Our Corner On The World

Cheryl's store was at one time located in a beautiful sunlit corner of the University Mall. She had three locations at the mall, but this was my favorite. I loved the sunlight streaming through the outside entrance. We never really used it so it became, for a year, the home of this fern. The corner spot at the mall provided much needed visibility for Sonsations, Cheryl's first full service gift and engraving enterprise. My mornings, six days a week, were spent in the shop engraving yesterday's sales and working with people. I miss the plant in that corner a lot! One of the local drugstore chains wanted the corner for its' excellent visibility and outside access, so we were forced to move, again. It seems being a small business owned and operated by a female in America is not all that the SBA would have you think. Cheryl sold the business last December after battling the established male consortiums for four long years. I take a great deal of pride in the personal accomplishments of my wife. My beautiful blond is 100% Norwegian and has enough tenacity for the two of us. The fern is languishing this spring. I'm praying really hard that with new earth and some well shaded space on the patio that it can return to its' former splendor. The fern is older now, and I have heard talk that it may not make it. Thank God for photos and ways of storing our memories. We'll try everything we can to bring the fern back to life, but sometimes life just ends. The good news is that for every life we encounter there are reminders stored up in our hearts, our minds, and our spirits. I can look at my friend the fern this morning and remember all of the time we spent together. A maybe famous lady once wrote, "Remember, and in remembering leave no regrets, that what has past, though gone, was good!"
God bless. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Plants Make Excellent Pets! 

Events And How Our World Views Them

The Largest Motorcycles Rally on our planet will officially open on August 8th this year. It's number 65 in years and will mark my 21st year in attendance, the last 16 consecutive. For about ten days the population of South Dakota will more than double. Whoosh! There's only about 3\4 of a million people here on any given day the rest of the year. What that means in most people's minds is money, parties, races, revelry, and more money. {Quick thought: "If everyone in SD moved to Dallas tomorrow, nobody would notice that we were there."} If you've been here a few times for the event you already have an idea about what goes on, if not you may have seen or heard blurps from the media. My problem with the way things are done is this: Most of what you see or hear on the news is centered on someone else's idea of what is newsworthy. Hence, you get the stats on how many bikers were killed, how many arrested for drugs, how many murdered or maimed one another. You receive the "dark side" of the coin. On the other side can be found the thousands of Christians that gather to work the fields that are "White Unto Harvest," those who come to ride the Blackhills and enjoy nature in all it's glory, and a lot of riders from all over the globe that descend on the rally because of the reputation it has earned through the years. My first was in 1965. After that first time I went back every 6-8 years to enjoy the hills and fellowship with riders. The last 15 times have been to seek those who are looking for something "better" for their lives. I make no bones about it, I'm an evangelist. I'm not going to beat someone over the head with my Bible,(I don't know anyone who has been saved that way)what I am going to do is offer an ear to hear people's frustrations with life, a hot meal to anybody that is hungry, fellowship to all who are lonely, and a safe haven for rest if they are weary. Idealistic? Yup! Don't know any other way. Naive? Never, been around way too long for that! I'm losing my path here, though. What I want to shout to the world is that for every 'horrible thing' you see on the news there are a hundred 'good things' that never make it to your screen or papers or magazines because they aren't interesting enough to publish. They aren't headline worthy, they don't "SELL." Bad stuff will always outsell good stuff for some reason. Maybe that is just how people are created. I think the more obvious answer can be found in what I call "Media Conditioning." Have you ever heard of a good rumor going around? No, it's always the bad things that are "rumored" about. In search of the coin and the opportunity to view both of its sides? Attend the rally this year and visit a modern day Babylon in full swing! Church is set up two blocks from the center of town. If you're having a hard time finding us there is a large cross on a hill directly above our camp(You can see it from main street). Rumor has it that we aren't the only christians in town for the rally, but you know how rumors are. When you see the headlines about Sturgis this year, I pray you will keep in mind that stat I mentioned. "For every nasty thing you hear about, there are a hundred good ones that aren't mentioned." Kinda like that with folks, too, if you know what I mean? God bless You!
In Christ's Love, Preacher.

