kids are not the same
Brilliant, eh?
Okay, maybe not too, but so true!
And Steph is off the map. She hasn't returned our Thanksgiving Day call yet. Off on her personal planet again. Oh well. Come back soon, Steph!
Her husband left for Iraq again on Friday morning. We're praying for safe passage, and safe return.
Guess that's all for now. Feeling mellow, on this sunny, crisp day. Love our dogs, our country home, and the Lord, and look forward to church tomorrow! Praise God!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Friday, November 23, 2007
THE DAY AFTER...
THE SAGA CONTINUES...
Not really. No saga. Not even soggy.
Actually kinda pretty out there. Sweet, white early snow.
Hey...yesterday was cool.
Big bird, great gravy, awesome family time.
Thanks, Lord.
Y'know, we didn't do any serving duty to the public yesterday. Haven't tried that. It looks like it might be pretty cool. Laura and her hub did it yesterday, and she recorded it on her blog.
Check it out:
http://www.iatethesandbox.blogspot.com/
We met a week ago to give out baskets and take prayer requests at church. It also was pretty cool.
This serving thing is definitely more fun than it looks like from a distance.
We had Jess and Jeremy and the kids over yesterday, and after an unbelievable meal, we had a wild game of charades by the fireplace. I think that, between me and Jess, there was enough ham in that room to provide all the troops in Iraq with bacon for at least a year!
Wonder where she gets it from. Oh well.
Really cool to see a 9 months pregnant lady hatch out of an egg.
Or, have her oldest son shuffle between her feet to represent a woman having a baby. Kudos to Jacob for putting up with some outstandingly embarrassing stuff!
Anyways, it's over for another year. We had turkey last night, turkey sandwiches for lunch, and are looking forward to hot turkey sandwiches for dinner.....
Are you really what you eat??
Hmmmmmmm........maybe.....sometimes...
Okay. Time to think about Christmas.
94.5 has started it's 24/7 Christmas music already.
And, it's way too early to be tired of it, so, enjoy!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Not really. No saga. Not even soggy.
Actually kinda pretty out there. Sweet, white early snow.
Hey...yesterday was cool.
Big bird, great gravy, awesome family time.
Thanks, Lord.
Y'know, we didn't do any serving duty to the public yesterday. Haven't tried that. It looks like it might be pretty cool. Laura and her hub did it yesterday, and she recorded it on her blog.
Check it out:
http://www.iatethesandbox.blogspot.com/
We met a week ago to give out baskets and take prayer requests at church. It also was pretty cool.
This serving thing is definitely more fun than it looks like from a distance.
We had Jess and Jeremy and the kids over yesterday, and after an unbelievable meal, we had a wild game of charades by the fireplace. I think that, between me and Jess, there was enough ham in that room to provide all the troops in Iraq with bacon for at least a year!
Wonder where she gets it from. Oh well.
Really cool to see a 9 months pregnant lady hatch out of an egg.
Or, have her oldest son shuffle between her feet to represent a woman having a baby. Kudos to Jacob for putting up with some outstandingly embarrassing stuff!
Anyways, it's over for another year. We had turkey last night, turkey sandwiches for lunch, and are looking forward to hot turkey sandwiches for dinner.....
Are you really what you eat??
Hmmmmmmm........maybe.....sometimes...
Okay. Time to think about Christmas.
94.5 has started it's 24/7 Christmas music already.
And, it's way too early to be tired of it, so, enjoy!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Hey-Yo-Hi....Hello
RHYMIN' SIMON HERE...
Simon Peter, that is....at least that's what my mom hoped for.
I was actually named after St. Peter, who was my mom's favorite saint.
She told me once that I was the only child that she ever asked for.
Man.....talk about pressure!
She hoped that one day I would join the seminary, and emerge a priest.
Uhhh....that was until I was about 6 and entered school.
Back then home schooling didn't exist. As kids, we were all thrust together at a very young age. For some, this was not a problem. For others, like myself, the kid experience, even in a Parochial school staffed by nuns with monikers like "Sister Eloise Frankenstein" and "Sister Mary Killyounow", was, a bit of a challenge.
It wasn't like I was a bad kid, or anything. I was just, well, enthusiastic.
You know the type. Front row. Hand always up. Spastic leg twitching.
Kinda like I still am.
Anyways, by 8th grade I was a marked man.
And before that, I tended to be a little physical with the other kids in my class, or Cub Scout Troop, or in the playground...
So, mom, at a very early age indeed, gave up on the priest thing.
Sorry mom.
Anyways, it's probably just as well. I stopped being a Catholic at age 37, becoming instead a "Born Again Christian", a move that scared almost everyone but my middle daughter, and my wife, who did the same thing at about the same time.
But, that's another story, for another time....
Mom once told us that she felt bad because she was going to heaven, and the rest of her family was heading to Hell....
Jeesh....
Well, I hope she's happy there now, and won't be too surprised when we pop in on her a little later...!
So,
NOLO PRIESTERE..
A doomed idea, really, from the day that God created Eve, I was a dead man.
NOLO CELIBACERONIUS...
I know....IO.....sorry....
But, anyways, there it is.
Still, someday I will be Saint Pete. Not Pope Pete.
Jesus says so. I believe Him.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Simon Peter, that is....at least that's what my mom hoped for.
I was actually named after St. Peter, who was my mom's favorite saint.
She told me once that I was the only child that she ever asked for.
Man.....talk about pressure!
She hoped that one day I would join the seminary, and emerge a priest.
Uhhh....that was until I was about 6 and entered school.
Back then home schooling didn't exist. As kids, we were all thrust together at a very young age. For some, this was not a problem. For others, like myself, the kid experience, even in a Parochial school staffed by nuns with monikers like "Sister Eloise Frankenstein" and "Sister Mary Killyounow", was, a bit of a challenge.
It wasn't like I was a bad kid, or anything. I was just, well, enthusiastic.
You know the type. Front row. Hand always up. Spastic leg twitching.
Kinda like I still am.
Anyways, by 8th grade I was a marked man.
And before that, I tended to be a little physical with the other kids in my class, or Cub Scout Troop, or in the playground...
So, mom, at a very early age indeed, gave up on the priest thing.
Sorry mom.
Anyways, it's probably just as well. I stopped being a Catholic at age 37, becoming instead a "Born Again Christian", a move that scared almost everyone but my middle daughter, and my wife, who did the same thing at about the same time.
But, that's another story, for another time....
Mom once told us that she felt bad because she was going to heaven, and the rest of her family was heading to Hell....
Jeesh....
Well, I hope she's happy there now, and won't be too surprised when we pop in on her a little later...!
So,
NOLO PRIESTERE..
A doomed idea, really, from the day that God created Eve, I was a dead man.
