Wow what a morning already!
I needed to get some cash, so drove over to my usual ATM. There was already a line up to use it. But, as I was about to park, a guy hops out of a Loomis armored car and disables the ATM to service it. Like waiting 5 minutes would be too much bother for him. Of course, the line began objecting loudly and about as rude as his actions were.
So, I headed for my back up ATM. Again a line is already there. So, I park and walk to the line. Then I hear beep! BEEP! beep! BEEP beep! BEEP! I turn around and see that a lady in a pick up truck wants to pull out of her parking space but a car has double parked, blocking her in - with the driver honking his horn every time she honks hers! Eventually, she gets out and tells him that if he wants his Lexus to be crushed, don't move it! He does and she roars off running two stop signs and a red light until she was out of my line of sight. Yeah, her day got off on a bad foot!
Then the driver of the car, parks and gets in line behind me. "----- people! What the ----- is wrong with them!" Where each dash represents a swear word. Apparently, besides being terminally stupid this guy has Tourette's Syndrome. As I finished my transaction on the ATM he was up to, "------ people need to see a ------ counselor!"
Yup, you are right dude, you do need counseling and perhaps some meds while we are at it!
For funs, I drove back by ATM one and saw two sheriffs cars pulling up. Yeah, they had the guy trapped in the machine and were still yelling and now banging on the sides and door. Probably not the best way to point out to the police the error of the guard's ways.
Fun morning, huh?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cars & Such
So my long abused van's transmission committed suicide. I am a little irritated over this as I had counted on that vehicle being around for about three more years. But, it appears it is best this way, it was eating me alive with gas consumption and is not even worth the cost of a new transmission. Sigh.....
Dutchman, always the joker, sent me an email last night from Craigslist on a 1972 Pinto for sale. And I had to have a good laugh. You see .....
Dutchman and I both have a long history with 1972 Pintos. In the days when you could not give these away - because they were "deathtraps waiting to explode at any moment!", we were college students. Dutchman bought his first and figured out the Ford codes. If you knew the numbers you could ferret out one made in Canada (superior body fitting and welds) and they came with a German built drive train (very solid). His was a typical sedan, I went for the full glass hatch back model. We collected nine of them so we always had a solid parts source. If nothing else we were starving college students!
Then Dutchman figured out that the engine mounts, transmission mounts and parts were actually all the same on the German engines as what came standard in the Lotus. We smiled. Shortly there after he had a Pinto with a twin overhead cam, twin carbs, headers and was mighty fast.
How fast? Well, my daily driver back then was a 1967 Alfa, which had been heavily modified for racing. So, we took both cars for a trip to Denver and I told him to catch me if he could! He stayed with my Alfa all the way up to 155 mph, where I backed off. My car still had plenty of rpms before the red line, but I really do not like driving that fast. Dutchman told me that he was max'ed out though. Pretty respectable for a 1972 Ford Pinto. We had some real fun at the street races in Denver that month! He got about 28 mpg and my Alfa was 36 mpg with our average speed being 104 on I-84 (though I think it was called I-80 back then)..... Yeah we had fun and I hope my son does not read this!
When it came time for him to sell, my Alfa was long gone and I bought his Pinto but it just never ran well for me as it had for him. He was off in California at the time on some "secret" project so was even hard to get a hold of for questions. Eventually, I sold the car to a street racer. He never got the same performance as the Dutchman either. And, he sold it to a guy whom races it in a vintage car series in Oregon. Go figure. My old Alfa is doing the same in the Concord, California area these days.
As for my hatch back model, well it was totaled out when some idiots in a CJ-5 lost control of their Jeep on the highway and crushed my car between them and the jersey barrier. Sigh. Of course, they took off and I was sort of stuck - having broken my left leg when it became one with the window riser on the door. But, that is another story for another time.....
Dutchman, always the joker, sent me an email last night from Craigslist on a 1972 Pinto for sale. And I had to have a good laugh. You see .....
Dutchman and I both have a long history with 1972 Pintos. In the days when you could not give these away - because they were "deathtraps waiting to explode at any moment!", we were college students. Dutchman bought his first and figured out the Ford codes. If you knew the numbers you could ferret out one made in Canada (superior body fitting and welds) and they came with a German built drive train (very solid). His was a typical sedan, I went for the full glass hatch back model. We collected nine of them so we always had a solid parts source. If nothing else we were starving college students!
Then Dutchman figured out that the engine mounts, transmission mounts and parts were actually all the same on the German engines as what came standard in the Lotus. We smiled. Shortly there after he had a Pinto with a twin overhead cam, twin carbs, headers and was mighty fast.
How fast? Well, my daily driver back then was a 1967 Alfa, which had been heavily modified for racing. So, we took both cars for a trip to Denver and I told him to catch me if he could! He stayed with my Alfa all the way up to 155 mph, where I backed off. My car still had plenty of rpms before the red line, but I really do not like driving that fast. Dutchman told me that he was max'ed out though. Pretty respectable for a 1972 Ford Pinto. We had some real fun at the street races in Denver that month! He got about 28 mpg and my Alfa was 36 mpg with our average speed being 104 on I-84 (though I think it was called I-80 back then)..... Yeah we had fun and I hope my son does not read this!
When it came time for him to sell, my Alfa was long gone and I bought his Pinto but it just never ran well for me as it had for him. He was off in California at the time on some "secret" project so was even hard to get a hold of for questions. Eventually, I sold the car to a street racer. He never got the same performance as the Dutchman either. And, he sold it to a guy whom races it in a vintage car series in Oregon. Go figure. My old Alfa is doing the same in the Concord, California area these days.
As for my hatch back model, well it was totaled out when some idiots in a CJ-5 lost control of their Jeep on the highway and crushed my car between them and the jersey barrier. Sigh. Of course, they took off and I was sort of stuck - having broken my left leg when it became one with the window riser on the door. But, that is another story for another time.....
Monday, December 27, 2010
What A Holiday!
It was a holiday for the books - let me tell you!
On the culinary side: one gravy lost its emulsion as soon as it hit the table, I utterly destroyed fudge - a first in 41 years!, something went terribly wrong with my spritz cookies, the lamb refused to cook in a timely basis, etc. It was a tragic comedy but luckily everyone held their humor. Even my prime rib died because the guests were three hours late for Christmas dinner! Eeeeepah!
Mother's first visit in my home since 1998 went well - outside of her annoying prejudices. Luckily I had more on my mind than fighting with her inability to control her tongue. Of course, she showed up Christmas morning before I was even out of bed!
Son was really po'ed because he did not get a) money or b) anything he wanted. The concept of I am unemployed seems to have no affect in his brain what so ever. He stormed out of the house immediately after gifts. Yeah, I twisted a few of my friends ears yesterday over my extreme disappointment in him. Oh well, he is poised for the boot as it is - out into the big world which will not tolerate him.
For me it was a good holiday and I tried to make it a good one for everyone, especially in light of knowing that without some major change or miracle (large or small) this might be the last one with the kids. Sort of bitter sweet in a way but then again we should be living each day as if it might be our last.....
On the culinary side: one gravy lost its emulsion as soon as it hit the table, I utterly destroyed fudge - a first in 41 years!, something went terribly wrong with my spritz cookies, the lamb refused to cook in a timely basis, etc. It was a tragic comedy but luckily everyone held their humor. Even my prime rib died because the guests were three hours late for Christmas dinner! Eeeeepah!
Mother's first visit in my home since 1998 went well - outside of her annoying prejudices. Luckily I had more on my mind than fighting with her inability to control her tongue. Of course, she showed up Christmas morning before I was even out of bed!
Son was really po'ed because he did not get a) money or b) anything he wanted. The concept of I am unemployed seems to have no affect in his brain what so ever. He stormed out of the house immediately after gifts. Yeah, I twisted a few of my friends ears yesterday over my extreme disappointment in him. Oh well, he is poised for the boot as it is - out into the big world which will not tolerate him.
For me it was a good holiday and I tried to make it a good one for everyone, especially in light of knowing that without some major change or miracle (large or small) this might be the last one with the kids. Sort of bitter sweet in a way but then again we should be living each day as if it might be our last.....
Bummer
The time has come to give an early good-bye - but not at this exact moment in time. No, not by choice but read along and you will understand.
When I was 32, minus one day, I suffered a heart attack and my heart stopped. As I lay there in bed, with incredible pain mind you, I wondered - so this is it? I had expected to make it to 40 like most men in my family, but alas, 32 is better than nothing. So, I am waiting what seems an eternity and nothing is happening. So, I figured I should just go out praying and so I started praying for all of my friends and family.
Eventually, I heard a voice say, "You have lived your life so far by your rules, now you will live them by mine."
Then I felt a hand squeeze my heart three times and the sound of the blood flow echoing in my ears returned. No this was no some real demented dream. This was Kris dying and God saying my days were now His.
I spent three days in bed recovering from this experience. This was not fun physically, mental, emotionally nor spiritually! But when I could get up, I understood that people where the only investment in life with any value. And, I completely changed the direction of my life at that point.
This why I have often done the things I have done - I have been on borrowed time for the past 23 years. When you understand your mortality it does not matter what happens, but it does matter what you are doing. And God has had many corrections along the way for me to accomplish whatever was His tasks.
Why do I bring this up? Well, you might have noticed I started a series about my friend Spook and there was a break in posting there. Not because I was busy but because I was shaken once again by my mortality.
It seems some of my organs are beginning to fail. And I am not real thrilled about this. I sort of had looked forward to seeing my great-grandchildren, but God, if He desires, may have other plans. For now, my body is running only at 10% of function. Not a real pleasant fact - because it means I am slowly poisoning myself to death. Yeah, they can take care of some of this through dialysis, but not everything. Sigh.
Right now I am getting my stuff ready to sell. Who knows, maybe that money will help with hospital or other costs. I will be looking for a job in the Seattle area in earnest to get some money coming in as well. (But first, I need to see what is left of the family and my friends of a lifetime.)
So, I wanted to take the time to say any extended break in posting will mean that Kris has gone on home and will be waiting there to meet you there! To say thanks for the many years of laughter and prayers and sharing in each other's lives. I have no idea what the Lord has planned for me now or even if I have 40 days, much less, 40 years before I go - but the doctor is stressed enough to tell me it is not well without a miracle. And I have had several miracles in my life - so who knows? Not I.
Next up, a January filled with an awful lot of needles. And, I am a self confessed needle wimp.....
When I was 32, minus one day, I suffered a heart attack and my heart stopped. As I lay there in bed, with incredible pain mind you, I wondered - so this is it? I had expected to make it to 40 like most men in my family, but alas, 32 is better than nothing. So, I am waiting what seems an eternity and nothing is happening. So, I figured I should just go out praying and so I started praying for all of my friends and family.
Eventually, I heard a voice say, "You have lived your life so far by your rules, now you will live them by mine."
Then I felt a hand squeeze my heart three times and the sound of the blood flow echoing in my ears returned. No this was no some real demented dream. This was Kris dying and God saying my days were now His.
I spent three days in bed recovering from this experience. This was not fun physically, mental, emotionally nor spiritually! But when I could get up, I understood that people where the only investment in life with any value. And, I completely changed the direction of my life at that point.
This why I have often done the things I have done - I have been on borrowed time for the past 23 years. When you understand your mortality it does not matter what happens, but it does matter what you are doing. And God has had many corrections along the way for me to accomplish whatever was His tasks.
Why do I bring this up? Well, you might have noticed I started a series about my friend Spook and there was a break in posting there. Not because I was busy but because I was shaken once again by my mortality.
It seems some of my organs are beginning to fail. And I am not real thrilled about this. I sort of had looked forward to seeing my great-grandchildren, but God, if He desires, may have other plans. For now, my body is running only at 10% of function. Not a real pleasant fact - because it means I am slowly poisoning myself to death. Yeah, they can take care of some of this through dialysis, but not everything. Sigh.
Right now I am getting my stuff ready to sell. Who knows, maybe that money will help with hospital or other costs. I will be looking for a job in the Seattle area in earnest to get some money coming in as well. (But first, I need to see what is left of the family and my friends of a lifetime.)