The Event Begins On August 8th Come 

Age & Beauty - Life & Learning

My box was filled with responses to some of the more recent posts when I tapped in to see how my day was going to go. I enjoyed reading several of the pieces and then realized they all contained a commom thread; thoughts about getting on in years. I can only think of one alternative to getting older, that is to "NOT" get any older. The poet writes that beauty will fade.........but some things endure, maybe that's what aging is about, enduring. The cute fur ball in the picture below is Kodiak. He belongs with my sister in law but quite often can be found hanging out with my wife and I. At one time in my life I raised herds of Pomeranians. Loved them more than words could ever do justice. One pair, Brandy & Funky lived respectively, 17 & 18 years, which is a long, long life for a canine. They were with me through three wives a dozen affairs with motorcycles, and all over the US they lived, for the most part in a 1971 Ford van that I bought brand new for touring. Except for the few years I spent vacationing in Beautiful Southeast Asia courtesy of an uncle of mine, they were constant companions. One lady I have known for more years than either of us cares to remember has a saying, "If I'd have known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself." I'm sure you've heard it before. We lost another of the young ones, this time 49 years of age with three children still at home. It's that whole stress thing that causes these massive coronary attacks, I become more convinced of that with each passing day. Please rest assured that we can't get through this life without stress(some comfort here, huh)but it doesn't have to take such a heavy toll on our health. Life is a big circle. At age three we think a great day is one in which we don't pee our pants. At age eighty three we think a great day is one in which we don't pee our pants. Another long time friend adds, "I wish I'd have been born rich instead of so good looking and talented." Aging continues, dogs pass on far too soon, beauty fades, and life comes full circle, and what have we learned from this......It is good not to do life alone!........In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Becoming Best Of Friends! 

Taking Time To Let The Wind Out Of My Sails

It's about one in the morning, and I think I'm finally ready to call it a day. Two chapters on the book have reached completion. I'm on chapter 46 now and the final tally will be under 55. It is with much relief that I find myself in full view of the end of that project. And today marked the beginning of another project that has been hanging fire. The CD of all original music and lyrics has reached the studio as of this afternoon. Our technologically advanced world is a wonderful playground for musicians and songwriters alike. Most of the really tough stuff was done before Christmas. I even tried to get one of the singles out for the holidays, but that was not part of God's plan, so according to His schedule I am on track(s fifteen of them)as of today. Cheryl is excited about seeing it come together. I guess I am, too! I'm just a little weary on the edges tonight. It would seem that I have begun to settle in to our home. I really didn't think that was going to happen, but it did! Just in time for the state to decide to tear up a mile of highway that is our only access to this house. Matt, the gentleman from the state office, tried rushing us into signing some papers allowing them to literally tear our front lawn apart, we declined to sign without first knowing what they were planning to do. Sometimes we get blessed in ways that are surprising. Matt told us they would only disturb a foot out by the sidewalk. Now that the surveyors have staked it out and painted my driveway it is quite obvious that he was misinformed. We won't have enough room left during construction to park even one vehicle, let alone three cars a van and two Harleys. But, that is a year away, and only God knows where we might be then. World Day of Prayer is upon us. I try to pray for everyone everyday, but if you don't feel like you've been included let me know and I'll see to it that you are. Have a wonderful Wednesday and celebrate the rest of the week the life you've been blessed with. Hug those you love, and heap some coals on the heads of those you don't, maybe, so much. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Anitque Music, 1927 Baldwin & Fresh Flowers by Candlelight 

A Reminder For Each Of Us! 