NOLO CELIBACERONIUS...
I know....IO.....sorry....
But, anyways, there it is.
Still, someday I will be Saint Pete. Not Pope Pete.
Jesus says so. I believe Him.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
HEYELLOWTHERE...
AND A JOLLY GOOD MORNIN' TO YA...
It's a bit on the rainy side today, so's we'll probably not spend a lot of time in the yard..
How 'bout you?
I know you mothers, especially you homeschooling moms must feel a little cabin fever at times during the nastier months.
How do you break it all up? What do you like to do with the kids to keep them (and you) pleasantly occupied?
Inquiring minds want to know. Can adults do the same thing? Will we look or feel dumb doing it?
Who cares!!! Tell us!!!
It's still early for cabin fever. I know that. In fact , I still am enjoying the transition from summer grilling to yummy cold weather food. Like tonight.
Chicken and dumplings! My mouth is already watering. That's probably sad, considering that we haven't yet had breakfast around here.
We grilled a ton this year, due to the simple fact that the grilling weather, thanks to God, was extended at least a month!
Thanks Lord!!
But, now it's time to move on. At least until February, when we rv it to Te Texas, and start grilling again.
Look, somebody's got to do it!
So...no complaining here, no matter how many rainy 35 degree days we get.
In fact, my lips are zipped, no more weather talk, none, nada, zip, zero,
NOLO WEATHERE!
Okay. Where were we. Oh yeah.
So, tell us your rainy day plans. Save me from the book reading, working out, Wally Worlding, meal eating day I had planned!
Love you guys, one and all!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
It's a bit on the rainy side today, so's we'll probably not spend a lot of time in the yard..
How 'bout you?
I know you mothers, especially you homeschooling moms must feel a little cabin fever at times during the nastier months.
How do you break it all up? What do you like to do with the kids to keep them (and you) pleasantly occupied?
Inquiring minds want to know. Can adults do the same thing? Will we look or feel dumb doing it?
Who cares!!! Tell us!!!
It's still early for cabin fever. I know that. In fact , I still am enjoying the transition from summer grilling to yummy cold weather food. Like tonight.
Chicken and dumplings! My mouth is already watering. That's probably sad, considering that we haven't yet had breakfast around here.
We grilled a ton this year, due to the simple fact that the grilling weather, thanks to God, was extended at least a month!
Thanks Lord!!
But, now it's time to move on. At least until February, when we rv it to Te Texas, and start grilling again.
Look, somebody's got to do it!
So...no complaining here, no matter how many rainy 35 degree days we get.
In fact, my lips are zipped, no more weather talk, none, nada, zip, zero,
NOLO WEATHERE!
Okay. Where were we. Oh yeah.
So, tell us your rainy day plans. Save me from the book reading, working out, Wally Worlding, meal eating day I had planned!
Love you guys, one and all!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
MONDAY, MONDAY....
HELLO WEEKIES!!
That is, if anyone's reading..
The comments have been just a little thin lately!!
Oh well.....
HEY....
File this under: It really is a small world!
The other day I blogged on about a trip to Sam's Club, where I rescued myself, deb, and at least one grateful lady from a continuous onslaught of "Jingle Bell Rock".
Well, yesterday in church, who do you think we ran into?
THE SAME LADY!!!
AMAZING.....
COINCIDENCE, YOU SAY??!!
I THINK NOT!
I'm now thinking that the whole incident was, maybe, a God thing, yet to be completely explained!
We'll see. Anyways, it makes you realise that your behavior, whatever, and wherever it may be, could well be witnessed by the good folks in your church!
YIKES!
That's it. No more streaking for me! Done!
Holidays can be tough on us, for a lot of reasons.
For me, it's hard not to be able to have all my kids and grandkids here with us.
We are so grateful that Jess and Jeremy decided to live near to us. Our lives would be incalculably poorer without them here.
But, now we have our eldest girl Steph pregnant and alone in New Mexico, (Husband heading to Iraq), and Becky in Charlotte.
We'll make a good holiday of it, but it would be wonderful to have the whole clan here to celebrate with us. I wish we had the room here for everybody.
Anyways...
I hope you're all set for Thanksgiving..just three more days!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
That is, if anyone's reading..
The comments have been just a little thin lately!!
Oh well.....
HEY....
File this under: It really is a small world!
The other day I blogged on about a trip to Sam's Club, where I rescued myself, deb, and at least one grateful lady from a continuous onslaught of "Jingle Bell Rock".
Well, yesterday in church, who do you think we ran into?
THE SAME LADY!!!
AMAZING.....
COINCIDENCE, YOU SAY??!!
I THINK NOT!
I'm now thinking that the whole incident was, maybe, a God thing, yet to be completely explained!
We'll see. Anyways, it makes you realise that your behavior, whatever, and wherever it may be, could well be witnessed by the good folks in your church!
YIKES!
That's it. No more streaking for me! Done!
Holidays can be tough on us, for a lot of reasons.
For me, it's hard not to be able to have all my kids and grandkids here with us.
We are so grateful that Jess and Jeremy decided to live near to us. Our lives would be incalculably poorer without them here.
But, now we have our eldest girl Steph pregnant and alone in New Mexico, (Husband heading to Iraq), and Becky in Charlotte.
We'll make a good holiday of it, but it would be wonderful to have the whole clan here to celebrate with us. I wish we had the room here for everybody.
Anyways...
I hope you're all set for Thanksgiving..just three more days!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
SATTTERRRDAYYYYYY!!!
AWRIGHT!!
Congrats, all, you made it.
THE WEEKEND.
As a former working stiff, I empathise and wish you the very best.
We just came from Church, where we goody two shoed our way through a couple of hours of offering prayer requests for needy families picking up their Thanksgiving baskets.
I dreaded going, foresaw two long hours of boredom, and wishing we were somewhere, anywhere else doing anything else....
And, once again, God proved me wrong. About an hour into it, I looked at the clock and was astonished at the time....and hoping it wouldn't end too soon.
We met some great people, collected a bunch of prayer requests, filled out some Christmas cards for soldiers, had a pizza lunch, and really saw the time fly by.
It was big fun.
I can't believe it.
I honestly always wondered what level of guilt would make people do stuff like this. Now I know. None. None level. Not guilt.
It feels good. I think God likes it.
For sure, more goody two shoes junk lies in our future!!
Have a perfect Saturday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Congrats, all, you made it.
THE WEEKEND.
As a former working stiff, I empathise and wish you the very best.
We just came from Church, where we goody two shoed our way through a couple of hours of offering prayer requests for needy families picking up their Thanksgiving baskets.
I dreaded going, foresaw two long hours of boredom, and wishing we were somewhere, anywhere else doing anything else....
