Comments
Video Picks
Jonny Lang
Only a Man
Leon Redbone
Laughin' Blues
Chris Isaak
Wicked Game
|
|
|
Friday, 02 May 2008 |
|
it's been. Sheesh, sometimes life just blinks by. Other times, it seems slower than watching grass grow!
The new bike is awesome. Gonna have to pick a name for this one. Started to go with Zeus but it seems like everyone gives their bike a feminine name, so I haven't, yet. Problem is, I just can't find anything feminine about this bike. Pure muscle and that is in stone stock form. Twist the throttle and you are already where you wanted to be!
I've put over 500 miles on it in the last week. Rode it to work every day this week until today. Man, I'm tired! Ordered custom seats for it earlier in the week, appropriately named the "Big Boy" seat. Ordered the rider backrest with it, that should help the comfort level. Put a set of Kuryakyn grips on it yesterday. They are both good looking and functional.
So that has been most of what I've been up to. Class last Sunday was, once again, lively. Something about the group has changed, not sure what but the guys are willing to go a little deeper than normal. Probably just the personality of those that are attending.
The building itself is a mess. Walls torn out, doors cut through walls, the price of progress. But technically, everything worked - kudos to the General, Bear and Chief for that.
The pastor is doing a great job during the Sunday night Bible study walking through Revelation. So many people don't understand that this was a letter written relevant to the times in which it was written and is about the fall of Rome as much as it is about the "end times".
Speaking of religion, the idiots in West Texas were all in the news. From their bizarre practices, to their law breaking, to the states abuse of due process, they were everywhere. And will be for some time. Talk about an unpopular thing to stand up for. Due process is about gone, particularly when it comes to groups that people don't like. So unless you don't mind being called all sorts of vile things, don't stand up for anything unpopular.
One of my class members, KO, was in a bad bike accident Tuesday. Scared the bejabbers out of me when I got the call from Pop! Man, anyone can have a wreck but KO is the hardest core biker in our group. When I heard he was sent to the hospital via Life Flight, I just broke down. But he's a tough old coot and is gonna be back on a bike before you know it, rescuing a kid here, witnessing to a biker there, starting another church somewhere.
Then I went on the two PGR rides. I think this one got to me because of the way the family handled everything with such grace. His father is Music Minister at First Baptist Church in Rosharon and I'd just about bet he knows my brother from the Singing Men of Texas.
The way that the Cunningham family handled this tragedy reminded me of the way my brother and his family handled the death of my niece, their child and sister. They were incredibly strong throughout. To this day I can hear their strong and clear voices above all others as we sang during the funeral.
These witnesses serve to remind me that there is so much more to life than pettiness and bickering. Life is to be lived full and flat out, using the short time that we have on this earth to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Right where we are is right where we need to be.
|
|
Friday, 02 May 2008 |
|
The skies were dark and gloomy as I rode up to the gathering site for the funeral of this young soldier. Unlike the previous day, there were no crowds lining the streets of the small towns on Hwy 6. There was just business as usual as time did as time does, marching steadily forward.
The gathering of PGR riders was smaller, perhaps from the inclement weather, perhaps from the fatigue of the prior day's escort, perhaps from the sheer exhaustion that comes with tears, both tears of grief and of joy.
But smaller doesn't mean insignificant. There were 18 flag bikes and 50 or so non-flags, three trikes and a host of PGR members in cages. Easily over 100 ordinary, everyday Americans took time from their lives to honor the life cut short, a promising life, a life that was fully lived in only 26 years on this earth. Men and women of all colors, all faiths, all creeds with a single common purpose.
The PGR coordinators did a superb job for this mission. We staged at Coles Antique Village & Flea Market on Hwy 35. The owner, Bob Lewis, had arranged for restroom facilities for us and provided very tasty barbecue sandwiches for the entire group. It's awesome to see these types of contributions in honor of our military.
As we made the short trip to the funeral home, the skies held their tears within the dark clouds. People stopped and stared at the procession of loud pipes and American flags thundering down the road.
Our flag lines were set so that each and every person that attended the funeral walked through them. These displays immediately set the mood and cause people to truly reflect, perhaps for the first time, on why they were there. Not for a man that died of disease, accident, or at the end of a long life. They were there to honor a man that gave his life for our freedom.
The funeral home was overflowing with attendees, entire families spilling out into the hallways. After the funeral started, we took a break and waited for the military honors ceremony. The funeral itself lasted about two hours. When the time came for the military to honor this young man, we gathered our lines again and formed a U around a tent set up in the parking lot for the family.
The honor guard then carried 1st Lt. Timothy Cunningham from the chapel to the tent as members stood in salute, military with the slow draw to the cap, non-military with hands held over their hearts.