So, I wanted to take the time to say any extended break in posting will mean that Kris has gone on home and will be waiting there to meet you there! To say thanks for the many years of laughter and prayers and sharing in each other's lives. I have no idea what the Lord has planned for me now or even if I have 40 days, much less, 40 years before I go - but the doctor is stressed enough to tell me it is not well without a miracle. And I have had several miracles in my life - so who knows? Not I.
Next up, a January filled with an awful lot of needles. And, I am a self confessed needle wimp.....
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Holiday Cheer
'Tis the season for holiday cheer! NOT! I have been simply amazed at how incredibly rude people can be this time of year.
Oh you know the types - huge SUV decides it wants to be in my lane and simply cuts me off at the stop light. Never mind that it is against the law to change lanes within 50 feet of an intersection. I got the finger from the guy too, because I shook my index finger at him in the universal sign of 'bad boy'. He was darn lucky I did not push his driver's door into the passenger seat - that is how close it was!
Or the lady in a white car trying to sideswipe an SUV, head hanging out of the window, screaming her fool head off and honking her honk like she was crazy. He pulled up to the light on my left, she in the right turn lane to make a right. She is screaming every obscenity known to man and gives him the finger to boot and then jets off and turns into Starbucks. I think she may have already had too much caffeine, but hey, I'm not saying a thing until she gets her cup of Java.....
Of course, it is Christmas time and we have to have panhandlers at grocery stores. I wish they really were unemployed/desperate/whatever - instead of crack users. Yeah, our church watches for real people in need of help rather than in need of their next fix. I had hyper-extended my right knee so was walking kind of slow, even with a cane, and when I got to the guy I just knew he was going to tell me about his broken down car or how his children would be missing Christmas. Instead he looked my swollen leg over and obviously pained face and just turned away and started chugging from a paper bag.
One of the young women in the church is homeless and like many I have met, lives in her car. This same guy gave her the homeless, needs food line and she really opened up on him! Yeah, I don't think he had actually met a homeless person before! I told her later she should have asked him for gas money.....
I like the Salvation Army bell ringers at the front of stores which still recognize Christmas as a time for something other than increased profits. (Hence why I do not shop at Target. Heck they are a French holding anyways and don't ask how I feel about them!) So, outside of Albertson's was a bell ringer without any bell! Of course, he asked for a donation. But, I told the guy that I only give to those willing to ring their bell. He told me to, "@#$!%^&%$#" myself. Yeah, and Merry Christmas to you too - loser!
One of my associates found a fifty dollar bill on the floor of a store. Instead of turning it in, he abandoned his shopping and rushed home to celebrate. I couldn't help but think that whomever had lost that money might liked to have seen it turned in. Or how much it could have been used by the Salvation Army, if dropped in their bucket, where the silent bell ringer was cussing people out. But instead he was calling up everyone to tell them of his great fortune (at stealing someone's fifty dollar bill). No he doesn't need the money and it will either go for booze or lottery tickets. Yeah, ask how I really feel about that one!
Due to the complete collapse of my finances during the past eight months, things are really tight for presents this year. And, with four kids and three grand kids, plus assorted friends, it is Goodwill or nothing at all this year! I have found some great deals on nice stuff this year for everyone. I guess you really can do well being broke and still help others have a nice Christmas. But, I have also been working on making presents too, so a craftsy Christmas as well. My kids are about as broke as me, so I have encouraged them to only give cards this year.
Last night I was in a used bookstore, looking for some last minute goodies and found several yummy items for my present list, as well as, an unexpected treasure for me! Yeah, it is actually a rare volume on knife making during the middle ages. And, at a buck, how could I pass that up? I also found a book by Art Linkletter on funny things kids say. It was pretty funny as I read it going to bed last night. I may have to quote a few of them next year.
My hard hearted son, whom it could be said, Christmas is all about taking and then complaining - I learned, had taken all of his X-Box games in and sold them so he could buy gifts this year for the family. Wow, guess whom is growing up slightly! And his girl friend I learned has been knitting clothes for my grandchildren. Double wow! Like people whom knit.
What I look forward to the most this holiday season is that we are gathering as family, everyone is talking to one another (for a change!), even my mother is coming for Christmas dinner! And it will just be a time of joy
The next few days will be extremely busy - so I doubt I will have much computer time..... Merry Christmas my friends, family and mysterious-unknown-readers.
Oh you know the types - huge SUV decides it wants to be in my lane and simply cuts me off at the stop light. Never mind that it is against the law to change lanes within 50 feet of an intersection. I got the finger from the guy too, because I shook my index finger at him in the universal sign of 'bad boy'. He was darn lucky I did not push his driver's door into the passenger seat - that is how close it was!
Or the lady in a white car trying to sideswipe an SUV, head hanging out of the window, screaming her fool head off and honking her honk like she was crazy. He pulled up to the light on my left, she in the right turn lane to make a right. She is screaming every obscenity known to man and gives him the finger to boot and then jets off and turns into Starbucks. I think she may have already had too much caffeine, but hey, I'm not saying a thing until she gets her cup of Java.....
Of course, it is Christmas time and we have to have panhandlers at grocery stores. I wish they really were unemployed/desperate/whatever - instead of crack users. Yeah, our church watches for real people in need of help rather than in need of their next fix. I had hyper-extended my right knee so was walking kind of slow, even with a cane, and when I got to the guy I just knew he was going to tell me about his broken down car or how his children would be missing Christmas. Instead he looked my swollen leg over and obviously pained face and just turned away and started chugging from a paper bag.
One of the young women in the church is homeless and like many I have met, lives in her car. This same guy gave her the homeless, needs food line and she really opened up on him! Yeah, I don't think he had actually met a homeless person before! I told her later she should have asked him for gas money.....
I like the Salvation Army bell ringers at the front of stores which still recognize Christmas as a time for something other than increased profits. (Hence why I do not shop at Target. Heck they are a French holding anyways and don't ask how I feel about them!) So, outside of Albertson's was a bell ringer without any bell! Of course, he asked for a donation. But, I told the guy that I only give to those willing to ring their bell. He told me to, "@#$!%^&%$#" myself. Yeah, and Merry Christmas to you too - loser!
One of my associates found a fifty dollar bill on the floor of a store. Instead of turning it in, he abandoned his shopping and rushed home to celebrate. I couldn't help but think that whomever had lost that money might liked to have seen it turned in. Or how much it could have been used by the Salvation Army, if dropped in their bucket, where the silent bell ringer was cussing people out. But instead he was calling up everyone to tell them of his great fortune (at stealing someone's fifty dollar bill). No he doesn't need the money and it will either go for booze or lottery tickets. Yeah, ask how I really feel about that one!
Due to the complete collapse of my finances during the past eight months, things are really tight for presents this year. And, with four kids and three grand kids, plus assorted friends, it is Goodwill or nothing at all this year! I have found some great deals on nice stuff this year for everyone. I guess you really can do well being broke and still help others have a nice Christmas. But, I have also been working on making presents too, so a craftsy Christmas as well. My kids are about as broke as me, so I have encouraged them to only give cards this year.
Last night I was in a used bookstore, looking for some last minute goodies and found several yummy items for my present list, as well as, an unexpected treasure for me! Yeah, it is actually a rare volume on knife making during the middle ages. And, at a buck, how could I pass that up? I also found a book by Art Linkletter on funny things kids say. It was pretty funny as I read it going to bed last night. I may have to quote a few of them next year.
My hard hearted son, whom it could be said, Christmas is all about taking and then complaining - I learned, had taken all of his X-Box games in and sold them so he could buy gifts this year for the family. Wow, guess whom is growing up slightly! And his girl friend I learned has been knitting clothes for my grandchildren. Double wow! Like people whom knit.
What I look forward to the most this holiday season is that we are gathering as family, everyone is talking to one another (for a change!), even my mother is coming for Christmas dinner! And it will just be a time of joy
The next few days will be extremely busy - so I doubt I will have much computer time..... Merry Christmas my friends, family and mysterious-unknown-readers.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Spook's Aftermath
Much of what I now believe about the relation of God to the believer, the world to the believer and Satan's capabilities was molded directly by what happened to Spook. I personally witnessed God use the strangest of circumstances to bring Spook and me together, provide for witnessing opportunities and the turning of him, his family and local neighbors all to God. Then I saw the havoc Satan can sow into a new believer's life. It was not pretty but God's Spirit strengthened those whom would be strengthened.
Spook licked his wounds for a few years, met a very nice retiree, remarried, bought a place on a beautiful bay, retired and now builds handcrafted cedar boxes for blankets his wife makes and sells. They are I heard from them very happy.
Of Spook's boys, one went to prison, one went to college and one does manual labor to get by. Very sad and I do hope they can return to where they were in their relationship with God.
Spook's wife, however, I could write a book on. As, of all of them, she kept in touch the most with me. You see, drug dealing boyfriend only lasted about a year before he was caught and sent to life in prison. She got herself off of drugs, got herself back together with God and then the effect of all of those years of cocaine caught up with her and she suffered a grand mal seizure. Lost from her mind were all of the years from the point she discovered drugs to the day she was released from the sanitarium. Yeah, no memories at all. And also no ability to live an unsupported life. So, her youngest son, the one whom does labor, is caring for her. And, yes, she is now getting herself back to where she should have been with God.
In all, a tragic tale I could give of what happens to believers in a Godless society. However, a wonderful tale at how God moved to turn one man to him, then his family and then his village.
Over this past weekend, I heard from Spook's new wife, after 11 years of silence from them. How strange I thought, here I was writing about them - and then I hear from them! Now how is that for coincidence? Yeah, no coincidence there at all.
Thank you God.....
Spook licked his wounds for a few years, met a very nice retiree, remarried, bought a place on a beautiful bay, retired and now builds handcrafted cedar boxes for blankets his wife makes and sells. They are I heard from them very happy.
Of Spook's boys, one went to prison, one went to college and one does manual labor to get by. Very sad and I do hope they can return to where they were in their relationship with God.
Spook's wife, however, I could write a book on. As, of all of them, she kept in touch the most with me. You see, drug dealing boyfriend only lasted about a year before he was caught and sent to life in prison. She got herself off of drugs, got herself back together with God and then the effect of all of those years of cocaine caught up with her and she suffered a grand mal seizure. Lost from her mind were all of the years from the point she discovered drugs to the day she was released from the sanitarium. Yeah, no memories at all. And also no ability to live an unsupported life. So, her youngest son, the one whom does labor, is caring for her. And, yes, she is now getting herself back to where she should have been with God.
In all, a tragic tale I could give of what happens to believers in a Godless society. However, a wonderful tale at how God moved to turn one man to him, then his family and then his village.
Over this past weekend, I heard from Spook's new wife, after 11 years of silence from them. How strange I thought, here I was writing about them - and then I hear from them! Now how is that for coincidence? Yeah, no coincidence there at all.
Thank you God.....
Friday, December 17, 2010
Spook Is Attacked
Strange things started happening around the Spook household. Things started disappearing, his boys quite literally went crazy (way beyond normal teenage bizarreness), someone shot his favorite dog, his brother-in-law came for a visit and drove his truck through the side of the house, his youngest son then set fire to the house, his uncle's favor was suddenly withdrawn and Spook's job suddenly went from 'fun' assignments to drudgery under micro manager! Yeah we are talking lots of weirdness.
So much weirdness in fact that I was of the strong opinion that the war for Spook's heart and family was far from over. Apparently, Satan was now on the attack. For those of you whom have battled evil, you know that it is never a one time attack - it is thousands of little things which have occurred in the past, which all build up to a grand finale - such as Spook was experiencing.
When it was all over, Spook's wife of almost 30 years had left him - running off with the drug dealer whom had been supplying her for years with cocaine. Someone had come in and logged his property when he was not there and in the process had used a dozer to cut a road for the trucks to haul off the logs and cut off the flow of the spring which feed his well. His oldest son, having gone into the military, ended up in prison. The two younger sons left him in hatred as their mother had left suddenly and without explanation, so obviously he was to blame. The house had to be sold in order to help with the defense cost for his oldest son. And so Spook, at fifty years old, suddenly found he was very much alone and with nothing - save his faith and his car.