Again, I Didn't See It Coming

A lot of Sundays ago our backyard was the most serene picture of quiet and solitude broken only by the revelry of a few local squirrels chasing each other around the trees and digging up the occasional nut secreted away last fall. Today was much like any other Sunday, I attended church, I played the piano, my heart sang, I ate heartily of pancakes and sausages and looked forward to changing my clothes and spending the afternoon touring the countryside looking for possible photo opportunities. I knew this day was coming and the temperatures were very inviting. So what was I doing? I was in the backyard listening to the incessant sound of a two-cycle chain saw, a four-cycle lawn mower and another oil plus gas propelled machine known locally as the "tiller." Their racous sounds assailed my ears on all sides, and they were my machines. Each one built for a specific task, and all running as smoothly as one could desire. The Harley, specifically designed for days exactly like this, stood on the driveway, leaning on her kickstand waiting, and waiting, but I didn't arrive. Postponed for another time, another day. I, in the meantime(I do know what MEAN TIME is) ran machines invented to squander energy in the form of exertion and fossil fuels with no other purpose than making our yard look nice. Well, now I can take a picture of it and everyone can see, as my honey puts it, "How nice our yard looks." Oh, it wasn't all that bad, and I tend to exagerate a lot, and at least I don't have to do it again for maybe a week.........
How was your Sunday? God bless, Preacher.

Winter in the Backyard 

Music In The Midst Of Nature

The photo below came to me from my uncle Lou. There were many in the folder, and as I view them my goal is to let the photos speak to and through me. This one just brought music to mind; bass-thumping, guitar screaming, cymbal-crashing, mind-numbing metal, music. Work on the newest release on CD has been in process since last October, about the same time that I began using a 'puter. One of the singles was burned on December 12, 2004. It will be released again toward the end of Kingdom Tide. I average about 3-4 new songs per month, and most of them end up on tape where I let people listen and give me their input. I don't really keep track of the many diverse opinions I get, other than if it's worth sharing with the world or not. Some music by design is not really worth sharing other than with a few select individuals of a like mind. I guess the proper terminology would be "Not Commercial." I try not to write for the commercial market anymore. My guess is that I left that arena in the late seventies, although I didn't know I was leaving at the time. The music is faith based and ecumenically written to promote the Kingdom of Christ on earth. An evangelist at heart I use the music as another tool for reaching people. My next guess would be that this is what I am doing on your screen right now. The tracks are ready, the studio awaits a Monday evening call, and the equipment is the very best that God could provide for me(so are the people that I'll be working with, and I don't say that just because they might wander in and read this. I love you guys, really!). So I pray about the various endeavors and try to do what I believe God would have me do. Have you ever considered that this is what each one of us does with life? "We do the best we can with what we have to work with." If you aren't sure about that, attend a Special Olympics track meet. An event like that can give a person a whole new perspective on just how much we have been blessed. Like this blog place, for instance, "What a blessing!" I can share my love for the Lord in pictures, music, stories, and verse. Interestingly enough, I have found some really good friends out here in the world of "blogging" and look forward to finding more. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Thunderstorm On The Texas Plains 

WE Choose Which Wins! 

Two Wolves

One evening before the great fire in the center of camp a warrior turned grandfather sat
with his young grandson by his side. He spoke in a voice filled by many moons of life and
wisdom. "My son," he began, "there is a great battle that goes on inside of all men. It is
called the struggle of the two wolves that live in each of us."

"One is evil.....it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt,
resentment, inferiority, false pride, lies and ego."

"What is the other grandfather?" the young boy asked.

"The other is good.....it is joy, peace. love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
truth, empathy, generosity, compassion, and faith."

The grandson thought for a moment and asked, "Which of the wolves wins this great
battle grandpa?"

The grandfather paused for a moment, putting his arm around the young boy and replied,
"The one we feed, my son."
Paraphrased By Preacher - Many Blessings To Your Wolf

In The Beginning!

