Hand-Me-Downs

Grandma Skinner would be 106 years old next month if she were still on this side of the River. When you'd visit her in San Luis Obispo, she'd most likely greet you at the front door wearing a colorful kitchen apron that she'd made or bought cheap.

We inherited a number of them, including one that fits Angel perfectly. She and Grammy baked peanut butter cookies yesterday morning, so I had to grab a picture of her displaying three of them in the backyard. This was seconds before they slid off the plate in front of her. She said her arms were getting tired.

A lot slips off our plate as we go through this life. Thankfully, a lot more stays on it.

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A Word for the Day: Luke 7:36-50

"One of the Pharisees asked him [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he answered, 'Say it, Teacher.'

"'A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii [1 1/2 year's wages], and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.' And he said to him, 'You have judged rightly.' Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'"

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Wonder of Wonders

People have loved traveling to see the wonders of the world for thousands of years. The Greek and Roman world built their huge temples to Apollo, Artemis (Diana) and a panoply of other 'gods' that were real wonders of the world at the time. Zillions of dollars and man-hours (like 55 years to build just one column for the temple in Didyma (they worked on this temple for hundreds of years and never really finished it).

The extravangance, super-size, architectural style and religious significance drew people from around the known world to visit. Some things don't change as the tourism business continues to grow and we can't get enough vacation time to experience the awe-inspiring God and man-made wonders available to us.

Heaven and its glory should be the ultimate vacation destination, yet we give it little thought. The God of all of creation's beauty has prepared the most beautiful and mind-blowing place for His people. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, you may be also." I highly doubt that He lives in a hovel.

With This Ring . . .

We hosted another birthday party for Angel yesterday. The backyard filled with guests who ate pizza, four different salads and Ratatouille cake. A long slip-n-slide with a giant shark's mouth opening and closing entertained Angel and Jessica, while most of us oldtimers would have liked to join them (it was about 90 degrees outside). The usual ritual of Angel sitting on a little chair in the living room opening gifts bored most to tears, especially a few of the kids who spent the whole time playing games on the computer.

Then Ryan took Liz by the hand, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him (while Angel was still sitting in her little chair). Very romantic, except for all the wrapping paper and boxes scattered all around them. Yes, everyone was surprised, especially Elizabeth.




We are so thankful that this pending union receives our full blessing and hope for a wonderful future. Both Ryan and Liz have gone through some very bad relationships and now have a chance to put that all behind them as they begin their lives together. May God lead them into the future as they seek His face and direction.

Navy's $4 Billion Phone Bill

From DefenseTech.org http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_money_money_money.html

Navy Phone Bill: $4 Billion



And you thought your phone bill was high. The Navy is paying about $4 billion a year for calls, according to Defense News. And not surprisingly, there is a whole lot of padding in that tab.

A check of telephone bills in the Jacksonville, Fla., area “found that when we have a digital receipt for a phone bill in the area…we are being overcharged 30 percent,” deputy chief of naval operations Vice Adm. Mark Edwards told a group of military-industrial insiders at a recent conference.

Telephone service with no digital receipt showed overcharges of 18 percent, he added.

The Navy’s top IT official said he wasn’t accusing telephone companies, but he just might not let it slide. “What I’m saying is: It’s my money and I want it back. And we’re going to get it back,” he said, to some chuckles.

By recouping 30 percent of the $4 billion tab over the five-year defense plan, “we could build another carrier, just on the phone bill,” noted Edwards, a former ship and carrier battle group commander. “It won’t be quite that easy, but we’re working it.”
And it might not end there. Edwards wants the Navy to change course by replacing traditional landlines for VOIP, or “voice over IP,” communications, he said. “It would save us over 24 percent the first year” and 24 percent the second year, he estimated.

Life in These United States

My annual trip to the County dump (recycler) ended with my truck running out of water and blowing a head gasket or worse. I had to use an old Godfather's Pizza cup on a tie-down rope to fish water out of a small irrigation canal to be able to get the poor ol' thing home. Out of the 100's of cars that passed by my hood-up predicament, not one stopped to offer help. "In the last days, the love of many shall grow cold," warns Jesus in Matthew 24:12. But I wasn't begging for assistance. Maybe folks thought I was fine, watching me dip for water.

So that's our second vehicle down for the count. I'll try to sell the 98 Tracer on Craigslist for about $300. I don't know what to do with the truck yet. If I can get $1000 for it, it's a done deal. Needs a 350cc in it anyway, not that old clunking 6 cylinder.

I guess this situation deserves a rant about how badly I've got it here in these United States. Down to only ONE vehicle! How will we survive? Cheaper to buy another one than repair these.

Let's go to Iraq instead, Baghdad in particular where Christian families are being forced from their homes due to sectarian violence. Iraq's new government doesn't have control of it, neither the U.S. Army. You are politely asked to leave. Then they come and throw your stuff out and move in if you aren't gone already.

The Boston Globe tells the story.

