Got Gas?

This is the world in which we live! The circumstances are not reversible! Just like our little dog Snickers, the corporate heads will continue to gorge themselves if we participate until they are sick of gathering the spoils of a declining economy. By the way, they will never tire, but I pray we will. Change is needed. Not at any level other than you and I. We are going to have to change our ways or continue to pay the price for not doing so. Out on the Great American Desert spring thoughts are sounding very bleek amongst the elder farmers gathering at local watering holes. They seem to think that the government needs to put a stop to the economical rape of their business. I doubt if that is forthcoming. I try not to throw cold water on the political end of democrats and republicans, but we are on a slippery slope and there is no way we can go back to the years gone by. Life is going to continue but it has got to change for many of us. Back to sails on my boats. Maybe even a little "scooter" for getting around town instead of the big HD. More walking perhaps and biking with pedals, as well. There is an answer to our current plight! As always "supply and demand" will hold true to their established courses. If we quit using so much prices will decline. That is a fact and the only ones who can make it happen are the people. God bless, Preacher.

Friends

I have no clue how this all works, but I have followed the directions to the letter. Our local TV station did a thing on one of our "Best Friends" last evening. JoAnne Bird, artist from right here on the Great American Desert, is pictured above with her hubby, Gordon, and their poodle, Tootles. You can check out the video, and see her work on the internet. Unfortunately for me I've been suffering from a case of the "creeping crud" this week and was unable to attend JoAnne's birthday gathering. Cheryl had to appear for both of us. I managed a phone call and a rough rendition of "Happy Birthday" on the grand piano. JoAnne laughed at my singing(my voice is very nearly been obliterated by the illness)but still enjoyed. I pray your day is going well and that health is never far from your presence. God bless, Preacher.

How Are We Doing Today?

The President probably has days like mine. I have contracted a very nasty virus which has laid me low with temperatures exceeding 102. I don't mind the fevers so much, but the accompanying chills, coughing and other unmentionable symptoms are not so pleasant.
George Bush has continued to do the very best job he could these past years as our Commander In Chief during some difficult events in our nation's history. I keep wondering what one does if you're in charge of the nation and you come down with a flu.
I suppose that is why we have a Vice President, but that doesn't truly answer the question what George does. Is he staying in bed and drinking lots of liquids, taking his ibuprofen and vitamins? So, I got back up from my cozy warm bed and the little dog with the big heart who has been faithfully following me around all day to make sure I'm okay, to write to the issue of what happens when the boss is ill. Obviously there are a lot of things that are not going to get done. Deadlines will not be met as per their schedule, and all of the tasks we planned are put on hold. I think what would drive me nuts in a situation of power is "not being left alone" to heal. I'm somewhat of a bear when injured or ill. I want to mozy on over to a corner of the cave where the light is not too bright and curl up. The last thing I want is somebody fussing over me. I've been sick before. I will get sick again. Now just leave me be!
Can you imagine what it must be like for Bush? There are calls he absolutely must take because nobody else can do it. There are people who will invariably insist on seeing him if for no other reason than to satisfy their curiosity concerning the President's health. Then there are the physicians that want to be in attendance. I would not want to get sick in the White House. That would be entirely intolerable. Here at home I'm doing fine. Dinner was sufficient(TV Dinner, not much but all I could manage at the time)for the needs of my body. The problem with food at a time like this is that taste! It just doesn't taste like it should. Now if I were the President I could order up anything I wanted and someone would prepare just as I like it and it would still taste, Not Right! I like food. I enjoy cooking and I know just how I want things to come out for a dinner. Tonight would have been one of those evenings of candlelight and flowers for my wife and I. When she came in from work the kitchen would smell like heaven(in a culinary sense)and the table would be set. Tonight she is out of luck, I haven't got the energy. The spirit is strong, but my flesh is frail. I think God enjoys viewing us as we go through the difficulties of life. He observes how we handle them and listens to our prayers even when they are muttered from the depths of our personal cave. God bless you, George Bush, don't get ill, please. My grandmother used to say "This is a great life if you don't weaken."
In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Something To Think About Over Coffee

I've been noticing that there is very little being mentioned in depth concerning the rising price of oil. I guess what made me think about it was watching the candidates as they continue to make speeches about what they can do for our nation if elected. Not too many years ago I was commuting 110 miles per day round trip to my 5-6 day a week employment as manager for a retail chain. After much discussion my wife and I agreed that the rising cost of fuel was going to make my continued employment more of a detriment than an asset. How about all of those miles covered by our candidates in a single week of getting around this country? It's no wonder they don't speak to the issue of fuel consumption by the average citizen when they are spending more in a week on fuel than most of us earn in a year.
Just a thought that crossed my mind(what there is left of it)this evening. Many blessings to you and yours. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