My good friend John is on a personal sojourn through the annals of time and recorded history that provide him with insights concerning the origins of "Biblical Truths." Thus far his journey has taken him all over the globe. We have the opportunity in our technologically developed world to obtain more knowledge(printable)in an hour than one could have accumulated in a year at the turn of the 19th century. What does this do for us? Well, it can create a lot of confusion simply because THERE IS SO MUCH OUT HERE. I do not presume to have all the answers, but I've got a good handle on some of them. Considering the task I have begun with this blog, I would very much like to continue challenging my own abilities by extending an invitation to the reader. My alternate E-Mail is: prchth@yahoo.com; (Please place, "I Want To Know" in your subject line) Should you have questions and are actively seeking answers, also, let me know! Only God knows what can be accomplished through faith. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Genesis An Impression 

Life's Circles Revisited

Kyra is my 4 year old grandaughter, but she is so much more. She is really a sweet little girl who talks to me as no child ever has. I guess when mine were growing up I didn't take enough time to listen. Even when the eldest grand(now 15)was this age I didn't have the time available that I do now. Kyra and I are buddies, sometimes co-conspirators in a plot to devour all of the world's cookies in a single night. We bake together, and snack together. We laugh and play and do some really silly things. We enjoy the same type of movies and especially cartoons, and we read books together. She went for her first mortorcycle ride this past fall. We had to wait until her feet would reach to sit up and her head fit the helmet. If nobody else is around we have chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk for breakfast with a banana for desert. I guess one could say my heart has been taken by her beautiful smile and the wonderful ways God has blessed her life. I was told a short time ago by a fairly new parent that we really only have about eighteen summers with a child. I pray it is more, but logical thinking tells me it can't be. Like my own sons and daughters these grands(9 now)must all grow up and move on to their own lives in the world. So, I shall take what time I can get with her and cherish every moment of her summers, and the rest of the seasons. When the first grand came around I was in shock for about three days. I wondered, "Do I get a cane, or cut my hair? What does a grandparent do?" Now I know. One of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard comes from my flesh and blood grands, "Papa, I love you." What else can I say? In Christ's Love, Preacher.

This Is My Grand Daoughter Kyra  

Spring, The Nesting Season!

Nesting season is how I refer to this time of year at our house. My honey goes through weeks(sometimes months)of preparation for this event. I believe my mother and grand mother referred to this as "spring cleaning." That hormone driven, biological clock that beats beneath the breast of persons of the female persuasion has once again announced the arrival of that annual period of time. I feel in my innermost self that even state and local governments are contributors to the arrival of this event. City wide cleanings are scheduled so that old 'stuff' can be thrown out to make room for new 'stuff' soon to be found at garage, rummage and yard sales. One must listen carefully to discern the first feint rumblings of this approaching storm. The warning comes often as little comments missed by the male of the species. Such as, "I can't believe how dirty these drapes(blinds, window converings, shades)have gotten!" We hear it, but we really don't want to. And, as if it might work this year, we try to miss or dismiss the hints of impending upheaval. God has built into the feminine psyche this eternal time keeper that is more accurate that any atomic clock created by human endeavor. Closets that were once comfortably filled with things we could find, have regurgitated their entire contents into hallways only to be reassembled elsewhere to "save space." Shelves are examined by the female eye, which measures more accurately, I have discovered, than any device we have yet invented. Without the assistance of a micrometer, yard stick or tape, these measurements are taken and decisions are made based on that scale the feminine mind is equipped with at birth. If anyone knows how dust gets on the shelves under the boxes please let me know. I have been suffering ignorance in respect to this phenomenon for at least five decades. At present I would say that we are about halfway through this year's experience of "nesting." But this is only the first of the spring crazed, half aware, hormonally driven mind of my personal female counterpart. Next there will be another symptom of spring that will rear it's ugly head from the nether world of winter. Have you heard it as yet? Here it is(you're on the way home from picking up groceries together and you pass a parking lot with construction under way) "Oh, look honey! They're getting the garden center ready. Do you have the tiller and the lawnmower running yet?" Yes, it is time to build the nest outdoors, too. Native Americans had an out many years ago, they would mount their horses and ride off in search of the migrating buffalo herd. Cowboys have got it made, they have fences to ride and cattle to move. For the urban dweller(ie-me)there is no safe haven. Even within the confines of our workshops and personal sanctuaries that wonderful sound of nesting can be discerned, "Honey, can you help me? This will only take a minute." Which inevitably rouses me from the confines of my cave where I keep my Harley's and an assortment of tools for accomplishing the tasks associated with every season. A wise man once told me, "Never pass up a chance to be the hero!" So, off I go to be my honey's hero again. I love that part. God bless, Preacher.

