The End of the Year

The end of anything, especially a year, is a good time for reflection, so here are some Random Thoughts.

It was a good year to remember the past...how I found my lovely wife, how my family grew, how it is still growing, how I miss distant friends and family, and how I really dislike cats most of the time. :)

It was a good year for watching Violet grow and seeing the Athens branch of the family move to a new home. I had my doubts when I first saw Old Haggard, but on reflection, it was a good move. My prayers for a wonderful future in the old house are constant for Jon, Missy, and Violet.

It was a good year for growing closer to all of my children. Events have led to closer relationships with Bob and his family, Sandy and her wonderful bunch of guys, Gretchen and her mystery guest, and, of course, Jon and his crew. Closer is good.

It was a good year to re-discover a new hobby. I really enjoy hanging out at the range. More closeness with my sons and son-in-law is a good byproduct. The guys at the range are good folks, too.

It was a good year to reinforce my suspicion of cats. Gizmo and Gracie are a constant source of puzzlement. Maybe I give cats too much credit for intelligence, but I cannot help but wonder what makes them tick.

It was a good year to see the extended family and a good chunk of America. My three weeks in the Jeep traveling to Ohio, Michigan, Montana, and Missouri were exceptional for the places, people, and friends I saw along the way. Thank you all for being part of my life.

It was a good year for almost everything I attempted. I am truly blessed.

It was a good year to reflect on the things I learned from my father. He would have been 88 today. Thanks, Dad, you made me the man I am. You're missed on a daily basis.

It was a good year to look forward to more time with family and friends.

I hope 2009 will be as good for you as 2008 was for me.

Home, Home on the Range

Warning: Gun Stuff follows.

The post-Christmas cleanup was just about over, and Bob had a new pistol that he really wanted to shoot, so I invited him to join Jon and myself for our Friday-during-the-lunch-hour session at the Firing Lane. In keeping with my theory that "if some is good, and more is better, then too much is just enough", I invited Slade to join us, too.

As with most things I try to organize, it got bigger than I expected. Bob invited Jerry, who had never shot his Glock, and Kevin, who also had a .40 that needed exercise.

I brought my .45 SW1911, .45 Colt Uberti Cattleman, the H&R Sportsman, and the Ciener .22 conversion for the 1911. Jon brought his Ruger 22/45, Bob his FNP-45, and Slade his PT1911 and a really nifty modified Ruger 22/45.

We took turns shooting everything in turn, and soon were about ankle deep in spent brass, shredded targets, and empty cartridge boxes. Between all the guns we probably put over 1,000 bullets into the sand at the end of the three lanes we had assigned.

The hit of the day had to be Slade's .22 Ruger. It had an aluminum upper and a (legal) suppressor on it. The loudest sound from the thing was the noise of the bolt clanking back and forth. Pretty cool.

To say that a good time was had by all might be a bit of an understatement.

Sunday, I was back. Sandy and Slade had given me a gift certificate to rent a "machine gun", so I gave Slade a call and arranged to meet him at 2:00 PM. On the way, I got a call saying Slade had been called to do something with the Sheriff's Office, and he would have to work. I went anyway, and shot up a couple of hundred rounds of .45 ACP. As I was leaving the semi-soundproofed part of the range, I saw Slade in the lobby. His work had gone quickly.

Not being one to turn my back on good fortune, we went to the counter and got checked out on the H&K MP-5, picked up a couple of Osama bin Ladin targets and 3 boxes of 9mm ammo. Back in the range area, we settled into my lane, and started loading the magazine. In the lane to my right, a young man was trying to teach his wife/girlfriend to shoot. We sort of interrupted his instruction when the MP-5 threw a stream of spent 9mm brass over the partition between lanes.

By the time Slade and I had finished with the 3 boxes of ammo, we were performing for about a dozen people. Nobody left the range with a frown on their face.

I think the next time, I'll rent the M-3 Grease Gun. :)

Christmas Is For Children...

...and there were a bunch of them at our house on Christmas Eve. The pictures are of the newest member of our extended family, the Christmas tree with about 50% of the loot on display, and "The Older Children".

Marilyn and "the world's oldest 12-year old" (that would be me) were host to Bob, Laura, Sara, Slade, Sandy, Tyler, Sam, Gretchen, Jon, Missy, and Violet. Marilyn did her usual great job of cooking ham, hash brown casserole, green beans, and an assortment of snacks and desserts that would put me in the hospital if I ate them on a regular basis.

There were gifts galore, and everyone had a great time spreading wrapping paper around the lower levels of the house. My wonderful wife gave me a couple of beautiful sports jackets, I gave her a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings, but the hit gift of the night must have been Violet's red car.

There must have been 50 miles put on the thing doing laps of the front hall, living room, dining room, and kitchen.

It was a good time, and I want to thank all of you for being my family.

To quote Peter Pan, "I won't grow up!" It would ruin Christmas, and I'm not ready for that.

Be well.

For Unto Us

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

NIV

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God Bless Us, Every One. - Charles Dickens

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In the rush to get all the presents wrapped, cookies baked, and hams cooked we often forget the real gift we celebrate at Christmas. I just want to remind every one who reads this that Christ was, is, and will always be the greatest gift ever given.