So much weirdness in fact that I was of the strong opinion that the war for Spook's heart and family was far from over. Apparently, Satan was now on the attack. For those of you whom have battled evil, you know that it is never a one time attack - it is thousands of little things which have occurred in the past, which all build up to a grand finale - such as Spook was experiencing.
When it was all over, Spook's wife of almost 30 years had left him - running off with the drug dealer whom had been supplying her for years with cocaine. Someone had come in and logged his property when he was not there and in the process had used a dozer to cut a road for the trucks to haul off the logs and cut off the flow of the spring which feed his well. His oldest son, having gone into the military, ended up in prison. The two younger sons left him in hatred as their mother had left suddenly and without explanation, so obviously he was to blame. The house had to be sold in order to help with the defense cost for his oldest son. And so Spook, at fifty years old, suddenly found he was very much alone and with nothing - save his faith and his car.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Spook's Family
The following weekend, I went to Spook's home, deep in the eastern woods of a boring little country. It was an amazing home; built by him, by hand, situated on a cute little lake, with his own power system generating electricity to run a well pump and his home. My only thought when I first saw it was SWEET! No wonder we got along so well, we apparently were much alike on the inside.
His family was totally freaked out to meet a 'westerner' and although I was a novelty, I was also a threat in their political system. No one would be talking about this visit. Such were the old ways and I am not so sure they have actually changed that much amongst the politicos.
His wife was very likable, I think lonely in their seclusion. They had three teenage boys whom were just that - full of youthful enthusiasm (spell that - trouble!).
After dinner, Spook told his family about his decision to become a Christian and what had brought it about. The boys bolted from the table. I could easily understand their terror; change is evil and this was a major change in their father they had been wondering at I am sure.
His wife had about three hours of questions for me. Thank heavens I had gone to Bible School or I would never have been able to answer many of her questions. It seems her grandparents had been Lutheran, so some she remembered but some was very new to her.
She too prayed to accept Christ by the end of the evening.
Spook arranged a deal for my company which allowed me to be almost next door to him for the next nine months as I led Bible studies and discipleship classes for him and a few friends. We sort of had a mini-revival going on out there in the woods and I was so surprised by this you have no idea.
But, as with all good things - evil will not be far behind.....
His family was totally freaked out to meet a 'westerner' and although I was a novelty, I was also a threat in their political system. No one would be talking about this visit. Such were the old ways and I am not so sure they have actually changed that much amongst the politicos.
His wife was very likable, I think lonely in their seclusion. They had three teenage boys whom were just that - full of youthful enthusiasm (spell that - trouble!).
After dinner, Spook told his family about his decision to become a Christian and what had brought it about. The boys bolted from the table. I could easily understand their terror; change is evil and this was a major change in their father they had been wondering at I am sure.
His wife had about three hours of questions for me. Thank heavens I had gone to Bible School or I would never have been able to answer many of her questions. It seems her grandparents had been Lutheran, so some she remembered but some was very new to her.
She too prayed to accept Christ by the end of the evening.
Spook arranged a deal for my company which allowed me to be almost next door to him for the next nine months as I led Bible studies and discipleship classes for him and a few friends. We sort of had a mini-revival going on out there in the woods and I was so surprised by this you have no idea.
But, as with all good things - evil will not be far behind.....
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Spook Changes Course
It was two years after Ireland and I was sponsoring a symposium in Chicago and had closed out the day's sessions. Retiring to the bar to see if any of my groups were still around, I sat down and ordered a Pepsi. The Spook about scared me to death when he slid in next to me.
I looked at me and said, "Uhm, you are not here for a repeat of Ireland are you?" You see, his business in Ireland had been somewhat devastating in the news and although he was quite innocent as to what happened, he had liability in it. I was not pleased with him over this, too many had died.
He smiled, "Nope, here on family business." And I was to learn that he did not have family in America but a Jewish museum was opening and he was there to see that some Eastern European artifacts were donated which had been in his family. Odd, I thought.
After many hours of catch up at dinner, we retired to the bar and he eventually brought up why he was there. He wanted to know more about God, Jesus and how to turn his life around. He just about floored me with that one! I had just figured witnessing to a drunk would have not been a waste of time - but that moment in Ireland had a been a teachable moment and so had been used.
And, right there in the bar, he gave his life to Christ and insisted on praying out loud - confessing the whole of his life. Make no mistake, there was not a dry eye within ear shot. And though I do not know this for sure, I am guessing two others did the same.....
As we parted at the end of my trip, he invited me to visit him at his home and to share my testimony with his family - that very next weekend.....
I looked at me and said, "Uhm, you are not here for a repeat of Ireland are you?" You see, his business in Ireland had been somewhat devastating in the news and although he was quite innocent as to what happened, he had liability in it. I was not pleased with him over this, too many had died.
He smiled, "Nope, here on family business." And I was to learn that he did not have family in America but a Jewish museum was opening and he was there to see that some Eastern European artifacts were donated which had been in his family. Odd, I thought.
After many hours of catch up at dinner, we retired to the bar and he eventually brought up why he was there. He wanted to know more about God, Jesus and how to turn his life around. He just about floored me with that one! I had just figured witnessing to a drunk would have not been a waste of time - but that moment in Ireland had a been a teachable moment and so had been used.
And, right there in the bar, he gave his life to Christ and insisted on praying out loud - confessing the whole of his life. Make no mistake, there was not a dry eye within ear shot. And though I do not know this for sure, I am guessing two others did the same.....
As we parted at the end of my trip, he invited me to visit him at his home and to share my testimony with his family - that very next weekend.....
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Spook's Night Out
About a week later in Ireland, Spook showed up at my hotel for breakfast. Apparently, whatever his business, he was done and thought he would drop by and see what was up. After my meetings were over that day, we spent the evening at the local bowling alley.
Well, string bowling that is. Yeah, the lanes had strings which ran down to each pin and you pulled on them to reset the group. There was also one teenager per lane whose job it was to return your ball and move dropped pins to the side. It is a very humorous way to play the game and I had a great many laughs as Spook would try and spin the ball so a pin would leap up at the pin resetter. Ok, the teenager probably did not think it was as funny as we did.....
Afterwards, Spook and I walked back to the hotel, and he was telling me about this rare bottle of Whiskey he had found from a distillery which had gone out of business several decades earlier. And then, just my luck, we were jumped by five of the local toughs. I am not real sure I even had my hands out of either of my pockets by the time Spook had one on the ground (maybe dead) and the other four flattened as well!
With his massive right hand he had taken out the four by slamming all of their heads together but the leader he reserved for the 'finger'. Amazingly, with his left index finger, he drove it forward into the guys chest and then twisted/flicked it slightly. Don't ask me I know nothing of the art of fighting except for boxing. But that guy went down hard and I honestly thought he was dead.
He came to several minutes later and started to give the Spook some lip, but Spook just extended his finger and made a move closer. Instant silence from the guy. The other four were holding their heads, one crying loudly - he was the one whose shirt Spook had grabbed and used his head as the bat on the other three. He lectured them about respecting their elders and then was very unceremonious in kicking their tails down the road - especially the leader's.
I commented I had never seen anything like this. He grinned and held up his finger as if examining it, "My boys all hate this as well!" And we laughed.
Back at the hotel, we ate a meal, which tasted exactly like mutton because that is the only fat they had to cook with. Bleech! Spook of course drank way too much and I had to half carry him half drag him back to his room, with the assistance of one of the waiters. We may have been the only two guests so it was a nice tip for him and sure helped me out.
Tossing Spook down on his bed, he looked up at me with his blood shot eyes and was barely able to say, "Kris, what do you want from me?"
"Nothing, just your friendship and to know you eventually will make your peace with your Creator....."
And so, for the first time in our years of crossing each others' paths, I told him about my Christian faith and answered what few questions he had before his hypoglycemia took him to a very deep sleep.....
Drunk or no, I was certain by now that God wanted this man.
Well, string bowling that is. Yeah, the lanes had strings which ran down to each pin and you pulled on them to reset the group. There was also one teenager per lane whose job it was to return your ball and move dropped pins to the side. It is a very humorous way to play the game and I had a great many laughs as Spook would try and spin the ball so a pin would leap up at the pin resetter. Ok, the teenager probably did not think it was as funny as we did.....
Afterwards, Spook and I walked back to the hotel, and he was telling me about this rare bottle of Whiskey he had found from a distillery which had gone out of business several decades earlier. And then, just my luck, we were jumped by five of the local toughs. I am not real sure I even had my hands out of either of my pockets by the time Spook had one on the ground (maybe dead) and the other four flattened as well!
With his massive right hand he had taken out the four by slamming all of their heads together but the leader he reserved for the 'finger'. Amazingly, with his left index finger, he drove it forward into the guys chest and then twisted/flicked it slightly. Don't ask me I know nothing of the art of fighting except for boxing. But that guy went down hard and I honestly thought he was dead.
He came to several minutes later and started to give the Spook some lip, but Spook just extended his finger and made a move closer. Instant silence from the guy. The other four were holding their heads, one crying loudly - he was the one whose shirt Spook had grabbed and used his head as the bat on the other three. He lectured them about respecting their elders and then was very unceremonious in kicking their tails down the road - especially the leader's.
I commented I had never seen anything like this. He grinned and held up his finger as if examining it, "My boys all hate this as well!" And we laughed.
Back at the hotel, we ate a meal, which tasted exactly like mutton because that is the only fat they had to cook with. Bleech! Spook of course drank way too much and I had to half carry him half drag him back to his room, with the assistance of one of the waiters. We may have been the only two guests so it was a nice tip for him and sure helped me out.
Tossing Spook down on his bed, he looked up at me with his blood shot eyes and was barely able to say, "Kris, what do you want from me?"
"Nothing, just your friendship and to know you eventually will make your peace with your Creator....."
And so, for the first time in our years of crossing each others' paths, I told him about my Christian faith and answered what few questions he had before his hypoglycemia took him to a very deep sleep.....
Drunk or no, I was certain by now that God wanted this man.
Crossing Paths with Spook
So, for about 15 years I kept stumbling across Spook's path. Although the amount of coincidence was mind numbing, I suspected God was up to something and it did make my travels more interesting. Nothing like being gone from home 85% of the time with nothing to do where you end up and no one to even yak at over a meal. Really boring and lonely. If nothing else, Spook was entertaining when we crossed paths. And you never knew when or where he was going to turn up!
So, I was clearing customs at Heathrow, in England, on a flight from Holland, in route to Ireland, and I suddenly hear my name! I was just entering the tunnel for the Irish flight when I turned and saw Spook wave. I dropped my bag and moaned. Really, I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep but now I would have to have my game face on. Plus, he was always strip searched at airports.
A guard was standing there next to me and asked what was up. I told him that my friend was coming through behind me and it would be at least 45 minutes before he cleared the metal detector - as one of the bones in his forearm was stainless steel. Seems he cheesed off one of his older sister's boyfriends when he was 12, whom as able to trap him inside a folding ladder, and yup - SNAP, end of forearm. So they replaced one of those bones with a steel beam (and that was in 1957, wow!).
So as expected, the detectors went off big time and three guards appear from nowhere, all carrying Uzi's. The guard by me said something into a mike on his jacket and this was apparently relayed to the three, whom then turned around and told him to put his clothes back on - which by instinct he was already removing!
The guard had seen my Swiss passport and commented how odd it was that I should be traveling with a Yugoslavian... Hmmmmmm.
So, we made the flight to Dublin. I told him I was headed to Cork and he was going 'else where'. Yeah, I figured I would read about in the paper or on the news. He was never somewhere that lots of excitement did not happen.....
So, I was clearing customs at Heathrow, in England, on a flight from Holland, in route to Ireland, and I suddenly hear my name! I was just entering the tunnel for the Irish flight when I turned and saw Spook wave. I dropped my bag and moaned. Really, I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep but now I would have to have my game face on. Plus, he was always strip searched at airports.
