A few years ago prior to my cataract surgeries I had no idea my color perceptions had slipped away - going from 80/60 vision to 20/20 was amazing in itself - especially on two wheels where being able to watch out for others is a must - but more importantly as time passed has been my perception of colors - sooo very thankful today that the vibrancy and depth of color has been gifted me once more - the thought I would like to consider for this weekend has to do with faith and our perceptions - perhaps as we grow older we lose some of the clarity and vibrancy of our faith - like maybe it 'clouded' over as various portions of our lives slowed down - Aerosmith....."I don't wanna miss a thing...." - today my vision is way better - I'm working on those perceptions of people - it's a 'faith' thing! The preceding thoughts were posted on FB a bit ago this all comes on the heels of a discovery made during the process of sorting out the bits and pieces of life as my honey and I complete the final projects on our home. Still sorting and sifting through the remains of my parent's and grandparent's estates. Legal stuff is now pretty much over and in the past. Thank God for small miracles of survival! I found an old flash drive a few days ago with pix of when we began eight years ago. the photos I'm sharing are from that drive. Truly a labor of love. I have never been in any home more than this one and I truly have grown fond of the place. It houses my tears, blood, sweat, fears, joys, and grief. In the midst of it all there has been laughter and wonderful smiles. All of the emotions that make up the life with which God has gifted me are here! It is good. I give thanks each day for the journey and the love God has shown me. Love is an ongoing experience of the Lord's presence in my life and like everything else I want to share it with others. So here is a little of where we began this latest chapter together and a peek at where we are today! God bless you and yours this Christmas season! Just so you will know I am still a registered Democrat as I have been since age 18. I voted for Trump and I am so thankful that he is going to be the president of my country. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

January 14, 2007

It always amazes me to come back to the 'blog' and see how long it's been since I've posted. Traveling on two wheels, performing in churches, and living life as best I can at the moment. So many variables to work around. Growing older is a privilege denied many people and the older I get it seems the more folks pass away that I've known for years. My prayer for each of them is always that they have received Christ as their Savior and will be waiting to greet me one day! The pix are a sample of summer stuff. building, is only a hobby. My true passion is to be found in music, ministry, and motorcycles. Not always in that order! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

January 14, 2007

It seems that snow has been on everyone's mind for awhile now. We have been blessed on our little piece of God's creation here on the "Great American Desert" where snowfall has been kept to a minimum. There is still plenty of time left in the winter to get snowed in. March of '78 we had a blizzard that lasted several days and when it was over I could walk over the garage on the snow. That's been a while ago but one never knows for sure with the weather. I like that phrase, 'a while ago' nd it probably dates me but that's the best part of time. We have truly been blessed to have so much. Time changes all things. Time can drag on and on one moment, and the next moment it slips by so quickly we wonder where it went. I have been so frustrated by time and yet the time I have spent wisely has been well invested. Once upon a time.....the stories begin.....has stood the test of time and remains one of the ways in which parents in this country begin telling their children fairy tales. I wonder if the stories are told the same way in other languages? Relationships seem to come and go with ease in my life. Folks I thought would become close friends have faded away through time. Others I never would have expected have come and remained steadfast. Some might say that I am difficult to get to know. Others might believe that I'm impossible because I am self centered and selfish and have all the rest of the character faults that can be attributed to humankind. I try not to hold them to harshly in my opinionated way. We are all simply people that are striving to do the very best we can with what we have been given. God has blessed me so much that I scarcely can recall the last time I experienced a really bad day. There have been days when things did not go as planned, but there will always be those with which to contend. I suppose I enjoy my contentious days almost as much as the days of perfection. The difference is the days that are wonderful never seem to last as long as I would like and the ones that are difficult seem to not want to end. All in all they are good days when placed in the perspective of time. My prayer tonight.....Thank You Lord for time! This I pray in Jesus' name – Preacher.

A very happy weekend to y'all with a big shout out howdy on top - been working on getting back on my mental wheels for a lot of hours - I guess I hit one of those rough stretches of life's highways that just had to be ridden - No one among us likes losing people(there are some we're better off without and some that should not have been allowed into our lives to begin with) - death takes some - others run straight into death's loving arms with total abandon because that is their choice - all I can report tonight is recovering my ability to accept life as it is and learning once again to "let go and let God" - It's been two years since I've posted anything here.....Whooosh what a ride those months have been, Still in the same home that I began building in '08 - that's a real plus in my life! I have a habit of moving on down the road every once in awhile. Sometimes I come back! It is winter on the "Great American Desert" and my thoughts have been of the jumbled variety for far too long. I need to be busy about the task of finishing more of this place I live in and get it ready for the next phase of life. Just like people, places have to change every once in awhile. My plans were to be in Arizona with the folks at Isaiah 58 simply serving the Lord and His people for about 5 months per year. Lots of space to ride down that way. As always the best laid plans often go astray. Maybe next year I'll be able to make the journey. Only time will tell that tale. As for now I am getting back to being content with the months of containment that lie ahead and I'm excited(finally)about getting more work done!