As always, we left a break in the line so that the family had an unobstructed view of the 21 gun salute and the bugler as he played the long, slow, mournful notes of Taps. Flags, medals and plaques were presented to the family as a lasting reminder of both their loss and the reason for it.
If there is any one memory that I will take from this funeral, it was the moment when the clouds could no longer hold their tears. As the bugler played the last note. the clouds let loose and the heavens cried. During this drenching, no one ran, no one sought shelter. The PGR stood silently, flags popping, raindrops joining the tears streaming down our faces.
One other group didn't move either. A group of men, I think the Singing Men of Texas, were fully exposed in the elements in full dress suits. They too stood silently, the tears of heaven soaking their song sheets, touching their hearts.
After the heavens cried, these men moved up and sang a final song of farewell. It was truly touching.
|
|
|
Wednesday, 30 April 2008 |
|
Wow. What an incredible escort home for this fallen soldier. Galveston County LEO's always do a fantastic job of showing our soldiers respect. This time they combined with Brazoria County LEO's and police from all of the small cities from Galveston Island up Hwy 6 to Hwy 35 to Beltway 8.
These missions are always filled with both sadness and joy. Sadness when you look in to the eyes of family members grieving for their loved ones. Joy knowing that America isn't totally lost and is still producing outstanding young men and women.
As you can see from his mom's testimony, Tim was a Christian man, as was his family. Solid, mature Christians do not fear death and you can see the difference at the funerals. There is grief yes, but not too much. There is joy, yes, but not too much. A lot of smiles from memories past and a lot of smiles from the sure and certain knowledge that they will meet again.
His mom is obviously a very strong believer. She took the time to walk down our flag line and should every single members hand. As did her daughters and 1st Lt. Cunningham's wife, Amber. With tears in their eyes, they thanked us with strong, firm grips.
As we wound our way through all of the small towns, people lined the streets to welcome this man home and to honor his service. Bayou Vista, Hitchcock, Sante Fe, Arcola, Algoa, Alvin and Pearland. Santa Fe had their entire high school student body lining the street. Business after business stopped the daily grind of commerce and joined us on the street. Cars pulled off the road, men and women of all ages standing in honor of Tim's service. A VFW hall had it's members lining the streets, men from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Afghanistan, Iraq and all the time in between honoring this young man's life.
It was an honor today to escort this fine man home. His young wife and daughter need our prayers as they struggle without a husband and father. But I am confident that their faith will see them through because I was witness today to an entire family that knows that Christ is Lord of all.
|
|
|
Wednesday, 30 April 2008 |
|
His mother's recollection of her son:
Tim graduated from Alvin High school then received a NROTC scholarship to attend Texas A&M. After attending for a year, Tim realized he could better achieve his personal goals if he were to attend West Point. So he started the process, received his appointment, and started at West Point the year just after his older brother, John David, graduated.
While at West Point, Tim applied himself fully to his studies and military activities, but one of the most important activities to him was his involvement with Cadet Chapel Sunday School and Genesis. Tim felt it was important to give back to the teachers at the school, so he worked with their children in Sunday school every Sunday. Boy did he love those kids!
After Tim graduated from West Point with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, he and Sam were married immediately. And just as quickly, they discovered that they were pregnant. A year ago last March, just after Tim finished Ranger school, little Abigail came into all of our lives. Abby’s a year old now and certainly has her dad’s exuberance for life and love for people. After he graduated from Ranger school, Tim, Samantha and Abby moved to Ft. Campbell to serve with 101st Airborne, right along side his older brother, also a part of 101st Airborne.
If I could sum up Tim’s life, it would be that he lived all out. He was all out as a runner, all out as an athlete, all out as a student, all out as a son, all out as a brother, all out as follower of Christ, all out as a friend, all out as a husband, all out as a father, and all out as a soldier. He lived and died all out for others.
Sounds like a great guy. I'll be leaving shortly to escort his body to the funeral home.
|
|
|
Friday, 25 April 2008 |
|
was almost ruined. As to why as was in a good mood to begin with, I'll get to that in a moment.
Anyways, this month has been the attack of the appliances month around the trailer. First, the washing machine leaked all over the dining room and kitchen. Had to get that repaired. About the same time, the icemaker went ka-poot. No way to repair it, had to replace it. Then, the garbage disposal disintegrates inside, had to replace that.
After I replaced the garbage disposal, I noticed that the dishwasher wasn't draining. Checked it out and decided it was broken. Dang it! Searched online for best prices of a new one, decided to go with one at Sears because it was a good price and close to the plantation.
As I was lamenting this morning that I was going to have to drive the truck to work, it dawned on me that the dishwasher broke the same day I put the disposal in. Hmm. Could one have to do with the other? Bam! Of course it did! I forgot to pop the knockout plug out of the disposal so that the dishwasher could drain! Duh! (never said I was the brightest bulb in the pack).