Do Girls Like These, Too? 

April & Getting Married

Pictures do not always come out the way we expect them to. This one below falls into that category of unexpected surprises we find in our envelopes from the developer. Digital photography has eliminated some of our wait, but the results can still be filled with those
photos that quite literally shout, "How did I get this?" I enjoyed this one a lot. While fiddling with it in the program I am presently using I could add enough light to see the people, but chose to leave it this way for another purpose. The wedding was sweet, about 25 people and my wife and I.
This was not a "formal" wedding, but it was a good one! Two weeks ago we attended the 50th anniversary of two very special friends. I had heard the story before of how they got married(I had heard it before maybe ten years ago at their 40th but listened intently)as June described the circumstances. She was 15 and with child, Bearnie was 20 and entering the airforce. I shared my thoughts with June concerning how things have changed the past 50 years. She might have been urged to get an abortion, he may have been charged with a horendous crime and gone to jail for years in our world of today. She agreed and we went about celebrating with 60 or so friends and family. There were some at yesterday's event that chose not to attend the reception because they did not agree with the couple getting married, as if they could predict the bleak, black future that would unfold if they were wed. Marriage doesn't always work, fact. But there is no way of being certain that it won't until it has been given an opportunity. Perhaps June and Bearnie are the total exceptions to all of the standards we set today. I would like to think not. Some would say I am not realistic. I'll admit that part, but I really do believe that if
our changing, evolving world is going to be "better" in the years to come that we must do something to actively promote the "good" in it now. Fifty years and weddings have changed. Somewhere in our country yesterday a person named Bob married a person by the name of Larry. A Janet married a Denise and some people were upset about these kids I did the service for(actually, in my mind, I did the service because that is what I believe God would have me do)getting hitched so young. In all good conscience I cannot do the joining together in Holy Matrimony two persons of the same sex, but 15, female and with child and 20, wanting to do the "right" thing. No problem! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