A guard was standing there next to me and asked what was up. I told him that my friend was coming through behind me and it would be at least 45 minutes before he cleared the metal detector - as one of the bones in his forearm was stainless steel. Seems he cheesed off one of his older sister's boyfriends when he was 12, whom as able to trap him inside a folding ladder, and yup - SNAP, end of forearm. So they replaced one of those bones with a steel beam (and that was in 1957, wow!).
So as expected, the detectors went off big time and three guards appear from nowhere, all carrying Uzi's. The guard by me said something into a mike on his jacket and this was apparently relayed to the three, whom then turned around and told him to put his clothes back on - which by instinct he was already removing!
The guard had seen my Swiss passport and commented how odd it was that I should be traveling with a Yugoslavian... Hmmmmmm.
So, we made the flight to Dublin. I told him I was headed to Cork and he was going 'else where'. Yeah, I figured I would read about in the paper or on the news. He was never somewhere that lots of excitement did not happen.....
Friday, December 10, 2010
Spook Has A Problem
It was not exactly anything more than a dark, dank and fairly disgusting pub. But, it was a local's watering hole and given the politically climate in Nicaragua at the time, probably one of the safer places to be - especially with Spook.
My idea of drinking is to sit down with a beer and sip it over two to three hours. Spook's idea involved both whiskey and beers - in vast quantities during the same time period. We are talking possible alcohol poisoning levels here! Of course this level of drinking is going to go one of two ways, Spook is going to become violent or Spook is going to pass out at some point. Well, that is what I expected; reality was a bit different - Spook started talking.
He told me about his family when he was growing up and life at his uncle's dacha. He told me about meeting Mrs. Spook and all of his little spook-ettes, and his beloved hunting dogs. It was interesting to see this man in fuller dimension, not only as someone I had come to know as a semi-friend (however evasive our friendship had been) but as a family man and someone drawn into a life he did not exactly like - due to the politically influence of his uncle. But, it did gave him the lifestyle needed to live very well off indeed and so he continued, even though all he wanted in life was to hunt, fish and be with his family.
It was springtime and I am not sure Nicaragua is ever a nice place to be, but I noticed that I seemed to be handling the humid heat far better than him. Given the profuse sweating and developing shakiness of his hands, something was not right. I eventually was able to help him away from his glass and into a taxi. Searching his pockets I found his hotel, so could tell the driver where to deliver him, but also discovered a Bulgarian passport.
No, he was not Bulgarian. I knew that from our first meeting. But, why use a Bulgarian one, if you did not have to? Something to think about I guess. And whom am I to talk, I have three passports myself!
Back at the construction site, I hopped on my remote monitor and sent a PROFs message to the doctor in my company asking what caused the symptoms I had observed.
Hours later, after several questions from the doctor, his diagnosis was hypoglycemia. Spook had a problem it seems and alcohol was probably his absolute worse enemy.....
My idea of drinking is to sit down with a beer and sip it over two to three hours. Spook's idea involved both whiskey and beers - in vast quantities during the same time period. We are talking possible alcohol poisoning levels here! Of course this level of drinking is going to go one of two ways, Spook is going to become violent or Spook is going to pass out at some point. Well, that is what I expected; reality was a bit different - Spook started talking.
He told me about his family when he was growing up and life at his uncle's dacha. He told me about meeting Mrs. Spook and all of his little spook-ettes, and his beloved hunting dogs. It was interesting to see this man in fuller dimension, not only as someone I had come to know as a semi-friend (however evasive our friendship had been) but as a family man and someone drawn into a life he did not exactly like - due to the politically influence of his uncle. But, it did gave him the lifestyle needed to live very well off indeed and so he continued, even though all he wanted in life was to hunt, fish and be with his family.
It was springtime and I am not sure Nicaragua is ever a nice place to be, but I noticed that I seemed to be handling the humid heat far better than him. Given the profuse sweating and developing shakiness of his hands, something was not right. I eventually was able to help him away from his glass and into a taxi. Searching his pockets I found his hotel, so could tell the driver where to deliver him, but also discovered a Bulgarian passport.
No, he was not Bulgarian. I knew that from our first meeting. But, why use a Bulgarian one, if you did not have to? Something to think about I guess. And whom am I to talk, I have three passports myself!
Back at the construction site, I hopped on my remote monitor and sent a PROFs message to the doctor in my company asking what caused the symptoms I had observed.
Hours later, after several questions from the doctor, his diagnosis was hypoglycemia. Spook had a problem it seems and alcohol was probably his absolute worse enemy.....
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Spook
For some reason, my mind on Sunday strayed during the sermon and faded back several decades to when I was where I should not have been.....
I was in a less than exciting country, in a less than exciting town and walking up to a dirty little pub on a winter's day. I was supposed to meet a guy from a company in the US whom was having problems with an operating system I knew well. I had been hired to sort of help him along by answering some questions. A man stood outside the pub door, black trenchcoat on, one foot resting on a foundation stone, while his body rested against the door frame. He was smoking a pipe with a very pleasant blend of tobacco - very unusual in these parts.
Probably police I figured, they were everywhere in this country and all of them dressed exactly alike. He also had an air about him of complete and total control - the kind of guy whom others fear either physically or politically.
He waved his pipe towards the door I was almost at and said, "Don't want to go in there." And, in darn good English too!
I looked at him in question and he continued, "Been a fight. Five men killed. A very big clean up."
He offered to take me to lunch at a better place. Pretty much, in that country, if a man in a black trenchcoat offers to take you anywhere, you go - or someone will be cleaning you up off the floor in short order.
My mind raced through this information. Police blocking door, guy I am supposed to help was supposed to have been in there, lots of dead bodies to be cleaned up. Yup, Kris got snookered by whomever employed one of those dead men. He must have been hired to hack a system I had written the operating system to. I was shafted, he must have been a spy, killed four others sent to detain him, and this policeman? He probably was the one whom had just killed him and now he wanted to have 'lunch' with me!
We had a very interesting lunch. He had no real interest in me. I was just passing through the area and going for lunch after all, and I really did not know anyone in town. To him, I was just a westerner to practice his English on. Then he discovered my hunting interests and we became almost instant friends.
In the strangest of circumstances, we not only ran into each other often every year after this, but also all over the world. Now in my life, there are no coincidences - only God's opportunities. In this stranger's life there were also no coincidences, but opportunities for conspiracies to be ferreted out. I have no doubt he came to the conclusion I was a spy or on some sort of intelligence gathering mission, so he played along. From his viewpoint at the time, that first chance meeting might have been his ticket to promotion. From my viewpoint - he was a mighty hard rock to witness to.
Across the years I was to learn he was actually a member of the Security Services - spell that one S-P-Y and hysterically enough his name actually translated in to English as Spook! He thought that quite funny when I told him several years later. But, I had him dead to rights when we crossed paths in of all places, Nicaragua. This time I was there as part of a mining venture and he, well, let us say he was heavily armed with something I am also quite good with. So, I think he understood now that I was not a member of a foreign power but a businessman - and well yeah, he actually flushed when he saw me - he was so surprised. He bought the drinks that night.
Yeah, I think I am going to tell you more about him this week. It is bringing back all sorts of pleasant memories.....
I was in a less than exciting country, in a less than exciting town and walking up to a dirty little pub on a winter's day. I was supposed to meet a guy from a company in the US whom was having problems with an operating system I knew well. I had been hired to sort of help him along by answering some questions. A man stood outside the pub door, black trenchcoat on, one foot resting on a foundation stone, while his body rested against the door frame. He was smoking a pipe with a very pleasant blend of tobacco - very unusual in these parts.
Probably police I figured, they were everywhere in this country and all of them dressed exactly alike. He also had an air about him of complete and total control - the kind of guy whom others fear either physically or politically.
He waved his pipe towards the door I was almost at and said, "Don't want to go in there." And, in darn good English too!
I looked at him in question and he continued, "Been a fight. Five men killed. A very big clean up."
He offered to take me to lunch at a better place. Pretty much, in that country, if a man in a black trenchcoat offers to take you anywhere, you go - or someone will be cleaning you up off the floor in short order.
My mind raced through this information. Police blocking door, guy I am supposed to help was supposed to have been in there, lots of dead bodies to be cleaned up. Yup, Kris got snookered by whomever employed one of those dead men. He must have been hired to hack a system I had written the operating system to. I was shafted, he must have been a spy, killed four others sent to detain him, and this policeman? He probably was the one whom had just killed him and now he wanted to have 'lunch' with me!
We had a very interesting lunch. He had no real interest in me. I was just passing through the area and going for lunch after all, and I really did not know anyone in town. To him, I was just a westerner to practice his English on. Then he discovered my hunting interests and we became almost instant friends.
In the strangest of circumstances, we not only ran into each other often every year after this, but also all over the world. Now in my life, there are no coincidences - only God's opportunities. In this stranger's life there were also no coincidences, but opportunities for conspiracies to be ferreted out. I have no doubt he came to the conclusion I was a spy or on some sort of intelligence gathering mission, so he played along. From his viewpoint at the time, that first chance meeting might have been his ticket to promotion. From my viewpoint - he was a mighty hard rock to witness to.
Across the years I was to learn he was actually a member of the Security Services - spell that one S-P-Y and hysterically enough his name actually translated in to English as Spook! He thought that quite funny when I told him several years later. But, I had him dead to rights when we crossed paths in of all places, Nicaragua. This time I was there as part of a mining venture and he, well, let us say he was heavily armed with something I am also quite good with. So, I think he understood now that I was not a member of a foreign power but a businessman - and well yeah, he actually flushed when he saw me - he was so surprised. He bought the drinks that night.
Yeah, I think I am going to tell you more about him this week. It is bringing back all sorts of pleasant memories.....
Friday, December 3, 2010
People To Find
You know they say there is something wrong with people whom search the internet for their name. Hmmm. At my company we used to look in the new issue of the phone directory in order to get a heads-up as to whether or not we were going to be laid off. Of course, whom uses a phone directory any more?
This is my list from 2009 showing that I actually did find some old friends!
So maybe you looked your name up and voila!, you find you are listed here. If so, drop me an email, I would love to hear from you and catch up:
Kim Carroll – FOUND but then lost again!
Diane Cash – last seen 1965 in Portland
Ruth Cleek – last seen 1970 at Hillcrest
Daniel/Danny /Dan Ersig – FOUND
Dennis/Denny Ersig – FOUND
Pamela/Pam Derrick – last seen 1970 at Hillcrest
Debbie Feather – last seen 1974 in Aurora
Donna Feather – last seen 1974 in Aurora
Connie Gates – last seen 1970 at Hillcrest
Clarence Gunn – last seen 1970 in South Carolina
Chuck/Jill/Scotty Lundy - last seen 1975 in Portland
Diane Pender – last seen 1965 in Madras
Tom Pender – last seen 1965 in Madras
Carolyne/Carolyn/Carol Plummer – last seen 1967 in Landstuhl
Ruth Rouse – FOUND
Randy Ruark – FOUND
Dean Spencer – last seen 1963 in Portland
Thomas/Tom/Tommy Warren – last seen 1965 in Portland
Robert Warmath – FOUND
Stan Zeidell – last seen 1967 at Ramstein AFB
Of course some I never knew their last name or perhaps how to spell it!
Cathy/Kathy W ? – last seen 1973 in Aurora (went to Utah?)
Dodi Gibson/Gipson – last seen 1972 Aurora
Laura from Hillcrest High moved to North Carolina 1970
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Christmas Tree
Christmas' of my youth were a bit odd. Mother's family were all either Mormon (grandfather's side) and did not celebrate Christmas or gnostic-Jews (grandmother's side), not real big on Christmas either. Father was just a plain God hating Jew.
Luckily, father was German so we had St. Nicholas Day on December 6th - so a chance for candy for my sister, whom might share a piece with me. But, hey, I'm a boy so all I ever got was sticks and coal (seriously!).
So, the whole Christmas thing was a little lost on me.
After I became a Christian and spent time in Christian homes, I was able to share in some of their seasonal activities. Like getting a tree and putting it up. Seeing their happiness as they baked, went shopping for presents and wrapping and of course parties! It was quite an eye opener for this young man.