And just like that, I was in a great mood again! Why? Well, first, I found 1 a vehicle. A tee-niny little vehicle that will cut her fuel bill in half. A 2005 Hyunday Accent:
Got a great deal (I hope) and Hyundai reliability. And 1 should have a much, much easier time parking than the F150 Supercab she's been driving.
But that is only part of why I'm smiling today! Got a call from LB yesterday morning and he told me that a friend at work was selling his bike. Did I want to look at it? A 2005 Honda VTX1800R with 1,950 miles. Did I? Heck yeah! Especially for the price!
So, I hooked up with his friend last night and went over and rode it. I was sold before I was half a block away. Perfect, and I mean perfect, condition. I wasted nary a second and Bam!, just like that, I was the proud owner of a new bike. Here it is this morning at the plantation:
Suhweet!
|
|
|
Wednesday, 23 April 2008 |
|
back in the groove lately. No interest in politics right now. No interest in much of anything really. Just sort of turned inward and focused on family stuff, I guess.
Last week's lesson was on hope, as in "when all hope seems lost".
Excellent discussion, LB noted Sunday night that everyone was engaged.
Hard to beat a discussion with 12 men of varying opinions when there is
no yelling, screaming or anger. Just opinion and deep thought. Cool.
Trying to purchase 1 a car has turned out to be more challenging than I thought. Bad timing, for certain. No market at all for full size pickups. Huge demand for small, gas saving sedans. Classic supply/demand situation. Just gotta keep trying.
Looked at a '01 Ultra Classic yesterday. Sweet ride. Really have the itch to purchase it but with the economy on the downslide, very hesitant to. Been praying for some relief from the desire but it sure isn't letting up! As I tell the guys in class, the human mind can justify anything. I've come up with a thousand reasons that I should upgrade my bike.
After looking at the bike, I drove down to the coast to relax and hopefully remove the immediate desire to purchase the bike. Didn't work but by the time I left, it was too late to go back to the shop.
|
|
|
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
|
by these days. Nothing unusual going on.
Ever noticed that the more things you have, the more time you spend repairing them? Replaced a garbage disposal last night, this morning SU informs me that the pump for the pool is sucking air - there's a leak somewhere. This after the washer and icemaker. The beast needs brakes.
I want to just sit by the by in a shack with shorts and sandals.
|
|
|
Thursday, 17 April 2008 |
|
last night. The church secretary called me yesterday and said that it was really important that I attend a meeting of directors that evening.
Now, I've been to a thousand of these things and there is one thing I knew for a fact: it wasn't going to be important because none of them ever are. But, since we are in the middle of construction and since I felt like being a team player, I decided to go.
Then SU called and told asked me if I wanted to go to the remote for dinner. Hmm. Dilemma. What to do?
I tell her, you know, I guess I really need to go to this meeting. No problem, she says, I'll meet you up at the church and we can go from there. Cool.
Then, at church, she says, hey, I want to go to the meeting. Way better cool. So I send her in my place. Knowing full well that she'll give me a blow by blow and that she'll be shaking her head wondering why anyone though the meeting was important.
While the meeting is going on, I'm out front talking to the boys. Up walks Ol' Charlie and proceeds to tell us that we aren't going to be meeting down the street at the school because they want $50,000 for rent. For a couple of hours on Sunday for 8-10 weeks.
Right.
I told the boys that if that were the case, schools should shut down and go into the business of leasing space.
After the meeting, SU is laughing, proving me right. Nothing was decided (told ya) and there was bickering (left that part out). So, no decision but there will be another meeting Sunday. And then they'll decide.
Right.
The only thing they are going to decide is that they are going to do what the pastor wants.
Which they could have done last night.
Oh, and that $50,000 rent payment?
Turns out that they want $100 an hour. Max cost: 6 hrs x $100 hr x 10 Sundays = $6,000. Max. But hey, who's counting?
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
| | Results 28 - 36 of 253 |
|
Yikes! Glad you made it. Thought I'd wander over here and look around. Too
strange OY. :>)
Too funny...I know it would be worth a call!!
Whoa now! so YOU get to change the oil, but you won't teach me how to do it?!
Not cool.
Ready for "later"...and the rest of the story
what a wonderful world we could have if ALL of us who say we are Christians
became Christlik...
Thank you so much for the listning and the kind words. I am very blessed to have
this outlet...
Sure. I tried to tell him that he needs a way to contact him from his Reverb
Nation site but...
Will you tell Bil I think he sounds great, and I'm glad we are still gifted with
his presenc...
I thought you must be taking a break. It sounds like it was a busy break. It's
great reading...
Welcome back..