April in the Sanctuary 

Letter To A Friend 

Friday the Fifteenth

Rising from slumber in the early hours of the morning has always been a favorite of mine. Never really had to for any other reason than the peace that I find before the rest of the world is up and rushing about. Cheryl arrived home from work shortly after 7 am and actually entertained thoughts of sharing breakfast with me. I was preparing one of those healthy ones, 5 strips of not quite crisp bacon(don't you just love that smell in the morning), two eggs fried in the bacon grease, sunnyside up(basted) and four pieces of toast(two fried in the bacon grease, mmmmmmm). There are lots of people out there who will shudder at the thought of ingesting this combination of foods, but for me they are the farm revisited. Did I forget to mention the hot black coffee that I linger over while things are in the fry pan, or the 100% butter that I slather on my unfried toast? I gave up drinking a lot of milk about 15 years ago when I could no longer procure it from the farm. It really is best when it is unhomogenized, unpasteurized, undiluted, unenriched and unfortified with any essential vitamins. That was how it was when I was growing up. Add to the assortment of culinary delights a short stack, maple syrup and sausages and you really have one of those "farm" breakfasts that grandma enjoyed for 93 years and grandpa for 89 years. If this makes you wonder why doctors are so set against this eating style today it is because it is not healthy! Makes you wonder if it was unhealthy why people from my grandparents generation have become the longest lived in America. I personally think that the life style of most people is far to sedentary. Myself included! I simply don't excercise. I did once, it wore me out. But I don't think it's the lack of excercise that does us in at an early age. Locally we just lost a 47 year old physically fit teacher that was much loved by everyone that knew him. I pray for his wife and children and all of those he left behind so suddenly due to a heart that blew up. People, if you're reading this tell me if I'm wrong! It is stress. That is what I believe is killing all of us on a daily basis. Gut wrenching, lay awake at night, worry burdened, workaholic, modern world, pressure cooker driven lives. Yes, there are a lot of 'things' that bring about one's early demise from this physical plane. If you follow all the life threatening diseases one can contract as they bounce up and down in national priority, they may not amount to a hill of beans in comparison to what stress is doing to people. Each one of us knows that person who drinks too much, smokes too much, overmedicates with prescription drugs, takes God only knows how many antacid tablets a day, and we haven't even touched on what stress is doing to people under the age of twenty one. Okay, I have to stop. This one could go all night. If you read this and you'd like to do something 'good' for 'you,' start dumping the stress. Every person knows what they need to do. Whatever it takes, whatever, dump the stress. God bless you, Preacher.

When Truth Is Heard THe Heart Hears 

How Long Does It Take?

That question keeps popping up from Cheryl and family members, but not nearly as often as from friends. One of my nearest and dearest is so excited there seems to be no way to quell the number of questions related to my latest literary attempt. Have you ever had children in the backseat of the car on a journey start asking that "Are we there yet?" question, or repeatedly wanting to know, "How far is it?" or "How many miles do we have to go?" This final enquiry became a favorite of mine with our last set of twins. My response, "All of them!" I did an update on my own timeline thing today. I'm about through with chapter 39, and do not anticipate going much over 50, 55 tops and that includes the inevitable epilogue. That is the very best estimate I can offer at this point in time. My daughter, Marla, is going to a 'scrapbook' party on Saturday and would like for Cheryl to go with. I think I knew what she was referring to, but I had to check it out. A scrapbook is much like a joint bank account. When I was growing up my mother maintained one for me. I appreciate it a lot more now than I did when I was..... younger. Whoosh! I nearly told you that I'm 55. Yes, the same as the double nickel speed limit, it went up, too. I guess I had better return to the tapping on my 'puter for the project. God bless. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Our Wedding Day #2 

The Reason For The Bear

Our home is a haven for bears old and young alike. They come to live at our house where they are treated with great respect and offered love in many languages. Cheryl and I began collecting them when we first got married. They were cute, cuddly, and seemed to reflect a little of each of our personalities in their many guises. This one in the picture below(Oh, I do so pray this thing is working the way I think it should)is in a frame on my office desk. I could go on and on about the Biker bear family and the largest of the group(Cheryl won the giant white Valentine's Day bear from Hallmark three years ago) standing taller than me and when seated occupies the entire loveseat by himself. His most endearing characteristic is his ability to hold young children between his legs while they enjoy their favorite cartoons or movies on the tele in the bedroom. Even our eldest grandson(Matthew, age 15)enjoys cuddling with our big white bear buddy, but he doesn't like to get caught enjoying it these days. I found the all american biker bear in a magazine offering to sell me a statue that looked just like the picture shown for only $34.95 plus tax, and not including shipping and handling. I just liked him, so here he is. Some of the cutest are the mama and papa santa bears that come out for their season. We love them all. We have many pieces of framed artwork to complete our "bear" decor. The only problem we have ever experienced that is related to the bears residing in our home is one that occurs when we are away for several days at a time. They'll throw parties! You would not believe it! We get back and they have drained every beer and smoked all the cigarettes in the house. They've rumpled the beds and left electronic equipment on all over the place. Oh, well, such is life. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Home For Wayward Bears 

Chasing The Sun, Together!