A Constructive Sunday

I know, I was supposed to "rest" today. In some ways I actually did just that. I found it to be very relaxing to work out at the project. The pics are of the addition and the outside wall of the ancient home we are in the process of refurbishing. Two of the old windows that at one time faced south needed removing, and their dark oak parts saved for somewhere in the midst of stuff to be done. Also of import to me was the preliminary establishment of just where the walls of the addition's interior are to be built. Talk about fun! I now have a plan of attack on the project and within a matter of days I shall have the steps for the entry from the new to the basement under the old. All in all I can't think of anywhere else on the Great American Desert I would rather be preparing for habitation. It may sound strange, but with the winds howling as they were today I took comfort in how well we have managed to seal the house from wintry intrusion. Then there is the question of sounds that emanate from dark distant corners of the attic and the floors that are continuing to settle into their new location. We may always experience sounds coming from the home, but that is alright by me. Houses are in some ways living and breathing entities. The older the noisier! This one is only about 100 years old, but what a century to have seen in passing! There are still so many things to be accomplished before we can begin to set up house, but each day brings us one step closer. I have been praying over the home as I work. I truly believe that this is part of God's plan for our lives. I keep on asking questions, and now I'm receiving answers in the form of affirmations from folks that have taken part in this whole project process. That tickles me, and it increases my desire to see the work completed. I realize, probably better than many, that the tasks will never be completed. There will always be something that is going to require fixing. My prayers are lifted this night on behalf of everyone that has worked to help my wife and I realize a dream. It was only a vision six months ago, but now it is becoming very real. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Snickers Watching & Waiting!

Today the weather began warming rapidly. I filled the duck "pond" after dumping the inch and a half of ice out and set about getting on the road for the site where we are building the home of my wife's dreams. Today that home seemed more like a nightmare until I got into the spirit of the house and it's construction again. The temperature was predicted to rise to a balmy 45 degrees so I figured I would get to the house before the yard turned to nothing but a muddy mess. I now have sheets of siding laid out on the ground so I can get back to the garage. Even the ply stuff was squishing around beneath the van when I left around noon. The last of the concrete on the interior was poured this week. Sheldon is to be commended for continuing to do a beautiful job. Measuring the spaces has become an eternal endeavor as the inside begins to take shape on paper. There are far more details than I would have thought possible six months ago. There aren't any workers on site during the weekends so I have time to draw my lines and begin the process of drawing out where the walls will be placed. Originally I had planned a kitchen width(the working area)of 12 feet. That has now expanded to nearly fifteen as I recalled one of the architects telling me that 12 feet was the minimum he would suggest for a kitchen that included an island.
As I walk the hundred year old portion of the place that was at one time a bed & breakfast I become enamored with the beauty of the old oak pillars and doorways. Even though I know I have to get things accomplished because Snickers is waiting and the ground outside is warming, I pause far too often envisioning the project in completion. So many details that must be kept track of that I do believe I will need one of the office computers on site to make notes. That should not be too hard to do, and it would allow the fellows working there a way to communicate with me as we progress. Anyway, lots of thoughts, and lots of plans riding on the point of a pencil and the prayers I offer up to my Creator for wisdom this day! Soon all of the "roughin" work shall be completed and the interior will take shape. All in God's time, I persist in reminding myself. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Is It Spring Yet?

We did the Christmas with the pretty snow. We tolerated January and most of February with sub-zero temperatures out here on the Great American Desert. Yesterday the ducks got to go swimming, and now the question remains, "Is This Spring?" No, it is not! We still need to experience mornings of snow mixed with winds of indeterminate velocity(I don't want to be out there long enough to set up a wind gauge)plus, mixes of rain and sleet. This is all in keeping with the season which is proving so far better than most. This year we have an event! Easter will(not in my lifetime)come so soon again! I don't worry about this too much since I know that the world has a different time table than it did 2,000 years ago. That's alright. Everyone in politics has messed with the calender in one way or another. This past year they changed the "daylight" savings time to better accommodate folks out on the road really early. Why don't we make it mandatory that the sun come up at a predesignated time and if it refuses to do so fine it for being late? This year Easter is going to come very soon. I look forward to the traditional celebrations of breakfast and worship(or is it the other way around? I was never really certain if this was a superimposed fund-raising event or a mandate of my Creator). This is the other time of the year when we get to meet(as clergy)folks we haven't seen for most of the year. Just try to remember 300 names of folks that you don't see but twice a year, I dare you! Anyway, the hint of spring is in the air, and for that I am verily thankful. It means that soon, and very soon, I shall be free once again to roam the highways and biways of our country on two wheels in search of the lost. I prayerfully submit that they are always out there. And who are they? Good that you might ponder. They are amongst the throngs that in our world today do not know Christ as their personal Savior, and His Father, my Lord God, of course! "Taste and see that the Lord is good!" In Christ's Love, Preacher.