Blimping Along

These centuries old airships still strike us terra-firmites with that awe we felt when we were kids. Their unexpected engine drone forces us out of the house to scan the skies for a passing blimp. We would see the Goodyear ship flying over Paso on rare occasions and wonder what it would be like to ride in that little cabin under its silver belly.

I spied one winging south late this morning as I aimed Old Davy down the road toward the dump again with another load of backyard clippings and such. It would steer right over me, so I stopped by the side of the road just in time to get a few shots.

It was like I was back in the 60's with a psychelic (I've almost forgotten how to spell that!) rendition of the Goodyear. Bright and lazy colors topping a lemon yellow cabin! Wow! Click here for a close-up.

Up, Up, and Away in My Beautiful Balloon started playing in the background as I jockeyed for the best camera angle. A much better shot will be in tomorrow's paper most likely. But it was another "glad I've got my camera" moment. Which brings me to say to all of you folks who would take some great pictures if you just had your camera: These are the times of your life! Don't let them slip away.

"God Gave Them Over . . ."

The last half of the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Roman Christians almost 2000 years ago is a classic diatribe against those who practice dei-cide. Deicide is a word you won't find in a pocket dictionary. It has fallen out of use in the past century or so. It is the practice of killing God in your heart.

Paul's view of the ancient world of idol worship, homosexuality and other sins uses a peculiar phrase associated with all this depravity. He says, "God gave them up to uncleanness . . . to vile passions . . . and a debased mind." Why? "Because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge." They were "haters of God." God-killers. (verses 18-31)

They knew God hated what they were doing and did it anyway. Their excuse? "We love sin and we really love sinning and we really love others who sin like we do." (verse 32)

And what's changed in the past two millenia? Absolutely nothing. In chapter 3 he says, "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory [perfect sinlessness, holiness and righteousness] of God." (verse 23) That includes those of us who think we're better and better off than the murderers, sexual perverts and haters of God we see around us. God says we're all in the same boat spiritually: "Dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1) Soon to be judged by God in Christ Jesus. "As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

It's time to listen to Him "who has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell," says Jesus. There is only hope of forgiveness in Him. See the book of Acts 2:22-40.

"A [Wo]Man is a Worker . . . "

Joseph Conrad's quote ends with these words: "If he is not that he is nothing." Some of us have passed the million dollar mark in life, live like kings and queens compared to our poorer neighbors around the world, and can truthfully say we enjoy our labors. Pity those who like Jerome K. Jeromes say, "I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."

Some feel a certain pleasure at the end of the day when exhaustion rules life and limb. Many a prayer of thanks ascends as we recline in our Lazy-Boy and sigh in relief. The workday has ended. The mind and body can start their mending. With eyes closed we drift on a calm and stressless sea.

Barb has been helping at KP Corp again this week for a few days. Piddly stuff like shrinkwrapping, labeling, rubberbanding, boxing. She loves it. Her back doesn't love it, but she does. I'll wake in the middle of the night tonight and smell her generously spread muscle relaxant. What a woman!

Airport Retort Report

Our flight home from Nashville last week rated a Zero on the Most Wonderful Air Transportation Experience list. Picture getting up at 3 a.m. to catch a 6 o'clock plane (you have to be there two hours early, right? A 1/2 hour would have sufficed at this hour!). We waited at the end of the United terminal for a little puddle jumper to take us to Denver.

Everything was great until we hear an announcement that a passenger in 1st class was having a medical emergency. "Is there a doctor on board?" A woman a few rows from us got up to help. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Yes, we have a medical emergency and will be diverting to St. Louis." It took about 30 minutes to find the airport, where we landed and waited for the paramedics to assess the situation, remove the passenger and head for the hospital. Then we waited while the "paperwork" progressed in the cockpit. Thankfully, they let us use the restroom.

On to Denver and a way late arrival. Our flight left an hour before we got there. So we got to wait with the thousands of others who were on standby because of the east coast storms the day before (14 cancelled flights). Some had stayed all night. I talked to Customer Service and was able to get a secure flight to San Francisco, then to Sacramento. All well and good except for the three hour layover at S.F.

To make this long story shorter: Let's see, we got up at 3 a.m. (that's 1 a.m. California time), and finally got home at 10 p.m. California time. The original 7 hour flight turned into a 20 hour Don't Ever Want To Do That Again fiasco.

I can't really complain. Maybe this woman's life was saved by the unexpected landing. Maybe our original plane would have crashed in a Colorado thunderstorm. We certainly wouldn't have seen all those neat jets coming and going on the San Francisco runways. And I would have missed seeing the sunset as we flew out over the city on the way home.

Tennessee Tales

We've been enjoying a week's vacation on the Cumberland Plateau a few hours east of Nashville. One beautiful American paradise as long as you come at the right time. May is the best month. Cool and little humidity.