Not only would I visit here but I would probably camp on the site for a few days to get a feel for the land. Along with the 'feel' one also gets in touch with those who lived and thrived here for a time. Much like our native lands in South Dakota the time is always good when it is devoted to the ancestors and all who have walked before us. The photos(sad to say)are not mine, they were taken by a photographer by the name of Denzine, I believe, who lives down Texas way. Texon, Texas, " A Little Bit of History " Texon was a company owned town. It came to life on May 28, 1923 when oil was discovered on University of Texas lands by Big Lake Oil Company. The company built all the homes, all the stores, all everything. By 1930, there were a thousand residents in Texon, all employees or dependents. The town had everything and anything needed to support its population. Texon thrived from the 1920s through the 1940s but as oil production from the field diminished, the town began to fade. In 1962, the company sold its operations and most of the homes and other buildings were either moved or razed. What is left are the foundations of former homes and other debris to mark the site that is located about one-half mile south of U.S. Highway 67 on Farm to Market Road 1675. The lady who posted this on FB said she would live here and I echo that statement. Just looking at the pics conveys to me a certain presence of peace and that I look for everywhere I go.

This is the second litter of Chihuahuas this year from Snickers and Snooki. The first was on April 10th, the very worst blizzard of the spring and the second right after the biggest snow, wind and cold of the year. Could be a sign of something. This has nothing about why I am blogging this morning! Teddy was a cry baby puppy from Snooki's first litter. Frightened of everything. He was the first out of the womb April 10th and the least likely to be sold to anyone because as soon as there were strangers about he hid. So he became my puppy and received his name. I've raised 84 puppies and sold all but one. I kept this one and now share with you the experience of raising a dog from birth. April 10th 2013 I put my head over the side of the bed to see what the fuss was(last spring I had Snooki sleeping right next to the bed the last week of her pregnancy)and there was the first of the April litter. His name is now Teddy and 8 months later we have really(I do mean really bonded differently than any other animal I have ever been around or had the pleasure of sharing this life)he is amazing! The unique thing about having one from birth is that they know you as well as they know their own parents and they have only one person to relate to in everything. Yesterday Snooki added a little brother and 3 sisters to our family for the still growing everyday Teddy. Now I am blessed with another most amazing thing to witness as it occurs. Snickers(father)is not allowed near his babies for weeks(Snooki nips at him if he gets close)but Teddy can get right into bed with all of them and Snooki does not mind. He is still a cry baby, unique from each of the others. That is why I guess I had to keep him, or maybe I was just really curious now that I'm old enough to spend the time it takes to raise a dog from birth. These new four will all be sold. Snooki will be fixed so that we have no more pups. Snickers is getting old(past eight years now)and Snooki will as well(she has to be three)but Teddy and I will travel the road together. 40 years ago I had a pomeranian compadre that stayed with me 17 years through three wives hundreds of homes and thousands of miles. Maybe it is time for that type of relationship again(not the change in wives, that was crazy)just live each day as it comes and love one another unconditionally until we are no longer on this journey of life!

It was a journey of discovery, one that cannot be repeated every year, but only every half decade. I am still astounded by the miles covered, places visited, and people met. As our riding season winds down here on the "Great American Desert" I am remembering times a quarter century ago when doctors informed me that I might never walk again. All seems very far away and unreal today in light of the accomplishments and the ups and downs of life. I'm getting older. My favorite saying for a number of years has been "I may be old, but I'm slow." I said it in jest for years and now it is more truth than I'd care to truly admit some days. On another note - the five year plan that we set out on is nearing completion. Basement closets and bedrooms being finished and the last of the sorting from the old place is getting done. This takes me forever! I'd do a page just on how long it takes to settle in but that would get boring. Needless to say I am very thankful to be where I am today and know that I could have accomplished nothing without God's steady prompting of my spirit to stay on track with His plan and keep mine in the background.