And, once again, God proved me wrong. About an hour into it, I looked at the clock and was astonished at the time....and hoping it wouldn't end too soon.
We met some great people, collected a bunch of prayer requests, filled out some Christmas cards for soldiers, had a pizza lunch, and really saw the time fly by.
It was big fun.
I can't believe it.
I honestly always wondered what level of guilt would make people do stuff like this. Now I know. None. None level. Not guilt.
It feels good. I think God likes it.
For sure, more goody two shoes junk lies in our future!!
Have a perfect Saturday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!
Okay kids.....quiz time.
What is the single most effective way to push a near crazy person way over the edge
of
sanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you figured it out?
Take your time....it's a little tricky.
Okay.......give up?
Here's how:
Open up a store, like, say Sam's Club.
Fill it with good stuff.
Allow lots of people in, including some almost crazies like myself.
Right in the center of the store, place a music player.
Crank up the volume, so everyone in the place can hear it very, very clearly.
Then, play Jingle Bell Rock.
Over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and....
You get the picture.
I was trying on sneakers, about 3 aisles over from the music machine. I had to try on several pairs. As the moments passed by, and the song repeated, I began to go faster, agitated, nervous, semi-frantic, hands beginning to shake....
I looked around, wondering what was happening to me...
Suddenly deb appeared, looking a little like I felt, her eyes, crazy wide...
I said, "Where is it??? Where...:
She said, it's over there, I just passed it by, I couldn't see a switch, it's up high on a shelf, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO!!!
I said, "show me!!" " Quickly, please!!!"
It began again. I felt my resolve begin to waver as I got closer and closer to the source of the Madness...I was scared...what if I fell down, and couldn't get up, and I had to wait for the ambulance while that song played, over and over......
There it was!!!!
Unbelievable that a box that smaall could cause misery so large!
I looked it over...
it was up high!
It was out of reach!!
The song began again!!!
My heart beating near to bursting, I saw it..the cord, the electric cord...
I COULD REACH IT!
And, as I pulled that plug, and blessed silence enveloped the aisle, a woman with an astonished look on her face broke out in tears of gratitude, and gave me a huge high five.
Mission accomplished.
Please. Don't try this at home. I am still a little woozy.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Okay kids.....quiz time.
What is the single most effective way to push a near crazy person way over the edge
of
sanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you figured it out?
Take your time....it's a little tricky.
Okay.......give up?
Here's how:
Open up a store, like, say Sam's Club.
Fill it with good stuff.
Allow lots of people in, including some almost crazies like myself.
Right in the center of the store, place a music player.
Crank up the volume, so everyone in the place can hear it very, very clearly.
Then, play Jingle Bell Rock.
Over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and....
You get the picture.
I was trying on sneakers, about 3 aisles over from the music machine. I had to try on several pairs. As the moments passed by, and the song repeated, I began to go faster, agitated, nervous, semi-frantic, hands beginning to shake....
I looked around, wondering what was happening to me...
Suddenly deb appeared, looking a little like I felt, her eyes, crazy wide...
I said, "Where is it??? Where...:
She said, it's over there, I just passed it by, I couldn't see a switch, it's up high on a shelf, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO!!!
I said, "show me!!" " Quickly, please!!!"
It began again. I felt my resolve begin to waver as I got closer and closer to the source of the Madness...I was scared...what if I fell down, and couldn't get up, and I had to wait for the ambulance while that song played, over and over......
There it was!!!!
Unbelievable that a box that smaall could cause misery so large!
I looked it over...
it was up high!
It was out of reach!!
The song began again!!!
My heart beating near to bursting, I saw it..the cord, the electric cord...
I COULD REACH IT!
And, as I pulled that plug, and blessed silence enveloped the aisle, a woman with an astonished look on her face broke out in tears of gratitude, and gave me a huge high five.
Mission accomplished.
Please. Don't try this at home. I am still a little woozy.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
HEY WASSUP WORLDIES??
Yeah...right...I'm talkin' to you!!
Okay. Got your attention. Lissen up, you five.
When you're grown up, BIRTHDAYS SUCK!
Who really needs a special whole day to think about how stinkin' old you are?
As a kid, it's truly cool...you get stuff!
You're one year closer to puberty!! Closer to driving, partying, getting your own cell phone...
Wow!! And those things really blind you to the real truth of the situation.
Which is, you're also one year closer to the Big R!!
RESPONSIBILITY!!
Yeah. That's right, I said it. Big stinkin' R that that is.
And, after 50, it's really nasty. You physically change at a truly amazing rate of speed.
When I look at pictures of me, say, 10 years ago, I can't believe what i see.
Most of our lives, me and deb have always been younger looking than our actual ages.
She still is.
But, man, this gray dog fur I'm sporting now is melting me down!!!
Naw. Not really. Actually, the older I get, the less I care about it.
Who needs to be Brad Pitt anyways? He's stuck with Ang...hmmm.
Never mind.
Anyways, the new resolution around here is:
NO MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!
NOLO BIRTHDERE!!!
BOITDAY NYETSKI!!!!
We will, from this day forward remain the same age.
Until the day when we decide to actually take days away and get younger each day..
That day will come also.
Count on it.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Okay. Got your attention. Lissen up, you five.
When you're grown up, BIRTHDAYS SUCK!
Who really needs a special whole day to think about how stinkin' old you are?
As a kid, it's truly cool...you get stuff!
You're one year closer to puberty!! Closer to driving, partying, getting your own cell phone...
Wow!! And those things really blind you to the real truth of the situation.
Which is, you're also one year closer to the Big R!!
RESPONSIBILITY!!
Yeah. That's right, I said it. Big stinkin' R that that is.
And, after 50, it's really nasty. You physically change at a truly amazing rate of speed.
When I look at pictures of me, say, 10 years ago, I can't believe what i see.
Most of our lives, me and deb have always been younger looking than our actual ages.
She still is.
But, man, this gray dog fur I'm sporting now is melting me down!!!
Naw. Not really. Actually, the older I get, the less I care about it.
Who needs to be Brad Pitt anyways? He's stuck with Ang...hmmm.
Never mind.
Anyways, the new resolution around here is:
NO MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!
NOLO BIRTHDERE!!!
BOITDAY NYETSKI!!!!
We will, from this day forward remain the same age.
Until the day when we decide to actually take days away and get younger each day..
That day will come also.
Count on it.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEB!!
YEAH!!
Another year gone by, my love...
We're closer now, than ever before.
Each day, every moment spent together is precious.
And with each passing heartbeat, your beauty grows.
I have no idea why God blessed me with you.
We are so different.
You are so strong where I am weakest.
Your patience, courage, and understanding have been the cornerstone of our marriage.
