#10Commandments

I was reminded by a brother to-day that it might be time to show honor to my parents... with a note or phone call or something. I put this in the mail to-day:

 

17 October 2013

Dear Mom and Dad,

I just wanted to thank you for a few things that I probably have taken for granted over the years; things that are a part of me, because I am a part of you two.

So here’s my list – thank you for introducing me to

Jesus

Handel’s Messiah

The Lutheran Liturgy

Sports

Jarts

Meat and potato dinners

Recreation

Lake Michigan

Tiger Stadium

Hasbro Rose Bowl Computerized Football

 ‘Catch’

Via de Cristo

…

May the LORD bless you and keep you, may His face continue to shine on you and be gracious to you, may His countenance ever be upon you, and give you peace.

Ex animo,

David

Golden

My brother sent me an email birthday card this morning.
This, in and of itself, was very nice.
His thoughtfulness, the loving message, being remembered.
But, in the message of the card, it referred to this birthday as 'golden'.
Golden.
 = "old"; as in Golden Anniversary, for people who have been married 50 years (my parents last year), making them probably 70 years old or older...

[Not like the alien from Lost in Space referred to by the Robinsons as (appropriately enough) The Golden Man]

Deceitful LiS alien who won favour with the Robinsons due to his golden appearance

Fifty
Five-oh
The big Five-oh
HA!!

I don't really 'feel' old; my body does, as I have abused it for most of my adult life with cigarettes, alcohol, and food in excess. But my mind really doesn't; I try to keep a positive, almost naive, outlook on things: there IS a Santa Claus, there IS an Easter Bunny, there IS a Queen of England.

Working with kids since 1987 has helped me 'stay young' I believe. On the other hand, working with adults has contributed to my allowing myself to fall into skepticism and cynicism.

Anyways: This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!!

Thank You, Father, for this new day - for the sunshine and cool temps.
Thank You for family and friends, for work and play, for food and water and jobs.
Thank You for allowing me these fifty years on Your earth, for seeing fit to create me in Your image, and for calling me into Your kingdom.
You are Great; Praise Your Name!!
Hallelujah, hallelujah!!

ALCS Game 3

Game 206 this year, including spring training, will begin in about an hour and a half. Justin Verlander pitching for Detroit, goes against Boston's John Lackey in Game 3 of the ALCS knotted up at 1-1.

Jackson CF
Hunter RF
Cabrera 3B
Fielder 1B
Martinez DH
Peralta SS
Avila C
Infante 2B
Dirks LF

LGDT!!

God Loves You and So Do I

Once again, God has provided a small group of men a beautiful grace-filled weekend. And those of us who 'helped' provide were, as ever, blessed beyond belief. What a joy it was to see each of the eleven Cursillistas at the podium praising God yestreday at the closing! What a spiritual boost I receive every time I participate, whether as a table professor giving a talk, a muchacho serving coffee, or singing De Colores with brothers and sisters from all over at the sendoff.
Much prayer, preparation, and planning go into these weekends. So usually on the Monday following one, I am quite tired. And staying up to watch the Tigers lose last night in the bottom of the 9th only added to the emotional drain of the weekend 8~P

This particular weekend was put on by the fine folks of the Good News! Via de Cristo (gnvdc.org) and we spent the weekend at Bethel Lutheran Church in St. Clair Shores, MI. This is the first time I've participated in a Good News! weekend; my own weekend was about 20 years ago  through the Lutheran Via de Cristo of Central Michigan (lvccm.org) in Midland, MI.

A beautiful prayer, handed down to us over the centuries from early in Church history, is recited in unison before every talk and during every worship.

Please pray with me:

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of Your faithful And kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.

Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, 
grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise,
and ever rejoice in His consolations.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.


 

 

Fall!!!! Autumn!!!!

The autumn sun is low across the sky most of the day

The morning grass is wet and cool 
There is mist and fog in the valleys
We shut our windows now, even crank up the furnace in the morning
Fall!!!
Autumn!!!

Homecoming parades, friday night games
Pots of stew, chili, roasts, baked bread
Anniversaries and birthdays
The shadows cast are long
And the color, oh the color!
Fall!!
Autumn!!

Warm days, but with that cooler breeze
Cool days, and even cooler nights
Sweaters, long pants, jackets, hats
The hummingbirds no longer come to feed
The geese flying in an inverted V head home across the lake
Fall!
Autumn!

Post-season baseball, pre-season basketball
Early season hockey and mid-season football
Stores filled with candy and costumes
Oh-oh! Need socks this morning
Apples and more apples

Fall
Autumn

How it affects folks...