When I flew home for that first Christmas, after becoming a Christian, I had quite high hopes of making some real changes in my families holiday spirits. Yeah, young and naive but still one can always hope.
And, those hopes are still alive that Christmas might still come to mean something in their lives - like the concept of FAMILY versus their idea of me, me, me, me!
Yeah, still young and naive I guess. But, I went and bought a tree yesterday. In MY family, I have tried to model for my children that first Christmas I saw lived out. And, like my children, I look forward to those shared family times of laughter, love and giving. Who knows, I might even invite mother this year.....
Luckily, father was German so we had St. Nicholas Day on December 6th - so a chance for candy for my sister, whom might share a piece with me. But, hey, I'm a boy so all I ever got was sticks and coal (seriously!).
So, the whole Christmas thing was a little lost on me.
After I became a Christian and spent time in Christian homes, I was able to share in some of their seasonal activities. Like getting a tree and putting it up. Seeing their happiness as they baked, went shopping for presents and wrapping and of course parties! It was quite an eye opener for this young man.
When I flew home for that first Christmas, after becoming a Christian, I had quite high hopes of making some real changes in my families holiday spirits. Yeah, young and naive but still one can always hope.
And, those hopes are still alive that Christmas might still come to mean something in their lives - like the concept of FAMILY versus their idea of me, me, me, me!
Yeah, still young and naive I guess. But, I went and bought a tree yesterday. In MY family, I have tried to model for my children that first Christmas I saw lived out. And, like my children, I look forward to those shared family times of laughter, love and giving. Who knows, I might even invite mother this year.....
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Improv
So, the weekend was actually relaxing for me, save for mother's visit which stressed me immensely as I never know when or if the shoe is going to drop with her.
Sunday, my high school class went very well, I took myself out for lunch - running into a good friend whom works with youth in another church and back home to a peacefully quiet and stress free house. Then I got a wild hair.
I had seen some fliers around about an improv group which was going to be doing something weird on a Christmas theme and I thought, 'Why not?'. So I went. Of course, my long time readers know I am not normal so what followed was nothing to surprise them, but ........
So, I am nestled in a very crowded auditorium. I see some of my kids from class there and a few adult faces I recognized from Nevada. No idea whom they were or why they were there but I never have forgotten a face, names however have always been my downfall!
The play begins a little roughly, smooths out and then becomes quite humorous. Of course, since I am not quite normal I sort of was the only one laughing a few times. At least that is what one of 'my girls' told me afterwards and she was laughing quite a bit about it. Probably was simply shocking to her parents. LOL!
But, I was glad I went as it was a good wind down to a stressful week of driving all over dodging idiot Washington drivers in the snow.....
Sunday, my high school class went very well, I took myself out for lunch - running into a good friend whom works with youth in another church and back home to a peacefully quiet and stress free house. Then I got a wild hair.
I had seen some fliers around about an improv group which was going to be doing something weird on a Christmas theme and I thought, 'Why not?'. So I went. Of course, my long time readers know I am not normal so what followed was nothing to surprise them, but ........
So, I am nestled in a very crowded auditorium. I see some of my kids from class there and a few adult faces I recognized from Nevada. No idea whom they were or why they were there but I never have forgotten a face, names however have always been my downfall!
The play begins a little roughly, smooths out and then becomes quite humorous. Of course, since I am not quite normal I sort of was the only one laughing a few times. At least that is what one of 'my girls' told me afterwards and she was laughing quite a bit about it. Probably was simply shocking to her parents. LOL!
But, I was glad I went as it was a good wind down to a stressful week of driving all over dodging idiot Washington drivers in the snow.....
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Blahs and Thankfulness
Last week was the first 'different' week I have had in quite a while - there just has not been anything to post about. Yeah, such an exciting life I have led in the past several months! The usual day has just been one of driving my tail off and accomplishing nothing on my to do list - which hopefully will change this week, but last week is what I wanted to post about.
So, if you watch the news I am sure you heard all about how western Washington was paralyzed by a 'snow storm'. On the first day of the storm I literally saw four cars spin out on the same snow flake. The road was wet, not icy and there was no snow except for what was falling. Drivers here are insane. At the most I saw there might have been 3/4" of snow and 2.5" drifts rarely. Total journalistic hype.
I was headed for mother's because I know she is not going to drive in the snow and would be in need of groceries (such a good son, but I still got cussed out - as usual). As I went along, I got to thinking about what a weird year it has been so far and how much stress has been involved. I thought about Gaelic Girl, whom told me that I have not even started to mourn father's death. About being hospitalized and flat on my lips for months through the summer. Then of course mother's heart surgery. About Second Daughter's little surprise. And, of course, did I do the right thing coming here, much less bringing the kids? The moral failures of now five of 'my girls' from past Sunday School classes. Yes, it has been quite a year for everyone it seems.
Then I got a text from KJ, whom disappeared last December. He was embarrassingly thankful for our relationship - showing him Jesus and discipling him. I thought, "Wow! How unexpected is that?"
Hours later, back home, I found an email from SD which apologized for basically the past 8 years of her life. Those years were mighty hard on everyone - the police, mental professionals, her teachers, our church, her friends, her siblings, GG and of course me. In fact, it was almost to the point of bankrupting me trying to get her the help she needed. But, I knew it was a spiritual battle, not a mental one, and she just figured it out! PTL!
Then on Saturday, my mother shows up at my door demanding turkey sandwiches. So for the first time since 1998, she was in my home and all went very well. And she apologized for all of those years she had blown off my children and me. And she told me that she had been considering how thankful she should have been for me to have driven thousands of miles last month in order to care for her.
Yeah, a very interesting week indeed.....
So, if you watch the news I am sure you heard all about how western Washington was paralyzed by a 'snow storm'. On the first day of the storm I literally saw four cars spin out on the same snow flake. The road was wet, not icy and there was no snow except for what was falling. Drivers here are insane. At the most I saw there might have been 3/4" of snow and 2.5" drifts rarely. Total journalistic hype.
I was headed for mother's because I know she is not going to drive in the snow and would be in need of groceries (such a good son, but I still got cussed out - as usual). As I went along, I got to thinking about what a weird year it has been so far and how much stress has been involved. I thought about Gaelic Girl, whom told me that I have not even started to mourn father's death. About being hospitalized and flat on my lips for months through the summer. Then of course mother's heart surgery. About Second Daughter's little surprise. And, of course, did I do the right thing coming here, much less bringing the kids? The moral failures of now five of 'my girls' from past Sunday School classes. Yes, it has been quite a year for everyone it seems.
Then I got a text from KJ, whom disappeared last December. He was embarrassingly thankful for our relationship - showing him Jesus and discipling him. I thought, "Wow! How unexpected is that?"
Hours later, back home, I found an email from SD which apologized for basically the past 8 years of her life. Those years were mighty hard on everyone - the police, mental professionals, her teachers, our church, her friends, her siblings, GG and of course me. In fact, it was almost to the point of bankrupting me trying to get her the help she needed. But, I knew it was a spiritual battle, not a mental one, and she just figured it out! PTL!
Then on Saturday, my mother shows up at my door demanding turkey sandwiches. So for the first time since 1998, she was in my home and all went very well. And she apologized for all of those years she had blown off my children and me. And she told me that she had been considering how thankful she should have been for me to have driven thousands of miles last month in order to care for her.
Yeah, a very interesting week indeed.....
Monday, November 15, 2010
Stupid Is As .....
Sometimes the simplest of situations can go completely out of control and in direction you could not imagine. Take this little story, which will shortly turn into a real nightmare for a certain young man!
Now, Timothy left his car for safe keeping at the kids' place. He is on tour with his motor home he bought about three years ago to tour American in, and never did. So he is off on tour now and the car is just sitting there.
Last week I was driving back from mother's and thought I would swing by the house and see how it is going. Spying said car, I thought, well you know it has not been run in a while so I will take it out for a spin.
Of course it started right up, drove beautifully over to Southcenter, where I grabbed some lunch and expected to drive right back home. Nope. Car is completely dead. A quick check of the battery showed that the positive terminal had broken completely off of the battery! I think I have seen this happen maybe once before and that was on a race car I had built (long story).
It took Oldest Daughter two hours to make it to Southcenter, where we then had to wait three hours! for the parking space next to mine to open up, so she could pull in and jump me. Of course, remember that the battery is now junk, so what did I do? Well, I rewired the engine to run like a 1950's VW, which has no alternator and by-passes the generator to run. Yeah, do not try this at home kids! I could have painted "Bomb" on the side of the car with no false advertising.
I made it back to the kids house with a bucking, wheezing, very unhappy Mazda and terrified OD trailing me. But, I did make it back! Now, I had bought Second Daughter a battery two months ago so she could get her car on the road and then towed to her home. But that car is dead, dead, dead! So, if I could get her to sell me her battery to use in Timothy's, then she would have some cash (a unique occurrence in her life), Timothy would have a battery and son, whom owes Timothy, would be out of debt to him! Simple huh?
Well not quite it seems. Turns out son spent all of his money on who knows what and now is completely broke and seeing if he should sell some of his sports cards to get back some of that money - that was supposed to be in savings for what he owes the IRS for doing contract labor this past summer! Yeah.
So far, I am out the cost of a battery and son is looking at some jail time if he does not get his act together quickly enough. SD is searching the internet for Goth stuff and OD has now decided that I am indeed crazy....
Sigh.
Now, Timothy left his car for safe keeping at the kids' place. He is on tour with his motor home he bought about three years ago to tour American in, and never did. So he is off on tour now and the car is just sitting there.
Last week I was driving back from mother's and thought I would swing by the house and see how it is going. Spying said car, I thought, well you know it has not been run in a while so I will take it out for a spin.
Of course it started right up, drove beautifully over to Southcenter, where I grabbed some lunch and expected to drive right back home. Nope. Car is completely dead. A quick check of the battery showed that the positive terminal had broken completely off of the battery! I think I have seen this happen maybe once before and that was on a race car I had built (long story).
It took Oldest Daughter two hours to make it to Southcenter, where we then had to wait three hours! for the parking space next to mine to open up, so she could pull in and jump me. Of course, remember that the battery is now junk, so what did I do? Well, I rewired the engine to run like a 1950's VW, which has no alternator and by-passes the generator to run. Yeah, do not try this at home kids! I could have painted "Bomb" on the side of the car with no false advertising.
I made it back to the kids house with a bucking, wheezing, very unhappy Mazda and terrified OD trailing me. But, I did make it back! Now, I had bought Second Daughter a battery two months ago so she could get her car on the road and then towed to her home. But that car is dead, dead, dead! So, if I could get her to sell me her battery to use in Timothy's, then she would have some cash (a unique occurrence in her life), Timothy would have a battery and son, whom owes Timothy, would be out of debt to him! Simple huh?
Well not quite it seems. Turns out son spent all of his money on who knows what and now is completely broke and seeing if he should sell some of his sports cards to get back some of that money - that was supposed to be in savings for what he owes the IRS for doing contract labor this past summer! Yeah.
So far, I am out the cost of a battery and son is looking at some jail time if he does not get his act together quickly enough. SD is searching the internet for Goth stuff and OD has now decided that I am indeed crazy....
Sigh.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Teething Problems
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Armistice Day
Growing up in Europe we know today as Armistice Day, the day of the end of the First World War, The Great War, The War to End All Wars. Too bad we do not remember that it was just that - the war to end all wars.
Of course, it could not end all wars with the ludicrous conditions forced upon Germany by the treaty to end the war. First we will strip Germany of its coal reserves and give them back to France, whom had taken them in the Franco-Prussian War. Then we will give the lands with the iron and gold reserves to Poland and Czechoslovakia. Next, fine Germany billions of dollars and demand payment only in gold. Yeah, exactly where was that to come from? Oh, yeah, they have to buy gold on the open market, mostly from the USA, and then give it back in payment form.
Woodrow Wilson was nothing if not conniving, but stupid also fits the bill as well. Germany inflated the mark, allowing for reduced payments to the USA; which helped to fuel an economic collapse in the USA; but it backfired and collapsed what was left of the German economy - allowing for a smooth talker named Adolf Hitler to step into power with promises of restoring Germany's glory. The rest is history.
