Wednesday, November 30

Driven


Unbridled expression in all forms create the aura of excitement around Angel during this 5th year of life. Whether she is telling you about how her two front baby teeth popped out or her hotdog size bowel movements, you never worry about being bored. She is a lesson in transparency, energy and 'becoming.'

Now is the time to teach her about all that is good and right and true. Now is the time to show and tell your love to her. Now is the time to pray that she can skip the teen years.

Saturday, November 26

The Patience of Job

BestBuy opened at 6 a.m. and I purposely didn't get there until 8:00. The ad prices were irresistable. I could tell this by the happy hoard already inside. The main aisles that circle the store were clogged with carts full of t.v.'s, electronics, video games and computers. One of the hired help was holding a red balloon way in the back of the store. That was the end of the line for the 10 front registers. A blue balloon wandered near the entrance to mark the back of the line for the 5 side registers. Pretty ingenious. Probably an hour wait in both lines. It was going to be a fun time for Wordydave.

My dilemma started when the item I wanted wasn't to be found on the shelves --- by me or three associates. Bill, a manager, took on the project while I followed him around the place. He looked here, there, everywhere, bringing back the wrong item. I'm still waiting about 40 minutes later up front --- having a great time talking to the girl who guarded an exit-only area that led to the front checkout. "Sorry, but you'll have to go to the end of the line" was her mantra for the day. Note: I didn't see any road rage cases, hear any cursing or feel a mood of frustration. Everyone was getting along and smiling! I couldn't believe it!

Finally Bill showed up, saying he'd found 17 items in the computer, but didn't know where the heck they were, so he took my name and said he'd call me. So I got the call later in the afternoon and decided to skip the crowds and go this morning. Another 8 a.m. visit, and again another hide-and-seek game (Bill wasn't there). After looking in four different places, my new software was in my hands and I was third in line at the checkout.

What we won't do to save a buck! ($100 actually).

Monday, November 21

River Walk

Our nature tends to blindness. Too many of us stroll through life oblivious to the simple beauty that escapes our view. It's right there under our noses and we perhaps glimpse something, but it's not worth a second look.

It's time to get on your knees --- to stop and really LOOK at the world around you --- to wonder in awe of the complexity and beauty and perfect balance beneath your feet and above your head. Creation screams at us and says, "I'm beautiful!" while we reach for the remote and more bean dip.

Who would think there's anything worthy of note in the Salinas River? You've all seen its summer sand, cottonwood, sycamore, and beer cans from a bridge or two. But have you really found its treasures? Paso's plan for a river trail probably sounds really stupid to most Roblans. My hat is off to those who want to make it a reality and preserve and appreciate a little bit of wilderness before the floating casinos and WalMarts cover it up.

Check out out a few photos at http://wordydave.photosite.com

Thursday, November 10

Macho Muchachos



I knew I was in cowboy country when our party of ten went to Big Bubba's for lunch after relocating all of the old cars, trucks and buggies back into their display positions at the Pioneer Museum after The Paso Gathering event. Heave-hoing, grunts and follow-the-leadering called for a nice rewarding lunch. We lined up a few tables and feasted on hamburgers, bbq sandwiches and tostadas as a giant buffalo head moved its little ears electronically on the wall. I knew things didn't seem right when a bunch of us ordered sodas and I was the only one who used a straw. Yes, this was the Paso Robles I'd left 33 years ago for greener pastures in the Central Valley. I don't think they'll want me back with my big city, pussy-footing ways after that.

Wednesday, November 9

Rain Refrain


We're enjoying our trip to Paso Robles, especially the new faces and places. A photo jaunt to the middle of the Salinas River on Wellsona Road rewarded us with some great pictures and discoveries. Lots of sand still down there for four-wheeling. A little water left from the last rainy season, a variety of fauna footprints and lots of dumped trash gave us plenty to talk about. With a storm coming in, the cloud formations were first class for us photographers.

It's raining today as Barb and I get ready to go to San Luis for a memorial service for a friend's mom. Just read about it in the Tribune yesterday. The seasons of life are mercies.

Thursday, November 3

Selling Out

A pastor down the road a bit secretly sold his church without his congregation's knowledge for $500,000 recently. $450,000 went into a bogus bank account which was used to purchase a BMW for his girlfriend (plus other expenses for unnamed items - there's $350,000 left). This was the First Congregational Church in Ripon, CA, a small town on Hwy 99 known for its extremely strong and faithful Mennonite and Christian Reformed churches and schools.

May God have mercy on us all. The judgment has started.