Thursday, April 30

Checking In


When the work week wrings you out, the creative writing juices pretty much dry up. Not that they were ever overflowing anyway.

Yesterday was Barb's birthday. We were invited to Liz and Ryan's to enjoy Angel, Annabel, and Max. Stephanie and Henry came over, too, and we ate a Baskin-Robbins green chocolate mint cake and watched Survivor Man eat old salmon and get burned out of his shelter. Barb opened her gifts. Angel had found a flattened metal whistle at school and cut it apart and flattened it again to make a Mickey Mouse eared do-dad that we'll glue a magnet to for the frig. Pretty creative gal.




It was back home early - we had to be at work this morning at 6:00.

Sunday, April 19

Complacency

Spring is being upstaged today as sneaky summer temps creep down the valley. We're expecting a high of 95 degrees tomorrow or Tuesday. Get out those t-shirts and shorts - for a few days at least.

Shock can be good. Water in the face - a dive into a cold pool - a near miss on the road - back to reality and appreciation for all that is normal.

This red rose shocks my complacency for viewing God's creation with blinders on most of the time. Shame on me!

Wednesday, April 15

Hey, Big Spender!

Uncle Sam is getting an ear full today, now that his new nickname is Big Spender. Hundreds of Tea Party protests (not the "dozens" reported on CBS radio news at 4 p.m.) were staged throughout the country as taxpayers vented and voiced their opinion on runaway government spending. Maybe there was one in your town, too. Maybe you attended. Maybe you don't mind being labeled as one of the right wingers who may end up in a clandestine militia group which is bent on overthrowing the USA.

My guess is that even if you didn't stand up and carry a sign, you were there in spirit - part of the silent majority.

That silence will turn to shouting come November 2010.

Tuesday, April 14

Sacrosanctity Lost


It was only a matter of time on the slippery slope to the depths of depravity that the fast food gang joined the marketable sex ad campaign. In sync with the porn craze, all things on the 'soft' side of triple X are becoming mainstream. In an America that once protected itself and especially its kids from in-your-face and gratuitious perversion, the tide has now turned, and all things sexual are beaching like huge dead (albeit, very perfumed) whales.

God tells us, "Woe unto him who calls evil good and good evil." Isaiah 5:20

Saturday, April 11

Living On the Edge

Safety wasn't the number one priority in 1905 college football, and it hadn't improved much by 1923.

"In 1923 at Iowa State, Jack Trice, their first black football player wrote, 'My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break through the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbacks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good. Jack.' He died from injuries suffered in the game."

Wednesday, April 8

The Wow Factor

Those of us who live and work in the Asphalt Jungles of America can't wait to get out of town and head for the wide outdoors, breathe in some relatively cleaner air, and fill our heads with the wonder of God's creation (as fallen as it is, it's still beautiful).

Poppy lovers of the world, this is your time to visit your local poppy fields!

You'll see a million of them at Hwy 49 and Electra Road, just south of Jackson, CA. Or if you can't make it, a few pictures may help quench your thirst.

Saturday, April 4

ESC Hype

That's 'Embryonic Stem Cell Hype' for most of us who only read headlines and never hear about the details.

Here are a couple of well-written pieces that might clear up some of your questions.

Friday, April 3

Behind the Beauty

This is the sure way to ruin a perfectly good picture - add a spider or two.