I couldn't have done it without you, my love.
Thank you, Lord, for the grace brought into my life by this fair lady.
Thank you, Father, for the life you have built around her, the gifts of our children and grandchildren.
For the home we share, and the hearts we have for each other.
Thank you, Jesus, for holding your arms around us, so many times, when we failed to hold our arms around each other.
I love you, my lady fair...
Happy Birthday.
Another year gone by, my love...
We're closer now, than ever before.
Each day, every moment spent together is precious.
And with each passing heartbeat, your beauty grows.
I have no idea why God blessed me with you.
We are so different.
You are so strong where I am weakest.
Your patience, courage, and understanding have been the cornerstone of our marriage.
I couldn't have done it without you, my love.
Thank you, Lord, for the grace brought into my life by this fair lady.
Thank you, Father, for the life you have built around her, the gifts of our children and grandchildren.
For the home we share, and the hearts we have for each other.
Thank you, Jesus, for holding your arms around us, so many times, when we failed to hold our arms around each other.
I love you, my lady fair...
Happy Birthday.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
NOVEMBER.........UGH.
HEY!
My two least favorite months are March, and....you guessed it!
November!
YUCK!
I wonder why I feel that way. Probably because those are the two "Can't Make Up My Mind" months for Ma Nature.
It doesn't really feel quite like winter. And, it sure doesn't feel like summer!
So, we're stuck in a no man's land of gloomy chilly wet cloudy gray days.
I'm not one of the Great White Hunters out there, so I don't spend all year looking forward to Baggin' Da Bambi.
Instead, I gotta put away the bike, the motorcycle, the Miata, and the shorts.
I know, poor me.
Hey, when you're retard....I mean retired, the weather takes on a whole different meaning. You home schoolin' moms out there can surely sympathise with me, right? I mean, now you're kinda stuck inside with the l'il darlings.
Yoiks!!
Oh well, it's not like we don't see it coming.
And, surely, by now, we should be used to it.
At least, I should be, at age 54.
Man.
Not!
Okay. 'Nuff on the weather.
At least this gloom makes a good old fashioned home cooked meal smell, sound, and taste really great.
Like, maybe, chicken and dumplings, or lasagna...hmmmm.
I think I should eat breakfast soon.
Hey, here's a smallish poem .
Here goes:
So many days gone by.
What have I learned?
Where am I now?
Have I grown at all,or simply hidden away running running
flying away leave me now please.
Am I failing you Father?
Why can't I hear you any more?
It used to be so clear, your will for me.
Have I closed my eyes, my ears?
Don't!
Don't let me, please,
Lord, take control.
Hold me tight again.
Please lead my blind eyes again...
I am still yours.
I am still yours.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
My two least favorite months are March, and....you guessed it!
November!
YUCK!
I wonder why I feel that way. Probably because those are the two "Can't Make Up My Mind" months for Ma Nature.
It doesn't really feel quite like winter. And, it sure doesn't feel like summer!
So, we're stuck in a no man's land of gloomy chilly wet cloudy gray days.
I'm not one of the Great White Hunters out there, so I don't spend all year looking forward to Baggin' Da Bambi.
Instead, I gotta put away the bike, the motorcycle, the Miata, and the shorts.
I know, poor me.
Hey, when you're retard....I mean retired, the weather takes on a whole different meaning. You home schoolin' moms out there can surely sympathise with me, right? I mean, now you're kinda stuck inside with the l'il darlings.
Yoiks!!
Oh well, it's not like we don't see it coming.
And, surely, by now, we should be used to it.
At least, I should be, at age 54.
Man.
Not!
Okay. 'Nuff on the weather.
At least this gloom makes a good old fashioned home cooked meal smell, sound, and taste really great.
Like, maybe, chicken and dumplings, or lasagna...hmmmm.
I think I should eat breakfast soon.
Hey, here's a smallish poem .
Here goes:
So many days gone by.
What have I learned?
Where am I now?
Have I grown at all,or simply hidden away running running
flying away leave me now please.
Am I failing you Father?
Why can't I hear you any more?
It used to be so clear, your will for me.
Have I closed my eyes, my ears?
Don't!
Don't let me, please,
Lord, take control.
Hold me tight again.
Please lead my blind eyes again...
I am still yours.
I am still yours.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
HEY HI HELLO
And Happy Veterans Day, to all who have earned that distinction...
My war was Viet Nam. When I graduated, it had about 1 year to go. At that time, the draft board was using a lottery system to see who'd go, and who would stay. My number was 335. It was not my time to go.
I would have gone, if I had been called. And, after seeing, through films and documentaries, and partly through some fragmented ex-soldier lives, the kind of war it was, I'm thankful I wasn't called.
The kind of chaos ever present in that war would have destroyed me.
I believe that near death experiences bring out the best and the worst in us. The insanity of the constant jungle pressures would have creamed me. I fully admit this, and I salute the survivors.
Although I am opposed to the war in Iraq, I fully support our soldiers over there. I can't wait for it to be over, and for them to come home again. The armed forces is forcing all our enlistees to stay 13 months longer than they were supposed to, and spend that time in Iraq. I find this horrendous, especially considering that they've already done their time in that purgatory.
I have faith that the coming election year may have a large impact on this war. It's time to come home.
Okay....
Off the soapbox.
Laura had a truly moving piece of music on her "I ate the Sandbox" blog today. Beck, do you read her stuff? It's a riot. She is almost deranged enough to be one of us. She's at:http://www.iatethesandbox.blogspot.com/
Check it out, Bean.
Hey....
Yesterday, Steve Case, brand spanking new Preacher Dude had his town hall debut!
Actually, it was in the Crossroads Church, but, anyways, it was primo.
The worship before he spoke was a blast. Then the choir sang a medley of patriotic songs. Very fun. Finally, Steve spoke about Ruth, one of the heroes of the Old Testament. The girl who did what she had to do. Without chopping off any heads either.
I can judge a preachers effectiveness almost immediately by how much of the sermon I retain. It usually falls somewhere between "what did he just say" to "wow..I still remember the first point...".
Steve made it to the top, with almost total recall today, a full 24 hours later.
Amazing. And entertaining. I can't wait for his next time up there, which he claims will be in "6 or 7 years..". Hope not!
Anyways, maybe later this week I'll have some valuable insight to share with all you zillions of fans out there in blog-land.
OH YEAH!
So, have fun today. If you have the time, play bloons here on this page. I finally beat the game, all 50 levels, and it may be my life's single finest achievement.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
My war was Viet Nam. When I graduated, it had about 1 year to go. At that time, the draft board was using a lottery system to see who'd go, and who would stay. My number was 335. It was not my time to go.