I'm sure there are many folks who are in the process of applying for a USDA mortgage, and now they are in limbo like Saito in Inception while waiting for the Government to get past this shut-down...

What we see currently at the rurdev.usda.gov web

Sierra the Wonderdog

The dog wanted out early and we helped her out, then the wife wanted back to bed so I told her I'd stay up and wait for the dog. The dog roamed the yard and smelled all the smells; she looked longingly both ways down the street for anyone happening to pass by who might offer an affectionate pet or conversation. She sniffed the garbage neatly piled by the road and then swished through the wet grass back to the steps leading up to the deck. She looked at the steps - up, down, left, right. She shifted her weight nervously a few times and then began that high-pitched squealing that no dog so great or beautiful should ever be allowed to make. As if caught in a trap and in excruciating pain, she's made that sound ever since she was a pup 14 years ago. If her lead would get wrapped around a tree and she wasn't able to undo herself, she would let us know with that squeal. Never a growl, or a bark (she has only ever barked at deer nearby), or even a howl; always the high-pitched incessant squeal, until she was freed.
So the noise she made this morning we are used to. It's the fact that she can't get herself to climb the three little steps up to the deck to get in the house that's a concern. The fact that she has a hard time now even rising up to walk after hours of lying in the house makes us sad. I help get up, but she majorly favors that passenger-side rear leg, and it takes her longer and longer to begin to move around.
She's the most beautiful dog with the sweetest temperament. Being Malamute, she loves people - all people - and will be your friend no matter your sin. We've taken her almost everywhere we've gone; she sits in the truck just like a person, not dangerously in the bed of a pickup, like other dogs ride.
And she doesn't stick her head out of the window and allow her tongue to flap all willy-nilly in the breeze while salivating on every windshield that passes, like other dogs do. She sits in the seat and pants and looks at the scenery (especially if there's people around) and enjoys the trip as much as her people do.
Recently though, the trips have been rare. To the vet for shots, to the groomer for a makeover. We last took her camping in 2010, to the Big Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and several State Parks. We traveled that year in our P.T. Cruiser because it's low to the ground and easy for her to get in and out of.

Leeland MI, August 2010, with Sierra the Malamte

Sierra the Wonderdog

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find

I have known for years, but will sometimes be hesitant to admit it, that God often speaks to me through my wife. In His infinite wisdom, He has chosen to reveal to me things that He thinks I need to know through her.

I was rude to my boss to-day - I got miffed because I felt he didn't trust that a decision I made would benefit the common good of the company. And I let him know. And after relating the story to the wife of my youth - not even after, really; i could tell she was chomping at the bit to reply about two sentences in but was polite enough to not interrupt until I took a breath - she reminded me kindly that I need not get so offended so easily, that i not get my blood pressure up over so little a thang.
I thanked her and continued to prepare our pulled chicken dinner (brought to us by Rachel Ray!), while ruminating on my sin and her rebuke. And the longer I ruminated, the more I was convicted and the more I wanted tomorrow to get here so I could apologize and move on.

But that's how it is when you mess up. You can't just 'undo' everything like I can here if I spell 'undo' wrong. There are consequences, and there are breaches, and there is separation, and there is hurt.

As I left work, I offered my pulled chicken for lunch tomorrow; he said he'd buy pizza on Friday.
To me, this was a partial mend, a concession between two males who share close quarters for several hours each day; not quite an apology, but a mutual willingness to move forward.
That will have to do, until a real apology can be offered tomorrow.

How beautiful are Your ways, LORD
How perfect Your wisdom.
Thank You for not giving up on me, 
Thank You for all the ways you teach me,
Thank You especially for my wife, and what You
reveal to me through her.


 

How much is a book of stamps?

I watched a guy named Rob Ross work his magic on an easel this morning using his palette of oil paints, a two inch brush, and a knife. Unbelievable, to me, was how he could create a beautiful scene of autumn trees behind an old covered bridge crossing the narrows of a small lake with just those tools. I was enthralled by the entire process; although my arm was attempting to gravitate to the clicker to check MLB Network, Weather Channel, and Fox 2 Morning News updates, I could not make myself pick it up during his entire 25 minute presentation.
He told me that people write him letters regularly and tell him that, after they start actually painting themselves, they are able to really see scenery. They see detail like they never have before, and appreciate the beauty of a landscape or sunset now more than they ever have.