Good Morning! It really is wonderful to have my honey back home. I think I'm getting the hang of this blog thing, but I still have sooooo much to learn. These pics were taken the last time we chased sunset shots. There's a whole collection of them lost somewhere in the system. Not here on my 'puter, but out there in the web. I love the new terminology for the technological advances we are experiencing. It has all the earmarks of a language being developed for the first time. It's fresh, and new every day. Cool! I promised my wife I wouldn't put her picture on the blog without her permission. Last night she saw this shot of herself and did not say I couldn't, so here she is. Gosh I so love this woman. The Lord has blessed me so very much with her presence in my life. Alyssa and Michael are getting married on Saturday. I'll be doing the service for a small gathering of family and friends. Sunday is right over the horizon, but I can see it coming. Tonight we have our weekly prayer gathering. We pray for people, mostly, and the portions of their lives that we know they need God's help with. Several of our prayer concerns have passed away these past few months. It seems that cancer is the leading cause of death for those on our personal lists. Sad when you consider the ages at times. People younger than us taken, in what I now consider to be, the very best years of life. I won't wear this theme out. I'm sure everyone has been touched by this insidious disease in one way or another. A few more days of learning and getting things to work and I will be sending invitations for viewing. That did not come out right. Sounds like a funeral thing. lol; In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Hey! This is my Cheryl. 

Hey! I'm Terryl(Preacher)Huyck 

No, I don't have two!

It's a quarter after nine in the evening on the now rainsoaked plains of the Great American Desert.
My Australian friend was convinced that must be what all of South Dakota looks like when I E-mailed the picture you see below. With the advent of the rain and the full fledged arrival of spring we will experience a total greening of the earth surrounding our humble hovel. Cheryl arrived home safely(Praise the Lord!)at about 5:30 this afternoon, a quick hug and a kiss were my reward for awaiting her return. I think I may have fared better if I were a tail-wagging cute little puppy dog. I understand, duty was calling her elsewhere. As she curled her hair for departure(the rain and damp does strange things to ladies hair)I wondered if she took note of the sparkling toilet bowl, but didn't ask. She'll be back around ten and we'll enjoy a late dinner together. I guess with my learning about this blog thing I will also discover the time differential between when the machine tells me something has been uploaded and when it actually appears. That's why the two pictures. I'm learning. Two chapters completed on the book today, I feel very good about that, and I have discovered from being on the net that there are some writers who are publishing by means of their blog. I promise faithfully not to submit you to that. I actually considered how it would work and came up with only one thought, "like a soap opera(Do they still call them by this name?)only with just word stories." One of the reasons that I do most of what you'll be seeing here is my youngest grandaughter. Her name is Kyra. She is four years old, now, and we are really good buds. My first born child made my heart leap. The next five kept it jumping. The first grandchild gave pause for reflection(Now that I'm grandpa should I cut my hair or get a cane or something?). Eight grands later I am ready for the world. I pray that the world is ready for me. I really mean this, no pun intended. I'll be posting pics of kids soon. You are not obligated in any way to view them, but I wish you would. I wish everyone in the world had little people so special in their lives. That's it for today, there is stuff to be done. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

1990 H-D Ultra Classic 

If you are seeing the picture of an Ultra Classic Harley, I have learned something. This was on the way back from one of our weekly rides. My wife says I have enough pictures of the bike. My response, "Then one more can't possibly hurt." She still enjoys me taking pictures of her, and the grands. How can it possibly be that we have enough pictures af anything we care for. Perhaps I shall mention that the next time she suggests that I get the camera and take pictures of a baby that we already have 35 pics of. Maybe not! In Christ's Love, Preacher. 

What A Day!