I would have gone, if I had been called. And, after seeing, through films and documentaries, and partly through some fragmented ex-soldier lives, the kind of war it was, I'm thankful I wasn't called.
The kind of chaos ever present in that war would have destroyed me.
I believe that near death experiences bring out the best and the worst in us. The insanity of the constant jungle pressures would have creamed me. I fully admit this, and I salute the survivors.
Although I am opposed to the war in Iraq, I fully support our soldiers over there. I can't wait for it to be over, and for them to come home again. The armed forces is forcing all our enlistees to stay 13 months longer than they were supposed to, and spend that time in Iraq. I find this horrendous, especially considering that they've already done their time in that purgatory.
I have faith that the coming election year may have a large impact on this war. It's time to come home.
Okay....
Off the soapbox.
Laura had a truly moving piece of music on her "I ate the Sandbox" blog today. Beck, do you read her stuff? It's a riot. She is almost deranged enough to be one of us. She's at:http://www.iatethesandbox.blogspot.com/
Check it out, Bean.
Hey....
Yesterday, Steve Case, brand spanking new Preacher Dude had his town hall debut!
Actually, it was in the Crossroads Church, but, anyways, it was primo.
The worship before he spoke was a blast. Then the choir sang a medley of patriotic songs. Very fun. Finally, Steve spoke about Ruth, one of the heroes of the Old Testament. The girl who did what she had to do. Without chopping off any heads either.
I can judge a preachers effectiveness almost immediately by how much of the sermon I retain. It usually falls somewhere between "what did he just say" to "wow..I still remember the first point...".
Steve made it to the top, with almost total recall today, a full 24 hours later.
Amazing. And entertaining. I can't wait for his next time up there, which he claims will be in "6 or 7 years..". Hope not!
Anyways, maybe later this week I'll have some valuable insight to share with all you zillions of fans out there in blog-land.
OH YEAH!
So, have fun today. If you have the time, play bloons here on this page. I finally beat the game, all 50 levels, and it may be my life's single finest achievement.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
GOOD MORNING SUNDAY!
Hey....Yo.....We don't blog on Sundays.
We will go to church to hear the Reverend Steve Case give his first official sermon.
We'll walk the mutts a couple of miles afterwards, while we wait for the Mckinnisses to show up for the Sunday Night Ham Dinner at the Redmond's House.
We shalt not blog.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
We will go to church to hear the Reverend Steve Case give his first official sermon.
We'll walk the mutts a couple of miles afterwards, while we wait for the Mckinnisses to show up for the Sunday Night Ham Dinner at the Redmond's House.
We shalt not blog.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
SO...........................WASSUP???
Hey...It's Saturday here.
What day is it there?
I wonder, how many places out there in the world are experiencing a whole different day than we are. I know that it's night in at least half of the world right now...
Deep, Eh?
Anyways, it's saturday here, and I know, probably there too. Unless, say a bloke or sheila from Australia is reading this...
Which could happen, and would be our newest winner in the "farthest out reader" sweepstakes.
But, probably not.
Probably Steph will win again, maybe even Becky, in Charlotte.
Things to think about, to ponder deeply.
Hmmmmmm....
Is it any wonder that people don't usually blog every single day???
I mean, really, whose life is really interesting enough to put right out there on the World Wide Web every day?
Maybe Bill Gates.
If I had endless wealth, I guess I could do whatever I darn well please each day....exotic stuff, like race Indy 500 cars, fly lear jets, bungee jump canyons, motorcycle deserts, jet ski oceans......
Then I'd have a blog to share, I tell ya!
'Course, if I had that much dough, I'd have a professional blogger to do it for me. some ex-presidential speech writer who could make, say, a trip to the john sound like an earth shaking experience.
Which, it actually is sometimes...
Anyways...
I obviously don't have much wisdom to impart on this date, so I will instead depart.
With a l'il Haiku:
FOLKS WHO TALK TOO MUCH
SELDOM HEAR WHAT THEY MAY SAY
WHICH IS JUST AS WELL
YOU GET THE POINT!!
What day is it there?
I wonder, how many places out there in the world are experiencing a whole different day than we are. I know that it's night in at least half of the world right now...
Deep, Eh?
Anyways, it's saturday here, and I know, probably there too. Unless, say a bloke or sheila from Australia is reading this...
Which could happen, and would be our newest winner in the "farthest out reader" sweepstakes.
But, probably not.
Probably Steph will win again, maybe even Becky, in Charlotte.
Things to think about, to ponder deeply.
Hmmmmmm....
Is it any wonder that people don't usually blog every single day???
I mean, really, whose life is really interesting enough to put right out there on the World Wide Web every day?
Maybe Bill Gates.
If I had endless wealth, I guess I could do whatever I darn well please each day....exotic stuff, like race Indy 500 cars, fly lear jets, bungee jump canyons, motorcycle deserts, jet ski oceans......
Then I'd have a blog to share, I tell ya!
'Course, if I had that much dough, I'd have a professional blogger to do it for me. some ex-presidential speech writer who could make, say, a trip to the john sound like an earth shaking experience.
Which, it actually is sometimes...
Anyways...
I obviously don't have much wisdom to impart on this date, so I will instead depart.
With a l'il Haiku:
FOLKS WHO TALK TOO MUCH
SELDOM HEAR WHAT THEY MAY SAY
WHICH IS JUST AS WELL
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Friday, November 9, 2007
OKAY....CARRYING ON...
Now that we're past the tagging, bragging stuff (for the most gas, I win hands down..) ,I need to clarify one thing up quickly.
In case it sounded differently, I am not really a one man flatulence machine. I don't produce enough methane to run a small city, not even a village. (no more than a hundred families, please..)
I'm not a human "Green Machine" capable of emitting enough high energy fumes to , say, run my own vehicle if it were properly outfitted.
Not at all.
I probably don't actually "fanny burp" any more than the average joe.
It's just that, under the right conditions, I can certainly do my share.
So there.
Please don't be afraid to accompany us on an outing, or invite us to a meal. I promise, I won't foul your air.
Ask almost anybody!
Okay. Moving on.
Today I had the pleasure of teaching another Cycle class at the Y.
I have to say, as I've said before, that it is one of my favorite things to do.
You get such a variety of people in your class. Today I had a marathoner, a bunch of newbies, (first classers) and my usual collection of hard core regulars.
These folks are a very eclectic group, with more than a few educated professionals. It can be pretty intimidating. Sometimes I feel like I should be getting trained by them!
It's a great privelege. And it's great to have my lovely blond assistant with me, to help me set up and clean up afterwards. I think we're a pretty good team...Pretty good..!
Ask almost anyone...
Hey, I'm still waiting on suggestions for decent tv shows to watch. We've been renting shows on dvd, and currently like House MD, and the Closer the best.