I don't paint, but I do enjoy the visual images God provides me every day. The downtown buildings framed against morning clouds as I walk from my truck to the office, the slight seasonal coloring of the trees last night driving home on the entrance ramp to I-96: 80 - 85%  green still with limes and lemons and oranges and (oh-so-subtle) reds pushing in, the detailed darker brown and whitish feathers of a sparrow who lands on the feeder as I peer through the small glass window of the shed door (along with its uncanny ability to rotate its head almost 360 degrees, searching for the potential impending doom of a hawk or feral cat), the thin crescent moon hanging low in the sky this morning, following Orion westward imperceptibly, framed by a ton of bright stars in every direction... oh the beauty of it all!! Oh the detail in the Artist's work!! Oh the use of color, depth, time!

Praise the Creator, praise the Painter, praise the Mind behind it all!!

Recipe #16 - Taco Meat Again!

This past summer and even into fall (tomorrow is October 1st!), we've been eating alot of taco meat done different ways, layered over chips and shredded cheese, topped with a dollop of sour cream.
Last night, to take a break from the handyman bedroom work I had been doing, I decided to use up a pound of ground pork I had just thawed. We also still had tons of green peppers given to us from our neighbor that we needed to use, so I devised this on the fly, while watching Denver crush Philadelphia.

one pound ground pork
one medium yellow onion diced
four or five small green peppers diced
2 banana peppers diced
one Roma tomato diced
one can 14.5 oz seasoned tomatoes
one cup water
ground cumin
hot chili pepper powder
black pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
dried oregano
red pepper flakes
corn chips
shredded colby jack cheese
sour cream

I browned the meat, drained the grease, and added the chopped vegetables to simmer for about ten minutes. Then I added the seasoning and water, cranked it up to high and let the water boil off, stirring occasionally.
Two huge spoonfuls over some chips topped with cheese and voila!
The pepper smell is still lingering in the house a day later; there was no need for Tupperware containers lsst night.

Peace!

Fibonacci

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, ... is commonly called the Fibonacci Sequence, named after Leonardo Fibonacci, who dabbled in such things in the 13th century. This particular sequence of numbers can be generated by starting with 0 and 1, and then adding the previous two terms together to get the next term.
0
1
0+1 = 1
1+1=2
1+2=3
2+3=5
and so on.

The tiling below is formed with squares having side lengths of successive Fibonacci numbers. The spiral then consists of 90 degree arcs connected along adjacent squares' opposite vertices. 

The 20th Fibonacci number is 6765.



The coolest thing is this: the ratio of any two consecutive Fibonacci numbers is approximately 1.618, commonly known as the Golden Ratio. :-)

Look at the sunflower model to see the Fibonacci curves

Mama Knows, Honeychild: I'm No Theologian

Mama Knows, Honeychild: I'm No Theologian

T is for Thanksgiving

Father of Mercies~
This morning I am thankful for a new day, new week, new beginnings, new life, new time of year, newness in Christ!
Thank You for Your Spirit in me, for the peace that passes understanding, for wisdom for every circumstance.
Thank You for my beautiful wife, and all that we've shared together.
Thank You for family and friends, and for their prayers throughout the years
Thank You for Your Word.
Thank You for Your Church.
Thank You for the Via de Cristo movement, and the way You touch people through it.
Thank You for my job, and the people I've met through it.
Thank You for this time of year, with the fall color and temps.
Thank You for our Tigers, who are still playing meaningful baseball games.
Thank You for the talents and abilities You've given me.
Thank You for Your love, mercy, forgiveness; and for Your amazing grace.

 
 

 

Recipe # 52 - Tremendous Taco Salad

This event began the night before as my neighbor brought over a bag of green and red peppers from his garden for us. Next morning at work, boss comes up the stairs with 'I brought ya somthin' and a big smile on his face: fresh from his garden green peppers and lime colored banana peppers. Then a quarter in the slot to get a cart to hold the remaining items that I found at Aldi in Brighton.

Ingredients:

Blue and Yellow corn chips
two glugs of extra virgin olive oil
2.16 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion chopped
1 can diced tomatoes drained
3 small red, 3 small green, and 1 banana pepper chopped
3 large cloves of garlic minced
about a cup of your favorite salsa
seasoning - I use a mix of onion powder, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, ground pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano
half head of lettuce chopped
your favourite blend of shredded cheese
sour cream, if'n you like

 

I got out my biggest Wolfgang Puck fry pan and poured in a turn of the pan of the oil. As it got up to medium heat, I added garlic, onion, and peppers; then let these get soft - about 10 minutes.
Next I added the meat and browned it.

I drained the grease and turned up the heat a wee bit. I added the seasoning, the tomatoes and salsa, and about a cup of water. Stir occasionally. This simmered uncovered for maybe 20-25 minutes - until most of the water was absorbed or boiled off.