Of course, in Europe this war is also known as the battle of Victoria's brats. Yeah, everyone of the countries starting this war were relatives of Queen Victoria. From the Kaiser to the Czar, they never got along in life and even worse when it came to politics. Bet you did not learn any of that in our politically correct school system.
But none of this should fade the memory of the thousands whom lost their lives on all sides of this conflicts. I grew up with many an old soldier, from opposing sides in that war. None of them considered war to have a victory, everyone came out losers.....
Of course, it could not end all wars with the ludicrous conditions forced upon Germany by the treaty to end the war. First we will strip Germany of its coal reserves and give them back to France, whom had taken them in the Franco-Prussian War. Then we will give the lands with the iron and gold reserves to Poland and Czechoslovakia. Next, fine Germany billions of dollars and demand payment only in gold. Yeah, exactly where was that to come from? Oh, yeah, they have to buy gold on the open market, mostly from the USA, and then give it back in payment form.
Woodrow Wilson was nothing if not conniving, but stupid also fits the bill as well. Germany inflated the mark, allowing for reduced payments to the USA; which helped to fuel an economic collapse in the USA; but it backfired and collapsed what was left of the German economy - allowing for a smooth talker named Adolf Hitler to step into power with promises of restoring Germany's glory. The rest is history.
Of course, in Europe this war is also known as the battle of Victoria's brats. Yeah, everyone of the countries starting this war were relatives of Queen Victoria. From the Kaiser to the Czar, they never got along in life and even worse when it came to politics. Bet you did not learn any of that in our politically correct school system.
But none of this should fade the memory of the thousands whom lost their lives on all sides of this conflicts. I grew up with many an old soldier, from opposing sides in that war. None of them considered war to have a victory, everyone came out losers.....
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunday School
I have been a bit at wits end this school year. I have two post high school kids, whom are doing fine in class, one high schooler whom is fine as well, but the rest of the class has severe problems in reading! I have been having to explain meaning of English words to kids whom have lived their whole lives here however have never mastered reading! ARGH!
But that is not the only problem this year. The kids are also the most immature I have ever had. It is like some aspect of growing up has been severe hampered in their lives and so I am also having to devote a third of each class to addressing basic life questions and behaviors which should have disappeared in Junior High at the latest!
The hardest one to address is a young woman, whom would fancy herself as a future daughter of mine, however I need to figure out how to tell her gently about self respect, self worth and when to tell an abusive young man to take a hike. Yeah, my son......
But that is not the only problem this year. The kids are also the most immature I have ever had. It is like some aspect of growing up has been severe hampered in their lives and so I am also having to devote a third of each class to addressing basic life questions and behaviors which should have disappeared in Junior High at the latest!
The hardest one to address is a young woman, whom would fancy herself as a future daughter of mine, however I need to figure out how to tell her gently about self respect, self worth and when to tell an abusive young man to take a hike. Yeah, my son......
Monday, November 8, 2010
Information and the Internet
Once again I was forced to talk with my Sunday School class over what not to put on the internet, in this case a 15 year old girl whom had posted her phone and homes address. Sigh, kids just do not understand that there are creeps out there looking for someone just like them.
So, I gave them a real example of how I managed to collected information on one of the girls in the youth group - just by viewing photos on the church's web page and cross referencing first names until I had her narrowed down to her phone number and address - all posted on the web. It took me 20 minutes and I did not use any of the facts I did know about her! So if an internet clumsy user like me could find her that quickly, guess how much less of time it would take for someone whom is a stalker with poor intentions! (I should mention that I am a friend of her parents, so I already knew more than what could be found on the web about her!)
Then I woke up this morning to a news story about some woman whom met a man online and traveled to Australia, then Arizona, then California, before figuring out he lived in Issaquah (sp?), Washington! I guess she managed to confront him in front of his family! (wife and children) and is now suing him for leading her on an around the world trip to meet him!
I really hope that wife got a really good look at what kind of creep she married! Man, if one of my son-in-laws pulled a stunt like that!!!!! Well, certainly daughter would be out of there in five minutes at the most.....
But, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by any of this. The innocent such as the 15 year old girl, the web master for the church and this Issaquah wife, all do not even think within the realm which would even make situations like this possible. And although praise worthy, still someone needs to keep youth and the innocent aware of the dangers of how the availability of information can be misused.
Please look at your children's social networking sites, google their names and assure yourself that they are so far safe. Then (POLITICALLY INCORRECT) inspect their phones and I-Pods for photos they have taken of themselves and have received from others. Especially for those of you with teenager girls and boys!
So, I gave them a real example of how I managed to collected information on one of the girls in the youth group - just by viewing photos on the church's web page and cross referencing first names until I had her narrowed down to her phone number and address - all posted on the web. It took me 20 minutes and I did not use any of the facts I did know about her! So if an internet clumsy user like me could find her that quickly, guess how much less of time it would take for someone whom is a stalker with poor intentions! (I should mention that I am a friend of her parents, so I already knew more than what could be found on the web about her!)
Then I woke up this morning to a news story about some woman whom met a man online and traveled to Australia, then Arizona, then California, before figuring out he lived in Issaquah (sp?), Washington! I guess she managed to confront him in front of his family! (wife and children) and is now suing him for leading her on an around the world trip to meet him!
I really hope that wife got a really good look at what kind of creep she married! Man, if one of my son-in-laws pulled a stunt like that!!!!! Well, certainly daughter would be out of there in five minutes at the most.....
But, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by any of this. The innocent such as the 15 year old girl, the web master for the church and this Issaquah wife, all do not even think within the realm which would even make situations like this possible. And although praise worthy, still someone needs to keep youth and the innocent aware of the dangers of how the availability of information can be misused.
Please look at your children's social networking sites, google their names and assure yourself that they are so far safe. Then (POLITICALLY INCORRECT) inspect their phones and I-Pods for photos they have taken of themselves and have received from others. Especially for those of you with teenager girls and boys!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Little Children All
In Sunday School the kids got off on a rag over their parents (luckily son kept his mouth fairly shut! :^) ) Anyways, one of the girls was quite vocal over how unfairly her father treats her and how frustrating it is to not be able to ever please him. (yeah she is from his wife's first marriage and nothing will ever be acceptable!)
So, I mentioned that just as she sees her relationship with her father, is the same way I saw mine. Then I wondered if maybe he saw his relationship with his father the same way. It lead to quite an interesting rabbit trail in class but it left me thinking as I went to service.
Sitting there, I could see pregnant teenager I mentioned earlier - hurting. Her mother as well. Her mother's friends, the same. A few pews over some others whom I know, hurting as well. In the choir, a woman whose father just died. The pastor whom lost a close friend last week and would be leading the service for him in three hours.
Yeah, a whole lot of hurting going on out there. And I thought to myself how each of us, no matter our age is still that little child inside: hurting and wanting to be comforted.
Maybe there are times when a service need not be about singing and a message, but about sharing our pain and needing acceptance.....
So, I mentioned that just as she sees her relationship with her father, is the same way I saw mine. Then I wondered if maybe he saw his relationship with his father the same way. It lead to quite an interesting rabbit trail in class but it left me thinking as I went to service.
Sitting there, I could see pregnant teenager I mentioned earlier - hurting. Her mother as well. Her mother's friends, the same. A few pews over some others whom I know, hurting as well. In the choir, a woman whose father just died. The pastor whom lost a close friend last week and would be leading the service for him in three hours.
Yeah, a whole lot of hurting going on out there. And I thought to myself how each of us, no matter our age is still that little child inside: hurting and wanting to be comforted.
Maybe there are times when a service need not be about singing and a message, but about sharing our pain and needing acceptance.....
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Running on Empty
Completely and thoroughly exhausted by everyone's demands on me. Outside of being in bed yesterday, I managed 30 whole minutes at home! All I want to do is go on a vacation, somewhere warm and far from my demanding family. But, then again, there is no one else to get the kids to work or school, no one else whom would care for mother.
The obvious answer is to stay at mothers but my asthma just can not take it. So left having to drive hundreds of miles a day.
Oh well, it is apparently my place in life at this time. I might have to get a job just so I can get some rest!!!!
And it is now time to hit the road again.....
The obvious answer is to stay at mothers but my asthma just can not take it. So left having to drive hundreds of miles a day.
Oh well, it is apparently my place in life at this time. I might have to get a job just so I can get some rest!!!!
And it is now time to hit the road again.....
Monday, October 25, 2010
Interesting Timing
Timing is everything they say and yesterday's sermon could not have been more on the money. As I wrote yesterday of the very awkward day one of the young women was to suffer through, it only got more interesting during the sermon.
The sermon was on John chapter 4 and the woman at the well. Lots of good topics to revolve around there: adultery, divorce, Jesus revealing whom He is to a woman - much less a Samaritan, etc.
But, either by "coincidence" (which I do not believe in) or by divine timing the pastor reached the topics surrounding the woman at the well and went into quite an in-depth discussion concerning marriage, divorce and adultery. It was quite good.
I noticed from across the sanctuary that the young woman's back was sliding down the pew..... But, she is not what this post is about, instead it is about a high school girl I met last year.
Her family broke up about six years ago, drugs and violence being at the root of the problem. So, I have been most concerned for her, since young girls tend to seek male affirmation during their teen age year, in all of the wrong places and ways. I tried to get her to join our class during the last school year but she had no real interest and her mother had lost any control over her. Lots of prayer.....
I learned at the beginning of the service she is now pregnant, which really breaks my heart. I have two daughters whom made the same poor choices as well. Not a good way to be ending high school - as a mother.....
The young girl sat in front of me. She had brought boyfriend with her - both looked very uncomfortable and shell shocked. Her mother showed up and sat by them; no amount of makeup was going to hide the complete loss of color in her face. Yeah, stress city plus!
Then the pastor hit his area of concern, I already mentioned the young woman sliding down the pew, then I noticed that the mother in front of me was starting to vibrate. She was swinging her foot nervously making her body hop up and down. I looked over at the daughter whom was doing the same. Yup, pastor was really hitting some marks this morning.....
After the sermon, young girl was in the toilet throwing up, her mother is off with friends sobbing and boyfriend is very uncomfortably standing by a wall probably wishing he was in a car accident anywhere else. And God's Spirit moved in me and I did something completely out of character - I went up to him and talked with him for a while. I ended, with offering to get together and talk about his situation sometime. After all, I have been there twice with my daughter's boyfriends, so hopefully I could bring some experience to his situation. I thought the guy was going to cry. I don't think too many have shown concern for him this past week.
Please pray for Jorge, I know virtually nothing about him yet, but my guess is he needs to see God in his life.....
Thanks.
The sermon was on John chapter 4 and the woman at the well. Lots of good topics to revolve around there: adultery, divorce, Jesus revealing whom He is to a woman - much less a Samaritan, etc.
But, either by "coincidence" (which I do not believe in) or by divine timing the pastor reached the topics surrounding the woman at the well and went into quite an in-depth discussion concerning marriage, divorce and adultery. It was quite good.
I noticed from across the sanctuary that the young woman's back was sliding down the pew..... But, she is not what this post is about, instead it is about a high school girl I met last year.
Her family broke up about six years ago, drugs and violence being at the root of the problem. So, I have been most concerned for her, since young girls tend to seek male affirmation during their teen age year, in all of the wrong places and ways. I tried to get her to join our class during the last school year but she had no real interest and her mother had lost any control over her. Lots of prayer.....
I learned at the beginning of the service she is now pregnant, which really breaks my heart. I have two daughters whom made the same poor choices as well. Not a good way to be ending high school - as a mother.....
The young girl sat in front of me. She had brought boyfriend with her - both looked very uncomfortable and shell shocked. Her mother showed up and sat by them; no amount of makeup was going to hide the complete loss of color in her face. Yeah, stress city plus!
Then the pastor hit his area of concern, I already mentioned the young woman sliding down the pew, then I noticed that the mother in front of me was starting to vibrate. She was swinging her foot nervously making her body hop up and down. I looked over at the daughter whom was doing the same. Yup, pastor was really hitting some marks this morning.....