Any tv experts out there?
So....have a beeyayewteefulll Friday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
In case it sounded differently, I am not really a one man flatulence machine. I don't produce enough methane to run a small city, not even a village. (no more than a hundred families, please..)
I'm not a human "Green Machine" capable of emitting enough high energy fumes to , say, run my own vehicle if it were properly outfitted.
Not at all.
I probably don't actually "fanny burp" any more than the average joe.
It's just that, under the right conditions, I can certainly do my share.
So there.
Please don't be afraid to accompany us on an outing, or invite us to a meal. I promise, I won't foul your air.
Ask almost anybody!
Okay. Moving on.
Today I had the pleasure of teaching another Cycle class at the Y.
I have to say, as I've said before, that it is one of my favorite things to do.
You get such a variety of people in your class. Today I had a marathoner, a bunch of newbies, (first classers) and my usual collection of hard core regulars.
These folks are a very eclectic group, with more than a few educated professionals. It can be pretty intimidating. Sometimes I feel like I should be getting trained by them!
It's a great privelege. And it's great to have my lovely blond assistant with me, to help me set up and clean up afterwards. I think we're a pretty good team...Pretty good..!
Ask almost anyone...
Hey, I'm still waiting on suggestions for decent tv shows to watch. We've been renting shows on dvd, and currently like House MD, and the Closer the best.
Any tv experts out there?
So....have a beeyayewteefulll Friday!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Tagged
Like a deer carcass. Okay, here goes:
- If I drink too much beer, I get gas.
- If I drink too much milk, I get gas.
- If I eat the wrong foods, I get gas.
- If I eat too fast, I get gas.
- If I eat standing up, I get gas.
- If I eat lying down, Roman style, you guessed it, I get gas.
- I believe that life itself gives me gas.
Well Bean, there ya go. Most people didn't know these things, although my sneaking suspicion is that you kids may have figured it out.
pop
GOOD MORNING UNIVERSE!!!
AND OTHER POINTS OF DESTINATION...
Imagine.
That's what God says, each and every day to each and every one of us.
I also happen to believe in life in other parts of our universe...Why would God waste all that space??
But, here's the thing.
I am always trying to figure out why God would act a certain way. Why this person got sick, why that person won the lottery, why so many things are not the way I'd have them...
Have you ever tried to put God in a box?
It's an old saying, for sure, but with good reason. I think we all do it from time to time.
We're made in His image, right? So why shouldn't we understand His way of thinking, His way of handling things?
I wonder if the size difference would be more apparent if we thought a little about the first couple of sentences of this morning's blog.
Each and every day, all living things are in God's awareness. Each and every moment. He knows our thoughts, He sees all creation; He runs the universe.
That's a pretty big job, I'd guess.
Try this, the next time you try to bring God down to our size:
Walk into a supermarket, and try to see everyone in the store at the same time. Try really hard. Then count the number of people that you really can watch over at the same time. If you're like me, it's usually about one. Maybe two, if they're together. That's about it.
Pretty sad, right?
No! Not at all.
Okay, we're made in His image, but are we God?
Do we actually have to run the universe, keep the planets spinning, the stars burning?
Hey...not my job!!
Not yours either.
And that's a good thing, isn't it?
Believe me, if I were running things, they'd be very different.
Not necessarily in a good way, either.
There'd be a lot fewer bad drivers on the road, that's for sure!!
But, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I'd have things screwed up in record time.
Besides, I just could not keep track of all you folks out there, good or bad. Kinda like Jim Carrey in "Bruce Almighty".
So, I'm gonna try not to figure out God too much. It's just too hard. Like trying to drink the Ocean, or count the sands, or number the stars, or any other combination of impossible cliches.
Just cannot do it.
It's His job, and He's welcome to it, in all His Almighty mystery.
I, for one, am glad about that.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Imagine.
That's what God says, each and every day to each and every one of us.
I also happen to believe in life in other parts of our universe...Why would God waste all that space??
But, here's the thing.
I am always trying to figure out why God would act a certain way. Why this person got sick, why that person won the lottery, why so many things are not the way I'd have them...
Have you ever tried to put God in a box?
It's an old saying, for sure, but with good reason. I think we all do it from time to time.
We're made in His image, right? So why shouldn't we understand His way of thinking, His way of handling things?
I wonder if the size difference would be more apparent if we thought a little about the first couple of sentences of this morning's blog.
Each and every day, all living things are in God's awareness. Each and every moment. He knows our thoughts, He sees all creation; He runs the universe.
That's a pretty big job, I'd guess.
Try this, the next time you try to bring God down to our size:
Walk into a supermarket, and try to see everyone in the store at the same time. Try really hard. Then count the number of people that you really can watch over at the same time. If you're like me, it's usually about one. Maybe two, if they're together. That's about it.
Pretty sad, right?
No! Not at all.
Okay, we're made in His image, but are we God?
Do we actually have to run the universe, keep the planets spinning, the stars burning?
Hey...not my job!!
Not yours either.
And that's a good thing, isn't it?
Believe me, if I were running things, they'd be very different.
Not necessarily in a good way, either.
There'd be a lot fewer bad drivers on the road, that's for sure!!
But, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I'd have things screwed up in record time.
Besides, I just could not keep track of all you folks out there, good or bad. Kinda like Jim Carrey in "Bruce Almighty".
So, I'm gonna try not to figure out God too much. It's just too hard. Like trying to drink the Ocean, or count the sands, or number the stars, or any other combination of impossible cliches.
Just cannot do it.
It's His job, and He's welcome to it, in all His Almighty mystery.
I, for one, am glad about that.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Firefighter's Prayer
Last bit o' drama for the day:
Living through another night
Firefighter's endless fight
Bone deep chill as wind whips by
Down dark roads the engines fly
Down dark roads of life and death
Touched by satan's fiery breath
Seeking paths where we are blind
Sleeping children there to find
Please be, God, our guiding light
See us through this fateful night
cPRedmond 1989
Nuff said!
Living through another night
Firefighter's endless fight
Bone deep chill as wind whips by
Down dark roads the engines fly
Down dark roads of life and death
Touched by satan's fiery breath
Seeking paths where we are blind
Sleeping children there to find
Please be, God, our guiding light
See us through this fateful night
cPRedmond 1989
Nuff said!
AAAARGH....DEJA VU, ALL OVER.....
WHOA!!!
At exactly 1:51 A.M. this morning, the bell hit.
I don't talk much about my former career as a firefighter. But, there are times that the experiences I collected then are brought back to me, full force, in my face.
This morning, actually in the middle of our night, a HUGE crash brought my wife and I leaping out of our beds. I had no idea what it was, but, suddenly, I was back in the firehouse, the bell sounding, the lights going on, and the speaker announcing : "You got one!"