This is the all-brothers-and-sisters reunion at Mom's. She just celebrated her 80th year and is really enjoying the mayhemic party we always throw when we get together. The food has been terrific, too. Mom's a great cook. Tonight's California Caserole is still in the oven.

We've taken day trips here and there. Nothing exotic in this neck of the woods, but it's fun visiting little towns that seem pretty much removed from civilization--- backwoodsy bergs that haven't changed appearance in 50 or more years. Wish I could show a few pictures, but can't yet.

Friendly people, cheap gas and good food. We'll be back.

In the Gnus

The poor little rabbits are hopping mad at the latest news about their kind carrot-growing benefactors on Bully Bear Hill. At least the rabbits that wear bow ties and shine their rabbit's feet are.

"Shameful" is what they're saying.

"Outrageous," says Mr. Big Tooth. His wife twitches her nose in approval. "How can they be so jackass dumb?" he adds, thinking he hears thunder in the distance. His wife's ears lay back. "Well, if not jackass, then pretty close to it. Snakish. That's what I say. They'll get no more carrot seed from me."

Lightning flashes in the distance as Mr. and Mrs. Big Tooth hurriedly hop home to Holeville, hoping against hope.

Lemony Lemons

Like, let's get excited about things huge and extraordinary!

She huffs and puffs her way into the bedroom, all the while praising the virtues of an elephantine lemon she found in the backyard. One lemon. One lemon leaf. One excited 4 year old.

It was camera time again to capture the moment.

When was the last time you really got really excited about anything? I think that's what I miss so very much about those spongey years --- all the firsts.

Now we face the lasts. But faith makes them much more exciting.

When Corey Went Berzerkeley

Corey at Work in 1994

Armed with the intellectual weapons of small city life and culture, my friend, Corey, attended a recent English Department graduation ceremony for his niece --- in Berkeley. Surrounded by a Greek amphitheater and hillside amenities, it was time to soak in some big city campus culture with other families and friends (and graduates) who had come to hear those rare jewels of wisdom so often heard in major commencement speeches.

Expecting to hear encouraging thoughts and down-to-earth, kick-in-the-pants elocution, poor Corey had to endure (without laughing, mind you) the most miserable keynote speakers' prattle imagined. The main agenda topic was Bash America, with subtopics that included "It's all about ME!" and "I'm published, but I'm an idiot and I don't know what I'm talking about!"

Hoping the worst was behind, it was finally the Valedictorian's turn. He stumbled, bumbled and crumbled through his valedictory. So much for saving grace.

The moral of the story: Get your degree on the Internet, then listen to an old Bill Cosby record for the kick-in-the-pants acumen.

Broad Road to Jerusalem

Another curiosity satisfied. The Kingdom of Heaven wends its way into theaters across the country with yet another historical drama. Laden with accuracy, the main themes were penance to earn God's forgiveness of sin, the depravity of man and hero worship. At least I can agree to the middle one.

Please don't see this film if you abhor bloody violence. Please don't see this film if you want to feel good at the end. Please don't see this film if you're seeking some great spiritual truth. Just read a good history book on the subject, preferably one written in the 1800's, like John Lord's Beacon Lights of History.

The popcorn was good.

Pulitzer Prize Photo Exhibit

Saturday's visit to the local museum included hall browsing to see 100 of the world's greatest photographs by Pulitzer Prize winning photographers. Wonderfully displayed and lighted, each photo came with a background blurb that told the story behind the picture. Truthfully, some of the shots would be meaningless otherwise. Most impressive pictures don't need a story, but their impact can be greater if we view them with a wider perspective.

This exhibit is busy. Lots of viewers. People have sent letters to the editor praising the quality and importance of the event. People have shared about the emotional significance of the event. One spoke of tears.

Sorry, no tears from this guy. My stoic machismo prevents such embarrassing moments. I'd rather take pictures of the folks staring, reading and trying to restrain their tears. But after sneaking two shots and almost being confronted by a security guard, I saw a "NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED" sticker on the wall. This was off limits to bloggers like me who like a good story. So those red X's are there so I won't go to jail.

More good stories happened at 2:30 in another room in the museum (the reason I had gone in the first place). Three local photogaphers for the newspaper were going to speak about their work and answer questions. It was great seeing a slideshow of various photos and enjoying a session of Q & A afterward. There were about 50 people there. I asked the most questions and learned a few things.

Next week three of the Pulitzer Prize Photo photographers will be here from the S.F. Chronicle. Their pictures are on display. One of them is a local.

All of this to say: There is something wonderful, jaw-dropping and instructive about good photography. A great shot will bring a flood of emotions as we relate to the pathos, humor or beauty we see and feel. These are snapshots of our souls in a real sense. And our reactions are God-given appreciations that grow with time, I think. Our vision matures. We listen more closely. We feel more intently.

Now, go buy a good photography coffee table book.

Poora Laura

The unusual collection of President-crunching quips from the First Lady at the recent White House Press Correspondents' Association bash has left some of us dazed. Not confused, just dazed. But enough time has passed now to make a sensible evaluation.

