Is This a Sign of Old Age?

Last night I drove to a small "international" airport north of Orlando to pickup Kathi. She was flying back from helping her parents in South Dakota. The trip broke my usual weeknight routine in several ways.

• Worked much later than normal
• Had trouble getting back into the office after some meetings due to security
• Had to drive to Orlando
• Ate a really terrible McDonald's Angus burger, ick!
• Had to follow the Garmen GPS all the way, because I had no idea where the airport was, and it was dark, so I really didn't know were I was going except for the compass on the rear view mirror
• Had to pay a lot of tolls because the GPS routed me over every toll road it could find. mmm...
• Finally found Kathi, looking lovely as usual
• Went back by following the signs to I-4 rather than the toll roads, a little farther but a whole lot cheaper
• Kathi tried to update me about her whole trip, I may have remembered some of it
• We got home at almost 1:00 a.m.
• I unloaded Kathi's bags out of the car
• Went to bed
• Got up at 5:45 a.m.

Okay, except for the going to bed, everything else was pretty much not a normal weeknight activity. So why is all this significant? Well I'm glad you asked. When I got into the garage to go to work this moring, the car wouldn't start. After what seems like hours of investigation, I found I had left the tail gate open and the lights stayed on all night (about 6 hours) and drained the battery. Now I couldn't get to work, had to call and reschedule a meeting, etc. Fortunately, AAA was there in about 15 minutes, so I was only late for work by about 10 min. Usually I try to get there 30 minutes early just in case.

So here's the question? Does forgetfulness come from old age, fatigue or is that just who I am? You decide.

Steve

Was This a God Thing?

Last night I was working on a powerpoint presentation for a conference in Denver week after next. I was also watching TV in the background. My main prayer lately has been for family members who need new jobs. About midnight I turned off the TV and computer to go to bed. As I was waking up this morning, I began to pray for family members as I ususally do. For the first time my prayer was led pray for "sources of income" rather than just "jobs." Then as I was getting out of bed I heard noises coming from other part of the house. Turned out the cable was on, but not the TV so the sound was coming out of the surround sound system. When I checked it out it was a home Internet based business opportunity. Not sure why the cable was on. I know I turned it off too. Anyway, I listed to it and eventually called them to send the information. We'll see if this is an answer to prayer. When the Lord returns will he find any faith at all?

Love, Steve

Presidential Priorities

Today, June 9th, President Obama declared National Summer Learning Day.

On June 4 he declared Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009.

Let's see... a day for continuing education of our children and a month celebrating the accomplishments of those living in open sin. Does anyone besides me see anything wrong with this picture?

I guess we know where a lot of his campaign contributions came from. Here's some lemon-aid for you: At least we know the President is loyal to those who bought him into office. Just like he used the Federal government to buy car companies so he could give them to the unions.

Steve

Travels

Well some of us are back from our trek to South Dakota and Minnesota. Kathi will fly back later this week. Those of us who drove got home about 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon after driving about 26 hours from Sioux Falls were we met up with Joel and Mary. I did the most driving but Mary and Joel took the overnight shift avoiding deer and successfully navigating the foggy mountains of Tennessee. I'm back at work today hoping the fatigue does not catch up with me before the day is over.

It was a great adventure.

• I found a new first edition book at Needs Anonymous in Webster which I read and passed on to Michael.
• Got to visit with Carissa and her family two times. (wow are the older three growing!). They are pretty settled in their home in MN and enjoying watching their garden grow and other projects around the house. We got to talk about their hopes for the future and about the Word of God, specifically some verses in Revelations.
• Got to visit with Heather and her boy friend Charlie. Charlie's dog Bella is a clown, she waited outside the bathroom door then barked at me when I came out. Heather's dog Riley was as happy as ever.
• Got to see Charlie's team win a soft ball game. Turns out they won the tournament, too. They are a good hitting team and have great defense, turning double plays often.
• Got to visit with old friends Marc and Carole and Ann and Paul. Marc had a near death experience earlier this year when his heart stopped for a while. But he is doing great now.
• Gas was about 20 cents cheaper in MN than it is in FL.

Every time I go to SD, I fantasize what it would be like to have a shop in Webster. Maybe a Christian book store, music store, coffee shop, place to discuss issues of the day. There is a store front for sale in downtown... hmmmm? I once had that same fantacy about Sequim, WA. Not long after someone else opened the exact same shop there.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Best Laid Plans...

Kathi is driving her parents to their summer home in South Dakota. They meant to get an early start this morning, but they didn't. It was raining really hard too so that slowed them. They they took the long way around Tampa. End result of all these delays, they hit Atlanta at rush hour and didn't get to their motel in Chattanooga until about 8:00 p.m. A long day. But they are doing well and their injured doggie is traveling well.

Watch the Frogs

They say a frog will allow itself to be boiled to death if the temperature of the water is increased gradually. For this one thing I am thankful for the new President and Congress. They are turning the water to boil all at once, and the frogs are jumping out of the water. I only hope enough escape in time to make a difference!

The Irony of Iran

They held an election in Iran. The incumbant won, the loser is crying foul. People have been demonstrating in the streets and some have been killed.

So what is the issue: the existence and tactics of the paramilitary organization that enforces the dictates of the Islamic theocracy on the people.

It's not about their religion (90% have the same religion), it's not about the economy (40% are out of work), it's about who controls the power, who controls the internal "security" force.

So meanwhile, back in the USA, some in the democratic party have been talking about creating an internal "security" organization that would prevent "right wing extremists" from performing terrorist activities.

Who's a right-wing extremist? Anyone who calls good "good" and evil "evil" is labeled an extremist and would be subjected to surveillance and arrest or worse by this new "security" force. Anyone who speaks out against the dictates of the party or persons in power.

Does that not sound a little like what the people in Iran are struggling to stop? Is that not ironic, if not completely crazy? Could we descend any further from the founding principles of this great nation?