Meaning, of course, that we had a working fire to put out, people to find in the smoke, walls to hang close to, blackness to negotiate, ears to singe..
Waking had to be instant. We would be on the scene, donning face pieces, rushing into the black hot in less than 5 minutes.
Sometimes, I confess, I found myself in the middle of a search wondering if I was dreaming, just then waking up, seeing little, instead relying on sense of hearing, feeling, and memory to find our ways in and out again.
Adrenaline was both a blessing and a curse. Too little meant being too slow, too much bounced you off of walls, could actually freeze you in your tracks.
Fear was a factor. You had to respect fire for what it was if you were to survive. A force of Nature, elemental, powerful, deadly. It played by it's own rules, crept up on you from behind, through walls and ceilings, through floors...Always seeking to destroy.
All we had to beat it was the same tool that ancient people used: water.
The clothing we wore provided basic protection, but we still managed to lose several firefighters a year nationwide. In 1978, we lost four of our own, two who had come on in my class.
We survivors returned to work that same day.
That's the nature of the job.
Anyways..
Last night, it was only a bag of bottles that had fallen off the hook. No harm, no foul.
But, I admit, it took a while for my heart to settle back into a healthy, normal sinus rhythm.
Forgive, please, any drama you may sense here. It really was like that, all 31 years of it. I thank God, for the survival of we who retired. I pray for those who still face the midnight bell.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
At exactly 1:51 A.M. this morning, the bell hit.
I don't talk much about my former career as a firefighter. But, there are times that the experiences I collected then are brought back to me, full force, in my face.
This morning, actually in the middle of our night, a HUGE crash brought my wife and I leaping out of our beds. I had no idea what it was, but, suddenly, I was back in the firehouse, the bell sounding, the lights going on, and the speaker announcing : "You got one!"
Meaning, of course, that we had a working fire to put out, people to find in the smoke, walls to hang close to, blackness to negotiate, ears to singe..
Waking had to be instant. We would be on the scene, donning face pieces, rushing into the black hot in less than 5 minutes.
Sometimes, I confess, I found myself in the middle of a search wondering if I was dreaming, just then waking up, seeing little, instead relying on sense of hearing, feeling, and memory to find our ways in and out again.
Adrenaline was both a blessing and a curse. Too little meant being too slow, too much bounced you off of walls, could actually freeze you in your tracks.
Fear was a factor. You had to respect fire for what it was if you were to survive. A force of Nature, elemental, powerful, deadly. It played by it's own rules, crept up on you from behind, through walls and ceilings, through floors...Always seeking to destroy.
All we had to beat it was the same tool that ancient people used: water.
The clothing we wore provided basic protection, but we still managed to lose several firefighters a year nationwide. In 1978, we lost four of our own, two who had come on in my class.
We survivors returned to work that same day.
That's the nature of the job.
Anyways..
Last night, it was only a bag of bottles that had fallen off the hook. No harm, no foul.
But, I admit, it took a while for my heart to settle back into a healthy, normal sinus rhythm.
Forgive, please, any drama you may sense here. It really was like that, all 31 years of it. I thank God, for the survival of we who retired. I pray for those who still face the midnight bell.
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!
And, of course, wherever you are today...
Time is short today for blahgging; me and the Debster have a doctors appointment this morning, so, I am going to simply write the lyrics to a James Taylor tune to represent the thoughts for the day.
Here goes:
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
Any fool can do it, there ain't nothing to it
Einstein said that we'll never understand it all.
Planets a' spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race
Isn't it a lovely ride
Ridin' down, glidin' down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.
Have a lovely ride today...!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Time is short today for blahgging; me and the Debster have a doctors appointment this morning, so, I am going to simply write the lyrics to a James Taylor tune to represent the thoughts for the day.
Here goes:
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
Any fool can do it, there ain't nothing to it
Einstein said that we'll never understand it all.
Planets a' spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race
Isn't it a lovely ride
Ridin' down, glidin' down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.
Have a lovely ride today...!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Monday, November 5, 2007
GOOD MORNIN' TO Y'ALL!!!
And a beauty of a mornin' it is, here on Walton's Mountain, Just a stone's throw from Lake Woebegone...
Don't you just love a sunny morning? What a difference it makes to have the sun on your face when you're out walking the dogs, or getting the morning paper.
Definitely beats yesterday's rain...!
Hey...
They say that last month was tied for the warmest, wettest October of all time. Wow.
The drought is over!!
It lasted, maybe, 10 minutes or so...
That's one thing we really don't worry about here in tropical CNY...
We don't stay dry for very long!
Which is okay, when we get a year like this last one...
plenty of sun, warm...no complaints at all.
The weather folks say we're probably going to have a mild winter....
I think they're right..I picked up a woolly caterpillar, and it had almost no fuzz!!
That's a sure sign of a warmer than usual winter...Just ask Wayne Mahar...
Either that, or I happened to pick up a middle aged balding caterpillar on his way to his hair implant appointment....
Risky business, weather prediction!
Tomorrow's election day for this neck of the woods, and we have some pretty big races going on here in Nelson....
I for one, plan on getting there early, and campaigning for my favorite pick for Town Clerk...Yvonne Wescott Eulin. She is certainly qualified for the post, having known me from her stint as office receptionist for my old church, and being the daughter of the retiring Town Clerk. It's in the blood, ya see..
The big race is actually in another county...
Onondaga County, my old stomping grounds is electing their County Executive. Since there's no incumbent, it should be interesting to see if they pick an old time politician with lots of experience, not all good, over a new comer lady lawyer with lots more energy and, I think, Chutzpah.
Her only obvious fault that I can see is that her names rhyme....Joanie Mahoney...hmmmm.....
Little kids surely rhymed that with baloney, and left real scars...
Oh well, she's defifitely moved on, and is looking good to win.
We'll see how it goes.
Well...that about sums it up, this fine fall day!
Have a really good one....
I MEAN IT!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Don't you just love a sunny morning? What a difference it makes to have the sun on your face when you're out walking the dogs, or getting the morning paper.
Definitely beats yesterday's rain...!
Hey...
They say that last month was tied for the warmest, wettest October of all time. Wow.
The drought is over!!
It lasted, maybe, 10 minutes or so...
That's one thing we really don't worry about here in tropical CNY...
We don't stay dry for very long!
Which is okay, when we get a year like this last one...
plenty of sun, warm...no complaints at all.
The weather folks say we're probably going to have a mild winter....
I think they're right..I picked up a woolly caterpillar, and it had almost no fuzz!!
That's a sure sign of a warmer than usual winter...Just ask Wayne Mahar...
Either that, or I happened to pick up a middle aged balding caterpillar on his way to his hair implant appointment....