After the sermon, young girl was in the toilet throwing up, her mother is off with friends sobbing and boyfriend is very uncomfortably standing by a wall probably wishing he was in a car accident anywhere else. And God's Spirit moved in me and I did something completely out of character - I went up to him and talked with him for a while. I ended, with offering to get together and talk about his situation sometime. After all, I have been there twice with my daughter's boyfriends, so hopefully I could bring some experience to his situation. I thought the guy was going to cry. I don't think too many have shown concern for him this past week.
Please pray for Jorge, I know virtually nothing about him yet, but my guess is he needs to see God in his life.....
Thanks.
Awkward
So, I am walking from one building to the other at my church when I encounter one of the young women I have gotten to know, due to her situation - a matter of great prayer I have not shared with you due to the gossip potential.
"Hey! So how are you doing?"
She gives me a big hug, stiffens then exclaims, "Oh my God! Uhm, suddenly everything is very complicated!" And runs for the women's toilet.
Huh! So, I wander in and find a seat, wondering if maybe she got herself a case of el tourista somewhere. And then I see what she must have seen - her ex-husband and her father walking into the sanctuary..... Yup, this is going to be one awkward day for that young lady.
A few minutes later, the mother unit comes storming into the sanctuary with a firm grip on her daughter's arm and slams said daughter in the pew next to her ex. Yeah, I do not think the parents quite agree with the daughter on the subject of her divorce.
Soon, I see her little sister join them, placing herself delicately between older sister and the ex. This is in turn copied by her little brother. Ahhhhh, such nice siblings!
Yup, I will bet lunch was a killer this afternoon.....
"Hey! So how are you doing?"
She gives me a big hug, stiffens then exclaims, "Oh my God! Uhm, suddenly everything is very complicated!" And runs for the women's toilet.
Huh! So, I wander in and find a seat, wondering if maybe she got herself a case of el tourista somewhere. And then I see what she must have seen - her ex-husband and her father walking into the sanctuary..... Yup, this is going to be one awkward day for that young lady.
A few minutes later, the mother unit comes storming into the sanctuary with a firm grip on her daughter's arm and slams said daughter in the pew next to her ex. Yeah, I do not think the parents quite agree with the daughter on the subject of her divorce.
Soon, I see her little sister join them, placing herself delicately between older sister and the ex. This is in turn copied by her little brother. Ahhhhh, such nice siblings!
Yup, I will bet lunch was a killer this afternoon.....
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Honor Thy .....
Sunday was interesting in so far as the sermon went, the pastor spoke on mothers and honoring them. It was sort of interesting from the standpoint of my mother was in need of help and I was doing what I could.
Given that this woman has been mentally ill for most of her life and refusing to even talk to me for about half of that life, yeah, it is mighty hard to honor her as my parent. In fact, the pastor of my last church met her in 1998 and he commented that the only real way to honor her memory was to never tell anyone I had a mother. Yeah, she sure impressed him.
So, it has been with great hesitancy that I have stepped forward to care for mother as she recovers from her triple bypass. But, she has been pleasant, so it has not been too hard.
Of course, this morning she was something less than sweet and cussed me out for 10 minutes because I did not have keys to her gate. Did not matter she had them in her purse, but I was supposed to have them ready. Sigh.
Given her nomadic lifestyle and hermit like tendencies, I have decided to try and socalize her - no she already is a communist (LOL!), but to get her involved in people. I had taken her to my middle daughter's birthday and she did good. So, tomorrow we are headed for Priest Lake and Dutchman's oldest son's wedding reception.
Ought to be interesting, several hours in a car with my mother screaming about being on the highway. Yeah, she finds backroads challenging enough.....
Given that this woman has been mentally ill for most of her life and refusing to even talk to me for about half of that life, yeah, it is mighty hard to honor her as my parent. In fact, the pastor of my last church met her in 1998 and he commented that the only real way to honor her memory was to never tell anyone I had a mother. Yeah, she sure impressed him.
So, it has been with great hesitancy that I have stepped forward to care for mother as she recovers from her triple bypass. But, she has been pleasant, so it has not been too hard.
Of course, this morning she was something less than sweet and cussed me out for 10 minutes because I did not have keys to her gate. Did not matter she had them in her purse, but I was supposed to have them ready. Sigh.
Given her nomadic lifestyle and hermit like tendencies, I have decided to try and socalize her - no she already is a communist (LOL!), but to get her involved in people. I had taken her to my middle daughter's birthday and she did good. So, tomorrow we are headed for Priest Lake and Dutchman's oldest son's wedding reception.
Ought to be interesting, several hours in a car with my mother screaming about being on the highway. Yeah, she finds backroads challenging enough.....
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
God's Humor
God really has a perverse sense of humor and I seemingly am the butt of it more than I like. Take last Sunday for instance......
I am back to teaching high school Sunday School and had been trying to think of a how to do a series on comparative religion. You know, a solid definition of Christianity which is unbiased by culture or denominational beliefs, then a look at several of the world's major religions. But an intro, how to do a fun intro to capture their attention? Now there is a guy whom did a Christian trash piece on the internet many years ago, so I used his idea and some of his graphics to do a look at religion from an atheist's viewpoint - but without trashing Christianity in the process. The result I thought was quite humorous and yet still very defendable as far as truth was concerned.
But, there is a basic assumption in the piece, that no one will be offended if Roman Catholics and aboriginal indians are the straight men in the presentation. Pretty safe assumption, or so I thought.
Class is just about to get started when in walks two girls I have never seen before; one I am to learn is an ex-Catholic from Baja, Mexico, the other is from the upper reaches of the Amazon River in Ecuador. I am now so hosed.....
So, I had to do an awful lot of explaining to be sure I did not offend them or their families when they were to hear about the lesson! But, we made it through it and I think they thought it a rather novel way of explaining religion.
Whew!
And, I heard the quiet chuckle in my spirit as God watched this personal disaster unfold.....
I am back to teaching high school Sunday School and had been trying to think of a how to do a series on comparative religion. You know, a solid definition of Christianity which is unbiased by culture or denominational beliefs, then a look at several of the world's major religions. But an intro, how to do a fun intro to capture their attention? Now there is a guy whom did a Christian trash piece on the internet many years ago, so I used his idea and some of his graphics to do a look at religion from an atheist's viewpoint - but without trashing Christianity in the process. The result I thought was quite humorous and yet still very defendable as far as truth was concerned.
But, there is a basic assumption in the piece, that no one will be offended if Roman Catholics and aboriginal indians are the straight men in the presentation. Pretty safe assumption, or so I thought.
Class is just about to get started when in walks two girls I have never seen before; one I am to learn is an ex-Catholic from Baja, Mexico, the other is from the upper reaches of the Amazon River in Ecuador. I am now so hosed.....
So, I had to do an awful lot of explaining to be sure I did not offend them or their families when they were to hear about the lesson! But, we made it through it and I think they thought it a rather novel way of explaining religion.
Whew!
And, I heard the quiet chuckle in my spirit as God watched this personal disaster unfold.....
Monday, October 18, 2010
A New Creation?
So I sit here eating popcorn during my first free moment since mother's heart gave up two weeks ago. And wishing to not hold you in suspense as to what happened following mother's bypass operation....... Well, assuming I even have a reader left these days.
Mother's release from the hospital was complicated by attempts at balancing her sugar levels. The meds being given where playing havoc with them. Eventually, they were able to release her and I picked her up.
Now, in the hospital, she was walking around at day three after the operation, something they had never had happen before. She was visiting the nurses, other recoveries, scaring small children in the incredible scar down her chest, etc. So healthwise I was cautiously optimistic.
Second day out of the hospital, she wanted to go junking, so I took her first to one shop, then another and another, until we had five done! So physically, although weak and having to protect her rib cage, she is doing great!
But mentally is where the most noticeably obvious change has occurred. She has gone from an extremely horrible person to be around to someone you probably would like to be around! I have not seen her like this since I was nine!!!!!!!!
So, I am approaching this cautiously with regards to the kids and my granbdkids. We did a birthday party at the Old Spaghetti Factory and mom did fine, as did all of the kids. This was the first the first time since 1998 the whole family was together ..... and I was happy about this.
I hope this trend will continue and she will continue to be a part of this family.....
Mother's release from the hospital was complicated by attempts at balancing her sugar levels. The meds being given where playing havoc with them. Eventually, they were able to release her and I picked her up.
Now, in the hospital, she was walking around at day three after the operation, something they had never had happen before. She was visiting the nurses, other recoveries, scaring small children in the incredible scar down her chest, etc. So healthwise I was cautiously optimistic.
Second day out of the hospital, she wanted to go junking, so I took her first to one shop, then another and another, until we had five done! So physically, although weak and having to protect her rib cage, she is doing great!
But mentally is where the most noticeably obvious change has occurred. She has gone from an extremely horrible person to be around to someone you probably would like to be around! I have not seen her like this since I was nine!!!!!!!!
So, I am approaching this cautiously with regards to the kids and my granbdkids. We did a birthday party at the Old Spaghetti Factory and mom did fine, as did all of the kids. This was the first the first time since 1998 the whole family was together ..... and I was happy about this.
I hope this trend will continue and she will continue to be a part of this family.....
Monday, October 11, 2010
Such A Week!
Last week really was one for the books. In fact it was so bizarre that I am not even sure where to begin in telling you about it!!
First up, one of my cousins decided that she wants to be an actress and sent me photos of some of the rehearsal scenes - in the buff! Yeah, nude show and middle aged women should not be shipping photos of themselves around!
Of course, I have rather strong feelings on this type of activity, especially from someone whom has professed to be a Christian since her high school days. I guess that her Christianity does not include phrases such as "modesty", "clothe yourself", "flee from sin", etc. You get the point.
So, what did I do? I pointed out this hypocrisy!
Then one of her friends decided to take me on for being a one of those hypocritical conservatives that have ruined this country (those that know me do believe that I am a liberal!). She also tossed in homophobe and a few other choice words.
So, I wrote back to this total stranger that I am far from anti-gay, in fact through the years I have had dozens of "gay" friends, both male and female. Unfortunately, 34 of them have died from aids through those same years. So I asked how many gay friends she has had, how many have died due to this, how many has she sat with as they died, how many has she witnessed to and comforted in those moments?
Of course, the answer will be zero, because those whom have, do not condemn others - they accept that others still have to learn that Christ died for all - no matter what their personal feelings are towards anyone or their sin!
It is called living your faith and apparently this is not a lesson either of them have lived yet.....
First up, one of my cousins decided that she wants to be an actress and sent me photos of some of the rehearsal scenes - in the buff! Yeah, nude show and middle aged women should not be shipping photos of themselves around!
Of course, I have rather strong feelings on this type of activity, especially from someone whom has professed to be a Christian since her high school days. I guess that her Christianity does not include phrases such as "modesty", "clothe yourself", "flee from sin", etc. You get the point.
So, what did I do? I pointed out this hypocrisy!
Then one of her friends decided to take me on for being a one of those hypocritical conservatives that have ruined this country (those that know me do believe that I am a liberal!). She also tossed in homophobe and a few other choice words.
So, I wrote back to this total stranger that I am far from anti-gay, in fact through the years I have had dozens of "gay" friends, both male and female. Unfortunately, 34 of them have died from aids through those same years. So I asked how many gay friends she has had, how many have died due to this, how many has she sat with as they died, how many has she witnessed to and comforted in those moments?
Of course, the answer will be zero, because those whom have, do not condemn others - they accept that others still have to learn that Christ died for all - no matter what their personal feelings are towards anyone or their sin!
It is called living your faith and apparently this is not a lesson either of them have lived yet.....
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Some Years
You know some years it just is not worth getting out of bed. You can almost set a clock to this years ability to blind side me, every 21 days. Yeah, like clockwork, every 21 days something horrible has been happening.
Latest up, my son exploding. Yet again.
Seems it was just last November I had written about his last explosion over how horrible a father I am. Once again reciting off a huge sin list, the majority of which never occurred or was committed by his late father. But, be that as it may, it always breaks my heart to hear him rail against me. Maybe I really should have taken him across the border into Germany for that sound beating, which is completely legal there! But, I did not have the heart of my father within me..... But, he would at least have respect for me, if I had....