For those of you who missed it (including the mainline media news), Mrs. Bush interrupted the President while he was in the middle of a joke, saying she'd sat silently for the past few years during this event and now felt it was her turn to tell the jokes.

It was your usual put-your-husband-down-in-public fare, and most of it was hilarious. But only most. The usual tongue-in-cheek jabs at a spouse are usually laughable because there's a bit of truth in them. And lowering yourself to the level of the audience is okay within certain boundaries. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bush all too eagerly spied the forbidden fruit and took a big bite.

She first admits that she's more sexually starved than Susan and Gabrielle on Desperate Housewives. Then she confesses that she and the Second Lady slipped away to enjoy the bikinied Chippendale boys teasing them. Lastly, she told one about the President's ignorance of ranching. He "tried to milk the horse. What's worse, it was a male horse."

Of course, this audience roared in spite of any shock value coming from the podium. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. And it was just what they wanted, fodder for their next party.

The evangelical Christians are taking the First Lady to task, as is talk show host Michael Savage. Shocked that such gutter talk should come from the mouth of the wife of the free world's leader, they call for an apology. They say this is beneath the dignity of Laura Bush and the office of the Presidency. They say it dishonored her husband in the extreme.

Okay . . . here's my take. I can either say, "Laura, you should be ashamed of yourself, wash your mouth out with soap, buy a full page for an apology in the Washington Post, and ask God and your husband for forgiveness," or "Laura, I'm pretty certain that you've never seen Desperate Housewives, don't have a clue about what the guys at Chippendale's do, and don't understand the anatomy of a horse or the sexual nature of your description. One of your Democrat friends probably wrote these jokes for you and you didn't have a clue about how crude they were."

I think I'll have to go with tar and feathering, but really wish Laura was just plain too dumb to know what she was doing.

Blind Justice

It will take a while to recover from today's court experience. Our daughter is trying to get full custody of her little girl because of daddy's Burning Man escapade. While Angel visited last time, he used his hot cigarette lighter on her leg to punish her for disobeying him.

The police and CPS were called after our granddaughter told the story about the burn on her leg. They took reports, we gave them pictures, they encouraged us to go to court over it. CPS later dropped the charges but didn't tell my daughter before the court date. The father refused to accept the sheriff's service papers saying he had moved out of the county.

The court mediator thought my daughter was stupid for bringing it up, saying if Liz brought another accusation as innocuous, she would give full custody to the father. The mediator believed the lies of the father and his parents, but not the testimony of Liz and her daughter.

So let me get this straight. It's okay to burn your kid if you want to. It's really no worse than spanking or having them take a time out. And lies are more believable than the truth.

Now you know what California courts think of justice.

Saving the World

Paramount's latest adventure tease is Sahara, starring familiar faces in familiar places with familiar traces of Harrison Ford fantasy thrown in for good measure.

Saving the world isn't easy, you know. And doing it in the middle of the desert makes it that much more credible (or 'incredible' - as your opinion dictates). No one really cares about credibility. But we DO care about humor to soothe and defuse the most serious situations. This movie had some (humor), but not enough. It had some acting, too, but not enough.



Penelope Cruz was given a poorly written script and did even more poorly with it. Poor thing. The movie would have been better had her part not been created at all. (How's that for sentence structure? Reminds me of her lines). Like this screen shot I took, she added Gaussian Blur and little more. Too bad.

Overall, I'd rate this picture 'B' for entertaining, 'B' for music, 'B' for acting (except for previous exception), 'A' for hardly any bad language, 'C' for photography, 'D' for storyline, 'B' for special effects, and an 'A' for Matthew McConaughey's teeth whitener.

It's All Relative

In the world of mosquito eaters English is not the first language, nor any language, for that matter. Eat-or-Be-Eaten is the only speech in this macro-environment --- a smallfry culture that has been imitated for ages by most people groups.

Yet the insect population is sinless --- another amazing and awesome reality of relativity.

This Brave New Cul-de-Sac

-----Koi, Luan, Andy, and Famata

We've lived here 17 years now. That's a pretty long time for current standards, I guess. The Union Pacific tracks on the west side and a world of faces on the other. Mexican, Vietnamese, West African, Filipino, Black, and the usual mix of German, Irish and English Americans like us --- all within a few houses. We certainly don't all speak the same languages and eat the same food. We don't have all of the same values. And we probably all smell differently.

But we DO care for one another, look out for each other, respect and help one another. We like to celebrate kids birthdays together. We like to talk to each other.

It's not perfect by any stretch. One fist fight a few years ago. One neighbor who doesn't want to be in the homeowner's association. Some loud parties. The usual stuff. Nothing that doesn't happen in monotone cul-de-sacs.

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female, He created them." Genesis 1:27

Brown, black, yellow or white, we're all created in God's image. All the same underneath and inside out.