Wishing everyone a Merry, Christ filled, Christmas from The Road Less Traveled.

The Day The Cat Stood Still

It's been an interesting morning, so far. I awoke to a dream of being in a "magic fingers" bed. It was actually Wally chasing some critter in his fur at the foot of the bed. After a cup of coffee, I turned on the TV to one of the old movie channels, and was met by Jill St.John in pink stretch pants and red boots running from alligators with fins and horns glued to them. It was the 736th remake of "The Lost World".

While I was watching red-dyed oatmeal and dry ice (lava) consume a subterranean cave, I made the mistake of hanging my hand out of the recliner. Gracie attacked. One minute, I was watching a really bad movie, the next I was trying to pry 4 pounds of needle sharp claws off of my hand. The kitten plays rough.

Right now, on the TV, Michael Rennie and Gort are trying to convince the people of the world to just get along. More power to them.

Judging from the sounds coming from upstairs, "somebody" would appreciate it if I get off my butt and start getting ready for the hoard on Christmas Eve, so I'll let you all go for now.

Catu barada nikto.

Christmas Cake

Compliments of my friend Candace, who is currently freezing somewhere in rural Indiana.

Once again this holiday, I have had requests for my tequila Christmas cake so here goes:

1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1 cup brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
Nuts
1 bottle tequila
2 cups dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality
Take a large bowl, check the tequila again to be sure it is of the highest quality.
Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
At this point, it is best to make sure the tequila is sstill OK. Try another cup just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy.
Break 2 legs and add to the bowl and chuck iin the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the fruit up off the floor.
Mix on the turner.
If the fried druit getas stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the tequila to test for tonsisticity.
Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something.
Check the tequila.
Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
Don't forget to beat off the turner
Finally, throw the bowl through the window.
Finish the tequila and wipe the counter with the cat.
Cherry Christmas

Oh Christmas Cat, Oh Christmas Cat...

I am convinced that God put me on this planet to provide toys for my wife's cats.

Gracie has discovered the Christmas tree. I'm sure that the living ornament will be depressed when we take the thing down.

Stay well.

Not Bad for a Thursday

Yesterday was a fairly good Thursday.

The weather, unlike most of the country, was warm, if mostly cloudy, and my work day was short. I left early because my youngest son was being honored at his place of work as Employee of the Year.

The hospital where he is a department manager has 4 categories where they make the EOTY award on an annual basis. Jon was nominated in 3 of the 4 categories. According to his boss, they wanted to give him at least 2 of the awards, but had to pick other people for those categories. I guess they didn't want to retire the trophy.

I always knew Jon was an over-achiever. Despite the fact that he makes me look like a slacker [ :-) ], I'm very proud of him.

Congratulations, Jon, you've earned every bit of it and your Mom and I could not be more pleased for you.

Keep up the good work.

Happy Birthday Mom

I hope it's a great one.

Love you much.

And Happy Birthday Pablo, too.

A Few Notes on Sunday

It was a good one. Lots of family, felines, food, and fun.

Marilyn got jerked around a little by her work. She was scheduled to go in at 0800, but got called while she was getting ready, and wound up on call. At 1100 the call came in, and she put on her blue scrubs and did the mad dash to the hospital. About 2 minutes after she left, the third call from the hospital arrived: "Never mind, we don't really need you." So she left work, and went shopping. :)

While all of this was going on, I was wandering around Wal-Mart looking for necessary stuff. I brought it all home, and decided to take a nap. Dreary Sunday afternoons are good for something, after all.

Nap over, it was time to get cleaned up a little and go to the Christmas Musical at Bob and Laura's church. Laura sang, Sara was an angel. Actually, Sara was a Lead Angel. This gave her wings, and a halo. The plebeian angels just had white robes with gauzy stuff flowing behind. Bob was a wise (too many opportunities here) man. He looks good in purple, white, and sequins. :)

Church music has changed since I was a kid. Back in the middle ages, we had pipe organs, pianos and trumpets and flutes on Easter Sunday. The choir sang Bach and Handel. It takes a bit of mental re-threading for me to get into a church with electric guitars and drums where I thought there was supposed to be an altar. The one thing that both of these churches have in common is genuine praise. I've sensed the Spirit in every place I've been where people gather to worship.

He was certainly present last night. The music was wonderful, the kids performed with an innocent enthusiasm that was a joy to behold, and the congregation shared their enthusiasm.

Marilyn and I sat with Laura's Mom, and were soon joined by Jon, Missy, and Violet. Vi spent the hour that they were there walking across laps to visit with M and myself. She was into the music, dancing and clapping with the best of them.

A high point, for me, of the service was the "Cardboard Testaments" where various members of the congregation had written what their life was like before coming to faith one one side of a square of cardboard, and how it had changed afterward on the other side. I was awed by some of these simple statements of faith and the evidence of the power of God to change people's lives. I was especially touched by Laura's. It made me glad she chose us for her in-laws.

It was a good time, and good for me to have been there.