Find yourself a big old mixing bowl, break up a couple handfuls of chips, add a bed of lettuce, pour in the meat, top with cheese aplenty and some salsa, and sit down with your fork and a cold beverage and enjoy!!

Our Soldier and His Little Girl

On my mind this afternnon...

In the mortgage industry, the realtor who is trying to sell your home is called the 'Listing Agent' and the realtor who is trying to find you a home to buy is called the 'Selling Agent'.

Why do eastbound flights take longer than their westbound return trip?

Why does the team with the highest batting average in MLB have 8 shutouts on the season?

Why does the team with the most runs scored in the majors have 11 shutouts this season?

Why do some people have a real easy time with math and some don't?

Will there be passwords in heaven?

Wednesday Blessings

Beautiful cool, sunny morning and I finally got Sierra up and outside and back in before I left for work. She likes sleeping in more than I do, I think! She's slowed down a bit in her 14th year but she still likes food. I can remember when any activity at all in the kitchen would beckon her to stand right in the midst, waiting hopefully for some fat off the bone or an end of cucumber. She would even take a hunk of onion and devour it, albeit slowly.
She still comes around if there's activity, especially chopping, but she is spoiled to the point that she does not accept vegetables of any kind any more. (spoiled or maybe 'more refined'). I tried to give her a big leaf of lettuce and she sniffed it briefly, put her ears back, and turned away.
We keep these treats for her that look like huge peanut cookies and she will gladly accept any number of them for doing 'good dog' things like going outside, going potty, coming back in from potty, not eating the cat, etc.
She is thoroughly enamoured with Beneful also. I tried, once upon a time, to substitute the Dollar General brand in the bag that looked like the Beneful bag but she would not eat it. Smart dog. Always has been.

Sierra the Malamute. Beloved by all, aging more gracefully than many, still beautiful and faithful.

Cheese, please?

A is for Adoration

"A great prophet has arisen in our midst!...
God has visited His people!" ( Luke 7)

LORD, You are holy, holy, holy
You are perfect and righteous and good and pure
Holy One in Three and Three in One!
Praise to You, on this Tuesday morning!
Praise to You, for You have created the earth, sun, stars, and the beautiful rainbow two nights ago!
Praise to You, for You have found it good to accept the sacrifice of Your Son!
Praise to You, through Your Church You have provided Your Word: Sacred Scripture!
Praise to You, for Who You ARE: The Great I AM!!
You are worthy of praise!
You are worthy of praise!
KING of kings, and LORD of lords!!!

Father, I adore You and I lay my life before You. How I love You!
Jesus, I adore You and I lay my life before You. How I love You!
Spirit I adore You and I lay my life before You. How I love You!

"Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary,
and bless the LORD." (Psalm 134)


Holy Holy Holy, Lord God almighty
Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, Merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity!

Cantate Domino canticum novum

More texts from Cheyenne...

Our lil papoose! L u gramps!

Campin out!

G.aft gramps!

Go Tigers!

G.morning gramps!

Dozing after my first field trip!

Sportin the d colors, xoxoxo!

Welcome, Liam!!

Introducing Liam Jason!

Good morning everyone!
I am a big sister!!

Nite gramps, one more cartoon!

 

Waffles and watermelon yummy!

Bless the LORD, the heat has been removed!

The heat moved out, the cool moved in; to God be the glory!! Air conditioners can rest, the dog will sleep peacefully without her ceaseless panting, Kitty of course will continue to play and frolic unaware of any change.

To-day's first reading~

 Col 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.


May this be our prayer to-day. God bless us, every one.

Yummy mac and cheese and muffins too!!

Why do I sleep in so late?
Why don't I get up and enjoy the morning before I have to leave for work?
Why am I so lazy?

I used to regularly arise quite early, brew some coffee, and then do the things I do so much less of now: pray, write, think, read.
Sometimes I would make a bigazz breakfast and just enjoy that, without rushing. Sometimes I would just enjoy God's creation: birds, trees, water, sun, clouds, squirrels, chipmunks, bugs (well, 'enjoy' here is a stretch), ...

What has changed?
Why has sleep become so important?
I thought when you get older you need less sleep?

Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne WY

Grandma has been out west with our very expecting daughter in law Jen and most precious grandchild Joslin Mia since Sunday...

Just waitin 4 the lil fella

Grillr cheese big girl sammich!

yummy breakfast!!

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!!

O my soul praise Him for He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear now to His temple appear
Join me in glad adoration.


Sound forth in glad adoration.