Risky business, weather prediction!
Tomorrow's election day for this neck of the woods, and we have some pretty big races going on here in Nelson....
I for one, plan on getting there early, and campaigning for my favorite pick for Town Clerk...Yvonne Wescott Eulin. She is certainly qualified for the post, having known me from her stint as office receptionist for my old church, and being the daughter of the retiring Town Clerk. It's in the blood, ya see..
The big race is actually in another county...
Onondaga County, my old stomping grounds is electing their County Executive. Since there's no incumbent, it should be interesting to see if they pick an old time politician with lots of experience, not all good, over a new comer lady lawyer with lots more energy and, I think, Chutzpah.
Her only obvious fault that I can see is that her names rhyme....Joanie Mahoney...hmmmm.....
Little kids surely rhymed that with baloney, and left real scars...
Oh well, she's defifitely moved on, and is looking good to win.
We'll see how it goes.
Well...that about sums it up, this fine fall day!
Have a really good one....
I MEAN IT!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
HAPPY SUNDAY!!
Hey....
Blog month or not, I don't blog on Sundays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Blog month or not, I don't blog on Sundays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
IT'S THE WEEKEND!
AND,
FIRST OF ALL:
'Cuz it's time to :
Sleep in
check email
check blogs
Big breakfast
Take out the trash
check email
check blogs
Hang with the spouse
Hang with the kids
check email
check blogs
Check honey-do list
Put list down, pick up golf clubs
Take a :
run
jog
work out
sit down
check email
check blogs
grab book
read first three pages
take a nap
eat lunch
check email
check blogs
run dogs
hit Wally World
buy groceries
put 'em away
check email
check blogs
fix snack
yell at kids (if app.)
read next 3 pages of book
take nap
check email
check blogs
eat dinner
play with kids (if app.)
watch some tube
check email
check blogs
kiss kids goodnight (if app.)
kiss spouse goodnight (if app.)
kiss self goodnight (if possible)
sleep well
SO........GET TO IT!!
SPECIAL THANKS TO lAURAjOY FOR THE MOST WORTHY FORMAT OF TODAY'S BLOG!
And...have a nice day!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
FIRST OF ALL:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAY!!!!!
He's my 2 year old grandson, born of middle daughter Becky and husband Brian of Charlotte, NC!
Nobody bothers bloggin on the weekend....'Cuz it's time to :
Sleep in
check email
check blogs
Big breakfast
Take out the trash
check email
check blogs
Hang with the spouse
Hang with the kids
check email
check blogs
Check honey-do list
Put list down, pick up golf clubs
Take a :
run
jog
work out
sit down
check email
check blogs
grab book
read first three pages
take a nap
eat lunch
check email
check blogs
run dogs
hit Wally World
buy groceries
put 'em away
check email
check blogs
fix snack
yell at kids (if app.)
read next 3 pages of book
take nap
check email
check blogs
eat dinner
play with kids (if app.)
watch some tube
check email
check blogs
kiss kids goodnight (if app.)
kiss spouse goodnight (if app.)
kiss self goodnight (if possible)
sleep well
SO........GET TO IT!!
SPECIAL THANKS TO lAURAjOY FOR THE MOST WORTHY FORMAT OF TODAY'S BLOG!
And...have a nice day!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Friday, November 2, 2007
HEY HEY HEY, LET'S BLOG TODAY!!!
WOW!!! HAVE YOU HEARD???
It's national blogger month!!
We have to blog every day, even if we have little or nothing to say.
So, you ask, what's different about it??
Ha Ha, I say. Very funny. You do be a bundle o' joy to me!!!
Anyways, what's the big news today? My youngest kid learned the hard way why glass should never be allowed in a house with kids. 2 glass bowls, down the drain...literally!
Jess is definitely my kid, though...she figured out how to fix the mess herself.
Way to go, Jehiqua!
Well, here on Walton's Mountain, things are hardly a stirrin'.
We spent the morning at the gym, spent way too much dough at Sam's club, and now we're back home again...Wow!
Now that's worth reporting!!
Anyways..
The sun, it shines today. Cool, clear, crisp...around 50 degrees...This is our favorite kind of fall day.
So, what am I doing inside writing this silly blahg??
I don't know!!!
So, I guess I'll wrap it up with a little poem thingy:
Lands with skies of Sapphire blue
Reach their spangled arms to you
But as you take the hand and follow
Something makes the happy hollow
Something seems to want to tarnish
All the bright and pretty varnish
On the world as you desire it
Something seems to want to mire it
For happy is not meant to last long
And no depth is found in that song
Which contains no word of sorrow
That song merely tries to borrow
Something from another place
Where is found no human face
cPRedmond 1970
Have an awesome day!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
It's national blogger month!!
We have to blog every day, even if we have little or nothing to say.
So, you ask, what's different about it??
Ha Ha, I say. Very funny. You do be a bundle o' joy to me!!!
Anyways, what's the big news today? My youngest kid learned the hard way why glass should never be allowed in a house with kids. 2 glass bowls, down the drain...literally!
Jess is definitely my kid, though...she figured out how to fix the mess herself.
Way to go, Jehiqua!
Well, here on Walton's Mountain, things are hardly a stirrin'.
We spent the morning at the gym, spent way too much dough at Sam's club, and now we're back home again...Wow!
Now that's worth reporting!!
Anyways..
The sun, it shines today. Cool, clear, crisp...around 50 degrees...This is our favorite kind of fall day.
So, what am I doing inside writing this silly blahg??
I don't know!!!
So, I guess I'll wrap it up with a little poem thingy:
Lands with skies of Sapphire blue
Reach their spangled arms to you
But as you take the hand and follow
Something makes the happy hollow
Something seems to want to tarnish
All the bright and pretty varnish
On the world as you desire it
Something seems to want to mire it
For happy is not meant to last long
And no depth is found in that song
Which contains no word of sorrow
That song merely tries to borrow
Something from another place
Where is found no human face
cPRedmond 1970
Have an awesome day!
YOU GET THE POINT!!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
AND A GRAND TIME WAS HAD..
BY ALL!
Hey!!
We spent All Hallowed Eve, that evil pagan festival with the Mckinnis's last night. Jess, the proverbial perfect host, served horse doovers to start us off, including very tasty caramel apples! Yum, baby, YUM! Sticky good fun.
After the kids and Jeremy escorted Gramps all over the place and filled 2 bags completely full of sugar, we headed back to the house for a superb chili, personally prepared by Chef Jehiqua, our caterer.
Awesome job...........wonderful ambience, as usual, and, as you can tell by the pictures, we rocked!!
Hey Jess and Jer....thanks for the memories!
YOU GET THE POINT!
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