My bicycling to work sounds pretty good compared to having to find another country to live in.

Whipping It Up

Jerry and I left the main group of guys visiting the beach north of San Simeon so we could try out his new bull whip. The dirt road ended at the top of a hill where the manzanita had been thinned to make a 30' circle --- plenty of room to swing his arm over his head and try to snap that long leather snake. His shirtless form revealed his compulsive need to feel like the man he wasn't --- a slender 19 year old playing Zorro for a crowd of one.

Sorry, but I wasn't into the manly thing of going shirtless, but the challenge of making that whip break the sound barrier couldn't be resisted. Around and around, counter-clockwise, 4, then 5 times before reversing the direction and hearing the tip whistle past my ear as it shot in front me, ready to snap as I pulled back as hard as I could at the end of its travel. Wow! What a kick!

All of these 40 year-old memories came back while I was at a Root Cause Analysis Meeting today at work. Our boss said she had bought a bull whip some time ago to use as a decoration. The jokes started flowing, but we were quickly back at the business of business. Funny how our memories are sparked.

I think about Jerry once in awhile, and wonder if he's still hiding that little scared kid inside.

Calling 911

Today's excitement started in the bank parking lot when my little, poor excuse for a car (the Tracer) began sounding like an old washing machine on steroids. The AAA tow truck driver was a really nice guy, told me what to look for when I got it home (loose lifters, improperly seated plugs). Okay, that didn't work. Must be the timing belt or a second flywheel has gone out or ? I don't really care at this point since this Ford lemon has cost me much more than your average bear repair. So it will sit.

While changing the truck oil (going to have to start using it again), that familiar whiff of grass fire smoke wafted by, so I went around to the back yard and looked over the fence. Sure enough, another conflagration to deal with across the tracks. I went in and called 911 so the firemen could go across the street and check on this one. The station is literally across the road from where this was. A few minutes later, the sirens wailed and small truck scooted down the tracks while a few men tried to douse it with the little hose.





The big truck had to go way around the neighborhood to get into the backyard of this place where the fire had started. I think it was at our friend's house. They're on vacation. The blaze stayed at the fence line, so I don't believe there was much property damage, thankfully.

This is one part of our tax bill I don't complain about --- fire protection.

Ping, Pong, Pung

It can't be much fun being bounced back and forth, week by week between Mom's and Dad's. Maybe it's a little bit better than rarely seeing your dad (or mom), which is what we went through as kids. We relished those short visits for the feeling of 'belonging,' learning more and more about this man we called Daddy and his little world, and never doubting his love at the time.

Every kid's experience is different when a family is split. Most of them would probably say, "If only my parents were still together and really loved each other --- what a perfect world it would be." But life isn't perfect as most of us realize sooner than later. May God have mercy on these little ones!

One For the Blogs

This Father's Day was spiced up during Sunday School class when Barb starting to feel a lot of pain in her left arm and nausea. A quick trip home and then to the hospital for tests made for some good memories.

1. All tests were negative and a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, which is an enigmatic, we-don't-really-know-what-causes-it-for-sure condition.

2. We got to meet nurse Monica, daughter-in-law to a friend of ours. She was so sweet and took great care of Barb.

3. Liz came by with a huge bottle of Anacin for me since I was getting a headache. We went to the cafeteria and chatted awhile about her fiance, Ryan. Turns out he's in a genius category according to his family. But very, very quiet.

4. I got to watch about 8 local firemen figure out how to extricate a woman who was stuck in one of the elevators. Took about an hour for this drama to end. Talked to Bryan (fire chief and friend) afterwards. He said they get these calls frequently in old AND new buildings, including where Liz works at the old courthouse.





Oh, I also got to take a morning walk just after sunrise and got this shot of a flowering mimosa. Yes, this was a day to remember, even if I didn't get that big Father's Day dinner and had a hospital hotdog instead!

Northern Pintail Waves Goodbye

Change happens everyday, but some don't cope well with it. Barring increased population growth, many niche-bound birds will soon join the history book parade of extinct species. Pushing our way into flyways and habitats displaces some of our feathered friends proportionally, unless these bird populations are able to adapt to the change. Even meadowlarks are feeling the pinch.


Driving home from Paso in 1970, Buena Vista Drive was lined with barley and alfalfa fields, sheep and dairy cows. Barbed wire fences sported an array of birds. My favorite was the meadowlark. Loud enough to hear when you drove by, its cheerful call reminded me of our connection to these fields and the frontier/agricultural way of life. Change wasn't so drastic then, and meadowlark populations weren't dwindling as they are now. It seems we have to drive farther and farther from home to hear one these days. And it's a rare, nostalgic treat when we do.

So enjoy God's wonderful creation right now, wherever you are.

Air Power

Our Saturday visit to the Capital Airshow in Sacramento rewarded us with major sunburns, dehydration, 90,000 other fans and a look at the latest military air power. Thanks to relatives in high places, we were given (thank you, Kristine) VIP passes in the Air Force Thunderbird canopied seating area.