I remember that wonderful hymn from my Missouri Synod Lutheran Church childhood. 13 years in the Lutheran Schools of Greater Detroit with once-a-week chapel afforded me many opportunities to sing hymns - good hymns - not those 7-11 songs they sing now'days. Hymns with pic

S is for Supplication

... and You know the burdens on the hearts of our loved ones, but we lift them up to you by name this morning: Jack, Mare, Stan, Rita, Stan, Kathleen, Charlotte, Justin, Joey, Dana, Stacie, Stosh, Ryan, Emma, Mary Ann, Dean, Meghan, Jake, Quinn, Courtney, Rusty, Drew, Mason, Kacie Elizabeth, Brett Michael, Kenny, Ken, Pamela, Kendall, Carolyn, Douglas Carl, my beautiful Monica, Jon Michael, Jen, Joslin, Joslin's little brother, Robert, Jason, Terrence David, Jeannie, Rindy, Tigh, Trent, Sophia, Kevin Paul, Michael, Michael's mom, Justen, Torey, Kaley, Kristine, Gary, Susie, Joshua Michael, Taylor, Jeremy Breeze, Ruben, Nancy Ann, Carlos Luis, Ramon Emilio, Alexander Joseph, Isabelle Anna, Ricardo, Benjamin Miguel, Paul, Paul's brother, Paul's parents, Kevin and John, all the Team and Participants for GNVDC #53, Fr. Pung, Fr. Mangan, Mike, Mike, Troy, Ron, Michelle, Tom, Shelly, John, Betsie, Little John, Little John's sister, Jim, Miggy, Max, Doug, Little Ricky, Justin, Anibel, Alex, Brayan, Jose, Torii, Victor, all our elected officials, Francisco, Earl, Bob, Dana, Little Bob, Doreen, Vicky, Dave, Danae, G-man, Jerry and his family, Wendy, Adam and their kids, Brad, Brenda, Blake, Bill, Nancy, Mrs. Chuslo, Kelli, Anna, Doug, Jeff, Dawn and their kids, Kim, Mario and their kids, Cathy, Jeff, and their kids, Arlene, Art, Dottie, Shirley, Sandy, Jim and their kids, Sharon, Janice, Kenny, Grace, Bob, Jimmy, Melvin, Grace, Wally, Lil, Mary Ellen, Jack George, Mitsey, Helen, Connie, neighbors, the nice UPS man, the nice mail lady, the park ranger, Butch, Joe, Wanda, Jeanette, Helen, Joe, Barbara, James L., Richard, Robert, Corky, Julie, LVCCM Secretariat, Ron, Kurt, Kurt, Dan, GNVDC Secretariat, Bill.
All of these we pray for LORD, that You would bless and protect. 
LORD, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Family II

LORD,

Please protect my sweetie as she travels this weekend and next week. Bless her time with little Joslin, Jon and Jen; and may she be a huge blessing to them while Jen is expecting. I also ask that You would bless and protect their new baby due any minute now. May he grow up knowing You, loving You, living for You, and always wanting more of You. 
Thank You for this opportunity for travel, LORD; thank You for making the tickets affordable and for covering the work schedule. Thank You for our children and grand-children. 

Please fill the hearts of all people in the world with Your peace, hope, love, and goodness. Forgive us for being so selfish so often. Heal us, as a global community; guide us so that we would strive for peace first and foremost, above all, at whatever cost.

Thank You, and we love You too.

 

Family

I have a younger brother who lives outside of Champaign, IL. His name is Gary. He runs a kinesiotherapy clinic in Champaign (fitnesssynergyopt.com) and does personal training. He has competed in triathlons and I think he is currently house-sitting for some clients of his who are out of the country.
He married a gal with two beautiful children several years ago; her former spouse had abandoned his family and he had no contact with the kids. Gary has been a father to those two children as if they were his own, and also produced another son with his wife. He has since split up with his wife but he continues to father his three kids.
I love him dearly and I have such fond memories of us laughing, praying, crying together.
He is busy (aren't we all?!?) and we don't communicate like we used to, even though we are both technologically literate. I miss his company, his sense of humour, even his venting about his poor fantasy football choices.

I give our relationship to God, and know that He grieves when there is broken-ness even more than any of us could.

And yet more Thanksgiving!

For this time of year in southeast lower Michigan; the cooler temperatures, cooler breezes, cooler nights, ... for the green, green that is holding on in all the trees, for the beauty of the color of the flowers in our garden, for the hummingbird couple who greet us daily, for our health and victuals and clean water and charcoal grill (safely covered with two tarps!), for our jobs and family and home and vehicles,

and especially, we are thankful for the love of God, and the forgiveness offered through His Son Christ.

Go Tigers!