Two chapters reached completion today. The next one is good to go as soon as I get back to the project. It has been about twelve hours since I last posted so I have been attempting, once again, to discern just how it is that this works. I think another photo went where it was supposed to go. For those of you out there that have been into digital photography for years now, your patience is appreciated. If you have any tips, feel free to share. I've been using my wife's digital for about six weeks now. Absolutely fascinating piece of equipment. My personal preference is an antiquated Canon Eos 620. I have three lenses for it(up to the 80-200)and enjoy the effects I can get with it. The best part of that one is that it has a "me proof" button that I utilize often. More pictures are in the works for this blog thing I've begun. A few more properly pushed buttons and I do believe I will start telling people on my A-list E-mail where this is on the web. You know, until six months ago I was living very happily unaware of the internet and all of its possibiities. Today I get around, see stuff, learn things that I never even knew I wanted to know, and share with people on a daily basis. If I could only figure out a way to make a living doing this I might consider it as a second job.
I pray your day has been good. Come visit as I grow in very small increments. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

This is another go at it. It's probably a routine thing that I am missing, like doing all of the steps in the correct order. 

South Dakota Sunset

This is the second day posting to Preacher's Place. I guess since I have found it again and I am tapping out a message to leave on site(may be better than sticking it in a bottle)some of what I am learning to do is working. Yaaaaaaaay! My wife, Cheryl,(if I learn how to upload my photos and my text to the same place at the same time you will have the opportunity to view her)is winging her way down the interstate to meet her sister in Norfolk, NE. We visited dad down in Central City a few months ago where 'Sassy' resides with her third(fourth, I don't know for sure)husband. On the way home I suggested(silly me, who would have thought gas would ever be this expensive)they plan a few days just for the two of them. So they are meeting today halfway between their respective homes and renting a motel for at least one night to enjoy a little "girl time." Might be good for both of them. I pray for their journey and for their time together, that it may be a blessing that they may wish to repeat. There have been wives that I wouldn't trust any further than the front door of the house, but this newest one is a treasure. Christian through and through. The very essence of her spirit instills me with confidence, not to mention the overwhelming sense of love I have for her. So, I am alone, at least physically. I'll be tapping away on my computer keys working on the newest book, playing the grand piano that resides in our living room, and spending the time apart in profitable ways. If you read this and you happen to know the secret of how to put text plus photo on one of these things simultaneously, please let me know. I am easily baffled by technology, perhaps that is why I have the tenacity of an English pitbull when it comes to life's difficulties. I'll stop back again later with pictures(hopefully). In Christ's Love, Preacher.

This is a sunset photo taken by my wife and I 

An Intro

I guess at this point we're learning together. Me about how all of this works, and you about how slow I am to catch on. I have an idea. Isn't that a great start? Now I have to use the tools available to make it happen. Learning to use the tools can sometimes prove to be a 'stretch' for me. I started using a computer on 10-10-04. My IBM, faithful for over thirty years had deveoped more problems than I could resolve. The one person I knew personally that worked on them had passed away in '87. I needed a replacement. My wife used a computer for work at her store and suggested that I try something new. I'm certain she regrets that suggestion now! I have delved far and deep into this wonderful new world my children have been telling me about for years. My eldest grandson, 15, and I can now speak many of the same tongues. Just getting a handle on another language(I read and write in several)was not a problem. I only ran into problems when I moved into the various applications and how they operated within the guidelines established by the creators. It seems I have done many "Illegal things" according to my machines. I know for certain that I have never broken a law to the best of my knowledge, but obviously I have made some grievous errors. There is a higher power that forgives. Now if I only knew which office they occupied at MicroSoft HQ I would be in good shape indeed!! I pray you find enjoyment in watching this come together on a wing and a prayer. If you would like to comment, feel free to do so. God bless, Preacher.

This is a borrowed sunrise. I needed something "professional" for the sake of comparisons. I don't know whose it was originally or I would surely give them credit. I thought it awesome and somewhat thought-provoking. I pray you enjoy it as well.