This time I decided to use some ideas I from the Borders series of books and when he roared about how much he hates me, I simply replied "I don't care whether you hate me or not, my job is to deliver an adult man into life..."
Of course talk about throwing gasoline on a fire! The only thing which saved me was I had placed a large chair between us, so the lion was caged.
I have often thought on whether I could control my response if he physically attacked me. I am not real concern over his injuring me - he certainly could. I mostly worry about any self-defensive action on my part that I would be unable to stop before he was flying through the air. At twice his weight and almost a foot taller, yeah, he loses. And yes I am very concerned over this so now trying to avoid him altogether as much as possible.
So your prayers are genuinely sought for his growing up in mind and in spirit.
Yeah, some years.....
Latest up, my son exploding. Yet again.
Seems it was just last November I had written about his last explosion over how horrible a father I am. Once again reciting off a huge sin list, the majority of which never occurred or was committed by his late father. But, be that as it may, it always breaks my heart to hear him rail against me. Maybe I really should have taken him across the border into Germany for that sound beating, which is completely legal there! But, I did not have the heart of my father within me..... But, he would at least have respect for me, if I had....
This time I decided to use some ideas I from the Borders series of books and when he roared about how much he hates me, I simply replied "I don't care whether you hate me or not, my job is to deliver an adult man into life..."
Of course talk about throwing gasoline on a fire! The only thing which saved me was I had placed a large chair between us, so the lion was caged.
I have often thought on whether I could control my response if he physically attacked me. I am not real concern over his injuring me - he certainly could. I mostly worry about any self-defensive action on my part that I would be unable to stop before he was flying through the air. At twice his weight and almost a foot taller, yeah, he loses. And yes I am very concerned over this so now trying to avoid him altogether as much as possible.
So your prayers are genuinely sought for his growing up in mind and in spirit.
Yeah, some years.....
Sunday, October 3, 2010
In Memorial
Friday night, I pulled the mail out of the mail box and observed a large envelope. Probably another advertisement I figured, I get dozens of them a day.
Sorting the mail, that envelope's turn came and I now observed that it came from the office of the President of the United States! Oh My God!
The last time I received such an envelope it carried greetings from President Nixon and his desired to send me to an as yet undisclosed destination. What on earth could President Obama want with me?!?!?!?
Inside was a letter in memory of father and his contribution to the Cold War Era. I would rather he sent me the documentation as to why father had been awarded three Bronze Stars! But, who knows, maybe that signature will be worth something someday.....
For new readers this is my memorial to father:
http://kjp-little-apple.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-memory.html
Sorting the mail, that envelope's turn came and I now observed that it came from the office of the President of the United States! Oh My God!
The last time I received such an envelope it carried greetings from President Nixon and his desired to send me to an as yet undisclosed destination. What on earth could President Obama want with me?!?!?!?
Inside was a letter in memory of father and his contribution to the Cold War Era. I would rather he sent me the documentation as to why father had been awarded three Bronze Stars! But, who knows, maybe that signature will be worth something someday.....
For new readers this is my memorial to father:
http://kjp-little-apple.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-memory.html
Monday, September 27, 2010
RAOK
I was sitting in the drive through line at Starbucks, cursing my luck.
Yeah, if I choose the drive through - it will take 15 minutes and no one will be inside when I pull up and can look in. So, I just wasted 15 minutes when I could have gone in and been home by then!
If I choose to go inside, rather than do the drive through, then there will be a twenty minute line of teenagers getting their caffeine hit before heading to school. And, the cars will be zooming through the drive through.
Such is the state Kris lives. Always the wrong choice! In fact one of my friends once told me I must have some form of negative psychic energy because it is just impossible to choose wrong 100% of the time. (Wanna bet? Never mind, I would pick the wrong one!)
Anyways, back to the drive through line.
When it was my turn, I rolled up and the guy handed me my stuff and then told me that the lady in the car ahead of me had paid for my ice tea and scone!
Wow, a Random Act of Kindness!
No idea whom you are but thank you nice lady!!!!
Yeah, if I choose the drive through - it will take 15 minutes and no one will be inside when I pull up and can look in. So, I just wasted 15 minutes when I could have gone in and been home by then!
If I choose to go inside, rather than do the drive through, then there will be a twenty minute line of teenagers getting their caffeine hit before heading to school. And, the cars will be zooming through the drive through.
Such is the state Kris lives. Always the wrong choice! In fact one of my friends once told me I must have some form of negative psychic energy because it is just impossible to choose wrong 100% of the time. (Wanna bet? Never mind, I would pick the wrong one!)
Anyways, back to the drive through line.
When it was my turn, I rolled up and the guy handed me my stuff and then told me that the lady in the car ahead of me had paid for my ice tea and scone!
Wow, a Random Act of Kindness!
No idea whom you are but thank you nice lady!!!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Remarriage
It has amazed me the sheer numbers of remarried Christian couples I have encountered. It is horrible to realize that statistically over 50% of Christian marriages will end in divorce, it is worse to realize how little concern is expressed when the Christian then remarries. But, this is what I wish to explore this time around.
When your spouse dies, Paul encourages you remarry, particularly if you are young. You don’t have to, but Paul saw no problems with your doing so.
When your spouse has left you – either through abandonment or divorce, Paul tells us to remain single in hopes of reconciling with one another.
However, in Paul’s day, it was not unusual for the husband to abandon his first wife and marry a younger woman. Notice that I did not say divorce! Yeah, if the man were to have divorced his wife, he would have to return the dowry – which he may not have wanted to do or been able to afford to do. So he would just “lose” her and go his merry way finding the next Misses.
What did Paul say to do then? You still needed your divorce paperwork, the return of your dowry and if your spouse had remarried, you were free to remarry since they have broken the covenant.
You are also not to remarry an ex-spouse if they have married someone since leaving you!
But, I look and I see a great many Christians whom are marrying divorced Christians, whose spouses are still single. Heavens, I know of Christian couples whom divorced so they could marry or at least "date" others! So, it is obvious the Church no longer understands the point of marriage is to stay committed to one and only one spouse! The lack of discretion in performing these ceremonies, exhibited by the Church, only strengthens the concept that marriage really is not as important to us as it should be!
Marriage has to be a sacred joining since God uses the image of Christ and the Church as being like a groom and bride. Unless someone wants to argue Christ is not committed to the Church or maybe only until He gets tired of our unfaithfulness! I would be hesitant to argue marriage is subject to the whims of man or culture.
If you have divorced, the only one you should be seeking in marriage is your ex-spouse. And, yes, you may well have to “pay” heavily both emotionally and mentally for what you have done. Grow up, get into prayer, get your life into order, buy some flowers and start begging for forgiveness. That goes both ways here - matter your gender.
If you have remarried un-Biblically, what are you to do? Well, you don’t run out and get a divorce that is for sure! Paul tells us we are to remained married to them, so they maybe blessed by God, through His blessing of you. You probably will get to do a little evangelism in your household. (Good luck! Talk about a hard sell.....)
God tells us He will bless the joining of two people. He will bless your marriage, but you may just not have the fullness of the blessing you might have had otherwise nor as active a witness. You also have the complications of living with the outcome of your previous marriage – children, financial obligations, the ex-spouse’s need for council, your memories, your loss of trust, anger issues, etc. An awful lot can get in the way of your happiness in a remarriage!
Divorce and remarriage is not an easy process and a bit dicey if you want to remain a Biblical Christian. Don’t compromise your testimony. Marry with the greatest of caution. Do not play the world's games - stay out of divorce court - even if you are miserable. Remain faithful to your first spouse until there is no hope of reconciliation due to their remarriage or death. Then the choice is yours – remain faithful to the vow you took or remarry, as it is in the Lord’s will - not yours or anyone else’s!
When your spouse dies, Paul encourages you remarry, particularly if you are young. You don’t have to, but Paul saw no problems with your doing so.
When your spouse has left you – either through abandonment or divorce, Paul tells us to remain single in hopes of reconciling with one another.
However, in Paul’s day, it was not unusual for the husband to abandon his first wife and marry a younger woman. Notice that I did not say divorce! Yeah, if the man were to have divorced his wife, he would have to return the dowry – which he may not have wanted to do or been able to afford to do. So he would just “lose” her and go his merry way finding the next Misses.
What did Paul say to do then? You still needed your divorce paperwork, the return of your dowry and if your spouse had remarried, you were free to remarry since they have broken the covenant.
You are also not to remarry an ex-spouse if they have married someone since leaving you!
But, I look and I see a great many Christians whom are marrying divorced Christians, whose spouses are still single. Heavens, I know of Christian couples whom divorced so they could marry or at least "date" others! So, it is obvious the Church no longer understands the point of marriage is to stay committed to one and only one spouse! The lack of discretion in performing these ceremonies, exhibited by the Church, only strengthens the concept that marriage really is not as important to us as it should be!
Marriage has to be a sacred joining since God uses the image of Christ and the Church as being like a groom and bride. Unless someone wants to argue Christ is not committed to the Church or maybe only until He gets tired of our unfaithfulness! I would be hesitant to argue marriage is subject to the whims of man or culture.
If you have divorced, the only one you should be seeking in marriage is your ex-spouse. And, yes, you may well have to “pay” heavily both emotionally and mentally for what you have done. Grow up, get into prayer, get your life into order, buy some flowers and start begging for forgiveness. That goes both ways here - matter your gender.
If you have remarried un-Biblically, what are you to do? Well, you don’t run out and get a divorce that is for sure! Paul tells us we are to remained married to them, so they maybe blessed by God, through His blessing of you. You probably will get to do a little evangelism in your household. (Good luck! Talk about a hard sell.....)
God tells us He will bless the joining of two people. He will bless your marriage, but you may just not have the fullness of the blessing you might have had otherwise nor as active a witness. You also have the complications of living with the outcome of your previous marriage – children, financial obligations, the ex-spouse’s need for council, your memories, your loss of trust, anger issues, etc. An awful lot can get in the way of your happiness in a remarriage!
Divorce and remarriage is not an easy process and a bit dicey if you want to remain a Biblical Christian. Don’t compromise your testimony. Marry with the greatest of caution. Do not play the world's games - stay out of divorce court - even if you are miserable. Remain faithful to your first spouse until there is no hope of reconciliation due to their remarriage or death. Then the choice is yours – remain faithful to the vow you took or remarry, as it is in the Lord’s will - not yours or anyone else’s!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Woodworking
I love woodworking. I love working with my hands and creating things, especially if they are useful things. When I first came to America I used to hand out in the local Base woodworking shop. I learned how all of the tools worked and even built prototypes of furniture, which were offered as new product lines for the local Sears store.
But, we moved to Colorado so I never got to see how the offer was taken by the Sears buyer. Now in high school, I was able to continue my woodworking through the school. I built the furniture for my bedroom at the time as well as numerous items for people whom liked my work.
It has always been my desire to continue woodworking – but life occurred in there somewhere and I lost a few decades. Such is the nature of things.
So, I have been reading my old books, seeing what I have to play with and dreaming for years. I do have an interesting stock of wood on hand; it does seem to follow me home whenever I see a bargain, sale or an “oh, that is nice!” piece being offered. After all, I do want to do woodworking someday! Tool wise though, I have nothing anymore I can use. Most of the stuff was sold off years ago to finance car repairs and the like.
Then in fall I saw an ad in the paper for a Beaver planer. I am pretty sure that Beaver Tools never built a planer, but they did build a very fine little hobbyist jointer. Sure enough, that is exactly what it was and I bought it on the spot. Although built sometime before 1953, when Beaver was bought out by Rockwell, the tool is like new! Turns out the guy’s grandfather bought it brand new and just never used it much. Cool!
Next, I was able to pick up a small Duro band saw of roughly the same vintage and a combination disk sander/belt sander. So a small shop and all for under $100 (more or less!).
I hope to teach my son woodworking, should I get it all lubed up and space found for a work area. I think he will like it because he is good with his hands. Oh wait! It might involve fractions! Well, we will have to cross that bridge when it raises its ugly head….
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