Wandering through the vintage single-seaters and spy planes, this show had it all --- except for the vintage bombers, unfortunately. There were about 10 different performances, including one for the kids by Otto, the helicopter. Pretty cute. Aerobatics was the main course for most.

No one was disappointed with the F-22's amazing power and maneuverabilty and the Thunderbird's precision and skill. Even the huge Globemaster C-17 demanded respect as it was able to take off in a little of a 1/4 mile.

You can see my 150+ photos here: Capital Airshow

To Sell or Not to Sell

Hardly a 'block' buster sale. Only advertised on Craigslist.com and people only came in the morning, so we shut it down after lunch. Only posting two signs didn't help, either, but yours truly wasn't excited about it in the first place and the other main players didn't push to advertise or even 'ask' about it. Conclusion: Assumptions can be the kiss of death to any project. Communication is key. Leave no stone unturned.

The plus side: We had a great time talking to neighbors and Angel started learning how to ride her bike without the training wheels (all caught on video). We profited $26 and spent $9.50 on the ice-cream man and $43 on dinner downtown. The remaining items will be picked up Wednesday by a charity - all $465 worth!

So the next time you want to bargain for a garage sale item, remember all the trouble the folks went to, paying for advertising, getting up early, marking prices, moving everything out of the garage, giving up their WHOLE day usually.

A small tip sounds good now, doesn't it? We're such cheapskates!

Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite

This past week's journey to the mountains kept us busy working, eating, playing, hiking, 'fishing', exploring, making new friends, and taking lots of pictures. We spent Tuesday-Thursday at Hume Lake Christian Camps working to get things ready for this summer's tens of thousands of kids and adults. This place annually serves over 500,000 meals, hosts 45,000 people, and kids purchase more than $370,000 of candy. Barb did everything from washing walls to working in the laundry. I was with a group of six guys who raked and piled pine needles. Dirty, hot, sweaty work, but well worth the labor, considering they fed you five times a day, gave you a four-star room, and the company was great.



We drove down into Kings Canyon Friday, taking lots of pictures along the way. Then it was on to Oakhurst, where we stayed that night to get an early start into Yosemite Park Saturday morning. We hadn't been to Glacier Point since about 1970, so it was great seeing it again. We were greeted with a new visitor's center, about 4 times as much parking and 4 times as many restrooms! The foreign hoards ascended in cars and buses, bringing their cameras, kids and dogs for an event they would never forget.

Then we descended into the valley where tens of thousands greeted us. Couldn't find a parking spot close to a restroom except in back of the store at the village (thankfully), where we were able to eat lunch at a table with a young German couple before heading to the exit road to find another place to stop for pictures. Please don't visit the valley on a weekend unless you really have to. If so, be prepared by wearing your best suit of patience and goodwill.



We were out of the park by 3:45 and had a long drive to Merced, then north to Stockton. Good memories and so we're making plans to return. You can see some of the Yosemite pictures here: http://wordydave.zenfolio.com

Spectral Analysis

As filthy, polluted, stained and dying our world and culture are, remnants of beauty will always draw us to that perfection in life that can't be seen anywhere else. Flowers will bloom in the worst of slums. Smiles will transcend the inhumanity of man. Kind words will give hope to the desperate soul.

The Bible speaks of the "beauty of holiness" --- a beauty that God alone possesses. Unfathomable, invisible, incomprehensible --- but a beauty that can be partly glimpsed in this life and will be fully revealed in the next. We begin to see it as our eyes are opened to the truth of His Word, the wonder of who He is and the realization of what He has done for those who love and trust Him.

As there are light waves that we cannot see, so there is a spiritual beauty that is yet to be discovered. May God's Spirit reveal our desperate need to be healed from our blindness.

"...a Time for War, a Time for Peace."

Wars are as old as time, and peace is an illusion in this life. Whether global, regional, or personal, war is here to stay. In spite of 'civilization,' philosophers and religion, wars and rumors of wars will continue until Christ comes to judge the world.

You may be surprised to learn that since recorded history there have been less than 400 years of peace. And that number is most likely too high. Here's a list of all (or most) known wars and conflicts.

Why, then, does the Lord Jesus Christ tell us, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." He wasn't telling the 11 apostles they would never see bad times. Most of them would be persecuted severely and martyred. The apostle Paul says, "Therefore, since we have been justified [declared forgiven of our sins by God] by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1. And he tells the Ephesian Christians, "Therefore remember that at one time you . . . were . . . separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." Ephesians 2:11-16.

So there is the peace of reconciliation with an angry God, a God who must punish sin. There is also an inner peace that is given. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23. Paul also says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7.

And on a relational level, we read, "Strive for peace with everyone . . ." Hebrews 12:14a. Even though others may not accept our kindness and patience, we must try to reflect the kindness, patience, and love that God has shown to us.

Wars of state is another issue altogether.